Paperton Junction Southern Railway

Some basic history on the PJS. Way back in the 40's as World War 2 raged on, the US government created many military installations around the country. One of these installations was the Pine Bluff Arsenal. As was normal at the time, rail access was a key part of the transportation strategy. The US government and the Cotton Belt Railway jointly created what was known as the 'Arsenal spur' or 'Arsenal lead'. (Also known in some official documents as the Baldwin lead). This rail line went from the Cotton Belt mainline in Pine Bluff to the arsenal, paralleling the Missouri Pacific tracks. A track consolidation project in the mid 80's eliminated the connection of this track to the mainline, and the tracks were pulled out up to Myrtle Street. In the early 90's, long time Arkansas Railroad Museum member purchased the remaining line, approximately 2.25 miles, with the intent of operating historical equipment on it. He eventually donated the line to the Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society. I have been spearheading an effort to reopen this line and establish a lasting excursion train on it!