Next semester I’ll be taking an independent study course for credit towards my geography degree at the University of Oklahoma. I will be compiling a map that shows the evolution of rail infrastructure in Norman, OK from when the first rail laid until present day. I’d like to include sidings, industries served by rail, structures owned by the railroad, the interurban line, etc.
If anyone here has some track diagrams, memories, or otherwise useful tidbits that may contribute to this project, please let me know. If it’s related to trains in Norman, I’d like to know about it.
Also, if you have any tips or pointers for finding relevant information, please let me know.
(1) If only the Rock went through Norman. Your campus library Western History Collection could keep me in it’s railroad section for months.
(2) Can you say Topeka?- Methinks you will spend lots of time there at the Kansas Historical Society in the ATSF archives if the current adminstration that took over from Ms. Meininger has not totally screwed up access to tons of records ATSF gave to them… (Housed in a former ATSF Purchasing and Materials Warehouse near the Topeka Shops)
Be aware at one time in the 30’s-40’s and 50’s that area had a pretty good net of trolley’s and interurbans. I had checked ot a book about it some time back, Both Kansas and Oklahoma had quite a network of overlaping lines for both railroads and interurban lines.