The last time a train was on this line was in 1991 during the first Gulf War in Iraq, when the Army used it to move various carloads of military equipment from Camp Robinson to the UP's main lines. Following is a story from the August 31, 1990 Arkansas Gazette, taken from the October 1990 "Arkansas Railroader", which I edited at the time:
"The seldom used Union Pacific spur connecting U. P.s main line from North Little Rock to Van Buren, AR with the Camp Robinson National Guard reserve in North Little Rock has been upgraded so that it can once again handle trains. The four-mile line is just east of Camp Robinson Road and goes into Camp Robinson at Remount Road. Union Pacific spent abut $200,000 on the improvements, including 2,600 new ties and street crossing improvements. Improvements inside the camp itself were made by the military. The rest of the improvements were finished around August 1, 1990. The improvements were made well before the Persian Gulf crisis materialized, but at least now the tracks can support heavy rail shipments of equipment to and from Camp Robinson in case that becomes necessary. (Back in May 1990, your editor (Ken Z) saw a short train on this spur consisting of a UP engine, a gondola and a flatcar with an armored tank on it - the first time I'd ever saw a train on that track). (Arkansas Gazette, August 31, 1990 by John Woodruff)."
UP's Van Buren Sub in North Little Rock, AR, looking to the north. You can see where the Camp Robinson spur used to come into this track in the center of the picture. The overpass is busy Interstate 40.
Closer view of where the switch to the Camp Robins line once was.
37th Street crossing, looking northeast. On this date, July 18, the spikes had already been removed from the rail here. The line passes through mostly residential areas of North Little Rock, including my neighborhood. The city of North Little Rock had a meeting a few years ago with UP asking if they would donate the right of way for a pedestrian trail. At that time the answer was no since the Army wanted UP to keep the line in place.
37th Street looking southwest.
37th Street, looking southwest.
You can see the spikes removed.
From 37th Street again, looking southwest toward UP's main line.
37th Street looking northeast.
More spikes.
37th Street, looking northeast.
Police sub-station in the old Bank of America building on 47th Street in North Little Rock. The Camp Robinson spur is right behind me.
47th Street, looking northeast.
Looking east from that police substation parking lot.
47th Street looking southwest.
47th Street looking northeast.
Equipment at 48th Street crossing, looking northeast.
38th Street, looking northeast.
Workers at 38th Street, looking southwest.
38th Street at Massey Road, looking southwest.
From Massey Street looking west.
Crossing busy 47th Street, looking to the southwest.
Allwood Street crossing, looking to the southwest. This area is pretty in the Fall with colorful leaves.
Allwood Street looking northeast.
Busy Kierre Street, looking east toward the track crossing.
Kierre Street looking northwest. Camp Robinson is about a half mile ahead.
Kierre Street looking northwest. The spikes were still in the ties here.
Kierre Street looking southeast.
Kierre Street looking northwest.
Kierre Street looking northwest.