The Texas and Pacific Railway was built through the Big Sandy area around 1873. The narrow gauge Tyler Tap Railroad (Cotton Belt) crossed the T&P around 1880. This narrow gauge track was converted to standard gauge on January 12, 1887. MP train NF (New Orleans to Fort Worth - Extra 3117 West) is crossing the Cotton Belt mainline at Big Sandy (milepost 114) on May 9, 1978. Just a few minutes later the Merchandise (Cotton Belt train LAEST) slams over the same crossing with engine 8682 in the lead. For the Cotton Belt this is milepost 525.

Texas Index

MP Train DFZ at Hawkins, TX