History of Fort Smith and Western Railway in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 4, 2026

The Fort Smith and Western Railway was a railroad that operated in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Founded in the early 20th century, it primarily served the coal mining region. The railway faced financial challenges and eventually ceased operations in the mid-20th century.

November 1, 1903: Railroad Opens Between Fort Smith and Guthrie

On November 1, 1903, the Fort Smith and Western Railroad opened its line connecting Fort Smith and Guthrie, Oklahoma, marking a significant milestone in its construction westward through Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory.

June 1904: St. Louis, El Reno and Western Railway Begins Operations

In June 1904, the St. Louis, El Reno and Western Railway, a subsidiary of the Fort Smith and Western, started operating on the 42-mile (68 km) route between Guthrie and El Reno, Oklahoma.

1910: Oklahoma Capital Moved

In 1910, the capital of Oklahoma was moved from Guthrie to Oklahoma City.

October 9, 1915: Fort Smith and Western Railroad Placed in Receivership

On October 9, 1915, the U.S. District Court in Fort Smith placed the Fort Smith and Western Railroad in receivership due to a petition by the Superior Savings & Trust Company of Cleveland, Ohio.

1915: FS&W Acquires Trackage Rights

In 1915, the Fort Smith and Western (FS&W) Railroad acquired 32.5 miles (52.3 km) of trackage rights over the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad from Fallis, Oklahoma, to Oklahoma City.

February 1, 1923: Company Emerges from Receivership

On February 1, 1923, the Fort Smith and Western Railroad emerged from receivership as the Fort Smith and Western Railway.

June 1, 1931: Fort Smith and Western Railway Re-enters Receivership

On June 1, 1931, the Fort Smith and Western Railway re-entered receivership, marking another period of financial instability.

January 1939: Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Withdraws Trackage Rights

In January 1939, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad withdrew trackage rights between Fallis and Oklahoma City after the FS&W defaulted on rental fees.

February 9, 1939: FS&W Ceases Operations

On February 9, 1939, the Fort Smith and Western (FS&W) ceased operations due to financial difficulties.

July 1, 1939: Trackage Acquired by Schiavone-Bonomo Corp.

On July 1, 1939, Schiavone-Bonomo Corp. acquired the trackage of the Fort Smith and Western Railway in foreclosure for scrapping purposes.

September 16, 1939: Portion of Trackage Resold to Fort Smith and Van Buren Railway

On September 16, 1939, a portion of the acquired trackage was resold to the Fort Smith and Van Buren Railway (FS&VB). The segment acquired was the original 20.92 miles of track between Coal Creek and Mile Post 41, near McCurtain.

1940: Dismantling of Non-Acquired Trackage

During 1939 and the early part of 1940, the remaining non-acquired trackage, from Mile Post 41 to Guthrie, was dismantled.

July 6, 1992: FS&VB Merged into KCS

On July 6, 1992, the Fort Smith and Van Buren Railway (FS&VB) was merged into the Kansas City Southern Railway (KCS).

September 26, 1994: KCS Files Abandonment Exemption

On September 26, 1994, the Kansas City Southern (KCS) filed an abandonment exemption with the Interstate Commerce Commission on all the remaining FS&VB trackage, indicating no local traffic had operated over the line in at least 2 years.