Passenger rail between Tulsa and OKC? Company seeks another Eastern Flyer operator

A railroad company is seeking a new operator to run a passenger rail service linking the Tulsa and Oklahoma metro areas, leaving longtime advocates for the train project “cautiously optimistic” about its future.

The Stillwater Central Railroad, an indirect subsidiary of the Kansas-based Watco Cos., issued a request for proposal Thursday to begin securing a private rail carrier. The operator would provide passenger service for an initial period of 10 years between Sapulpa and Del City.

The Eastern Flyer project will extend through the cities of Bristow, Stroud and Chandler along the old Sooner Sub track.

Although the track owned by Stillwater Central runs only from Sapulpa to Del City, the plan is to work with city officials to expand the route to downtown Tulsa and Oklahoma City, said Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa.

Read more: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/passenger-rail-between-tulsa-and-okc-company-seeks-another-eastern/article_2d3358ac-7639-5d5c-841f-9f39cfe45b40.html