Roscoe, Snyder & Pacific Railroad Company


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Marker Number: 4346 
Marker Title: Roscoe, Snyder & Pacific Railroad Company 
Index Entry: Roscoe, Snyder & Pacific Railroad Company 
Address: 1600 25th Street 
City: Snyder 
County: Scurry 
UTM Zone: 14 
UTM Easting: 320527 
UTM Northing: 3621594 
Subject Codes: RR; 
Year Marker Erected: 1967 
Designations: na 
Marker Location: 1600 25th Street, Snyder. 
Marker Size: 27" x 42" 
Repairs Completed:  
Marker Text: Established through efforts of Gen. F. W. James, Abilene banker and developer.
 Winfield S. James, a son, directed construction. While the James' were founders,
 H.O. Wooten, originally a Vice President and for decades owner of controlling interest, 
is credited with making the road a success. Daily services started in 1908 from Roscoe 
to Snyder and to Fluvanna in 1909. This 50-mile railroad contributed much to the economy 
and settling of area; later was a connecting link with the Santa Fe and Texas & Pacific 
Railroads. For several decades it had a flourishing passenger, mail, express and 
freight business. It played major role in the Scurry County oil boom of 1920's and
 1940's, transporting much essential oil field equipment. Its steam locomotives 
required from 10 to 12 tons of coal daily for the round trip, with water stops at Roscoe, 
Snyder and Fluvanna. Oil replaced coal by 1929, and all engines converted to diesel power
 by 1956. Service to Fluvanna was discontinued in 1941, and passenger service to Snyder 
in 1953. Today this short-lived railroad (31 miles) has a remarkable growth story as a 
connection and gateway for transcontinental traffic. It moves more than 20,000 cars yearly.
 (1967)