Dexter Rail Hub — UPRR Hoxie Sub webcam online train traffic

The UPRR Hoxie Sub, MP 141.2 railway camera broadcasts freight train traffic through the town of Dexter, Missouri in real time. This section of the Union Pacific main line is one of the key corridors for shipments between the southwest and northeast of the United States, with up to 50 trains of various types passing through daily.

History of Dexter: a town born from the railroad

Dexter owes its existence to the railroad. The original town plat was filed in 1873 by Thomas Allen, president of the Cairo, Arkansas and Texas Railroad Company. The settlement quickly grew into a regional hub thanks to the intersection of several railroad lines. Today, Dexter in Stoddard County has a population of about 8,000 and remains an important transportation hub in southeastern Missouri.

The town was named after Mr. Dex, one of the first settlers, who named the new settlement after his horse. However, real growth began with the arrival of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway, which later became part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and was eventually absorbed into the Union Pacific system.

UPRR Hoxie Subdivision: a main line between Texas and the Northeast

The UPRR Hoxie Subdivision is Union Pacific's primary northern main line through eastern Arkansas. Most southern routes use the parallel Jonesboro Subdivision, but the Hoxie Sub remains a critical artery for freight transportation.

As the northern corridor from Texas, this line serves as the main artery for the Texas petrochemical industry, as well as transporting Arkansas products to northeastern states. Manifest trains, intermodal consists, grain trains, and auto rack shipments all pass through here — a typical mix of freight traffic for this region.

Dexter Rail Hub: four subdivisions under UP management

Union Pacific controls all railroad operations in Dexter, managing the Chester, Hoxie, Jonesboro, and Sikeston subdivisions. The lines trace their origins to the Cairo, Arkansas and Texas Railroad of 1873 and the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which was acquired by UP in the 1980s.

Up to 50 trains pass through Dexter daily — it is a major Union Pacific hub in southeastern Missouri where four subdivisions converge. Such dense traffic makes the town a popular destination for railfans and train photographers.

In Hoxie, Arkansas, home to the famous Hoxie diamond — the crossing of UP Hoxie Sub and BNSF Thayer South Sub — about 30–40 trains pass daily, underscoring the strategic importance of the entire corridor.

Infrastructure around the camera: elevators and industrial zone

The camera is located at the Dexter Welcome Center Depot and Museum — a restored Missouri Pacific depot that now serves as a visitor center and railroad history museum. From this vantage point, the view opens onto the town's industrial area.

In the background of the broadcast, large cylindrical grain bins and elevators are visible — characteristic elements of the agricultural infrastructure of southeastern Missouri. The region specializes in growing soybeans, corn, and cotton, so grain trains make up a significant portion of the traffic on this section.

An asphalt road runs parallel to the railroad tracks, along with catenary poles and power lines, as well as several tracks of various purposes — typical infrastructure of a freight corridor.

US-60 Crossing: transportation significance of the location

The camera is located near the crossing on U.S. Route 60 — a major highway running east to west across Missouri. This crossing provides access to both the Chester Subdivision and Hoxie Sub traffic, creating a convenient observation point for rail enthusiasts.

The best vantage point for photography is on the north side of the US-60 crossing for approaching Chester Sub trains. Morning lighting favorably highlights eastbound and northbound consists, which is important for photographers and videography.

U.S. Route 60 connects Dexter with other regional cities, including Poplar Bluff to the west and Sikeston to the east, making the crossing an important element of transportation infrastructure for both road and rail traffic.

Types of trains and freight on the Hoxie Subdivision

Freight consists of various types predominate on this section of the main line. Manifests dominate the schedule, hauling diverse goods between distribution centers. Intermodal trains with containers head toward major hubs — Memphis, St. Louis, and onward to the northeast.

Grain trains from Dexter's elevators head to ports on the Mississippi River or to southern states. Auto rack trains carry automobiles from factories and distribution centers. Petrochemical tank cars from Texas follow the northern corridor to industrial centers in the Midwest and Northeast.

Union Pacific's dark maroon locomotives are the company's standard livery, known as "Armour Yellow" with a gray roof and red stripes. Various diesel models can be seen on this section, including GE Evolution Series and EMD SD70.

The webcam as a tool for rail enthusiasts

The UPRR Hoxie Sub MP 141.2 broadcast allows you to observe train traffic in real time without needing to be on site. This is especially valuable for railfans who track specific consists or rare locomotives.

The camera operates in real time, showing not only passing trains but also changes in infrastructure, weather conditions, and time of day. For those studying railroad operations or planning a trip for train photography, online video surveillance provides insight into the current situation on the main line.

Dexter is one of the recommended spots for train watching in Missouri due to the high traffic intensity and convenient access to multiple subdivisions at once.

What you can see on the camera

On the UPRR Hoxie Subdivision MP 141.2 broadcast, you see railroad tracks with a moving freight consist — a dark maroon Union Pacific locomotive pulling cars along the rails. In the background, large cylindrical grain bins and elevators rise above the surrounding industrial structures.

Around the tracks is typical railroad infrastructure: several parallel tracks, catenary poles, and power lines. An asphalt road runs alongside the rails, and in the distance, buildings of Dexter's industrial zone are visible. The U.S. Route 60 crossing provides vehicle access to this observation point.

The camera captures a section of the main line where freight traffic flows between Texas, Arkansas, and the northeastern states converge, making it an excellent spot to observe Union Pacific operations in southeastern Missouri.