Golden State Route
(later Cotton Rock)

El Paso (Tower 47) to Tucumcari

Tucumcari to Dalhart

Dalhart to Herington

Herington to McFarland

McFarland to Topeka

Topeka to Kansas City (West Yard)

West Yard to Rock Creek Junction

From the early 1980s, Cotton Belt trains on the "Cotton Rock" continued to Chicago on the Santa Fe from Rock Creek Junction. Prior to the Rock Island bankruptcy i 1980, Golden State Route trains continued on the then Rock Island from Kansas City to Chicago:

 

 

Blue Island to Joliet

Gresham to Blue Island (Main Line)

Englewood to Gresham

Root Street Tower to Englewood

LaSalle Street Station to Root Street Tower