Western Railroad Discussion > Updated Semaphore List, Help Needed

After several hours of research, I have created a list of all remaining Santa Fe semaphores in New Mexico, provided none have been removed in the last 2 years. Any corrections welcome, and anyone with driving experience around these locations is welcome to chime in. Clarification on signals listed as *possible private road* needed from experienced fans/residents. Current BNSF timetable wanted for speed/location reference for chasing. Feel free to use this guide but beware of locations on private property.

Sources: semaphores.com, http://position-light.blogspot.com/2013/10/photos-last-semaphores.html, redoveryellow.com (links on position-light page) and limited personal experience.



Semaphores from East to West

3 - Dep RAT 1056, first signal 50 miles South of RAT

706.1/706.2 South of Springer, NM, exit 404, left, then North (left) before tracks.

709.1/East End Colmor South of exit 404, shoot from road with tele.

West End Colmor/710.2 South of exit 404, could be off private road.

712.1/712.2 South of exit 404

717.1/717.2 South of exit 404, shoot from road with tele.

West End Levy/720.2 36.073099, -104.688782 South of exit 393.

722.1/722.2 South of exit 393, 721.1W crooked number.

724.1/East End Wagon Mound South of exit 393 or just North of exit 387. Last location, enter I-25 South at Wagon Mound exit 387.

Second Section

744.1/744.2 South from exit 366, left on SR97.

746.1/746.2 South from exit 366, left on SR97, right after 1.4 miles, travel another 1.4 miles, could be private ranch road.

748.1/748.2 Across fields from SR97, completely inaccessible without use of dirt ranch roads.

749.1/East End Watrous About a mile South from exit 366, best to shoot with tele.

West End Watrous/751.2 Just off Exit 364, good with tele. Last location, enter I-25 South at exit 364.

Third Section

Amtrak 3 - Dep LSV 1238

774.1/774.2 Between Exit 343 and Exit 339, shoot with tele.

777.1/East End Ojita Exit 339, South on A25A to left on Sheridan Rd. Shoot from Sheridan Rd. or Hilton Rd. with tele.

West End Ojita/778.2 Continue South on Sheridan Rd. and shoot with tele.

781.1/781.2 Completely inaccessible.

783.1/783.2 South on SR84 from Exit 339, after 6 miles turn right on B27 and go 2 more miles.

786.1/786.2 Completely inaccessible.

788.1/East End Chapelle Exit 330 (Serafina) over interstate, left, road bends to left then turn right, then follow tracks about a mile.

West End Chapelle/789.2 Exit 330 (Serafina) over interstate, left, road bends to left then turn right.

791.1/791.2 Exit 330 (Serafina) over interstate, turn right.

Western Section - Exit 276, over interstate, turn right on SR14, about 12 miles to 850.2.

Amtrak 3 - Dep LMY 1424

840.2 Completely inaccessible, gated land.

846.1 Completely inaccessible, long walk across private land.

847.2 Completely inaccessible, long walk across private land.

849.1 Shoot from General Goodwin Rd. with long tele.

850.2 Shoot from SR14 with tele.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/14 15:38 by 1976.

Please note that signal numbers DO NOT equate to exact milepost locations. For example, Signals 7061 and 7062 are not located at 706.1 or 706.2. The first westbound signal in Mile 706 is number 7061, if there was a second westbound signal in Mile 706, it would be 7063. Westbound signals are odd numbers and eastbounds are even.

are there any other active semaphores in US or canada? just wondering (NOT fixed signals)

pdt Wrote:
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> are there any other active semaphores in US or
> canada? just wondering (NOT fixed signals)


These are the last.

I have a few particulars from the list of whether or not these locations are on private roads/marked "No Trespassing". It looks like they might be accessible.

West End Colmor/710.2 located at 36.218541, -104.649913

746.1/746.2 located at 35.800035, -104.937001

You're missing one. The approach signal to Ojita, signal 7741 and 7742. Viewable from the frontage road along I-25. The semaphores within Shoemakwr canyon (listed as Watrous group) are in the process of being replaced.

Posted from Android

BCHellman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You're missing one. The approach signal to Ojita,
> signal 7741 and 7742. Viewable from the frontage
> road along I-25. The semaphores within Shoemakwr
> canyon (listed as Watrous group) are in the
> process of being replaced.
>
> Posted from Android

I sure did. Thanks, that's an easy one. How far along are the replacements? Are any new signals standing with a target date? I'm hoping they last 2 more months.

1976 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> How far
> along are the replacements? Are any new signals
> standing with a target date? I'm hoping they last
> 2 more months.

Hard to say. Progress has been slow, indicating that it's a background project. One location, signal 7481 and 7482, has the new signals up.

From what I've seen they use Channel 32 in semaphore territory. Is this still correct?

BCHellman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hard to say. Progress has been slow, indicating
> that it's a background project. One location,
> signal 7481 and 7482, has the new signals up.

Add the 7461/7462 Pair with the replacement signals mounted on the base to the list.