Western Railroad Discussion > West bound coal train through Belen, NM

I watched a very long west bound loaded coal train through Belen, NM this morning on VR.
I have seen east bound loaded coal trains but was wondering the source of the coal and knowing that there are several coal fired power plants west of Albuquerque probably this was the destination of the train.
Thoughts?
Thanks
Pat

North Antelope and Spring Creek Mine coal for two, maybe three Generating stations in Arizona.

Possibly a Joseph City train which I've photographed before.  I believe it originates in Wyoming and comes down the front range to Amarillo where it gets on the "Transcon."

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

ntharalson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Possibly a Joseph City train which I've
> photographed before.  I believe it originates in
> Wyoming and comes down the front range to Amarillo
> where it gets on the "Transcon."
>
> Nick Tharalson,
> Marion, IA

I was also thinking Joseph City.  I think there is also another plant on the branch around Springerville unless the enviros shut it down.  They were still getting coal trains last time I was through there about 8 years ago.

That was a North Antelope Mine, WY to Springerville, AZ, unit coal train. The other power plant near Springerville is Coronado, also on the same branch south of the BNSF Southern Transcon.

Most of the coal for Joseph City (Cholla) comes from the El Segundo Mine northeast of Grants, NM. The plant does get a small amount of PRB coal.

Ted Ferkenhoff
Flagstaff, AZ

Most coal drags coming into Belen and departing now are 2x3--a change from 4x2. Also, you can tell a Joe City coal train by the cars: hoppers only, no gondolas. 

This is the coal delivered in 2018 per government's EIA 923 form.  2019 could be different.  These volumes exclude coal delivered to non-power plants, like exports and cement plants such as Drake Cement at Drake, AZ. 

To Apache power plant (Cochise) from Black Thunder Mine (Powder River Basin)- 56,152 tons.
    “        “    “    from North Antelope Rochelle Mine (PRB)- 71,137
    “        “    “    from El Segundo Mine (NM)- 124,824         
Total-                                                              252,113 

To Cholla (Joseph City) from El Segundo Mine- 1,808,026. 

To Coronado (St. Johns) from Antelope Mine (PRB)- 1,553,618
    “                                   from Black Thunder Mine (PRB)- 30,192
    “                                   from Spring Creek Mine (PRB)- 563,243
Total-                                                                               2,147,053 

To Navajo (Page) from Kayenta Mine (AZ) via Black Mesa & Lake Powell- 6,624,560. 

To Springerville (Springerville) from Antelope Mine (PRB)- 301,381
    “                    from Black Thunder Mine (PRB)- 1,006,335
    “                    from El Segundo Mine (NM)- 2,715,899
    “                    from North Antelope Rochelle Mine (PRB)- 1,306,535
Total-                                                                                      5,330,150 

El Segundo Mine= 4,648,749 tons
Kayenta Mine= 6,624,560
PRB= 4,888,593
Total= 16,161,902.

mapboy