Western Railroad Discussion > Las Vega, NM

I'm going to be staying at the Castaneda in Las Vegas, NM for a couple of days.  Is there any regular traffic on this
line besides Amtrak, these days?

CZ10 Wrote:
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> I'm going to be staying at the Castaneda in Las
> Vegas, NM for a couple of days.  Is there any
> regular traffic on this
> line besides Amtrak, these days?

Simple answer is NO. Ben

Amtrak the only one on this line.

Posted from iPhone

It is not too far to the UP Golden State Line(ex SP) and then on to the BNSF transcon if you are just going to sit around Las Vegas all day.
Randy Lundgren
Elgin, TX

Run down to the second station West of Santa Fe, it's pretty entertaining watching the RailRunner trains leaving
uphill in run 8 on a hot day. Other than that, there might be ribbon rail train up toward Raton and that's about
it.

Out



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/11/19 17:20 by callum_out.

It is possible to pick up #3 westbound in the morning, and chase it until it meets #4, and chase #4 back eastbound, and have a full day of railfanning with mountain scenery and semaphores.  BSB 

I just stayed at Castañeda Monday night, room 208. Very nice, but you'll have to go elsewhere for food as the dining room isn't yet open. (The bar is open.) For breakfast and lunch, I recommend Charlie's Spic and Span Cafe and Bakery, about three blocks west of the Harvey House. Rooms 201 and 202 have trackside view. All you need are trains to go by. About all you will see are the two Amtraks, but there is one or two work trains out there right now. There's a big tie gang working west from Colmor. And there are still semaphores in the area, but they may be gone by this fall, so I understand.

Joe McMillan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/11/19 20:32 by RS12394.

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BigSkyBlue, yes, you can follow #3 west and #4 east, but you'll have to move fast. That's fast running out there, especially between Las Vegas and Raton. The track is not always close to I-25, so you'll have to plan your moves. Probably best to start the #3 chase at mile 706 (semaphores) and work west the best you can. #3 really moves through there.

Joe McMillan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/11/19 20:30 by RS12394.

Yep done the chase a number of times.  Isn't too tough to keep up with a 79 MPH train on a 75 MPH interstate.  One caution though, the only way you will identify a New Mexico unmarked trooper is by the hat they wear, and if you can see the hat, it's probably too late.

That's an old picture of 7741 with the stripe on the blade.  They don't look as good now.   BSB

BigSkyBlue, that "old" photo of signal 7741 was taken last Tuesday, July 9. 

Joe McMillan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/12/19 06:54 by RS12394.