Western Railroad Discussion > Welcome to the Jungle, no more

Well, today was the day that many denizens and others, were dreading I would think. In Pueblo Co at Pueblo Jct specifically, there were numerous homeless encampments constructed between the signals at Pueblo Jct off the BNSF Spanish Peaks Sub and the Pikes Peak Sub of BNSF and UP's Colorado Springs Sub along the tracks bewtween the tracks and Fountain Creek which runs thru the area. The section pretty much runs from PJct and Pueblo's 13th St north. There were headlines on/in the local news announcing a crackdown on these sites along the tracks thru here. They, the authorities, were not kidding. Having been witness over the years to many homeless camps with the associated crime that they entail along with other issues that come with them, Pueblo had stated that today, Sept 3rd, they were going to clean up the area thru here. And they indeed did so. Attached are a few shots from as little as a week or so ago and this afternoon, a kinda before and after view more or less. Captions have the info.

Shot 1. Got a heads up of a rather odd NB Move off the Spanish Peaks Sub NB thru Pueblo Jct. Coming NB out of Trinidad Co this afternoon was a NB led by CN 3327, which was leading the U PTNVMC0 04T. This turned out to be a new service for BNSF supposedly. Unit train of Diesel Fuel bound for the Valero Refinery at Machovex Tex on the Boise City Sub north of Amarillo Tx. Train was 103L-0E-13642T. Had 3x1 set up with CN 3327, ET44AC-BNSF ES44C4 7012-BNSF ES44C4 6738 with BNSF ES44C4 8034 on the rear.. Here it is observed coming thru PJct NB.
      When one of the few trains that come north off the Spanish Peaks Sub to head east on the BNSF Pueblo Sub, they pull north thru PJct onto the Bypass as it's known here abouts, which is actually the ex DRGW NB out of Pueblo, also known as M2. They usually pull as far north as 13th St in Pueblo then do a reverse move back onto the Main out of the yards in Pueblo, thru Pblo Jct, which gets them set up to head east, compass wise, south RR wise for the BNSF Pueblo Sub for La Junta and points east/south from there,

Shot 2.  This is looking north from PJct towards the UP Colorado Springs Sub/Bypass/M2 ex DRGW as it heads NB from PJct. As one can see, some activity happening. That group of trees to the right of tracks, was home to many quite elaborate homeless camps, and as can be seen, nothing left more or less.

Shot 3.  Just 9 days ago one can see some of the encampments located in the area thru here to the right of BNSF 7742. Even just yesterday afternoon, the camps seen in shot 3 were still there.

As a note, on the day the last shot was taken, I shot a sb UP M NYPU at Pueblo's 4th St Bridge, just north of UP RG117, which is the North Switch at Pblo Jct off the BNSF Spanish Peaks Sub and out of the yard at Pueblo UP side.. There was a rather smoky fire under the 4th St Bridge which seemed to get no ones attention. So doing my duty as perahps a concerned citizen, I dialed 911 and reported said fire/smoke.. Not sure the outcome of that. Some may disagree with me calling the smoke/fire in, but I really don't care. If it stops a fire from spreading to more brush or even structures, then I did right. Yes the reasons are many as to this countries Home Less situation, but many don't want help that is offered. And the means to support the said population, are beyond the means of many municipalities. They walk a fine line between doing whats right and what the humane way to resolve things like rampant Homelessness. I hope in my life, I never have to be in a situation where I lose what I have in regards to a stable home and roof over my head. I do not have the answers to this dilema.

Thanks for looking, be well all.  Ben



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/24 17:02 by ns2557.

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Urban renewal! Good....

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer