Nostalgia & History > Same-ol-Same-ol !!

The "normal" view when approaching the C&S/ATSF Xing. in Trinidad, CO. ALWAYS RED !!! The view is from the cab of an eastward train on its way to Texline and Amarillo.

qman



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/12 06:57 by qman.

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What year was this taken?

Has there been any changes in this scene vs today? I think that is C&S small yard on the left isn't it?

1985 I believe.

YES, this scene is GONE !! The former ATSF Raton line still exists but the C&S is no more, at this location. BN built a by-pass in 1991 to totally eliminate this Xing. as well as the 12 degree curve through downtown Trinidad that lies less than a mile form this location.

qman

Going back even further, the diamond was protected by a tower shown in the background of this 1951 Robert Richardson photo:

http://cdm16079.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15330coll22/id/76937

This reminds me of a question I was going to ask: wasn't there a big derailment (with a fatality) of a coal load around Barela in 1983? I want to say it was caused by a flash flood that took out a bridge. Two or three locomotives were destroyed...

TIA


Allen



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/12 10:08 by bradleymckay.

Thanks, both of you.

gulf coast special prob

qman Wrote:
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> ALWAYS RED !!!

Why? The ATSF didn't run that many trains.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/12 23:28 by BCHellman.

No BC, they owned the diamond !!!

qman

<This reminds me of a question I was going to ask: wasn't there a big derailment (with a fatality) of a coal load around Barela in 1983? I want to say it was caused by a flash flood that took out a bridge. Two or three locomotives were destroyed...>

July 3, 1981, Frijole Creek Bridge. A record breaking downpour caused an unprecedented flow of water and debris in the local streams and ditches. Two died as their rail train approached this location after the 90' below plate girder bridge had been swept from its foundations. It was dark, both lighting conditions and the RR, as the signal system had not yet been installed.

I had a TO2, an Amarillo load, and was the last eastward train over that bridge. The rail was 2 or 3 hours behind me and never made it. The location is about 7 mi. west (TT) of Barela.

"July 2-3, 1981 - Intense rains of up to 10 inches near Trinidad (CO) caused the failure of a railway bridge and derailment of a train". Newspaper mention of wreck.

qman



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/05/12 10:02 by qman.