Santa Fe could be our favorite city–we try to visit every year–so were surprised and pleased to see, in the latest issue, that Santa Fe Southern has been purchased and will be revived. The story indicated that millions would be needed for track repairs. We've used Rail Runner to ABQ quite a bit and wonder if the track to Lamy is the same line. If so, it is in great shape.
Mike
Railrunner gets into Santa Fe from Kennedy to Santa Fe along largely what was the rough alignment of the old New Mexico Central Railway and is in good shape. (connected Rock Island Tucumcari Line to Santa Fe and was never very financially stable - in serious decline after 1926 w/ ATSF picking up the pieces in the end)
Santa Fe Southern comes into Santa Fe from Lamy using the old ATSF branch (Diningcar and I know it well)...It was tired and worn when ATSF sold it off (all 18+ miles of curveworn 90# rail on old 8 ft ties in cinder ballast and no anchors) ...it has not gotten any better. The arid climate is largely responsible for holding it together. Once the crooked developers and politicians got what they wanted out of the last two miles in Santa Fe, the rest was left to flounder.
Kennedy (or Lamy) to AQ has always been good high speed railroad as it was part of the old original ATSF northern transcon. (Route of Amtrak #3-#4 Southwest Chief today). It never had much lineside freight business and has none today, partially a victim of New Mexico's failure to buy all of the line into Colorado.(the state welched/defaulted on that deal - typical NM government)
I hope that the Santa Fe Southern track is in operable condition, as I just heard its diesel horn calling for the crossing of Avenida Vista Grande outside of the town of Santa Fe. Most likely a charter, which the line does run from time to time; I don't know who or what does these trips.
A few yeats ago, when the line was in more-or-less operation, I did see some new ties installed on the section south of Vista Grande and the first trestle, as I was jogging along side the railroad for a short distance.
Check out the current edition of TRAINS, on page 8 "Fantasy Author's Fantasy Railroadig Reality"
It pretty much lays out the whys,and wherefores of the current Santa Fe Southern from Lamy,NM to Santa Fe..... Sounds like a couple of people's dreams that may become their nightmares!
I wish them well, but it sure sunds like 'Treasure' Hunting in a junk yard.
Wasn't TV actor Micheal Gross (Family Ties) one of the original founders of Santa Fe Southern?, he started it mostly because he is a railfan vs. a huge business demand or knowledge of what he was getting into. Does not surprise me it floundered.
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