Hey all,
Rumors fly about railroads, espescially endangered ones. There's also a lot of information out there that hasn't been updated in years. I'm looking to see if anyone has some truly definitive answers to the following questions:
That's all I've got for now. Thanks for any insight!
I am sure MC will step in on this one and since we both have a history with the Raton Pass I shall start.
1. Raton Pass is not rotting. It gets very little 'wear and tear' from Amtrak's Nos. 3 and 4 being the only trains operating. The track and signal system are continuing to be maintained in a manner necessary for Amtrak's continued use.
2. The State of NM negotiated its way out of that 'Agreement'; BNSF owns Raton Pass. Amtrak's operations are being subsidized with TIGER grants plus the States of NM-CO-KS contributations and funds provided by BNSF.
3. BNSF has no need for the Tennessee Pass route. BNSF also does not need the Raton Pass for its own operations as has been discussed several times with posts at this site. Amtrak's needs for Raton are more political but they also need Raton as the alternate routing for No's 3 and 4 would be very expensive both in $$$ and politics.
(1) DC was being kind in the extreme saying NM negotiated out of the agreement on Raton.
(2) BNSF has no need for Raton Pass or Tennessee Pass right now.
(3) Uncle Pete has need of Tennessee Pass as a relief valve. It has almost re-opened to traffic twice only to be stopped by a coal slump and a recession. It was to be run under TWC instead of the old CTC/ABS system in place. Moffat Tunnel has an upper limit to the number of trains it can run when the air system is in use. Any major track rehab in the tunnel (hint: it's due) will require use of TP as a bypass.
(4) Uncle Pete has done light maintenance out there and signal has done periodic checks on crossing signals, slide fences, high water detectors, etc. "just in case". Black thumb still runs out there on occassion, but that is a sensitive issue.
(5) Climax Moly was very close to going back into production, since backed-off.
mudchickenBlack thumb still runs out there on occassion, but that is a sensitive issue.
Yeah, I hear "weed" is a sensitive issue in Colorado.
And the highway patrol/ police in the adjoining states have a field day picking off likely candidates....
(really get tired of dealing with political nutcases that can't figure out why that isn't a rail trail and think it's abandoned.)
mudchicken(really get tired of dealing with political nutcases that can't figure out why that isn't a rail trail and think it's abandoned.)
The rail-trail lobby knows how to, well, lobby.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
mudchicken (1) DC was being kind in the extreme saying NM negotiated out of the agreement on Raton. (2) BNSF has no need for Raton Pass or Tennessee Pass right now. (3) Uncle Pete has need of Tennessee Pass as a relief valve. It has almost re-opened to traffic twice only to be stopped by a coal slump and a recession. It was to be run under TWC instead of the old CTC/ABS system in place. Moffat Tunnel has an upper limit to the number of trains it can run when the air system is in use. Any major track rehab in the tunnel (hint: it's due) will require use of TP as a bypass. (4) Uncle Pete has done light maintenance out there and signal has done periodic checks on crossing signals, slide fences, high water detectors, etc. "just in case". Black thumb still runs out there on occassion, but that is a sensitive issue. (5) Climax Moly was very close to going back into production, since backed-off.
Thanks for the info, MC and DC. Never thought about repair work on the tunnel, that's a really good point. It will be interesting to see when that happens.
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