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[rjemery]

In approx. 1944, there existed a spur line off the Santa Fe mainline, starting at a point north of Albuquerque and generally following the Jemez River northwest, perhaps to Jemez Springs, NM.  The map I have is incomplete and without placenames.

I was wondering if anyone had any information about this spur -- when was it built, when was it abandoned, why was it built, what was its terminus, etc.  It did not appear on an 1899 map of the Santa Fe and was apparently gone by the late 1950's.

[nanaimo73]

I think you are looking at the Santa Fe Northwestern logging railroad, that ran in Sandoval County NW from Bernalillo about 20 miles to San Ysidro, where it split. One line went about 25 more miles to Porter, while the other went NW about another 35 miles to La Ventana and Northbend. 

http://www.loggingrailroads.com/nm.htm

[rjemery]

I think you are looking at the Santa Fe Northwestern logging railroad, that ran in Sandoval County NW from Bernalillo about 20 miles to San Ysidro, where it split. One line went about 25 more miles to Porter, while the other went NW about another 35 miles to La Ventana and Northbend. 

http://www.loggingrailroads.com/nm.htm

Dale,

There could not be too many railroads operating south of the Valley Grande, so the Santa Fe Northwestern RR is a good fit.  I thought the destination might have been the resort area of Jemez Springs, something I was unable to confirm.  Yours is a better match.  Northbend does not appear to be a valid placename any longer.

The D&RGW supposedly ceased operating to Santa Fe in 1942, but I believe I have seen later pictures of railroad commuters disembarking at San Ildefonso (?) for the auto/bus ride "up the hill."  Those pictures and the partial map that sparked this thread are in the book 109 East Palace: Robert Oppenheimer and the Secret City of Los Alamos by Jennet Conant.  109 East Palace was the Santa Fe office and mailing address for the Manhattan Project.  Much equipment destined for Los Alamos came over the D&RGW line, so I question my source that says the line was abandoned in 1942.