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Spectacular Abo Canyon, New Mexico (BNSF), but Leave Your Camera at Home (Photos Show Why)

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  • Member since
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  • From: South Central,Ks
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Posted by samfp1943 on Saturday, October 29, 2016 9:51 AM

kgbw49

Here is a video on Abo Canyon double tracking put out by BNSF in 2012:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvgXO-3Uh0g

 

 

  Just a Thought: I would agree that ABO Canyon is a beautiful area. Might it not be a pretty good publicity move for BNSF to control public traffic by designating an "Overlook' ?

Similar locations to some of the  viewing locations such as Rochelle,Il.,  or the one on CSX at Folkston,Ga.  or Fostoria, OH.        It would allow them [BNSF} to possibly stop any trespass for photos, and they could 'control' Public traffic in that area.  Such would seem to be a good PR move for BNSF. Just my thoughts.

 

 


 

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Posted by kgbw49 on Saturday, October 29, 2016 9:23 AM

Here is a video on Abo Canyon double tracking put out by BNSF in 2012:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvgXO-3Uh0g

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Louisiana
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Posted by Paul of Covington on Thursday, October 27, 2016 9:52 PM

   Thanks, K.P.    I spent most of 1962 in El Paso and grew to really like New Mexico.   By the way, have you considered a drone?

_____________ 

  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

  • Member since
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  • From: Henrico, VA
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Posted by Firelock76 on Thursday, October 27, 2016 6:50 PM

Disappointing, to say the least, but you've got to remember as I do that the 'roads are in the business of moving, uh, "stuff" from Point A to Point B as profitably as possible, not in keeping railfans entertained.

Be nice if it was otherwise, but we've got to be realistic here.

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  • From: Denver / La Junta
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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, October 27, 2016 6:25 PM

Different route. This line meets the Chief's route at Belen.

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
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  • From: MP CF161.6 NS's New Castle District in NE Indiana
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Posted by rrnut282 on Thursday, October 27, 2016 5:12 PM

Buy a ticket on the Chief? or does it traverse a different route?

Mike (2-8-2)
  • Member since
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  • From: Denver / La Junta
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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, October 27, 2016 12:54 PM

KP - This IS New Mexico, remember? Those of us lucky enough to have been invited down in there to work or visit got an eyefull. There already has been a set of incidents that have happened that make the current access as good as it will probably get. (two of which have zero fomite involvement)

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
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Spectacular Abo Canyon, New Mexico (BNSF), but Leave Your Camera at Home (Photos Show Why)
Posted by K. P. Harrier on Thursday, October 27, 2016 3:09 AM

Spectacular Abo Canyon, New Mexico (BNSF)

In the last few years one of the last remaining single-track portions of the southern Transcon was two-tracked.  It was desirable to visit, see, and photograph the place.  On site, as spectacular as the eastern end of Abo Canyon was, it could NOT be photographed!  The Highway 60 overpass is a narrow, two-lane road with no room to stand on.  The semi-walkways leading to the overpass were deemed too narrow for safety with vehicle traffic whizzing by at 60-70 M.P.H.

Aerials show dirt roads leading to the tracks …

https://www.google.com/maps/@34.4342168,-106.4500029,396m/data=!3m1!1e3

… but unfortunately signs (white one on below photo’s right) prohibit the road’s use by the non-BNSF public, and there are locked gates beyond the signs.  The sign belongs to the BNSF.

From either end of the several miles long canyon public exclusion is present.  No matter what one does railfans are thwarted.  Only by driving over the Highway 60 Bridge on the eastern end can one by looking west get a glimpse of the canyon.  Just a glimpse, but it is an absolutely spectacular one!  If you come to the site, leave your camera at home, or in the trunk.  But, the glimpse will be etched in your consciousness for a lifetime thereafter.

On site, or as close as one can get to the tracks, K.P. was pondering what do, and a westbound train suddenly showed up, and an un-composed, surprise grab shot was the best that could be taken.

If you visit, as said above, what can be seen (for but a moment) is spectacular, and you will be left wondering why the State doesn’t bridge over the tracks with a wide sidewalk-platform for visiting tourists to gawk at and take pictures from.  It is wondered if a letter campaign would do the trick for the State to do such … As said above, a mere glimpse will etch that glimpse in your consciousness for a lifetime!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.

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