C&S Line across NM

[wig-wag-trains.com]

There was a short section of the CB&Q/C&S which is now part of BNSF. Having lived in NM since 1969 I have never explored that line.

My curiosity is this: Were there ever any towns/depots along that portion of the line? If so, does anyone have links to any photos of these facilities?

[wig-wag-trains.com]

There was a short section of the CB&Q/C&S that crossed the NE corner of NM which is now part of BNSF. Having lived in NM since 1969 I have never explored that line. Yes I should be embarrassed.

My curiosity is this: Were there ever any towns/depots along that portion of the line? If so, does anyone have links to any photos of these facilities?

Since edit is not working, I adjusted/corrected as above.

[Doug A.]

George,

My FW&D/C&S books are in another zip code right now but I can fill you in when I get access to them. Off the top of my head there's Des Moines and Clayton, both which had stations I believe. (for sure Clayton)

There's some great railfanning north of Des Moines following the winding line across Trinchera Pass. See the following video for testimony:
http://www.train-video.com/trinvhs.html
I have it if you want to borrow it sometime.

[JCater]

Between Trinidad, Colorado and Dalhart, Texas there is Clayton and Des Moines. Both had stations and facilities, I believe.
John

[wig-wag-trains.com]

262 & 304 miles one way.
CRUD, not anything I can do in the time the shop is closed get any shots and get back the same day.

Clayton at least has 4 motels and 4 restaurants!

Des Moines has neither (pack a lunch and a bed roll).

[JCater]

Des Moines has neither (pack a lunch and a bed roll).

Those are often the most rewarding railfan trips :D
John

[r_i_straw]

A few years ago while driving up to visit my brother in Denver I left the normal route I take up to Raton and followed the railroad north from Des Moines. There is some kind of quarry opperation near there where they mine volcanic rock not too far from Mt. Capulin. You can follow the tracks up to Folsum where they make a real cool sweeping turn where I watched a coal train squeel around. After that you only see a little of the rails a few times before you cross the Colorado line near Branson.

[wig-wag-trains.com]

Those are often the most rewarding railfan trips :D
John

Only if you do not own a small business that is open 24/7/365.

[JCater]

Only if you do not own a small business that is open 24/7/365.

Boy do I nknow how that goes!! Even though we try to be "closed" on the weekends I am ALWAYS on the phone or in the field...
John

[wig-wag-trains.com]

Near Mt Dora on the above line there is evidence (roadbed, cuts and fills) of a line branching off from the line that still remains.

Does anyone here know about this line and where it went?

[Doug A.]

George, I was snooping around my books this evening and haven't come across anything from the C&S side, but I did find something on QStation that might reveal part of the mystery:

1931
November 15: Elkhart & Santa Fe subsidiary completes track between Mount Dora and Farley, N.M., as part of proposed Colmor Cutoff between Dodge City and Colmor, N.M., to avoid Raton Pass. Cutoff is never completed and Farley Branch is abandoned September 6, 1942.

I'm not real sure what you are describing to know if this makes sense. I believe there were also likely some ROW relocations as part of the "coal-ification" of the lines in the 70's/80's so it may simply be where the old mainline ran. I seem to recall seeing some of this (or so I assumed) in my trips through there.

This is all conjecture though. My expertise stops at Texline, or my keyboard, or something. ;-)