[timmuir]

Sssssweeet!

[atsf37l]

When our Chief got to Barstow, the 2925 was pulled off and converted FT's 164LABC were put on the train for the dash across the barren bad-water desert. Dawn finds Train No. 20 roaring east behind the regeared 102 MPH capable EMDs, eating up the miles of Northwestern New Mexico.




Rolling through Laguna Pueblo.


With the monoliths and the painted desert hills, this one could be a Santa Fe Publicity shot!


The Great American Desert is gorgeous in the morning.


Mid-morning finds our train arriving in Albuquerque where another power change awaits. Water is more plentiful from here on east and so we go back to steam.

[atsf37l]

164LABC is cut off and waiting 4-8-4 No. 5355 backs onto the train for the run over Glorieta and Raton passes.




The route is aligned to the right hand main and the signals set for our departure.


3755 marches out of town with the Chief.




Rolling through the New Mexico foothills the tracks pass ancient Anasazi ruins.


Near Los Cerritos the tracks encounter the large rock known as the Devil's Footstool, causing the tracks to turn sharply around a 35 MPH curve and skirt the base of the rock.

[atsf37l]

The grades are relatively easy from Albuquerque to Lamy but the rest of the run to the top of Glorieta Pass is throught the Apache Canyon on a maximum grade of 3%, so additional help is needed for the grade. 3755 pulls into Lamy where the waiting 3747 couples onto the train for the climb. Since the helper will be with us from Lamy to Las Vegas, the next engine terminal to the east (north), the 70 MPH-capable "Little 3700" 4-8-2 is a good choice for this assignment - plenty of power for the pull to Glorieta and plenty fast for the 50 and 65 MPH limits from Glorieta to Las Vegas.




]

3747 and 3755 bark out of Lamy and head for the canyon.




The double-header splits the New Mexico air with their exhausts as they lift the Chief through the Apache Canyon to Glorieta.












The top of the pass is reached at Glorieta.

[atsf37l]

The big hill behind them, the double-headed engines roar down the grade towards the bottom of the hill at Ribera.


North of Ribera the tracks again are turned by a rock monolith and they swing into a giant and famous S-curve, often used for Santa Fe publicity shots.

[atsf37l]

The Chief arrives at Las Vegas, where the 3747 is cut out.





Now the 3755 will take the train to Raton by herself but at Raton the grade goes to 3.25% and help will be waiting for us there. More to come. :lol:

[thegrindre]

THAT was a lot of fun, Herb! Enjoyed that little excursion. :lol:

:ko2:

[pnrailway]

Herb,

I am really enjoying this series and can just imagine the work involved to set it up over multiple routes. Thanks.

Paul

[timmuir]

That was fun, and educational, as always, seeing how the Chief was operated over the railroad. Hope to get more education, and thanks, Herb.

I especially like the shot "03Diesel Chief". Just a classic Santa Fe F-unit and train pose, well lit and composed.