Seems like the Raton route really ought be used more than it is. Obviously I’d like to see a Denver-Albuquerque-El Paso train, I’ve said that before, but aren’t there any trains bound to/from Mexico that could pass via Raton despite the grades? Something that would require undercutting the tunnel?
mtuandrew wrote: ↑Tue Sep 01, 2020 5:03 am Seems like the Raton route really ought be used more than it is. Obviously I’d like to see a Denver-Albuquerque-El Paso train, I’ve said that before, but aren’t there any trains bound to/from Mexico that could pass via Raton despite the grades? Something that would require undercutting the tunnel?I'm guessing anything out of Denver runs via Amarillo, TX. I do see Denver/Belen manifest pair symbols in one of the BNSF symbol guides. I also see reference to a baretable intermodal move to San Bernadino ("as needed"). I don't know if they take the Spanish Peaks-Twin-Peaks-Dalhart subs through Trinidad or Boise City sub via La Junta.
Other trains going in/out of Denver to/from points South are a "seabox" stack train ("as needed") between Clovis and Denver, and lower priority manifests from Barstow (CA) to Denver and Slaton (TX)/Denver (pair). For these trains, the connection via Amarillo is much closer.
I'm guessing the grades over Raton and the ability to drop what probably amounts to an entire crew district contributes to such an indirect routing.
Regarding traffic to Mexico (via El Paso): El Paso manifest traffic originates at Belen and Amarillo with vehicle (autorack) trains originating in California or Phoenix.
Considering ATSF dropped Raton and Glorietta subs from their freight main in 1908, it's amazing they've survived this long.