I had a good night's rest at the Sage Inn then walked over to McDonald's for hot cakes and sausage then checked out and walked back over to the Santa Fe Depot.
Santa Fe Southern 2/14/2009The Santa Fe Southern began operations in 1992, after the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway ended operations on its Lamy-to-Santa Fe branch line and a group of local businesspeople purchased the track to continue freight service in the area. Passenger service was added later on.
The train at the station.
Santa Fe Southern GP7 07, ex. West Texas and Lubbock 701, exx. Dallas Garland and North Eastern 701, exxx. Texas and New Mexico 2234, exxxx. Santa Fe 2234, nee Santa Fe 2744 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1952.
Santa Fe Southern dome 502 "Plaza Lamy", ex. Sierra Madre Express, exx. Dr. Dan Marnell "Plaza Lamy", exxx. Kyle Railways in 1982 exxxx. Amtrak 9352, nee Santa Fe Pleasure Dome 502 "Plaza Lamy" (name not applied), built by Pullman- Standard in 1950.
The rear of our train, whose consist was GP7 07, dome car 502 "Plaza Lamy", Central of New Jersey coach/concession 1158, an open car and Central of New Jersey coach 300. I went into the depot to pick up my one-way ticket to Lamy but they had put me down for two tickets. I suggested that I wanted to ride the dome car since it was not on my train the last time I rode and Leah refunded one of the tickets and gave me the dome car class silver ticket for the other. I then went outside and waited to board.
The Santa Fe station built in 1909.
The dome car's windows were washed before we everyone boarded at 10:45 AM. I boarded the dome car and went upstairs then decided to photograph the interior.
The interior of the "Plaza Lamy".
The rear lounge.
The bar area under the dome.
The Turquoise Room. I returned upstairs and the air conditioning had been turned on which nicely cooled the dome.
Santa Fe Southern GP16 93, ex. Santa Fe Southern 1, exx. CSX 1850, exxx. Seaboard System 4804, exxxx. Seaboard Coast Line 4804, nee Louis and Nashville 414 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1952.
At 11:00 AM, our train departed Santa Fe, bound for Lamy.
Two views across Railroad Park where the Sage Inn is located on the other side across the street.
Our train crossing St. Francis Street as we made our way out of town and on this trip, we did not pick up any freight cars.
The Santa Fe Southern no longer crosses the wooden trestle because the New Mexico Rail Runner built new bridges on the part of the railroad over which they run.
This old trestle bridge is now a walking trail.
We came to where the New Mexico Rail Runner splits from the Santa Fe Southern and our speed dropped.
Crossing another wooden trestle along our route.
The mountains to the northeast.
The author enjoying his ride in the dome car.
View looking west.
Crossing another trestle.
Mountains looking to the east.
Views looking to the west.
Making our way down the grade.
Two views to the west.
Our train crossed a small trestle.
Rounding yet another curve.
The view looking back.
The grade crossing at which we had to stop and flag before passing through.
Rounding one of the many curves on the way to Lamy.
We were approaching the location where we would be on a downhill grade into Lamy.
This curve allows passengers a view of the Galisteo Basin.
The Galisteo Basin.
More curves leading to the US Highway 285 crossing.
A mesa to the east.
The view looking back.
Our train crossing US Highway 285.
Curves as we dropped down the grade towards Lamy.
Interesting rock formations.
You can see the former Santa Fe mainline, now owned by the State of New Mexico.
There is a house inside thes rocks.
The train took the final curve as we approached Lamy.
The Lamy Mission.
Our engine cut off to run around the train before pusheding us the rest of the way to the station, where I detrained.
Our train at Lamy.
Everyone queued to buy lunch.
Santa Fe Southern GP7 07.
The train ready to return to Santa Fe. I joiined the end of the lunch line and had a hot dog and chips then talked to the train crew, who told me they would be leaving in thirty minutes so decided to walk up the line so I could photograph the train passing the Lamy Mission.
The Santa Southern train passes by me on the way to Santa Fe. I walked back over to the station and waited for my westbound Southwest Chief. First though, the eastbound version stopped and departed on time. Thirty-five minutes later, the westbound Southwest Chief arrived.
Southwest Chief 3 2/14/2009
Today's Chief consisted of P42DC's 64 and 6, baggage 1255, transition 39009, sleepers 32086 "Louisiana" and 32090 "Michigan", diner 37003 {a diner light car}, lounge 33027 and coaches 34026 and 34097. I boarded the "Michigan" and had Room 14 with Gwen as my Sleeping Car Attendant, who then told me the bad news. There were no working toilets and no power in the wall outlets in that car. So much for watching Motley Crue on the way to Albuquerque. I recevied a 5:15 PM dinner reservation and relaxed in the room until we reached cold and windy Albuquerque early
I returned to the train and one of the electricians fixed the wall power so I charged my phone while we waited to depart on time. At 5:15 PM, I went to the dining car and was seated with a couple from La Junta. I had the flat iron steak and vanilla ice cream then back in my room, I watched Motley Crue "Lewd Crued & Tattooed" then made up my room and called it a night.
2/15/2009I arose before San Bernardino and visited Shirley in the lounge car for a cinnamon roll and cup of tea while Gwen made up my room then relaxed the rest of the way to Fullerton, where I detrained and crossed over the bridge to Track 3 to wait for my train home.
The train arrivedearly and in 16 minutes, I was back in Santa Ana and walked to my Geo Metro and drove home, which ended an excellent trip on Amtrak, New Mexico Rail Runner and Santa Fe Southern.
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