West of Isleta
For my final instance of photographing Amtrak's Southwest Chief, I traveled west of Isleta Pueblo. This is where the Santa Fe began their trip west so that they could have a transcontinental line of their very own (without the help from the Southern Pacific). To do this, they obtained use of the Atlantic & Pacific Charter.
From this spot, the train only has a mile or so to the spot where the Belen Cutoff joins the A&P. I had been up at the junction this day, but the train seemed to be delayed, and I thought the unrelenting sun was going to put the zap on my head.
I eventually gave up and retreated toward Albuquerque when I saw that the train was on the move again. I should have returned to the junction (known as Dalies) but just set up at this signal near where I was at the time. A lackluster view for my last encounter with the long-distance train on a historic railway—I end with not a bang, but a whimper.
Two images by Richard Koenig; taken April 8th 2026.
