#wagonmound

A Return to Levy

For my last day in New Mexico, I chose to chase the Southwest Chief in the opposite direction from the previous day, and began at Levy. I've shot here several times over the years, with this being an example (which was the last time I was at this location).

I've always been attracted to that little building near the west end of the siding—along with the semaphores of course—and wanted to give it some love this time. To do so, I thought I'd use a wider lens than usual.

In the end, I wish I'd waited a split second longer to hit the shutter release but am pretty happy with with the shot. The going away shot at this locale is de rigueur with Wagon Mound looming five miles away.

Notes from the Field

I've got a six-page "short take" article in the latest issue of Railroad History (no. 229). The subject is some of the remaining semaphore signals on the Santa Fe Railway in New Mexico; it's a follow-up to my much longer 2019 article in the same publication (no. 221).

Most of the aging semaphore signals of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway have come down in recent years, replaced by modern devices. But eleven of the 100-year old sentinels soldier on with no replacement signals positioned adjacently. My article provides the location of all, images of several, along with the appearance of Amtrak's Southwest Chief, which is the only train on the line currently tripping these ancient implements.

A View from Wagon Mound

Looking at an image that was taken nearly four and a half years ago now—a view from Wagon Mound. Since the semaphores are still hanging on, I'm pondering what I might be able to do on the Raton Subdivision if I venture out for one last trip later this fall.

I've never shown this frame, favoring one when the train is much closer, on the curve approaching the Wagon Mound siding. In this view, it is seen up the track a couple of miles near the intermediate signal between Wagon Mound and Levy. (The latter may be seen in this view toward the top right-hand side of the frame.) I'll paste the text from my previous post, showing the similar view, here...

Walking up this relatively small mesa was more difficult than I had imagined it would be—due to rocky footing and my not being accustomed to the altitude of more than 6200 feet. In any case, I made it about two thirds to the top before I figured I should stop and set up for the westbound train.

Wagon Mound, the geological formation, is named for the shape of the covered wagons used by pioneers traversing the Santa Fe Trail, while the accompanying town was then named for the formation. The rail line one sees here, formerly the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, was named (in part) for the destination of that pioneer trail, and was built through these parts in the first half of 1879, a hundred and forty years ago.

Railroad Photography & Art: A New Book

I’ve got a couple of images in a new book from the Center for Railroad Photography & Art: Continuity & Change: The Lure of North American Railroads. The official publication date is September 1st, but I’ve seen a copy and it’s pretty fantastic. You can preview it here.

My two images in the publication are shown above: an eastbound train near Echo, Utah, on the original transcontinental railroad, and a westbound Amtrak Southwest Chief as seen from Wagon Mound, in central New Mexico on the original line of the Santa Fe.

Wagon Mound

An eastbound Amtrak Southwest Chief is at the west end of Levy siding. The geological formation called Wagon Mound is visible in the distance; it was named for the shape of the covered wagons used on the Santa Fe Trail, while the accompanying town was then named for the formation. The rail line here, formerly the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, was named (in part) for the destination of the trail.

Endangered

This is a westbound Amtrak Southwest Chief at Wagon Mound, New Mexico. The semaphores on this route were the attraction, of course—last active signals of this type in the United States. And now it seems, soon enough, the now iconic General Electric P42DC locomotives will be phased out as well.

Wagon Mound

This is an eastbound Amtrak Southwest Chief seen with a striking geological feature of New Mexico behind it—Wagon Mound. This particular location is the intermediate signal a few miles due north (railroad east) of the town named after the land form.

Amtrak’s Southwest Chief—as seen from Wagon Mound

Walking up this relatively small mesa was more difficult than I had imagined it would be—due to rocky footing and my not being accustomed to the altitude of more than 6200 feet. In any case, I made it about two thirds to the top before I figured I should stop and set up for the westbound train.

Wagon Mound, the geological formation, is named for the shape of the covered wagons used by pioneers traversing the Santa Fe Trail, while the accompanying town was then named for the formation. The rail line one sees here, formerly the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, was named (in part) for the destination of that pioneer trail, and was built through these parts in the first half of 1879.