Hey ya’ll! [:)] I’m going to El Paso & Deming New Mexico from the 22nd to the 28th for work, and should have some free time. I’m not so sure whats to do in deming, but there has got to be something to check ou in El Paso. Any suggestions? Let me know [8D]
Fred
Fred,
I helped a friend move from Florida to El Paso in 2000. We took turns driving the rental truck.
I enjoyed the experience. To me it was a whole different world. The desert, the red soil that was everywhere, the mountain with the giant “Lone Star” on it, and the hills. Some of the interstate highway overpasses have beautiful Southwestern murals painted on them. Hopefully they haven’t been trashed by graffitti.
There is plenty of railroad action, though I don’t know how easy it is to access it. As you drive westbound on I-10 toward the downtown area, on the left side there is a locomotive servicing facility. I’m assuming it’s UP. As I drove past it, I saw UP, SP, BN, and Rio Grande locomotives parked there. The Amtrak station is also near the 1-10 Interstate. Trains are Superliner equipment. BTW: If you face south, you can actually see Mexico from the interstate in the not too far distance. [;)]
Health Alert: The air is very dry, which I Iiked! People that come from humid climates usually associate heat and humidity together. So, the potential problem for us “Humiditoes” is that on hot summer El Paso days the sun can be cooking you and if you’re deeply engaged in outdoor conversation or activity…you may not take notice until just about when you almost pass out.! [:0][B)] Been there…done that!
As always be careful, when visiting any city. While I encountered no problems, crime is present. So always be alert. This may be a stereotype, but I’ve heard more than once that unlike southern states, many people in the southwestern U.S tend to have the “I mind my own business” attitude. [C):-)]
Take your camera and keep us posted!
If you get a chance (daytime only) go across the border to old Mexico. We were there a couple years ago and it’s a very interesting experience. I liked El Paso but my wife was not very thrilled by it.
Tom
FCnota,
First off, Welcome to El Paso! As far as railroading, you can start by driving on the I-10 freeway heading west toward downtown,you will see the old SP diesel facility (Which is now UP) and the further up is the shrinking rail yard. Even further up there’s an old freight warehouse that was owned by the El Paso & Southwestern RR, then it was taken over by SP. That structure was built in the early 1900’s. Be carefull though, If you are going to pull over and check it out, I would’nt recommend it. It’s been broken into and the ‘Modern day hobo’s’ make it their resting stop. I would recommend a few places. The Union Depot which is in Downtown. You can go in and take a look at the renevation of that place. That used to be a hot spot during the passenger days. You would see SP, Santa Fe, T&P/ MoPac and now Amtrak. (This is where they filmed part of the 1972 movie 'The Getaway with Steve McQueen). You can also drive on Scenic Drive which is on the Franklin Mountains. You can view most of El Paso, the RR and Cuidad Juarez Mexico. El paso has the Wyler Aerial Tramway that will take you up the mountain peak. You have a wider view of El Paso, Juarez and even New Mexico. There are two Railroad clubs, one is a N-Scale club which is called the El Paso & Southwestern Modular Club which I don’t recall the address. The other club is The Railroad Model and Historical Association of El Paso. This club is open on Thursdays at 7:30pm. The Address is 6335 Vaughn. It’s an old VFW place which was bought by the club. They have a large HO layout and a 4x8 N-Scale layout. We also have FT.Bliss and Biggs Field, home of the Patriot Missile Battalion. As far as Hobby Shops, we only have one and it does’nt have much of a selection. If you need more information, you can send me a reply. [^]
Yeah, downtown off the interstate is a large yard and service facility, used to be SP, now UP. If you like Mexican food there are resturants everywhere. Just to the west of EP is Old Mesilla, an old stagecoach stop back in the wild west, Billy the Kid also hung out there. There used to be a fabulous resturant there Las Posta . Deming is alos well served by the UP, lots of photo op’s there too. I was raised in EP left there 35 years ago .[C):-)]
Is Woodies train shop still going? I had the pleasure of visiting this old store in 2000 and purchased a custom painted Woodies box car. The old boy that ran it, Woodie I assume, was a pleasure to chat to. He was quite old, so I wonder if the store is still running?
Looks like you already have some good info on Railroading around the area.
Not railroad related but Rock Hound State Park is near Deming. Great place if you like rock hunting or if you think you might. Bruce
you’ll like El Paso and deming…the trains run pretty regular thru both towns…although the trains are more scenic in el paso…you can see the train run thru the pass there, an engine shop and a large train yard…deming i believe has a small yard you can railfan…chuck
WOW! It’s great to see that most of you expererienced the Southwest! It’s a not like the rest of Texas.
AntonioFP45,
That ‘Lone Star’ you were mentioning is the Lighted Star that is placed by the El Paso Electric Co on the edge of the Franklin Mountain. They only used to have on during the Holidays or some special event. Now it’s on 365 days a year. I always wondered if anybody would remember the star. Glad to see it works!
simon1966,
Unfortunately Woodies Train Shop is now a consignment store that is still being runned by Woodie and his wife Hazel. The hobby of railroading here in El Paso is slowly fading away.[:(] I used to go to Woodies alot just to see what’s new. Keep that boxcar, it’s going to be a ‘One of kind’ item.
GAPPLEG,
Mesilla New Mexico! Old Mesilla is great, It’s like your going back in time. I like going there just to get away from the Rat Race! It’s still there! They have small events there like the Wine Festival and in Las Cruces they have the Enchillada Festival…I just gained 5 pounds just thinking about it![(-D] La Posta is still there and still serving great Mexican Food.
I wanted to go back in Nov. couldn’t make it, 40th reunion class of 1965 Irvin high school, Go Rockets !!! I miss alot about EP, actually it’s gotten too big ! I miss the desert, I live in Yankee land now, surrounded by (ugh) trees. Can’t see anything with all this green stuff in my way. I will make it to Albuquerque this nov. and on to Vegas.