I transfered from Utah to Carlsbad a few weeks back. Before I got here I looked at some maps (new and old) and saw that this was on a former AT&SF branch. I figgured this would be another sleepy ex class 1 branch with little activity. I was wrong. This place is quite active. There is a diesel shop a couple blocks from my office, 2 yards in town and lots of activity. There are at least 3 potash mines in the area that generate significant traffic. There is a refinery in Artisia, the next town north. and there is lots of frac mining related traffic.
Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find anything on the web about this railroad, at least not this line (southwestern apparently owns 2 other unconnected lines in this state & Texas?). Does anybody know of any websites with more information about this operation? It would be much appriciated. [8D]
Hi Eric, Good to see you’re still around [swg] Thanks for the link. I was hoping for something more current though. This was one of the few sites I found before I got here. There is a lot more going on here than that site lead me to believe. The roster, for instance, is way outdated as there more then that. It seems like I see a new unit (to me) almost every day at the shop, and 1/2 the units listed seem to be out of service in some state of disrepair.
Chad: They shop all of their other shortline power there anymore. They are a shoestring operation, but moderately well run. Our CV guy hasn’t been on for while in KS. He would be better able to comment. This Utah outfit is a bit more reputable and ethical than the Utah scrapper.