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An Op Ed published by Philip Davis today in the Albuquerque Journal reminded me that I haven't commented on Amtrak's decision to leave the route of the Southwest Chief through Colorado and New Mexico alone.
This is significant for all the fine reasons mentioned in the piece. Most importantly, in my mind, it preserves real through, long-distance passenger rail service for Albuquerque. The two possible alternatives (based on the "new" routing through Clovis, NM) were ugly, costly, unproductive for Amtrak, and inconvenient for passengers arriving or departing Albuquerque.
The first alternative was creating a stop in Belen, NM, and making us ride a bus to and from the Alvarado Transportation Center in Albuquerque. The second, equally ludicrous, was to either back the train into Albuquerque from Belen (for eastbounds) and west of Isleta Pueblo (The Dalies, for westbounds), or pull nose in to Albuquerque and back the train out (to Belen for westbounds and to The Dalies for eastbounds). That's one big honkin' wye!
Anyway, please read Mr. Davis' article and thank God for small favors that the powers that be at Amtrak came to their senses and smelled what little money Colorado and Kansas were able to come up with to maintain the route. New Mexico is still the cheapskate in that regard, but blame the do-nothing legislature that meets only one or two months a year to suck New Mexicans dry for no return.
Adios Amigos.
©2015 - C. A. Turek - mistertrains@gmail.com
