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12/30/2024
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Viewing Album:  Two afternoons at Rio Puerco
 
By:Tom Beckett
Dates:9/16/2023 - 9/18/2023
Album Info:I went out to New Mexico to support a high school friend who'd had a death in the family. As part of the visit, we went out to get Amtrak's Southwest Chief, along with some freight action, which was a welcome distraction. We spent part of two afternoons there. Rio Puerco is west of Dalies, and not only is there Amtrak, but everything else on the Transcon as well. It has ample parking, and wide open views. It's a good spot.
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What we came for
Title:  What we came for
Description:  The Southwest Limited was about 45 minutes late leaving Albuquerque, and took about 45 minutes to reach us. Here it is approaching after popping out from behind a hillside.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/21/2023 6:25:57 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  73   Comments: 1
Going away and another eastbound
Title:  Going away and another eastbound
Description:  I turned to get a going away shot of the power as the stack passed, to find another eastbound creeping up
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:25:52 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6756(ES44C4) BNSF 7361(ES44DC) BNSF 9790(SD70MAC)
Views:  75   Comments: 1
Different perspective
Title:  Different perspective
Description:  The vertical framing of Amtrak #3 brings in the signals and the Sandias in the distance.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 3:59:40 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  73   Comments: 1
Pouring it on
Title:  Pouring it on
Description:  The engineer notches out as he passes through the interlocking.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/21/2023 6:27:04 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  87   Comments: 3
Home signal
Title:  Home signal
Description:  The Southwest blasts by the eastbound home signals
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/21/2023 6:28:42 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  106   Comments: 2
Close up
Title:  Close up
Description:  Wider angle view of #3 as it passes my position.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 4:00:54 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  66   Comments: 1
Amtrak and a waiting stack
Title:  Amtrak and a waiting stack
Description:  Amtrak #3 has passed me, and now meets a waiting eastbound stack train as it enters the grade separation to the west.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 4:03:54 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AMTK 154(P42DC)
Views:  48   Comments: 1
You can see a lot
Title:  You can see a lot
Description:  One thing about the view out west is that it is panoramic. A wide view of Amtraks Southwest Chief and a waiting eastbound stack shows the vastness of the region. The south track, the one Amtrak is on, has a slightly better grade, at .6% than the north track, which is 1% between here and Suwanee, a dozen miles to the west.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 4:07:49 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  55   Comments: 2
Shimmering in the sun
Title:  Shimmering in the sun
Description:  The eastbound stack is still holding on the north track, waiting for a signal that will eventually come, as the heat of the afternoon sun rises from the baked landscape.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 4:44:39 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  34   Comments: 1
And a westbound
Title:  And a westbound
Description:  A westbound stack appears around the hill, and we have another train to roll by.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 4:13:15 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  73   Comments: 2
Splitting the boards
Title:  Splitting the boards
Description:  The stack train rolls between the eastbound home signals at Rio Puerco.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 4:19:26 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  94   Comments: 1
DPU away
Title:  DPU away
Description:  The DPU on the westbound stack rolls past us and into the sun.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 4:29:07 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  63   Comments: 1
DPU and big sky
Title:  DPU and big sky
Description:  Montana does not have a lock on big sky, the state nickname notwithstanding. New Mexico has equally big skies, and the DPU of this westbound roll away beneath them, toward Arizona and the west coast.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 4:35:20 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  60   Comments: 2
Going nowhere
Title:  Going nowhere
Description:  The home signal for eastbound moves at Rio Puerco is all red. The stack behind us isnt going anywhere for a while. We had to get back to get my wife and head for dinner, so with nothing in the offing, headed back to the house in Belen.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 4:46:36 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal
Locomotives: 
Views:  42   Comments: 1
Long tangent
Title:  Long tangent
Description:  As we crossed the tracks, I grabbed a shot down the straight track toward the waiting train. Well be back in two days, for more Amtrak and BNSF action.
Photo Date:  9/16/2023  Upload Date: 11/24/2023 4:53:24 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Track,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  42   Comments: 2
Waiting on Amtrak
Title:  Waiting on Amtrak
Description:  We knew Amtrak 4 was five hours late, so were anticipating its arrival. So was the crew on this westbound stack, comprised of JB Hunt and Amazon containers, waiting here at the westbound home signal.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 4:55:42 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6756(ES44C4) BNSF 7361(ES44DC) BNSF 9790(SD70MAC)
Views:  65   Comments: 1
Straight on
Title:  Straight on
Description:  A more nose on shot of the train, note the high green on the north track for Amtrak.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 4:58:35 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6756(ES44C4) BNSF 7361(ES44DC) BNSF 9790(SD70MAC)
Views:  69   Comments: 3
Underway
Title:  Underway
Description:  The stack starts moving, passing between the signals at Rio Puerco
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:00:43 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6756(ES44C4) BNSF 7361(ES44DC) BNSF 9790(SD70MAC)
Views:  61   Comments: 2
Unexpected
Title:  Unexpected
Description:  Amtrak has a tracker that allows the user to see the locations of all the trains in its system. Two days after our first visit to Rio Puerco, the tracker showed eastbound #4 as five hours late. This was unexpected, but allowed me to get a shot of the train as it raced toward Albuquerque late in the afternoon. Here it is, rolling past on the north track with the same power it had going west two days earlier.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/25/2023 6:13:09 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AMTK 154(P42DC)
Views:  66   Comments: 4
Wide view, big sky
Title:  Wide view, big sky
Description:  I shortened up on the lens as the train passed, getting a big hunk of sky as it rolled by.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/25/2023 6:18:33 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AMTK 154(P42DC)
Views:  98   Comments: 4
The meet
Title:  The meet
Description:  When we arrived at Rio Puerco, the stack train in the distance was holding on the south track beyond the interlocking. Amtrak has crossed over to the north track, and is now on its way to the Glorieta Sub at Isleta, and beyond to Albuquerque.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/25/2023 6:24:57 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AMTK 154(P42DC) BNSF 6756(ES44C4) BNSF 7361(ES44DC) BNSF 9790(SD70MAC)
Views:  80   Comments: 2
Clearing the interlocking
Title:  Clearing the interlocking
Description:  The stack now splits the eastbound home signals, gaining speed as it heads west.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:02:26 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6756(ES44C4) BNSF 7361(ES44DC) BNSF 9790(SD70MAC)
Views:  63   Comments: 2
Pretty sky
Title:  Pretty sky
Description:  The westbound stack rolls past under a pretty sky.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:21:43 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6756(ES44C4) BNSF 7361(ES44DC) BNSF 9790(SD70MAC)
Views:  70   Comments: 1
Two stacks
Title:  Two stacks
Description:  Not an uncommon sight on the Transcon. The westbound stacks containers roll away from us, as the next eastbound comes up at a crawl.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:28:22 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7832(ES44DC) UP 6005(AC44CWCTE) BNSF 7708(ES44DC)
Views:  71   Comments: 1
Crawling up
Title:  Crawling up
Description:  The eastbound we saw in the distance crawls up to the crossing, as he waits for the signal to clear.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:32:17 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7832(ES44DC) UP 6005(AC44CWCTE) BNSF 7708(ES44DC)
Views:  66   Comments: 2
Doesnt take long
Title:  Doesnt take long
Description:  As the stack stops to keep clear of the crossing, we see that it doesnt take long for things to back up on the Transcon, as another eastbound appears in the distance.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:35:41 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7832(ES44DC) UP 6005(AC44CWCTE) BNSF 7708(ES44DC)
Views:  70   Comments: 2
Holding for the oil
Title:  Holding for the oil
Description:  As the two eastbounds approach behind us, this westbound oil train appears with 96 oil cans and two spacers.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:39:59 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7799(ES44DC) BNSF 4698(C44-9W) BNSF 7325(ES44DC) BNSF 7243(ES44DC) BNSF 8035(ES44C4)
Views:  73   Comments: 2
Wide view
Title:  Wide view
Description:  A wider angle shows off the five unit consist as the train passes us under a western sky.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:41:57 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7799(ES44DC) BNSF 4698(C44-9W) BNSF 7325(ES44DC) BNSF 7243(ES44DC) BNSF 8035(ES44C4)
Views:  95   Comments: 1
Oil DPU
Title:  Oil DPU
Description:  The oil train had a two unit DPU, seen here rolling away west.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:57:53 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6900(ES44C4) BNSF 3927(ET44C4)
Views:  93   Comments: 1
Long look
Title:  Long look
Description:  The oil train rolls into the distance in a telephoto view.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 5:59:51 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6900(ES44C4) BNSF 3927(ET44C4)
Views:  81   Comments: 2
Oil and stacks
Title:  Oil and stacks
Description:  The DPU on the oil train rolls away as the eastbound stack rolls up
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 6:01:49 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6900(ES44C4) BNSF 3927(ET44C4) BNSF 7832(ES44DC) UP 6005(AC44CWCTE) BNSF 7708(ES44DC)
Views:  119   Comments: 1
Meeting two
Title:  Meeting two
Description:  The oil train rolls away, and we see the two eastbounds lined up.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 6:03:16 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 6900(ES44C4) BNSF 3927(ET44C4)
Views:  86   Comments: 1
Now were getting somewhere
Title:  Now were getting somewhere
Description:  The dispatcher has cleared the signal on the north track, and the first eastbound will be on its way shortly
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 6:05:47 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal
Locomotives: 
Views:  49   Comments: 1
Away we go
Title:  Away we go
Description:  The first eastbound starts up, the interloper UP unit giving up some smoke as it starts to move.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 6:08:01 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7832(ES44DC) UP 6005(AC44CWCTE) BNSF 7708(ES44DC)
Views:  73   Comments: 3
Rolling through the boards
Title:  Rolling through the boards
Description:  The eastbound stack now building speed, rolls through the eastbound signals at Rio Puerco.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 6:10:24 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7832(ES44DC) UP 6005(AC44CWCTE) BNSF 7708(ES44DC)
Views:  89   Comments: 1
Full view
Title:  Full view
Description:  The entire eastbound stack, all 84 platforms and TOFC of it, rolls toward Belen, its tail end just clearing the westbound signals.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 6:12:27 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7832(ES44DC) UP 6005(AC44CWCTE) BNSF 7708(ES44DC)
Views:  82   Comments: 1
Short freight
Title:  Short freight
Description:  The next player in the show was this short 62 car mixed freight that came west. It had a Ferromex unit riding the rocking chair of this three unit consist.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/26/2023 6:15:18 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7934(ES44C4) FXE 4046(SD70ACe) BNSF 4675(C44-9W)
Views:  71   Comments: 2
Westbound
Title:  Westbound
Description:  Amtrak 3, more or less on time, rolls through the eastbound signls at Rio Puerco
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/25/2023 6:29:54 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AMTK 192(P42DC) AMTK 181(P42DC)
Views:  59   Comments: 1
Closer
Title:  Closer
Description:  The Chief rolls past our position at the crossing, headed for Gallup. The late afternoon clouds have started to move in, and well be dodging shadows the rest of the day.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/25/2023 6:34:02 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AMTK 192(P42DC) AMTK 181(P42DC)
Views:  62   Comments: 2
Too bad for the shadows
Title:  Too bad for the shadows
Description:  We moved our position as it was getting to be dinner time, and we wanted to head back before it got too late. We decided that we wanted to get this shot of a train coming around the big curve about three miles to the east, even in the clouds had moved in. It definitely works for a late afternoon shot, and Ill do it whenever I get back this way.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/27/2023 5:48:49 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7770(ES44DC) BNSF 7138(ES44C4) BNSF 5389(C44-9W)
Views:  64   Comments: 1
Right in front
Title:  Right in front
Description:  The train is now fully into the curve, the power right in front of me. Definitely a good westbound afternoon shot!!
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/27/2023 5:52:13 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 7770(ES44DC) BNSF 7138(ES44C4) BNSF 5389(C44-9W)
Views:  63   Comments: 2
Leased DPU
Title:  Leased DPU
Description:  A CEFX lease unit brings up the rear of the westbound stack, with the not so hidden Hidden Mountain in the background.
Photo Date:  9/18/2023  Upload Date: 11/27/2023 5:56:46 AM
Location:  Rio Puerco, NM
Author:  Tom Beckett
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CEFX 1051(AC44CW)
Views:  63   Comments: 3

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