Yard Limit
Member
August 5, 2017. With a heads up, I heard that a Northeast Regional Cafe Car was on Amtrak 4, the EB Southwest Chief. Anything unusual on an Amtrak train is worth going trackside to see. Having followed the progress of number 4 all day, it became apparent to me that it was possible that a slightly late Amtrak 3, the westbound Southwest Chief might be coming through Bernalillo, NM at the same time. It’s very rare that these two trains meet in Bernalillo but when I heard on the scanner that 3 was going to be held in Bernalillo for 4 and the southbound Railrunner, I knew I was in luck. I decided to set up at the Downtown Bernalillo station, although there were two other very good possibilities.
When 3 came past the 550 station I thought he would continue south to West Bernalillo where the signals are, but he slowed down and stopped right in front of me! This incredible act of kindness meant that I could see 4 pass him in a perfect spot. One of the crew opened the door and asked me if I was getting good pictures and I told him I definitely was, especially since he stopped his train in the perfect spot for me. There’s no question that he did this deliberately and I thank the crew for doing that!
A short time later, 4 came north past 3 and I got some great video of them passing, in addition to the Café Car. Three moved on toward Albuquerque and 4 stopped at East Bernalillo to wait for the southbound Railrunner.
This was one of those times when the Train Gods smiled on us and I appreciate the chat with 3’s crew member, and the nice waves from 4 and the Railrunner engineer.
