On December 4, 1977 I was returning to Virginia after visiting family in California. I decided to take the southern route and follow the SP east from Colton, CA to San Antonio. The sun has just come up as engine 9113 leads an eastbound train into Sierra Blanca. The train has engines 9113, 9170, 9163, and 8716. Just behind the station is the T&P mainline. The Texas & Pacific joined the Southern Pacific here in 1881 to form the second transcontinental rail route. Sierra Blanca is at milepost 737 as measured from Houston. The Sierra Blanca station has been moved a half block south and now stands next to the main drag through town.

Later that morning the train was passing the old depot at Valentine. The SP reached Valentine on February 14, 1882. Valentine (milepost 668) had been a crew change point as it was about half way between Sanderson and El Paso. As an interesting side note, there was a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Valentine on August 16, 1931. Fortunately there were no fatalities, but there was major damage to the adobe structures in town and the surrounding communities.

Texas Index

SP engine 9113 at Paisano, TX