A loaded train for San Antonio Public Service at Elmendorf, TX is in the siding at Ashtola (milepost 289) on August 23, 1980. It has engines 5573, 7002, SP 8705, SP 8748, SP 8761, 5121, and 7813. US Highway 287 (just off to the left of the train) follows the line from Saginaw all the way to Amarillo. Below, the power on train QQ051 has run around its train so the crew could get something to eat in Memphis on July 17, 1992. The train has engines 5019, 7145, 5529, and SOO 6048. After a loaded train goes by, the crew will run back up the siding to get onto the other end of its train. The crew will be careful to make sure that all of the switches are lined back to the main track before leaving town. At this time it was dark territory from Trinidad, Colorado all the way to Estelline, Texas. All switches had to be lined by hand. In 1992 I saw the first evidence of CTC being installed. On my last trip in October 2003, this installation had still not been completed. There were a few CTC islands, but this segment was still being dispatched by radio and track warrants.

Texas Index

Depot at Quanah, TX