Another of your interesting finds along this odd railway, El Roco. Your comments of "out of site, out of mind" seem to explane why there are passenger cars abandoned at several locations. The rugged scenery makes for beautiful photos, but what odd places to find passenger equipment.
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A real ghost story if there ever was one. Thanks for all the history and views.
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I rode an excursion being pulled by IAIS 7081 in one of these coaches. It's a nice comfortable ride, but it doesn't feel so great when the heat index is 110*+ outside.
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Thanks for coming along on my pictorial journey. I had heard about these cars and seen the pictures of others, but those photos were taken by hikers rather than from a railroad enthusiast point of view. Before starting out (this time on a mountain bike) I was able to locate the exact location of the siding on Google's satellite map. The previous photo posted on RP was taken in the morning from the west end of the siding, this was an afternoon shot from the east end. Additionally, the small footprint path paralleling the tracks that we rode down is visible on the right side of the track in the picture. The ride is fairly easy 2% max grade (up hill on the return trip) and the path is mostly packed dirt, except it was in the 90's that day and between multiple containers of water and camera gear, I had another 30lbs on weight my bike to deal with. Coming home was really a drag because I was hot and pedalling into a head wind up hill. Next fall, we will leave a car at Dos Cabezas and ride the full 16 miles in one direction, down hill towards El Centro. As for information on the gorge RR, I continue to do research and some of the answers are slowly coming to the surface. As a result of these adventures, I am seriously thinking about doing a photo book on the gorge (I have seen it from end to end at this point) and I think I need at least one more trip out there to get all the material I need. In the book I would like to show a trip through the gorge as a railfan would want to see it. Thanks to all for their continued support.
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El Roco: I am glad that you see the potential for a book of your photos. You have really made an impressive collection of this very eccentric rail line. I have found it all so cool. As a model railroader, I see how someone would want to use it as a prototype. It is as dramatic as it is strange. Good luck!!
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