Desolate, dusty Vaughn, New Mexico, population about 500, is one of those places only a railfan could love, a cluster of vacant buildings, gas stations and a motel or two at the intersection of U.S. Highways 54, 60, and 285. But this was once a division point on both Santa Fe’s Transcon and SP’s Golden State Route, which cross just west of town, and so rail traffic is brisk. On July 28, 1967, eastbound Santa Fe SD40 1708, with SD45 1885 and SD40 1706, pass a westbound (note caboose in background) and head for the wide open spaces of eastern New Mexico and West Texas. Also of interest to caver explorers are the numerous sinkholes in the area, some of which lead down to sizeable caverns.
