On a bright but very cold February 20, 1969, GP7 2811 rolls the (almost) daily local out of Santa Fe, headed down the 18-mile branch to a connection with the main line at Lamy. In 1880, the AT&SF bypassed its namesake city for the easer-to-reach Albuquerque, and ever afterwards passengers for the New Mexican capital were required to detrain and finish their journey by stagecoach or limousine. Local freight service, never robust – the four cars here are representative -- will continue until 1992 when Santa Fe Southern Railway will buy the line for a freight and tourist operation. In 2005, the state will take over. Today, commuter trains of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express use the line.
