2008 December New Mexico Rail Runner Inaugural Run Photo Gallery by intermodal at pbase.com

2008 December New Mexico Rail Runner Inaugural Run

Image gallery of the December 15, 2008, historic ceremonial inaugural run on the new line to Santa Fe by the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. Two trains ran this day with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and other dignitaries on board for the ride.

A major weather system hit north central New Mexico and so the snow began to fall making this trip more interesting. Additionally, I'd never railfanned this area before so this would be even more fun.

I accessed the new Rail Runner line from Edgewood by getting on State Route 14 (Turquoise Trail) at Sandia Park and heading north through Madrid and Los Cerrillos. At Los Cerrillos I began traveling on Santa Fe County Road 57 to reach the line.

Regular revenue service to Santa Fe begins on Wednesday, December 17.

All text and photos by Brian Kreimendahl.

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Inaugural Rail Runner schedule for December 15, 2008, from: http://www.nmrailrunner.com	The old mining town of Madrid, on the Turquoise Trail, where the movie "Wild Hogs" was recently filmed: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486946	1808 or 2008? Los Cerrillos: http://www.legendsofamerica.com/NM-Cerrillos.html	Out of Los Cerillos time to zig zag up and over this hill on the dirt of unpaved Santa Fe County Road 57.
This looks to be the spot in what my Benchmark New Mexico atlas says is Waldo Canyon. A few minutes to climb the hill before the trains are to arrive.	Down the hill my truck is parked on County Road 57. It is the dark blob under the red arrow.	Suddenly, Train #1 appears out of the snow and mist headed north on its historic inaugural run to Santa Fe.	Train #1 with five Bombardier-built Bilevel coaches.
Train #1 with Governor Bill Richardson and other dignitaries.	Train #1 crossing the County Road 57 Bridge.	Train #1	Train #1
Train #1 up the new long fill to Santa Fe.	About 10 minutes after Train #1 passed, Train #2 appears. The weather is getting worse.	The Rail Runner's MPI-built MP36PH-3C pushes Train #2 up the grade.	Train #2 also sports five Bombardier coaches.
Train #2 heads north.

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