15-06-08a PHOTOS: Texas 75

On my cross country Amtrak Trip via the Sunset Limited my train had already reached Texas, yet it was only about halfway through its journey. It was after noon when my train pulled out of El Paso heading east towards San Antonia. The great double track main line was replaced by a single track with passing sidings on the former SP Valentine Sub. Without the double track I had little reason to stay at the back of the train with its pathetic view so I retreated to the lounge car to scrap by with some side shots. If you like scenery and related you can view the whole set of photos here.

At the east end of the El Paso station terminal I managed to get a shot of Tower 196 which, until about 15 years ago controlled the entire El Paso terminal area.

In a very forward thinking bit of engineering the Southern Pacific railroad depressed its 3-track main line through the center of town into a trench to avoid traffic tieups.

East Coast visitors in the form of NS C44-9W #9393 and C44-10W #7539.

Following that pair was UP SD70ACe #8588 and AC4400 #6805.

Spotted this UP standard cab GE C40-8 #9317 in the El Paso engine terminal deadline.

Close by was UP SD60 #2207.

Hanging out behind the engine house was UP CCRCL #Y115. A CCRLC is a Control Car Remote Control Locomotive, which is link a slug that provides remote control capability instead of extra tractive effort. 

It wouldn't be Texas without oil refineries.

Yeah...these nut trees sure look sustainable in a desert.

The CPB have established a checkpoint on the eastbound lanes of I10 where all travelers have to show their papers. I guess Texas isn't part of the United States.

Quonset Hut hanger somewhere in the wilds of East Texas.

Disused ranching operation with a windmill, cattle chuted and water tank. Not a longhorn in sight.

Designed and built by the Budd Company?

The US Air Force Station Marfa hosts a large radar equipped areostat designed to track low flying aircraft smuggling drugs from Mexico.

What looks like a depression era rest stop built along UP 90 near Marfa.  Apparently it was built in the 1990's.

God bless Texas and God Bless America. Irony is these speeds a commonplace in Europe. Even in the UK the speed limits default to 70 in absence of other regulation.

The pointless Arrow is alive and well at Alpine Texas. Gateway to Big Bend National Park. 

Engineer change at Alpine with Amtrak P42DC #39 and #95.

The tri-weekly Sunset Limited ties up downtown Alpine a bit, but nobody seemed to mind.

Well I'm going to call it here. Tune in next week as I take a journey to the dark side of Planet Houston.