Southern Pacific Southwest Odyssey, 1990s

Semaphores and Summits, Cuts and Curves – the Southern Pacific Sunset route from Deming NM to Red Rock AZ offers plenty of interesting and classic action. With three major summits even well powered trains or trains with helpers fight to conquer the over 1% grades. Operations between Tucson and Mescal are unique with the eastbound or #2 track following the Pantano wash on the original SP right of way with its many curves and active semaphore signals, curves limiting speeds to around 25 MPH.

The westbound or #1 track is the former El Paso & Southwestern built much later, it takes the tops of the ridge lines with numerous cuts and fills and is good for 70 MPH running. The two lines cross over each other on a spectacular bridge that can be used as a backdrop from almost any direction. See pool power, first generation SP and DRGW power, and new power up to the G.E. AC units. Units with operating Mars lights and units still in SPSF merger colors are a real bonus!

Some of the locations covered are: Deming NM, Lordsburg NM, Steins NM, San Simon AZ, Bowie AZ, Wilcox AZ, Dragoon AZ, Benson AZ, Mescal AZ, Vail AZ, Tucson AZ, and Red Rock AZ. Great classic Southern Pacific action from the early 1990s on this over three hour, two disc set!