I had an exciting time of railfanning this morning as I listened to the busy dispatcher directing different trains around El Paso. I first heard of a U.S. Army train getting ready to leave Fort Bliss, but also heard of other trains around the area. El Paso is a fairly big area so I still have a tough time knowing where the trains are headed. I had a suspicion of a train passing by on the nearby BNSF track, so I traveled out to the Rio Grande Riverbed to see if I could catch one. I had my new hand held scanner with me and listened as the dispatchers continued to talk to the trains. I listened as the tested a signal in Vinton—about three miles west from me. When the test was complete, the dispatcher mentioned that the track was clear for Westward movement. Hearing this, I began to watch the East to West approach. And I sat and waited, until I heard the nearby crossing gate and realized the train was behind me moving West to East. Thankfully, I was able to get up and run under the bridge to capture these photos. While I missed the US Army train—which may have taken another route, I did get to see a Ferromex.
Ferromex 4051 is an Electric-Motive Diesel (EMD) SD70Ace Locomotive built after 1992. The setting of the photo is along the banks of the dry riverbed of the Rio Grande River. The train is approaching the Canutillo La Union Avenue crossing at about 10:30AM on 16MAY15. I truly appreciate the engineer being a little noisy as he blew past me!