The Topeka state journal., 1905-08-26
RAILROAD NEWS.
Santa Fe May Build Line From
Roswell to Albuquerque.
Engineer Dun Thinks 1t Would
Prove a Valuable Addition.
ON THE BELEN CUTOFF
Many improvements Being Made
in the Southwest.
Gossip and Matters of interest
in Railroad Circles.
ON THE BELEN CUTOFF

Albuquerque, N. M, Aug. 26.-Accord-
ing to the opinion of James Dun, of
Chicago, chief engineer of the Santa Fe,
II IS probable that in the near future
the company will build a line direct
from Albuquerque to Roswell. Mr.. Dun
was in this city recently. He was one
of the party with President Ripley in
the recent tour over the lines of the
road in the southwest More recently
he has been out inspecting the work at
the Belen cutoff.
1T is quite likely that a line between
Roswell and Albuquerque will be built, y
said Mr.. Dun, land believe it would
pay immensely. 1t will be great thing
for both sections of the country if such
line does materialize
I'VE have just been on a tour through
the Pecos valley continued Mr.. Dun,
and the way that country is coming to
the front is amazing. The plains are
being dotted with settlers. they are
ginning to be one of the most prosper
GUS communities in the west. The peo-
pie of both the Rio Grande and Pecos
valleys, the two most fertile sections
of New Mexico, would profit greatly by
new line giving quick connection be-
tween them and it would have plenty
of business from the start
Speaking of the work on the Belen
cutoff Mr.. Dun said:
1.-The laying of steel will be COM
menced in day or two from Willard
to Mountainair, a distance of some IA
miles. This will enable the contractors
to put steam shovel at work and the
gravel will be hauled to some fills
which must be made below that point.
1T is expected to have the grade
completed and the steel laid in about
nine months. but it will be some time
after that before we can run trains, as
will have n n h0 tod a M
put in shape.
1.-The Santa Fe company is spending
immense amounts in improvements, but
the business of the road justifies it. The
it can do to handle the local business
and from the way business is improving
in all lines. it will tax it to do this.
THE heaviest motive power requires
a better grade, which is being put in.
West and east of Albuquerque the en-
tire way is being ballasted, heavier
steel is being laid and the line put in
the best possible condition. At Trinidad
a new depot has been built and precau-
tionS taken to avoid waShoutS in the
future. From La Junta to Las Vegas
new. ballast and new steel have been ad-
ded- At Las Vegas the lower yards
have been raised and across the Gal
1inas river, the grade has been raised
some IL feet. From Las Vegas to Thorn
ton the whole line has been rebuilt and
through Mora canyon a separate line
has been constructed. so the Santa Fe
will not be bothered from floods in the
future.
"The Ration tunnel will be put
through, but just how soon is a matter
that 1 am not just now at liberty to
state. It will be built Just as soon as
the company can get around to it.
1.-The coming year will be one of the
best in the history of the Santa F'e COM
pany The amount of fruit transported
east and the Pacific trade in general
has grown to huge proportions