Chili Line: The Narrow Rail Trail to Santa Fe

Description

Author: Gjevre, John A.

Publisher: Agassiz Publications (Moorhead, MN)

Pub Date: 2008 (Third revised edition)

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Good.  Binding tight.  No marks, tears, bends or folds.  Without dust jacket, as issued.  Very light edge and corner wear.  Appears unused.

Notes:  Long before automobiles and airplanes became the dominant forms of long and short range travel, railroads extended their lines to most small towns and cities.  I have a picture of my great-grandfather with his horses and wagon in front of the depot at Gotebo, OK  (look it up).  The Chili Line started life in 1880, as a “short line. narrow gauge” railroad from Antonito, Colorado, to Española, New Mexico (Española? True).  Lots of politics, lots of money, lots of scandals,  railroad “battles” (physical gunfights) between the AT & SF and the Denver & Rio Grande employees and mercenaries.  The 34 mile extension of the Denver & Rio Grande line from Española to Santa Fe in 1887 became known as “The Chili Line.”  It ended its run (no pun intended) in 1941.  The current route of Interstate 25 closely follows the routes of the AT & SF in New Mexico, and the D & RG in Colorado.   Lots of period photographs, maps, drawings.   Fascinating for train buffs.