Train Operations - Ep 3 "Train 407"

"Train 407" is the third episode of a new video series. This new series, "Train Operations on Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision", highlights freight train operations over Raton Pass.

This episode highlights the journey of "Train 407", making its way westbound across the Raton Subdivision. We first see Train 407 as it enters the yard limits of the Trinidad Colorado railyard. It makes a short stop at the Trinidad Tower for a crew change and then proceeds upgrade. Even at Trinidad the grade is already 1.12 %.

Most railroads strive to keep their track at a maximum grade of 1%. Santa Fe's Raton Subdivision is much steeper, in fact it is the steepest grade in the United States for a Class 1 railroad, with a ruling grade of 3.5%. Such a steep grade requires a lot of tractive effort. Train 407 is using 12,000 HP to get over Raton Pass. Getting up the hill is only half the battle, however. Dynamic brakes have to be in perfect working order to hold the train's tonnage back as it descends the other side.

Freight trains over Raton must observe a strict maximum speed limit of 15 mph, ascending and descending the pass. Any faster, and the trains tonnage could get out of control as airbrakes alone would not be able to keep the trains in check.

Train 407's trip in this video is an example of the daily struggles Santa Fe Railway train crews and dispatchers dealt with on a daily basic to get freight trains safely over Raton Pass.

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