(The Sangre de Cristo Chronicle posted the following article by Jo Bynum on its website on May 12.)
CIMARRON, N.M. — “All aboard,” will still be heard in New Mexico under Amtrak’s proposed 5-year recovery plan.
“I am especially pleased that Amtrak has abandoned suggestions to end its long-distance routes in New Mexico,” said U.S. Representative Tom Udall. “One of the reasons I fought so strongly to save Amtrak from bankruptcy was because of the devastating effects that a shutdown would have on New Mexico’s economy. ”
In February, Philmont Scout Ranch Program Director Mark Anderson told The Chronicle that about one-fifth of Philmont s total participants — around 4,000 Scouts — arrive via Amtrak’s Raton line, 3,000 from the east and 1,000 from the west coast.
“Kids have been coming to the ranch (Philmont) by train since 1939, the first season we had camping participants,” said Anderson.
Amtrak maintains two lines through New Mexico. One serves Gallup, Albuquerque, Lamy, Las Vegas and Raton — bringing Scouts to Philmont Scout Ranch. The second, Deming and Lordsburg in the southwestern corner of the state.