Remembering the Escalante Western Coal Railway

Presented in 4K - The Escalante-Western was a coal railroad in Western New Mexico, that ran from Escalante Generating Station to the El Segundo and Lee Ranch Coal Mines to the North. Operating on the rarely shot BNSF Lee Ranch Subdivision line, the ESWR ran through some of the most scenic desert landscape in New Mexico. Owned by the Western Fuels company, the ESWR used three rebuilt EMD SD40-3 locomotives - all of which were ex B&O. Over the two days I was there, ESWR 603 was on the point, with an awesome Leslie RS5T horn!
When this video was shot back in April of 2020, the Escalante Western had two weeks left of running, so this was my last and only time seeing this unique railroad in operation. Sad to see another unique coal operation go away, but glad to see it while I could!
All locations mentioned in the video.
Thanks for watching! | Video and Content by MichaelLovesTrains 2024

[@MatecaCorp]

One of the less recognized losses that comes from the closure of coal railroads is the disappearance of some sick 70’s and 80’s paint schemes

[@Takchi-Inakshe]

.....Mars is watching and listening to you, brothers in mind.....

[@allyreneepenny9447]

OMG😮What for beautiful trains and Landscapes ❣️❣️

[@PaulsDMVRailroadsandAviation]

Looks like it was an interesting operation, sad to see it go. Desert short lines always have really cool paint schemes

[@lashendawest7509]

Great catches awesome chase and nice video

[@MikeG42]

Excellent video 👍🏻

[@Marcusyyz10]

Nice vid

[@bradleyjanes2949]

Great video, grest story thank you

[@SoCalHighIron]

That's a stunning landscape. It makes you wonder if there's potential for a sightseeing train to run in this area now.
Thanks for another great video!

[@lashendawest7509]

Good morning michael

[@GEVOlutionCPKC]

Another breaking It friend amazing video 👍🏽

[@Railroader85]

Awesome video

[@thehawkeyerailfan9406]

I always thought that railroad had one of the best paint schemes in America. The locomotives matched the desert landscape perfectly.

[@felixthetrainfan4819]

Nice video, but what happened to that coal company? Was it bankrupt or went out of business?

[@Espee9180]

Power plant shut down and with it the only reason for the railroads existence

[@princessofthecape2078]

150 jobs annihilated for no good reason.