Rebuilt Dash 9's, Amtrak, F59PH, oil leak, Patched Southern Pacific, & more - El Paso, TX, & NM

It is here finally! This trip was quite worth it. Lots of UP, Amtrak Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited, and BNSF trains across El Paso, TX, Santa Teresa, and Belen, NM! The action was great, and the crews were very friendly. There is a special moment at 0:18:14 in the video. I was called out by the crew of one of two UP trains passing at Santa Teresa, and I just knew right then, I was in for quite a trip! Later on, I was on Cristo Rey Road waiting for the westbound Amtrak Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited train, and I literally was forced to run up the hill for it! Thankfully the Border Patrol officers were very friendly, and offered me a water bottle. Big thanks to the officers for working to keep us safe! Also seen in the video, are several rebuilt UP Dash 9's, which were rebuilt to AC units identified as C44ACM's.

In Belen, NM I was lucky enough to get an ex-Burlington Northern SD40-2 in original paint, as well as some really hot looking intermodals, a Ferromex SD70ACe, and even a former SCAX Metrolink F59PH. I did not know this thing was coming through until another railfan showed up to tell us. I have heard a bunch of different things about what's happening with this unit, along with a bunch of other F59's and some F59PHI's that have been moving through here. The biggest one I have heard, is it's on its way to be rebuilt for Canada's GO Transit. It is possible, but only a rumor at this point. Also got a massive coal train with all EMD Power, two SD70ACe's, and a MAC!

The best highlight ever was the last run to Santa Teresa, NM. The first was the autorack train, UP AMLEG, with two EMD SD70M's for power. The lead unit UP 5053 had suffered a massive oil leak, and the train had to get a new leader. I included clips of the radio feed to show how much frustration it was. Despite it all though, the crew on this train along with the mechanic, and dispatcher really did great keeping it cool, and it was a little funny to hear them trying to figure it all out. The easiest solution until they could get a new leader was to wye the power. Last but not least though, was once again getting to catch one of my favorites, UP 6379, a former Southern Pacific AC4400CW, still sporting its pre-merger scheme! I literally had tracked this thing for almost four days or so to make sure to capture it, so I wanna thank my buddy Logan for all his help to achieve this goal.

I hope you all enjoy the action! This is by far the best Texas/New Mexico railfanning trip I have ever taken so far.