New Mexico's Rail Runner Express is a commuter rail line that operates between Belen and the state capital of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Rail Runner is operated by the New Mexico Department of Transportation, NMDOT, with the equipment and the trackage being owned by Herzog Transit Services. The Rail Runner fleet comprises 9 MPI MP36PH-3C locomotives and 22 Series VI Bombardier Bi-Level coaches (13 coaches and 9 cab-cars) with train sets being 2-4 cars long. The Rail Runner's route is 97 miles long, has 15 stations, and has a maximum speed limit of 79 mph. The 15 Rail Runner stations are Santa Fe Depot, South Capitol, Zia Road, Santa Fe County/NM 599, Kewa Pueblo, Sandoval County/ US 550, Downtown Bernalillo, Sandia Pueblo, Los Ranchos/Journal Center, MontaƱo, Downtown Albuquerque, Bernalillo County/International Sunport, Isleta Pueblo, Los Lunas, and Belen. Rail Runner trains share their route with Amtrak's Southwest Chief long distance service from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California and BNSF freight trains. A typical Rail Runner MP36PH-3C, photo credit goes to Flickr user snowpeak. A typical Rail Runner Cab-Car, photo credit goes to Oren Hirsch. A typical Rail Runner coach, photo credit goes to Jack M. Turner The interior of a typical Rail Runner coach, photo credit goes to Wikipedia user JHarrelson.
This could be a cool idea. I'd like to see a route with the Rail Runners. If it's made, we could get a BNSF diesel or two (maybe an ET44C4 or ES44C4 and a GP38-2) for freight operations. The route could also include a Genesis P42DC and Southwest Chief consist.