FINBARR O’NEILL
Semaphore signals have almost totally disappeared on main line railways in North America. The only location on the national network also used by Amtrak is between Colmor and Wagon Mound, New Mexico, where less than 11 electrically powered semaphore signals originally installed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1920s remain in use on the Las Vegas (New Mexico) – La Junta Colorado ‘Raton Sub’ line. This is owned by freight BNSF but for many years has only been used by Amtrak’s Southwest Chief Chicago – Los Angeles service. That train is seen on November 21, 2023 passing the semaphores near Wagon Butte with GE P42 locos Nos. 187+44.