On 4/22/07 @ 2:30pm a wooden railroad bridge West of Belen, NM, on the BNSF Transcon Line suspiciously caught fire. All E/W traffic came to a hault due to the severly damaged bridge. Reports say there were trains for miles that could not move. As of 10:00pm BNSF reported that they were taking the bridge down; however, by mid-night there would be a temporary bypass for traffic to use.
KOB-TV Albuquerque reported that 69 trains were affected. BNSF demolished the bridge and layed dirt/gravel with a few culverts to re-open the line. BNSF reported they will rebuild three (3) new bridges at that location in the near future.
WOW, it will be interesting to see what set the blaze. Kids playing with matches? Displaced persons with a camp fire? Domestic terrorists?? John
One report I've read, alleged that locals had seen some people in that vicinity, shortly before the fire. So, they may have some suspects. Boxcab E50
The New Mexico State Police and the Valencia County Sheriff's Office are talking with some locals that reported four/five individuals in the area before the bridge caught fire. The NM Fire Marshal's Office & BNSF are calling it ARSON!
