MONTE VISTA, Colo. — Short line San Luis Central Railroad embargoed its entire 13-mile line May 28 after its crossing of the Empire Irrigation Canal, one mile north of Monte Vista, collapsed. According to local farmers, the crossing, a series of culverts surrounded by cement walls, had been seeping water between the pipes for a number of years.
The railroad has been exploring a number of options, including back filling the crossing, replacing the pipes, or building a wood trestle. The last option is deemed the least expensive, as the railroad owns a pile driver but would have to rent a crane. The other options would be contracted.
The location of the collapse means the railroad is cut off from its customers, which are north of the canal. The collapse occurred during the railroad’s slow period, with the majority of its customers being agricultural and not currently shipping. If the line is not back in service in the next few months, shippers — whose products include feed and brewing barley, malt, and potatoes — are expected to transload their products to Monte Vista for shipment on the national rail network. A few empty fertilizer tank cars are currently marooned north of th washout.
The railroad is expected to begin rebuilding the crossing after July 1, when the canal’s water flow begins its annual slowing down.
The railroad, owned by holding company Rail World, was featured in the 2023 Trains special issue America’s Short Lines, which remains available at the Kalmbach Hobby Store.
