SANTA FE, N.M. — Santa Fe Southern has left the historic Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe depot in the city under duress after 18 years of keeping its headquarters there. The city ordered the railroad out so it can open a visitor’s center to welcome passengers arriving on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
A source at Santa Fe Southern said the city ordered the railroad to leave last week. The two sides had been fighting over the issue for three years. The railroad’s new headquarters is 100 yards from the station. The location hasn’t yet impacted tourist operations, as the season hasn’t yet started. How it will impact operations isn’t yet clear.
Santa Fe Southern operates the ex-AT&SF branch from Lamy, N.M., to Santa Fe. It handles freight service as necessary and operates tourist trains in summer months.
