BNSF Raton Sub Trainspotting

A Working Mainline in the High Desert

This camera looks out over a stretch of the BNSF Raton Subdivision near milepost 770, one of the most scenic rail corridors in the American Southwest. Multiple tracks fan across the foreground, hosting parked freight cars, maintenance-of-way equipment, and through traffic on a route that climbs toward Raton Pass.

The Southwest Chief and Daily Traffic

Railfans tune in to catch Amtrak's Southwest Chief on its run between Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as BNSF freight and local maintenance trains. The PTZ camera pans and zooms across the yard, giving a changing perspective on the comings and goings along this single-track mainline.

The Historic Castaneda Hotel

Anchoring the view is the Castaneda Hotel, a Mission Revival Harvey House built in 1898 and lovingly restored. Once a trackside dining and lodging stop for Santa Fe Railway passengers, it stands as a landmark of the golden age of American rail travel.

Visiting Las Vegas, New Mexico

This small city in San Miguel County is renowned for its well-preserved historic districts and frequent use as a film location. The high-desert setting, with distant mesas and wide skies, makes it a rewarding spot for both train enthusiasts and lovers of the Southwest.