Chili Line

Chili Line
Overview
StatusClosed
Termini
Service
Operator(s)Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad
History
Opened1880s
Closed1941
Technical
Line length125.6 mi (202.13 km)
Track gauge3 ft (914 mm)
Chili line
Santa Fe Branch
Antonito
Palmilia
Volcano
Skarda
No Aqua
Tres Piedras
Servilleta
Taos Junction
Caliente
Barranca
Embudo
Alcalde
Chamita
Española
Otowi
Buckman
Jacona
Santa Fe

The Chili Line, officially known as the Santa Fe Branch, was a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge branch of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW). It ran 125.6 miles (202.1 km) from Antonito, Colorado, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Denver and Rio Grande Railway (D&RG) began construction of the line in 1880 and completed the line from Antonito to Española, New Mexico, but could not build any further because of an agreement with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad (AT&SF). The Texas, Santa Fe and Northern Railroad was incorporated to complete the line, and the line between Española and Santa Fe opened in 1886 and was transferred to the Denver and Rio Grande shortly thereafter. The D&RGW closed the Chili Line in 1941 because of competition from road transportation, and the line was abandoned shortly thereafter.