Union Pacific's Gila Subdivision West Valley Sabotaged!

[@estrohmeyer]

Years ago we had several cases of arson on the gila sub, many suspected it was a local manager, true story.

[@chuckboise]

Tweakers are capable of anything, I wouldn't dwell on why it happened that much.

[@KeithKesslerRocks]

Hi there, I was out in the area on 1/1/24 and was surprised to find the damage on the East and West side of of the Saddle crossing. It looked to me like it was done relatively recently (within the previous 6 months) with heavy equipment. I traveled Saddle Rd. East up and over to the Agua Caliente Rd crossing and can confirm the track and trestles East of the Saddle crossing destruction are all still in good condition. The auto transport cars stored near Harqua are also still there.

[@W7DSY]

If you mean the auto racks east of the road crossing near the nuke plant, yes they have been there for some time. Just west of Agua Caliente Rd. the rail has been pulled apart and flagged so there is no passing by last time I was out there. This whole section of rail is a mystery, makes me wonder why UP doesn't pull it up. Personal thought is they are holding it hostage to the state(s) for High Speed Rail project some day and will sell it for $Jillions.

[@LostJeepsNevada]

We just can't have nice things!

[@W7DSY]

True that, Sean. This line has intrigued me ever since I moved here in 2000. Who knows who/why this was done? The arson is easy to figure: just some yahoos with matches. But tearing up the rails, that's something else. That took some effort.

[@johnroberts3824]

Those tracks have not been used in a looong time as evidenced by all the rust on the wear surface.

[@W7DSY]

Out of service since 1996.

[@tedmaas3588]

Well, by the looks of the rail, it hasn't been used in years. So thankfully, no trains were endanger of a crash.

[@michaelmckenzie5232]

Closed after the Amtrak sabotage ,1996

[@JasonBlackwood-pg1zg]

The first bridge near Hyder was burned out before Nov 2021. I happened by it exploring. Have a pic. Loudermilk bridge was still intact.

[@JasonBlackwood-pg1zg]

Correction, 2022 was when I passed by there.

[@W7DSY]

@@JasonBlackwood-pg1zg Thanks. I appreciate your input and the correction.

[@tomswisher5305]

Looking at this on the map, this appears to be the west end of the Phoenix Sub, not the Gila Sub. Drove me nuts trying to find it on the map….

[@W7DSY]

My apologies. Over time the names change. For instance, on my 1952 timetable it is the Wellton Sub of the Tucson Division, then on my 1982 timetable it is the Gila District, Phoenix Line, and so on. And most people I know commonly refer to it as the Phoenix West Line. Those are all SP timetables. Go figure.

[@johnhutchinson9714]

A long time since a train last travelled those tracks. Very conveniently placed fires.

[@W7DSY]

@@johnhutchinson9714Yes, isn't it though...

[@IMRROcom]

it looks like they have a ton of cars stored via satellite view. I can spot a bunch on Anode cars too

[@W7DSY]

The anode cars have been there between 5-10 years. Those auto racks between Gillespie and Dixie have been there for some time. Some of the satellite photos are quite old. Thanks for the input.

[@estrohmeyer]

I've put several trains of empty wells out to growler off the roll lead, three hours in, three hours back out, makes for a very long day.

[@davidkaralus7464]

I could see U.P. doing this so it could be abandoned.

[@W7DSY]

I doubt that would be needed for a reason. A simple petition to abandon would be sufficient. But the UP has held onto this for a reason & I believe it is to hold it for either re-opening at some later date or sell it for a fat price for high-speed rail to the feds or the states.

[@DarkTerritory71]

The UP or anyother railroad, wouldnt burn out their own trestle? They would just remove.

[@TKevinBlanc]

This seems like and inexpensive way to "remove" them, no?

[@dennischerry4545]

Doesn't look like the track has been used in many years.

[@W7DSY]

Not since 1996.

[@ronwade5646]

Take samples, thermite leaves evidence so does accelerants.

[@ronaldmarberry9719]

Amtrak is wanting to run out there again so that’s why they sabotaged it but they are idiots because up is going to rebuild that line anyway because Amtrak won’t run on jointed rail