Mexican Canyon Trestle Canvas Print

When you approach Cloudcroft, NM from the West, this old railroad trestle or bridge will not escape your attention.

It is the most prominent remaining structure of the Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway which operated under various names from 1899 to 1947.

Built in 1899, the curved trestle has an overall length of 323 feet and rises 52 feet above the canyon floor. Vertical supports spaced 15 feet apart consist of 12" x 12" timbers. The rails (removed in 1948) and crossties were placed on 8"x16" stringers held together with three-quarter-inch bolts and cast iron spacers. In order to form the curve, the top part was built in 21 sections with 8"x16" timbers. There are 10 main timbers 15 feet in length in each of the 21 sections resting on footing blocks set 4 to 8 feet underground. Lateral, longitudinal, and diagonal wooden braces prevented sway and shifting of the trestle. A wooden guard rail ran along the track to keep the ties from bunching. Metal guard rails runn...

Steve Templeton spends his retirement days operating a small professional camera & lens rental operation in Abilene, TX. When he can get away from the day to day grind, he loves taking pictures of God's creation, which encompasses a plethora of subjects. Whether you are an interior designer, a buyer for hotels or corporate offices, or shopping for wall art for your own home, you'll find a little something for everyone in his portfolio. If you don't see what you are searching for, please feel free to contact him, as this is just a small sampling of his body of work.