| When the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad was waiting for equipment and funds in order to cross 250 foot deep Canyon Diablo, a town sprang up here that was known to be wilder and with more gunfights, robberies and murders than Abilene, Dodge and Tombstone combined. Canyon Diablo had 14 saloons, 10 gambling houses and 4 brothels, and sheriffs did not last for long. That was the 19th century version of getting your kicks on Route 66. Once the railroad completed a single-track span across the canyon, the town quickly evaporated. In 1947, Santa Fe constructed the impressive new 544 foot long cantilevered truss span to replace the old trestle - piers and abutments for which can be plainly seen. But for the passing of trains such as BNSF 4124 East here, nary a soul inhabits the place today - just a few signal masts, controlled crossovers and some stored cars, the sun and the wind. |