Cars on the main line would probably indicate derailed equipment. The meeting of the passenger train tells me they are transferring passengers and mail around the wreck or damaged track to the met train for continuation of their journey with the passenger train returning to Durango.
Since that meet point is in Lost Canon where there were thirteen good sized bridges, you may be seeing a bridge out scenario and the "cars on the main line" could be the pile driver or B&B Gang.
Who has "The Rio Grande Southern Story" volumes and can check to see the MP of bridge 107A (I'm at work without resources!)?