Re: Osier loop

I don't know the whole story, but here are a few facts and some speculation. The loop was built by the Commission. My guess is they built a loop rather than a wye because the intent was to turn entire trains, in the anticipation that business would grow to the point of requiring two daily trains from Chama. While a wye with a short tail might have required less dirt be moved, a wye with a long tail for entire trains would probably have taken about as much construction as the loop, maybe more. The loop was designed with a maximum curvature of 26-degrees, which is within the design specs for all the mikes. The current problem with excessive curvature is the result of either poor construction, or possible subsequent movement/settling of the fill. Hopefully the railroad will figure out a strategy for fixing the problem, because the loop is needed operationally.