Re: Why...

Oh, that subject pops up regularly. The bottom line is that Alamosa-Antonito track WAS NOT included in the sale to the two states. The D&RGW would have none of it. They were finished with the NG, and that was it.
I think you can understand their position. Having to consider NG traffic on that line, even on a trackage rights basis would be nothing but a PITA to the D&RGW. They didn't need that aggravation. And even if they had worked out a deal with the states, I think it is a safe bet that they would have required that they - the states - contribute to the maintenance of that stretch. That would have been a further drain on the states' resources, with very little - if no - economic benefit.
And besides, NM would have looked at that stretch, totally inside CO, and squealed. Not a good deal.
So the bottom line is that although - from a rail fan standpoint - retaining the third rail would have been neat beyond belief, but totally impossible from both an economic and political perspective.
CJ