New Mexico has withdrawn its "deal" to purchase the former ATSF, now BNSF and used only by Amtrak line between Lamy NM and the Colorado border. Carried on several news services today.

I'd say this pretty much seals the casket for the Raton line and gets it set for Amtrak to reroute trains 3 and 4 to the BNSF Southern Transcon via Clovis and Amarillo. Amtrak would have to come up with all the maintenance money for the Raton route, since BNSF has closed it to any thru freight traffic.

Throw in the expected yearly maintenance costs to be charged Amtrak for keeping the speed for the SW Chief to at least 60 to 79 mph over the line between Hutchinson KS and the Colorado / New Mexico border and it's pretty obvious Amtrak will NOT want to spend, or have the money to spend, on keeping the Chief routed via the Raton.

States and local municipalities will throw up a fuss, but they don't have the money to throw at the track to make it better than 40mph, either.

Bye, bye Chico!