Customer Reviews

Cloud-Climbing Railroad: Highest Point on the Southern Pacific

5 star:		(2)
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This is an excellent source of information about a long lost piece of American History. I have personally visited many of the sights contained in the book during time stationed at nearby Holoman AFB. in the middle 1980's. The book has been a great resource in modeling the branch line with my son in HO scale. Much of the old road bed still remains in the forest near Cloudcroft, and can very easily be followed during hiking trips. There is even some remnants of old tressels deep in the woods today.

This is the definitive history of the Alamogordo/Sacramento Mountain Railway. The steepest standard gauge railroad in the world. I am the chaiman of the foundation dedicated to preserving the memory of the famous historic railroad. The A/SMR was the first railroad to use switchbacks to gain altitude, the first excursion tourist railroad (1898-1947), the steepest, 4300' to 9600' in 30 miles of track.
thanks to AMAZON for helping us raise funds to continue our work.

Richard Haskell

There are few books that tell the story of the logging railroad at Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Detail and story content are good, though the book could have better continuity. Still, it provides information about the now defunct line that would be difficult to find without much time and effort. It is well worth the purchase price, if you have specific interest in the railroading history of Otero County, or southern New Mexico.