El Paso and Juarez
Work Trip, March, 1988
All Photos Copyright © 2010 by Robert E Pence
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These are scans from some negatives I found recently while cleaning out a cabinet in the basement. I hadn't seen them in a long time, and had given them up for lost. Who knows what else I'll find as I clear away accumulated junk?
I went to an employer's assembly plant in Juarez to help with the implementation of an on-line real-time production and inventory tracking system. Leaving Fort Wayne, the scene might make the uninitiated wonder just what kind of Podunk town this is. I can't remember what my routing was or where I changed to a real airplane, and because of lousy visibility I didn't take more photos en route.
A couple of sunset shots. I think these might have been taken from somewhere near my motel in El Paso.
For some reason, I never got around to taking many photos in El Paso. I did slip away from work early enough one day to photograph Amtrak's Sunset Limited, which was on time. The big GE P30CH six-axle locomotives were bought to haul heavy Superliner consists on long-distance trains, and for some reason were never a great success. They entered service in late 1978, and by the time these photos were taken, they were nearing the end of their run. Not long afterward, I saw some on the dead line at Amtrak's Beech Grove shops (Indianapolis), and one had burned up.
Notice that the second car up is different from the Superliner in the foreground? It's one of the bi-level cars that the Santa Fe had built for Super Chief and El Capitan. They were the inspiration for the Superliners. I think that one might have been running as a crew dorm.
1905 - 1906 El Paso Union Station, designed by Daniel Burnham. Lots of glass in interior partitions to let outside light come in. It was in very nice shape.
Ruben, one of the managers at the factory in Juarez. Good guy.
I had wised up to the fact that a Saturday-night stay usually got cheaper air fare, and my motel would throw in free Saturday nights for all-week stays. The company was happy to let me stay into the weekend, because it actually saved them money. Most guys wanted to head home as early as possible on Fridays. I took advantage of the opportunity, and drove my rental car to a parking lot on the US side near the bridge and walked across.
View from the bridge. Note the guy climbing over the gate on the railway bridge.
Railroad station - at first glance, a rather nice, modern-looking building. Closer inspection, though, showed the maintenance standards weren't stringent. First impression - screen door hanging from one hinge.
I didn't know if this might be a pay car, or if there was some other reason for the bars on the windows.
El Paso Santa Fe freight house, near the border.
Flying out. I wish I had taken more photos of both El Paso and Juarez; sometimes I passed up a lot of good opportunities, and looking back now, I can't figure out why.
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