Kansas City

Bye for now, New Mexico, you have been an enchanting host. We depart Albuquerque at 12.20 heading slowly to the state line north of Raton. Its slow going up to Lamy due to track work and we also hit a number of other delays for reasons unknown.

We stop at East Tempest, Colorado at 9.55pm due to a red signal.

Awoke at 7am local time as we rolled into Hutchinson, Kansas. Slept reasonably well but we are now running four and a half hours late. So this will be at least a 30hr journey.

Lots of Boy Scouts got on at Raton, fresh from camping at Philmont and hiking in the hills. Boy Scouts all bright eyed and bushy tailed, caught up in the courage and comradeship of brothers in arms. How many of these bright young guys will die fighting America's wars on some far foreign shore?

We take a short 'fresh air' break at Fort Madison, Missouri. The hot air hits me like a smothering blanket so it's straight back onto the air conditioned train. Back to listening to music and watching the endless corn and wheat fields roll by outside under the hot blue sky.Read more