The Eagle Mountain Power Plant Spur

Eagle Mountain, Texas

Home | TX | UP

Located northwest of Fort Worth lies TXU's Eagle Mountain Electric Steam Station. Still in service, this power plant was once served by a railroad spur approximately 2 miles long. The spur originated at milepost 597.6 on UP's Duncan Subdivision, and was anchored by TrinityRail Industries' repair plant #4, which is still in operation. Today, the only evidence that the spur existed are the small fills and cuts in the gently rolling landscape.

The spur's current end is just inside the TrinityRail Industries... — The spur's current end is just inside the TrinityRail Industries property fence. A repaired tankcar marks the end of useable track.

This head-on shot shows where the tracks once approached a grade... — This head-on shot shows where the tracks once approached a grade crossing with the road.

The grade crossing with Peden Road has been removed and filled ... — The grade crossing with Peden Road has been removed and filled to the point where the crossing itself is no longer evident.

Looking across Peden Road from TrinityRail, a cattle crossing mi... — Looking across Peden Road from TrinityRail, a cattle crossing might indicate to observant passers-by that a railroad once crossed here.

The cattle guard to the south of Peden Road is in a state of bad... — The cattle guard to the south of Peden Road is in a state of bad disrepair, with rails strewn about.

After crossing Peden Road, the spur heads due west and parallels... — After crossing Peden Road, the spur heads due west and parallels the roadway. The satellite photography shows the spur being used for car storage at the time. I visited the spur in 2003 and witnessed this; thus the spur must have been removed after that.

The former right-of-way as viewed from Peden Road.

The spur crosses another cattle guard, this one with a "Longhorn... — The spur crosses another cattle guard, this one with a "Longhorn" decoration on the gate.

This shows the railbed looking back to the east. The cattle guar... — This shows the railbed looking back to the east. The cattle guard gate in the previous picture can barely be seen at the crest of the hill.

This is at the same location as the previous picture, but lookin... — This is at the same location as the previous picture, but looking west. Peden Road can be seen going over the rise on the right. Just beyond this picture, the tracks divert from their present course along Peden Road and head in west-south-west direction.

The satellite photograph for this picture shows that tracks endi... — The satellite photograph for this picture shows that tracks ending just after they changed direction. Even out this far, railcars were still stored on the tracks.

The abandoned right-of-way cuts through the trees.

The rise shows where tracks once ran across the field.

A cut in the rise suggests there was a small bridge at this poin... — A cut in the rise suggests there was a small bridge at this point, probably one made of wood.

The railbed gently curves around the land before making a turn t... — The railbed gently curves around the land before making a turn to the southeast and parallels Farm-to-Market Road 1220, or Morris Dido Road. Here, the right-of-way is visible proceeding southwest along the highway.

Looking the other direction, the former right-of-way approaches ... — Looking the other direction, the former right-of-way approaches the Eagle Mountain power plant.

Beyond this, the tracks cross FM 1220 to the southwest and conti... — Beyond this, the tracks cross FM 1220 to the southwest and continue on to the power plant. The power plant is a secure area and requires authorized access; I was not able to get any pictures of the right-of-way on TXU property.

The final picture shows the right-of-way to be barely visible so... — The final picture shows the right-of-way to be barely visible south of its crossing with Bonds Ranch Road. Slowly, the evidence of the "Texas Electric" spur gives way to nature.

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