Tres Piedras, New Mexico, August 24, 2025
News Summary
The Denver and Rio Grande Railway has completed its track to Tres Piedras, New Mexico, marking the end of an extended period without rail service. Residents celebrated the return of the train with relief and joy, as the locomotive’s whistle signified a renewed connection. Meanwhile, Las Vegas, NM is organizing a rodeo weekend filled with events like a parade, barbecue, and the grand opening of a new arena, showcasing the vibrant local culture.
Tres Piedras, New Mexico
Denver and Rio Grande Railway track reached Tres Piedras on August 17, 1977, restoring rail service to the community and ending a long period of silence. The arrival of the train was marked by the locomotive’s whistle and was witnessed by residents who expressed relief and joy at the renewed connection. Separately, Las Vegas, New Mexico, is preparing for an anticipated rodeo weekend organized by the Las Vegas Jaycees, featuring a parade, barbecue, rodeo events and the ribbon-cutting of a new arena.
Key developments — immediate facts
- Rail completion: Track completed to Tres Piedras on August 17, 1977, by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway.
- Local reaction: Residents welcomed the train’s arrival; the locomotive whistle marked the event.
- Construction train journey: A correspondent traveled from Conejos on a construction train, reporting a lively ride across the prairie and up San Antonio Mountain.
- Stops and arrival: The train made a scheduled stop at Head’s Station to take on water and arrived at San Antonio after a three-hour trip; San Antonio lies about ten miles from New Mexico’s northern boundary.
- Rodeo weekend: Activities in Las Vegas begin Saturday at 10 a.m. with a parade featuring at least ten floats, several out-of-town bands, and participants on horseback; trophies are funded by local merchants.
- Barbecue and arena opening: A barbecue for ticket holders will serve pit barbecue beef, beans, and bread; two beeves were donated by Bruce Senior and Danny Brumbelow from the Las Vegas stockyards. A ribbon-cutting for a new arena is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Saturday with notable attendees expected.
Supporting details — what happened on the ground
The correspondent’s trip from Conejos included a lively passage over prairie lands and an ascent of San Antonio Mountain. The construction train paused at Head’s Station to take on water as scheduled. After roughly three hours of travel, the train reached San Antonio, a small settlement located approximately ten miles from New Mexico’s northern boundary. San Antonio’s depot was constructed of granite. The town was briefly inspected by the correspondent and noted to contain merchants, mechanics, and railroad laborers among its residents.
Upon completion of the track to Tres Piedras, local residents responded positively, marking an end to the period during which the town had been without rail service. The audible arrival—the locomotive’s whistle—served as a clear signal of restored access for freight and passengers.
Rodeo weekend schedule and logistics in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Jaycees planned a full weekend of events, with parade activities beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The parade is expected to include at least ten floats, several out-of-town bands and horseback riders. The parade route will proceed down 6th Street to Douglas, continue on 12th Street and end on Bridge Street, finishing at the Plaza. Parade floats will also be displayed later at the rodeo grounds where competitions and entertainment will take place.
A public barbecue will precede the rodeo on Saturday for ticket holders. Menu items include pit barbecue beef, beans and bread. Two beeves were donated by local stockyard representatives Bruce Senior and Danny Brumbelow, and Phil O’Bryon is serving as barbecue chairman. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new arena is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Saturday; the event will honor those who contributed to the arena’s creation and will include attendance by Governor Bruce King.
Background and context
The completion of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway’s line to Tres Piedras is part of broader regional rail activity that connects small New Mexico communities to larger transportation networks. Access to rail can influence local commerce, movement of livestock and goods, and community connectivity. The construction-train account provides a firsthand description of terrain and stops en route, emphasizing the operational steps taken to sustain long-distance rail service.
Rodeo culture and community-sponsored events such as the Las Vegas weekend are longstanding regional traditions, often combining parades, livestock-related activities, and ceremonial openings for new facilities. Sponsorship by merchants and community organizations supports trophies and event logistics, while donated livestock and volunteer leadership underline local involvement.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rail line completion | Track reached Tres Piedras on August 17, 1977 |
| Notable train stops | Head’s Station (water), San Antonio (arrival) |
| Travel time | Approximately three hours from Conejos to San Antonio |
| Parade start time | Saturday at 10:00 a.m. |
| Parade features | At least ten floats, out-of-town bands, horseback participants |
| Barbecue donations | Two beeves donated by Bruce Senior and Danny Brumbelow |
| Arena ceremony | Ribbon-cutting at 1:30 p.m. Saturday; attendance by Governor Bruce King |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| August 17, 1977 | Denver and Rio Grande Railway completes track to Tres Piedras | Completed; correspondent report |
| August 17, 1977 (same day) | Construction train journey from Conejos, stop at Head’s Station, arrival at San Antonio after three hours | Reported by correspondent |
| Upcoming Saturday, 10:00 a.m. | Parade in Las Vegas begins | Scheduled; event plan |
| Upcoming Saturday, before rodeo | Barbecue serving pit beef, beans and bread to ticket holders | Planned; donations confirmed |
| Upcoming Saturday, 1:30 p.m. | Ribbon-cutting ceremony for new arena | Scheduled; officials expected to attend |
Simple charts — event counts and measures
FAQ
When was the Denver and Rio Grande Railway track completed to Tres Piedras?
The track was completed to Tres Piedras on August 17, 1977.
How did Tres Piedras residents react to the railway arrival?
Residents welcomed the return of rail service, with the locomotive’s whistle marking the end of a long silence.
Where did the correspondent travel from and what was the route?
The correspondent traveled from Conejos on a construction train, crossing prairie and ascending San Antonio Mountain, with a water stop at Head’s Station before arriving at San Antonio.
What are the main events planned for the Las Vegas rodeo weekend?
Events include a parade starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, a barbecue for ticket holders, rodeo competitions at the rodeo grounds, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new arena at 1:30 p.m.
How many floats and bands are expected in the parade?
The parade is expected to feature at least ten floats and several out-of-town bands, along with horseback participants.
Who donated beef for the barbecue and who is managing the barbecue?
Two beeves were donated by Bruce Senior and Danny Brumbelow from the Las Vegas stockyards, and Phil O’Bryon is the barbecue chairman.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Swift Current Online: Wall Schedules Shows for National Finals Rodeo
- Wikipedia: National Finals Rodeo
- Vegas Experience: Kick Off National Finals Rodeo Downtown Hoedown
- Google Search: National Finals Rodeo 2024
- News 3 LV: Las Vegas Hosts Record-Breaking Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
- Google Scholar: National Finals Rodeo 2024
- SI Fan Nation: Dolly Parton Booked for Six Shows During National Finals Rodeo
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Finals Rodeo
- Review Journal: 2024 NFR Las Vegas 10th Go-Round Results
- Google News: National Finals Rodeo 2024
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