Santa Fe Railway Shops

Santa Fe Railway Shops is an industrial complex in Barelas featuring 21 buildings made of concrete, steel, and glass that housed railroad operations. The site contains specialized workshops for locomotive repair, including boiler, blacksmith, flue cleaning, and sheet metal departments.

The facilities were built in 1914 when the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway selected Albuquerque as its primary maintenance depot for New Mexico. Construction replaced earlier wooden structures and marked the start of the city's shift from agricultural to industrial importance.

The railway shops shaped the neighborhood by drawing workers who settled nearby and built homes around the complex. The facilities show how the railroad and local communities were closely connected in Albuquerque's growth.

The complex sits in an accessible area near railroad tracks and city streets with clear views of the industrial structures. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear as some portions may be restricted or require advance arrangement to enter.

The machine shop features an open interior with no supporting columns, using continuous glass walls that flood the workspace with light. This innovative design was unusual for the era and shows the builders' ambition for the facility.

Location: Albuquerque

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

GPS coordinates: 35.07500,-106.65000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:02