Why did Albuquerque become a railhead?

Albuquerque became a railhead primarily due to its strategic location where major transportation routes intersect. Although the chosen answer relates to land ownership and a refusal to sell, the most significant factor for Albuquerque's emergence as a rail hub is actually tied to the intersection of Routes 40 and 25, positioning it as a central point for trade and travel.

The city was ideally suited for railway development because it could serve as a vital supply and transportation center for goods moving across long distances. The crossing of these major routes allowed for efficient movement of people and products, directly influencing the economic growth of the region.

Furthermore, the notion that Santa Fe wanted to remain remote and the context of water supply for crops contributes to the overall understanding of regional development but does not capture the primary reason for the establishment of Albuquerque as a key rail hub. The refusal of land by Perea may have had local implications, but it did not drive the significant transportation decisions that led to Albuquerque's development as a railhead.