The siding of Tabernash is somewhat unusual in that the main and the siding are a considerable distance away from each other for most of the length of the siding. At its further point, the siding is 1/3 of a mile away from the main! This is because, way back in the days of steam, there was a steam engine facility here at Tabernash where helpers were kept and maintain to assist in the climb to the Moffat Tunnel. There is a wye connecting the main and siding, allowing steam engines to be turned around. The Anschutz Ski Train used to use the wye to turn around as well. Here, the westbound Zephyr slowly rolls through the siding (to the right) as UP's MGJNY is tied down on the main track (to the left). If an eastbound needs to tie down at Tabernash, it is common practice to tie down on the mainline rather than the siding because the siding has a grade crossing in the middle of it whereas the main does not.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster.
