This morning, the Zephyr was led by a pair of heritage units, include the Phase 2 unit (AMTK 130) and the Phase 4 unit (AMTK 164). The train is just west of Rocky, starting up on Big Ten Curve.
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The Phase 2 heritage unit has been the most elusive of Amtrak's specially painted units for me to personally get pictures of. The unit seems to have avoided the California Zephyr. I've only seen it a few times since it was unveiled in 2011. This morning, it, along with AMTK 164 (the Phase 4 heritage unit) lead the Zephyr west of Rocky.
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The Zephyr was lucky enough to receive not one, but two heritage units on this westbound run! AMTK 130 (Phase 2) and AMTK 164 (Phase 4) lead the Zephyr by the west end of Rocky, on a 15 MPH slow order (due to heat).
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Just east of Plain, the eastbound Zephyr approaches the west portal of Tunnel 1, prepared to slow down for a 15 MPH heat-related slow order on the opposite side of Tunnel 1. I really like this perspective, but the summer months are often the only time it is possible to shoot the eastbound Zephyr here in daylight. Most of the year, this scene is cast in shadows by the time the Zephyr shows up.
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This light power move, which includes ten units, is headed into the siding at the east end of Plain. The units will meet two eastbound here, including a BNSF loaded oil train, and the California Zephyr.
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On a beautiful Sunday evening, a westbound light power move is just west of Tunnel 1, headed for the siding at Plain to meet an eastbound BNSF oil train and the eastbound California Zephyr. There are just a few clouds in the sky this afternoon, and the temperature is a toasty 95ºF.
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UP 7170 emerges with nine additional units from Tunnel 1. In the distance, you can actually see a small piece of the mainline between the trees, just east of Blue Mountain Drive.
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A ten unit light power move is approaching Blue Mountain Crossing in the distance, as we see the west portal of Tunnel 1 in the foreground. In short order, the power will be emerging from Tunnel 1 as it continues west.
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Ten units head west out of Eisele (Clay), likely headed for either Glenwood Springs or Grand Junction, to serve as swing helpers on coal or oil trains.
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The eastbound Canyon Spirit is on the main track at Rocky, meeting a string of ten light units that will be used as helpers on oil or coal trains.
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I think Union Pacific might has the largest range of paint conditions on their unit than any other current railroad. Some are in near-pristine condition, and other, like this unit, are badly faded.
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Even though the "glory days" of coal is long behind us, UP does still run both coal and oil trains on the Moffat. As they did 20 years ago, they still run occasion light power west out of Denver. They will either go to Glenwood Springs or Grand Junction to be used as swing helpers. The units are in the siding at Rocky, waiting to meet the Canyon Spirit.
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We are smack in the middle of the crazy hot days of summer, with the temp around 97ºF (37ºC), passengers on the Canyon Spirit are hopefully enjoying an air conditioned environment on the last 25 miles or so in to Denver.
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After hitting an oil truck in Rifle about two months ago, the Canyon Spirit has been using a pair of SD70Ms, leased from Union Pacific. Hopefully, the Canyon Spirit geeps will return soon. But in the meantime, the SD70Ms lead the eastbound train out of Plain, toward Tunnel 1.
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I am not entirely sure why there were a pair of sightseer lounge cars bringing up the end of the westbound Zephyr on this morning. Perhaps they are being taken to California for the Coast Starlight, but it seems the Southwest Chief or Empire Builder would be more likely candidates for that task. Note the final lounge car, which is sporting the new Phase 7 paint scheme.
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