After an afternoon of overcast skies, the sun managed to squeak through some clouds and make an appearance at the perfect time! Great light was cast on the eastbound Zephyr as it descends Big Ten Curve with Operation Lifesaver P42DC, AMTK 203 leading the way.
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AMTK 203 leads the Zephyr around Big Ten Curve, passing by the hoppers that have now sat, motionless, on the inside of the curve for over five decades. The Denver skyline, where Union Station is located, is visible to the left. Union Station is indeed the next stop of the Zephyr this evening.
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In January 2022, Amtrak worked with Operation Lifesaver to unveil a very unique paint scheme on AMTK 203. The paint scheme commemorates the 50th anniversary of Operation Lifesaver, which has worked and continues to work to make the public more aware of trains and how to avoid disaster with them. As the slogan goes: "See TRACKS? Think TRAIN!"
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The distinctive yellow nose of AMTK 203 leads the eastbound Zephyr at the east end of Eisele (Clay).
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The eastbound Zephyr was about an hour late when it departed Fraser. However, it is working to make up that time, and will in fact arrive in Denver only 12 minutes late! Here, the train is approaching the grade crossing at Blue Mountain Drive.
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The evening Zephyr rolls eastbound over CO-72 at the base of Coal Creek Canyon, AMTK 203 in the lead. The sun has come out in the foreground, creating some dramatic storm lighting in the distance.
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Helping on this westbound coal load is a Norfolk Southern AC44C6M. I actually shot this exact unit about 24 hours earlier, when it was sitting near the BNSF Engine House in Denver, awaiting its next assignment. At the time, I would not have guessed its next assignment would take it west on the Moffat.
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A BNSF coal load climbs Big Ten Curve, headed west on the Moffat. The train loaded in the Powder River in Wyoming, and is headed for the Valmy Power Plant in Nevada. This coal train's days are actually likely limited. Like so many other power plants, the Valmy station is transitioning to natural gas. The coal-burning stations are slated for retirement by the end of 2025.
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Three units lead this westbound BNSF coal load on the main at Rocky. A few hours ago, the ground was entirely covered in snow. But rapidly rising temperatures, now around 38°F, is resulting in the rapid melting of the snow.
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I really like the contrasting foliage all visible right here in a single scene. As a loaded BNSF coal train heads west through Barbara's Gulch, the foliage in the gulch is covered in snow. Meanwhile, warming temperatures has melted most of the snow outside of the gulch.
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It has been rumored that the Zephyr will have an additional sleeper and an additional coach added to it sometime this spring. That hasn't started quite yet, as the Zephyr is still running with only seven Superliners.
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The Zephyr wraps around the final bend of Big Ten Curve, toward a clear (green) signal at the east end of Eisele (Clay). It is a cloudy and morning with fresh snow on the ground. After a high temperature in the mid-70°Fs yesterday, it is only 30°F this morning.
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The westbound Zephyr is right on time as it climbs its way west out of Rocky, up and around Big Ten. Leaves are just starting to bloom on the trees.
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Mid-April is not too late for snow to fall in the Denver-Metro area. Indeed, the area got a surprise blast of snow overnight! The westbound Zephyr is making it way up the grade on the north edge of Big Ten.
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A look down from the plateau where CO-72 is located, down to where Rocky is located. The westbound Zephyr, with AMTK 83 and AMTK 151 are in charge this morning.
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