The eastbound Zephyr knocks down a green signal at the east end of Plain. This location is a "check point" for the Zephyr, and the engineer on the head end just called out the check point for the conductor. From here, the train has roughly 24 miles remaining on the journey in to Denver. Afternoon clouds are building over and out on the plains.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A single ES44AC brings up the end of this eastbound coal load, which just rolled by the "Cold War Horse" statue. It is a life-sized statue of a horse wearing a gas mask and radioactive gear. It showed up here in 2015, about ten years after the cleanup of the Rocky Flat nuclear trigger plant had been completed.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
It has been a day of occasional rain and occasional severe thunderstorms. More storm clouds are building over the Rockies as an eastbound UP coal train approaches a green signal at the west end of Leyden.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A classic shot of an eastbound UP coal load just west of Leyden. Rumor has it that UP is trying to run 60 coal trains per month on the North Fork Branch out of the West Elk Mine. There has definitely been an increase in the number of coal train on the Moffat in the past few months.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A trio of GEs lead a westbound UP oil train out the west end of Leyden under some crazy storm clouds right around an hour before sunset.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
DS-378 set up a fantastic meet at Leyden between this westbound oil empty and the eastbound Zephyr. The Zephyr held the main while the oil train ran through the siding. It ended up being a rolling meet, meaning neither train had to come to a stop. With some crazy evening storm lighting, the oil train leaves Leyden westbound.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The clouds were truly dramatic and dynamic, amplified by evening sunlight, as the eastbound Zephyr descends from Big Ten Curve and approaches a green signal at the west end of Rocky. One of the P42DCs...not sure which one...developed some mechanical issues on Donner Pass the previous day, and a UP loaner unit was added to assist.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The eastbound Zephyr is descending Big Ten Curve with a UP ES44AC on the head end. Hit the jackpot with the storm lighting this evening as there was a thin section of sky to the west between the clouds and the mountains, allowing the sun to light up the scene. The UP unit was added after mechanical issues developer with one of the P42DCs on Donner Pass.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The Zephyr is running about two hours late this evening, so the sun is well behind the mountain here at Eisele (Clay). Rays of sun still shine over the mountains in the distance, looking geographically north along the Flat Irons. The main reason for the Zephyr running late was mechanical, hence the ES44AC leading.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
I'm guessing emerging from Tunnel 1 was a bit unpleasant for the Amtrak crew on the eastbound Zephyr, going from the relative darkness of the Tunnel and then descending the grade, facing directly into the setting sun to the west. Storm clouds are swirling around quite a bit off east toward the plains.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
After a day with cloudy skies, there was a break in the clouds this evening to the west, setting up some dramatic shots. Dark storm clouds loom behind Tunnel 1 as the eastbound Zephyr, led by a UP ES44AC, heads east toward Denver.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The eastbound Canyon Spirit makes its way across Blue Mountain Drive by the Coal Creek fire station. It is a very pleasant afternoon, despite the overcast skies. Later in the week, the forecast is showing as much as 6-10" of snow might fall!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
RMRX 8021 leads the eastbound Canyon Spirit through the cut just east of the CO-72 overpass at the base of Coal Creek Canyon. You can see the power car at the end of the train, just clearing the bridge.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Unlike the California Zephyr, which is always trying to make track speed in order to stay on schedule, the Canyon Spirit typically runs below track speed, to extend the length of the trip and allow passengers to enjoy the incredible views they've spent a lot of money on to see. Here, the Canyon Spirit is descending from Tunnel 1 at about 15 MPH.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The eastbound Canyon Spirit has emerged from Tunnel 1, and is slowly descending the 2% grade toward the base of Coal Creek Canyon and the numerous S-curves ahead. In the distance, you can see the skyline of downtown Denver, where the train will ultimately stop and allow passengers to detrain.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
