This westbound BNSF oil empty is entering the mainline from the siding at the west end of Tolland. Note the yellow schoolhouse on the left side of the shot. This schoolhouse has been a fixture in Tolland for decades. Westbound passenger trains, such as the Zephyr, use it as a marker on the approach to the Moffat Tunnel.
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BNSF 9032 peeks out from behind a huge grove of deciduous trees that have reach their maximum yellow/orange. The train is about to knock down a flashing yellow (advanced approach) signal at the west end of Tolland. The Moffat Tunnel is currently venting after the Zephyr passed through, so the oil train is likely to encounter a brief delay at East Portal.
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After meeting the eastbound California Zephyr here at Tolland, this westbound BNSF oil empty is now continuing through the siding toward a flashing yellow signal at the west end. Above 8,000 feet, fall colors have pretty much hit their peak.
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Near the west end of Tolland, the evening Zephyr heads east through a sea of golden trees, most of which have reached their peak fall colors for the season.
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BNSF typically runs oil empties in a 3x3 configuration. However, this particular oil train has five units on the head end and a single DPU on the back. Of note, a Norfolk Southern unit is second out on the head end. The train is approaching a diverging approach signal at the east end of Tolland.
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A westbound BNSF oil train snakes along South Boulder Creek between Rollins and Tolland. The crew called an approach diverging signal at the previous intermediate. The train will enter the siding at Tolland to wait for the eastbound Zephyr.
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A UP maintenance crew has a work window that will last another 75 minutes here between East Portal and Tolland. As UP is investing a lot in the Moffat, many of these work windows will appear for the next several months. In this case, some tie clips are being put in place. Note, of course, the porta potty, being pulled along as well!
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You can see that UP has positioned new tie plates along the right-of-way here in this cut between Tolland and East Portal. The work UP has started in the last few weeks are expected to run for the next several months. A lot of money being invested into the Moffat.
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A UP work crew is positioning new tie clips along the right-of-way between Tolland and East Portal during the height of fall colors.
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After meeting the westbound Zephyr, this eastbound UP manifest still has to wait a bit longer here in the siding at Tolland. An eastbound UP coal load broke a drawbar climbing the hill to the Moffat Tunnel on the west slope and had to back down to the siding at Granby. Two rescue units have been sent west out of Denver, and will meet the MGJNY here at Tolland.
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A nice treat this morning was to find Amtrak's Phase 4 heritage unit, AMTK 164, leading the westbound Zephyr as the train crosses East Portal Road between Tolland and East Portal. Fall colors are about as good as they are going to get, offering a spectacular ride for passengers.
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UP 5622 and two addition GEs are the sole power on this eastbound MGJNY, crossing over East Portal Road between East Portal and Tolland. The train will meet an already-waiting westbound Zephyr at Tolland.
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Unfortunately, it feels as though UP found one of the grungiest units to lead the MGJNY this morning as the train rolls through the east switch of East Portal. At least the flag decal is in really good shape, even if the paint behind it is practically faded to white.
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When it comes to rail photography (or outdoor photography in general), there is no better time to get out in the Colorado high country than the last week of September! An eastbound UP manifest has just emerged from the Moffat Tunnel and is rolling eastbound. James Peak and surrounding peaks have a dusting of snow, and fall colors are about at their peak.
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On a beautiful late-September morning, UP's thrice-weekly MGJNY has emerged from the Moffat Tunnel, passing by a work train that is currently tied down in the siding here at East Portal.
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