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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Fall has descended on the Colorado high country, when some fantastic yellows up at the Moffat Tunnel, around 9,000 feet above sea level. There is a work train currently tied down (without power) in the siding. UP in investing a lot of time and money into maintenance for the Moffat in the coming months, including fresh ballast and many new ties.
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The Rocky Mountaineer is running west through the siding at Cliff, meeting a BNSF oil train that is on the main. DS-378 is keeping the oil train on the main to help it keep its speed up after the meet. The crew has less than two hours left on the clock. At this point, it is not clear if the train will be able to make it in to Denver or not.
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Lighting is not the best, but the westbound Rocky Mountaineer has taken the siding at Cliff to meet an eastbound BNSF oil train.
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