BNSF 9124 and BNSF 9709 lead the BNSF Beer Run across Colorado Highway 58. The train is slowly descending down a grade that will take it down to the same elevation as the highway so it can enter in to the lower yard at Coors.
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The westbound Beer Run is stopped at Terrel Jct, waiting for clearance to enter in to the lower yard at Golden. About 25 of the 50 or so on the train will be taken down to the lower yard. The remaining cars will sit on the track here (east of Terrel Jct) until they can be taken to the upper yard.
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The Beer Run approach the switch at Terrill Jct. There are two separate yards in Golden, the "lower yard" and the "upper yard". This switch here at Terrill Jct determines which of the two yards trains will enter. The switch is currently lined for the upper yard, but the crew will throw the switch to enter the lower yard.
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The westbound Zephyr departs from the west end of Plain, about 25 miles west of Denver Union Station, ready to make its way through the Tunnel District on its journey west.
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The West Local is about to pick up one more covered hopper, sitting on the south leg of the wye on the Rocky Spur. After picking it up and charging air in the car, the train will return back south on the spur to the mainline at Rocky.
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As a single GP40-2 prepares to back down the south leg of the wye on the Rocky Spur, picking up a 7th covered hopper, you can see where the Moffat Mainline runs along the Rockies in the distance. Plainview runs left-to-right across the scene on the mountain toward the left.
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A single covered hopper sits on the south leg of wye on the Rocky Spur as the West Local pulls east down the north leg of the wye. This lone hopper will be added to the six the train already has in tow for the trip back to Denver.
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The West Local heads around the north leg of the wye on the Rocky Spur. This will allow the train to back down the south leg of the wye and continue to back down the spur all the way to the mainline.
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The West Local is coming to a stop alongside Colorado Wood and Metal so the air brakes on the six hoppers the train picked up can be charged. That'll be necessary for the journey down the 8% grade back to the mainline, as well as on the mainline itself.
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The West Local passes by Colorado Wood and Metal, a business along the line that is not served by rail.
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An overview of Arcosa Lightweight, the "lightweight" aggregate plant located at the north end of the Rocky Spur. While the name has changed over the years, the plant itself has been here for decades.
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A couple of covered hoppers have to be shuffled around at the aggregate plant at the north end of the Rocky Spur. The West Local, with just a single GP40-2, is facilitating the moves.
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Passengers on the westbound Zephyr have a truly unique view as they look out over the plains this morning. A morning layer of fog has formed and is currently enveloping the entire Denver Metro area. Passengers looking out will essentially be looking out over the top of the clouds! This is something that usually only happens once or twice a year.
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The westbound Zephyr crosses the big fill west of Tunnel 2, through the cut, and heads in to Tunnel 3 near the east end of the Tunnel District.
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At the west end of Plain, just before ducking in to Tunnel 2, you can see just entirely enveloped the Denver-Metro area is this morning in a low hanging layer of fog. It is a truly beautiful sight to look out over the tops of the clouds.
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