At the famous Santa Fe bridge on the south edge of Larkspur, a southbound BNSF coal load, with an ES44AC and an SD70ACe, grind slowly up the grade.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A pair of pre-preduction ES44DCs, an ES44C4, and an SD40-2 lead BNSF's Denver-Provo manifest at Larkspur with a major summer thunderstorm developing as the backdrop. I assume the SD40-2 is returning to Pueblo after a 92-day inspection in Denver. The unit was online and loading, which was somewhat unexpected, but cool to see (and hear) nonetheless.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
BNSF's southbound Denver-Pueblo manifest rolls past a yellow signal at MP 41.5 on the north edge of Larkspur. The train is following on the heals of a slow-moving BNSF coal load, hence the reason for the yellow signal. A severe July thunderstorm is making its way east, starting to encroach on the scene.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Crossing on the of the more iconic bridges on the Joint Line, UP 8837 is making about 20 MPH as it continues the climb up toward Palmer Lake. This part of the Joint Line was, of course, once owned by Santa Fe. The slightly better track alignment was Rio Grande, now Main 2, further back in the distance, following along East Plumb Creek.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Three units bringing up the tail end of a northbound grain train on Main 2 cross over Carpenter Creek, which is actually off to the right. Carpenter Creek and East Plum Creek (to the left) join together at a fork right alongside the bridge here in Larkspur.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Main 1, crossing the old Santa Fe bridge on the south edge of Larkspur, gets a lot of attention. However, Main 2 is a bit more secluded on the eastern edge of Larkspur. It is difficult to get to on the ground, so this shot from the air offers a view of a northbound unit grain train.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
As we continue to push toward the summer solstice, the longer days mean the sun stays on the north side of the bridge south of Larkspur for more of the day. Such is the case here as a southbound coal train crosses the bridge (and both West Fox Farm Road and Spruce Mountain Road) on its continued journey south.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A slightly different perspective on a classic bridge on the Joint Line. This old Santa Fe bridge spans both West Fox Farm Road (closer) and Spruce Mountain Road (further) on the south edge of Larkspur. These two units are the tail end DPUs bringing up the back of this southbound coal train in wonderful afternoon light.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Long have I wanted to be able to get a good vantage point of the old Santa Fe bridge on Main 1 on the south edge of Larkspur. Thanks to the advent of drone photography, it was finally possible on New Year's Eve 2019! A pair of BNSF SD70ACes lead a coal train south across the impressive bridge.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
On the north edge of Larkspur, Main 2 crosses underneath I-25. It turns out that this spot works very well for northbounds in the afternoon, once the sun has moved far enough to the west!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
This is a shot that I had eyed on my way south earlier in the day. I made a mental note that it might work well for northbounds in the afternoon once the sun was on the west side of the tracks. Since I wound up hanging out along the Joint Line into the afternoon, I decided to stop and try the shot out. I am quite pleased with the results!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A northbound BNSF coal empty approaches the grade crossing at Upper Gulch Road in Larkspur. Due to the lighting, it is always easier to shoot southbounds on the Joint Line than northbounds. But I am glad I took the time to find some nice shots of northbounds as I think this angle worked well.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
This UP auto rack train has followed I-25 about as far as it is going to before heading toward Larkspur. Tomah Road is just out of view to the right in this shot.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
An angle on the Joint Line that I haven't seen before. This is the end DPU of a southbound coal load that is rounding the curve that leads towards Larkspur.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
When I first took this shot, I was very unhappy with the clouds that were casting a shadow over half the scene. However, the shot has actually grown on me now as I like the sunlight drawing the viewers eye to the lead units.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
