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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This coal load is making about 15 MPH as it climbs the 1.4% grade on the north edge of Larkspur. As more and more GEVOs and ACes arrive on BNSF, the sight of an SD70MAC leading is becoming less and less common. Ten years ago, that is all would see on these trains.
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On the approach to Tomah Road at the south end of the I-25 Frontage Road, these SD70s (an SD70MAC and an SD70ACe) are pulling hard in run eight in order to reach the top of the hill.
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Traffic was SLOW moving on the roads during this blizzard! Slow enough that I was unable to reach the head end of this southbound manifest along the I-25 frontage road south of Castle Rock. I had to setup and settle for a shot of the H1 Dash-9 DPU on the tail end.
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