This southbound unit ethanol train is crossing over Hwy 105 just north of the north switch of Monument. Although it is not quite visible in the shot, this bridge is still labeled as "Rio Grande". Today, Union Pacific owns the single track mainline through Colorado Springs, but BNSF dispatches it.
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Not too far north of Monument, a southbound BNSF manifest is on the move on the single track mainline. Directional running (on two tracks) ended at Palmer Lake, and it is single track running (with a few sidings) between Palmer Lake and Crews, south of Colorado Springs.
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Although this southbound coal load is in fact a UP coal train, there is a single BNSF ES44DC bringing up the tail end. It is rather interesting that it is a DC unit, as it is pretty uncommon to find DC units in service on coal trains these days.
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It is always fun to find little relics of years past when out taking pictures. Case-in-point is the bridge that carries the tracks over CO-105 in Monument, which just happens to still be lettered Rio Grande! A pair of mid-train helpers glides over the bridge in dynamics, heading down grade southbound.
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Just north of the the siding of Monument, this UP coal load crosses over CO-105, the primary road connecting Palmer Lake and Monument. The coal load has clear signals all the way through the single track mainline down to Crews, where it will continue on Main 1 south.
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I took many photos of UP 844 on the Colorado State Fair special, but this one turned out to be my favorite shot. It is around 10am and the train is just about to pass underneath the road to the north entrance to the Air Force Academy.
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Just north of the Academy siding, the Colorado State Fair special is heading down the 1% grade. The train received preferential treatment by both UP dispatchers and BNSF dispatchers for the trip to Pueblo. There were no delays on the single track main between Palmer Lake and Crews.
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An ATSF C40-8W (in full warbonnet red and silver) sits in the siding at Monument on the Joint Line to wait for a meet.
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