Photo ID: 111045 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, September 8, 2024 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Tunnel 49 (299') Routt County, CO 39 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific Just west of Tunnel 49, the Phippsburg Local curves along the mainline of the Craig Branch on its journey west from Bond to the yard in Phippsburg. UP used to run a train between North Yard and Phippsburg (and back), but stopped doing that about five years ago. Now, instead, the MNYGJ and MGJNY pick up and/or setout cars at Bond for the Phippsburg Local. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 111044 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, September 8, 2024 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Tunnel 49 (299') Routt County, CO 47 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific Not too far west of the siding of Volcano, the track make a near 180° turn to head toward Toponas (the next siding west) and, eventually, Phippsburg, CO. On the first curve, the tracks pass through Tunnel 49. A pair of GEs lead the Phippsburg Local as it approaches the tunnel. After this tunnel, there are six more the train will pass through prior to reaching the yard in Phippsburg. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 111043 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, September 8, 2024 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed CP DS144 (West Volcano) Routt County, CO 45 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific At the west end of Volcano, UP 6038 and UP 6543 lead 38 covered hoppers west on the Craig Branch. Volcano is the longest siding between Bond and Phippsburg, at 7,470 feet in length. It was a common place for coal loads to meet empties 20 years ago, when multiple coal trains were loaded a day on the branch. Today, the siding sits empty, no meets being required. Note the classic Denver and Salt Lake searchlight signals. It is not worth the investment from UP to upgrade the signals on this, the least-used stretch of mainline track with CTC in the country. Its almost surprising that UP hasn't shut down the CTC in favor of track warrants. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 111042 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, September 8, 2024 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Rock Creek Canyon Routt County, CO 43 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific When the Moffat route was originally built and the railroad was faced with Rock Creek Canyon, there were two options. Build a roughly 1,800 foot long bridge across the canyon, or build back into the canyon roughly a mile in and back out, where a fill and four tunnels could facilitate the journey. The railroad chose the latter option. The westbound Phippsburg Local has just completed that journey in and out, and is now continuing west toward Phippsburg. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 111041 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, September 8, 2024 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Tunnel 48 Routt County, CO 42 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific Deep in Rock Creek Canyon, the Phippsburg Local emerges from Tunnel 48 on the Craig Branch. The west portal of Tunnel 46 is also visible on the right side of the frame. Tunnel 47 is obscured behind a curve. There are rumors that UP is trying to negotiate with UP to potentially bring daily passenger runs between Denver and Steamboat Springs. That would be great, allowing people to see the amazing scenery. Scenery that hasn't been scene by train passengers since the demise of the Yampa Valley Mail, the final train running on April 8, 1968. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 111040 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, September 8, 2024 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Crater Routt County, CO 49 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific The westbound Phippsburg Local crosses a private grade crossing on the main at Crater. This siding is only 5,160 feet long, and probably has not actually had a meet at it in many years, if not decades. The horn that just echoed through the canyon will likely be the only one heard for at least the next 24-48 hours. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 111039 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, September 8, 2024 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Crater Loops Routt County, CO 42 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific Crater Loops are not quite as impressive with a 38-car covered hopper local when compared to a 120 car coal train. However, you take what you can get on a line that only sees one train every couple of days! The Phippsburg Local makes its way around the upper curve of Crater Loops. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 111038 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, September 8, 2024 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Crater Loops Routt County, CO 47 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific Since the fall of coal traffic in Colorado, the Craig Branch is only a few steps above abandonment. The mines at Energy and Axial have each loaded one or maybe two coal trains in the last year that have left the branch. The Phippsburg Local is about the only train that runs between Bond and Steamboat Springs. I was lucky enough to catch the local on this Sunday afternoon. The local is climbing through the loops S-curves of the Crater Loops as it gains elevation on the trip west. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.