This is a shot that I have come to really enjoy. The perspective with an eastbound coming around Big Ten with the Denver Skyline in the distance makes for a cool shot. BNSF 5888 is leading an eastbound oil load on the trip east. I think it is interesting that the number boards on the SD70ACe are inverse, with black numbers on white boards.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
From the hill between Rocky and Eisele (Clay), we look up the slope at an eastbound BNSF oil train, just coming out of Eisele (Clay) and heading to the south edge of Big Ten Curve. There are some clouds building to the south, although they will not end up resulting in any significant precipitation.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
As the California Zephyr wraps around the north edge of Big Ten Curve, west of Rocky, you can see an eastbound BNSF manifest sitting in the siding at Eisele (Clay). The manifest already met the Rocky Mountaineer, and is waiting on the Zephyr next.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The morning Zephyr climbs the north edge of Big Ten Curve, running about two hours late. UP's service road that runs parallel to the track is in very good condition right now, after UP brought quite a bit of heavy equipment up here a little over a month ago for a re-enforcement / construction project on Big Ten.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
NS 4130 is actually no stranger to the Moffat. Lately, NS 4130 has been sticking around in Denver and BNSF has been putting it to good use on several trains. Here, the unit is on the point of a westbound oil train, coming around Big Ten Curve.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
NS 4130 leads an empty oil train around Big Ten Curve. It is very interesting how oil has rapidly replaced coal as the most common type of train that runs on the Moffat now. Granted, they do not run with the frequency the coal trains once did, but their counts do seem to be increasing.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
UP 4404 and UP 4533 throttle up and kick up some exhaust after clearing a slow order, picking up speed while climbing out of Rocky, up and around Big Ten Curve.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
BNSF 8523 and two GEs work to pull an empty oil train up and around Big Ten Curve. BNSF frequently runs oil trains with six units on the head end, so the power is present to run eastbound (on the oil load) in a 3x3 configuration. However, these three units are the only units on this westbound. BNSF will be getting three additional units from somewhere else when the train is ready to head east.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The Rocky Mountaineer descends on the north edge of Big Ten Curve, through the area where Union Pacific recently reinforced the grade along the tracks. You might also take notice of the tank cars in the distance...a westbound BNSF oil train is holding the main at Rocky, waiting on the Mountaineer to arrive.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Look up toward Big Ten Curve from slightly below, we find the Rocky Mountaineer rounding the curve on its journey east, while a not insubstantial thunderstorms spills from the Rockies over the Front Range.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
About a month ago, Union Pacific reinforced the track on the north edge of Big Ten Curve. A lot of rip rap rock was laid on the slope of the track, as you can see to the right. The California Zephyr, with nine Superliners, climbs up and around Big Ten.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
AMTK 157 looks to have suffered from scratched pain on its nose. It and AMTK 25 are leading the Zephyr west out of Rocky, digging into the nearly 2% grade.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
AMTK 22 and AMTK 30 have the duty to lead the westbound Zephyr this morning. The train is wrapping around the east edge of Big Ten Loop, passing by the open hoppers that serve as a wind break.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
After getting some help from UP MOW to get the west switch of Rocky thrown, the train is on the move again climbing Big Ten. The train departed Denver about 45 minutes late, but dealing with the switch at Rocky and a few speed restriction would result in the train being about 90 minutes late when it reaches Fraser.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Alas, five minutes after the Zephyr came through this scene, the sun broke out through the clouds. Alas, that's the way things break sometimes. Regardless, in the shot here we get a good look at the work Union Pacific has done on Big Ten Loop. A lot of rock has been added to reinforce the tracks on the grade here.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
