The westbound Zephyr is right on time as it climbs its way west out of Rocky, up and around Big Ten. Leaves are just starting to bloom on the trees.
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Mid-April is not too late for snow to fall in the Denver-Metro area. Indeed, the area got a surprise blast of snow overnight! The westbound Zephyr is making it way up the grade on the north edge of Big Ten.
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AMTK 199, leading the California Zephyr, has come to a stop just east of Eisele (Clay). As you can see in this shot, the Zephyr is looking at a double red signal at the east end. There is an erroneous track occupancy between switches on the main ahead, and DS-380 is going to give the Zephyr authority to pass the red signal.
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A look at one of the Federal Railroad Administration's inspection cars, DOTX 221, as it sits behind the power and ahead of the baggage car on the westbound California Zephyr. The FRA has a couple of inspection cars that are often sent out to inspect the rails all across the United States. These cars are sometimes on Amtrak, and sometimes just on freight trains.
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Grabbing a quick roster shot of AMTK 179 as the paint scheme actually looks quite good (and quite clean). In the distance, a BNSF oil train is tied down in the siding at Rocky.
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The westbound California Zephyr has come to a stop, facing a double red signal at the east end of Eisele (Clay). There is a track occupancy on the main track between switches at Eisele, so DS-380 is going to need to flag the Zephyr by signal at the east end.
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The westbound Zephyr, with the Denver skyline in the distance, is coming around the south edge of Big Ten. On this particular morning, the FRA has one of their inspection cars, DOTX 221 on the train behind the power.
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A pair of AC400CWs lead a westbound oil empty around Big Ten Curve. The train is headed for the transload facility at Wash, near Wellington, UT. From there it will be loaded and either return east over the former Rio Grande, or possibly head west to Salt Lake City and then run over the Overland Route.
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Clouds are hanging low on this Sunday morning, with cloud bottoms just barely above Eisele (Clay) as this westbound oil empty climbs the grade on the north edge of Big Ten Curve.
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At the start of the season, or in this case, the pre-season, the Rocky Mountaineer GP40-3s can pretty well be counted on to make an appearance on the train. For this pre-season test run, there are only eight cars in tow for the trip. The train is actually testing an extended service that will start in 2026, taking the train from Denver to Salt Lake City (and back). The train will be rebranded as the Canyon Spirit.
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After several months of little to no use, the Rocky Mountaineer GP40-3s are burning off a bit of built up carbon, kicking up quite a bit of exhaust as it burns off.
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Another UP rebuild of a GP38-2 into a GP38N is hitching a ride on the MGJNY. Considering the fact that this is a recent rebuild by UP, it is unlikely the unit is headed for the scrapper. More likely it is due for an inspection and, afterward, will return to Grand Junction for switching duties. The unit was delivered new to Missouri Pacific in February 1981.
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A GP38N (formerly a GP38-2) is fourth on the head end of the MGJNY. It was originally delivered to Missouri Pacific as MP 2169 in January 1980. The lack of dynamic brakes is a good indicator that there is a high probability this was an MP unit.
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UP 5938, a C44ACM that was recently rebuilt, leads UP's MGJNY around Big Ten Curve. An SD70M and an ES44AC are also on the head end of the 82 car manifest. GP38-2s are fourth and fifth on the head end, either due for their inspection, or being taken to auction/scrap.
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The Zephyr is kicking up a bit of exhaust as it rounds the bend and approaches the east switch of Eisele (Clay).
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