The leaves on trees are working on making their spring comeback as the eastbound Zephyr descends from Big Ten Curve. AMTK 203, painted in commemoration of Operation Lifesaver's 50th Anniversary, is leading the train this afternoon. A number of spring storms have been rolling through the area, creating some fantastically dramatic clouds to the east.
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After an afternoon of overcast skies, the sun managed to squeak through some clouds and make an appearance at the perfect time! Great light was cast on the eastbound Zephyr as it descends Big Ten Curve with Operation Lifesaver P42DC, AMTK 203 leading the way.
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AMTK 203 leads the Zephyr around Big Ten Curve, passing by the hoppers that have now sat, motionless, on the inside of the curve for over five decades. The Denver skyline, where Union Station is located, is visible to the left. Union Station is indeed the next stop of the Zephyr this evening.
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Helping on this westbound coal load is a Norfolk Southern AC44C6M. I actually shot this exact unit about 24 hours earlier, when it was sitting near the BNSF Engine House in Denver, awaiting its next assignment. At the time, I would not have guessed its next assignment would take it west on the Moffat.
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A BNSF coal load climbs Big Ten Curve, headed west on the Moffat. The train loaded in the Powder River in Wyoming, and is headed for the Valmy Power Plant in Nevada. This coal train's days are actually likely limited. Like so many other power plants, the Valmy station is transitioning to natural gas. The coal-burning stations are slated for retirement by the end of 2025.
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The Zephyr wraps around the final bend of Big Ten Curve, toward a clear (green) signal at the east end of Eisele (Clay). It is a cloudy and morning with fresh snow on the ground. After a high temperature in the mid-70°Fs yesterday, it is only 30°F this morning.
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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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