There are few places where you can get a shot like this, with both the head end and tail of a train so clear in the shot. But Big Ten Curve is not your average place! CSX 7106 leads this eastbound loaded oil train toward Rocky as the three DPUs have just left Eisele (Clay) about a hundred feet above.
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BNSF oil trains on the Moffat run in a 3x3 configuration. Three units on the point and three DPUs on the end. This eastbound is no exception, as you can see the three units on the point here on the south edge of Big Ten Curve, and three units on the tail end off in the background on the main at Eisele (Clay).
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Colorado typically has clear skies in the mornings in the summer. However, a cold front is starting to move in, and some clouds are gathering over the mountains this morning as the westbound Zephyr climbs the north edge of Big Ten Curve.
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Both P42s on the westbound Zephyr are kicking up some exhaust as the train climbs the roughly 2% grade to Big Ten Curve. In the distance, on the main at Eisele (Clay), an eastbound UP coal train is waiting for the arrival of the Zephyr. Indeed, if you are unfamiliar with the geography and layout of the tracks here, welcome to the interesting engineering of Big Ten Curve!
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As UP 7154 rounds the east edge of Big Ten Curve, we see the two DPUs bringing up the tail end back on the main at Eisele (Clay). Big Ten Curve is one of a handful of locations where a crew on the head end of their train can very clearly see the back end.
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UP 7154 heads around Big Ten Curve in the foreground as the Canyon Spirit heads west in the siding at Eisele (Clay) in the distance. The two trains just met each other, and both are now continuing on their respective journeys.
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Three units lead an eastbound oil train as it rounds the curve coming out of Eisele (Clay) on the south ridge of Big Ten Curve. There has been crazy high temperatures the last several weeks, browning much of the green grass. However, there is still quite a bit of green grass here.
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On the north ridge of Big Ten Curve, the California Zephyr is approaching a green signal at the east end of Eisele (Clay).
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AMTK 130 is leading the Zephyr at 15 MPH on the north edge of Big Ten Curve. Once the train reaches Eisele (Clay) above in the distance, it will be able to accelerate up to track speed.
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This morning, the Zephyr was led by a pair of heritage units, include the Phase 2 unit (AMTK 130) and the Phase 4 unit (AMTK 164). The train is just west of Rocky, starting up on Big Ten Curve.
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The Phase 2 heritage unit has been the most elusive of Amtrak's specially painted units for me to personally get pictures of. The unit seems to have avoided the California Zephyr. I've only seen it a few times since it was unveiled in 2011. This morning, it, along with AMTK 164 (the Phase 4 heritage unit) lead the Zephyr west of Rocky.
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The Zephyr has reached the east rim of Big Ten Curve, running alongside the wind break hoppers, which have been sitting on the inside of Big Ten Curve for roughly 55 years now! Each is a bit of its own garden box, with foliage growing inside.
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I know I added a lot of shots of the Zephyr for this morning, but with it moving along at 10 MPH (due to a heat restriction), and AMTK 203 on the point, I could help by get several perspective. Here, the train is just coming up to the east rim of Big Ten Curve.
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A classic shot from Big Ten, as the Zephyr climbs up the north rim of the curve, toward the wind break at the top. AMTK 203, and its very unique paint scheme, lead the way.
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AMTK 203 and AMTK 81 lead the Zephyr west at the base of Big Ten Curve. In the distance (at the top), you can see the mainline at Eisele (Clay), where the Zephyr will be in just a few minutes.
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