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Photo ID: 113807
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, May 3, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
58
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak, Union Pacific
The clouds were truly dramatic and dynamic, amplified by evening sunlight, as the eastbound Zephyr descends from Big Ten Curve and approaches a green signal at the west end of Rocky. One of the P42DCs...not sure which one...developed some mechanical issues on Donner Pass the previous day, and a UP loaner unit was added to assist.
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Photo ID: 113806
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, May 3, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
57
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak, Union Pacific
The eastbound Zephyr is descending Big Ten Curve with a UP ES44AC on the head end. Hit the jackpot with the storm lighting this evening as there was a thin section of sky to the west between the clouds and the mountains, allowing the sun to light up the scene. The UP unit was added after mechanical issues developer with one of the P42DCs on Donner Pass.
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Photo ID: 113695
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, April 12, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
60
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer
A nice low angle view of the eastbound Canyon Spirit on Big Ten curve brings in some of the afternoon clouds that are starting to build.
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Photo ID: 113694
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, April 12, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
50
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer
On the north edge of Big Ten Curve, the eastbound Canyon Spirit has slow down to 10 MPH due to a slow order that Union Pacific currently has in effect. Not entirely clear why the slow order is out there as there was no wind at all today.
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Photo ID: 113647
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
64
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer
Black and white seemed appropriate for this morning shot of the westbound Canyon Spirit, as it leaves Big Ten Curve behind, and heads toward a green signal at the east switch of Eisele. The mesa in the background is North Table Mesa, on the north side of the town of Golden.
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Photo ID: 113646
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
79
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer
Today is the first revenue run of the Rocky Mountaineer for the 2026 season. One thing you might immediately note is that the train has actually be rebranded this year as the Canyon Spirit. The train, which is climbing Big Ten Curve, has expanded its service and is now running from Denver all the way to Salt Lake City (and back), making one round trip every six days. The train departs Denver west on Tuesdays and returns to Denver the following Sunday. It will not run at all on Mondays.
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Photo ID: 113593
Date Shot
Photo By
Monday, March 23, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
71
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific
Three mid-train swing helpers, including a Tier-4 SD70ACe-T4, are roughly 105 cars deep in a 209 car coal empty that is making its way west to Grand Junction. The train is basically two coal trains combined, and they will split in Grand Junction, running to the mine at West Elk individually.
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Photo ID: 113592
Date Shot
Photo By
Monday, March 23, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
92
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) CSX, Union Pacific
A trio of elephant-style GEs, including CSX 1981 (on the point), lead the longest train on the Moffat that I've ever personally seen. The train is 11,500 feet long! Basically, two coal trains combined into one. 209 cars, three units on the point, three mid-train swing helpers.
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Photo ID: 113589
Date Shot
Photo By
Monday, March 23, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
74
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
AMTK 164, the Phase 4 heritage unit, is likely the most common heritage unit to run on the Zephyr (and over the Moffat). I think I've seen this one way more often than the Phase 1 through 3 heritage units. In any case, it is leading the Zephyr west around Big Ten Curve this morning, along with AMTK 23.
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Photo ID: 113586
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, March 20, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
79
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) BNSF
One of those times when the shot worked out just perfect! As the head end of the Provo-Denver approaches the west switch of Rocky, a pair of DPUs are coming around the east edge of Big Ten Loop on the tail end of the train.
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Photo ID: 113585
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, March 20, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
77
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) BNSF
A pair of ES44ACs bring up the end of the eastbound Provo-Denver around the east edge of the Big Ten Loop. The train is relatively short with 63 cars, but BNSF has three units on the point and two points on the rear.
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Photo ID: 113584
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, March 20, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
71
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) BNSF
Along the south edge of Big Ten Loop, this eastbound BNSF manifest is continuing east toward Denver. At the moment, it is running a bit below track speed. UP has some slow orders out due to some track work they have been doing in the area.
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Photo ID: 113579
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, March 20, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
76
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
This seemed like the perfect angle, along the east side of Big Ten Loop, for a shot of the morning Zephyr as it heads west. You can see Tunnel 1 in the distance, and even the east portal of Tunnel 4 further off in the distance.
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Photo ID: 113578
Date Shot
Photo By
Friday, March 20, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
86
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
On the lower north edge of Big Ten Loop, the morning Zephyr is starting its climb. As we move in to Spring, the Denver area is still in the midst of the driest winter season in recorded history. It is unlikely the foliage is going to green up as much this spring compared to a typical spring.
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Photo ID: 113562
Date Shot
Photo By
Monday, March 16, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
82
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
After one of the driest winters in recorded history, some fresh snow finally fell Saturday night and Sunday night in the Denver area. However, with a forecasted high of 80°F (27°C) in just two days, it is possible this is the last blanket of snow we will see this season.
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