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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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AMTK 51 and AMTK 14 lead the westbound Zephyr by the recent construction site on Big Ten, where Union Pacific spent a few weeks putting new rock down to reinforce the grade here on the north end of Big Ten Curve.
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Always like trying to get a roster shot of a foreign visitor in the area. Particularly when it is a visitor from the south or north of the border! Second out on this westbound oil train is a Ferromex SD70ACe. Ferromex, of course, is one of the two largest railroads in Mexico.
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Last week, UP officially wrapped up a majority of the construction on Big Ten and reopened the mainline between switches at Rocky. There is still some minor work happening, but all the speed restrictions have been lifted. This NS/BNSF oil train climbs the north edge at track speed.
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It seems that a business east of the Mississippi has a contract with the Wash oil loadout. The train originates on Norfolk Southern and is turned over to BNSF. However, most of the time, the train has been running with at least a few NS units all the way to the oil transloaded facility. On this particular day, an interesting NS/FXE/NS trio lead the train.
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Union Pacific maintenance has a small line of earth movers setup and ready to go to work, placing the riprap that has been dumped along the tracks. UP started this project about two weeks ago, after a minor derailment in the area. It looks like the project will likely last a few more weeks.
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UP 7850 is slowly descending down the north edge of Big Ten Curve, passing by several UP maintenance crews. UP has placed a lot of riprap rock to help shore up the track here. Indeed, work is ongoing and more rock will be placed in the coming days and weeks.
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