This shot does a really good job of demonstrating the terrain and the grade of the Moffat between the east end of Eisele (Clay) and partway down the north edge of Big Ten Curve. A trio of DPUs bring up the rear of this loaded oil train this afternoon.
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BNSF almost always runs oil trains on the Moffat in a 3x(0)x3 configuration, and this afternoon is no exception. Although the DPUs on the end cannot be seen in the shadows at Eisele (Clay), an NS ET44AC and two BNSF units clearly lead this oil train out the east end of Eisele (Clay).
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The east switch of Eisele (Clay) has become one of my favorite spots for pictures of eastbounds. I like the look of the rails along the base of the Rockies. An eastbound oil load passes by the east switch, an NS ET44AC on the head end. The train will be entering the siding at Rocky as there is "no room at the inn" at the yard in Denver.
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In the past few weeks, UP has had a splattering of slow orders on the Moffat, likely for various maintenance of way projects. One has been up and around Big Ten Curve. However, the slow order was gone this morning and the Zephyr has been able to maintain track speed since passing North Yard.
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An UP MOW crew, consisting of a hyrail truck and a hyrail dump truck, are sitting in the siding at Eisele (Clay) as the morning westbound Zephyr rolls by at track speed, right on time. AMTK 203, the Operation Lifesaver unit, is on the point this today.
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The westbound morning Zephyr has turned into a westbound afternoon Zephyr as it turns geographically north at the east switch of Eisele (Clay). Being six hours late, there is a small chance it might have met its counterpart on the east side of the Moffat. However, as it turns out, the eastbound Zephyr is just as late! It will end up departing Glenwood Springs six hours late as well.
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After meeting the westbound Zephyr, and waiting a few seconds for some maintenance to clear up on Big Ten, UP 7850 and the MGJNY head east at East Eisele (Clay). As is frequently the case, there are several loaded coal cars on the front of the train. On this particular morning, there are 34 hoppers on the head end.
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An afternoon rainstorm is starting to move east from the Rockies as a rebuilt (and repainted) C44ACM leads a coal empty east out of Eisele (Clay).
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After meeting a westbound oil train (which is still visible in the distance), and then waiting for the east end of Eisele (Clay) to run time, UP 5774 got a light to head east. The crew informed DS-378 that they are short on time, so they will get signal the rest of the way in to town.
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A westbound UP empty train enters the siding of Eisele (Clay). It is meeting an eastbound coal empty (yes, an empty), holding the main. The conductor for the eastbound is on the ground to give the oil train a roll by.
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A westbound oil empty climbs up and around Big Ten, the tail end passing by the site of a minor derailment five days ago. An SD70ACe-T4 leads the empty as it approach a red over yellow (Diverging Approach) signal at the east switch of Eisele (Clay).
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UP 5772, sporting UP's newest paint scheme, leads the only UP manifest that still runs on the Moffat out the east end of Eisele (Clay), the MGJNY. The train is slowing to 10 MPH on account of a slow order ahead through a minor derailment repair site. The derailment happened the previous Friday.
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In January 2022, Amtrak worked with Operation Lifesaver to unveil a very unique paint scheme on AMTK 203. The paint scheme commemorates the 50th anniversary of Operation Lifesaver, which has worked and continues to work to make the public more aware of trains and how to avoid disaster with them. As the slogan goes: "See TRACKS? Think TRAIN!"
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The distinctive yellow nose of AMTK 203 leads the eastbound Zephyr at the east end of Eisele (Clay).
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After receiving authority, via PTC, to proceed past a red signal, AMTK 199 is throttling up so the train can continue at restricted speed on the main. Note the FRA inspection car (DOTX 221), directly behind the power.
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