It feels uncommon to catch a meet between two UP trains on the Moffat, simply because UP has run few trains in the last few years. However, as oil trains are increasing on the Moffat, it is becoming easier to catch a meet between UP trains. Such is the case on this afternoon, as a westbound oil empty holds in the siding at Eisele (Clay) as a loaded oil train rolls by.
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After the eastbound Zephyr ran around this UP oil train at Plain, it is now the oil trains turn to continue east. The crew will tie the train down on Bypass 1 between C&S and Broadway.
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The eastbound Zephyr is running right on time as it approaches the west portal of Tunnel 1. The train just had to run through the siding at Plain to run around a loaded UP oil train that was holding on the main.
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AMTK 203, which honors 50 years of Operation Lifesaver, is leading the westbound Zephyr this morning along with AMTK 140. Low hanging clouds and snowy trees make it feel more like December rather than two days before the start of April!
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A pair of P42DCs lead the Winter Park Express out of Eisele (Clay). After running with only five coaches for a couple of trips, a sixth coach has been added back on. It was added at the same time AMTK 45 replaced AMTK 29 on the train. Note that you can just barely see the mainline west of Rocky, climbing Big Ten to the left.
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Rime ice is formed by fog (precipitation in the air) freezing onto vegetation. However, the rime ice typically does not form on rocks and dirt. The result is the ability to tell at a glance what is vegetation and what is not! The red rock face to the right creates a stark contrast to the winter white pine trees to the left as the Zephyr splits to two, climbing toward Tunnel 1.
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In early morning light, Amtrak's Winter Park Express Ski Train is climbing the 2% grade in the snow on the approach to Tunnel 1.
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AMTK 146 and AMTK 75 have been the power on the Winter Park Express all season long thus far. This morning, AMTK 146 has the duty to lead the train west by snow frozen to pine trees in temperatures that are less than 0°F. The orange bag covering the front coupler will protect it from snow and ice, keeping it clear and allowing the crew to easily run around the train at Fraser.
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Four seconds before 8am, and the Winter Park Express is climbing the 2% grade from the base of Coal Creek Canyon up toward Tunnel 1. So far this season, the morning Ski Train has been running on time, and usually arriving Winter Park a few minutes early. The eastbound train has been late more often, but I'm sure skiers would prefer to have the evening train late over the morning train.
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Six units lead BNSF's Provo-Denver manifest out of Tunnel 1 and down the hill toward the base of Coal Creek Canyon. The conductor has his window open on BNSF 9037 as it is actually unseasonably warm here. Temperatures are right around 50°F (10°C) this afternoon!
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East of Plain, this BNSF manifest snakes through the S-Curves leading it to the west portal of Tunnel 1. From this vantage point above Tunnel 1, we can look back in the distance and see most of the City of Boulder. BNSF's Front Range Subdivision runs through middle. You can also find the University of Colorado (Boulder) there!
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Just west of the west switch of Eisele (Clay), we get a nice look at the Winter Park Express as it continues west, right on time. Note the orange bag covering the coupler of AMTK 75. This is used to prevent snow from building up in the knuckle of the coupler. In Fraser, the power will be run around the train, and AMTK 75 will be coupled up to the train for the trip back east.
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While I've never been a fan of EMD's latest nose, which includes the "notch" on either side for visibility, I will say that the ubiquitousness of SD70ACes in railroad today has allowed me to get used to the nose. While not at the top of my list of favorite diesel locomotives, I do not mind the look of the SD70ACe at this point. A BNSF SD70Ace and an MRL SD70ACe bring up the tail end of this Provo-Denver manifest.
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Three ES44s and an SD70ACe lead a fairy lengthy BNSF Provo-Denver manifest down from Tunnel 1 toward the base of Coal Creek Canyon. There is not much snow left here as we have had about a week of clear, sunny weather. In the background, no construction has started on houses in the Canyon Pines neighborhood.
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Just west of Blue Mountain Drive and the hotbox detector at MP 22.6, the westbound Zephyr is having no issues moving along at track speed in the continually-falling snow. Without question, passengers aboard the Zephyr are going to have a better experience on the trip west today compared to folks driving in the high country on I-70!
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