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!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
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.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
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.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
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.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
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!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Two elephant-style P42DCs lead a typical Zephyr consist west on the climb toward Tunnel 1 from the base of Coal Creek Canyon. So far, no construction has started on any houses in the new Canyon Pines neighborhood, the main road for which is just visible along the top of the frame.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
UP 7873 leads a westbound oil train around the bend from Eisele (Clay) and toward the grade crossing at Blue Mountain Drive. Off in the distance, the skyline of Denver stands amidst a sea of trees that, within the next 2 to 4 weeks should turn to fire with fall colors.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Seven minutes after winding around through Little Ten Curve in this shot, the Zephyr is now continuing west out of Eisele and, approaching the grade crossing at Blue Mountain Drive. In a few minutes, the train will emerge from Tunnel 1 is this shot.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A westbound oil empty comes around the bend from Eisele (Clay) on the approach tot he grade crossing at Blue Mountain. Really like how well the Denver skyline shows up from this perspective. Fortunately, it is a crystal clear day as well.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Even though it was the trailing unit (of three) on the morning Zephyr, I had to make sure I got a roster shot of AMTK 203. As you can see, it is painted in a special Operation Lifesaver scheme, honoring the 50th anniversary of Operation Lifesaver. The large "RR" (railroad) sign painted toward the front of the unit is not popular with all railfans...but I'm just happy it is something different!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
I have only caught AMTK 203 (in the Operation Lifesaver Scheme) one time prior to this morning. It led the Zephyr in January 2023, and I was able to get a few shots. Today, however, it is the third unit on the point of the Zephyr as the train wraps around the curve, headed for Blue Mountain Drive under over skies.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
It isn't too often that you find sequential units on any train, so it rather cool to catch AMTK 171 and AMTK 170 together on the head end of the westbound Zephyr this morning. In this shot, the train is just west of Tunnel 1, on the approach to Plain.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
On the climb up the roughly 2% grade toward Tunnel 1, a pair of UP SD70Ms lead ten cars on the Rocky Mountaineer. As we get closer to fall (and fall colors), passenger volumes on the Rocky Mountaineer will continue to increase to enjoy the colorful trip from Denver to Moab (or back).
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The two GEs on the point of this westbound oil empty, a C44ACM and an ES44AC, are indifferent to summer heat radiating off the ground as the train carries a long string of tank cars. The cars will be loaded at the transload facility in Wash, UT, just a few miles east of the town of Price.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Running 3 1/2 hours late out of Denver, the Zephyr is climbing toward Tunnel 1 in 92°F (33°C) temperatures on its journey westbound.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
