The westbound Zephyr just knocked down a Diverging Approach (red over yellow) signal at the east end of Plain and is now running west on the siding. CSX 7106 is waiting on the main, leading an eastbound oil train. The Zephyr has a green signal waiting for it at the west end.
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This light power move, which includes ten units, is headed into the siding at the east end of Plain. The units will meet two eastbound here, including a BNSF loaded oil train, and the California Zephyr.
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The eastbound Zephyr knocks down a green signal at the east end of Plain. This location is a "check point" for the Zephyr, and the engineer on the head end just called out the check point for the conductor. From here, the train has roughly 24 miles remaining on the journey in to Denver. Afternoon clouds are building over and out on the plains.
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When The Zephyr left Chicago, it was led by AMTK 4 and AMTK 5. AMTK 4 was swapped for AMTK 150 in Denver, resulting in a roughly two hour delay. It is unclear if AMTK 4 had a mechanical issue, or it was just swapped with AMTK 150, and AMTK 4 will show up on the Winter Park Express tomorrow morning.
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The Zephyr just knocked down a green signal at the east end of Plain. 6-7 inches of snow fell through most of the day yesterday, which is just perfect this morning as the Zephyr has a pair of highly colorful P42DCs (in Phase 7 paint) this morning.
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This eastbound loaded oil train has been making track speed since Cliff, but is coming up on a 15 MPH slow order. The slow order is about a mile long, and there is a second two mile long slow order around Big Ten Curve. The crew only has 70 minutes remaining on the clock, so the train will take the siding at Rocky and tie down.
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The siding of Plain is empty this morning as the westbound Zephyr heads toward the Tunnel District. In the distance, you can see the east portal of Tunnel 4. One of these days, I hope to get a shot from this perspective of an upcoming meet, with an eastbound emerging from Tunnel 4.
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The Rocky Mountaineer throttles down a bit as it enters into the siding at Plain. An eastbound UP manifest, the MGJNY, actually died on the main here at Plain (meaning the crew hit their max hours of service). Until a new crew can come out from Denver, all trains will have to run through the siding.
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The westbound Zephyr is right on time as it knocks down a clear (green) signal at the east end of Plain. The Zephyr is running with seven Superliners, but rumor has it that Amtrak plans to expand that to nine sometime in the not-to-distant future.
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The Winter Park Express knocks down a clear (green) signal at the east end of Plain. Even though the train is about 45 minutes late, there is still enough light for some shots as today is the first day of Daylight Savings Time. Sunset bumped back from 6pm to 7pm!
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Last night, about two inches of snow fell in a small storm that was actually unanticipated in the weather forecast. The result was, of course, a nice blanket of snow to provide some nice scenery for passengers on the morning Zephyr. The train has the typical pair of P42DCs, a baggage car, and seven Superliners for the journey.
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The siding of Plain was originally named Plainview. Rio Grande shortened the names of many of its sidings to save time when talking about them. Plainview was changed to Plain. Pinecliff to Cliff. Rollinsville to Rollins. Plainview's name is very well deserved as you can see out and over the plains of Colorado.
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At the east end of Plain, the westbound Zephyr is overtaking an empty UP oil train, sitting in the siding. The oil train fit in the siding by less than one car. If there had been one more tank car on the train, it would not have fit! You can see how close the end DPU is to the signal at the east end.
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A transition sleeper, two regular sleepers, a diner, a sightseer lounge, and three baggage cars (the middle of which is a baggage/coach car) make up the morning westbound Zephyr as it heads down the main at Plain. This is the first time in well over a year that I've seen eight Superliners on the Zephyr. Hope it becomes a regular thing!
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At the east end of Plain, UP's thrice weekly manifest from Grand Junction to North Yard is coming out of the siding and onto the main track. It'll continue down to Rocky and meet a westbound coal empty.
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