Military trains are quite uncommon on the Moffat. In fact, prior to this train snaking its way along South Boulder Creek through Tunnel 29, the last such train was in June 2017! After arriving in Denver, one unit will be cut off from the head end and the train will continue east on the KP.
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Three units lead an eastbound military train across South Boulder Creek and toward Tunnel 29 in the middle of the Colorado Rockies. This 7,700-foot train just met the Zephyr at Cliff.
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Afternoon light in September is perfect for eastbound coming out of Tunnel 29, a trio of AC4400CWs lead a unit oil train east, heading into the Tunnel District.
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UP 6580 leads an eastbound oil train through the shortest tunnel in the Tunnel District, Tunnel 29. It is only 75 feet long. Not entirely sure what happened to the number board on the engineers side of the unit. The blue background is an interesting look!
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An eastbound UP coal load...pretty rare on the Moffat in 2024...is just starting its journey east through the Tunnel District. About two cars of the train are in the shortest tunnel in the district, Tunnel 29 (78 feet). Note South Boulder Creek to the right, which will quickly decrease in elevation. Faster than the tracks, to be sure.
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A pair of AC4400CWs lead an eastbound coal load across the bridge over South Boulder Creek just west of Tunnel 29. The train just departed Cliff on a green signal and will have greens the rest of the way in to Denver. In the distance, there is still a lot of snow covering the Continental Divide.
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An SD70ACe and a pair of GEs lead this westbound BNSF coal load through Tunnel 29 and across the bridge over South Boulder Creek just east of Cliff.
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The westbound Zephyr crosses over South Boulder Creek just west of Tunnel 29. Around the bend, the train has a clear (green) signal at the east end of Cliff.
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Passengers in Amtrak's Sightseer Lounge car are no doubt enjoying the amazing view here at the west end of the Tunnel District as the train emerges from Tunnel 29 on its journey west.
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This is why the Zephyr is such a spectacular ride! Not a lot of Amtrak routes that offer views like this. The westbound Zephyr is just emerging from the shortest tunnel on the Moffat, Tunnel 29. The tracks parallel South Boulder Creek, which is getting close to the same elevation as the tracks here.
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After meeting the Rocky Mountaineer at Cliff, this eastbound BNSF Provo-Denver is back on the move and crossing South Boulder Creek just west of Tunnel 29. It is a perfect Spring morning for a little chasing in the Colorado High Country! We are right around 8,000 feet above sea level here.
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One of the perks that the Rocky Mountaineer features are the oversized windows and partial windowing on the roof on its cars. These windows offer the same types of views you'd find on Amtrak's sightseer lounge cars. Just one of the many items of added luxury you find on the Mountaineer.
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Just west of Tunnel 29, the Rocky Mountaineer crosses the well-known bridge (amongst railfans of the Moffat, anyway) that crosses South Boulder Creek. The train is headed for a clear (green) signal around the bend at the east switch of Cliff.
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The westbound Rocky Mountaineer: Rockies to the Red Rocks emerges from the shortest tunnel in the Tunnel District, Tunnel 29. The tunnel is only 78 feet long! The trains has been following South Boulder Creek for several miles, and only now is the elevation of the creek getting close to that of the tracks. This is the first revenue run of the Rocky Mountaineer for the 2023 season.
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The engineers in the lead P42DC cross over South Boulder Creek and now have a clear view of the green signal at the east end of Cliff. Passengers on the seven car (well, seven Superliner car) Zephyr have a brief flash of dark as they quickly move in and out of Tunnel 29.
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