I am not entirely sure why there were a pair of sightseer lounge cars bringing up the end of the westbound Zephyr on this morning. Perhaps they are being taken to California for the Coast Starlight, but it seems the Southwest Chief or Empire Builder would be more likely candidates for that task. Note the final lounge car, which is sporting the new Phase 7 paint scheme.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Four P42DCs lead the westbound Zephyr under overcast skies and chilly temperatures near Pactolus, west of Cliff. Temperatures today in the Colorado high country were only in the 40s. Certainly colder that the seasonal norm. Despite the relative lack of precipitation this past winter, the foliage has greened up quite nice.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
It can be a bit of a challenge getting shots in the area around West Cliff as it is on the north side of a mountain and, as such, almost always cast in shadows. However, this shot of an eastbound BNSF oil train turned out quite well.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
BNSF 5830 leads a unit oil train across the South Beaver Creek Road grade crossing about a half mile west of Cliff. This road leads from CO-72 to Pacolus, a private neighborhood along the tracks and South Boulder Creek between Cliff and Rollins.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The westbound Rocky Mountaineer is approaching Tunnel 30, the final tunnel the train will pass through prior to reaching the Moffat Tunnel. There are not a lot of shots from the Tunnel 30 area, as it is remote and isolated from the other tunnels between Denver and the Moffat Tunnel.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
At Pactolus, in between Cliff and Rollins, the westbound Rocky Mountaineer passes by a small (private) lake and the Lincoln Hills Fly Fishing Club.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Not far west of Cliff, this BNSF oil empty is headed west after meeting an eastbound BNSF manifest (the Provo-Denver) at Cliff. The train will now have clear signals until meeting the eastbound Zephyr, currently still quite a ways off over around Glenwood Springs.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Just west of Tunnel 30, the Rocky Mountaineer's "Rockies to the Red Rocks" follows along South Boulder Creek in the narrow canyon just east of Rollins. The GP40-3s are kicking up some exhaust as the train snakes its way west.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The westbound Rocky Mountaineer is between Cliff and Rollins in the area known as Pactolus, passing by the signal at MP 39.9. The train had an Approach Diverging (yellow over yellow) signal at the intermediate as the train will be taking the siding at Rollins. An eastbound UP coal load is already sitting on the main, waiting for the train to arrive.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
