I was hoping for some direct sunlight here, east of Tolland, as this coal empty crosses over South Boulder Creek. However, in retrospect, the overcast skies to the west probably helped the shot as the sun might have created some odd shadows from this perspective. The train crosses South Boulder Creek to run parallel to East Portal Road for a few thousand feet on the approach to Tolland.
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At roughly 8,700 feet (2650 meters) above sea level, four units lead this westbound coal empty along South Boulder Creek between Rollins and Tolland. East Portal Road (also referred to as Tolland Road on some maps and in some places) is a well-maintained dirt road that carries a lot of vehicular traffic. Fishers, campers, hikers, and off-roaders all come up here to the high country, in addition to the handful of railfans.
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A little bit of sun breaks through the clouds as the Rocky Mountaineer approach a clear (green) signal at the west switch of Rollins. The tracks exist the narrow canyon just west of Rollins, and the scene opens into a bit of a valley with quite a few deciduous trees, creating a very pleasant scene.
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Under mostly cloudy skies on one of the longest days of the year, the Rocky Mountaineer rolls east on the single main track along South Boulder Creek (and East Portal Road) between Rollins and Tolland.
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NS 4130 and a pair of BNSF SD70ACes cross over South Boulder Creek just east of Tolland. In the distance, you can see a few of the mountains around James Peak and the Continental Divide.
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The eastbound Zephyr crosses over a frozen-over South Boulder Creek about a mile east of the east end of Tolland. Considering we are in the middle January, the temperature is actually fairly warm at 30°F, here at 8,700 feet above sea level.
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Just west of Rollins, an eastbound BNSF oil train approaches a clear (green) signal at the west switch of Rollins. The train passes the Winter Park Express at Fraser and had enough time to make it through the Moffat ahead of the Winter Park Express.
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In the canyon between Rollins and Tolland, along South Boulder Creek, six units lead up BNSF's Provo-Denver manifest. After sitting for nearly three hours at Winter Park for the Winter Park Express and the Zephyr, the crew is running short on time. They will be going into the siding at Rollins to wait for a relief crew that is already on the way out of Denver.
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This eastbound BNSF manifest had to wait in the siding of Winter Park for both the Winter Park Express Ski Train and the California Zephyr before getting its turn to head east. Now, about an hour after the Zephyr was at Tolland, the manifest is rolling along quickly just east of Tolland, the Continental Divide standing tall and snow-covered in the distance.
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Just west of Rollins, there is a sea of yellow as deciduous trees start their transition from summer to winter. The winds can get very high up here and these leaves could be blown off the trees in just another week. Meanwhile, a westbound oil empty throttles up as it continues west toward the Moffat Tunnel.
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Passengers aboard the Zephyr are no doubt really enjoying the trip west this morning! Fall colors are about their peak brilliance as the Zephyr charges west toward a green signal at the east end of Tolland. There is barely a cloud in the sky this morning. Couldn't ask for better conditions.
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Running right on schedule, the westbound Zephyr follows along South Boulder Creek, the head actually crossing over the creek here between Rollins and Tolland. Fall colors above 8,000 feet or so are really reaching their peak.
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A UP coal load wraps around one of the last curves in the narrow part of the valley leading up to the west end of Rollins. The fall colors around Rollins are really hitting their peak.
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The clouds are finally starting to break up this afternoon, with one floating through the scene just west of Rollins. The head end of UP's MGJNY breaks into daylight along South Boulder Creek as it approaches the west end of Rollins.
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UP 7346 crosses over South Boulder Creek just around the bend from the east end of Tolland. The train will be facing a Diverging Approach (red over yellow), going in to the siding at Tolland. The smattering of deciduous trees makeup a beautiful scene as fall colors reach their peak.
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