The Zephyr emerges from the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel and heads down the main track at East Portal, which is the name of the block (and siding). We are close to 9,200 feet above sea level here, the highest mainline on any Class 1 railroad, the highest elevation Amtrak reaches anywhere in the United States.
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After several days of testing these SD70ACe-T4s through the Moffat Tunnel, EMD has collected all the data needed and the consist will now head east back to Denver. The SD70ACe-T4 is supposed to go in to production a little later in 2016 and rumor has it that UP has already ordered several dozen copies.
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Over the past several days, EMD and UP have been testing this pair of SD70ACe-T4s for the past several days. The consist has been running between Tabernash and East Portal, running through the Moffat Tunnel. Testing is completely now, however, and the consist will be headed back to North Yard in Denver.
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An eastbound approaches the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel. The train is actually a pair of EMD SD70ACe-T4s and a trio of UP units. the train will hold briefly on the main at East Portal before continuing east to North Yard.
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For years and years, Amtrak had a contract with the US mail. The mail was hauled in boxcars...this boxcar being one such example. I actually was unaware that the boxcars had been sold off and were now being used for other purposes. This one is still clearly in its Phase IV scheme.
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After a brief pause, this westbound BNSF manifest is on the roll again. That second C44-9W may have a bit of an issue with its turbocharger! The signal for the train is an Advanced Approach, meaning it is flashing yellow over red. This indicates that the signal at east Winter Park is not green, but it isn't red.
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While the equipment may have been different, it was pretty cool having the Ski Train back, if only for two days. It is hard to believe that as of this picture, it has been nearly six years since that final run of the original Ski Train. Here, Amtrak's special run of the Ski Train (which included seven Superliners) emerges from the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel.
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The eastbound California Zephyr, running ahead of schedule, pops out of the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel. After the train clears the west switch, the fans in the tunnel will turn on to vent the exhaust from the tunnel. Once that process is complete, the (special) Ski Train will be able to load its passengers at Winter Park, just over six miles to the west.
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How nice would this shot have been for an eastbound coming out of the tunnel? Unfortunately, it was a very slow Sunday on the Moffat. The westbound Zephyr just exited the tunnel in Winter Park and the nearest eastbound was still all the way over at Granby, making its way toward Tabernash. Maybe next time...
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I'm guessing it isn't too hard to figure out where this picture was taken! We are just about to dive into the east portal of the 6.2 mile long Moffat Tunnel.
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A lot of things have changed in this shot in the last fifteen years. The milepost sign has changed. The signal has been replaced (note the new LED lights). There is a new camera bridge in front of the tunnel. However, this westbound is charging into the bore as countless other westbounds have for years, and hopefully will for years to come.
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Three of the eight units here are pulling hard on this westbound coal empty toward the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel. The train has a "double yellow" (approach diverging) signal entering the tunnel, indicating to the train that they will be taking the siding at Winter Park.
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I knew an eastbound was coming, but I was expecting a coal load. So I was rather happy to see the eastbound MRONY being led by an SD70ACe and a C44-9W coming out of the Moffat. I was hoping for more fall colors in the shot, but the wind has already done an excellent job taking the leaves off most of the aspens around the tunnel.
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The addition of new block signals at the west end of East Portal allow for this situation. The MNYGJ is about to enter the Moffat Tunnel with a double yellow (Approach Diverging). This tells the crew that they will be taking the siding at Winter Park, most likely for a meet.
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Union Pacific recently replaced the old Rio Grande signals at East Portal, putting in new LED signals! Note that westbounds can now received a yellow over yellow (Approach Diverging) to inform the crew that they will be taking the siding at Winter Park.
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