Photo ID: 108134 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, May 31, 2020 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Belmont Crossover Dawes County, NE 791 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Butte (BNSF) BNSF At first glance, you might assume this coal train has four units on the point and is moving away from the camera. In fact, these are all helpers on the end of the train, shoving it toward the camera. The two SD70ACes are DPUs controlled from the head end. The two ES44ACs are manned helpers that will cut away from the train just a few hundred feet ahead. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 108133 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, May 31, 2020 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Belmont Tunnel Dawes County, NE 785 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Butte (BNSF) BNSF Just 20 minutes after the last coal load came through, another eastbound climbs to the top of Crawford Hill on Main 2. An ES44AC and SD70ACe provide the power on the head end. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 108132 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, May 31, 2020 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Belmont Crossover Dawes County, NE 867 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Butte (BNSF) BNSF After having helped an eastbound coal load climb Crawford Hill, this manned helper set will now return the 13 miles to Crawford to await the next train that needs its help. The dispatcher crossed the power over from Main 2 to Main 1 here at Belmont Crossover for the trip back. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 108131 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, May 31, 2020 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Belmont Crossover Dawes County, NE 808 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Butte (BNSF) BNSF Here at Belmont, at the top of Crawford Hill, these two manned SD70ACes will cut away from this eastbound coal load. The coal train does not even stop when the helpers cut away. They are not coupled to the rear DPU, but simply pushing on the train. The helpers will apply some brakes, slow down as the coal train continues, and then stop on the opposite side of the signals. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 108130 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, May 31, 2020 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Belmont Tunnel Dawes County, NE 825 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Butte (BNSF) BNSF A trio of units bring up the rear of this eastbound coal load over the top of Crawford Hill through the cut at Belmont. This is one location where you can still find manned helpers in 2020. The ES44AC in the only DPU on the end of the train. The two SD70ACes are actually manned helpers based out of Crawford. Up ahead, they will cut away from the train and return to Crawford. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 108129 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, May 31, 2020 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Belmont Tunnel Dawes County, NE 825 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Butte (BNSF) BNSF A pair of SD70ACes leads an eastbound coal load on Main 2 to the top of Crawford Hill. Belmont Road passes right over the tracks here, offering a fantastic view of trains from either direction as they crest the top of the grade. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 108128 Date Shot Photo By Sunday, May 31, 2020 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Belmont Tunnel Dawes County, NE 817 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Butte (BNSF) BNSF This loaded coal train is nearing the top of Crawford Hill on Main 2, coming through a steep cut that was built in the early 1980s. For a long time, there was only a single track over Crawford Hill. Here at the summit, the single track when through a tunnel. When BN decided to add a second main, rather than bore a second hole, an new cut was created and the tunnel was left. The tunnel is not quite visible in the distance and to the right of the cut. The last train went through the tunnel on May 3, 1982. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.

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