This coal train will be heading east on the Limon Sub after it reaches Denver. The three mid-train swing helpers will but cut out at North Yard, but this fine looking C44AC-CTE will stay with the train. Here, it is crossing over the bridge at MP 36.45 just west of Tunnel 29.
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This was the proverbial "Money Shot" that I was going for on this particular day! This eastbound coal load is leaving Cliff and crossing over South Boulder Creek on the bridge at MP 36.45. Just ahead, the train will enter Tunnel 29.
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After an eastbound coal load passed by, I knew I had a little bit of time before the next westbound reached Cliff. I took advantage of the time and gained a little altitude on the north side of the tracks to shoot the MNYGJ. I was grateful for the overcast skies above me...on a clear day, the shadows would have killed this shot.
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Derailments from the day before have resulted in congestion, delaying the westbound Zephyr a couple hours. Here at Cliff, the Zephyr will overtake (pass) a empty coal train that is sitting on the siding.
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A westbound coal load works its way through the sweeping curve just below Tunnel 29. Many a shot of a Rio Grande train was once taken here...unfortunately, the trees have grown enough that they largely obscure the view now.
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A trio of Heritage 2 C44-9Ws and a Warbonnet lead up BNSF's Provo to Denver manifest, sitting in the hole at Cliff. The conductor for the train is on the ground to give a roll by for the westbound coal empty on the main.
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AC4400CW in your face! A westbound coal empty has a clear signal through Cliff as the unit approaches the grade crossing at Cliff. The train will continue west two more sidings (to Tolland) before stopping to meet the eastbound California Zephyr.
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A trio of SD70MACs lead up BNSF's Denver to Provo manifest on the approach to Cliff. This is a pretty rare consist for BNSF trains on the Moffat. It is far more common to find C44-9W. The SD70MACs typically run in coal service.
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The conductor from the UP 6058 (which is stopped in the siding at Cliff) heads back into the cab as the last DPU unit on a westbound coal empty "flies" by on the main track.
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The conductor from the eastbound MRONY (sitting on the siding at Cliff) gives a wave to the conductor on the westbound coal empty. The conductor on the empty returns the gesture as the coal train heads west on a clear signal. The conductor on the ground is giving the coal empty a "roll-by" - making sure there are no obvious defects or problems.
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A narrow section of clouds took the liberty of hovering right above Cliff as this coal empty highballed the east end. Oh well, perhaps the clouds are appropriate considering all the snow on the ground...
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The sole DPU on an eastbound coal load makes its way through Cliff. In the distance, you can see Colorado Highway 72 climbing away from the town and the tracks.
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From high above the tracks (east of Cliff), we look down on one of the very few remaining unpatched Espee AC4400CW's, SP 144. The unit was the second unit on the head end of an eastbound coal train.
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Just east of Cliff, this coal load is back on the move after a three hour delay due to being stuck in emergency. The crew had to make several trips back and forth between the head end and the swing helpers to get the problem resolved. Evidence of the end of summer is easy to see in the shot!
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About halfway between the daylighted remains of Tunnel 28 and the still-standing (albeit short) Tunnel 29, the Ski Train heads west in the late afternoon on a cloudy June afternoon. The Ski Train, making a special chartered run, hasn't headed west of Denver in the afternoon since a similar charter on June 19, 2003.
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