I will certainly admit that, when I set out to take some pictures today, I did not expect that one of the pictures I would capture would be a loaded grain train being led by a Canadian National ET44AC, passing by a Boeing 737-8 MAX fuselage! Yet, here we are at the intermedial signals at Evans Avenue where that exact thing is happening.
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Talk about an interesting mix of power! Between these two trains meeting at Evans Avenue, there are four units, each from a different railroad. Only one of which is "native" to Colorado. Of particular interest is the Canadian Nation ET44AC from north of the border and the Ferromex SD70ACe from south of the border!
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This southbound grain train had been tied down at Denver and was originally not supposed to be called until around 5:45pm. However, BNSF changed things up and it was called at 11am! I was up at Crescent when I got the news, and I immediately headed south so i could get some shots of the northern visitor.
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The next time you are flying, headed somewhere for business or on vacation, if you are on a Boeing 737, consider the fact that the plane you are in was almost certainly once riding the rails! Four Boeing 737-8 MAX fuselages are headed to Renton, WA from Wichita, KS for final assembly.
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In addition to trains, I actually happen to really enjoy planes as well. So there's nothing better than coming across a Boeing 737 fuselage when it is in the process of being shipped from Wichita, KS to Renton, WA. Here is a good look at a 737-8 MAX fuselage.
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The most popular commercial airliners in the world is essentially a tie between the Boeing 737 (in all of its variants) and the Airbus A320 (and all of its variants). Boeing 737 fuselages are initially built in Wichita, KS, before being shipped by rail to Renton, WA for final assembly. Four such 737s are in transit here, currently sitting on Main 2, waiting to continue north.
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This Ferromex SD70ACe, which normally spends its time south of the border on home rails in Mexico, is currently being leased to BNSF and is helping out on a northbound train at Evans Street on the Joint Line.
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A northbound BNSF manifest has a BNSF ES44DC and a Ferromex SD70ACe for power on Main 2 at Evans Street. A fresh crew is on the train, and they are waiting for a train ahead of them (also on Main 2) to move so they can continue north. Note the four Boeing 737 fuselages on the train, headed for the Seattle area for final assembly.
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The further into the 21st century we get, the less common SD70MACs are on BNSF. Came across BNSF 8838 as the third unit on a northbound manifest.
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KCS 4803 is the second of three units on a northbound BNSF manifest that is coming to Denver from Dodge City, KS. Good to get as many shots of KCS Retro Belles while they are still on the rails, before they are all repainted.
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In July 2005, Montana Rail Link updated their fleet of engines by adding some SD70ACes. Over a couple of years, MRL would add a total of 29 SD70ACes to their roster. Now, with MRL having been absorbed into BNSF at the start of 2024, MRL's SD70ACes have started to roam the BNSF system. Here, MRL 4305 is a DPU on a southbound coal load.
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A very short BNSF train (an engine and two cars) head south through the OS at South Denver on Main 3. As you can see from the sign, we are 4.67 miles south of Prospect Jct.
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A southbound manifest crosses over Mississippi Avenue at South Denver. This is the former location of the Gates Rubber plant, which has since been torn down and new apartments are now being built in the area. You can see the pedestrian overpass in the distance that crosses all three main track and both RTD light rail tracks.
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KCS 4884 is leading a southbound BNSF manifest through the OS at South Denver. When heading south, the tracks go from two main tracks to three main tracks. The manifest is no changing tracks, but is moving from Main 2 to Main 3.
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A northbound coal empty with a single ES44AC on the point is tied down on Main 2 at South Denver. With this being the Memorial Day holiday weekend, it could be quite awhile before a crew is ready to take it. Note Pikes Peak standing tall in the distance.
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