BNSF's Denver to Stockton (QDNSTJ) trackage rights train is facing a diverging approach (red over yellow) signal at the east end of Troublesome. After a good run up the hill from Denver, the train has to meet some maintenance equipment at Troublesome before continuing to Kremmling for a crew change.
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Most of the C44-9Ws on BNSF's roster that wear the Warbonnet scheme are in the 600-series (BNSF 600-799). However, twenty units did make it into the 4000-series (BNSF 4000-5532) mix. Here is a roster shot of BNSF 4702, one of the somewhat rare units.
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At the east switch of Troublesome, a Herzog work train has just picked up some track and time to head east to Flat. The train has been working to tidy up the railroad by picking up discarded ties along the right of way. Once reaching Flat, the train will tie down in the house track for the day.
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Running only about thirty minutes late, the westbound California Zephyr is working on clear signals just west of Byers Canyon. After moving cautiously through the canyon at 25 MPH, the train can now stretch its legs a bit and move up to the 70 MPH track speed.
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This Drake coal empty is snaking through Byers Canyon as it approaches the west end. The "Drake" here is in reference to the Drake Power Plant in Colorado Springs which this unit train services. The train is headed for the Energy Mine on the Craig Branch.
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While Byers Canyon may not be the most spectacular canyon the (former) Grande travels through, it still isn't something to just shrug off! There are constant 10-degree (read: very sharp) curves through the canyon and the sound of flanges on rail echo off the walls. Here, this coal empty is following the head waters of the Colorado River through the canyon.
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At the east end of Byers Canyon, a UP light power move is just entering the canyon. These nine units are heading for Grand Junction (or more likely, Glenwood Springs), where they will be used as mid-train swing helpers for the trip back east over the divide to Denver.
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A bit of a surprise on this particular day, as the Federal Railroad Administrations track geometry car, led by a year-old ES44AC, heads west. The car is being used to check for defects in the track to help prevent derailments.
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A roster shot of FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) track geometry car (DOTX 220). This car is used to check for defects in the rail that may lead to derailments. And it works well! Between Tabernash and Granby, the train found four significant defects, each requiring a slow order between 10 MPH and 25 MPH.
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In the wee hours of the night before, a westbound coal empty tied its train down at Granby due to a track gang working further west. Twelve hours later and the train is still tied down in the siding. Meanwhile, a train heading for the Energy Mine on the Craig Branch with a live crew passes by on the main track.
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It is a beautiful afternoon in the Colorado high country as an Energy-bound coal empty blasts by on the main track at Granby. Right here, we are about 8,000 feet above sea level. Track speed is increasing toward 60 MPH for the trip west toward Hot Sulpher Springs.
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