After the Spring Blizzard from earlier in the week, some pretty descent snow drifts formed in places along the tracks. An eastbound coal load passes drifts that are about three feet deep at this point on either side of the tracks.
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A look up at the DPU on an eastbound coal load as seen from knee-deep in a snow drift! Nice to see the American flag on this unit is relatively clean.
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A little help from BNSF! This Public Service coal empty, which is headed for the Energy Mine on the Craig Branch, has five units on the point, including a BNSF ES44AC.
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A pair of AC4400CWs push on the tail end of this coal empty as it works its way through Little Ten Curve at the west end of Rocky. Clouds peak over the mountains in the distance and check out the plains!
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This westbound coal empty works its way west through the S-curves at the base of Coal Creek Canyon. Note the east portal of Tunnel One visible in the top-right corner of the frame.
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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 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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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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After a good run up the hill from Denver, it is time to sit for awhile! This westbound coal empty is in the hole at Rollins and will have to wait not only for the Ski Train, but for the eastbound Zephyr as well.
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Despite how this image might look, it really isn't snowing! The wind is howling and kicking up a ton of sitting snow though as the Ski Train crosses the grade crossing at Tolland.
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Brrrr...it was freezing up at Tolland on this March afternoon. Not entirely because of the temperature outside, but because of the mix of the temperature and the wind! The Ski Train has a clear signal at Tolland. Note the yellow school house in the distance, just above the cab of the third F40PH.
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The Ski Train hustles down the main track at Tolland, indifferent to the extremes of the weather surrounding it. Inside the Kansas, a group of passengers enjoy the view out the back.
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A look at the entire Ski Train and the snowy plains as seen from above Blue Mountain western Arvada. The trains is over halfway home, with roughly 22 miles left to go to Union Station.
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The sun seemingly create a spotlight on Big Ten Curve as the Ski Train makes its way around on its descent toward Rocky.
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Not only was this my final shot of the Ski Train for the 2008-2009 Winter Season, but as it turns out, this was my last shot of the Ansco Ski Train ever! The trip the next day would prove to be the last ever for the Ski Train under Phil Anschutz.
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