On September 7th, I got a picture of the Valmont coal train heading down the Front Range Sub back toward Denver. Three days later and the train had reloaded at the Energy Mine on the Craig Branch and was headed east out of Leyden. Once arriving at Utah Junction, the train will crossover from the UP Main to the BNSF Main in preparation to head north on the Front Range Sub.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Where's Waldo? On this particular day, he was hanging out on the side of Xcel Energy hopper XCLX 060648 through Arvada.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
At first glance, there is nothing overly spectacular about this shot and ordinarily I wouldn't have posted it. However...note the lead swing helper. It is an SD70ACe! It is extremely rare to find an SD70ACe on a UP coal train. I had my 300mm lens on and didn't notice the unit in time to switch to my 28-135mm lens and a better roster shot.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
What to do when the sun is directly behind the train? Well, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or, when life gives you a large glowing ball in the sky, make silhouette shots. An eastbound coal train is approaching the grade crossing at Tennyson Street.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Progress is being made on the addition of a second main track between C&S Junction and Arvada. In the last two weeks, concrete ties have been laid and a couple stretches of welded rail can be seen alongside the ties. A westbound UP coal empty departs from Bypass 1 westbound.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Between September 6 and September 9, Union Pacific laid new tracks across a grade crossing at Lowell Blvd. These tracks, visible to the right, will become the new Main 2. Between September 19 and September 28, UP will remove the old BNSF crossing (in the foreground) and replace it as well.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
