It's pretty unusual to catch a UP coal train on the Joint Line these days. UP puts sufficient power on its coal trains to make descent speed up the hill to Palmer Lake. Which is why it was fortunate that this train was on the tail of a BNSF load that was dragging up the hill.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
This is why I love the Joint Line! When you are lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time, you can catch a northbound and a southbound in the same frame. In this shot, a southbound coal load is approaching on the left as an empty darts north over to the right.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
This is probably one of the most photogenic spots to shoot a southbound anywhere on the Joint Line. It is around 2 o'clock in the afternoon as this BNSF coal load works hard to climb the remaining seven or so miles to Palmer Lake.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Two miles north of Palmer Lake, this southbound coal load is entering "The Sag". It is so-named because of the relatively rapid descent southbounds make. Track ownership changes here and while most of the load is still on BNSF property, the head end is now on UP property!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
This is without a doubt one of those timeless locations you see in rail photography. Railfans have been shooting southbounds coming around this bend since the dawn of the camera, I would image! Nothing too special about this consist...just another BNSF coal train working over the top of the hill.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
This is a shot that deserves the title "The Right Place at the Right Time"! A southbound Light Rail train approaches the camera as a northbound train sneaks past heads toward Union Station. The Light Rail trains were just a bonus as I was waiting on the BNSF manifest in the distance!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Hooray! A GE unit running the way I remember from my childhood! The second unit in this consist was having some issues and putting out quite a bit of exhaust as this southbound manifest works out of the Littleton Trench.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
