Photo ID: 105821 Date Shot Photo By Saturday, February 13, 2016 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Chemical (MP 14.5) Arvada, CO 1322 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific This was a nice surprise for a Saturday afternoon! Not only did a westbound (empty) oil train run on the Moffat, but it was led by a pair of Kansas City Southern "Retro Belles"! Both SD70ACes to boot. Haven't seen an oil train in weeks (if not months). With oil prices so low right now, the demand for oil from fracking just hasn't been that high. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 105822 Date Shot Photo By Saturday, February 13, 2016 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Chemical (MP 14.5) Arvada, CO 1440 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific Good to see an empty oil train on the Moffat after multiple weeks without any. Even better to see one with such amazing power on the point! There was concern that UP might decide to throw a unit (most likely UP) on the point of the train in Denver. However, that obviously turned out not to be the case. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 105823 Date Shot Photo By Saturday, February 13, 2016 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Chemical (MP 14.5) Arvada, CO 1330 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific Up close and in your face! I decided to post multiple shots of the KCS "Belles" leading a westbound oil train on Valentine's Day Eve. We don't get these colorful creatures in Colorado all too often, so I wanted to advantage while I could. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 105824 Date Shot Photo By Saturday, February 13, 2016 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Chemical (MP 14.5) Arvada, CO 1005 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific While I have no insider knowledge, it is simply my belief that this right here may be the best shot for the Moffat's long-term survival. Apparently there is more oil (in the form of shale) in Western Colorado and East Utah than nearly anywhere else in the world. At the time of this photo, oil prices were quite low, so demand for that particularly oil was rather low. However, when pricing goes back up, particularly in the long term, that oil might become quite attractive. And the Moffat will be an excellent line for hauling it. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 105825 Date Shot Photo By Saturday, February 13, 2016 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Blue Mountain Drive (MP 22.43) Arvada, CO 1325 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific A pair of good looking Retro-Belle KCS SD70ACes lead up a westbound oil train as it makes its way through the S-Curves west of Eisele (formerly Clay) on the approach to the Blue Mountain Road crossing. As the sole power on the train, these guys sounded mighty fine. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 105826 Date Shot Photo By Saturday, February 13, 2016 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Blue Mountain Drive (MP 22.43) Arvada, CO 1314 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific After a couple weeks of frigid temperatures and quite a bit of snow, things thawed out a bit in mid-February! Most of the snow is gone and the temperature is close to 60°F as this westbound oil train, led by a pair of Kansas City Southern SD70ACes approach the Blue Mountain grade crossing. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 105827 Date Shot Photo By Saturday, February 13, 2016 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Tunnel 1 (MP 23.4, 366 ft) Arvada, CO 1301 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Kansas City Southern, Union Pacific In general, unit oil trains are only 3/5 to perhaps 2/3 the length of an average coal train. A point demonstrated in this shot as you would not be able to get both ends of a coal train in this frame. The head end of unit empty oil train is about to head into Tunnel 1 as the covered hopper buffer car on the rear rolls clear of the hot box detector at MP 22.6. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.