To kick off 2018, the first train I caught was a westbound empty taking the siding at Leyden on New Years Day. The Zephyr is running 4 1/2 hours late and, as a result, the empty is taking the siding to let the Zephyr pass.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Running 4 1/2 hours late, the Zephyr hustles west out of Leyden in an effort to make up some time. The delay was mainly incurred between Lincoln, NE and Hastings, NE.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
As is typical, a pair of P42DCs lead the westbound Zephyr west of Leyden. More often than not, it also seems that the P42s are elephant style on the Zephyr. That's not always the case, but that's the way Amtrak tends to have them setup.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
AMTK 69 leads the westbound Zephyr through the S-Curve on the approach to the Blue Mountain grade crossing. While it is a little chilly (about 25°F), it is mostly clear and overall a nice New Years Day. Interesting tidbit...if you look closely, you will see a blue-ish building in between the Zephyr and the poles. Until March 2017, that was my office building!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Unfortunately, the California Zephyr has a bit of a rough start to the New Year. The train lost 3 1/2 hours between Lincoln, NE and Hastings, NE. It was five hours late when it reached Fort Morgan, CO. Fortunately, it made up a little bit of that time, but was still 4 1/2 hours late when it departed west out of Denver.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The westbound Zephyr passes by the Coal Creek fire station as a car waits at the grade crossing on Blue Mountain Road.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Passengers onboard the westbound Zephyr are about to dive in to their first of many tunnels on the journey west of Denver. The east portal of Tunnel One is just ahead of the lead P42DC. From looking in the windows of the Lounge car as the Zephyr rolled by, it looked like there was a pretty good crowd aboard for this New Year's Day adventure.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
After letting the westbound Zephyr run around it at Leyden, this coal empty quickly got signals as well to continue west toward the mine. The train is headed for the West Elk Mine on the North Fork Branch south (and east) of Grand Junction.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The curves through that run past Blue Mountain Road and around the base of Coal Creek Canyon allow for some very interesting shots of trains as they work their way through them. Such is the case here as a westbound coal empty climbs its ways toward Tunnel One on New Year's Day 2018.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
While out getting shots of the Zephyr and this coal empty, I happened to run across a dad out with his two sons. It's always great to see future generations of railfans trackside, getting their shots. And kuddos to their dad for taking them out to enjoy the hobby!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
