UP 1988 leads an eastbound coal load around the bend toward a clear intermediate signal west of Center Bond where the Craig Branch joins with the mainline.
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Located high above Colorado State Highway 131, UP 1988 leads an eastbound coal load toward the end of the Craig Branch at Center Bond. To the left, you can see another coal load on the main at Bond. This train is on the Glenwood Springs Sub and on the Dotsero Cutoff. It will follow UP 1988 east toward Denver.
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In fantastic early afternoon light, UP 1988 leads an eastbound coal load down the east end of the Craig Branch. I was very happy I had the opportunity to chase the train as I hadn't seen UP 1988 since 2007, and I had never seen it on an actual train on the mainline!
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A nice roster shot (ish) of UP 1988 and UP 8237 leading an eastbound coal load down the Craig Branch toward a clear signal at the intermediate just west of Center Bond.
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UP 1988 and a 78-car loaded coal train cross CO-131 at Bond, CO. The train is descending the final few hundred feet of the Craig Branch before joining the mainline at Center Bond.
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Despite being on the wrong side of the tracks (as far as the sun goes), UP 1988 looks mighty fine as it rounds the curve at State Bridge along the banks of the Colorado River.
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The Colorado River offers up a nice reflection of this eastbound coal load with UP 1988 on the point. The train is just east of the siding of Yarmony.
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On a pristine October day in the Colorado high country, an eastbound coal load (with UP 1988 on the point) climbs the gentle 0.15% grade along the Colorado River just east of Yarmony.
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UP 1988 and train are just east of the siding of Radium, approaching the relatively short canyon known as "Little Gore Canyon". From the photographer's perspective, there is a gap west of the canyon allowing for this view on the train.
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UP 1988 leads a train out of Tunnel 40 in Little Gore Canyon. As the days grow shorter, the shadows are starting to grow longer, creeping up on the tracks even now at 1pm.
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UP 1988 works its way through the narrow canyon known as "Little Gore Canyon". The canyon starts at Tunnel 39 to the east (which the train is approaching) and ends just past Tunnel 40 to the west.
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A 78-car coal load snakes its way out the east end of Azure and toward Gore Canyon as seen from high above at the location known as "Inspiration Point".
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Looking down on UP 1988 and UP 8237 as they lead a train toward Tunnel 38 at the west end of Gore Canyon.
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After conquering Gore Canyon, this eastbound coal load can increase its speed a bit as the terrain opens up and the tracks are much straighter. the curves that are found are not nearly as severe as in the canyon of the Rocky Mountains. The train is accelerating toward a speed of about 45 MPH as it passes by the east switch of Kremmling.
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UP 1988, the "Miss Katy" unit, looks out of place in the Colorado High Country! MKT (Missouri-Kansas-Texas, the railroad that Katy represents) was a plains railroad. Not many grades to found compared to here at Kremmling.
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