Photo ID: 108648 Date Shot Photo By Wednesday, June 2, 2021 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed West of Leyden Arvada, CO 614 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific When I set out to get a picture of an eastbound this afternoon, I was expecting BNSF's Provo-Denver. I was surprised to find a loaded UP coal train rolling east instead! The train is actually shorter than most coal trains that run on the Moffat. Instead of the normal 105 (give or take) cars, this train was only 79 cars. As a result, there are only two mid-train swing helpers, and you can clearly see the end of the train stretched along the straightaway here alongside CO-72 and Welton Reservoir. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 108649 Date Shot Photo By Wednesday, June 2, 2021 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed West of Leyden Arvada, CO 576 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific A shorter-than-normal coal train (79 cars) has resulted in only two mid-train swing helpers instead of the typical three. It does appear that the first mid-train swing helper may have a bit of an issue as it is smoking a bit more that is usual these days. This unit was once an AC6000CW, a 6000 HP unit from the late 90s. When the 6000 HP experiment was essentially deemed a failure (for both GE and EMD), the existing AC6000CWs were downgraded to 4400 HP. They have many different designations now, depending on where you look. I go with "C44/60AC". Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 108650 Date Shot Photo By Wednesday, June 2, 2021 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed West of Leyden Arvada, CO 591 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific A single SD70ACe brings up the tail end of this east UP coal load as is wraps around the fill into Leyden. The train will enter Bypass 2 at C&S Jct. The inbound crew (currently on the train) will cut out the mid-train swing helpers and leave them on Bypass 1. The outbound crew has been called and will take the train east later in the evening. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 108651 Date Shot Photo By Wednesday, June 2, 2021 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed Coal Creek (MP 23) Arvada, CO 579 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak The eastbound Zephyr wraps around the curve at the base of Coal Creek Canyon, having just descended from Tunnel 1. Mother nature can sometimes be cruel. I had selected this location because it is one of the few spots on the Moffat where you can get an eastbound headed into the sunlight in the evenings. Of course, two minutes before the Zephyr showed up, a large, fluffy cloud floated by and obscured the sun. Two minutes after the Zephyr was gone, the cloud cleared. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture. Photo ID: 108652 Date Shot Photo By Wednesday, June 2, 2021 Kevin Morgan Location Times Viewed CP DS016 (East Rocky) Arvada, CO 565 (Add a Comment) Subdivision Railroad Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak The eastbound Zephyr rushes away from the Rocky Mountains and the rapidly setting sun in order to reach Denver and continue on to points east toward Chicago. The just passes a Clear (green) signal at east Rocky and is now headed in to Barbara's Gulch. While you probably cannot tell at first glance in this shot, but the lead unit was one of the 44 P40DCs Amtrak took delivery on. It has since been upgraded to P42DC specs, but it still wears the number of a P40. Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster or add a comment to the picture.