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Photo ID: 113571
Date Shot
Photo By
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Eisele to Plain (MP 21.8 to MP 24.0)
Arvada, CO
8
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
This morning's Zephyr is almost two hours late after a delay in Denver. The lead unit on the Zephyr, AMTK 150, was taken from the Winter Park Express power. It is unclear why it was necessary to swap power. It is possible that AMTK 150 is due for a 92-day inspection and, as a result, had to be swapped and sent west to Emeryville. In any case, the Zephyr is just west of Tunnel 1, coming up to Plain.
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Photo ID: 113572
Date Shot
Photo By
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
CP DS024 (East Plain)
Arvada, CO
8
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
When The Zephyr left Chicago, it was led by AMTK 4 and AMTK 5. AMTK 4 was swapped for AMTK 150 in Denver, resulting in a roughly two hour delay. It is unclear if AMTK 4 had a mechanical issue, or it was just swapped with AMTK 150, and AMTK 4 will show up on the Winter Park Express tomorrow morning.
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Photo ID: 113573
Date Shot
Photo By
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Plain (6,530 ft)
Arvada, CO
7
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific
UP's MGJNY descended the first half of the east slope of the Moffat quite early this morning. However, the train has a relatively low "blow over" speed, meaning it is highly susceptible to high winds. It has been a morning of high winds, in excess of 55 MPH, on Big Ten. So, DS-378 held the manifest here in the siding at Plain. The wind speeds have died down, and it is time to slowly continue in to Denver. The train is around 7,000 feet long, and has a lot of power on the head end.
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Photo ID: 113574
Date Shot
Photo By
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Plain (6,530 ft)
Arvada, CO
6
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific
A former Southern Pacific GP40-2 is due for its 92-day inspection. It has been serving in Grand Junction, in the yard and/or on locals. With the closure of engine facilities in Denver, the unit will have to be forwarded on to North Platte for its inspection. This morning, it is deadheading on the head end of the MGJNY. The unit was originally delivered to Espee in February 1978.
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Photo ID: 113575
Date Shot
Photo By
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Leyden (7,020ft)
Arvada, CO
7
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific
It has taken nearly an hour for UP's MGJNY to get from Plain to down Leyden. It has been moving along at an average speed of about 10 miles per hour due to high winds. The train has a relatively low "blow over" speed. Consequently, the train has been moving along very slowly, to minimize any potential derailment. Fortunately, everything was totally fine for the train. Nearly all the structures in this frame were built within the last 25 years as the suburb of Arvada continues to expand to the west.
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Photo ID: 113576
Date Shot
Photo By
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Leyden (7,020ft)
Arvada, CO
7
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific
The thrice-weekly MGJNY, with seven units on the point (including a GP40-2) heads east on the main track at Leyden. The train has been moving along at 10 MPH since Plain, due to high winds in the area. However, it will be able to pick up a little more speed after departing Leyden, for the remaining 8 miles or so to North Yard.
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