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Photo ID: 113643
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Coal Creek Canyon (MP 22.8 to MP 23.4)
Arvada, CO
1
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Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
The morning Zephyr is just about on time as it wraps around the base of Coal Creek Canyon, on the climb toward Tunnel 1. This is a bit of a different view of this location, as the camera is located up at Tunnel 1.
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Photo ID: 113644
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Tunnel 1 (MP 23.4, 366 ft)
Arvada, CO
1
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
A scene that has been repeated thousands of times over the years, the westbound Zephyr emerges from the west portal of Tunnel 1, on its journey west toward Emeryville, CA.
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Photo ID: 113645
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Eisele to Plain (MP 21.8 to MP 24.0)
Arvada, CO
2
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
This Tuesday morning started with overcast skies that would eventually clear up for some sun. The clouds actually added some nice dynamics in this shot of the westbound Zephyr, which just left Tunnel 1 and is approaching the east switch of Plain around the bend to the west.
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Photo ID: 113646
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
1
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer
Today is the first revenue run of the Rocky Mountaineer for the 2026 season. One thing you might immediately note is that the train has actually be rebranded this year as the Canyon Spirit. The train, which is climbing Big Ten Curve, has expanded its service and is now running from Denver all the way to Salt Lake City (and back), making one round trip every six days. The train departs Denver west on Tuesdays and returns to Denver the following Sunday. It will not run at all on Mondays.
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Photo ID: 113647
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
2
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer
Black and white seemed appropriate for this morning shot of the westbound Canyon Spirit, as it leaves Big Ten Curve behind, and heads toward a green signal at the east switch of Eisele. The mesa in the background is North Table Mesa, on the north side of the town of Golden.
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Photo ID: 113648
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
CP DS020 (East Eisele (Clay))
Arvada, CO
2
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer
The Canyon Spirit had a 10 MPH slow order coming around a part of Big Ten Curve. Now that the train is at Eisele (Clay), the slow order is behind the train, and the engineer has throttled up to speed back up. The Canyon Spirit GP40-3s acknowledge the throttle command by kicking up some exhaust!
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Photo ID: 113649
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
CP DS022 (West Eiesle (Clay))
Arvada, CO
1
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer
I really like the new paint scheme for the Canyon Spirit, as seen here at the west end of Eisele (Clay). The change from Rocky Mountaineer to Canyon Spirit is not a huge one. But the "Canyon Spirit" logo on the cab and cars looks very nice.
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Photo ID: 113650
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Eisele to Plain (MP 21.8 to MP 24.0)
Arvada, CO
1
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer
One of my personal favorite aspects of having the Canyon Spirit running on the Moffat is the power. Having the unique passenger train is certainly great, but as a railfan that grew up with Rio Grande in the 1980s, seeing class EMD spartan cabs makes me very happy. Here, the Canyon Spirit has emerged from Tunnel 1 and is continuing west toward Plain.
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Photo ID: 113651
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Eisele to Plain (MP 21.8 to MP 24.0)
Arvada, CO
1
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer
Both Canyon Spirit GP40-3s were mechanically good to go to start the 2026 season. Under overcast skies, the first revenue run of the Canyon Spirit rolls west of Tunnel 1, headed for Glenwood Springs today. The train departs Denver on Tuesdays and stays overnight in Glenwood Springs. On Wednesdays, it continues to Moab, UT. On Thursdays, it now continues west to Salt Lake City, UT (running over Soldier Summit). Fridays, it starts the return journey and stays in Moab again. Saturdays, it'll go east to Glenwood Springs, and Sundays, it returns to Denver. It does not run on Mondays.
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Photo ID: 113652
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Tunnel 1 (MP 23.4, 366 ft)
Arvada, CO
1
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Union Pacific
A Union Pacific Officer's Special rolls east toward the west portal of Tunnel 1. The 12-car train arrived in Fraser, CO on Sunday and stayed there until this morning, when some special passengers boarded. Among the passengers is Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena.
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