|
|
|
|
Friday, September 13, 2024
|
Kevin Morgan
|
|
|
Crescent to Cliff (MP 31.8 to MP 36.7)
Boulder County, CO
|
35 (Add a Comment)
|
|
|
Moffat Tunnel (UP)
|
BNSF
|
Just west of the siding of Crescent, deep in the middle of the Tunnel District, a westbound oil train curves toward the east portal of Tunnel 19, just out of view to the left. The train crosses one of dozens of fills in place to accommodate the rails here in the Colorado Rockies. Off in the distance, you can see the dam the creates Gross Reservoir. Indeed, the dam is currently undergoing a project to raise its height by 131 feet. If you look closely, you can see some climbing cranes on the scene, being used in the construction.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friday, September 13, 2024
|
Kevin Morgan
|
|
|
CP DS019 (West Rocky)
Arvada, CO
|
33 (Add a Comment)
|
|
|
Moffat Tunnel (UP)
|
BNSF
|
In 2024, mainline locomotives almost universally have around 4,400 horsepower. As a result, fewer units are typically needed on the head end of trains. Whereas 5 or 6 units was not uncommon 40 years ago, 2 or 3 is often then case in 2024. So, it is rather cool to come across a train like this, with 6 units on the head end. These units will be distributed throughout this oil train for the trip east, when the (loaded) train is far heavier than the current empty.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
|
Kevin Morgan
|
|
|
Little Ten Curve (MP 18.7 to MP 18.9)
Arvada, CO
|
31 (Add a Comment)
|
|
|
Moffat Tunnel (UP)
|
BNSF
|
Perhaps the coal train that most common coal train to make appearances on the Moffat in 2024 is this westbound BNSF coal load. BNSF has a contract with the Valmy power plant in northern Nevada. The coal train loads in the Power River Basin, and then runs over the former Grande from Denver to Salt Lake City. Five years ago, I certainly never thought I'd see a westbound coal load on the Moffat once, let alone on a regular basis!
On this afternoon, the coal load stalled out climbing Big Ten due to a power issue. The train backed down into the siding at Rocky. The issue has been resolved, but the train has to wait for the Rocky Mountaineer before continuing west.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
|
Kevin Morgan
|
|
|
Rocky (7,330ft)
Arvada, CO
|
41 (Add a Comment)
|
|
|
Moffat Tunnel (UP)
|
BNSF
|
Two SD70ACes and an AC4400CW bring up the tail end a loaded BNSF coal train. The train met a Provo-Denver manifest that had no crew onboard at the time. You can see the derail is set in the foreground. The train is tied down and waiting for a relief crew, which is already been called. The train will be headed for Denver in another 90 minutes or so.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
|
Kevin Morgan
|
|
|
Barbara's Gulch (MP 15.9 to MP 17.2)
Arvada, CO
|
39 (Add a Comment)
|
|
|
Moffat Tunnel (UP)
|
BNSF
|
In the narrowest part of Barbara's Gulch, BNSF 8780 leads two other units on a heavy, loaded coal train. When BNSF sends units west on a train to Utah, they typically return to Denver fairly quickly. BNSF 8780 led the Denver-Provo west out of Denver just five days earlier. The train must have made it to Provo, and the unit immediately sent back on a Provo-Denver. With this coal load going to Nevada, it'll probably be a bit longer before this unit is back in Denver.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
|
Kevin Morgan
|
|
|
Rocky (7,330ft)
Arvada, CO
|
36 (Add a Comment)
|
|
|
Moffat Tunnel (UP)
|
BNSF
|
A trio of similarly-numbered ES44ACs are the power on the Provo-Denver this morning. Alas, the crew had to tie the train down here at Rocky as BNSF's 31st Street Yard said there was "no room at the inn" for the train, despite the crew having nearly an hour left on the clock. So, the train will wait here until a relief crew is available (and space is available in the yard) for the train to continue east.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|