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Photo ID: 109393
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Little Ten Curve (MP 18.7 to MP 18.9)
Arvada, CO
668
(1 Comment Posted)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
This is a shot that I've imaged trying to get before, but never actually thought I'd get the chance! At first, the picture may not appear to be anything particularly special. The eastbound Zephyr coming through Little Ten Curve on the main at Rocky. But if you look again, toward the top of the shot, you'll see the westbound Zephyr exiting Tunnel 1 on its way west.

The eastbound Zephyr here is running almost 16 hours late and the two Zephyrs met at Eisele (Clay). After a quick meet, the eastbound Zephyr was at Little Ten at the westbound Zephyr departed Tunnel 1 on the approach to Plain.
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Photo ID: 109392
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Big Ten Curve (MP 19.5 to MP 20.2)
Arvada, CO
668
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
In fantastic morning light on a beautiful September morning, the previous day's eastbound California Zephyr, running almost 16 hours late, passes by the hoppers on the inside of Big Ten Curve, making its way east toward Denver.
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Photo ID: 109391
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Eisele (Clay) (5,780 ft)
Arvada, CO
587
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
Both Zephyrs on the eastern slope of the Moffat at the same time is a very rare event. It happens once every 1-2 years on average, and can only happen when one of the train is extremely late. What qualifies for "extremely late"? In this instance, the eastbound Zephyr (facing the camera) is nearly 16 hours late! It was stuck in Nevada for over 12 hours due to the tracks being out of service after massive amounts of rainfall.
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Photo ID: 109390
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Eisele (Clay) (5,780 ft)
Arvada, CO
640
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
The westbound Zephyr accelerates up the grade on the main, moving away from the camera, as a 16-hour late eastbound Zephyr waits for a crew member to board before releasing the brakes and continuing on in to Denver, attempting to make up time where possible.
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Photo ID: 109389
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Eisele (Clay) (5,780 ft)
Arvada, CO
530
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
The westbound Zephyr, moving away from the camera, stopped on the main at Eisele (Clay) to drop off a crewman who then walked to the Transition Sleeper on the eastbound Zephyr. Not entirely sure why he took the ride from Denver out here, but back to Denver he goes! The eastbound Zephyr is running almost 16 hours late due to torrential rains in the Nevada desert taking the tracks out of service.
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Photo ID: 109388
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Eisele (Clay) (5,780 ft)
Arvada, CO
520
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
East meets west...but in a very rare location! An almost 16-hour late Zephyr approaches the camera on the siding at Eisele (Clay) as an on-time westbound Zephyr approaches on the main. If the eastbound Zephyr was not late, these Zephyrs would have met somewhere in the middle of the night in the Nebraska plains, hundreds of miles to the east.
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Photo ID: 109387
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
CP DS022 (West Eiesle (Clay))
Arvada, CO
543
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
It is exceptionally rare to catch the eastbound Zephyr with glorious morning light on the east slope of the Moffat. One of those exceptional morning came this morning though as the eastbound Zephyr is almost 16 hours late! It got stuck in the Nevada desert as the tracks were blocked due to torrential rains.
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Photo ID: 109386
Date Shot
Photo By
Tuesday, September 5, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
CP DS022 (West Eiesle (Clay))
Arvada, CO
691
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Amtrak
At the west switch of Eisele (Clay), a very late eastbound Zephyr knocks down a Diverging Approach (red over yellow) signal and gets read to take the siding. The almost 16-hour late Zephyr is meeting its westbound counterpart.
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Photo ID: 109385
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, September 3, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Tunnel 1 (MP 23.4, 366 ft)
Arvada, CO
480
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer, Union Pacific
The landscape around Tunnel 1, three days in to September, is actually quite green still. Within the next month, the terrain should really start to transform with fall colors. At least, in the areas where fall colors are applicable with deciduous trees.
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Photo ID: 109384
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, September 3, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Tunnel 1 (MP 23.4, 366 ft)
Arvada, CO
523
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer, Union Pacific
The westbound Rocky Mountaineer rounds the curve toward the east portal of Tunnel 1 as it continues its journey to Glenwood Springs. Once there, the train will stop overnight and passengers will sleep at the Hotel Denver. Tomorrow, it will continue to Moab, UT.
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Photo ID: 109383
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, September 3, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Coal Creek (MP 23)
Arvada, CO
699
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer, Union Pacific
This scene has changed significantly in the past year, and is going to continue to change in the coming year. UP 4927 leads the westbound Rocky Mountaineer up the grade toward Tunnel 1. In the background, preparation continues for the construction of the Canyon Pines subdivision, a new neighborhood of single family homes.
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Photo ID: 109382
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, September 3, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
Blue Mountain Drive (MP 22.43)
Arvada, CO
473
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer, Union Pacific
Just east of the grade crossing at Blue Mountain Road, the Rocky Mountaineer slowly makes its way west. Even though the train is over an hour later than normal, it is still rolling slowly west, giving its passengers the opportunity to enjoy the Colorado scenery outside the train.
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Photo ID: 109381
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, September 3, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
CP DS003 (Utah Junction)
Denver, CO
515
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer, Union Pacific
A pair of UP SD70Ms pass underneath the still-standing signal bridge with classic searchlight signals on it at Utah Jct. The standard Rocky Mountaineer power is currently be worked on, so UP has leased the SD70Ms as substitute power. To UP's credit, they found some very clean and nice looking SD70Ms.
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Photo ID: 109380
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, September 3, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
CP DS003 (Utah Junction)
Denver, CO
499
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer, Union Pacific
After a rare move that saw the Rocky Mountaineer back down the Belt Line and in to North Yard, the train is now moving forward again, pulling out of North Yard and crossing over the North Yard siding to Main 3 for the trip west over the Moffat to Moab.
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Photo ID: 109379
Date Shot
Photo By
Sunday, September 3, 2023 Kevin Morgan
Location
Times Viewed
CP DS003 (Utah Junction)
Denver, CO
507
(Add a Comment)
Subdivision
Railroad
Moffat Tunnel (UP) Rocky Mountaineer, Union Pacific
The westbound Rocky Mountaineer, with a pair of SD70Ms for power, pulls out of North Yard, ready to head west on Main 3 toward the Moffat. The classic signal bridge at Utah Jct, still stands in 2023.
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