Just east of the east switch of Flat, the eastbound Canyon Spirit is moving along at about 55 MPH, several dozen feet above US-40, which is down at to the left, out of the frame. The SD70Ms that the Canyon Spirit are borrowing from Union Pacific don't necessarily look the best, but it is great that they have an option available so the train can continue to run.
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At the intermediate signal between Gore and Troublesome, the eastbound Canyon Spirit is on the move with a green signal. A few weeks back, the train struck an oil tar truck in Rifle, CO, damaging the two Canyon Spirit GP40-3s. Until repairs on those have been completed, the train is leasing two SD70Ms from Union Pacific.
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The eastbound Canyon Spirit makes its way across Blue Mountain Drive by the Coal Creek fire station. It is a very pleasant afternoon, despite the overcast skies. Later in the week, the forecast is showing as much as 6-10" of snow might fall!
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RMRX 8021 leads the eastbound Canyon Spirit through the cut just east of the CO-72 overpass at the base of Coal Creek Canyon. You can see the power car at the end of the train, just clearing the bridge.
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Unlike the California Zephyr, which is always trying to make track speed in order to stay on schedule, the Canyon Spirit typically runs below track speed, to extend the length of the trip and allow passengers to enjoy the incredible views they've spent a lot of money on to see. Here, the Canyon Spirit is descending from Tunnel 1 at about 15 MPH.
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The eastbound Canyon Spirit has emerged from Tunnel 1, and is slowly descending the 2% grade toward the base of Coal Creek Canyon and the numerous S-curves ahead. In the distance, you can see the skyline of downtown Denver, where the train will ultimately stop and allow passengers to detrain.
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The last shot of the day for me came here at Blue Mountain Drive as the Canyon Spirit passes by, headed east toward Denver. This is the sixth season the train has been running over the Moffat now, and, based on their website, it looks like 2026 should be a pretty good season once again.
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The eastbound Canyon Spirit is just passing by the hotbox detector (HBD) at milepost 22.6. The detector will provide an audible readout of information, including the number of recorded axles, train speed, and outdoor temperature. It would reveal that the train is slowly meandering along at 12 MPH.
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The Canyon Spirit crosses over CO-72 at the base of Coal Creek Canyon. You can see the east portal of Tunnel 1 in the top-right section of the shot.
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One things that is not always immediately obvious when seeing shots of the nose of the GP40-3s on the Canyon spirit is that the shield/logo on the nose is not actually on the nose! It is a physical shield mounted ahead of the hand rails, above the anti-climber. You can clearly see it in this shot. The nose itself is just blue. Here, the Canyon Spirit is just east of Tunnel 1, descended toward the base of Coal Creek Canyon.
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Not sure if it was due to Union Pacific slow order, mechanical issues, or just a choice to provide passengers longer views, but the Canyon Spirit was rolling along at 12 MPH here just east of Tunnel 1. One of the great things about the Canyon Spirit is that passengers are allowed to actually open vestibule doors and look out. A practice that Amtrak banned years ago.
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The Canyon Spirit rolls by the new Canyon Pines neighborhood, annexed by the City of Arvada about a decade ago. While roads are all complete for the neighborhood, no construction on any houses has actually started yet. The Canyon Spirit is coming up to the west portal of Tunnel 1. Eventually, a few houses will be located atop of Tunnel 1 (though north of the actual rails).
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Just east of Plain, the eastbound Canyon Spirit is on the move and approaching Tunnel 1. Way off in the distance, you can see the Valmont Power Station. The power plant shut down its last coal generator in 2017. It now has solar arrays onsite, and a natural gas generator that can provide 70 MW during peak demands. Although you cannot see it, the BNSF Front Range Sub runs right by the reservoir.
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In the foreground (to the right), you can see the main and siding at Plain. However, in the distance, center frame, you can see the headlights of the eastbound Canyon Spirit as it emerges from Tunnel 4.
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I could not have asked for a better day for getting some shots along the Moffat. Barely a cloud in the sky and temperatures right around 55°F (13°C) as the Canyon Spirit rolls by on the main at Cliff.
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