UP 1989 has made a couple trips west to Grand Junction on the MNYRO in the last few weeks, typically returning to Denver a day or so later on the MRONY. Hopefully, considering the fact it is facing east, UP 1989 will return to Denver on the point of an eastbound.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
It seems that the Denver Power Desk is finally trying to break UP 1989 out of its nocturnal ways! Here, UP 1989 is the fourth unit on the MNYRO. The good thing about this position is that it looks all set to lead a train back east after reaching Grand Junction.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Shortly after 8:00pm, UP's MRONY heads east out of Rocky through Barbara's Gulch. The light was all but gone at this point, so I setup for a "watch the train blur by" shot. UP 1989 was the second unit on the consist, as you can somewhat see in the shot.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
This shot is remarkably similar to one that I snapped a few weeks earlier at the exact same spot. The time of day - almost 8:00pm - limited the options for places to take this shot. After spending a day on the western slope, UP 1989 comes back to Denver on the MRONY-02.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The MNYRO is approaching the west end of Barbara's Gulch where the train will find a green signal at the east end of Rocky. It seems appropriate that a UP unit, the DRGW Heritage unit, and a (patched) Espee unit lead up the train. Now if the Heritage unit was on the point and the Espee unit wasn't patched, that'd be a whole lot better!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Union Pacific has done a pretty darn good job in keeping the Heritage Unit clean (at least most of the time). It has been almost three years since UP 1989 was uncovered and it still looks as good as it did for its first run west on the Moffat.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Almost a mile west of Leyden, along CO-72, six units are leading up the MNYRO on its journey west. The Rio Grande Heritage Unit just got a wash two days earlier, so it definitely stands out!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A look at the tail end (and "properly-lit") side of UP 1989. It is sitting on the siding at Brighton, waiting for is Operation Lifesaver train to continue its days work.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The DRGW Heritage Unit is working an Operation Lifesaver train on the Greeley Sub on this particular day. The day before, the unit went to Burnham and got a top-to-bottom cleaning for the event!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
After completing their work at Chem Spur, the West Local has no cars to take west to Rocky. However, the light power will head up there to switch some hoppers around on the Rocky Spur.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Can't go wrong with that light package! True, the MARS light is missing, but the class lights are still in place. The brakeman heads toward the derail to realign it after the light power is back on the main.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
After completing their switching, the West Local is coming back down off the Chem Spur to join up with the mainline. The rainy day was helpful in brining out the surrounding colors!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
After completing the spotting of cars at Mesa Oil, the West Local - now consisting of light power - heads back toward the main. You can really see the grade on the spur, which the power is starting to descend down.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The West Local backs up on Chem Spur, spotting some cars at Mesa Oil. I took this shot to show the distance between the spur and the facility in the distance.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The West Local (formerly the Rocky Local) switches tank cars on Chem Spur at Mesa Oil. I've wanted to try to catch the local here for nearly ten years, so I was happy to finally get my day. Great power to boot.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
