A brakeman stands on the platform of the covered hopper to protect the reverse move of the West Local back to the mainline at Rocky. It is passes by Rocky Flats Lake, also known as Francis Smart Reservoir.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The West Local backs down the south leg of the wye on the Rocky Spur with a single covered hopper. GP40-2s are still pretty common in 2023, but it is really great to see GP15-1s are still roaming the rails as well. The Moffat mainline crosses the mountain in the background, from Tunnel 1 to Tunnel 8.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The Lonely Local In the open space surrounding the former Rocky Flat plant, the West Local prepares to back down the south leg of the wye to the main track at Rocky. A single covered hopper is the only car the local is taking back to Denver on this Wednesday.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Amongst the weeds, the West Local heads toward the east switch on the wye on the Rocky Spur. The brakeman stands ready to throw the switch to reverse down the south leg of the wye. Back in the distance, you can clearly see the mainline at East Plain.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The West Local is on the north leg of the wye just south of the road that used to be the west entrance to Rocky Flats. If you know where to look in the background, you can see Tunnel 4 quite clearly on the mainline!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The West Local starts around the north leg of the wye on the Rocky Flats Industrial Lead. It will soon back down the south leg on the right, and continue backing down the spur until it reaches the main track back at Rocky.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A GP40-2 and a GP15-1 are the power on the West Local today. The two units have picked up one single covered hopper from the aggregate plant at the north end of the Rocky Spur. The train will wye before back down to the main at Rocky.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The West Local has picked up a single covered hopper on the Rocky Spur. The only car it needs to pick up on this particular trip west of North Yard.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A brakeman on the West Local walks along a single hopper to ensure that the wheels are not chalked before the train heads back to the main track.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
There is a single covered hopper waiting to be picked up at the aggregate plant at the north end of the spur, about four miles north of the mainline.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
There are several industries along the Rocky Flats Industrial Lead, but only one is served by rail. A pair of geeps pass Colorado Wood and Metal on the way to the plant at the north end.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
UP 1507 heads away from the camera toward the aggregate plant at the north end of the Rocky Spur. You can see the main building of the plant in the background on the left side of the frame.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A pair of light units head north past a quarry toward the aggregate industry at the north end of the spur.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The West Local approaches the derail that protects the mainline at Rocky from the Rocky Flats Industrial Lead. The two geeps spotted three cars at the far end of the spur, located about four miles to the north. They have received authority from the dispatcher to re-enter the mainline and head east back to North Yard.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A pair of GP40-2s approaches the steepest part of the Rocky Flats Industrial Lead. The grade down the hill to rejoin the main at Rocky is a very steep 8%. The two geeps can handle the grade without issue. Even with a handful of cars, the steep grade can be managed.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
