UP 7709 is pulling an empty train of coal hoppers out of Xcel Energy's Cherokee power plant. This is a scene that, supposedly, will not be reproducible by the end of 2014. Xcel is in the process of converting the Cherokee plant to run exclusively on natural gas. Once complete, UP will be losing a major coal customer in Denver!
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After picking up a train of empty coal hoppers at Xcel's Cherokee Power Plant in northeast Denver, the crew on this "Public Service" train is headed for North Yard. Upon arriving, swing power will be added as well as power to the rear end and it will depart west for the Energy Mine on the Craig Branch.
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The MNPNY is nearing the end of its trip from North Platte to North Yard. The train has just entered the Belt Line (from the Greeley Sub) at UP Junction. It is passing underneath Brighton Blvd and the BNSF Brush Sub.
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Okay, who notices something a little strange about this particular picture. Something odd about the power on this loaded coal train. The four units on the point? Well, that is a little unusual? More unusual is the fact that there is an SD70M in the consist. That SD70M has DC traction motors...something that you almost never find on coal trains in the 21st century! The SD70M was added in Grand Junction, although for what reason, I'm not sure.
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It is a beautiful morning as the Ringling Brothers "Red Train" rolls through Denver. The circus was just in Colorado Springs (ending the night before) and the train is passing through Denver on its way to Las Vegas, NV. It will be back in Denver at the end of September and beginning of October, when the circus is actually in town.
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Two Union Pacific units lead up the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Red Circus train near the east end of the Belt Industrial Lead. The crew quarters are up front on the train.
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For the first time (to my knowledge) and for the last time, the Ski Train crosses over the South Platte River on the Belt Industrial Lead. Shortly it will curve north and head up the Greeley Sub toward Cheyenne.
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Rio Grande lettered equipment passing over a Rio Grande lettered bridge! Just as 5371 did 14 months earlier (to the day), the Ski Train passes over York Street on its way out of Denver.
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The Ski Train is on the roll over the grade crossing at Broadway. The train also passes underneath I-25, which can be seen in the distance. Note the FRED in the middle of a flash on the back of the train!
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On its way out of Denver for the last time, the Ski Train holds briefly at Broadway to allow a coal empty to enter Bypass One. Once the empty is in the clear, the Ski Train will start east on the Belt Industrial Lead.
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An eastbound coal load is approaching UP Junction at the end of the Belt Line. The train has a lunar signal and will continue at restricted speed toward the Limon Sub.
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After getting a fresh crew on board, this eastbound coal load is departing Bypass 1 on a clear signal. The train will head for the KP Line (Limon Sub) on its way to Adams, TX. Typically, this coal train would have gone south on the Joint Line, but is being re-routed due to a derailment.
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This is General Electric's demo unit for the ES44DC model. It roams around on various systems and I was really glad that I finally lucked out and caught it as the third unit on the MNYNP!
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This GP38-2 has found second life as a leaser for Helm Leasing. It was the second unit out on the MNYNP, headed for North Platte, NE.
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Talk about a colorful consist on the MNYNP! Out of the five units, only one of the five is actually Union Pacific. Note the third unit, GECX 2011, General Electric's ES44DC demo unit.
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