A UP oil train, with four elephant-style units on the head end, is preparing to depart Rocky westbound after spending the day here after one of the unit developed issues shortly after leaving Denver. Meanwhile, an eastbound loaded oil train glides east on the main at Eisele (Clay) above.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
A fresh crew for UP 7877 was recently dropped off and the conductor just finished removing the hand brakes from some of the cars on the train. He has returned to the head end and is giving an eastbound BNSF manifest a roll by before climbing up into the cab. It is a cold day for untying hand brakes, with the temperature a rather frigid 12°F (-11°C).
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
This westbound UP oil empty arrived here at Rocky almost 10 hours ago, shortly after 6am. Due to power issues, the train sat at Rocky for about six hours. A new unit was brought out and was added to the fourth spot on the head end.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
In between the running of trains, railroads have a rather large contingent of maintenance personnel. Many of them use hi-rail trucks to drive on the rails and ensure the track is in shape. One such UP MOW hi-rail truck is headed east on Bypass 2 in the OS at Pecos, headed for Broadway.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
There is a smattering of power hanging out in North Yard this morning. A fairly common view for 2025, all-in-all. Off in the distance on the switch lead is a remote switching job.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
One of my personal favorite perspective from Big Ten Curve. Three units, lead UP's MNYGJ, the thrice-weekly manifest on the climb around Big Ten.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The engineer is throttling up UP 7052, resulting a bit of extra exhaust being kick up as the MNYGJ starts to bit into the roughly 2% grade on the climb to Big Ten Curve. This is the first daylight run of the MNYGJ on the east slope of the Moffat that I have seen in just over a year. The train almost always departs North Yard in the darkest hours of the night.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
UP 5559 is designated as a C44AC-CTE. It is essentially an AC4400CW that has some computer upgrades that UP got from Wabtec when ordering these units. Many of these units are being rebuilt by UP into C44ACMs, but UP 5559 has not yet had its turn at the shop.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
UP 4363 is a Phase 1 SD70M. It was part of the largest single locomotive order at the time, one of 1,000 SD70Ms UP ordered from EMD. Many of those SD70Ms are now in long term storage, but many still roam the rails.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Roster shot of UP 7052. Originally built as a C44/60AC, and designed to be upgraded to 6000 HP, it has now been rebuilt by UP and is designated as a C44ACM. After a brief push for 6000 HP in the 1990s, 4400 HP has pretty well become the standard horsepower for the last 25 years.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
From slightly below track level, we look up at UP's MNYGJ, Manifest from North Yard to Grand Junction. It just about to start continuing the journey west after the westbound Zephyr overtook it here in the siding.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
It would seem that BNSF has successfully captured a majority of the manifest traffic that runs over the Moffat. UP's MNYGJ and MGJNY are, more often than not, quite short these days. Such is the case this morning as the MNYGJ sits in the siding at Rocky with only 30 cars in tow.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The only westbound manifest UP runs on the Moffat is the MNYGJ. Typically, it departs North Yard in the darkest hours of the night. However, for whatever reason, it apparently departed North Yard late today and took the siding at Rocky so that the Zephyr could overtake it.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
UP 9715 is a C44-9W that has been in long term storage in Grand Junction. It is likely going to be rebuilt as a C44ACM and put back into active service.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
UP 9738 is a C44-9W that has been in long term storage in Grand Junction. It is likely going to be rebuilt as a C44ACM and put back into active service.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
