A single SD40-2 sits outside the north end of the North Yard engine shop. UP has moved virtually all maintenance to North Platte, NE, so only the most basic maintenance is now conducted here in Denver.
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A 20 to 30 foot section of the Rocky Spur is missing just south (west) of the CO-72 grade crossing. This is likely due to the commercial construction taking place in the area. This means that the five covered hoppers you see in the distance are currently completely isolated as the track is also severed near the CO-93 grade crossing.
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Five covered hoppers sit on the Rocky Spur, east of a 50 foot gap in the rails. It appears that a ditch has been dug, perhaps to lay some plumbing. The covered hoppers have been sitting here for several months. Not sure what is going on with the aggregate plant at the north end of the spur.
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Interestingly, I noticed that a 50 foot section of the Rocky Spur (Rocky Flats Industrial Lead) has been removed just east of the CO-93 grade crossing. This appears to have something to do with the commercial construction happening in the area on either side of the spur.
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Just east of the east switch of Rocky, this UP oil train is about to dive into Barbara's Gulch and will pass underneath the CO-93 overpass. Once arriving on one of the Bypass tracks in Denver, the crew will need to cut out the three mid-train DPUs and then put the train back together. The train will depart east for the KP with a fresh crew and the three units on the head end.
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An eastbound oil train meets a westbound at Rocky, the two trains nearly identical in length. The westbound in the siding has just untied the train and the crew is ready to depart west. UP 5919 has clear (green) signals for the remainder of the trip to town.
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Ten years ago, nobody would have thought that oil trains would bring new life to the Moffat. Yet, that is exactly the case here in 2025. UP and BNSF both seem to be increasing the number of oil trains they are running on the Moffat. A UP example is seen here, rolling east down Big Ten Loop on a frigid February afternoon.
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Three units lead an eastbound oil train through a snow February scene, approaching the west switch of Rocky. There is a westbound empty in the siding at Rocky, so UP 5919 has its headlights dimmed so as not to blind the crew on the westbound.
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A recently rebuilt and repainted C44ACM, UP 5919, leads an eastbound oil load along the south ridge of Big Ten Loop, kicking up a little bit of snow as it rolls along. The train has an interesting power configuration, with three units on the head end, three mid-train DPUs, and nothing on the end.
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UP 5919 leads an eastbound oil train out the east end of Eisele (Clay) on a day that has seen some light snow falling off and on all day. It is only 12°F (-11°C) out today, but the powdered snow sets up a beautiful scene that makes it easy for forget about the cold.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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