Posted By Terry Ten Eyck On Friday, September 12, 2025 At 6:51:02 PM (PT)
Kevin captured the iconic UP 1989 over Indiana Street (Highway 72) above the recycled steel deck plate girder that originally was a part of the 256’ long Coal Creek Steel Trestle. Bridge material originally cost $16,800 and was fabricated in 1903 by the Missouri Valley Bridge Co. in Leavenworth, Kansas. The bridge was 57’ high and crossed the Coal Creek Wagon Road and the creek, serving until 1939. Being unable to handle the Rio Grande’s 650,000 pound L-131 class 2-8-8-2’s, the bridge was replaced by an earth fill over a 15’ diameter steel culvert for the creek and a relocated highway overpass. Other recycled portions of the original bridge exist at (a.) the S. H. 72 underpass at Coal Creek, (b.) the Gilpin County Road 16 underpass between Tolland and East Portal and (c.) the first crossing of South Boulder Creek between T-29 and Pine Cliff.
Posted By Webmaster On Tuesday, March 31, 2009 At 8:15:15 PM (PT)
Thanks Steve! As always, you are too kind. Although I do share your sentiments regarding UP 1989 hanging out on the Moffat.
Posted By Steve Walden On Tuesday, March 31, 2009 At 7:30:51 PM (PT)
Oh, you gotta love that shot! May you get many more opportunities to catch this unit here on the head end of the train. Still, for the circumstances, this is a "best-of" picture. Frame and mount it!
