|
|
|
| West to Plain |
The Siding of Clay is located at milepost 21.2 on the Moffat Tunnel Subdivision. There are three sidings that fall in close proximity to one another before heading west into the tunnel district. Rocky, Clay, and Plain are all within six (track) miles of each other. The only thing between the west end of Rocky and the east end of Clay is Big Ten Curve. There is only one "block" between the two sidings and no intermediate signals. Clay was once named "Fireclay", so named because of the red fireclay that can be found along the mountains here. In the days of the Denver & Salt Lake, the small town of Fireclay could be found just above Big Ten Curve.
Clay runs along a relatively narrow ledge right along the bottom of the Rocky Mountains. Clay is not a particularly long siding, but even when coal trains will fit, they are seldomly sent into the siding. The ground beneath Clay is very soft and easily to sinking. For this reason, coal trains stay on the mainline, which is further away from the slope.
Picture 1
After coming out of Big Ten Curve, trains are heading geographic north and
directly into Clay. Here is a shot of the east end of clay. Notice that the
block signal is facing more to the southeast, away from the tracks. This is
for the benefit of trains coming up from Big Ten. Before curving around to
the north into Clay, trains can see the signal at the east end.
Picture 2
The east switch of Clay is seen here. Note the condition of the mainline
compared to the condition of the siding. The siding is definitely one of the
lesser used sidings and the rail reflects that. Some of the rail on the
siding is dated 1950!!
Picture 3
This shot looks down along the back end of the points of the east switch
of the siding. The rusty surface of the rail running into the siding (the
rail on the right at the bottom) reflects again the lack of use that Clay
receives.
Picture 4
Looking back to the east, the curve leading out of Big Ten and into Clay
can be seen. In the distance, above the tracks in the background, southwest
Metro Denver can be seen.
Picture 5
Clay is deceptively straight. Many people assume that, running along the
side of a mountain, the siding would have a large number of curves. However,
much of Clay is perfectly straight, as in this picture.
The area around Big Ten is a truly fascinating area area, with literally dozens of photo opportunities to capture trains snaking their way up from the plains and into the Rocky Mountains. By foot (which requires some hiking), Clay is less than 2,000 feet away from Rocky, although you would never know it from the 3 miles separating them in the timetable, which is of course by track.
Picture 6
In this picture, we are on the hill above the east end of Clay. In the middle
of the picture is a shot of the tracks ascending from Rocky and heading into
Big Ten Curve. In the distance towards the right side of the picture is Stanley
Lake in Arvada and Westminster.
Picture 7
The curves at Big Ten are some of the most spectacular curves anywhere. While
they may not be quite like Tehachapi, they are still something to behold. In this
shot, the siding at Clay is in the foreground. In the background, much lower
in elevation, is Rocky! Specifically, Little Ten curve.
Picture 8
There is a lot of ballast at Clay due to its relative instability. Clay (the dirt)
is of course very soft and therefore doesn't work as the basis for rail lines very
well. As a result, ballast is used to help compensate.
Picture 9
Moving toward the west end of the siding, the longest curve of Clay is found. Just
to the right of this picture, there is an antenna array. The array can clearly be
seen from highway 72 when driving west toward Coal Creek Canyon.
Picture 10
Picture 11
Picture 12
Picture 13
Picture 14
Picture 15
CLAY STATISTICS
EAST SIGNALS
WEST SIGNALS
Subdivision.. Moffat Tunnel
Milepost..... 21.1
Length....... 5,780 feet
Speed........ 25-25
Dispatcher... UP 82, Omaha
Frequency.... 160.455 (repeater: 452.900)
House Track.. None
Branches..... None
Grade Xing... None
Access Road.. None
Westbound......... Always On
Eastbound Main.... Approach Lit
Eastbound Siding.. Approach Lit
Eastbound......... Always On
Westbound Main.... Always On
Westbound Siding.. Always On