The UP had a coal branch that ran south of Grand Junction, CO, out to Hawksnet, CO. The branch was 91 miles long and was built in 1902. The DRGW/SP/UP used it as a coal branch out to a few mines like Bowie and Somerset. The line usually always had 2 units for power back in 2002. Between Grand Jct and Delta (50 miles) the track ran along a mainly secluded Gunnison River Valley. The valley had a few access spot like this one Roubideau.
The branch now days is hurting for business as coal has drop in demand. Back in 2002 a northbound coal load winds thru the valley with 2 SP-AC's. The SP 100's didn't have distribute power radios in them, so they were used more on this branch if possible.
