Fog begins to lift as the California Zephyr makes a steady climb threading through the numerous tunnels of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains after leaving Denver.

Amtrak No. 5 heads west out of Plainview, Colorado, on the morning of May 14, 2017. The train is passing through Tunnel 3 in a series of tunnels that penetrate the unique Flatiron rock formations,... (more)

Rio Grande 5504 heads Eastbound at Plainview with a loaded coal train just after Sunrise.

On September 21, 2001, the American Orient Express luxury cruise train heads westbound through the Flatiron rock formations into Tunnel 3 and the heart of the “Tunnel District” on Union Pacifi... (more)

A Union Pacific coal empty climbs toward Plainview, Colorado, and is about to enter Tunnel 1 on January 21, 2006.

The Rio Grande Ski Train approaches milepost 23 east of Plainview, Colorado, on the afternoon of April 1, 2001. Early spring storms are moving east as the passenger train exits Tunnel 1 (bored thr... (more)

Union Pacific MDVRO approaches Tunnel 1 just east of Plainview, Colorado, on January 21, 2006. Two EMD SD70Ms sandwich a GE C40-8 on the manifest freight bound for Roper Yard in Salt Lake City.

Approaching Tunnel 1, the Rio Grande Ski Train marches up the Moffat Tunnel Subdivision east of Plainview, Colorado, on the morning of January 7, 2001. Pinch-hitting for ailing F40PH No. 242 on to... (more)

Amtrak’s westbound California Zephyr climbs toward Tunnel 1 east of Plainview, Colorado, on the early spring day of April 9, 2001.

The BNSF trackage rights train continues to make its descent towards Denver as it rides the dynamic brakes through the east end of Plain siding. Currently riding along at over 6500 feet above sea... (more)

Union Pacific’s MNYRO (North Yard in Denver to Salt Lake City’s Roper Yard) manifest freight climbs out of Tunnel 1 just east of Plainview, Colorado, on June 16, 2001.

5386 heads up an assortment of Rio Grande, Burlington Northern and Southern Pacific engines which was commonplace on the Coletto Creek coal trains. This empty coal train is seen heading West towa... (more)

Union Pacific’s MNYRO (North Yard, Denver to Roper Yard, Salt Lake City) freight climbs the grade at the mouth of Coal Creek Canyon east of Plainview, Colorado, on a snowy February 2, 2014.

Threading the Flatirons, an eastbound Rio Grande coal train drops through Tunnels 2, 3, and 4. Only one more tunnel remains, but there’s still a lot of vertical descent between here and Denver.

Helpers on an eastbound Rio Grande coal drag have completed their work, and are along for the ride as the train descends through Plainview, Colorado.