Part III Sand Train. The work of getting a tonnage train over the mountains can be a challenge in the best of conditions, when things are not working rite it becomes far worse. This westbound sand train is on its second attempt to make the climb thru the Tunnel District. The first attempt the train stalled at Tunnel 8 and had to back into Plainview. The conductor tied brakes on the rear to help control the speed on the back-up move. Working this mountain it is always safety first! Upon arrival at Plain, a very late Amtrak ran around the problem train. The conductor of the 11000 ton sand train reset the ailing SD70 Mac on the rear. After knocking off the brakes the crew decided to try the climb again. After a long wait the train finally passed my location here at South Draw in heart of the Tunnel District. The train moving past me never made more than 4 mph, the exhaust from the rear helper set can be seen rising near the location of Tunnel 13. On the approach to Crescent the train stalled a second time on the flange oiler. By this time the BNSF Denver-Provo manifest was comming up behind the sand train and stopped at Tunnel 13. Eastbound Amtrak now was approaching Crescent. Due to train makeup the manifest could not shove the sand train. The decision was made to back the manifest to Rocky. The sand train would then back to Plainview a second time, and wait for two rescue locomotives out of Denver. Mountain Railroading!
