Passing through quintessential desert scenery beneath the Book Cliffs, Union Pacific LJP45 “dirt train” local approaches the junction to the Green River Subdivision main line at Mounds, Utah, on t... (more)

On a frigid November 30, 2004, Amtrak train 6, the eastbound California Zephyr, reflects the warm light of a setting sun as it marches across the desert approaching Mounds, Utah.

Lots of picture potential out in the east desert. The problem is finding trains to do it with. If your lucky you might see 3 to 4 train go a across these rail during daylight hours.

As early summer thunderstorms rumble over the Book Cliffs, a trio of Rio Grande SD40T-2 Tunnel Motors, Nos. 5349, 5390 and 5371, head westbound out of Mounds, Utah, with Union Pacific’s LJP45 “dir... (more)

Four Rio Grande EMD SD40T-2 Tunnel Motors bring the westbound Union Pacific LJP45 “dirt train” local into Mounds, Utah, on the sunny afternoon of January 30, 2003. The train is about to enter the ... (more)

An empty "Dirt Train" returns from the disposal site in East Carbon, UT. The train is making good time heading west back to Helper, UT on UP's Green River Sub behind a matched set of th... (more)

A welder cleans up a field weld with a grinder after a large gang of Union Pacific maintenance-of-way workers replaced the frog at the west switch of Mounds, Utah, on the morning of May 11, 2006.

Five EMDs pull a large Union Pacific LJP45 “dirt train” local onto the Sunnyside Branch at Mounds, Utah, on the morning of November 20, 2003. Rio Grande SD40T-2s Nos. 5349, 5371 and 5390 bracket U... (more)

Swinging through the “S” curve at Mounds, Utah, is Union Pacific’s LJP45 local nearing the approach signal for the junction with the main line a trip back Helper on February 5, 2004. Rio Grande EM... (more)

Rio Grande EMD SD40T-2 No. 5371 leaves the desert in a blur west of Mounds, Utah, as Union Pacific’s LJP45 “dirt train” local hurries back home to Helper on February 9, 2006.

Passing weathered hoodoos standing tall out of the desert floor at Mounds, Utah, is Union Pacific’s LJP45 “dirt train” approaching the junction with the Green River Subdivision main line at Mounds... (more)

Rio Grande EMD SD40T-2 No. 5371 flies over Bridge 607.28 east of Wash, Utah, as it leads the “dirt train” out through the desert to the junction with the Sunnyside Branch at Mounds on October 25, ... (more)

A trio of Rio Grande tunnel motors are putting on a show, with the Utah book-cliffs for a backdrop.

The “dirt train” out of Helper approaches the west switch at Mounds, Utah, on November 22, 2003. A light dusting of snow has frosted the remarkable textures of the high desert as Rio Grande Tunnel... (more)

Ribs and rivets
Incredibly bright rays of a desert sunrise at Mounds, Utah, light up the aluminum sides of a coal train on October 6, 2009.