BNSF 580 and caboose sit outside the former Rio Grande station in Grand Junction.

The California Zephyr deadheads a dome ahead of the passenger consist.

Amtrak's California Zephyr makes a station stop in Grand Junction. This is a "smoker" stop, which means time to get up front and grab a shot of the train I'm riding. Ahead, a spectaular sunset i... (more)

Evening before the last D&RGW Rio Grande Zephyr run east. Train had terminated at Grand Jct due to Thistle (Utah) slide closing D&RGW main. DRGW trains were running on UP via Wyoming.

Contrails swirl high above as drag rolls eastbound. Pentax MX; Kodachrome

A classy vest-pocket streamliner still shows her elegant lines deep into the Amtrak era. Pentax MX; Agfachrome

Service for the Rio Grande Zephyr. Pentax MX; Agfachrome

Having arrived almost 30 minutes early (half thanks to schedule buffer), the Eastbound Zephyr's passengers have a chance to catch some fresh air. In the background, BNSF GP60M 159 sits idle.

SP 2475 and DRGW 3105 settle down in Grand Junction for Christmas Day.

Southern Pacific power is still used quite extensively as power for coal trains on the North Fork branch. This coal empty is being powered by two SP AC4400CWs.

Ruby Canyon does not see too many trains anymore, with Union Pacific diverting the majority of traffic through Wyoming. On this day, however, a westbound rail train led by a UP SD60 an a UP SD70M ... (more)

P42DC 81 gets rooted