Blasting out of the Tunnel at the Summit of Tennessee Pass, this Westbound freight will soon change over to heavy braking for the 3% downhill grade descent to Minturn.

After meeting a westbound taconite load, DRGW5379 gets underway with a train heavy of lumber from the Pacific Northwest. Exhaust and screams from the oxygen starved turbo chargers fill the canyon... (more)

DRGW5379 has conquered Tennessee Pass and is now on the downhill side for its remaining trip to the "Steel City" of Pueblo.

The Mitchell curves near the summit of Tennessee Pass. The sight was incredible! I can only imagine what it had been like to see huge L131 Articulated Steam Locomotives pulling this grade.....

SP355 turns into the morning sun on the last Curve before Tennessee Pass tunnel. Gasping for air, this coal load wins this fight against gravity.

It is early June 1996 and SP164 is about 1 year old. The paint is still so fresh you can see your own reflection in the Bloody Red Nose. The locomotives are biting into the 3% at the old siding ... (more)

The shadows are starting to grow longer as late afternoon silence is broke by the Howl of SP262 East. Digging in for all it is worth, this load had one less locomotive than normal and is fighting... (more)

SP264 exits Tennessee Pass tunnel into glorious Colorado Sunshine! The Pass was closed late summer of 1997.

SP362 had not been out the paint shop long when she lifted this coal load towards the top of the Rockies. The reverse curves here at Mitchell were one of the toughest portions of the pull to Tenn... (more)

Three SP AC4400s lead a loaded coal train east out of Tennessee Pass Tunnel. This was one of the more productive trains running over the pass before its closure later in the year. It consisted o... (more)

A trio of Southern Pacific AC4400CW's lead a heavy coal train approaching the summit at Tennessee Pass, Colorado. A set of SP AC's are cut into the train as manned helpers from Minturn.

The first coal load of the day struggles skyward at Mitchell, Colorado. With 4 more locomotives mid-train and two on the rear this train makes about 15mph. The only thing that comes close to this... (more)

This shot, taken by my grandfather, Peter Beal while stationed at Camp Hale during World War Two looks down on Tenn. Pass Station, its wye, coal conveyors, and a freight in the siding at the tunne... (more)