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.

A trainload of coal from the mines along the original Denver and Salt Lake main line, now the Rio Grande’s Craig Branch, approaches Rainbow Cut as it rolls through Plainview, Colorado.

UP 6845 leads 7164, 5730, 7029, 6891, 5652 and a train of empty coal hoppers up the twisting grade near Tunnel 1. State Highway 72 is seen on the left heading west into Coal Creek Canyon.

Crossing the fill over Bull Gulch, Amtrak’s westbound California Zephyr exits Tunnel 2 west of Plainview, Colorado, on September 21, 2001. This particular fill washed out during flooding in Colo... (more)

An otherwise decent California Zephyr shot ruined by a steaming pile of yellow garbage on the point. Not sure which unit was having issues, but UP 7085 leads Amtrak units 135 and 96 toward Tu... (more)

A string of orange slices through a wintry scene in Plainview, CO. This eastbound train is about to enter Tunnel 1 on UP's Moffat Tunnel Sub and will descend through the Big Ten Curve and into Den... (more)

California Zephyr #5 climbs out of Coal Creek Canyon and through a winter wonderland. Leading the charge up the 2% grade is AMTK 6 followed by Phase IV heritage unit 184. The train is about to en... (more)

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

The plain view is evident here as this westbound with an eclectic consist climbs DRGW's Moffat Route at Plain siding.