After rounding the base of Blue Mountain the California Zephyr enters the horseshoe curve in Coal Creek Canyon and will soon run up to Tunnel 1 at Plainview, Colorado.

An AC4400CW, an ET44AC, and an ES44AC lead a westbound coal empty as it snakes its way around Big Ten and toward a clear signal at the east end of Eisele (formerly Clay). The lead unit, UP 6321, c... (more)

West of Denver on the former Denver and Rio Grande Western - now UP's Moffat Tunnel Sub - you'll find the awesome engineering of Little Ten and Big Ten Curves. The original architects of the ra... (more)

Just east of Rocky, in Barbara's Gulch, the first westbound Zephyr to leave Denver on a Wednesday morning in almost eight months approaches a Clear (green) signal at the east end of Rocky. A lone ... (more)

The morning California Zephyr #5 makes the 180 degree turn in Coal Creek Canyon and starts its climb up to Tunnel #1 at Plainview, Colorado.

BIG 10 SAND A westbound BNSF sand train slowly slugs its way out of the dip at Rocky and up the 2%+ grade towards Clay (Eisle). A very wet spring has turned the foothills of the Rockie... (more)

This shot gives you a good idea of how steep the grade is as the BNSF freight passes through Little Ten and Big Ten Curves and heads towards Eisele, Colorado. The head of the train is passing by ... (more)

Amtrak engine #71 leads the California Zephyr up the hill towards Tunnel 1 at Plainview, Colorado.

Moffat Storm Front A strong upslope Storm Front that will drop snow at higher elevations pushes a steady rain into South Draw. The empty oil train moves out of the rain falling across th... (more)

The California Zephyr makes a 180 degree turn at the horseshoe curve in Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado. After rounding the corner it will climb the grade towards Tunnel 1.

Union Pacific EMD SD70ACe No. 1943 leads a westbound passenger train (office car special) on UP’s former Rio Grande Moffat Tunnel route west of Rocky, Colorado, on August 21, 2019.

The California Zephyr runs along Blue Mountain before entering Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado.

The California Zephyr leaves Tunnel 1 as it passes through a valley on the way to Plainview, Colorado.

The California Zephyr rounds Big Ten Curve as it heads towards Rocky, Colorado.

It is good to see the 'normal' California Zephyr configuration making the runs again. Here is the #5 train, complete with baggage car, exiting Tunnel 1 and running through a valley leading to the... (more)