Amtrak’s “Heritage III” No. 145 is on the point of the eastbound California Zephyr on the afternoon of June 22, 2011. Having just left Plain and passed through Tunnel 1, the train is about t... (more)

Heading for the slopes
The Rio Grande Ski Train rumbles toward Tunnel 1 on a pristine Rocky Mountain morning.

Rio Grande SD40T-2's 5356, 5394, 5359 and SD50 5501 have just emerged from Tunnel #3 as they head Eastbound with a loaded coal train destined for Colorado Springs.

D&RGW 3087 leads the daily Westbound Denver to Roper, Utah manifest with 4 other GP40/40-2's on the approach to Tunnel #1 West of Denver.

Westbound Rio Grande freight trailed by "Cookie Box" painted caboose 01486 meets an eastbound coal train lead by 5354 and four additional SD40T-2s at the Plainview siding. Crew members off of eac... (more)

Two SD50s, and two SD40T-2s power a westbound mixed freight near tunnel #1 on the Moffat Route.

Two SD40T-2 rear helpers provide dynamic braking for an eastbound loaded coal train at tunnel #1 on the Moffat Route.

westbound Amtrak train #5 California Zephyr at Tunnel one below Plainview, CO

The Ski Train heads west about to enter Tunnel One on the Moffat Tunnel Subdivision.

UP 5666 emerges from Tunnel 7 as it pulls an eastbound coal load downgrade towards Plainview. Despite the 130pm time, the Tunnel is already in shadow as the sun drops behind mountains to the west... (more)

Glorious first light bathes a coal empty climbing the 2% grade at Tunnel 7.

UP 5768 enters Rainbow Cut at the head of a mile long coal train. In the background the hoppers extend to tunnel 2 (where the mid train DPU's are emerging), continue back thru tunnel 3 and end aft... (more)

The Great Plains are covered with spring wildflowers as this coal train passes above at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills in Plainview.

A loaded coal train descends the mountain toward Plainview siding for a meet with Amtrak's California Zephyr on a beautiful Saturday morning. Note the DPU power visible further back in the train.

Rear DPUs on an empty unit coal train head up into the tunnel district on the UP Moffat Tunnel Sub. Canon Powershot S1 IS