The Apache Railway's not-so-blue-today looper works its last few miles toward the huge paper mill outside Snowflake, AZ.
6 Alcos in uniform throttle up to assault the next grade with the Blue Looper coal train in tow on 5/5/11. The train is at the windmill farm, which is at MP 26, and will top out at MP 30 before de... (more)
The loaded Blue Looper coal train curves down to Snowflake as it hauls a long string of coal cars from an interchange off the BNSF back in Holbrook.
Cackling up the hill towards Snowflake, six ALCO's are on their knees with the first cut of the Blue Looper in tow. Due to the tonnage, the Apache can only take 60 of the 81 cars out of Holbrook..... (more)
Where can you see seven ALCO's these days? Snowflake, AZ on the Apache Railway! A mix of six Alco's prepare to depart Snowflake with 16 cars in tow, while APA 83 sits idle in the yard.
Alco products do what they're known for with the Blue Looper in tow, negotiating the s-curve just West of Snowflake.
Three ALCO's lead 33 cars through the s-curves just West of Snowflake.
#99 leads #84, #62 and #98 (a mixed lashup of C420s and C424s) across the Arizona desert with the daily train from Snowflake to Holbrook. See more at www.youthwith.fotopic.net
I guess they don't bother to give the Cows an Operation Lifesaver lecture in these parts. They didn't even look, let alone listen ;)
The Apache Railway was a fun chase today. Here she is, almost home, with the loaded cars picked up from the BNSF. The power is just kept in nice shape.
These have to be the best looking Alcos in the world! These 4 lead a 95 car train as it slides across the vast Arizona landscape on its way to Holbrook to interchange with the BNSF.
Apache C424 98 and a C420 catch some early morning sun as they prepare for the day's chores in Snowflake, before heading to Holbrook later in the day.
Almost as a snake roaming in a snowy desert...
Southbound approaches Snowflake with four spotless Alcos.
Apache 97 lays down a thick smoke screen as they depart the town of Snowflake, after switching tank cars in town.
