Little did I know in May that shooting coal trains on the Apache would become a thing of the past less than a year later. Given recent events, I'm really glad I made the driver over from Flagstaf... (more)

On a beautiful late summer day, the Apache Railway’s freight approaches the giant paper mill at Snowflake, Arizona. On the point is former L&N Alco C420 No. 81, which I believe was the first loc... (more)

Very sad news out of Snowflake, AZ today as Catalyst Paper announced the permanent closure of its Snowflake recycle mill and its subsidiary railroad that serves the mill, the Apache Railway Compan... (more)

The turn from Holbrook climbs its last grades as it nears the yard at the end of the line at the Snowflake paper mill.

A 60 car loaded coal train grinds its way upgrade through a series of "S" curves outside its destination of of Snowflake.

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.