Amtrak’s eastbound California Zephyr slinks along the rocky cliffs of Little Gore Canyon east of Azure, Colorado, on November 3, 2010.

Amtrak’s eastbound California Zephyr has just traversed 63-foot-long Tunnel 40 in scenic Little Gore Canyon west of Azure, Colorado, on June 3, 2013. An old tree slowly growing in the harsh envi... (more)

Union Pacific’s manifest freight between Salt Lake City and Denver, the MRONY, grinds through the curves leaving Azure, Colorado, and is about to enter Gore Canyon on November 1, 2012. Former So... (more)

Amtrak’s California Zephyr pops out of 63-foot-long Tunnel 40 in Little Gore Canyon west of Azure, Colorado, on June 3, 2013. Two fisherman try their luck in the depth of the canyon floating dow... (more)

An eastbound coal train snakes into Azure, Colorado, on November 7, 2013. Mid-train DPUs Nos. 6206, 6838, and 7174 are approaching the west switch of the siding, while lone DPU No. 5818 bunches up... (more)

An eastbound coal train snakes into Azure, Colorado, on November 7, 2013. Lead locomotives Nos. 5689 and 8753 have already passed the west switch of the siding, while mid-train DPUs (6206, 6838, 7... (more)

Little Gore Canyon
Westbound Union Pacific freight MNYRO passes through 63-foot Tunnel 40 between Azure and Radium, Colorado, on November 3, 2010.

A Union Pacific coal drags climbs the 1% ramp into the mouth of Gore Canyon. Arguably one of the most beautiful and inaccessible canyons in Colorado.

Amtrak No. 5, the California Zephyr, is passing the detector at mile 113.2 and is approaching Tunnel 39 west of Azure, Colorado, on November 1, 2012.

Approaching Little Gore Canyon
Westbound Amtrak No. 5 is nearing the east portal of the 294-foot Tunnel 39 and is about to enter Little Gore Canyon, Colorado, on November 1, 2012. Gore ... (more)

On November 1, 2012, Amtrak No. 5, the California Zephyr, is seen just moments after leaving Azure, Colorado. A silver signal box at the west end of Azure siding can be seen, and Amtrak is already... (more)

A Union Pacific coal train traverses Little Gore Canyon west of Azure, Colorado, on November 7, 2012. The train is passing through short 63-foot Tunnel 40 and approaching Tunnel 39, while the midd... (more)

A Union Pacific coal train is approaching Azure, Colorado, on November 7, 2012. The DPU of the train has just exited 294-foot Tunnel 39 and is leaving the confines of Little Gore Canyon.

Amtrak’s California Zephyr curves through Tunnel 38 in Gore Canyon near Azure, Colorado, on May 25, 1991. On the point are four F40PHs, pulling the Superliner train through the Colorado Rockies.

An eastbound loaded coal train is dwarfed by the walls of Gore Canyon. This is a truly impressive stretch of railroad!