D&RGW 5371, 5377, and 5390 lead the Dirt Train back off the Sunnyside Branch.

Last hurrah for the Rio Grande, and it's tunnel motors. I was fortunately enough to get a last chance, of catch four Rio Grande tunnel motors working together on the dirt train in 2002.

It's 2003 but you would never know it. The employees in Helper, Utah keep the Rio Grande alive as long as they could. D&RGW 5349, 5354, and 5390. near the end of the Sunnyside Branch with a loaded... (more)

It's been 14 year since the SP, Rio Grande merger at the time of this photo. Seven since Union Pacific took over. Don't tell the boys in Helper, Utah the Rio Grande doesn't exist anymore. They gat... (more)

A place where time stood still.

A three pack of Rio Grande SD40T-2s lead the Dirt Train local across the Grassy Trail Creek bridge on the way to Columbia Junction near East Carbon City.

By the close of 2007, Rio Grande 5371 was the last original D&RGW locomotive assigned to work out of Helper, Utah. Pictured on New Year's Eve, the oft photographed SD40T-2 awaits a call to duty as... (more)

The last D&RGW unit on the Union Pacific prepares to work the famous "dirt train" local. The 5371 has been assigned out of Helper for more than 10 years, but it's duty may be over by November 13th... (more)

What could be a better sight in 2006 than this? Rio Grande 5371 charges east out of Helper, removing carbon from the exhaust system. Next stop, Wash yard to pick up six cars for ECDC.

Union Pacific's last original Rio Grande unit climbs the Sunnyside Sub grade with 10 cars of dirty dirt for ECDC. The brakeman is outside the cab catching some clean Green River Desert air.

A trio of Rio Grande SD40T-2's head up the LJP45 "dirt train" at Spring Glen, Utah. Good news for D&RGW fans...the 5371 has just returned to Helper after a recent 90 day inspection at Roper yard (... (more)

The famous "dirt train" local climbs the grade from Grassy Trail wash at Mounds to East Carbon City.

UP's last Rio Grande numbered locomotive runs parallel to Grassy Trail Creek at milepost 2.66 of UP's Sunnyside Subdivision. This train of contaminated dirt will terminate at East Carbon Developme... (more)

Union Pacific's last true D&RGW unit leads the "dirt train" local through Wellington Canyon. It appears the 5371 and company are acting their age!

For a Rio Grande "fix" Helper is still the place to be (but just barely). In bright morning sun, D&RGW 5371 and company switch at the west end of Helper yard.