Rocky Mountain Railroad Club

November 2018 installing rivets on UP 4014, Alco built Big Boy, at Cheyenne, Wyoming й2018 Chip

UP 8991 with the North Yard, Denver, to Pueblo, CO, train M NYPU-06, arrived the afternoon of December 7, 2018. Train had made pick-up at Kelker, CO, which prompted a dog catch late in the day. Note Arkansas River dike has been lowered. й2018 Chip

Unfortunately (for railfans, at least), UP's PSR has claimed another victim. For decades, at least one manifest has regularly run across the Rio Grande (or former Rio Grande) between Denver and Salt Lake City. For the past two decades, since the UP/SP merger, the train has been the MNYRO and MRONY. A manifest between North Yard (east end of the Grande) and Roper (west end of the Grande). With PSR, UP seems to have deemed Roper Yard (in Salt Lake) to be redundant to North Yard (the one in Salt Lake City) and Ogden. Sounds like UP plans to reduce operations at Roper and traffic between Denver and Salt Lake will now run through Ogden via the Overland Route.

The final MNYRO departed Denver this past Wednesday. Alas, it left after dark. The final MRONY departed Salt Lake yesterday and descended the Moffat on12/09/18 during late morning and early afternoon. I was thrilled I had the time to get out and get a few shots. The train was 108 cars and just north of 6,700 feet.

Where as the MNYRO and MRONY had been a thrice-weekly train, it would appear that UP will now run a thrice-weekly MNYGJ and MGJNY between North Yard in Denver and Grand Junction, CO. But it sounds as though UP manifest in the Utah Desert and over Solider Summit are now a thing of the past. Granted that decision could be reversed at any point...but for now.........


An SD70ACe-T4 leads the final MRONY through a Form B on the main at Cliff (UP Moffat Tunnel Sub). A bridge over South Boulder Creek was replaced by UP. While main construction is complete, MOW is still working on cleanup in the area. й2018 Kevin Morgan	The head end of the MRONY is getting close to the east end of Rocky, but there is no sign of the tail end in the frame just yet back at Little Ten Curve. Going to miss these massive manifests on the Moffat. й2018 Kevin Morgan

And lastly, a shot of the train as it passes by the intermediate signal at MP 14.5 west of Leyden. й2018 Kevin Morgan

On 8 Dec, 2018, BNSF 6371 leads a southbound coal train as it makes its approach toward the North Gate Bridge on the U.S. Air Force Academy, CO. й2018 Chris Paulhamus


Grain is big on the Union Pacific's Kansas Pacific mainline through Kansas. On November 20, 2018, a unit grain train was loading at the Cargill high speed loadout on the west side of Ogallah, Kansas. Cargill has stopped using their own switcher to shuttle the cars and now use the UP for this work. While one unit was switching the other two were spotted on the siding in Ogallah. Cargill's switcher has been transferred or sold. й2018 Larry D. Dilts	On November 26, 2018 another grain train was loading at Cargill. This time it was loading the Cargill elevator on the east side of Wakeeney only eight miles west of Ogallah. Although the elevator still has its own switcher, the UP is switching this elevator as well. Due to the blizzard the day before, shuttling cars through the loader came to a halt. й2018 Larry D. Dilts

On November 26, 2018. the Oakley local was westbound through Park, Kansas on its way to Oakley. The Oakley power is taken to Salina, Kansas on Saturday returning to Oakley the following Monday. The UP still calls Park, Kansas "Buffalo Park". I presume Buffalo Park is the original name in that the Kansas Pacific was first in the area. The railroads had a big say in the naming of towns along their lines. й2018 Larry D. Dilts

A special Union Pacific train will participate in the funeral of President H.W. Bush.

On 25 Nov, 2018 BNSF 8561 rests on Main 1 in The Sag near Spruce, CO for a northbound to clear off the single-track main south of Palmer Lake. й2018 Chris Paulhamus


Kyle RR eastbound Utah Railway 5003 MK50-3 departed Flagler, Colorado, 6:45 AM Thursday, November 29, 2018. Kyle's Goodland Subdivision. Train LISA-29 to Salina, Kansas. й2018 Chip	Kyle RR's Utah Railway 5003 MK50-3, CORP 4074 SD40T-2, and Kyle 6843 SD40-2, moved the Limon, CO, to Salina, KS, (train LISA-29). Train was east of Flagler, CO, November 29, 2018 just after sunrise. й2018 Chip


Nov 27, Mike Harriman photograped a BNSF manifest with 3 GEVOтА's up front slowly climbs around the curve leading to Tunnel #29. й2018 Mike Harriman	The same freight at Tolland, Oddly, the higher I went up in elevation, the sunnier it got! й2018 Mike Harriman

UP crews were still working on the new concrete bridge at Cliff. Handrails were added to the North side. And it looks like the siding track was still under the wood bridge, about to be replaced with the concrete panels lined up. In the background a UP crane will lift the sections. й2018 Mike Harriman

On 25 Nov, 2018 BNSF 6918 leads an empty vehicle train south into Colorado Springs, CO. й2018 Chris Paulhamus

BNSF shoving platform lettered Burlington Northern (BN) 12277 was parked next to Groupo Cementos Chihuahua (GCC) at their Irondale Terminal near Commerce City, Colorado, November 23, 2018. й2018 Chip

Amtrak 6 on train number 5, the California Zephyr, crossed newly installed (November 2018) concrete and steel bridge over the South Boulder Creek at Cliff, Colorado, Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2018. й2018 Chip

12 Nov, 2018, BNSF 1826 leads a pair of SD40-2s in the form of the Pikes Peak Local runs light through Larkspur, CO after the second significant snowfall of the season. й2018 Chris Paulhamus

Northern Sun (ADM) sunflower plant at Carusso, Kansas operates former Kyle SW8 1103. This unit is difficult to photograph in that it spends most of its time on the back side (east side) of the plant. ADM also operates a GE 25 ton locomotive which is generally easily seen on the west side of the plant. й2018 Larry D. Dilts

As reported earlier, Savage Transloaders has opened a facility at Kelker on the southeast side of Colorado Springs for shipping containers. On November 13, 2018, a string of loaded container flats were at the facility. The facility uses a Rail King rail mover to move the cars through the facility. It is on the left. In the right background is L. G. Everist Incorporated's Trackmobile. They unload bulk materials at their facility. й2018 Larry Dilts

The containers and container flats are interesting. The containers are labeled "super heavy." They are smaller than most containers and only six are loaded on each three truck flatcar. The flats appear to be designed for heavier loads. From what I have been able to ascertain, the containers are filled with dore buttons which are bars of gold and silver alloys that require further refining to separate the gold and silver. The buttons are coming from the Cripple Creek and Victor Cresson Mine and being shipped to a refinery the location of which I was not able to find. й2018 Larry Dilts

On 12 Nov, 2018, UP 8419 is on the rear of a northbound CSUX coal empty as it shoves into Palmer Lake, CO following the second significant snowfall of the season. й2018 Chris Paulhamus

|
On 12 Nov, 2018 BNSF 8778 leads a southbound coal train just south of Monument, CO during the last few gasps of the second significant snow storm of the season. й2018 Chris Paulhamus

Mike Harriman sent this picture of the same train that Larry Dilts saw in Colorado Springs, but on the other side of the divide a few hours later, seen here near Sedalia. й 2018 Mike Harriman

An empty BNSF coal train was headed north passing under Fillmore Street in Colorado Springs November 12, 2018. There were two lead units followed by three distributed power units bringing up the rear. й 2018 Larry Dilts


A loaded BNSF coal breaks the silence of a quiet morning in Sedalia, CO as it grinds upgrade just before sunrise. й 2018 Mike Harriman	Another loaded coal, this time with the sun up, crosses one of the original ATSF stone culverts in Castle Rock, this was taken right behind Castle View High School. й 2018 Mike Harriman

Wrapping up a great Saturday of trains, a BNSF manifest heads south at Big Lift with an NS visitor GEVO third out, in a few moments, the train will duck under the Titan Parkway road overpass. й 2018 Mike Harriman

Union Pacific 1995, Chicago & Northwestern Heritage unit, led Roseville, California, to North Platte, Nebraska, train up Archer Hill east of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Sidney Subdivision November 8, 2018. й 2018 Chip

On November 9, Mike Harriman saw this southbound BNSF manifest waiting for MOW work to be completed at Littleton . The power is BNSF 6328 leading, CEFX 1042 the blue unit, and BNSF 4000. й 2018 Mike Harriman


The Heritage RailFall Conference special whistles for the Shalona Crossing north of Durango. й 2018 Jerry B. Day The Heritage RailFall Conference ran a special on the Durango & Silverton November 5th, The train was powered by K-36 number 482 with concession car 212, coach San Juan, glass top car Sky Knight, and parlor cars B2 Cinco Animas, and B3 Nomad. Train was all red except for the 212.	Riders on the Heritage RailFall Conference special enjoy the rear platform of the B3 Nomad parlor car. й 2018 Jerry B. Day

Southern Pacific narrow gauge 4-6-0 number 18 arrives at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad yard. The #18 is from the Eastern California Museum located in Independence, CA, arriving November 3rd. The engine was unloaded on a ramp constructed by the shop crew. The engine will run on the D&S until next June. It will be used to train D&S engine crews on oil fired engines and will be used for D&S crew training. 208 й Jerry B. Day	D&S diesel number 1 uses a former D&RGW 6500 series flat car to move the SP 18 off the truck. November 3, 2018. 2018 й Jerry B. Day


KCS 4162 on North Yard Siding going into North Yard, Denver, 12:10 PM, November 2, 2018. 2018 й Chip	KCS 4162 pulled into UPТs North Yard, Denver, CO, about 1:00 PM, Friday, November 2, 2018 near 48th Street overpass. KCS 4162 on North Yard track one. UP main on right. Savage Mine, Utah, coal load destined for Memphis, Tennessee. 2018 й Chip


BNSF 8416: Palmer Lake, Colorado, November 1, 2018, 8:40 AM Coal empty E DOCBTM-007 to Black Thunder Mine, Wyoming. й2018 Chip	Calm water November 1, 2018 at Palmer Lake, CO. Northbound BNSF 4659 on Clovis, NM, to Denver, CO, train S CLODEN1-31. Train had intermodal doublestacks and on the rear 14-auto racks for Big Lift. й2018 Chip.

On 20 October 2018, BNSF 9100 leads a faded H2 MAC and a string of empty coal hoppers north through the Greenland Open Space in Palmer Lake, CO. й2018 Chris Paulhamus

Kyle leaves Limon to begin the climb to Genoa. The cow birds make an irrelevant fan sideline. й2018 LimonRail


BNSF's 31st Street Yard Office and Tower are undergoing renovation work September & October 2018. October 25, 2018 at Denver, Colorado. й2018 Chip	5565 GP38-2 joined the BNSF locomotive fleet in Colorado. She's likely based out of Longmont, Colorado. October 25, 2018 at Denver, Colorado. й2018 Chip

Former Pan Am Heritage units now RPCX 77 and RPCX 52. The 77 is in Boston and Maine heritage paint and the 52 is in Maine Central paint. Both ex-Boston & Maine GP9s were headed to Utah via BNSF. Heber Valley RR has purchased the GP9Тs-no rail connection - they will be moved via highway for thelast leg of their journey. BNSFТs Lincoln, NE, to Denver, CO, moved the units dead in transit past Keenesburg, CO, October 28, 2018. й2018 Chip


David Grothe was trackside to catch this "monster" coal train with Two ACes for lead power. й2018 David Grothe	Mid train power was ACe, SD70MAC, ACe, ACe. й2018 David Grothe
	This was two coal trains combined into one huge one.
ACe, SD70MAC for rear power. й2018 David Grothe

SW 2422 on Denver to Laurel, Montana, train H DENLAU backed across South Platte River 9:05 AM at BNSF's 31st Street Yard, Denver. й2018 Chip

MK ex Utah Railroad power is switching in Limon and the G&W ex Kyle Railroad й2018 Limonrail


UP 1988 leads an eastbound coal load around the bend toward a clear intermediate signal west of Center Bond where the Craig Branch joins with the mainline. й2018 Kevin Morgan	UP 1988, the "Miss Katy" unit, looks out of place in the Colorado High Country! MKT (Missouri-Kansas-Texas, the railroad that Katy represents) was a plains railroad. Not many grades to found compared to here at Kremmling. й2018 Kevin Morgan

The eastbound Zephyr is making its way through the siding at Tabernash around an eastbound coal load with UP 1988 on the point. With the sun moving into the western sky, the light is just perfect near the east end of Tabernash. й2018 Kevin Morgan	Coming past the Fraser depot, UP 1988 is rolling east at about 12 MPH. With four units and 78 cars, the train is probably right around 2.0 HPT, which is about the bare minimum to crawl up the 2% grade coming up between Fraser and Winter Park. й2018 Kevin Morgan

A work train splits the grade crossing at first sunrise in Castle Rock. й2018 Mike Harriman



	There has been some interesting graffiti art showing up on the Kyle lately from Balcones Recycling. The Santa Claus car was painted for Balcones and is slowly being overwritten by graffitti. The other two cars are painted probably by someone associated with Balcones. The car in Limon has the Balcones Recycling logo painted on the car. The other has Plains Capital Bank which is located in the same area as Balcones in the Dallas-Austin, Texas area. The art of all three cars is associated with recycling. Photo 1 ATW 95096 Colby, Kansas, October 19,2018. Photo 2 ATW 95112 Limon, Colorado, October 1, 2018. Photo 3 ATW 95089 Colby, Kansas, October 19, 2018. 3 pictures й2018 Larry Dilts


Sunshine met UP 1943 East passenger special and westbound Union Pacific coal empty with KCS 4600 on Tolland Siding, CO, October 11, 2018 й2018 Chip	Union Pacific's 1943 н Spirit of the Union Pacific н honoring veterans unit led 17-car passenger special from Grand Junction, Colorado, to Denver October 11, 2018. Train encountered fog on the Front Range as it passed Blue Mountain Drive in Coal Creek Canyon. й2018 Chip

UP 1943 East passenger special had dome lounge named Harriman. Coal Creek Canyon, CO, October 11, 2018. й2018 Chip	Union Pacific's track inspection car Idaho was on eastbound 17-car passenger special October 11, 2018 at Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado. й2018 Chip


On a rainy October 7, Alan Schenkel caught a northbound CENCHE? on the BNSF Front Range Sub along with a couple of other trains й2018 Alan Schenkel	A Blade train at Fort Collins North yard, BNSF Front Range Sub. й2018 Alan Schenkel

A Sand train at Fort Collins North yard, BNSF Front Range Sub. й2018 Alan Schenkel	The Sand train meets the blade train at Fort Collins North yard, BNSF Front Range Sub. й2018 Alan Schenkel


On a soggy Tuesday October 9th, Mike Harriman set out in the morning to watch a late Amtrak #5 leave Denver, seen here near 66th Ave. й2018 Mike Harriman	Not long after, and empty coal bucket followed Amtrak with interesting power. Leading was UP 5450, former atsf Warbonnet SD75, now PPLX #217, and csx dark future #565. Colorful consist for an overcast day. й2018 Mike Harriman


South of Kit Carson, Colorado some of the grade of the Arkansas Valley Railway is still visible. The Arkansas Valley Railway was one of Colorado's first railroads and the first to abandon surviving less than 10 years. й2018 Larry Dilts

In Kit Carson is the abandoned pump house and well house built in 1870. Used by the Kansas Pacific and Arkansas Valley Railway, it is the oldest surviving railroad structure in Colorado. It is north of the Union Pacific's Kansas Pacific mainline. й2018 Larry Dilts	In Wallace, Kansas is the former Kansas Pacific superintendents office. It is one of the few remaining Kansas Pacific structures in Kansas. й2018 Larry Dilts

Denver & Rio Grande Western RR lettered 315 owned and operated by Durango Railroad Historical Society took on water at Chama, NM, September 30, 2018. The 315 is stabled at Chama, NM, for occasional operation on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR. 315 to remain at C&TS until 2022. Friends of the C&TS operated photo freight(s) late September and early October 2018 with the 315. C&TS uses ex-DRGW Mikados, class K-36, on their passenger runs. й2018 Chip

After a very successful 2017 season running on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, the Durango Railroad Historical Society (DRHS), owners of the restored ex-DRGW C-18, #315 and the C&TS announced that the locomotive will remain on C&TS for the next five years until the end of the 2022 season. In 2022 the 315 will be due for its 15-year Federal Railroad Administration major inspection. C&TS has offered to carry out this task and the DRHS have agreed to contract them to do so with help from some of the 315Тs regular maintenance crew. (Info courtesy Durango RR Historical Society)

A new business (Savage Transload Facility) has opened in the Kelker yards on the south side of Colorado Springs. This is where the Fort Carson Railway interchanges with both the BNSF and UP. According to Train Order Board, the containers are gold concentrate from Cripple Creek, however, Savage's hiring announcement says they are hiring a worker to unload railcars to trucks. Either way, something is being transloaded. й2018 Larry Dilts

An historic water tower

Abandoned DRGW water tank at Tres Piedras, NM, October 1, 2018. The Chili Line was officially known as the Santa Fe Branch. Its nickname has been attributed to its freight, which prominently featured New Mexico chile peppers.

The Chili Line, officially known as the Santa Fe Branch, was a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge branch of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW). It ran 125.6 miles (202.1 km) from Antonito, Colorado, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Denver and Rio Grande Railway (D&RG) began construction of the line in 1880.

Despite some local outcry and national media attention the railway was completely dismantled in 1942. (Historical info courtesy Wikipedia) й2018 Chip


Nothing has changed on the Towner line since the Colorado Pacific purchased the line from V&S other than the deep well flats west of Crowley, Colorado, have all been removed. At Towner, Colorado, however there is some activity at the Bartlett grain elevator. They are adding more storage capacity which should be good for Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad to the east. Towner is the end of the line for the K&O. There are two Trackmobiles at the elevator. I don't know if one is being replaced or transferred. Both seem to be in use. If and when the Towner line opens once again, this may be good business for shipping grain to the west. й2018 Larry Dilts

In Sharon Springs, Kansas is a former BNSF SD40-2 acquired by United Plains Ag. Apparently CHS has purchased the United Plains AG elevator and have letter the unit CHS й2018 Larry Dilts

Amtrak has announced Early Bird price of $29/one way on select departures. All other tickets are priced at $39, $49 and then $59 respectively. Pricing is subject to availability and only a limited number of seats are available for each train and each price level.. All other tickets will still be priced at $39, $49 and $59.

Service will begin service on Friday, Jan. 4 and will run for 32 round-trips through March 31. The train departs Union Station at 7 a.m., arriving at Winter Park at approximately 9 a.m., return will be at 4:30 p.m. with arrival at Denver at 6:40 p.m. Photos й2018 Walter Weart

On 10 Sept., 2018 BNSF 8441 leads a southbound coal train over the old DRGW bridge over Hwy 105 in Monument, CO. й2018 Chris Paulhamus

On 10 Sep 2018, BNSF 8431 leads an eastern visitor and a coal train through the S-curve just south of Monument, CO. й2018 Chris Paulhamus

On Tue, 11 Sep 2018 The PPL had a green GP39-2 and H1 SD40-2 and 6 cars. й2018 David Sheppard

The engine crew is getting steam up in the 111 to prepare for the day's runs while the Shay gets the day off. While diesel 140 is here, sister 130 is helping out as a really useful engine with Day Out with Thomas at the Colorado Railroad Museum . й2018 Susie Weart


The Rocky Mountain Railroad Club excursion September 8, 2018 was very successful with a number of excellent photo runbys. Thanks to the club for arranging this excursion. й2018 Larry Dilts	The famous over and under shot. й2018 Larry Dilts

The bridge at the Lebanon Mine stop. й2018 Larry Dilts	GLRR 11 and Westside Lumber 9 sit side by side at the Silver Plume engine house. September 7, 2018 й2018 Larry Dilts



	On 08 Dec 2018, Matt Adamski got several shots of a coal load led by a pair of ACes, one of which being an Eastern Thoroughbred. й2018 Matt Adamski



	Matt Adamski had a little time last Saturday to go out on the Joint Line and chased a southbound ballast train from Littleton to Castle Rock. Here are a couple shots from Sedlaia and Castle Rock. й2018 Matt Adamski


Matt Adamski shot these photos just north of Palmer Lake...the ACe was in the house track while the auto loads were headed to Big Lift. й2018 Matt Adamski


A pair of ex SP tunnel motors lay over in Limєn during the weekend of November 3-4. й2018 LimonRail	The equipment in the background belongs to the museum but the wedge plow looks like it's ready for this winter. й2018 LimonRail


RTD test train was westbound near the Olde Town station й 2018 Dave Schaaf	Eastbound BNSF beer run and RTD test train at Old Town Arvada Station at mid-day on 1 Nov 2018. 2018 й Dave Schaaf




Tim Tonge was out to take some pictures after the very short lasting fresh snow, Oct 31, 2018. All shots were taken in the Castle Rock area. 4 pictures й 2018 Tim Tonge



	On October 18, Mike Harriman caught a loaded coal train passing a work train at the Littleton Trench. Then a NB BNSF stack train, followed closely by a (nearly) UP unit Уwaste trainФ not sure what to call these yet! 3 pictures й2018 Mike Harriman


Matt Adamski was able to get trackside for the first time in quite a while Saturday, October 13. He decided to chase an ACe led coal load and see what fall color I could find and made it from Littleton to Larkspur. 3 pictures й2018 Matt Adamski


Mike Harriman caught a PPL passing a BNSF train with a "blue devilФ CN, sublettered for Illinois Central, locomotive. й2018 Mike Harriman


On the Rocky Club trip to the GLRR, we also took some time to look at the progress on restoring C&S 1006 at the city shops in Silver Plume. There was much deterioration so the car is being extensively rebuilt. й2018 Larry Dilts


BNSF 9221 leads a coal empty across the S Platte River, on the BNSF Brush Sub, at Union, CO. This is the second location that the BNSF crosses the S Platte River on the Brush Sub, the first at the east end of 33^rd street yard. й2018 Tim Tonge