Rocky Mountain Railroad Club

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Denver Rock Island RR 553, rebuilt switcher to an SW900, ex-Coors C987, eex-Rock Island 525 model SW was built 7/1938 frame number 7543-4. DRIR 553 works the Denver Stockyards. Trackage to be relocated due to National Western Complex redevelopment. LivWell Headquarters building is next to DRIR 553. Denver Stockyards July 12, 2019. This trackage will be removed during the National Western Complex expansion project. ©2019 Chip

The Georgetown Loop on July 9


I was in Georgetown on July 9 and took a few pictures of the Loop. 111 leads its train down the hill to Devil's Gate and after running around the train, starts back to Silver Plume. ©2019 Walter Weart

There was a fair amount of activity in the yard as this locomotive was idling coupled to the second train set. The Loop is planning to run two trans on busy weekend days to accommodate the record level of ridership ©2019 Walter Weart	The 11 was waiting for its next assignment. ©2019 Walter Weart

A visit to Sterling


I was in sterling on July 4 and saw these RCL SD40 – 2s switching the yard. Most of the day in sterling the weather was misting and foggy so that is certainly affects picture quality. ©2019 Walter Weart	This is a very unusual structure, obviously built out of black car bodies. I am guessing it was some type of gravity assist return for cars for the grain elevator but I'm not sure how they got them to the top of the incline since I could not see any evidence of wire rope or cable. If anyone has some ideas on this please let me know and I will update the listing. ©2019 Walter Weart

I was not aware that the Union Pacific served sterling but obviously they do as SD40n was shut down for the holiday. ©2019 Walter Weart ©2019 Walter Weart	Here are the remains of the Great Western Sterling sugar mill "Dinky" This was one of several Dinky's that the sugar company operated at the various mills and I'm sorry that this one is in such dismal shape. I guess nobody loves it. ©2019 Walter Weart

A KCS visitor

On its way to a new home


David Sheppard spotted something red on a southbound BNSF manifest stopped at signal south of Castle Rock. It was the fourth unit out, GMTX 150, an EMD SW1500. ©2019 David Sheppard

Colorado Pacific RR progress


Former Missouri Pacific signals at milepost 848.0 turned away (out of service). Colorado Pacific RR renovating line for service scheduled to start July 2019. West of Ordway, Colorado, 27 June 2019. ©2019 Chip	Former Missouri Pacific line near milepost 848.0 (out of service) is being renovated. Colorado Pacific RR returning line to service starting July 2019. West of Ordway, Colorado, 27 June 2019. Railavator employed to bring rail line back. ©2019 Chip

Gensets on the move

Caught these three Gensets (3GS21B) tagging along on a northbound manifest holding the Main on the U.S. Air Force Academy, CO. Not sure where they were going or what BNSF's plans for them are, but they were definitely something different to see on the Joint Line. ©2019 Chris Paulhamus

From New England


The Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, New Hampshire is in the process of restoring the original Boston & Maine/Maine Central “Flying Yankee” trainset built in 1935. Retired in 1957 under its last operating name “Minute Man” the equipment was moved to the Hobo Railroad in 2005. The goal is to return the trainset to operating condition, but the process has been slow and limited by funds available. ©2019 Dave Goss	On Sunday morning, June 23, Amtrak’s “Vermonter” is seen leaving the station in Waterbury, Vermont after a two minute stop to pick up a few passengers. Originating in St. Albans with daily service to Washington DC, the train operates largely on time over former Central of Vermont tracks to Boston, New York and the nation’s capital. The semaphores are not operational, but they look good on this classic unstaffed station. ©2019 Dave Goss

Taken during a fairly heavy rainstorm, Amtrak’s Ethan Allen awaits its next trip. The unoccupied station at Rutland, VT was closed and the locomotive just humming on high idle until departure about five hours later. ©2019 Dave Goss

Activity on the Moffat Sub


Eastbound BNSF 9236, SD70ACe, led Union Pacific’s West Elk Mine, CO, coal load across Colorado headed to Cora, Illinois. The 101-car train was set up with distributed power; 2x3x1, passed Parshall, CO, 20 June 2019. Photo by Chip

Restoration progress on the 168


The restoration crew expects to have Denver & Rio Grande 168 restored to operation late 2019 at Alamosa Colorado ©2019 Chip

From the Pueblo area and the Joint Line


ATSF 4-8-4 #2912 is looking good sitting in front of Pueblo Union Depot. ©2019 Mike Harriman	An interesting line of power in the Pueblo yard, featuring a fakebonnet, GP30, and SLAL #109, a chop nose Geep. ©2019 Mike Harriman

Union Pacific’s MNYPU pauses in Colorado Springs to switch some cars. ©2019 Mike Harriman	The PPL is south at Greenland where a typical late afternoon t-storm was moving in. ©2019 Mike Harriman

An Illinois Central Look alike in Colorado

San Luis & Rio Grande RR found recently arrived Iowa Pacific 100, E9A, works great in freight service-! Unit had been tested on Antonito & Monte Vista, CO, trains in the San Luis Valley early June 2019. She had tank cars ready to go at Alamosa, CO, 14 June 2019. 2019 photo by Chip

Restored Colorado & Southern 8027

South Park Rail Society put restored Colorado & Southern 8027 narrow gauge boxcar on display at Como, Colorado starting 10 June 2019. Jason Midyette did the restoration and donated boxcar to the South Park Rail Society. Boxcar was moved by truck from Kansas to Como. 2019 photo by Chip

Foster Townsend Rail Logistics

Foster Townsend Rail Logistics Unit # Model FTRL (FTRX) 8201 ex-Canadian Pacific 8201, 8619 GP9R Spotted at BNSFâ€™s 31st Street Yard, Denver, 10 June 2019. Departs 11 June on H DENPVO for Ogden, Utah. 2019 Chip

A car for the San Luis & Rio Grande

The "Pineapple Princess" is back at Silver Plume

This narrow gauge 2-6-2 has returned to Silver Plume, Colorado. Built by Baldwin in 1928 for Kahului Railway Company on island of Maui, Hawaii. #12 made its last run on May 24, 1966 in Hawaii. It was purchased by Scenic Railways and came stateside in 967, landing in California. Disassembled, it was shipped to Chama, New Mexico in the mid 70's where it was stored until 1988 when it was sold to Silverwood theme park in Idaho. A new boiler was built by John Braun/Mammoth Locomotive Works and #12 operated at the park sporadically until it was sold to the Colorado Historical Society in 2005 for use on the GLRR. The locomotive operated there through 2012 when a lease/trade agreement was negotiated with Midwest Central. #12 left the loop in August 2012 and operated seasonally at the Midwest Old Thresher grounds in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. That lease has ended and #12 returned to the loop on June 5, 2019 where it will be operating this summer. ©2019 Dave Schaaf


Photographer unknown

Electric motors on the move

Former Amtrak 929 & 938, AEM-7, headed for San Jose Caltrain corridor electrical operation was on Amtrak train 5, California Zephyr, running about 5-hours late at Lochbuie, Colorado. BNSF Brush Subdivision. Arrived Denver Union Station 12:30 PM, 6 June 2019. ©2019 Chip

On the Joint Line


A loaded coal train crawls upgrade past the towns namesake rock. ©2019 Mike Harriman	The PPL drops a car in Sedalia. This is as far south as the local would make it today. ©2019 Mike Harriman.

A pair of helpers return northbound to Denver after assisting a train to the Palmer Lake summit. ©2019 Mike Harriman	NS Virginia heritage unit #1069 stayed at Englewood on a loaded coal, waiting for a crew to take the train southbound. Hopefully this unit sticks with this train, and rotates back North through Colorado within the next few days. ©2019 Mike Harriman

"Foreign" power on the BNSF

FLIRT DMU commuter transets on their way


Stadler built FLIRT DMU commuter transets for TexRail. The 8th and last set was on southbound BNSF train parked at LoDo Siding, Denver, CO, 3 June 2019. ©2019 Chip	Stadler FLIRT (Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train; German: Flinker Leichter Intercity- und Regional-Triebzug) is a passenger multiple unit trainset made by Stadler Rail of Switzerland. ©2019 Chip

The Cimarron Valley


The torrential rainstorms have cleared -Cimarron Valley Railway 8501, B40-8, at Satanta, Kansas, 30 May 2019. Former Rio Grande 3004, GP30, at right. ©2019 Chip	The torrential rainstorms have cleared -Cimarron Valley Railway 8501, B40-8, at Satanta, Kansas, 30 May 2019. ©2019 Chip

Impressive paint job on Cimarron Valley Railway 4052 with clear coat! 30 May 2019 Satanta, Kansas. First day in sunlight! ©2019 Chip	Cimarron Valley Railway 4052 with clear coat & fresh paint - Santa Fe inspired scheme! 30 May 2019 at Satanta, Kansas. First day in sunlight! ©2019 Chip

The name lives on

At Limon

A KCS Heritage unit

Kansas City Southern 4006, Veterans unit SD70ACe, came off the unit tank car train from Wellington, Utah, 23 May 2019 at Pueblo, CO. KCS 4006 was put on the Pueblo, CO, to Belen, NM, train due to depart Pueblo late 24 May. BNSF 6893 with KCS 4006 BNSF Pueblo Yard, Colorado, 24 May 2019. ©2019 Chip

4014 on the move


Fire in the Morning. In a collaborative effort one of my team, Don Hagen shot this at Granger, WY while 4014 and friends make their way west to the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike. Don shot the image and I edited it. ©2019 Erik Lindgren	The Big Boy racing down hill along Otto Road or old US 30 splits the signals on Sunday May, 19 2019 ©2019 Erik Lindgren

Homecoming. 4014 and friends arrive at Cheyenne after a long journey to Promontory and back. The train is just coming through the famous C&S (BNSF Front Range Subdivision bridge Call this a win for the home team! Sunday, May 19 2019 ©2019 Erik Lindgren	Big Steam in Carbon County The westbound special flies past my team west of Hanna, WYO into the beautiful evening light nearing the end of its first days trip to Ogden. Laramie Subdivision May 4, 2019 ©2019 Erik Lindgren

Pictures of interest

Union Tank Car donated three ex-military General Electric switchers (UTC 1301, 1302 & 1303) to the Evanston Roundhouse Complex, Wyoming, April 2019. Union Tank Car's repair facility in Evanston, Wyoming, had three General Electric switchers to switch cars. UTC 1301 is a GE 45-ton locomotive with a dropcab for tight clearances (this is a former military unit), originally numbered US Army 8568 and, later, USAF 8568. Evanston, WY, next to turntable pit 12 May 2019. ©2019 Chip

Eastbound UP unit potash train passed UP 4014 Big Boy at Evanston, WY, May 7, 2019. The UP Steam Team returned safely to Cheyenne, WY, Steam Shop on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Next outing for the Big Boy is likely mid-July 2019 going east to Omaha, NE. ©2019 Chip


Union Tank Car donated three ex-military General Electric switchers ( (UTC 1301, 1305) to the Evanston Roundhouse Complex, Wyoming, April 2019. Photo taken 12 May 2019.

Locomotive Shop Moving from Utah to Anniston Army Depot, Alabama, in 2021


The Defense Non-Tactical Generator and Rail Equipment Center, known as DGRC, will relocate from Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, to Anniston Army Depot in Alabama, the Department of Army announced Sept. 26, 2017. DGRC is the Department of Defense's sole capability for depot-level repair and maintenance of rail stock, rail equipment, and large scale non-tactical generator equipment. DGRC services the Army's, Air Force's and Navy's nationwide rail fleet. Though physically housed in northern Utah, Anniston Army Depot has overseen the DGRC mission since 2000. DGRC employs 33 civilian personnel; those positions will relocate to Anniston Army Depot. DGRC is being relocated to facilitate Air Force and state plans to use the space on Hill Air Force Base for development under an Air Force enhanced use lease and public highway use. (Info courtesy Army News release) ©2019 Chip

The Snowflake locomotive

With its clean white exterior UTA 901, GP39, has gained the nickname "Snowflake" from local railfans. A strange twist of irony, as the winter of 2015-16 proved unusually harsh for this snowy engine, when cold temperatures literally froze components of the engine in place, forcing the need for sudden emergency repairs! Snowflake is back at work serving both UTA and the Union Pacific. 13 May 2019 Salt Lake City, Utah. ©2019 Chip

In Echo Canyon and and towards Evanston


UP 7789, ES44AC, led loaded coal train through scenic Echo Canyon as it approached Echo, Utah, 12 May 2019. Train was on UP’s Evanston Subdivision. ©2019 Chip	UP’s Evanston Subdivision was freshly ballasted with new ties as UP 7789, ES44AC, led coal load west towards Ogden, Utah, 12 May 2019. ©2019 Chip

A Heritage locomotive visits Colorado


David Grothe found this train stopped at Castle Pines. The trailing motor is a NS Heritage unit in Virginian colors. David Grothe ©2019

On the UP

Blessed with a Savage Loadout coal load move up Soldier Summit at Nolan Tunnels, Utah, 13 May 2019. Four unit manned mid-train helpers included UP 8316 about to enter the tunnel. Spring runoff had the creeks and rivers running fast. Train intentionally blurred to show its moving-you’ve seen the stopped versions. ©2019 Chip

A closed shop

Genesee & Wyoming Martin Locomotive Maintenance Shop sits abandoned since January or February 2017.

Forwarding info-January 16, 2017, was a sad day for Utah railfans. For over 100 years the Utah Ry. has been hauling coal out of eastern Utah, over the Wasatch at Soldier Summit and down to the Union Pacific interchange at Provo. That all came to an end 16 January 2017.

Due to the large slump in the coal business due to low natural gas prices coupled with anti coal government policies the Utah Railway was down to just one coal contract; the haulage of coal from Carbon County to the very large IPP power plant near Delta, Utah, which required only one train a week. That contract came up for re-bid recently and the Utah Ry. was underbid by the Union Pacific. 15 January 2017 marked the last Utah Railway coal train out of eastern Utah. The crude oil and acid traffic traffic has also dried up. So, other than some car storage there is nothing left for the Utah to haul (out of Martin, Utah). ©2019 Chip

At Promontory Utah

On the Joint Line


On 5 May 2019, BNSF 9246 brings a northbound coal empty over the Palmer Divide as it leaves Palmer Lake, CO behind. ©2019 Chris Paulhamus	On 5 May 2019, BNSF 6434 eases a southbound coal train down the Palmer Divide as it leaves the town of Palmer Lake, CO. All uphill from Denver to Palmer Lake and now all downhill to Pueblo. ©2019 Chris Paulhamus

From Utah's Heeber Creeper


Heber Valley RR is building a 5-track building that will hold 15 cars under its roof. 19-passenger cars and one FP9 are moving from Canada to Heber City, Utah, in the coming months. ©2019 Chip	Heber Valley Railroad 296, ex-Great Western 296, back in operational condition at Heber City, Utah, 7 May 2019. Unit had been retired/stored at Boulder Museum in Colorado. ©2019 Chip

Some interesting pictures


Cornerstone Ag in Colby, Kansas is enlarging their facility once again. They are building a new 400,000 bushel silo next to the other five built in the last 11 year. They are also starting on a seventh silo. In 1982 Lincoln Grain (now Cornerstone Ag) built a 900,000 bushel high speed load out on the southeast side of Colby. With the completion of these two new silos, their capacity will be 4,600,000 bushels. That is a lot of grain. ©2019 Larry Dilts	Many of the grain facilities have stopped using their own locomotive to shuttling hoppers through the load outs, however, Cornerstone Ag continues to use their own locomotive. ©2019 Larry Dilts

The UP Colby local has not been delivering much liquid fertilizer to CHS this winter. A two car shipment arrived April 23rd. After dropping off one more load on April 30, 2019, UP 5033 picked up two empties and returned to Oakley. Here it was passing milepost 205.75. Today (May 7th) the local will pick up the last car. Unless shipping costs change, this may be the last movement on the line east of milepost 205.75. CHS has been receiving almost all liquid fertilizer by truck. ©2019 Larry Dilts	The Colorado Springs and Interurban abandoned in 1932 with almost all evidence of it disappearing. A small section of track and roadbed is exposed on Ruxton Ave in Manitou Springs. ©2019 Larry Dilts

check of the M&PP on May 7, 2019 found M&PP 19, 15 and another train at the engine house in Manitou Springs. The shop tracks are still all in place so crews can move the remaining equipment around. ©2019 Larry Dilts	Looking toward the shop, it is evident that track removal is well underway. ©2019 Larry Dilts

Looking toward the depot it is evident things have changed. One car shed and track has been removed as well as the main line. The small picnic pavilion has been moved to the employees parking lot. ©2019 Larry Dilts

An artifact from the steam era

Remnants of abandoned water and whistle stop at Bitter Creek, Wyoming west of Rawlins, WY, May 5, 2019. The steam era required numerous water and coaling stations across southern Wyoming. View looks east. ©2019 Chip

4014 on the road

The ceremonies have started-Utah Governor Gary Herbert with UP Chairman Lance Fritz-9 May 2019 at Ogden, Utah. ©2019 Chip


The Great Race to Ogden passed through Echo Canyon, Utah, under rainy conditions 8 May 2019. Fortunately, the cold weather helped show UP 4014’s steaming away. Other power is UP 844 (doubleheader since solo UP 844 trip late April 2019 was cancelled) and UP 8937, SD70ACe. ©2019 Chip	Front Runner passed UP 844 South side Ogden Union Station, Ogden, Utah, 9 May 2019 Nose to Nose- ©2019 Chip

After departing Cheyenne, the 2 steamers and SD70ACe helped were more than enough power for the train to coast up the hill to Speer Junction. Special thanks to the crew of the freight coming off the Denver Line. They stopped short on purpose and the engineer got out and told the hundreds of people there to see 4014 he would not block their view. Very classy and much appreciated move. ©2019 Mike Harriman

UP 4014 Alco built Big Boy approached Speer, WY, 4 May 2019 with the 150th Anniversary Special. The Big Boy was restored by UP’s Steam Team. At left, Northbound Union Pacific freight from Denver, CO, on the Greeley Subdivision was held awaiting passage of the steam special. ©2019 Chip

1607 on its way to TTI for testing

4014 on the move

Late in the afternoon of May 2, 2019 Big Boy 4014 made history departing Cheyenne under its own steam. The crew made it as far as Nunn before running out of time. A few more adjustments and tweaks and the beast will be ready. ©2019 Mike Harriman

On the Joint Line

Activity around Cheyenne


A Big Boy under steam!!! Still hard to believe this is happening, but seeing it in person is something else. This is right before they blew the whistle for the first time. ©2019 Mike Harriman	A freight was shuttling cars in the BNSF Cheyenne yard, and had a Tier-4 Emission SD70ACe Demo Unit trailing. ©2019 Mike Harriman

A mixed freight charges under the I-80 underpass making a run for Sherman Hill up the #3 Track. ©2019 Mike Harriman	The end to a great day of trains! A stack train changes crews in front of the Cheyenne Depot just as the sun sets. ©2019 Mike Harriman

New signals

Southbound Union Pacific 1667, SD40N, led La Salle, to Brighton, CO, local past newly installed signals at La Salle, CO, 26 April 2019. These EMD units were upgraded by UP at the Jenks Shop. ©2019 Chip

A Federal Railroad Administration passenger car visits Denver

The WP Heritage unit on the move

Union Pacific's 1983, the Western Pacific heritage unit, was rear DPU on Ames, Iowa, bound Vestas wind blade supports unit train at Platteville, Colorado, 23 April 2019. UP 7987 South on Denver, CO, bound train used Platteville Siding. ©2019 Chip

RTD will begin test train operations on N Line

The N Line, also known as the North Metro Rail Line during construction will start test train operation on the first 13 miles from downtown Denver to 124th Avenue in Thornton. When fully built out the line will be 18.5 miles long and pass through Denver, Commerce City, Northglenn, and Thornton. The N Line will have Colorado's longest bridge at 9,533 feet called the Skyway Bridge. While other RTD commuter lines are operated by Denver Transit Partners for RTD, this will be the only line operated by RTD itself.

Taking a break

Found the Joint Line at a standstill 19 April 2019 as the moon set in the western sky. BNSF 6150, ES44AC, was stopped behind McDonald’s on main track one, Joint Line, Pikes Peak Subdivision, Castle Rock, CO. BNSF 8450 had stalled at Palmer Lake. BNSF unit stationed at Spruce had run out of fuel and dumped its water-! Southbound train behind stalled coal load had to cut off power and help push coal load over the Palmer Divide. ©2019 Chip

3Some interesting pictures


Omaha Track is in the process of building a massive industrial park near Eaton, CO, and they had this nicely painted switcher waiting for work. ©2019 Mike Harriman	A UP freight with 5 HLCX maroon Geeps waits just shy of the 0 St. Grade Crossing for the local to finish up switching ©2019 Mike Harriman

Mike stopped by North Yard and WP Heritage Unit 1983 was visiting the mile high city ©2019 Mike Harriman

The Western Pacific Heritage locomotive visits Colorado.


Westbound UP 1983, Western Pacific Heritage unit, led train out of Denver, CO, headed for Bond, Colorado, Sunday, 14 April 2019. ©2019 Chip	UP 1983, Western Pacific Heritage unit heads west on the Moffat Sub. ©2019 Erik Lindgren


UP 1983 heads for Denver. ©2019 Erik Lindgren

You are the to our virtual page


Before departing Cheyenne on its first trip east, the Big Boy picked up a few covered hoppers to assist with braking, seen from the Logan Ave. overpass. ©2019 Mike Harriman	Miles east of Cheyenne 4014 passes the station sign for Egbert, WY and would be stopping in Pine Bluffs for servicing. ©2019 Mike Harriman