News & Current Events

This page shows interesting railroad happenings as well as breaking railroad news.   Check it often as you may learn the location or schedule of some interesting equipment in time to go out and get some great photographs! If you do go photo 'fanning, please share your pictures with and contact News Page Webmaster Wally Weart.

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Amtrak announces Ski Train schedule and ticket prices (Amtrak website)

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 ©2018 Walter Weart

C&S 1006 undergoing restoration

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.   ©2018 Larry Dilts

On the Bush Sub

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 33rd street yard. ©2018 Tim Tonge

On the Joint Line

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

Some help from the NS on the Joint Line

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

The power on the PPL (Pikes Peak Local)

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

The view at Silver Plume

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 . ©2018 Susie Weart

From Rocky's GLRR September 8 trip

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

Some shots from Kansas

The Calhan, Colorado station has been repainted. A former RI caboose and C&S coach are now at the Calhan depot site. ©2018 Larry Dilts	Northern Ag (Formerly Cargill) acquired a Shuttlewagon for their west elevator in Limon, Colorado. ©2018 Larry Dilts
UP westbound local crosses a bridge west of Deer Trail, Colorado.  ©2018 Larry Dilts

A Canadian visitor

4:05 PM September 12, 2018-S. Denver-Canadian National 2306 & Progress Rail 629 S. Main track one headed to Eagle Pass, Texas via joint Line-NS 7588 rear DPU-! ©2018  Chip

An interesting train on the Joint Line

On 9 Sept, 2018 not the most common of sights as BNSF 8470 leads a FerroMex unit and a windmill tube train north up the Palmer Divide as it enters Palmer Lake, CO. ©2018 Chris Paulhamus

A PV passes through Denver

 On Sept. 9, Michael Harriman headed down to Union Station. Amtrak # 5 was just backing in and hooked onto private business car "Chapel Hill" which spent the night after being dropped of on Saturday morning by #5. Interesting portrait of our first president as a drumhead!  ©2018 Michael Harriman

A Canadian visitor

Westbound Canadian National 2306 West of Strasburg, CO, Sunday, September, 9, 2018. Union Pacific empty unit coal train on UP's Limon Subdivision. Second unit is a Progress Rail 629 lessor, ex-CSXT 629. ©2018 Chip

A really useful engine arrives at the Museum

Thomas will get some help from Georgetown Loop 130. This must be a really nice diesel as the ones on the TV program are mean and pick on Thomas. ©2018 Susie Weart	Here's an interesting arrangement of locomotives. The 130 is probably a better choice to help Thomas than the Tunnel Motor ©2018 Susie Weart

An NS Heritage locomotive visits Cheyenne

Union Pacific 4625 East moved NS 1066-New York Central Heritage unit-power to the North Platte train September 6, 2018 at Cheyenne, Wyoming. 

A neat switch engine

Watco Swan Ranch Railroad 4155 freshly painted 2018. The SD40T-2 started life as a Denver & Rio Grande Western RR tunnel motor. Southwest of Cheyenne, Wyoming, September 6, 2018. Swan Ranch RR lettering all applied by August 2018. ©2018 Chip

THe Tunnel Motor move from Coors to the Museum

Below are the links the drone footage and the TV coverage.

Rich Kuberski Drone Video

https://youtu.be/Arb6nDeIp2E

KUSA-TV (9news)

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/next/train-slowly-very-slowly-makes-one-mile-trip-to-colorado-railroad-museum/73-586705004

KCNC-TV (4 News)

https://denver.cbslocal.com/video/category/spoken-word-kcnctv/3922135-historic-locomotive-moved-from-coors-brewery-to-permanent-home/​ 

KDVR-TV/KWGN-TV (Fox 31 & WB Ch 2)

https://kdvr.com/2018/08/22/historic-move-for-locomotive-in-golden/ 

KMGH-TV (Channel 7)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGFfaBYsb9o 

Denver Post

https://www.denverpost.com/2018/08/23/tunnel-motor-locomotive-colorado-railroad-museum-golden/​ 

On the Joint Line around Colorado Springs

Over Labor Day weekend, Alan Schenkel was in the Colorado Springs area and shared some of his pictures  This photograph is at Palmer Lake and not only shows the coal train but how housing development is occurring in that area. ©2018 Alan Schenkel	A loaded coal train head south passing the local which still has a Ro Grande caboose. ©2018 Alan Schenkel
Coal train passes the Colorado Springs Depot and the local's switch engine. The second unit is still in one of the earlier BNSF paint schemes. ©2018 Alan Schenkel	This caboose looks really good and it's graffiti free on top of that. ©2018 Alan Schenkel

A very late running Amtrak #5

On Sunday September 2, 2018, Amtrak #5 was running about 7 1/2 hours late into Denver. I caught the train passing by Leyden headed into the afternoon sun at 4:02 pm. Further up the hill at Pinecliffe, the train met it’s on time counterpart #6. ©2018 Michael Harriman

Commuter cars on the move

BNSF 6275 unit Stadler commuter 4-Car train-Salt Lake City, Utah-Fort Worth, Texas, passed South Broadway at Denver 3:10 PM August 29, 2018- Southbound Joint Line train! ©2018 Chip

A tunnel motor moving to the Colorado Railroad Museum August 23

Not a sight you see every day! A Rio Grande SD40T-2 on BNSF rails in Golden, CO. BNSF is moving DRGW 5401 from the Coors Brewery to the Colorado Railroad Museum, just a few miles away. Note the "M" on the mountain in the distance, representing the Colorado School of Mines.  ©2018 Colorado Railfan	About an hour after leaving the rails at the 44th Avenue grade crossing, Hulcher Services has DRGW 5401 hoisted back up off the panel track and is starting to roll west toward the entrance to the Colorado Railroad Museum.  ©2018 Colorado Railfan
Four cranes from Hulcher Services have the nearly 200-ton Tunnel Motor suspended above 44th Avenue and are slowly rolling west toward the Colorado Railroad Museum.  ©2018 Colorado Railfan	As Hulcher Services works to transport DRGW 5401 west on 44th Avenue, it was not only incredible seeing it suspended off the ground, but it was amazing see it lightly rock back and forth as the cranes slowly rolled down the road. A few shrubs got a bit of a beating on the right side of the road!  ©2018 Colorado Railfan
Hulcher Service cranes lift the back of DRGW 5401 up high enough to ensure that the trucks will clear the temporary panel track laid across 44th Avenue. Once over the panel track, the cranes will lower back of the Tunnel Motor down to the rails. Not a bad match between the Grande Gold of the fly letters and the center stripe of 44th Avenue!  ©2018 Colorado Railfan	DRGW 5401 is almost through the gates of the Colorado Railroad Museum. Took the opportunity to grab a shot of a "Rough Road" sign that the City of Golden put up 5 minutes before I took this picture. Moving a near 200-ton engine isn't exactly kind to an asphalt road. Drivers along 44th Avenue will experience some bumps for a couple of days.  ©2018 Colorado Railfan
A small hole in the trees from Easley Road (north of the museum) revealed a very decent shot of DRGW 5401 as crews work to bring it in through the gates. The Tunnel Motor is reaching the north end of the (temporary) panel track, and the Hulcher Service cranes are moving in to position to lift the unit up once more in order to spot it on the museum track.  ©2018 Colorado Railfan	The 5401 is now in its new home next to another D&RGW veteran.  ©2018 Walter Weart

Servicing the 476 on the D&S

A flash flood on July 24th washed out the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad tracks between Hermosa and Rockwood on the 2.5% grade north of Durango. Two trains and four locomotives were stranded north of the washout. The D&S instituted a schedule of running two trains a day from Rockwood to Silverton and return with passengers being bused from Durango. The D&S shop forces and crews have been forced to service the locomotives outside. These photos show K-28 2-8-2 number 476 being serviced on August 21st.   3 photos ©2018 Jerry Day

491 back in service

491 is back in service. Thanks to our friends at the Durango & Silverton who made her new valve rings, and reprofiled one tender wheel set. To work in the new valves we ran her Saturday with a short mixed train consisting of a tank car, boxcar, 2 rider cars and coach 284. 491 is also 90 years old this month. ©2018 Jeff Taylor

In preparation for the Tunnel Motor move

Hulcher Services http://hulcher.com/ to prepare for the move of the D&RGW SD4OT-2 tunnel motor from Coors to the Colorado Railroad Museum, has gathered an impressive array of specialized equipment. It was renumbered to 9871 by the Union Pacific. The entire area ,including 44th St. ,is closed to the public during this move. ©2018 Walter Weart

At Palmer Lake

On 12 August, 2018, a pair of ACes hauls a coal empty up the final few feet of the Palmer Divide in Palmer Lake, CO on a picture-perfect summer morning. 

An Officer's  Special on the Joint Line

On 20 August, 2018,  David Grothe photographed this Officer's Special train heading south at Tomah Road. 3  pictures ©2018 David Grothe

On the Brush Sub

Shortly before sunset, BNSF 9183 leads an eastbound coal empty at Roggen, CO, on Aug 13, 2018, on the BNSF Brush Sub.  Timothy Tonge	BNSF 3839 leads a westbound Z train at Keenesburg, CO, on the Keenesburg Curve.  Aug 12, 2018. ©2018 Timothy Tonge
BNSF 5728 leads a coal load west between Crest and Roggen, on the BNSF Brush Sub.  Aug 13, 2018. ©2018 Timothy Tonge	Shortly before sunset, BNSF 9183 leads an eastbound coal empty at Roggen, CO, on Aug 13, 2018, on the BNSF Brush Sub.  ©2018 Timothy Tonge
BNSF 6900 leads a short westbound manifest train at Keenesburg, CO, on the Keenesburg Curve.  Aug 12, 2018. ©2018 Timothy Tonge

On the Joint Line

11 August, 2018  BNSF 8488 leads a CitiRail leaser and loaded coal south through the S-curve near Monument, CO. Awhile ago, Chris  mentioned that soon the background in this angle would be changing. Well, soon has arrived and now there's a housing development up and running west of the Joint Line. Progress? 

A welded rail train on the Moffat Sub.

On August 12, I saw this welded rail train sitting in Arvada just to the east of Marshall Street. There was also a ballast train parked behind this one but I could not get a picture as the locomotives were under the Sheraton overpass.  ©2018 Walter Weart

An interesting video from a member.

https://spark.adobe.com/video/20L4sDdTBtKth  Hope you enjoy.

Some interesting pictures from Kansas

K&O 3924 and 3923 were parked on a short spur on the east end of the BNSF yards. Attached to the rear of the train was a shoving platform still lettered for the Burlington Northern and sporting its BN number 12301. ©2018 Larry Dilts	BNSF 1648 and 1773 were in the BNSF yards still painted in AT&SF paint although renumbered. ©2018 Larry Dilts
ADM Milling next to the Union Pacific mainline uses a trackmobile to move cars through their facility. ©2018 Larry Dilts

On the Joint Line

On 4 August, 2018 BNSF 8482 leads a southbound coal train down the backside of the Palmer Divide as it heads out of Palmer Lake, CO.  ©2018 Chris Paulhamus	On 29 July, 2018 BNSF 9379 brings up the rear of a northbound coal empty as it works through the s-curve near Monument, CO.  ©2018 Chris Paulhamus

UP rolled one of its ACes as a rear DPU on this northbound manifest as it rolled through Castle Rock.   ©2018 David Grothe

D&SNGRR Purchases Two New MP2000NG Repowered Diesel Locomotives from MPES for $3.2 Million

The D&SNGRR is investing over $3 million in the two new MP2000NG repowered diesel locomotives, which are being designed around CAT 2000HP engines with GE 764 traction motors to achieve the power and speed required on the steepest grades of the D&SNGRR line. When completed, each locomotive is expected to pull an eight-car consist along the full route from Durango to Silverton and back. The purchase was facilitated by financing arranged by account managers at Durango-based Alpine Bank. The D&SNGRR anticipates taking delivery of the MP2000NG locomotives by late spring of 2019.

Good news for about the Southwest Chief

The Pueblo Chietain reports that the U.S.  Senate agreed to an amendment Wednesday (August 1, 2018) that requires Amtrak to meet that grant obligation and goes further, saying it cannot alter the route or service of the Southwest Chief.

That don't-change-anything language is aimed at Anderson's announcement earlier this spring that Amtrak might replace train service over some areas of the Southwest Chief route with chartered buses.

The amendment came from Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, but it had the backing of fellow-Kansan Pat Roberts, along with Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, and New Mexico's Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich.

Moran, Roberts and Gardner are Republicans while Bennet, Udall and Heinrich are Democrats.

The six senators met with Anderson in June and news reports indicated it did not go well. Anderson repeated his view that the Southwest Chief lost too much money to justify Amtrak spending more money on rail improvements between La Junta and northern New Mexico. 

Another relic to be scrapped

DRGW 027 Crane awaits scrapping at closed Burnham Shops, Denver, Colorado, July 30, 2018.   ©2018 Chip

Near Tunnel 29 on the Moffatt Sub

Dave Goss caught this westbound BNSF freight as it was about to enter Tunnel 29 just east of Pinecliffe. It had six locomotives led by BNSF 4344 (C44-9W) including Canadian National 2552, also a C44-9W with this general merchandise freight.  ©2018 David Goss

At Trinidad

BNSF 9718 West departed Trinidad 9:55 AM with EMDX 1603 & 1604, SD70ACe Tier 4, on Test set- Trinidad, Colorado, Friday, July 27, 2018. BNSF 279 on east end. Amtrak Train 3 late about an hour at La Junta, 9:33 AM. ©2018 Chip

On the Joint Line

On July 24, BNSF 7640 leads a southbound manifest through the S-curve just south of the siding near Monument, CO. ©2018 Chris Paulhamus	On July 24, BNSF 8501 leads a train of empty flats through the Greenland Open Space in Greenland, CO. This was the second of three consecutive northbounds to roll through on this particular weekday.   ©2018 Chris Paulhamus

Some help from the East

On July 18, NS 1081 brings up the rear of a southbound coal train as it shoves the last few football fields' worth of train over the Palmer Divide in Palmer Lake, CO. ©2018 Chris Paulhamus

Black Hills Central

Denny Haefele shared pictures from a trip to the Black Hills last week. The "1880 Train" is a standard gauge RR that runs 10 miles between Hill City and Keystone South Dakota. During the late 1800's and early 1900's the CB&Q built a line from Edgemont to Deadwood. The line served lumber and mining interests in the area and was referred to as "The High Line". Abandoned in 1980 by CB&Q, the !880 Train now known as the Black Hills Central has number 63 a GP-9, a 2-6-2T Baldwin saddle tank numbered 104. The star of the show for us was Number 110 a 2-6-6-2 T mallet built in 1928 by Baldwin that made easy work of the 6% grade leaving Hill City with seven cars in tow. Number 108 is a sister to 110 and is undergoing restoration and a rebuild at BHCRR  Both  pictures Denny Haefele ©2018
Denny Haefele ©2018	Denny Haefele ©2018

A freshly painted engine

Freshly painted Swan Ranch RR 4184, SD40-2, 4050, SD40-2, was built by Electro-Motive in May 1979, #786178-16, FN 786178-16, as Missouri Pacific 3281. It became UP 4281, Class SD40-2, on 22 April 1986, and renumbered B4281 on 14 August 1992. It was retired on 26 Sept 2001, and sold as WSOR 4050. Renumbered WAMX 4184. Swan Ranch, WY, July 19, 2018.  ©2018 Chip

A Shuttle Wagon in Limon

John found this critter parked by the elevator in West Limon. In the past he had seen a wheel loader there used for moving the hoppers. This contraption is something different for Cargill.  ©2018 Limonrail

The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad is back in operation

Rio Grande Scenic Railroad passenger operations are back on track! We have reopened our line and continue to provide all passenger service as scheduled. Come support Southern Colorado tourism! https://www.coloradotrain.com/

Switching at Limon

On July 14, John found the Kyle was switching in Limon. ©2018 Limonrail

A CN motor at Castle Rock

On July 14, David Grothe saw this covered gondola train with BNSF and CN lead power ©2018 David Grothe

A Tunnel Motor in storage

While enroute to the Colorado Railroad Museum last Friday (7/6/18), I planned on dropping by the tank car repair facility at the Coors Brewery. This is where the old UP (ex-DRGW) 9871 SD4OT-2 is stored. The paint on the tunnel motor is looking pretty good still. Rumor has that it'll be stored until there is room and track at the Colorado Railroad Museum. ©2018 Clinton Verseman

Steam may return to the D&S

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad plans to resume coal-fired steam engine service to Silverton on Thursday (July 12, 2018), after more than 40 days stuck in the depot. 

“We are preparing to run on that day,” General Manager John Harper said Tuesday, July 10, 2018.

Harper said the train will work with local agencies and fire districts in the next couple of days to make sure they agree it is safe to run coal-fired engines, which are known for sending off cinders and starting small fires.

On Wednesday (July 11, 2018), La Plata County commissioners will discuss whether to downgrade current Stage 3 fire restrictions, which ban the use of coal-fired steam engines. Lowering fire restrictions would effectively allow D&SNG officials to decide whether it’s safe to run coal-fired engines.

However, there’s no guarantee commissioners will ease fire restrictions. On June 21, for instance, commissioners turned down a request to downgrade to Stage 2 restrictions, arguing the extreme fire danger had not diminished as a result of one weekend of storms. (The Durango Herald)

An Officer train on the UP

2666 W. 8-car engineering inspection train Mesa Siding, Aurora, Limon Subdivision, July 11, 2018. Passed UP 1982 East on coal load on siding. ©2018 Chip

On the Joint Line

On July 7, UP 7757 leads a trio of flag'd units on a northbound CSUX coal empty in Palmer Lake, CO. ©2018 Chris Paulhamus	on July 7, NS 1081 brings up the rear of a southbound coal train as it reaches the top of the Palmer Divide in Palmer Lake, CO. ©2018 Chris Paulhamus

At Palmer Lake on 1 July, 2018, BNSF 6115 leads a northbound Q-train out of Palmer Lake, CO on a beautiful summer morning. 

Two interesting shots from the  Moffat Sub.

Union Pacific 7151 (in a faded set of colors) leads Amtrak Train #5 westbound approaching Tunnel 29 running more than two hours late on July 7, 2018. Not sure what happened to the second Amtrak unit, but this configuration is a bit unusual. ©2018 Dave Goss	Sierra Hotel takes the last position of today’s California Zephyr # 5 on July 7, 2018. Built in 1948 at the Silver Lounge, the car went into private service beginning in 1980.©2018 Dave Goss

An update on the Pikes Peak cog railway

Manitou Springs council approves Cog Railway plan

the Manitou Springs City Council heard public comment and took a final vote on The Broadmoor's plan to restore the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which closed for a thorough evaluation earlier this year.

The council gave preliminary approval to the plan earlier this month and passed the plan by a vote of 6-1 Tuesday.

Councilwoman Becky Elder cast the lone dissenting vote.

"I totally support rebuilding (the Cog)," she said. "But the people of Manitou have been talking to me. They wanted more time and more information. They don't like the 50-year tax break for The Broadmoor."

The Broadmoor plans to start demolishing the existing and aging rail infrastructure this fall, and finish building the new system by 2020. The total cost estimate could be as much as $100 million.

As part of the agreement, Manitou Springs will receive $1.5 million from The Broadmoor to offset lost tax revenue because of the train's closure. The Broadmoor also will help the city provide more parking, ease traffic congestion and build a transportation center and a cog rail museum, possibly on the Hiawatha Gardens property.
©2018 KRDO.com  

A Rocky Club outing

The Club celebrated its 80th anniversary and 80-years since the last train left Como, CO, June 30, 2018. Club members and friends rode the rebuilt narrow gauge rails in the gondola behind Klondike Kate 4 wood burning steam locomotive at the Como rail yard. Thanks to the Jefferson Fire District, our excursion rides operated. Dry and windy conditions had South Park on high alert for wildfires. ©2018 Chip

Club group picture; RMRRC president Steve Mason right of drumhead. Dave Schaaf, vice-president left of drumhead. Nathan Holmes left of Dave. Pat Mauro (gray coveralls) kneeling in foreground has been instrumental in working with the South Park Rail Society Como project.

The Cub donated $10 per club ticket to the Como groups and $10 for the Foundation to fund the grant program. Nathan Holmes painted new name sections for the Club drumhead which was mounted on the end of the rider gondola.

South Park group, the Denver, South Park & Pacific Historical Society is currently in the process of re- storing DSP&P 608, an 1879 wooden boxcar that is the only surviving intact DSP&P freight car, and asked for a grant towards completing that work before next year. Since the car itself is in remarkably good condition for its age and disuse, when the restoration is complete, it will maintain its historic integrity by still being largely original material. Once completed, the car will be kept inside the Como roundhouse and only rolled out occasionally, keeping it safe from the weather and away from vandals. With a strong track record based on their work restoring the Como depot and working with the South Park Rail Society. (Nathan Holmes 2018 grant report) 

A Joint Line train 

BNSF 8595 leads a coal train south as it enters Castle Rock, CO. The second unit is a SD70MACe, which, in my opinion, wears the H3 paint scheme well. I'm not sure if those units are lead-qualified, but I've never caught one on the point. I'm not sure what the status of the MACe program is, but I hope BNSF will squirt out some more...  ©2018 Chris Paulhamus

A very interesting power combination

David found this unusual combination on a s/b Joint Line train with Elephant-style BNSFbonnet GE second out, SD40-2 fourth in line  ©2018 David Grothe

Klondike Kates steams again

South Park Rail Society Como Roundhouse. Klondike Kate 4, 2-6-2 Baldwin built in 1912, first steam up in 2018 started June 29, 2018. The South Park Rail Society is a Colorado non-profit 501(c)(3) organization charged with the care and restoration of the 1881 Como Roundhouse, preserving the area's railway history and operating steam locomotive in the South Park of Colorado. Como, Colorado, June 29, 2018. First 2018 steam up for Klondike Kate 4 for weekend operation June 30 and July 1, 2018. Most of the work in 2018 was focused on extending the “mainline” south behind the roundhouse and the addition of some more storage tracks. A short extension towards the Como Hotel was first on the list-completed June 2018. This extension (built early June 2018) allows more space for the locomotive and a railcar to clear the depot switch. In 2017, we discovered there was not enough space north of the Como Depot switch to allow the locomotive to switch even a single car from the main track over to the roundhouse lead. David Tomkins granted permission to add a couple lengths of rail on the north end to help remedy this situation. ©2018 Chip

Roaring fire in Klondike Kate 4 at Como, Colorado, 12:40 PM June 29, 2018 ©2018 Chip (Ed. note: Due to extreme fire danger Klondike Kate made two runs on Saturday, June 30 and did not run on Sunday, July 1.) ©2018 Chip

A few pictures from our trip to  Chama

Apparently the normal power for the Royal Gorge is experiencing some mechanical difficulties as this engine is a substitute for the westbound portion of the ride. ©2018 Walter Weart	The normal power is parked on a siding as I understand that the Royal Gorge does not have a shop facility repairs could be difficult to perform. ©2018 Walter Weart
Across from the shop that I think the Royal Gorge was using, we found this Rock & Rail locomotive awaiting its next assignment. As we headed away from Canyon City towards Parkdale, we saw miles of stored hoppers cars. While some had Rock & Rail reporting marks, others had different private owners reporting marks.  ©2018 Susie Weart	We took a quick detour into Creede and were able to locate the old D&RGW station. It's surrounded on two sides, the south and east, by a lumberyard.. Once you're outside a Creede, the rails are still in place and all the equipment is still at South Fork.  ©2018 Susie Weart

A trip on the CATS

On June 26 we rode the  CATS

On the way to, Chama, we stopped at Sergeants and photographed the water tank and the other two buildings that are still there. We also threw a handful of dollar bills in their collection bucket   ©2018 Susie Weart	The CATS added an extra car to our train so we wound up with a doubleheader.The road engine is 484 and the helper is 487 ©2018 Walter Weart
The Friends were in the middle of a two-week work program and obviously 483 is one of the projects. They were also restoring an old rider boxcar which will be used for paint storage. They are also working on the property, repairing, rebuilding and repainting rolling stock. They have replaced many of the metal mileposts with authentic wood ones . ©2018 Walter Weart	You have to take pictures of the train and we were in the second car from the locomotives which will give you an idea of the length of the train.  ©2018 Susie Weart
Another view as we made our way up to Wendy Point and Cumbres Pass.  ©2018 Walter Weart	This is the station at Cumbres Pass.  ©2018 Susie Weart
We even had a meet with a freight train. I'm not sure why the cars and the caboose with there but everyone of them have been restored and was really neat. There was no power in sight but when we returned to Chama the train was gone.  ©2018 Susie Weart	This is the caboose shot from the train and as you can see by the shadows the picture was very backlit.  ©2018 Walter Weart
As we rode back to Chama, we changed trains at Oshier after a really great lunch. Both trains arrived almost the same time and the Lunch workers did a marvelous job and got everybody back on a train with virtually no delay.  ©2018 Susie Weart	Susie got a marvelous shot our train heading for Antonito. All and all, the ride and the weather could not have been better  ©2018 Susie Weart

Cheyenne Frontier Days train 

Ex Zephyr cars 

Ben Butterworth purchased the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (CB&Q) SILVER TOWER in Feb 2006. Car stored at Gateway Rail Services at Madison, Illinois, June 18, 2018. CB&Q 366 "Silver Tower" square ended observation parlor-1 drawing room was built for CB&Q’s Kansas City Zephyr - BN 1193 (not applied), ex-Amtrak 9321 - retired 9/85, Dirk Lenthe (5/93), Mike Abernethy, for sale at Illinois Transit Assembly (9/2000). Sold to Gateway Coach/Ben Butterworth Feb 2006, car remaining at ITAC now called Gateway Rail Services. ©2018 Chip

ATSF 533 named MESA VERDE was last used by Mid America Railcar which leased the former Santa Fe Hi-Level car. It is one of the transition cars, converted by Amtrak into dorm cars. It was externally refurbished as a Santa Fe car, now named "Mesa Verde" and retains the dorm accommodations. AT&SF 533, ex-Amtrak 9907, ex-Amtrak HEP 39907, once used by Hobo Railroad. Car was stored at Gateway Rail Services in Madison, IL, as of October 2009. Above image taken June 18, 2018, Madison, IL.  ©2018 Chip

Military power

Fort Riley Gensets; Fort Riley Railhead.  USAX 6511 & 6504, 3GS21B gensets.  The 6504 was built in 2008 and the 6511 in 2012 by National Railway Equipment (NRE).  Locomotives operate at Ft Riley, KS, home of the Big Red One.  All locomotives are similarly painted and marked with the insignia of the First Infantry Division.  Large amount of military equipment is moved by rail.  You won't see these locomotives off post unless they are being sent to a shop for maintenance. They only operate in the Camp Funston area shuttling railcars to the various railheads.  Two track enginehouse building 1692A at right.  Fort Riley, KS, June 14, 2018.  Permission was granted by Fort Riley Public Affairs Office at building 500 ©2018 Chip

A damaged bridge yet to be rebuilt

Kyle RR, ex-Rock Island RR, had a two-span through truss bridge over Republican River in Cloud County, northwest of Concordia, Kansas. One truss bridge was destroyed when three railroad cars (loaded covered grain cars) derailed on a bridge over the Republican River about 7:00 PM 22 December 2015 causing extensive damage to the bridge. No evidence of bridge reconstruction as of June 19, 2018. Bridge located north of Vale Road and N 90th Road intersection. ©2018 Chip

Derailed cars at upper left.  Trees around bridge north end were removed for derailment clean-up.  No progress on bridge reconstruction. ©2018 Chip

Dispatcher, I think we have a problem

June 19, 2018 was not a good day for the UP in Colby, Kansas. At Cornerstone Ag, the distributed power units on a grain train were shoved through the derail putting 8783 on the ground .(Ed. note: I guess we prove that the derail really does its job.) ©2018 Larry Dilts

Some local action on June19

An airport bound G Line train crosses Monaco Parkway. Apparently they were having operating problems as this train was running about 10 miles an hour and I noticed at a red signal to the east. The gates were down a  three or four minutes at least while one eastbound and  westbound train passed . ©2018 Walter Weart	A pair of remote control UP GP-15s are spotted just east of Monaco Parkway. Both units were shut down and apparently waiting to be needed. ©2018 Walter Weart
A Denver & Rock Island motor heads east with a single boxcar. I noticed a number of tank cars stored on various sidings and a lot of bulkhead lumber flats awaiting entry to the reload center so apparently they're busy. ©2018 Walter Weart

A meet on the Joint Line

On 9 June, 2018, BNSF 9177 leads a northbound coal empty up Main 2 just north of Palmer Lake, CO while a southbound coal load is about to get underway on Main 1 now that the single-track main is clear south of town. ©2018 Chris Paulhamus

From my recent June  trip to  Alaska

We were supposed to ride to Fraser on June 3 however a rockslide which occurred a few days earlier had closed the line. I was able to get one of the hotel staff to take me on a railfan expedition to the White Pass yard. Freshly painted GE 91 was built in 1954 and received a new prime mover in 2010.  The White Pass was just sold to Holland America Princess Alaska Tours. There was some controversy over enlarging the docks in Skagway and negotiations between the railroad and the city had broken down so this will eliminate that problem. The railroad and port will be operated by Survey Point Holdings as part of a joint venture with the cruise lines.	This is the last car of that train and the drum head sign is really a nice touch. I noticed that a number of the cars could use some paint but the locomotives all appeared to have been freshly painted.
This shows all of the trains ready to move and you'll note the flat car with the canoes and the boxcar both of which are used for campers who can be dropped off along the line.	The 110, 104 and another locomotive await the call to duty The Montreal Locomotive Works built these motors in May 1969. When the White Pass shut down in 1982, they were sold to Sociedad Colombiana de Transport Ferroviaro S.A. in 1992 and were repurchased by the WP&YR in 1999
While in the Delani, I went to the station to watch the last of the three cruise trains to arrive. The 4324 heads up the train. The Alaska railroad numbers their locomotives with the horsepower so this of course is a 4000 hp SD70MAC	The last car on the train as were the rest of them built by Colorado Railcar. The front four cars are owned by Holland America while the last last four cars are owned by Princess Cruse Lines.

Our train met three northbound trains during our trip from Denali to Anchorage. This one is the most unusual of them all, the Hurricane Express. This train operates from Talkeetna to Hurricane Gulch and serves local Alaskans who live along the line. The train can be flagged down at any point on the trip and will stop for passengers. The train runs more frequently in the summer however it does run year-round and has been featured on the History Channel series on Alaskans who live "off the grid". The lead unit is a GP-40-2 and the trailing unit is a Power Cab 31 HEP unit; nee Amtrak F40PH 244.

Our train arrived in Anchorage and as you can tell, the cars were full of passengers on various stages of their cruise. We stayed overnight in Anchorage and flew back to Denver and would really like to go back and ride the Like Pass one more time. All pictures ©2018 Walter Weart

The 111 starts a new season at Loop 

Georgetown Loop No, 111 makes his first revenue trip of the new season after having run light to Devi's Gate and  back on May 23, 111 powered the last revenue trip of May 24. Phil Johnson has the engine in excellent condition and it sure looks good. ©2018 Walter Weart

A visit to Windsor

On May 22, I was one of two Operation Lifesaver presenters at an event in Windsor. The changes in Windsor since my GWR days are incredible. Back then, it was sugar beets, Universal Forest Products and the Kodak plant. The old Kodak plant site has been redeveloped and there is an absolutely amazing amount of rail activity in that area. Don't expect to hear air horns, every crossing in Windsor is  a quiet zone!

Windsor has a small Museum adjacent to the park and it has the old Great Western station and an ex Great Western caboose. Since the original line belong to the Colorado & Southern, they have an ex C&S single sheath wood boxcar on display as well. The station building is a Museum and as a number of pictures and artifacts on display.
Kodak plant site is the receipt of frak sand for the drilling industry and there were two unit trains awaiting unloading. Scattered throughout the site are other industries with rail spurs that show much activity.

An OCS Train on the Joint Line

On his way home,  David Grothe saw a headlight in the distance so he photographed this a BNSF O-train. Hw snapped a few photos of it in Castle Rock approaching the Wolfensberger bridge. ©2018 David Grothe

Progress 0n 4014

UP 4014 Big Boy Restoration May 17, 2018; Part of the restoration includes converting the locomotive's engine into an Oil Burner, changing it's fuel from coal to no. 5 oil. This process will include replacing the coal burning grates in the with a fire pan and using a Oil Burner to "flow and atomize the fuel oil into a fine mist". This mist will mix with combustion air, resulting in a fireball that will generate power for the steam engine. UP Steam Shop at Cheyenne, Wyoming.  ©2018 Chip

Cheyenne Depot Days

Union Pacific 4014 Big Boy is undergoing restoration for May 2019 trips. Cheyenne Depot Days will offer tours of Union Pacific Steam Shop weekend of May 19 and 20, 2018. ©2018 Chip

Some action around Ft. Collins

On May 13, Alan caught a train on the Black Hollow branch.  ©2018  Alan Schenkel	BNSF entered  North YArd  and is passing a maroon SW-style switcher.  ©2018 Alan Schenkel
This is the second unit, an ex UP maybe a lease unit?   ©2018  Alan Schenkel

Do you think there enough locomotives?

Larry Dilts was crossing under Interstate 70 on the east side of Oakley, Kansas, May 14, 2018 was a westbound with UP 5007, 4697, 4575, 6846 and two cars. The Oakley local power is not left in Oakley over the weekends any longer,  but returns to Salina for servicing. It comes back on Mondays. The three front units have been regulars on the local for sometime now. The trailing GE was for a grain train loading at Cornerstone Ag in Colby which was short on power. ©2018 Larry Dilts

One more shot of the UP Engineering Special

The Special passes Greenland with the Red Barn in the background. ©2018 Chris Paulhamus

A BNSF merchandiser at Greenland

A BNSF manifest-Q, southbound is running on track 2. at Greenland with the barn in the background. ©2018 David Sheppard

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