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.

Photo specs: 800 X 600, max of 1024 X 800 72 dpi or ppi is standard for the web. GIF or TIF is preferred as these are considered lossless versus lossy  (A lossy compression (JPG) method is one where compressing data and then decompressing it retrieves data that may well be different from the original). I reduce some pictures to 559 x 380 if I put them side by side.

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Please remember that the photos are copyrighted and neither the pictures or text can be used without permission of the owner.

Help from a visitor

In Castle Rock at 1550 w/ Ferromex ACe.  �2021 David Grothe

Winter on the Moffat Sub

Grand Junction to Denver manifest made a timely appearance for a shot I've been attempting in that special light in a fresh 10"� of mountain snow. To my delight, add some weather interaction with the Flatirons standing proud in the immediate distance, �2021 Erik Lindgren	Number 5 running on time kicks up some fresh snow near the Great Divide at Tolland. Running track speed and looking so �2021 Erik Lindgrenclean and fresh these venerable P42's don't look ready for replacement in the least.

Visitors from Canada

BNSF unit sand train from Iowa had Central Maine & Quebec 1006, AC4400CW, and Canadian Pacific 8044 on the rear of westbound BNSF train February 22, 2021.  Train was parked at Barr Siding, CO. �2021 Chip

On the Big Ten curve on the Moffat Sub

Westbound BNSF 6899, ES44AC, led a 3x2 Denver, Colorado, to Provo, Utah, trackage rights train around snow covered Union Pacific�s Big 10 west of Arvada, Colorado, on UP�s Moffat Tunnel Subdivision 20 February 2021. This is the former Moffat Road (Denver & Salt Lake later became the Denver & Rio Grande Western RR). �2021 Chip

Switching at the Anheuser-Busch plant in Ft. Collins

S&S Sales & Leasing SSRX 1393, MP15, was working the brewery trackage at Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch). Brewery is northeast of Fort Collins, CO, February 19, 2021. �2021 Chip

Amtrak meets the BNSF

Three hour late AMTK train 5, the CZ, with 15 & 206 on 9-car train meet eastbound BNSF 4175 Z DENCHI intermodal at Commerce City, CO. West Siding Switch Irondale - both trains kept moving-! Well executed meet by Brush Subdivision dispatcher. � 2021Chip

A huge power move on the BNSF

Bob Thiele was able to get a picture of this power move. He counted 23 locomotives and one note indicated they are on the way to Donkey Creek yard in Wyoming. As coal traffic has fallen of, the  yard is empty and provides a locution for storage.  Note the oroginal ATSF paint and there was a Warbonnet in the consist. If you have more information, please contact me.  Click on this link to reach the  Webmaster Photo  �2021Bob Thilele

Can someone explain this?

Can someone explain this to me? While running some errands today (February 3), I noticed that the signals at Leyden were lit so I thought there might be something coming down the hill.. I also noticed that there was couple of motors which I thought were on the passing siding and I thought they would let someone run around them. I waited about 20 minutes and decided that maybe that train was delayed and as I had places to go and things to do, I moved on. I decided I would find a location where I could take some additional pictures of Leyden and was surprised to see that the motors were on the main. The second picture was my attempt to show that the signals facing the engines and the passing siding were both red. That would seem to indicate that any train that was going to pass the motors would be on the passing siding but the red aspect displayed would stop the train at that point. I saw that the lead motor had both ditch and headlights illumined which of course is a FRA requirement when occupying the main. I couldn't tell if there was anyone on board but you would think that if their hours expired, they would have tied down on the passing siding, leaving the main clear. I don't think I've ever seen anything like this so does someone have an explanation? Sorry for the quality of the pictures, I normally carry a camera but I had left it at home to take pictures of some things for eBay and my American Flyer Christmas tree train set. Won't do that again as my cell phone is okay but not great. 3 pictures  And no, I'm not upgrading my cell phone, I'll remember my camera. 3 pictures �2021 Walter Weart
I also learned that that there were or are some ballast cars and panel track flat cars spotted east of Sheridan so could these motors been assigned to move them?	Erik Lindgren got the shot I couldn't and you can see the signal aspects  �2021 Erik Lindgren

SL&RG locomoitves on the move to a new owner

The stored San Luis & Rio Grande (SLRG) lettered units were moved before sunrise 1 February 2021 from Portland, Colorado, to Pueblo, CO. The five units; SLRG 4141, 4144, 4136, 4138 (painted Adams University), and 4142 are GP40FH-2 ex-New Jersey Transit locomotives. BNSF will move them from Pueblo, CO, to new owner Texas Northwestern (TXNW).  Chip	Rock & Rail moved five San Luis & Rio Grande lettered GP40FH-2 units from Portland, CO, to Pueblo, CO, before sunrise February 1, 2021. They were interchanged to BNSF for movement to new owner Texas Northwestern. �2021 Chip
�2021 Chip

The "Beer" train, kinda

The mid-morning BNSF Beer Train crosses 44th on its way to Denver. Not much beer any more as outbound rail carload freight has dropped to below 30%. Coors is still a major customer with grain, corn syrup and other ingredients but the power plant no longer receives coal. This picture proves that  your webmaster still takes some pictures from time to time. �2021 Walter Weart

On the old Rock Island

Eastbound Kyle RR train had Central Oregon & Pacific RR (CORP) painted 4075, SD40T-2, on former Rock Island line at Brewster, Kansas, January 27, 2021. Train had 39-loads and 3-empties in fresh snow on Kyle�s Phillipsburg Subdivision.  �2021 Chip	Eastbound Kyle RR train had Utah Railway 5005 (foreground), MK50-3, and Central Oregon & Pacific RR (CORP) painted 4075, SD40T-2, on former Rock Island line at Brewster, Kansas, January 27, 2021. Mighty cold day with fresh snow along this former Rock Island line. �2021 Chip

A visitor helps move a blade train

David spotted a southbound BNSF blade train between Castle Rock and Yogi Bear Camping Adventure Park on Saturday around noon. It was stopped at a signal but soon starting moving. It picked up speed quickly and caught it by Yogi's and again in Greenland and one last time on the bridge in Palmer Lake. The CSX Gevo second out added some color. �2021 David Shepard

On the Moffat Sub

HPVODEN is climbing the +2.00 grade at milepost 22.97 in Coal Creek Canyon, CO on Tuesday January 26, 2021. Within moments the train will be in the bore at Tunnel 1 on a delightful frosty snowy January day on the Moffat Road. �2021 Erik Lindgren	HPVODEN-1 is descending the +2.00 grade at milepost 26.91 high in the Flatirons above Eldorado Springs, CO on Wednesday January 26, 2021. Within moments the train will be in the bore at Tunnel 7 on a delightful snowy morning on the Moffat Road. �2021 Erik Lindgren

Friday January 22, 2021 BNSF 5468 leads the daily Provo manifest through the Flatiron Range near the Jefferson and Boulder county line at milepost 26.11. Tunnel 5 is 585 feet in length while tunnel 6 is 536 feet. This short stretch of the Moffat Road briefly catches the pleasant morning sunlight while the train is negotiating the 2.00 grade between the two tunnels.  �2021 Erik Lindgren

Fresh paint on the BNSF

BNSF 521 B40-8W H4 paint scheme Hudson Turn Brush Sub Irondale Siding Commerce City CO  �2021 Chip

COVID-19 on the rails

The railroads have not been immune to the corona virus. One CMO covered hopper received corona virus graffiti. Colby, Kansas, December 31, 2020. �2021Larry Dilts

An update on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway

M&PP yard looking toward the depot. The depot is being renovated and new restroom facilities constructed. Manitou Springs, Colorado, January 12, 2021.  �2021Larry Dilts	M&PP yard looking toward the shop. The shop building is being lengthened. The new yard tracks have been installed. Manitou Springs, Colorado, January 12, 2021. �2021Larry Dilts

On the Moffat sub

Continuing my experiments with trying to convey the dramatic rise of the Moffat Road over the plains upon the beautiful Flatiron Range. Looking southeast the Denver skyline can be seen in the distance including Rocky Flats. Here at 1842 feet above Denver Amtrak 5 is exiting tunnel 7 with a reminiscent puff of exhaust from the 208 foot long bore at MP 26.63. Amtrak will continue to climb to the continental divide inside Moffat Tunnel at up to a +2.00 grade. Tuesday January 19, 2021. �2021 Erik Lindgren

Oil Can for Utah via the Moffat Road Wednesday January 20, 2021 at West Crescent UP 6007 leads the empty oil called at 0740 for Wildcat Utah. A special visitor from back east CSXT 5358 in elephant fashion gander into the morning sunshine in the Tunnel District. OSJWU-16 St. James, LA to Wildcat, UT �2021 Erik Lindgren

Changes on the Denver & Rock Island

Old Denver Rock Island Railroad (DRIR) track removal near South Platte River at Denver Stockyards, Wednesday, January 13, 2021.National Western Complex Redevelopment continues �2021 Chip
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at former Denver Stockyards, Denver, Colorado �2021 Chip

On the Moffat Sub

OWUSJ-07 Wildcat, UT to St. James, LA Originated on Utah Rwy past tunnel 26 near Wundervu, CO after about 3" of new snow. January 2011  �2021 Erik Lindgren	UP 5941, AC44CWCTE, and UP 3000 Tier 4 handled 92-car loaded unit oil train, O WUSJ-07. Utah Rly loaded the train at Wildcat, Utah, for move to St. James, Louisiana. Coal Creek Canyon, CO, 10 January 2021 after the snowfall. �2021 Chip
Classic location with a remarkably clean Amtrak 5 near Tunnel #1  �2021 Erik Lindgren	Private cars EVELYN HENRY and WARREN R HENRY 12/28/20 at Plainview  �2021 Erik Lindgren

PVs visit Colorado

PV Warren R Henry at Denver Union Station 9 Jan 2021 �2021 Chip
Private cars Warren R. Henry dome lounge and Evelyn Henry sleeper were on Amtrak train 6, the California Zephyr. Train stopped briefly at Winter Park Ski Area, CO. UP�s Moffat Tunnel Subdivision on 8 January 2021. Car laid over at Denver Union Station the January 8-10, 2021 then continued east to Chicago, IL. �2021 Chip

A Warbonnet!

A pleasant way to bring in the new year, BNSF 4705 still in full Warbonnet paint leads the HPVODEN1 from Provo, Utah into Denver on the morning of Sunday, January 3, 2021. Both photos �2021 Erik Lindgren

Visitors from Canada

Westbound Canadian Pacific'�s 8114 and 7014 (CP Heritage unit-!) on BNSF train Sweetgrass, Montana, to Fresno, California, loaded grain train. BNSF parked her at LoDo Siding, Denver, CO, 1:45 PM, January 5th. Photo by Chip at Irondale Siding, Commerce City, Colorado, �2021 January 5, 2021.	Westbound Canadian Pacific's 8114 and 7014 (CP Heritage unit-!) on BNSF train Sweetgrass, Montana, to Fresno, California, loaded grain train. Photo by Chip at Hudson, Colorado, �2021 January 5, 2021.

PVs at Union Station

Three private cars i.e. private varnish, were at Denver Union Station Sunday, January 3, 2021. At left was Gulf, Mobile & Ohio 50 - The Patron Tequila Express - which laid over on track 5 for 9-days. On the right, were Henry Creative Promotions PVs; dome lounge Warren R. Henry and sleeper Evelyn Henry. Those PVs continued west to California.  �2021 John Sherman

On the Moffat Sub

Tunnel 26 Aglow in Reflected Light. Remarks: Westbound through the tunnel district the daily Provo manifest HDENPVO1 with BNSF 7991 leading on 12/31/20 tugs 10 power units 7 in view here through the Rockies not around them. The afternoon winter sun strikes the south rim of the deep canyon east of Pinecliffe and tunnel 27 below Wundervu, CO with a brunt warm soft reflected light illuminating the train. Repeated attempts finally realized since seeing this phenomenon.    �2021 Erik Lindgren

Visitors from Canada

Southbound CP 8009 AC4400CWM was on BNSF�s train G SWEGUC3-26a (Sweetwater, MT, to Guernsey, CA). The 98-car, 13,838-ton, unit grain train was on BNSF�s Brush Subdivision at Roggen, CO, December 30, 2020. Train came via Sterling, CO. Train was set up 3 x 1 x 0; CP 8009, CP 9648, BNSF 4654 with DPU CP 9731 which were all refueled at Denver, CO, that evening. �2020-2021 Chip

Amtrak in the snow

Tuesday morning December 29th, 2020 Amtrak P42DC number 161 leads the California Zephyr train number 5 seen here climbing to tunnel 1 on the Moffat Subdivision.  15 minutes earlier this entire scene was blanketed in a thick fog; the remnants of the previous nights snow event. Light snow fell over most of the Front Range overnight leaving a light coating of snow just enough for a winter scene worth capturing.  �2020 Erik Lindgren

Still in the old colors

BNSF has only a few units still painted Burlington Northern green. BNSF 1920, SD40-2, was working at BNSF�s 31st Street Yard, Denver, CO, December 27, 2020. �2020 Chip

Report estimates cost to start passenger service for Colorado's front range at up to $2.5 billion
Trains Industry Newsletter

Consulting firm's presentation sees cost of more complete, higher speed service at up to $14.2 billion reports Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission

DENVER � The initial version of a passenger rail operation along Colorado�s Front Range could see two to six round trips a day between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, mostly on existing lines, and cost $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion.

The consulting firm will finalize its initial report, and offer recommendations on routes and a timeline for developing the service, by the end of the year.

Coal on the Moffat Sub

C GJCTPH0 06 Lead by BNSF 6271 rolls through the twists and turns of the Tolland Valley past the Giants Ladder at MP45 on a beautiful winter morning on December 9, 2020. . �2020 Erik Lindgren	C GJCTPH0 06 Lead by BNSF 6271 rolls through the twists and turns of the Tolland Valley past the Giants Ladder at MP45 on a beautiful winter morning on December 9, 2020. . �2020 Erik Lindgren

New track for Denver & Rock Island

Hensel-Phelps Construction and Professional Rail Contractors, Inc, completed Denver Rock Island Railroad new Denver Stockyards trackage December 8, 2020. Construction managers rode DRIR 88, GP9R, to inspect the new yard along BNSF�s Brush Subdivision. National Western Complex Redevelopment prompted major changes at the former Denver Stockyards. There will be no National Western Stock Show in January 2021 account the COVID pandemic. �2020 Chip

Track work on the Towner Line

Men were placing ties on Colorado Pacific�s new 11,000-foot long siding east of NA Junction, CO, on ex-Missouri Pacific Towner Line December 3, 2020. Colorado Pacific plans to use new siding to assemble 100-car or more unit grain trains for interchange with BNSF at NA Junction or Pueblo, CO. Photo by Chip  �2020

Polar Express at the Museum

Moonlit Polar Express at CRRM 11/28 �2020 Erik Lindgren

New Power for the Durango & Silverton

Thanks to Jerry Day, can see one of the of the new diesels for for the D&S.  Control stand is very similar to those I remember from my railroad days.

Union Station Christmas lights

I don't know who took this pictures but if you are the photographer, please let me know. If you have other pictures of the Union Station lights, please share them with your fellow club members 

A visitor from the East

A visitor from the east (Norfolk Southern 4280) near Castle Rock. �2020 Tim Tonge

A winter scene on the Moffat Sub

Happy Holidays, Tuesday, November 24th was kissed with a fresh 8” of sticky snow early before dawn at Coal Creek Canyon. Amtrak 5, running about 2 hours late the California Zephyr is seen here rolling through the majestic pillows of heavy snow flocked from top to bottom on the trees. �2020 Erik Lindgren

A heritage unit

Union Pacific�s 1982, the Missouri Pacific Heritage unit, came south into Colorado via the Cheyenne, WY, to 36th Street Yard, Denver, CO. Train arrived the Mile High City early November 25, 2020. Unit was wyed on the Pullman Wye and led the auto train from Rolla (Commerce City, CO) back north to Cheyenne, WY, that afternoon. �2020 Chip

MOW equipment in Denver

UP 958500 MW Maintenance of Way set was built by Relco (builders date 18 May 2020). The unit (model PU3200 A-6) is based on an SD40-2 frame (note the six-axles). This self propelled set departed UP's 36th Street Yard northward on the Greeley Subdivision, Denver, CO. �2020 Chip

On the Moffat Sub

Eastbound and now past East Portal, BNSF 6233 is in charge of the HPVODEN1 beneath some of Colorado's highest peaks. Rollins Pass and James Peak and the rest of the Great Divide are holding back a Pacific fed winter storm ravaging the western slope. The dark blue sky embodies the snowfall that is undoubtedly delighting the early skiers of the 2020/2021 season at Winter Park.  �2020 Erik Lindgren

On the Joint Line

Southbound BNSF 296, SD75I, handled the Irondale (Commerce City, CO, to Minnequa, CO) train U IRCMQA-027t down the Joint Line November 15, 2020. Train was north of Palmer Lake, CO, with 100-car empty cement covered hoppers. In 2017 BNSF overhauled 45 SD75�s. �2020 Chip

On 11 Nov, 2020 BNSF 9233 is on the rear of a northbound empty as it crests the final few feet of the Palmer Divide in Palmer Lake, CO. �2020 Chris Paulhamus