Hello- After two major Spring snow storms in the last week, parts of the Front Range in Colorado had 18 inches of snow. Last Sunday was a nice change as there wasn't a cloud in the sky and highs reached 70°F! I had the kids covered for the day, so I spent 12 hours away from home, along the tracks between Castle Rock and Pueblo. How often when you make it trackside does it seem that you happened to pick the day that MOW was out and the trains were nowhere in sight? Amazingly, Sunday was not that day! I saw or heard about 15 trains in the course of the day. It seemed to be nonstop action as southbounds got warrants in Denver and northbounds got warrants in Pueblo. I create a trip report, that includes some history on the Joint Line as well as some information on the (former) crossovers at Spruce and Crews. You can read the report on my website. The report doesn't include all the pictures from the day though, so if you'd like to see all the shots, you can click here. Here are six shots of BNSF coal trains taken over the course of the day... ================================= 1. A BNSF coal load passes by the big red barn (as I call it) in Greenland. Greenland offers a view of Pikes Peak, Bison along the tracks and the Big Red Barn. Very photogenic location! 2. A BNSF coal load descends through the sag about two miles north of Palmer Lake. 3. An SD70ACe and an ES44AC push on the rear end of a southbound coal load that is entering the town of Palmer Lake.
4. A BNSF coal load is on the main track as it passes by the Colorado Springs depot. UP's Colorado Springs switcher sits idle in the distance. 5. After meeting a southbound at Crews, this BNSF coal empty is throttling up! The train is leaving double track behind and is entering the 32 miles of single track between Crews and Palmer Lake. 6. The tracks turn toward the west at Kelker and you can get some nice shots in the evening of northbounds, such as with this coal empty in the Springs. ================================= Thanks for looking!
I'm sure that you are glad to see all that snow gone. I know we are here in Dallas. I think I can put away the winter clothes for the year. Ah, shorts and t-shirts.
