The Unofficial Moffat Route Tour!!!

HemiAdda2d Sep 28, 2004

  1. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Notice: many pictures posted here will have red 'x' boxes until I edit in the new RailImages URL's. Sorry for the inconvenience!

    From Rocky Siding (Arena siding before the 50's) to the Moffat Tunnel!
    This will be a photo-intensive walkthrough of the Moffat Route, with my own photos. I will add as I have them. All that I lack is Tunnels 2-11, and Tunnel 30. All else will be covered in some fashion.
    Here's Rocky Siding:
    With a BNSF DENSTO manifest grinding upgrade:


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    And with a UP eastbound coal load entering the west switch of the siding:


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    The Rocky Local:

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    That same BNSF manifest grinding along the lower portion of Big Ten curve:

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 13, 2006
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    This one place seems to be a favorite spot for you! Next thing we'll hear, is that you've bought property adjacent to the track, for your retirement home? [​IMG]

    :D

    Boxcab E50
     
  3. WPZephyrFan

    WPZephyrFan TrainBoard Member

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    [​IMG] OOOO!!! Can I rent a room??? [​IMG]
     
  4. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It's VERY tempting, especially near Miramonte (T22-24 area). The scenery is breathtaking, and VERY few humans save for MOW/train crews EVER see that area.
    I love fanning the Moffat route. Canyatell??? :D [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  5. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Next installment:
    Big Ten and Little Ten curves!
    Named for the degrees of their curvature, they are brutal on trains, due to the curvature, AND the 2% steady climb they achieve.

    Here's a view of a coal train resting on part of Little Ten, and Rocky Siding, from Clay Siding on Amtrak #5 the California Zephyr:

    [​IMG]

    Here's a shot of a coal load descending Big Ten from Clay Siding:

    [​IMG]

    Here's a UP coalie at the apex of Big Ten's curve:


    [​IMG]

    More soon..... Stay Tuned!!!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 13, 2006
  6. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Jeremiah,

    Love those Rio Grandes, can't believe the length of that train certainly justify the amount of grain cars I have purchased.

    Look forward to seeing the rest of this story
     
  7. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It promises to be a LONG one.
    Many, many posts. LOTS of images, hence the click-link images, which also makes it dial-up friendly.
    I should have started this story here LONG time ago!
    My goal is to have just half the following as that of Jerry D's Engineer classes!
     
  8. Colonel

    Colonel Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I agree the use of click link images makes it great for those on dial up, looking forward to this story, maybe you can find a map of the area you are showing as I for one am not totally sure of the line , history etc????
     
  9. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    A GREAT site to visit is one by Matt Hannes , and his maps, and how-to-find-guides are INVALUABLE in finding some of the more off-the-beaten-path places.

    Big Ten and Little Ten, continued:

    Here's the Ski Train winding thru the curves, amid the moon-like landscape that the Front Range is in mid-winter:

    [​IMG]


    Here's a view from Amtrak #5 of the infamous hopper car windbreak along the apex of Big Ten's curve:

    [​IMG]



    Here's a shot looking from a pull-off at CO 93, right at Rocky Siding's east switch, looking at a BNSF DPU grinding upgrade towards the apex of Big Ten:


    [​IMG]

    Next Up, Clay Siding!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 2, 2007
  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well, now you've done it. I'm going to have to dig out my old WB Rio Grande video. Hope it still works!

    :D

    Boxcab E50
     
  11. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Clay Siding!
    Known as Fireclay, when a short spur used for mining of the aforementioned mineral, the buildings are long since removed. The siding is troublesome for loaded coal trains, so they are now restricted to await meets on the main. The siding once tried to slide out from under a coal load waiting there.....

    Here's a view from CO 72, of a coal load easing down grade thru Clay:

    [​IMG]

    Here's a shot from the place I shot the ex-DRGW GP60's with the local. Shows Little Ten, Rocky, and in the background, Clay Siding:


    [​IMG]

    Coalie at Little Ten:

    [​IMG]

    I don't have much from this area, as it is very visible to railfans, and I tend to seek out the hard shots!

    Next up, Tunnel 1!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 2, 2007
  12. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    The first Tunnel in the Tunnel District!

    I have found a VERY informative book, and I may have already posted about it here, but I will again. It is a MUST HAVE for ANY D&RGW fan, much less for a railfan looking for a different shot!!!

    Rio Grande Secret Places, Vol 1: The Tunnel District by RC Farewell. You MUST BUY THIS BOOK if you want to know the history of this line!

    OK, enough ranting, back to 356' long, sharply curved T1!
    Here's the Ski Train climbing from the overpass of CO 72 to T1:

    [​IMG]

    The last light of the day bathes the east portal of T1 in brilliant sunshine, as viewed from Amtrak #5:

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    Here's Amtrak #5 approaching the west portal of T1, as seen from my sleeping car: (west Clay is visible in the over-exposed portion of the shot to the left)

    [​IMG]

    From atop the west portal of T1, an eastbound load approaches, with Plainview just out of sight in the background. This is one of my most favorite shots:

    [​IMG]

    Next stop, Plainview!

    [ 29. September 2004, 00:10: Message edited by: HemiAdda2d ]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 2, 2007
  13. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Plainview!
    Here, an EB coal load drops down the 2% from the relatively flat Plainview siding: (you could literally feel the heat from the trucks on each car from the friction built up in braking and maintaining the 25 MPH max train speed)

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 17, 2006
  14. JASON

    JASON TrainBoard Supporter

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    Jeremiah,
    Mate,keep them coming I luv it!When is your book coming out?I'd like to buy the first signed copy off you thanks!
     
  15. Sir_Prize

    Sir_Prize TrainBoard Member

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    Looking at this shot:
    The last light of the day bathes the east portal of T1 in brilliant sunshine, as viewed from Amtrak #5:

    It looks like that "Training" Scenery Kit from
    Woodland Scenics.
    [​IMG]

    Cool pics by the way. [​IMG]
     
  16. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Thanks folks!
    I was awaiting permission from Matt Hannes to repost a few of his pics, to fill in where I was lacking an area. The journey will again resume!
     
  17. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Plainview and Tunnel 2!
    All photos in this post are by Matt Hannes, and are used with permission. Be sure to visit his site, it is PACKED with great shots from the more inaccessible areas on the Moffat Route!

    Plainview overlooks the expansive Denver skyline, and eastern Colorado. The views are breathtaking, and the trains are always a nice addition into the background of pics from this area. Tunnel 2 is located at milepost 25.44, curving in a westerly direction, at a length of 516 feet.
    Here's Amtrak #5, the California Zephyr approaching Tunnel 2 westbound, looking from Plainview: (Matt Hannes photo)

    [​IMG]

    Here's a view of Amtrak #5 racing thru Plain siding, in the depths of a Colorado winter:
    (Matt Hannes photo)

    [​IMG]

    Here's a view towards the west end of Plain siding, called 'Rainbow Cut':
    (Matt Hannes photo)

    [​IMG]

    Here's a shot of the Ski Train approaching Rainbow Cut, from atop the cut, looking towards Plainview: (Matt Hannes photo)

    [​IMG]

    Here, the Ski Train exits Tunnel 2 as it charges westbound: (Matt Hannes photo)

    [​IMG]

    Next stop, Tunnel 3!

    [ 01. October 2004, 03:14: Message edited by: HemiAdda2d ]
     
  18. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Tunnel 3!
    All photos in this post are by Matt Hannes, and are used with permission. Be sure to visit his site, it is PACKED with great shots from the more inaccessible areas on the Moffat Route!

    Tunnel 3, at 369 feet in length, and curved, like many of the Tunnel Districts' tunnels, is at milepost 25.79.

    A UP westbound train rolls thru the area between T2 and T3: (Matt Hannes photo)

    [​IMG]

    Here's WB UP train's DPU's pushing thru Tunnel 3, bored thright into a massive 'Flatiron':
    (Matt Hannes photo)

    [​IMG]

    Here's another view of that flatiron Tunnel 3 resides in:
    (Matt Hannes photo)

    [​IMG]

    SP 203 leads a WB to Tunnel 3: (Matt Hannes photo)

    [​IMG]


    Next stop, Tunnel 4!
     
  19. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Hemi, did you ever get any shots of the Cheyenne roundhouse? I spent a lot of time there when they got the first Big Boys in.
     
  20. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have a few, but this topic is a few miles south...
    The only part left is a short section for storing the rotary snowplow, 4-8-4 UP 838 for parts, 2-10-2 UP 5511, tenders, varnish, and cabeese.
     

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