Western Railroad Discussion > Troubles On The UP Moffat Sub

As I drove home from work at about noon, I heard the UP Moffat Sub dispatcher, DS 82, talking to track people about a slide. From the conversation, it sounded like it was west of Plain siding but east of Crescent siding. Then DS 82 asked where #5 was and the track guy told him it was on the mainline at Plain. I detoured from my trip home and sat at Blue Mountain Road crossing to see what happened next. Eventually #5 backed down from Plain siding and the lead engine ran around the train at Clay siding. Then the whole train continued back to Denver to be rerouted via Wyoming. I called a couple of friends - including History Buff (http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,2190726), and followed the train down the hill. Its not often we get to see Amtrak doing anything unusual so this was a treat for me...

Photo #1- A trainman watches the shove as Amtrak #5 shoves downhill from Plain siding to clay siding to have it's lead engine run around the train. The hose had a whistle on it and he gave a good - - o - as he approached the crossing.

Photo #2- The backward #5 passes an empty coal train on the siding at Leyden.

Photo #3- A visiting B-17, flying from Rocky Mountain Regional Airport in Broomfield while I waited for Amtrak to decide what it was going to do...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/15/10 15:08 by mojaveflyer.

---

---

---

Oh man...running a P42 backwards...that looks like a lot of fun...


Jeff

Looks like the conductor is in the rear window of the GE heading back down hill

Not going to Wyoming. 6 is being turned at Tabernash, then back to Fraiser and turn as a late number 5. 5 will go out as 6 tonight.

Got a couple pictures of the slide.... What a day

---

---

That looks like a dang good reason to turn around!
Gotta love slide fences.
Nathan Z.

rovertrain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Not going to Wyoming. 6 is being turned at
> Tabernash, then back to Fraiser and turn as a late
> number 5. 5 will go out as 6 tonight.
>
> Got a couple pictures of the slide.... What a day


Looks kinda close!

And that exchange is certainly a new one.....have they ever done anything like that before? I know they turned #6 at Glenwood, ran it back to Grand Junction, and turned #5 and switched there (GJT) once many years ago, but I don't remember a switcheroo like this before! The new #5 could get a little short on supplies, etc.....

lowwater

I have met #5 many times. The big piston air compressor is in the rear compartment of a GE P-42. Noisy is not the word,, LOUD maybe.
That conductor in the rear window of the GE is enduring a noisy ride.
More than he bargained for on an average run.. sorry pal..
Cal-P

outstanding photos. Thanks for posting.

Looks like the crew passed their restricted speed test!

Good thing the SP put up those slide fences in 1992. Lesson learned from the boulder the GJDVM hit in Oct, 1991 near T27

Wow, tailhosing the Zephyr! Don't see that every day. Good case for back-to-back units, too. Thanks for the intersting shots. Kurt.

When it rains it pours!!!! Not just the train activity but a B-17 in flight!!!! That alone is worth it...

Ditchlights? We don`t need no stinkin ditchlights!

Five finally got out of Fraser ten hours late. Crew was saying they were just a bit Tardy heading West. Really unusual to see 6 backing into Fraser. Buses were on hand for Eastbound pasengers and the Westbound buses arrived just after the EAstbound buses had left for Denver.

Rob



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/18/10 13:48 by SilvertonRR100.