Western Railroad Discussion > UP 1982 and 1989 on the Joint Line

This past weekend, both the Missouri Pacific and the Rio Grande Heritage engines led trains on Colorado's Joint Line, which is the shared BNSF and UP line between Denver and Pueblo.

On Saturday, July 26th, UP 1982 and NS 7529 were fronting a loaded BNSF Windmill train, symbol U FCCWCF1 22 that originated at Windsor on the Great Western Railway (and covered nicely here on TO'ers by the Northern Colorado gang:}) was interchanged to the BNSF at Ft. Collins and is destined for Wichita Falls.
This is the same consist that ran West up the Moffat Tunnel line with an empty Salt train awhile back!

1)Tied down with no crew off of the crossings North of S. Denver, this was the only sun I would get on the train as the thunderstorms brewing in the background turned pretty violent South of Castle Rock later on in the afternoon.

2)On the Northern edge of the storm that had some very nice lightning action, the UP 1982 heads South on Main #1 at Big Lift. The antennas in the background are for dialing up any aliens. ET, phone home:}

3)Continuing South at Castle Rock. this train stopped short of the crossing at Greenland for well over an hour and with more rain approaching, I gave up and went home!

Next Three shots, Rio Grande Heritage!.......................

---

---

---

Yesterday, Sunday July 27th the Rio Grande Heritage engine, UP 1989 led Union Pacifics's Northbound Pueblo to Denver manifest (MPUNY-26) North up the line and while it was a bright, beautiful sunny morning, unfortunately the train was back-lit at most of the locations:{

4)Still looking very nice, 1989 heads past Wood Spur located between Monument and Palmer Lake.

5)I thought this was going to be the "money shot" getting the Rio Grande lettered engine going over the Rio Grande lettered bridge on Main #2 just North of Greenland but the train was back-lit much more than I thought and the shadow on the bridge was down below the lettering.
I also had a "itchy" trigger finger and snapped the shot just a little bit early.
Oh well, hopefully I will get another chance to redeem myself:}

6)Rolling North approaching Castle Rock as more afternoon clouds begin to build in the background.

Nice to see TO member "wesleygreer" at Larkspur and please disregard the driving that you saw from the white Nissan:}



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/14 14:13 by SP8595.

---

---

---

Like #5...but all looking really good!

KC

A great way to spend the weekend.

Todd Busse

6 great shots! I've never really considered this combo before, but that MP unit mated with a black NS unit (back-to-back) produces a color palette very pleasant to the eye. Lo & behold: the DGRW unit mated with a standard UP unit has probably happened scores of time, but that looks well balanced as well. Maybe Uncle Pete took a quick course in color-coordination? Good "stuff"! ;^)

Lance

Nicely done! Great coverage of both heritage units currently (and unusually) in Colorado. My weekend was jam-packed, so I couldn't get out.

Kevin Morgan
Arvada, CO
ColoradoRailfan.com

Really all nice shots. The bridge shot is just perfect and definitely one to treasure. Agreed, the color spectrum is great.
Brian Stevens

Thats a great couple of days. MP with the NS and windmills, and then to get the Rio Grande heritage leading the next day. Nice photos.

Outstanding photos!!

Ronda Thomas

Great shots at nice spots. Your skill at composition shows through! === === = === JLH

I REALLY lik number 4. That just says "Heritage"

Very nice series of shots, John!

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

Great two-day set!

Ryan Wilkerson
Fair Oaks, CA

Excellent stuff, John!

Posted from Android

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

VERY NICE...!!! Thanks for sharing.

santafe199 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 6 great shots! I've never really considered this
> combo before, but that MP unit mated with a black
> NS unit (back-to-back) produces a color palette
> very pleasant to the eye. Lo & behold: the DGRW
> unit mated with a standard UP unit has probably
> happened scores of time, but that looks well
> balanced as well. Maybe Uncle Pete took a quick
> course in color-coordination? Good "stuff"! ;^)
>
> Lance


I'm also finding it interesting that the NS stripes and MOP stylized wings look complementary. And you go from light blue to dark blue to black. Kind of a gradual fade to black.

Great series of shots. I really like #5…great eye!

~Ryan

Excellent series! My personal favorites are #'s 2 & 5 - but they're all nice. You can never go wrong with a heritage unit in good light!

-Dalton

That's a great bunch of shots.
JB

Bridge shot came out great & I enjoyed the E.T. scene too!