Western Railroad Discussion > Beautiful Sunrise, a Warbonnet, CREX leading new ACe's

I got up early this morning to try and catch a BNSF Northbound coal empty which had a pretty nice consist and was treated to an Awesome Sunrise as well!
Nine pictures will be posted. All shot on Tuesday, August 19th

1)I was amazed at how light this shot came out as the Sun was not even over the horizon yet! A Southbound coal load waits in the sag on Main #1 in the foreground as an empty Ethanol train heads North on Main #2 near Palmer Lake located on the Denver to Pueblo Joint Line.

2)The lead engine on the coal load waits at the signal in the "sag" as the Amazing Sunrise glows in the background!

3)A little bit later, the Sunrise is fading as the train is ready to pull past the Intermediate signal in the sag which is numbered 1505. Main #1, milepost 50.5 miles from Denver. The Southbounder is throttling up to battle the last uphill segment reaching the Summit of the grade at Palmer Lake.

Three More Pictures Posted Below.....................



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/14 18:18 by SP8595.

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BNSF coal empty E IOGCKM0 83 with CREX 1417, CREX 1420, BNSF 8407, 8406 and 8409 (new SD70ACe) passed Monument, CO, 7:25 AM August 19, 2014, Tuesday, rolling north on the Joint Line.

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4)Warbonnet SD75m #8300, still with its original number heads South with the Irondale to Minnequa (South of Pueblo) cement empties nearing Monument. Train symbol is the U IRCMQA0 45.

5)I was trying to get a shot of the 8300 at the South end of Monument when the train of the day surprised me coming around the corner so just this grab shot but I still felt pretty lucky as both trains were moving! The 8300 heads down the main towards the South end of Monument as CREX 1417 and 1420 lead three brand new BNSF ACe's, the 8407, 8406 and 8409 North through the siding.

6)Coal empty C IOGCKM0 83 heads up the siding.

Last Three Pictures Posted Below..................

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7)Under a little cloud cover, the train is between Monument and Palmer Lake.

8)Now in dynamic braking, the train has reached the top at Palmer Lake and is cruising downhill towards Denver.

9)On the way home, I spotted this loaded coal train (C EBMSLP0 76) with BNSF 9827 waiting at Acequia for a loaded Grain train to get a pair of manned helpers up ahead at Big Lift.

Thanks for viewing:}



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/14 11:24 by SP8595.

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Wow! Worth getting up early for several reasons. Nice shots.

Todd Busse

Wow, John! Your shots are drop-dead gorgeous!

Getting up and out before or near sunrise always seems to prove beneficial, if for no other reason but to capture the sweet light at the dawn of a new day!

Thanks for sharing them with us!

Bob

ATSF100WEST......Out



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/20/14 00:21 by ATSF100WEST.

Great series of shots, John!

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

It certainly does pay to wake up early sometimes. Very nice photos, John

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

You got the Early Bird Special. Congrats!

Posted from iPhone

James Belmont
Salt Lake City, UT

Super shots, as usual!

Mike

WOW! Gorgeousn shots! Love the sunrise pics!
So glad you got up early -- boy, was it worth it!

Outstanding bunch!
JB

Super nice bunch, SP 8595, well worth the early rising, great variety on the Joint Line! === === = === still sidelined for repairs, JLH

What an awesome morning....WoW!

Posted from Android

I too have always found that the early bird gets the worm when it comes to train watching. Rarely have I ever gotten trackside by sunrise and have not regretted it due to lighting, an interesting train, or a particularly busy moment or two.

Photo 1 is my favorite!

-Tom

GREAT stuff...!!! Thanks for sharing.

Woof!!! I'd say you have a slam-dunk IOTD on your hands here! (But I just don't know WHICH one... ;^)

Lance

Fresh meat.

Great series of shots but the first three are absolutely brilliant! Being partial to searchlights I'm also partial to number three.

I agree with some earlier comments on IOTD, only question is how many days in a row with these images :-)

~Ryan

That first shot is really sweet.