Western Railroad Discussion > 2016 Cheyenne Frontier Days Train

This weekend, along with hundreds of other railfans, I spent the time chasing UP 844 up to Cheyenne, WY and back as it pulled the 2016 Cheyenne Frontier Days Train. My plan as I have done before was to make an attempt to catch 844 in three different spots on the northbound run, spend the day in the Wyoming area, and get 844 in three more spots on the return trip. It was great running into some other railfans that I know throughout the trip and as usual, chasing the CFD Train is nothing but tons of fun. After seeing this train for six years straight, it never gets old. 

1: Starting bright and early at 7:30 in the morning, UP 844 leads the Cheyenne Frontier Days Train north through Platteville, CO.
2: After a short stop in Greeley, CO, UP 844 quickly returns to track speed as it heads north through Eaton, CO.
3: The shot we all know and love. Due to construction, I managed to just beat UP 844 as it rounds the curve at Terry Ranch Road to continue to Speer and Cheyenne as it wraps up the northbound portion of it’s journey.

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4: The only real pacing shot I got was in La Salle, CO with the City of Portland car on the train.
5: Off to the UP Transcon for the day. After hearing that UP 2002 was on the MGRNP, I decided to try and catch that train out east of Cheyenne since I was told it was re-crewing at Cheyenne. Before 2002 arrived, a westbound intermodal lead by UP 6832 rounds the curve at Archer Hill heading towards Cheyenne.
6: UP 5653 leads the eastbound MGRNP through Archer Hill.

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7: Nice to see UP 2002 as well as the CFD Train today.
8: UP 8176 leads another eastbound intermodal passed some sunflowers up on Archer Hill.
9: From Archer Hill, I decided to move to Hermosa for a few trains before returning to Cheyenne for 844’s southbound run. Unfortunately, only one train was seen in the few hours while I was there. Here, a westbound UP intermodal races down the grade towards Laramie, WY past the signal bridge at Hermosa.

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10: While waiting in traffic on I-25, two UP westbound trains raced out of Cheyenne under me, while an eastbound can be seen in the distance approaching Cheyenne.
11: Back south we go with 844!! After attempting to grab 844 at MP 511 in Cheyenne and seeing 50+ people already there, I decided to move west a little with less crowds. Here, UP 844 accelerates out of Cheyenne, WY at 5:00pm starting the return trip to Denver.
12: Again, due to construction, I managed to just beat 844 as it races south towards Nunn, CO at the US 85 overpass.

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13: After another stop in Greeley, UP 844 continues past the fields by Peckham just south of La Salle, CO.
14: UP 844 races back north today through Platteville, CO on the deadhead run to Cheyenne. 

As always, farewell Cheyenne Frontier Days Train and UP 844. Hopefully I’ll be able to see you again next year.

Thanks for looking!!

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Nice series! Thanks for sharing...

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

It was nice seeing you!
Nice pictures

Posted from Android

Nice shots! I see a little tiny me up on that hill just to the right of the elevator. ;)
~wko

Beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing...


Steve

Photo #3 is a winner!

Excellent series! Looks like I was standing right next to you there at Platteville on Sunday. 

Thanks for sharing, again, excellent series.
Ryan

Great photos!

Really awesome series, it was a pleasure seeing you again.

GREAT stuff....!!  Thanks for posting.

3rd pic definately image of the day