Western Railroad Discussion > Yesterday's Dirt Train local

The Union Pacific’s LDP45 “Dirt Train” local out of Helper, Utah has been a railfan favorite since it was a Rio Grande local. It still remains a favorite, mostly I think because of its motive power. It was the last hold out for unpatched D&RGW Tunnel Motors, for a while in the recent past it was home to matched sets of SD60M’s and more recently it has been home to UP’s upgraded SD40N’s. Yesterday I ventured out into eastern Utah’s desert country to find a new location or two to shoot the Dirt Train. A little 4 wheeling and I came up with this spot just about a mile up from the beginning of the Sunnyside branch at Mounds. After waiting for around an hour the empty train showed up in beautiful low winter sunlight. It was like going back to the 80’s with those 3 SD40’s on the point.

Dick
Roosevelt, Utah

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Beautiful day, great scenes.

awesome shot,well worth the wait!!!!

Absolutely Gorgeous !!!!!!!!!!!!

What is the actual commidty on this train.

Dirty dirt to be barried for the Govt?

Simply wonderful, Dick. Couldn't be better. Thanks for sharing your success with us.

James Belmont
Salt Lake City, UT

chopper Wrote:
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> What is the actual commidty on this train.
>
> Dirty dirt to be barried for the Govt?


Trash. Dirty dirt didn't sound as bad as "trash".

Rob



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/08/12 11:04 by SilvertonRR100.

Nice image, worthy of the search and off road time.

Posted from Windows Phone OS 7

Dick, how far from your spot up to US-50/US- 6? Love your posted Utah spots. You must know all the back roads.
Blaine
American Fork Utah

BlaineM Wrote:
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> Dick, how far from your spot up to US-50/US- 6?
> Love your posted Utah spots. You must know all
> the back roads.
> Blaine
> American Fork Utah


As the crow flies, about 3, maybe 4 miles. Driving though is many more.

Rob

Very nice shots. Great location. It's good to see UP engines that are not covered in grime or have paint/flags peeling.

Great photos. Are these some of the newly rebuilt SD40-2's? If so, are all blank on the nose?

I agree, it is like going back 30 years.

Jay

OK, here's some directions. About 7 miles or so east of Wellington, UT on US6, turn right onto a gravel/dirt county road marked by a sign that says "Dinosaur Quarry". Go about 4 miles fording Grassy Trail Creek under the UP bridge. Look for an oil well pump jack off to your left. Turn left on the rarely traveled road to the abandoned oil well and once you get to the well location it will be obvious how to get down to the tracks. You will have to go cross country for a quarter mile or less, but it's no sweat. Sit on the rock pile and wait for the train. See, nothin to it!

Dick
Roosevelt, UT

NICE pics!!!!!!

Great stuff Dick.
It's a shame that Grand Junction can't provide similar power for the Potash run, but I suppose Helper has a tradition of keeping the oldest stuff going in good condition.

Steve

it is all up to the power desk, these are rebuilt units, very new really. sd 40's are used all over wy for locals, new and rebuilt units, the rebuild program is cranking them out.

garr Wrote:
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> Great photos. Are these some of the newly rebuilt
> SD40-2's? If so, are all blank on the nose?
>
> I agree, it is like going back 30 years.
>
> Jay


These are part of the life extension program but are hardly "rebuilds". They're pretty much heavy overhauls. The only thing that's really changing on them is the horn location and the road number. They aren't supposed to be blank on the nose, but for whatever the reason, this one has lost its nose shield.

Pump

Thanks for the info. Heavy overhaul is nicer, keeps that nice sound and feel of the 40's going for a few more years.

Jay