Western Railroad Discussion > BNSF detour autos on UP, 2 UP at Boettcher

Photo 1 - Yesterday, a VPTLLPC3 BNSF automobile loads detour traversed UP eastbound, here passing the Transcontinental sign at Sherman, WY in the early afternoon. This must have been a hot move as several trains were delayed for its passing at Hermosa and Dale. On the rear were BNSF 5006 and BNSF 6644 shoving as DPU's. Might this reroute have something to do with BNSF's woes and labor moves on its own lines in the Pacific Northwest?

Photo 2 - On August 25, the UP LaSalle-Fort Collins Local hauls a long cut of loaded cement hoppers to the reverse switch at Boettcher, CO, here about to cross West County Road 56 north of Fort Collins on the wobbly FRA-excepted branch line. The cab occupants are visibly rocking back and forth as the lead unit takes a dive into a low spot in the track.

Photo 3 - On the same day, the power is reversed after the loaded cement cars were exchanged for the empty cement cars at the Holcim loadout. The train backed over this curve, and changed directions at the Boettcher switch. It is now moving forward back to Fort Collins and eventually to LaSalle after the crew stops for a lunch break.

Happy 'fannin' === === = === JLH



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/02/15 17:45 by highgreengraphics.

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Nice shots! I'm a little geographically challenged... Is Photo #1 a westbound in the morning?

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

No sir, eastbound in the afternoon, early afternoon, the sun was terrible but other trains blocked the preferred spots where the tracks were curved properly, so had no choice but to go ahead to shoot here. Would have vastly preferred this train to be westbound at this time, as the sun was primo here in the opposite direction! == == = == JLH

Saw a very similar auto train in North Platte about 2 weeks ago. UP, BNSF,CSX,  leading and BNSF and CSX DPU's.
Guessed it ran thru the Blue Mts with those DPU's.

gmojim​

That is quite the large Cement train in shot #2! Glad to see business is still going up to the Boettcher plant.