Western Railroad Discussion > A pair of trains to chase on the Joint Line

There hasn't been much variety here lately on the Denver to Pueblo joint BNSF, UP line so yesterday despite fighting the usual afternoon clouds, I followed a couple of interesting trains South out of Denver.

The first train was a 13 car BNSF maintenance of way train with only Norfolk Southern C40-8W (ex-Conrail 6159) for power. The symbol was U ALNFNM5 24 if anybody knows what the origination and destination points are, feel free to add.

I originally headed down to Littleton but after hearing about some grade crossing incident on the radio that ripped up the crossing pads just South of Denver and that the line was closed, I relocated further North up the line, first to Walnut St. and then to this location.

1)NS 8378 heads out of Denver just South of 20th St. down Main #2. Main #1 is the furthest track and the closest BNSF track is called "Lo-Do Alley" and more often than not, there is a train tied down here which blocks this view. The Sun angle was a little worse then I thought so I might have to try this location again in the Winter. The other two tracks are the RTD Union Station light rail line.

2)Passing the old Rio Grande sign at Acequia on Main #1.

3)Of course the Sun was out on the stretch of track South of Castle Rock where I-25 runs right next to the main so I tried this angle to avoid getting the Freeway in the background. This was taken at the Territorial grade crossing.

---------Six More Pictures Posted Below--------------

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4)Another shot heading South of Castle Rock down Main #1. The next Southbound train which was a Windmill blade train can barely be seen in the distance.

5)Union Pacific 6520 is actually a BNSF train running from Denver to Garden City, KS. UP pulled the train from the Vestas plant at Brighton and interchanged it to the BNSF at Denver.

6)These Windmill blades were huge and took up a pair of 89' flats and part of an idler car! The rear DPU was the UP 5813 and passes a sign for an individual who might have some inadequacy issues.

------Three More Pictures Posted Below----------------



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/16 17:43 by SP8595.

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7)The joys of being on a small light weight train following behind a coal drag! The NS 8378 was following closely behind the rear DPU's on the coal train ahead at Larkspur.

8)NS 8378 crossing the Santa Fe lettered bridge.

9)UP 6520 still following right behind the NS 8378 at Littleton.

Thanks for looking and also nice to JB out and about carrying his ladder:} 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/16 17:47 by SP8595.

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Excellent set of pictures!  I'm not certain what city code is FNM, but I'm pretty sure ALN is Alliance, NE.

Andrew

Nice sets of images, John :] FNM should be Folsom, NM on the Twin Peaks Sub.

John Crisanti
Longmont, CO

Way too cool!

Excellent day! Wow, a very interesting chase that looks like it was loads of fun...

Lance/199

FANTASTIC!!!

Killer series, all of your shots are awesome, as usual! 

Nice series and interesting trains!  Thanks for posting the group.
GK

Great set of pictures! Thanks for posting.
 

Like the sign shot, what's up with the traffic on I-25?

Nice group of photos, John, at least you didn't get rained on.

KCCharlie

Neat day and photos.  2 trains that are pretty cool looking in the area and   G    plates make for some very great shots.
Brian Stevens

Great series of photos John.

Ronda Thomas

Nice series!!

​I like the look of Pic 4!!

Very nice images, great scene in image #1. Also, love that angle at Larkspur. Great stuff...thanks for sharing.

Ryan

Were both the coal load and work train both moving in your shots? If so I am surprised that the work train would follow that close or even be allowed to.