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Western Railroad Discussion > Fall on the Moffat RouteDate: 09/25/16 07:35 Fall on the Moffat Route Author: FrontRangeTrains Yesterday, I went up to UP's Moffat Route west of Denver with my nephews to photograph the fall colors since they've reached their peak. There were quite a few trains out running. The weather started out sunny, but as we climbed higher, a storm system was moving over the divide, which created partly sunny conditions most of the day. Our first train of the day was Amtrak's westbound California Zephyr, train 5 with AMTK 184 leading. After going through the Moffat Tunnel, and letting the tunnel vent, an eastbound BNSF manifest came down the hill with a trio of BNSF GE's on the point. I knew there was suppose to be at least few more eastbound's coming, we went and set-up above the tracks on the old Rollins Pass ROW. The scanner had been quite all morning until DS-82 called "BNSF 8142 West". He held them at Rollins since an eastbound stalled out on the other side of the mountain. After getting things situated, the dispatcher decided to run the BNSF train through the tunnel and into Winter Park till the mess was sorted out. Considering at that point, most of the traffic was still on the west end, we took a gamble and drove to the other side to Winter Park.
Along the way, I received updates about the trains and it looked like most if not all were still on the west end, which was a good sign we didn't miss anything. Upon arriving at Winter Park, we saw the westbound BNSF train parked in the siding there. We kept driving west and when we reached Tabernash, we saw the stalled eastbound holding the main. I found out that the SD70M second out failed and they were waiting for a couple of rescue units from Denver. As we got to Granby, Amtrak was about to come into town to do its station stop there. After getting Amtrak, we headed west a little further towards Hot Sulphur Springs only to run into the other eastbound UP manifest. After making a U-Turn, we chased the train east back towards Granby and Tabernash. When we got back to Tabernash, Amtrak 6 was just getting into Fraser to do its station stop before the tunnel. Apparently one of the eastbound's, which ended up being a coal load was already running in front of Amtrak and we somehow missed it. The dispatcher decided to run the coal load through the tunnel, followed by Amtrak. During that time period, we went and grabbed some food in Winter Park. Afterwards, we saw that the eastbound UP manifest we chased earlier was heading east into the tunnel. The dispatcher told the westbound BNSF manifest that once the UP manifest clears, he'll get the light to head west. The crew told them that the train has work at Palisade, but they would only make it as far as Dotsero before getting a relief crew. After getting the BNSF train again leaving Winter Park, we finally headed back home. Overall, the entire day was successful, even though we missed a couple of trains. But hey, what can you do.
John Crisanti Longmont, CO Date: 09/25/16 07:39 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: FrontRangeTrains
John Crisanti Longmont, CO Date: 09/25/16 07:44 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: FrontRangeTrains
John Crisanti Longmont, CO Date: 09/25/16 07:48 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: FrontRangeTrains
John Crisanti Longmont, CO Date: 09/25/16 07:49 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: FrontRangeTrains
John Crisanti Longmont, CO Date: 09/25/16 08:25 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: highgreengraphics Some pretty pictures there, John! Some of the best aspen tree shots on the Moffat that I have ever seen. Too darn bad Tennessee Pass is dormant, there are lots more spots up there. === === = === JLH
Date: 09/25/16 10:07 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: jmbreitigan Excellent locations and splendid fall colors in the Rockies.
john Date: 09/25/16 10:52 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: DynamicBrake John, you sure captured the incredible fall colors of the Rockies with this series. Hard to pick a favorite. Thanks for sharing.
Kent in CArmel Valley Date: 09/25/16 11:28 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: ATSF2921 Brilliant fall colors on a very famous route. Thanks for sharing.
Russell Honey Springfield, MO My Flickr page Date: 09/25/16 13:00 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: ns1000 GREAT pics!! Thanks for posting these.
Date: 09/25/16 14:08 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: coach Gorgeous colors!
Am I correct in that I am also seeing ALOT of dead pine trees in the backgrounds? Drought or bark beetle damage? Date: 09/25/16 16:20 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: wesleygreer Awesome series, so jealous. #1 is literally frame on your wall worthy.
Date: 09/25/16 18:12 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: grandroad John - Terrific series of photos! Nice going.
Paul Brennecke Golden, CO Date: 09/25/16 20:02 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: Notch8 Great series John, man those aspens look great love the bright yellow to gold and blend of drak greens. Glad that there was some good action on the line for you and the nephews. Always love seeing any Moffat pictures.
Date: 09/25/16 20:42 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: zfan Stunning pics!
Date: 09/26/16 02:07 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: OARC As its said in German: Wonderbar. Just cannot top any comments on here that says it all. YOUR a super, Darn good Photographer. Mike in OHIO
OH, by the way. I believe I have seen this same train units go though Fostoria, OHIO, Eastbound. and come back though a day or so later. Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/16 02:10 by OARC. Date: 09/26/16 04:26 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: oklachaser Awesome series of photos & beautiful scenery.
Ronda Thomas Posted from Android Date: 09/26/16 07:27 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: bnsfsd70 Man, fantastic stuff!
- Jeff Carlson Date: 09/26/16 11:46 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: robj Another nice set again!! thanks. Have wanted to get out there but nice to see yours.
Bob Jordan Date: 09/26/16 15:48 Re: Fall on the Moffat Route Author: bobdavis John, congrats on a well deserved IOTD! Just goes to show what digital photography can do in cloudy weather.
Bob |