Western Railroad Discussion > Today's Engineering Special on Soldier Summit

I was fortunate to be able to take some time off from work today and follow Union Pacific's PSLDV2-26 Engineering Special along the former Denver & Rio Grande Western through Spanish Fork and Price canyons.

The 8 car train, powered by ET44AH No. 2735 made very good time, requiring only three hours between departure in Salt Lake City and arrival at the depot in Helper. It followed closely the old Rio Grande Zephyr schedule, but about 30 minutes earlier.

So, here's a few shots from my journey . . .

1. Just as the sun was peeking over the Wasatch, the train crossed Diamond Fork east of Castilla.

2. About a mile east of Rio, the train enters the Red Narrows in warm sunlight.

3. No sunlight to be had at Soldier Summit, but the deep dark clouds over Mt. Loafer and a dusting of new snow made up for it.

(continued)

James Belmont
Salt Lake City, UT



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/26/17 20:03 by GrandeGold.

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Having crested 7440 ft. Soldier Summit, the train had 25 miles of track to descend to reach the crew change point at Helper.

4. The special cruises along a stand of pine trees at West Kyune.

5. UP 2735 and company enter the Kyune Gooseneck along a spring runoff swollen Price River.

6. Lastly, gotta have a shot of the train passing Castle Gate, a rock monument once iconic in the history of the Denver & Rio Grande Western.

Thanks for looking,

James Belmont
Salt Lake City, UT

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I hope these find their way to a UP Calendar soon

Great images ---James---the background on your shots certainly doesnt hurt the presentation

Dale Smitrh

Great series! Being a huge fan of the Denver & Rio Grande Western, I appreciate all of your photos.

Todd Skaggs
Dodge City, KS

GREAT shots!!

Dart board trip to figure out how much to charge G&W for the line! Great pictures, like the fact that
there's still some snow around. And yes, I'd pull off that really safe highway to shoot pictures!

Out

Excellent photo series of a great looking train and event. Kudos on the many outstanding locations.
Brian Stevens

James, that last shot at Castle Gate belongs in a " UP " Calendar !

James, you've outdone yourself, again. Great job bud

Wow!

Posted from iPhone

Beautiful work as we've come to expect from you, James, well done especially with challenging lighting.

~RGDave

Great photos. Congratulations on IOTD.

Ronda Thomas



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/27/17 05:49 by oklachaser.

Nice job with IOTD!

Any other traffic on the line that day?

Ron

Top notch. Mount Loafer looks impressive.
John

Like the flatcar bridge in photo no. 5

rdlehmer Wrote:
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> Nice job with IOTD!
>
> Any other traffic on the line that day?

I passed a coal empty departing Provo later that morning. That was it though. Very quiet.

James Belmont
Salt Lake City, UT