Western Railroad Discussion > Southern Pacific Heritage in Western Colorado

I was lucky enough last month to have caught Union Pacific 1996, the Southern Pacific Heritage engine leading twice headed Eastbound out of Grand Jct. As well as shooting one of the last eight remaining "SPatch" AC4400CW's.

1) On the morning of December 1st, Union Pacific #6290 (ex SP 244) was the rear DP engine on a W. Elk Mine to Pt. Stockton loaded coal train seen parked in the West Yard at Grand Jct. Just 20 or so cars to the East, the UP 1996 was on the point of an Eastbound manifest. Sure wish that I could have caught those 2 engines side-by-side!

2) After taking over 4 hours to depart out of the yard, UP 1996 is seen at the East switch at Clifton in a little "sucker hole".

3) I was stung by clouds in De Beque Canyon.

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

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4) Heading East of the town of De Beque.

5) Another shot with the snow covered Book Cliffs in the background.

6) One last view with the 1996 leading one of the last Roper, UT to Denver manifest trains near Dos siding.

------------------Three More Pictures posted Below----------------------

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 You also managed to catch the reflection of the number in the puddle in the gravel, in #1 .     What timing !

Then on December 28th, the 1996 was once again leading East out of Grand Jct., this time on the point of loaded coal train CWEAV9-27.

Unfortunately there was a stingy line of clouds that were partially blocking the Sun but there were clear skies in the background making for some tough shooting conditions:{

7) East of Dos siding.

8) At Newcastle.

9) And finally in some sun at Dotsero as the 1996 makes the turn to head up the Dotsero Cutoff. The track in the foreground is the old mainline to Minturn, now only used as far east as Gypsum.
 

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Interesting 4th unit, nice shots, once a day train, yikes!

Out

Well done. Good to see the UP is still polishing the rails there.

Nice shots with great background scenery!
GK

Sweet photos and chase!

PQM

Nice action chase shots.  The background terrain really looks good.
Brian Stevens

Good shots John! Nice consist too. I like that little GP15 in the lash-up among all those heavy hitters. Not to mention the right unit on the point!

Beautiful shots! Always nice to have a great unit to chase in a magnificent area.

Always wondered what the train count was during the heyday day for the line between Denver and SLC?

Valleyman

Great photos, nice work!
TC

Best shots I’ve seen on here in a long time.

Great series,  John! I like the shot at Dotsero.... Thanks for sharing.

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

What they said.

Fantastic stuff!!!!

Really great series of photos John. Beautiful scenery.

Ronda Thomas

Great shots there, John! === === = === JLH

VERY NICE..!!

Nice shots!  really like the last one.

Randy Lundgren
Elgin, TX