Western Railroad Discussion > Another chase of the Potash Local

This past Friday, some friends were heading up from Flagstaff and wanted to chase the once-a-week Potash Local on the Cane Creek Branch. When SD40N #1997 was showing to lead on the Local, it was a little extra incentive to head down there and meet up with them:}
They ended up catching the Black Mesa & Lake Powell and got a little delayed so our paths ended up not crossing. Oh well, 4 electrics on the BM&LP is pretty darn cool! 

As it turned out, the power on the Local was a pair of GP40-2's with"mini-wing" #1481 leading the #1482 and SD40N #1582! Unfortunately however, the mine at Potash apparently had 95 empty cars and could not take any more so the Local ran with just 5 empty flats for the "Dirty Dirt" train at Brendel and then light power down the Branch to Potash:{

The Local did return back to Grand Jct. with 18 loads.

1) The Local with the empty flats approaches Thompson, UT heading Westbound.

2) After dropping off the flats, the light power heads down the Branch past an interesting sign at Brendel:}

3) I hiked into the W. Tunnel Portal in Bootlegger Canyon but it was covered in shadow so I had to go with "Plan B":{ Not quite the shot that I had in mind but at least you can see Corona Arch in the background.

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4) The light power in the Colorado River Canyon approaching the end of the Branch at Potash.

5) Now with UP #1582 on the point, the Local heads Westbound pulling the grade out of the River bottom and up into Bootlegger Canyon.

6) The Local heads North towards the mainline at Brendel with the snow covered La Sal Mountains in the background at Lee.

----------------One More Picture Posted Below------------------------------



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/12/19 08:17 by SP8595.

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7) I need to teach my Dog that this power is worth taking a look at:}

Incredible Branch, hope it survives PSR!

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/12/19 08:18 by SP8595.

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So many nice red rock shots!  Thanks for including Corona Arch.  In #7, is your dog saying, "I've had enough hiking, the thrill is gone."

mapboy

Excellent work, really liking the set of power.

Out

Wow, awesome photos with great, clean power and good weather!

Very nice shots.  Great work!!

Great photos all - thanks for catching the local there.

Rich

Really NICE series!!

Larry

I'll be down in Moab in early April and am hoping to catch this local. Can you tell me roughly what times it heads down and back up the branch line?


Thanks in advance.

 

mapboy Wrote:
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> So many nice red rock shots!  Thanks for
> including Corona Arch.  In #7, is your dog
> saying, "I've had enough hiking, the thrill is
> gone."
>
> mapboy

The dog is from the early 1980's and saying, "it's just ANOTHER SD40, the thrill is gone"

Fast forward almost 40 years and we are all thrilled to see an SD40 leading any train!

Great images.  According to Rail Road Picture Archives UP GP40M-2 #1481 is ex-SP #7111, exx-B&O GP40 #3734, built 4//69; and UP GP40M-2 #1482 is ex-SP #7112, exx-B&O GP40 #3721, built 3//69, so they're almost 50 years old.  UP SD40N #1582 is ex SD40-2 #3772, built 10//80.  Gerry

Those were the best days, chasing a train with a loyal dog to share it with.   The best days.   Thanks for sharing the photos, well done.

Great power, great photos, and a great 'side kick' to bring along for the chase :)

Ryan

The GP40s  work the Montrose on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Out

Great shots!

Awesome power and shots once again of the local! Always love it when you include at least one photo of your chase partner in the action.

Like the Spartan cab with the wings on the nose.

Paul B
Canton, GA

Great venture.  These are awesome scenic shots and I really like #6 in the curves as well.
Brian Stevens

SP8595, wonderful photography and good looking dog. Thanks for sharing!

Paul Brennecke
Golden, CO