Western Railroad Discussion > It ain't your Momma's Royal Gorge Route....

Well, Hello all. We received word that the FEC ES44AC 801 with Fuel Tender 301 was to finally be in Pueblo today. While that was our specific goal for the day, after getting to Pueblo to see what was going on, we were abit disappointed that the units in question were buried deep in the train and they had not yet began to break apart and switch out the BNSF's DENPUE train. So we managed a few shots from the 18th St Bridge on the North end of the yard and got what we could.  Might head back in am and try to catch these 2 b4 they disappear behind the "Iron Curtain" that the TTC is. (TTC, Transportation and Test/Technology Center located east of Pueblo). But while here we ran upon a friend who let us know of some Rock & Rail happenings. Seems there was a BNSF Ballast Train being loaded at the quarry in Parkdale out west of town on the old DRGW Tenn Pass Line which is worked by mostly a Rock Train operated by the Rock & Rail. Here are a few from what we shot today. Hope ya'll enjoy them.

Shot 1.  BNSF ES44DC 7531 leads BNSF SD70MAC 9469 on a Ballast Train that was in the process of getting loaded. 63 cars of fine Fremont County Colo "ROCK".  This is rather new business for the Rock & Rail. The shot is at the quarry at Parkdale as the loading continues.

Shot 2. With BNSF 7531 almost being loaded when we first got up here, we got to wondering with the time that it would not run EB until the CCRG Tourist train at least reached the EE Parkdale Siding. They did not have to wait too long.  Here is CCRG F7A 403 & F7B 1503 on the Royal Gorge Train and BNSF 7531 at the EE Siding Parkdale waiting for the RG to pass. As soon as the Gorge Train cleared, they got the "OK" to head east. They did not dally. A rather "orange meet".

Shot 3.  BNSF C44-9W 5326 is the rear DPU on BNSF 7531 as it proceeds east thru Canon City. In this shot, 5326 crosses whats called "Canon Creek" at MP 157.44 on the old TP Line thru here. This is a shot that we have been attempting to shoot for many a month. We succeeded today.

A few other interesting shots were taken today, but these are what I thought I'd share with everyone today.  Just goes to show, that at least on the east end of the old Tenn Pass Line still see's a few trains, including "Freight". Supposedly in the next 2 or so years, there is word that the Rock & Rail will be running at least 3 train's each way a day from the quarry at Parkdale. Martin Marietta has taken over op's on R&R and are apparently seeking more work for the R&R. That could translate into 8 trains per 24 hours on this end. 3 trains per day are not out of the realm, each way. Along with the regular Rock Train that operates each way and the Royal Gorge Train, it could get busy.  Hope so. There are quite a few shots that I been shown that would require some time out along the tracks between Canon City and Pueblo.

Thanks All for taking alook at the shots.  Be well, Kristie

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Niiiiice!

BB

What kind of rock is being mined, and where does it go?

seaboardc30-7 Wrote:
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> What kind of rock is being mined, and where does
> it go?

1-  Hard Rock, comes from the ground. Lot's of it up this way. From what I recently found out, enough to last and provide for the owner, 150 years worth. At Rock & Rail, where my hubby worked for about 2 years, the rock was being used by an aggregate company in Colorado Springs, Drennan. At least 1 train per day each way, still that way today. They also operated a train of rock for Kiewet Construction. Not sure tho, where it went. Always shipped from the quarry at Parkdale to the UP at Pueblo. As for the still regular Rock Train, it now goes via UP to Colorado Springs. When he worked there, it went via BN/BNSF. Washed Sand was another commodity that was loaded at the Parkdale Quarry and it is still to this day.

Destination?  Other than the Drennan Train to COS, the new BNSF trains go on their system to where needed.

Kristie
 

Always Beautiful, Always

Nice shots and information.   One thing the rocky mountains do have: rock.

Very NICE series!!

Larry