Western Railroad Discussion > UP Rio Grande Heritage leads rock train on home rails

UP Rio Grande Heritage unit 1989 is on home-commemorated rails as it leads the day's Rock and Rail (RRRR) loaded aggregate unit train in the early morning of May 18, 2020, flowing eastward with the Arkansas River at Portland, CO next to Milepost 145. Loaded in Parkdale, CO, just west of the Royal Gorge, the train makes round trips from there to Drennan, just south of Colorado Springs to unload. Many thanks to Jody Moore, Manager at Canon City & Royal Gorge, who very courteously fed me information and even led me here. Though I chased this Tennessee Pass line extensively when it was still a through route, I never found this spot then. Just out of view to the left is the large Holcim Cement complex which among other things supplies cement loads to UP for the loadout at Boettcher, north of Fort Collins, CO. For those aware, yes an unmatching yellow access door is under the cab of 1989 on this side, it is easily redecorated with Photoshop. Happy rock and railfanning! === === = === JLH



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/21 13:24 by highgreengraphics.

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Beautiful shot!

Outstanding image!  Couldn't be better.

Rich

rantoul Wrote:
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> Nice.  Kudos to the industry for assisting your
> exemplary photo.

AMAZING photograph! The lighting is just perfect for this sweeping curve and vista. Nice report. 

Nice shot. We found this spot a few weeks ago and got a few of the 1989 here also. We managed to catch the WB Rock & Rail local on it's return to Portland at the Holcim Cement Plant here while waiting for 1989 to pass by.  Did ya by chance get to see the 2 ex SLRG units stored on teh long storage tracks just out of the shot to the left? The SLRG 4138 the Green Adams State Commerative Unit and the SLRG 4142 still in NJT Paint. There are 3 more stored closer to the plant, near where RRRR parks there power also.  It is indeed a great shot from here. (Be aware tho, when we were up there we saw some Mountain Lion paw prints, and they were pretty fresh at that)  Thanks for sharing.  Ben

Yes, I know of the other units stored at Portland, in two visits, however, I was not successful in getting the 3 Rock and Rail units doing anything away from the plant. === === = === JLH

That's a perfect shot where everything came together just right!  Good job!!

Excellent photo!

Posted from iPhone

Killer shot!

Out 

Great image, well executed!

Fantastic shot there JH!

Congratulations on the IOTD sir.
John

Perfect shot!

Another zinger there, Jim! Good job...

Lance/199

Nicely done; great scenery and lighting!
GK

NIICE..!!