Western Railroad Discussion > BNSF Ballast Train loaded at Parkdale Quarry 14 Sept 2020

BNSF 8093 East passed Rock & Rail 401 at Portland, Colorado, on 14 September 2020.  The BNSF Herzog ballast train had loaded west of the Royal Gorge at the Martin Marietta Parkdale Quarry.  This was Denver & Rio Grande/Union Pacific's Tennessee Pass line now operated as the RGX Subdivision by Rock & Rail and The Royal Gorge Route (Canon City & Royal Gorge RR CRRX).

---

So this train rolled thru the Royal Gorge, across the hanging bridge, and all?  If so, that would have been a sight to see!!!

IDK what the frequency of rock trains is, but AFAIK, they all go thru the royal gorge and the hanging bridge.  I was under the impression that they run at least several times a week, mostly with UP power.

Someone who knows can tell us.

pdt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> IDK what the frequency of rock trains is, but
> AFAIK, they all go thru the royal gorge and the
> hanging bridge.  I was under the impression that
> they run at least several times a week, mostly
> with UP power.
>
> Someone who knows can tell us.

Yes indeed someone will. 1 Rock train west of Pblo daily M-F Back eastbound around 0630-0730 thru Canon City. UP Power, usually 2 units, back to back. UP 7847 & UP 9053 this week. On days they run the BNSF Ballast Train it would be 2 each way.Rhrow in the Royal Gorge Tourist Train then up to 5 per day between Parkdale and Canon City. when the other 2 run. BNSF Ballast trains are not frequent tho, perhaps up to 3 per month. They have 2 more to run this week. East of Florence Co., Holcim Cement at Portland still gets a Rock & Rail local to Pblo M-F mainly overnight. But yes at minimum, 1 empty west and then loaded back east thru the Gorge and over the Hanging Bridge. Ben

Wouldn't that be "under" the hanging bridge?

tomstp Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wouldn't that be "under" the hanging bridge?

No. Beneath the Suspension Bridge is what's called the hanging bridge. It is exactly what it sounds like. Ben

Not exactly. The Royal Gorge suspension bridge is 1,000 feet +/- above the tracks. Hanging bridge is on the tracks below it and just west, in the narrowest part of the gorge. Trains go under the former and over the latter.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/16/20 09:22 by F7sForever.

---