Western Railroad Discussion > Cross Country Drive - Part 7 (Western Kansas to Pueblo)

After saying goodbye to Lance in Matfield Green KS, we headed on to Wichita and Pratt, where we spent the night.  Next day we trekked across western Kansas and ended up for the evening in Pueblo CO.  We mostly followed the former Santa Fe passenger main to La Junta, which isn't anywhere near as busy as the Transcon, but has more trains on it than I expected to see. 

1) In Dodge City KS we forsook the pleasures of touring Boot Hill to gas up and grab a shot of this train of autoracks that was thinking about heading west, but never got it together to actually leave!  So this is the shot I got.
2)  Cimarron KS has some amazing grain elevators, and I'm a fan of all grain elevators.
3)  Coolidge KS has some impressive grain elevators as well, and an ex-UP SD-60 now relegated to switching grain cars for WAMX. 
 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/11/23 21:17 by dwatry.

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4)  The real gem in Coolidge KS, though, was this ex-C&O SD-18, now working for Scoular Grain (SCOX).    I remember these units working the humps in Russell KY, so nice to see one still around. 
5)  In Las Animas CO, this westbound grainer's units were running but no activity. 
6)  Just east of Pueblo CO, caught this eastbound coal train. 
 

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7)  Pueblo's big attraction is the gigantic steel mill, formerly operated by Colorado Fuel and Iron (CF&I).  Parts of the mill appear to still be operating, and this Davenport switcher is on display at the former CF&I headquarters. 
8)  Colorado & Wyoming still switches the working parts of the mill, and this SW8 #205 was very busy.   You can't get very close, though - all fenced!
9)  Another shot of 205. 

Next installment - western Colorado and SLC!
 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/11/23 21:21 by dwatry.

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Would be nice if someone had eyes on getting that C&O SD-18 on alco trucks into a musuem or to a tourist RR some day.
Very unique.  Any others left?

the mill uses scrap steel now, was just a forced sale , was owned by a russian

Very Nice and interesting series!

Larry

Thanks for the nice coverage!

texchief1

pdt Wrote:
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> Would be nice if someone had eyes on getting that
> C&O SD-18 on alco trucks into a musuem or to a
> tourist RR some day.
> Very unique.  Any others left?

At least 2 that I know of. One at Tamora Ne along the BNSF was painted in Indiana RR Gray Colors and the one at South Haven Ks (Witchita Area) still in Chessie Pnt.  Ben

Here is the one from South Haven, KS as of October 2016 on the Blackwell Northern Gateway. As I recall, the cab was a rat's nest as the owner was rewiring it.

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