Western Railroad Discussion > Consecutive SP patches Cheyenne and Sherman Hill

SP-patched UP 6378 in a 1x1 formation lead the ITAG4B-25 through Cheyenne, WY on September 28, 2024. Photo 1 - In dynamic braking at West Cheyenne and passing under the C&S Bridge, meeting a Denver-bound MNPDV with SP-patched UP 6379 trailing, it will lead a train the following day. Photo 2 - Stopped for a crew change at the Cheyenne Depot. Photo 3 - Having departed Cheyenne, pulling up Archer Hill. There's moooore...

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Photo 4 - SP patch UP 6379 that was trailing the day before and met 6378 at west Cheyenne was put on the point of the MNYGR for Green River on September 29. Photo 1 - Departing Speer, WY on Track 3 after a crew change and change of direction at Speer. Photo 2 - Puling through Lynch, WY on Track 3. Photo 3 - Exiting Hermosa Tunnel as the afternoon sunset wanes. There's moooore...

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By September 2, SP patched UP 6379 had returned to Denver trailing on a MGRNY the day before and put on another rotation to Green River on another MNYGR. Photo 7 - Here it is passing the water tank on Track 3 at Harriman, WY, built when this line was opened in 1952 and the last steam-era water tank on Sherman hill since the Speer water tank was taken down. I figured one must document this tank as it is empty and not being used and who knows how long it will last. Photo 8 - After passing through Hermosa, diving down the steep Track 3 to Laramie at Harney, WY under Highway 287.  Thanks to JS for the headsups. Happy patchfanning! === === = === JLH

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Great catches on 2 SP patch units, not many left.  Nice locations as always!!!

That first photo is great. Consecutive numbered ex SP units, pointing the same direction, "next" to each other.

longliveSP Wrote:
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> That first photo is great. Consecutive numbered ex
> SP units, pointing the same direction, "next" to
> each other.

Yeah, that was some pretty great luck, and an awesome photo result.

It seems the SP has been gone forever. I'm surprised Uncle Pete hasn't painted the few remaining SP patches. Back here on the other coast, it seemed like NS and CSX could'nt spraypaint the much better looking blue Conrail units fast enough. It was like overnight all the Big Blue Conrail units had faded into NS's black abyss or CSX's Dark Future.
i can't but help reach back to fellow railfans statement, "One day all will be Black or Gray". I can't help but revise that to "Yellow or Black!".
Argghhh! The sterilization of the railroads.
Gonut

Easily Catch of the year!

Fantastic series!

Gonut1 wrote:

> i can't but help reach back to fellow railfans
> statement, "One day all will be Black or Gray". I
> can't help but revise that to "Yellow or Black!".
> Argghhh! The sterilization of the railroads.

Just think how awful it must have been in the steam era! Just about every locomotive on every railroad was black! ;^)

Nice timing Jim! It's also nice to see the water tank at Speer that was certainly a long time fixture....

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

Great shots!!