Western Railroad Discussion > A few from yesterday in the Colorado Springs and Palmer Lake area

On my way to a get together with a few friends in Palmer Lake yesterday, I left home in Penrose Colo early hoping to maybe catch a few trains on my way.  Getting a heads up on a few I first staked out a spot in Colorado Springs.  Here are the shots.

Shot 1  Taken off Colorado Avenue near where the old CSU Drake Plant stood I got a shot of this sb BNSF Coal Load coming past the fairly new US Para Olympic Museum in downtown "Springs"  BNSF ES44AC 6174 has BNSF SD70ACe 9397 and the C RWMSLP 76 moving thru the nearly empty yard in town.

Shot 2.  The rear DPU's on the 6174S. BNSF SD70ACe 8591 and ES44AC 6434 add their assistance as they pass the now vacant area where the Drake Plant used to be, that being off to the right in shot. Looking south.

Shot 3   Next train thru the area was BNSF ES44C4 8343-6229 on a NB H SLADEN1. Pretty much chased this one north which yielded a few nice grab shots, this one being at Palmer Lake as they gring up the last feww hundred yards of the climb north.

A few more to follow......

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Continuing on..

Shot 4  BNSF 8343 is now over the top and rolling right along at Spruce Colo, just north of Palmer Lake. This is all on the Joint Line here in Colorado. The lone unit in front is BNSF SD70ACe 8494 which is what they call a "Protect Unit" used to lend a hand for trains that encounter issues on the SB Climb up the Palmer Divide. Main 1 is the closest track with Main 2 with the 8343 in the rear. It all goes to single track at Palmer Lake until they reach Crews which is south of Colorado Springs at Fountain Colo. Sidings offer some spots for meets along the way which are from north to south, Monument 6900 ft; Academy at 7200ft; N Colo Springs, Bijou,Colorado Springs,Cimarron,South Colorado Springs, all making up what at first glance would appear to be double track but is actually one long siding at 20,600ft, the Kelker at 5400ft and finally Crews, where it becomes double track again .

Shot 5.. At North Larkspur is a rather open area again where the 8343 is still rolling along. I25 is in the trees to the left.

Shot 6. Just had to stop at Bijou at the UP Yard Office and grab this one of the Local Power, UP GP40-2 1344 with the DRGW Painted Caboose. This was available light and hand held using a telephone pole to steady my grip.

Not a bad day, the show I attended was fantastic as usual as the host was very gracious as were all the other attendees, makes it feel good.  Thanks for stopping by, have a great day, be well all. Ben

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Real nice bunch.
JB

Great set, Ben!

texchief1

Nice day out series
Brian Stevens

Posted from iPhone

Nice coverage and thanks for posting.   The UP 1344 is on home turf as she is the former DRGW 3121.   

Ben,

Good to finally meet you last night, even if it was via Zoom!  What is the new looking track across from the Drake plant site in photo 2?

Robert

Robert. That track is actually one that has been around for awile. Goes to at least one industry down that track. Can't recall if it's lumber or other building materials. It is active tho. Train is on Main with siding next. The lead to the old Drake plant is still there as well. It's even still in place on the site.

Yes indeed, was a pleasure to finally meet, tho like ya said, via Zoom.Really enjoyed those shots ya shared, saw some new perspectives on some places I've yet to get, like those on back side of the mill. Those are some interesting trestle's back that way.Makes me real curious to see if one can still get back in there.

Ben

Neat series!

ns2557 Wrote:
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> Robert. That track is actually one that has been
> around for awile. Goes to at least one industry
> down that track. Can't recall if it's lumber or
> other building materials. It is active tho. Train
> is on Main with siding next. The lead to the old
> Drake plant is still there as well. It's even
> still in place on the site.
>
> Yes indeed, was a pleasure to finally meet, tho
> like ya said, via Zoom.Really enjoyed those shots
> ya shared, saw some new perspectives on some
> places I've yet to get, like those on back side of
> the mill. Those are some interesting trestle's
> back that way.Makes me real curious to see if one
> can still get back in there.
>
> Ben

I believe it is a roofing company. So probably loads of shingles..

I remember that track now.  Used to be a lumber store there.  Been so long I don't remember as much, and that is frustrating!.

The track into Drake site could be kept for future deliveries of big heavy building materials, like turbines and transformers, etc.

RR