Rocky Mountain Railroad Club

News & Current Events

This page shows interesting railroad happenings as well as breaking railroad news. Check it often as you may learn the location or schedule of some interesting equipment in time to go out and get some great photographs! If you do go photo 'fanning, please share your pictures with us. Please contact News Page Webmaster Wally Weart.

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March 4, 2010

A rare matched set on the BNSF

Alan Schenkel found four H1s on BNSF's PASKCK on March 1 with a matched set of an older color scheme. Š2010 Alan Schenkel

Some action on the Joint Line

BNSF 8943 North (foreground) on Rio Grande lettered bridge passed BNSF 4014 South a 107-car loaded grain train running 2 x 3, train symbol G STEPTN9 01A. Train originated at Sterling, CO, on or about March 1st. Š2010 Chip March 3rd at Greenland, Colorado with Pikes Peak in the distance. BNSF manned helpers and distributed power on BNSF 4014 South was BNSF 4629, BNSF 4880 and 9304 (right, last unit) shoved past frozen Palmer Lake, CO. Š2010 Chip March 3rd.

Some freshly painted equipment.

Chris Paulhamus was able to get out under sunny skies on President's Day and found UP 1510 in her new paint crossing Monument Creek. Both 1510 and the caboose are looking good!

Some action from around Colorado

Union Pacific RR trainman off UP 1359 GP40-2, ex-DRGW, rolled by UP 3850 and 4879 at Platteville, Colorado, February 24, 2010. UP 3850 North had Suzlon wind mill supports moving Eagle Pass, Texas to Arlington, Oregon. The high wide load had 28-cars. Š2010 Chip on the Greeley Subdivision

Southern Pacific 177 (left) idled during the early morning hours of February 25, 2010 at Colorado Springs, CO. Holding the main was Union Pacific RR's North Yard, Denver to Pueblo, Colorado train making a set out or pick up at General Palmer's one time home. Š2010 Chip

February 18-19, 2010

Burnham Shops Tour

On February 18 & 19, two groups of Rocky Club members were able to tour the UP Burnham Shop.

Dotty Hume, left, looked over Union Pacific 6402, an AC4400CW originally delivered new to Southern Pacific. Union Pacific RR allowed club members to tour the UP's Denver Locomotive Shop on February 18 and 19, 2010. Š2010 Chip February 18, 2010, Denver, CO. Inspection pit at UP's Denver Locomotive Shop provides ample access to locomotives like UPY 661, GP15-1. Club members were shown this area during tour on February 18, 2010. Š2010 Chip @ Denver, CO.

Electrician Crystal gave our tour the thumbs up as she worked on Union Pacific RR's 6643 radio. Union Pacific RR Denver Locomotive Shop,
track 2, Denver, Colorado. Š2010 Chip.
The current mission of the Shop is to replace trouble prone 6,000 horsepower motors with 4,300 horsepower diesels in GE locomotive. At the time the diesel is replaced, the unit is also renumbered. Š2010 Wally Weart

6958 is awaiting the delivery of its replacement diesel. Note the new vinyl panel with the new number.Š2010 Wally Weart One of the highlights was to find an D&RGW GP-40 that had been for repairs and about to be released for duty. This may the last engine in service still in Rio Grande colors. Š2010 Wally Weart

A snowy Valentine's Day

BNSF 6893 SD40-2 had Union Pacific RR North Yard transfer moving towards BNSF's 31st Street Yard, Denver, CO, February 14, 2010. BNSF maintenance of way men were using leaf blowers to clear snow from switches. Fresh snow and bitter cold greeted railroaders Valentine's morning. Most folks opted to stay in bed. Š2010 Chip.

San Luis& Rio Grande

San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad leased B39-8E 8527 and 8577 continue to keep the San Luis Valley rails shined. The mother/slug set, SLRG 459 and 227, weren't running well. They ran February 12, 2010 to Antonito, Colorado, but SLRG 8577 did most of the work. Š2010 Chip at Alamosa, Colorado, February 13, 2010. San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad B39-8E 8524 handled the Sweetheart Special past Goemmer Butte (rock formation above SLRG 8524 cab). This conspicuous feature in the Cuchara valley near La Veta is named for the Goemmer (pronounced gimmer) Brothers ranch. The butte consists of a steep-sided knob rising from a conical base. Cuchara Formation sandstone is well exposed around the margin of the butte. Passengers enjoyed dome RPCX 551 as they approached La Veta, Colorado, layover. Š2010 Chip west of snowy La Veta, Colorado, February 13, 2010.

A BNSF Officer train

BNSF 4018 Dash 9-44CW handled a 7-car passenger special from Alliance, Texas, to Pueblo, CO, where passengers disembarked February 10, 2010. Train had cars Cajon Pass, Stampede Pass, Trinchera Pass, Raton Pass, business car John S. Reed, and inspection car William Barstow Strong. BNSF 4018 deadheaded cars back to Topeka, KS, home for BNSF's passenger car fleet. UP 6446 at left was coal empty ready to depart north via Joint Line to a coal mine. Š2010 Chip @ Pueblo Junction, Pueblo, CO. BNSF 32 inspection car William Barstow Strong on 7-car passenger special behind BNSF 4018 East departed Pueblo Junction, Colorado, February 10, 2010. BNSF train O PUETOP1 10a was headed for Topeka, Kansas. Š2010 Chip.

Some federal visitors to Denver

Federal Railroad Administration cars DOTX 220 (built by Colorado Railcar, Fort Lupton, CO - now closed) and DOTX 221 rolled west to California on Amtrak's California Zephyr, train 5, February 9, 2010. DOTX 221 was Canadian National/VIA Cape series sleeper lounge. The former CN car is painted a psuedo-Pennsy tuscan red scheme. Cars will return eastward on Amtrak train 4 passing La Junta, CO, February 23, 2010. Š2010 Chip north of Denver at Utah Junction, CO, with UP 6065 on the bypass.

Some local BNSF action

BNSF 6014, a GE model ES44AC, passed United Railroad track gang working on Keenesburg, Colorado, grain elevator track. Train came from Lincoln, Nebraska, running to BNSF's 31st Street Yard, Denver, CO. Š2010 Chip February 3, 2010. BNSF 6014 West had Department of Defense flatcars loaded with Army M1A2 Abrams tanks rolling through Lochbuie, CO, February 3, 2010.

BNSF had two "heritage schemes" on their Denver, CO, to Chicago, IL, train Z-DENCHI9-03A. BNSF Dash 9-44CW 778 was delivered in the Santa Fe inspired warbonnet scheme. UP 6231 was delivered as Southern Pacific 180, a General Electric model AC4400CW built in May 1995 renumbered by Union Pacific October 13, 2005. Train was on BNSF's Brush Line at Long Bridge Road, milepost 470.7, west of Fort Morgan, CO. Š2010 Chip February 3, 2010. BNSF's Brush Line meet - BNSF 6314 and 5996 on coal empty E SLPRWM 028A (headed for Rawhide Mine, WY) met BNSF 6014 West, Lincoln, NE, to Denver, CO, train with Army Abrams tanks at Keenesburg, CO, Feb. 3, 2010. BNSF's new ES44AC power was evident on both trains. All photos Š2010 Chip

Having not been used in fifteen months the crossing at Taft Road at Milepost 202 was packed with frozen mud and snow. Coal hoppers were stored on both sides of the crossing. Once the ice was cleared from the intersection, the train on the west side of the crossing shoved the cars east to couple onto the mile long string on the east side of the crossing. Colby, Kansas, January 29, 2010. Heading west at this point UP 6787 (SP) 6304, and UP 6807 were pulling two miles of hoppers. The train was about to cross the northern crossing of Country Club Drive. Motorist were surprised to see the crossing gates go down. A speeding cement truck could not stop and nearly crashed the gates as he swerved to miss the lowering gates. Colby, Kansas January 29, 2010.

UP 6787, (SP) 6304, and UP 6807 were pulling the stiff grade out of Colby as the train crossed East Pine Street. At this point the train was heading southeast. Colby, Kansas, January 29, 2010. The train was pulling the grade across the southern crossing of Country Club Drive. In the far distant background, the middle of the train was moving west across the northern crossing of Country Club Drive. Colby, Kansas, January 29, 2010.

After passing milepost 204 on the east side of Country Club Drive, the train begins to get out of the developed parts of Colby The elevators in the background are Cornerstone Ag (Hi Plains CO-OP and Cooper). Both elevators ship their grain by truck to Cornerstone's elevator on the far southeast side of Colby. January 29, 2010. Waiting on the lead track to Cornerstone Ag UP 6422, 5956, and 7262 wait while the coal train passes by on the mainline. Halfway through, the train was split and the three units were coupled in as mid train units. Colby, Kansas January 29, 2010. All photos Š2010 Larry Dilts

A very colorful consist on the BNSF

Alan Schenkel found H-DENLAU with another nifty consist: SD70ACe 9247-Warbonnet 4703-Warbonnet 748-yellowbonnet 1923, some other colors for a change. Š2010 Alan Schenkel

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Copyright 2010 Rocky Mountain Railroad Club.


BNSF 8943 North (foreground) on Rio Grande lettered bridge passed BNSF 4014 South a 107-car loaded grain train running 2 x 3, train symbol G STEPTN9 01A. Train originated at Sterling, CO, on or about March 1st. Š2010 Chip March 3rd at Greenland, Colorado with Pikes Peak in the distance.	BNSF manned helpers and distributed power on BNSF 4014 South was BNSF 4629, BNSF 4880 and 9304 (right, last unit) shoved past frozen Palmer Lake, CO. Š2010 Chip March 3rd.


Union Pacific RR trainman off UP 1359 GP40-2, ex-DRGW, rolled by UP 3850 and 4879 at Platteville, Colorado, February 24, 2010. UP 3850 North had Suzlon wind mill supports moving Eagle Pass, Texas to Arlington, Oregon. The high wide load had 28-cars. Š2010 Chip on the Greeley Subdivision

Southern Pacific 177 (left) idled during the early morning hours of February 25, 2010 at Colorado Springs, CO. Holding the main was Union Pacific RR's North Yard, Denver to Pueblo, Colorado train making a set out or pick up at General Palmer's one time home. Š2010 Chip


Dotty Hume, left, looked over Union Pacific 6402, an AC4400CW originally delivered new to Southern Pacific. Union Pacific RR allowed club members to tour the UP's Denver Locomotive Shop on February 18 and 19, 2010. Š2010 Chip February 18, 2010, Denver, CO.	Inspection pit at UP's Denver Locomotive Shop provides ample access to locomotives like UPY 661, GP15-1. Club members were shown this area during tour on February 18, 2010. Š2010 Chip @ Denver, CO.

Electrician Crystal gave our tour the thumbs up as she worked on Union Pacific RR's 6643 radio. Union Pacific RR Denver Locomotive Shop, track 2, Denver, Colorado. Š2010 Chip.	The current mission of the Shop is to replace trouble prone 6,000 horsepower motors with 4,300 horsepower diesels in GE locomotive. At the time the diesel is replaced, the unit is also renumbered. Š2010 Wally Weart

6958 is awaiting the delivery of its replacement diesel. Note the new vinyl panel with the new number.Š2010 Wally Weart	One of the highlights was to find an D&RGW GP-40 that had been for repairs and about to be released for duty. This may the last engine in service still in Rio Grande colors. Š2010 Wally Weart


BNSF 6014, a GE model ES44AC, passed United Railroad track gang working on Keenesburg, Colorado, grain elevator track. Train came from Lincoln, Nebraska, running to BNSF's 31st Street Yard, Denver, CO. Š2010 Chip February 3, 2010.	BNSF 6014 West had Department of Defense flatcars loaded with Army M1A2 Abrams tanks rolling through Lochbuie, CO, February 3, 2010.

BNSF had two "heritage schemes" on their Denver, CO, to Chicago, IL, train Z-DENCHI9-03A. BNSF Dash 9-44CW 778 was delivered in the Santa Fe inspired warbonnet scheme. UP 6231 was delivered as Southern Pacific 180, a General Electric model AC4400CW built in May 1995 renumbered by Union Pacific October 13, 2005. Train was on BNSF's Brush Line at Long Bridge Road, milepost 470.7, west of Fort Morgan, CO. Š2010 Chip February 3, 2010.	BNSF's Brush Line meet - BNSF 6314 and 5996 on coal empty E SLPRWM 028A (headed for Rawhide Mine, WY) met BNSF 6014 West, Lincoln, NE, to Denver, CO, train with Army Abrams tanks at Keenesburg, CO, Feb. 3, 2010. BNSF's new ES44AC power was evident on both trains. All photos Š2010 Chip


Having not been used in fifteen months the crossing at Taft Road at Milepost 202 was packed with frozen mud and snow. Coal hoppers were stored on both sides of the crossing. Once the ice was cleared from the intersection, the train on the west side of the crossing shoved the cars east to couple onto the mile long string on the east side of the crossing. Colby, Kansas, January 29, 2010.	Heading west at this point UP 6787 (SP) 6304, and UP 6807 were pulling two miles of hoppers. The train was about to cross the northern crossing of Country Club Drive. Motorist were surprised to see the crossing gates go down. A speeding cement truck could not stop and nearly crashed the gates as he swerved to miss the lowering gates. Colby, Kansas January 29, 2010.

UP 6787, (SP) 6304, and UP 6807 were pulling the stiff grade out of Colby as the train crossed East Pine Street. At this point the train was heading southeast. Colby, Kansas, January 29, 2010.	The train was pulling the grade across the southern crossing of Country Club Drive. In the far distant background, the middle of the train was moving west across the northern crossing of Country Club Drive. Colby, Kansas, January 29, 2010.

After passing milepost 204 on the east side of Country Club Drive, the train begins to get out of the developed parts of Colby The elevators in the background are Cornerstone Ag (Hi Plains CO-OP and Cooper). Both elevators ship their grain by truck to Cornerstone's elevator on the far southeast side of Colby. January 29, 2010.	Waiting on the lead track to Cornerstone Ag UP 6422, 5956, and 7262 wait while the coal train passes by on the mainline. Halfway through, the train was split and the three units were coupled in as mid train units. Colby, Kansas January 29, 2010. All photos Š2010 Larry Dilts