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V I D E O S
Trains of 2007 in Colorado and Texas, BNSF and Union Pacific
The year 2007 was an exciting one for railroading out West. From lease units, such as CEFX (CIT Equipment Finance) SD90MAC and rebuilt SD45 diesels, to GECX (General Electric Capital Leasing) Tunnel Motors, to unusual foreign power, such as an SD40-2 from the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad, there was much to see in 2007. Enjoy also Burlington Northern Santa Fe GP60B booster units, foreign power from Conrail, Norfolk Southern and CSX, and BNSF’s uniquely painted SD70MAC no. 9647 (vomit bonnet). All this and more when railfanning in Colorado and Texas in 2007.
Rare & Foreign Motive Power on Colorado's Joint Line, Sept. 2008, NS C40-9W & Ringling Bros. Circus
Colorado Front Range railroads Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific were pinched for motive power to haul coal trains and mixed freights in 2008. As a result, a plethora of leased locomotives and motive power from other railroads pounded over the mountainous Palmer Divide on Colorado’s Denver-Pueblo Joint Line. Leased and foreign power included Norfolk Southern C40-9W, EMD SD60 and Kansas City Southern SD70ACe locomotives in action. Unusual motive power from the regular locomotive fleet included BNSF SD40-2, Burlington Northern-painted SD70MAC, Union Pacific SD90MAC, and UP AC4400CW diesels still painted for predecessor railroads Southern Pacific and Chicago & North Western. Also, keep an eye out for the Blue Unit Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus train.
Amtrak's Pioneer & Caritas: A Private Charter on a Lost Train, April 23, 1996, AMTK F40PH 351 & 326
The private charter passenger car Caritas, a sleeper lounge dining observation car, was built in 1948 for service on the St. Louis-San Francisco streamliner The Texas Special. In 1965 it was sold to Canadian National for their streamliner train The Super-Continental. It was rebuilt as private car Caritas by November 1984. On April 23, 1996, the Caritas ran on the back of the regularly scheduled Amtrak Pioneer, from Portland, Oregon, to Denver, Colorado, where it connected with the eastbound California Zephyr to Chicago, Illinois. Here, the Pioneer with the Caritas was videotaped running from Laramie, Wyoming, on Union Pacific’s Overland Route (Laramie Subdivision), to Platteville, Colorado, on UP’s Denver Pacific line (Greeley Subdivision). The last trip of the since discontinued Pioneer took place on May 10, 1997.
UP EC-4 on Denver-Pueblo Joint Line 8-9/2008, BNSF Pikes Peak Sub, Union Pacific Colo. Springs Sub
Colorado Front Range railroads Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific were active with coal trains and mixed freights, on the mountainous Joint Line between Denver and Pueblo, over the Palmer Divide. Classic locomotive types included former Santa Fe C44-9W, B40-8W, cabless GP60B and Burlington Northern SD70MAC diesels. BNSF engines included C44-9W, ES44AC, ES44DC, SD70ACe and the occasional SD40-2 or EMD SD60 lease unit. Union Pacific diesels included AC4400CW, C44/60AC and unique SD90MAC locomotives, plus a visit from UP track geometry vehicle EC-4. Enjoy all this action from the glory days of early 21st century railroading.
C&NW Transition Era into UP Mega Rail System 1995-96, Chicago & North Western-Union Pacific Merger
The once proud and historic Chicago & North Western Railroad was absorbed into the massive Union Pacific rail network in April 1995. The finer details of the merger were completed the following June. Out on the railroad right-of-way, C&NW locomotives could be seen leading trains anywhere on Union Pacific’s Overland Route, especially east of North Platte, Nebraska. Such locomotives included EMD GP50, SD40-2, SD50 and SD60 units, as well as General Electric C44-9W and AC4400CW diesels. Union Pacific engines included EMD GP40X, SD40-2, SD60M, GE C30-7, C40-8, C41-8W, C44-9W and AC4400CW units. Enjoy this final era of C&NW motive power on Union Pacific’s expansive rail network.
BNSF Motive Power Variety in 2008, Subdivisions Pikes Peak, Pueblo, Boise City, August 2008
Colorado Front Range railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe was hustling trains over the railroad’s Pikes Peak, Pueblo and Boise City subdivisions in August of 2008. Classic locomotive types included former Burlington Northern SD40-2, SD60M and SD70MAC diesels. BNSF motive power included B40-8W, C44-9W, AC4400CW, ES44AC, ES44DC, GP60B, SD75M, SD70MAC and SD70ACe units. Kansas City Southern SD70ACe diesels and EMD SD60 lease units paid a visit to the railroad. All of this action from the early 21st Century of American railroading round out this spectacular railroad video.
Midwest Commuter & Intercity Rail 1995-97, Metra, South Shore Line, VIA Rail, Amtrak, Metra Electric
Passenger trains in the Midwestern United States come in all shapes and sizes. Chicago-area Metra commuter trains operate with bi-level gallery cars in push-pull mode, powered by F40PH and F40PHM-2 passenger diesels. Electric multiple-unit commuter cars serve the nation’s last interurban rail line, the Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad. Canada’s VIA Rail share power and equipment with Amtrak to operate the US-Canadian “International.” Amtrak intercity trains include the Loop, Texas Eagle, Ann Rutledge, Wolverine, Lake Cities and State House. Finally, former Illinois Central electric Highliner cars served IC’s former Chicago Suburban Service, since operated by Metra.
UP Overland Route June-Aug. 2008, C40-8 C44-9W AC4400CW ES44AC SD40-2 SD60M SD70M SD70ACe SD90MAC
Union Pacific’s Overland Route was thick with intermodal and other freight trains on this transcontinental route through Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. These trains were pulled by classic C40-8, C44-9W, SD40-2 and SD60M diesels, as well as AC4400CW, ES44AC, SD70M, SD70ACe, and SD90MAC units, the latest in diesel technology at the time.
Illinois Central 1995 The Final Era, EMD GP38-2, GP40, SD20, SD40-2, SW14, GP10, GP11
The Illinois Central Railroad, known historically as the Mainline of Mid-America, was in its final years before being absorbed into Canadian National in 1999. On the Chicago District in northern Illinois, the IC mainline paralleled its former electrified Suburban Service, since operated by Chicago’s commuter rail authority, Metra. The suburban Highliner electric motors were built for IC, later acquired by the commuter agency for Metra Electric service. Classic IC freight diesels include EMD GP38-2, GP40, SD20, SD40-2, SW14, and IC rebuilt GP10 and GP11 units.
Lease Power & Power Mixes on Colorado Joint Line May 2008, CEFX AC4400CW BN SD40-2 ATSF SD75M & GP60
CIT Equipment Finance (CEFX) AC4400CW no. 1009, leased to Burlington Northern Santa Fe, opens this unique collection of lease units and motive power lashups that make Colorado Joint Line railroading so spectacular. BNSF predecessor paint schemes remained on such locomotives as Burlington Northern SD40-2, SD60M and SD70MAC diesels. Santa Fe GP60 and SD75M units make an appearance. Rare visitors to the Joint Line include BNSF GP60 cabless “B-unit” no. 341 and Canadian National SD40-2W no. 5261. Finally, CEFX no. 1003 powers a BNSF track geometry train, used to perform rail gauge measurements and other tasks as part of maintaining the railroad. All this and Colorado mountain scenery too!
Trains 1992 Oregon California Washington, Amtrak Coast Starlight, Washington Central Dinner Train
Amtrak’s famous Coast Starlight departs Portland Union Station, pulled by classic Amtrak F40PH passenger diesels. In Washington, Burlington Northern freights are pulled by SD40-2 workhorse engines, leased LMX B39-8 diesels and unique B30-7A booster units. On short line Washington Central, the Spirit of Washington dinner train was pulled by a pair of former Northern Pacific GP9 diesels, built in 1957. On the Southern Pacific, a variety of motive power hauled freights in Oregon and California, including SD9 “Cadillacs” and SD40T-2 Tunnel Motors. Some BN and SP freights operated with cabooses during this exciting era in West Coast railroading.
Ringling Circus Train, 2008, UP SD70M 4674 UP SD70M 4785 UP SD70ACe 8542 NS SD70M 2601 NS SD60M 6785
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Blue Unit circus train traversed the nation, providing a home and transportation for act performers and support personnel, who were the life blood of the circus. Our chase after the circus train began in Tama, Iowa, on the former Chicago & North Western, on June 4, 2008. Later, after a performance in Colorado Springs, the train headed north over the mountainous Joint Line before heading west on Union Pacific’s Overland Route. The next performance of the Blue Unit circus was to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Union Pacific motive power included UP SD70M 4674 and 4785, UP SD70ACe 8542, Norfolk Southern SD70M 2601 and former Conrail SD60M 5538 (renumbered NS 6785).
Remnants of the Midland Terminal Railway 1929-1995, US Hwy 24 Colo. Springs Manitou Springs Ute Pass
In 1929, local Colorado filmmaker Ira Current used 16mm black and white film to capture passenger and freight trains of the Midland Terminal Railway as they traversed the mountainous Ute Pass out of Manitou Springs, Colorado. Then in 1995, the remnants that remained of this historic rail line were documented, including scenes that have disappeared since the mid 1990s. Visit the terminals, tunnels and right-of-way left behind after the abandonment of the Midland Terminal Railway in 1949.
Semaphore Signals & Amtrak's Southwest Chief in Colorado, New Mexico (& Illinois) 2007-2008
Amtrak P42DC passenger diesels on the storied Southwest Chief, with private luxury passenger cars from the glory days of railroading, cross the Cimarron River on a deck girder bridge and pass several old Santa Fe Railway semaphore signals along the way. The semaphore signals date back to the 1920s, during the steam era of Santa Fe’s famous Chief and other trains.
San Luis Central GE 70-Tonner no. 71 in 1994, Monte Vista to Center, Colo., Plus REA Express Boxcars
Switch engine 70-Tonner no. 71 was built by General Electric for the San Luis Central Railroad Company in January 1955. The unit has loyally served the railroad ever since, hauling freight between Monte Vista and Center, Colorado, in the south central part of the state. The San Luis Central interchanged with Southern Pacific’s former Denver & Rio Grande Western La Veta Pass Route, in Monte Vista, in 1994. On September 24, 1994, the railroad hosted a railfan trip chartered as the “Pea Vine Flyer.” Passengers rode on the locomotive or in former Railway Express Agency express boxcars as they traversed the San Luis Valley.
Trains of Iowa Illinois & Nebraska, June-July 2008, Iowa Interstate, BNSF, Amtrak, Union Pacific
This compilation of trains in the Midwest opens with the Iowa Interstate Railroad, followed by Burlington Northern Santa Fe freights in Camron, Illinois, including Amtrak’s California Zephyr. Finally, the Union Pacific Railroad is busy on former Chicago & North Western and Rock Island lines in Iowa, as well as its own Overland Route in Nebraska. Classic locomotive types include former Burlington Northern SD70MAC diesels, former Santa Fe SD40-2, B40-8 and C40-8W units, plus BNSF C44-9W, ES44AC, ES44DC and the occasional EMD SD60 lease units. Union Pacific diesels include SD38-2, SD60, SD70M, SD70ACe, C44-9W, AC4400CW and unique SD90MAC locomotives in action.
Semaphores & Private Varnish on Amtrak Southwest Chief in 2021, Stampede Pass, Pacific Home, NYC-3
Early 20th century Santa Fe semaphore signals were still in use protecting train movements on the Raton and Glorieta subdivisions of the old Santa Fe Railway. The semaphore signals date back to the 1920s, during the steam era of Santa Fe’s famous Chief and other trains. Amtrak P42DC passenger diesels on the storied Southwest Chief passed several operating semaphore signals in northern New Mexico. On occasion, private luxury passenger cars from the glory days of railroading would operate on the rear of Amtrak’s Superliner passenger trains, no. 3 and no. 4. These included Northern Pacific dome car Stampede Pass, Union Pacific Pullman sleeper Pacific Home, and New York Central heavyweight observation business car NYC-3.
Trains 1992 Chicago & Rural Illinois, Metra F40PHM-2, Burlington Northern E9, Amtrak F40PH, Santa Fe!
Burlington Northern’s triple track raceway was hot with trains in 1992. BN freights intermingled with Metra commuter trains and Amtrak intercity trains. Southern Pacific also had trackage rights into Chicago, Illinois, via BN’s Denver-Chicago mainline. Metra operated a mix of former BN streamliner E9 diesels, F40PH and unique F40PHM-2 units. Amtrak’s classic F40PH graced the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief, as did brand new P32BWH engines. Finally, hot intermodal trains, out on the Santa Fe’s Chicago-Los Angeles Transcon in rural Illinois, round out this action-packed show of trains from 1992.
Steam Powered Freight over La Veta Pass Route, San Luis & Rio Grande 2-8-0 no. 18, May 3, 2008
The San Luis & Rio Grande was a common carrier freight railroad that also operated passenger trains for tourists and railroad enthusiasts. The breathtaking scenery over La Veta Pass was not lost on railroad management, who marketed their passenger trains as the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. On May 3, 2008, the railroad ran a “Photo Freight” train between Alamosa and La Veta, Colorado, pulled by steam for photographers. Featured motive power was Consolidation-class 2-8-0 no. 18, originally built for the Lake Superior & Ishpeming in January 1910, as no. 11. It was renumbered LS&I 18 in August 1923, and has retained that number despite numerous owners over the years. Diesel powered freight trains are also featured, pulled by B39-8 and F40M-2F engines.
UP Moffat Tunnel Route 2021, Union Pacific Moffat Tunnel Subdivision on Colorado's Western Slope
UP Moffat Tunnel Route 2021, Union Pacific Moffat Tunnel Subdivision on Colorado’s Western Slope, opens with a UP coal train beneath the majestic James Peak on the Continental Divide. Other railroads have trackage rights over this mountainous and scenic rail route, including Amtrak, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and most recently the Rocky Mountaineer luxury passenger train. Classic locomotive types include UP SD70M, SD70ACe, AC4400CW, ES44AC, new ET44AH, and even a GP15-1. BNSF motive power includes C44-9W, ES44AC, ES44DC and ES44C4 units. Finally, Amtrak’s bi-level California Zephyr is pulled by classic P42DC European-styled “Genesis” locomotives.
RTD D-Line Light Rail 1995, Denver's First Light Rail Line
In Denver, Colorado, the local bus transit agency inaugurated its first electrified light rail line on October 7, 1994. Regional Transportation District (RTD) light rail vehicles served a circulator downtown streetcar loop. Then they trundled south along Santa Fe Drive to Mineral Avenue in the inner ring suburb of Littleton. Beginning on March 11, 1995, our cameras recorded the operations of this brand new rail mass transit system and its shiny new electric streetcars.
Colorado Joint Line Railroad April-May 2008, BN SD70MAC BNSF C44-9W ES44AC, UP SD90MAC SD70ACe 1989
Rocky Mountaineer, UP Big Boy 4014, Amtrak Southwest Chief in 2021
Greatest Motive Power Lashups 1994-95 & Unusual Engines, EMD SD60, LMX B39-8, MK SD40-2, BN SD60MAC
Greatest Motive Power Lashups 1994-95 & Unusual Engines features the “greatest hits” of locomotive mixes. Santa Fe, Burlington Northern, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific trains, along Colorado’s Front Range and throughout the West and Midwest, can be seen pulled by the most unusual mix of locomotives. Regular visitors include lease units, such as EMD SD60, LMX B39-8 and Morrison Knudsen SD40-2 rebuilt engines. Unusual paint schemes include red, white and blue BN SD60M no. 1991, SPSF red and yellow (representative of the failed Southern Pacific Santa Fe merger), and BN demonstrator SD60MAC diesels. Foreign power includes locomotives from Class-One railroads, such as Conrail and Chicago & North Western, to short line and regional railroads, such as Colorado & Wyoming and Montana Rail Link.
SD90MAC: Union Pacific's Lost Locomotive
Union Pacific’s SD90MAC diesel locomotive, also designated SD90/43MAC based on its horsepower rating, was arguably a failure for locomotive builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division. Originally designed to contain EMD’s 6000 horsepower AC traction motor “H” engine, most of the units purchased by UP were rated 4300 horsepower following the failure of the H-engine. Few other railroads purchased SD90MAC diesels, the only other class-one railroad being Canadian Pacific. The SD90MAC quickly became obsolete with the introduction of EMD’s SD70ACe. In time, UP sold or sidelined its roster of SD90MAC diesels, many being sold to Norfolk Southern for rebuilding as SD70ACU units.
Private Cars & Special Trains 2021, Amtrak Southwest Chief, California Zephyr, Rocky Mountaineer
Private observation car “Tioga Pass,” a former Canadian National business car built in 1959, graced the rear of Amtrak’s westbound Southwest Chief on April 23, 2021. On the Raton and Glorieta Subdivisions in northern New Mexico, the train passed several semaphore-style wayside signals, installed by the Santa Fe Railway during the 1920s. On July 24, three restored streamliner cars were put on the rear of the eastbound California Zephyr for a trip through Glenwood Canyon and along the Colorado River. Private cars were sleeping car “Cimarron River,” built in 1948 for the St. Louis-San Francisco railroad, former Milwaukee Road “Super Dome,” built in 1952, and former Union Pacific sleeping car “Pacific Union,” built in 1950. Finally, on August 15, the inaugural run of the westbound “Rocky Mountaineer,” a luxury passenger train with fancy hotel-type accommodations, sauntered out of Denver on the former Denver & Rio Grande Western Moffat Tunnel Route, over the Continental Divide.
Chicago Outer Rim Local Trains 1995 Conrail, South Shore Line, Illinois Central, Burlington Northern
A Conrail local freight with a caboose meets VIA Rail’s “International,” South Shore Line freights intermingle with Chicago South Shore & South Bend commuter trains, short Illinois Central freights hustle up and down the “Mainline of Mid-America,” and uniquely rebuilt four-axle units work the rail yard for Burlington Northern. These are some of the exciting scenes that appear in, “Chicago Outer Rim Local Trains 1995.” Motive power includes GP10, GP11, GP38, GP38-2 and GP39V diesels, many redesignated after rebuild.
BNSF SD40-2 6994, 6761, 6742, 8012, 8048 & LORAM Rail Grinder Train on Colo Joint Line, Mar-Apr 2008
Colorado Front Range railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe was hopping with coal trains and mixed freights, on the mountainous Joint Line between Denver and Pueblo, over the Palmer Divide. Classic locomotive types included former Burlington Northern SD70MAC diesels, BNSF C44-9W, ES44AC, ES44DC and the occasional SD40-2, SD60M or SD75M unit. In Fountain, Colorado, the LORAM rail grinding train grinded the rail on the old Santa Fe deck girder bridge over Fountain Creek.
3 BNSF Colo. Subdivisions 2021, Front Range, Brush, Pikes Peak, GP50 GP39-3 SD70ACe ES44AC/DC ES44C4
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Front Range Subdivision is the former Colorado & Southern line through Broomfield and Loveland that runs closest to the mountains on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The Brush Subdivision is on the Denver, Colorado-Chicago, Illinois, mainline of the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Rail traffic is heavier here, just east of Denver, because coal trains off the Angora Subdivision, hauling Powder River coal, traverse this route to points south. Finally, the Pikes Peak Subdivision, also known as the Joint Line with Union Pacific, is the former Santa Fe and Rio Grande combined route between Denver and Pueblo, Colorado, over the mountainous Palmer Divide. Classic locomotive types include BNSF C44-9W, ES44AC, ES44DC, ES44C4, SD70ACe, and the occasional GP39-3 and GP50 rebuild units.
Branch Lines & Local Freights 1993-1996, GP7 GP30 B23-7 GP35 SW1200 GP38-2 FP7A GP40M-2 UP 4-8-4 844
Norfolk Southern C40-9W 9201 on Colorado Joint Line, Feb. 2008
Colorado Front Range railroads Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific were hopping with coal trains and mixed freights, on the mountainous Joint Line between Denver and Pueblo, over the Palmer Divide. Occasionally, “foreign power” visits this very important north-south rail corridor, such as locomotives from East Coast railroad Norfolk Southern. Classic local locomotive types included former Burlington Northern GP28M, SD40-2 and SD70MAC diesels, BNSF C44-9W, ES44AC, ES44DC, and the occasional former Santa Fe GP30 or SD39 unit. Union Pacific diesels included GP40, SD60M, C44-9W and AC4400CW locomotives in action.
BNSF GP30 Rebuilds 2020-2021, Burlington Northern GP39M, BNSF GP39-3
The 1960s-era EMD GP30 continues to operate in freight service, and occasionally mainline service, sixty years later. Of course, the locomotives have been rebuilt, in some cases several times, so that they may continue to haul freight. Burlington Northern Santa Fe keeps their GP30 fleet upgraded and operating in the 21st Century, reclassified as GP39M and GP39-3, among other rebuilds. In Colorado, BNSF GP30 rebuilds served the Brush Subdivision east out of Denver, and occasionally operated west on Union Pacific’s scenic Moffat Tunnel Route.
Final Era of Southern Pacific on Tennessee Pass Line 1994-1996
The Southern Pacific Railroad climbed over the mountainous Continental Divide, through spectacular breathtaking scenery, of the former Denver & Rio Grande Western Royal Gorge Route and Tennessee Pass line. Classic locomotive types included former Rio Grande SD40T-2 tunnel motors, SP GP60, B40-8, SD45, SD40M-2, SD40T-2 and SD45T-2 tunnel motors, and modern for the time, AC4400CW class units. This was the final era of the Southern Pacific before its September 1996 absorption into the massive Union Pacific system.
Colorado Ski Train, Amtrak California Zephyr & Other Front Range Railroads in 2008
Add Your Heading Text HereBNSF Brush Subdivision 2021, GP28M GP39-3 SD70MAC SD70ACe C44-9W ES44AC ES44DC ES44C4, Amtrak P42DC
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Brush Subdivision is on the Denver, Colorado-Chicago, Illinois, mainline of the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Rail traffic is heavier here, just east of Denver, because coal trains off the Angora Subdivision, hauling Powder River coal, traverse this route to points south. Classic locomotive types include former Burlington Northern SD70MAC diesels, BNSF C44-9W, ES44AC, ES44DC, ES44C4, SD70ACe, and the occasional GP28M and GP39-3 rebuild units. Amtrak P42DC passenger diesels on the storied California Zephyr round out this spectacular railroad video.
West of Dotsero 1994, Final Era of the Southern Pacific, GP60, SD45, SD40T-2, SD45T-2, F40PH, P40DC
Winter on Colorado's Joint Line, Dec. 2007 thru Feb. 2008, BNSF SD40-2 SD60M SD70MAC SD70ACe ES44AC
Burlington Northern Santa Fe was up to the challenge of operating coal trains and mixed freights, over the mountainous Palmer Divide, during the winter of 2007-08. Trains traversed the Colorado Joint Lines at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, regardless of the cold, between Denver and Pueblo. Classic locomotive types included former Burlington Northern SD70MAC diesels, BNSF C44-9W, ES44AC, ES44DC and the occasional SD40-2 or SD60M unit.
Union Pacific Steam & Diesel on the old Kansas Pacific, Nov.-Dec. 2019, UP 4-8-8-4 Big Boy no. 4014
O Scale Model Trains (with Sound Effects)!
Colorado's Front Range Rail Lines, June-Nov. 2007, UP Steam 844, BNSF SD70MAC, Amtrak Calif. Zephyr
Colorado Front Range railroads Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific operated freight trains over the Denver-Pueblo Joint Line and the former Denver & Rio Grande Western Moffat Tunnel Route. Classic locomotive types included former Burlington Northern SD70MAC diesels, plus BNSF C44-9W, ES44AC and SD70ACe units. Union Pacific diesels included SD40-2, SD70M, AC4400CW, and unique SD90MAC locomotives in action. Amtrak P42DC passenger diesels on the storied California Zephyr, operating west of Denver on the UP Moffat Tunnel Subdivision, round out this spectacular railroad video.
Denver Area Railroads 2021, BNSF GP39M, GP39-2, SD70MAC, SD70ACe, ES44AC, ES44DC, ES44C4, UP AC44CW
Final Era of Southern Pacific on Moffat Tunnel Route 1994-1996
Front Range Railroads: A Contrast of Eras 1987-2007 (Narrated)
UP Big Boy 4014 Behemoth Steam Engine & UP 844 Steam Adventure, May 2019
Trains of Utah & Colorado 1991, Rio Grande Mainline, Colorado Joint Line
Passenger Trains West 2007, SW Chief, UP 844, Grandluxe Express, Cal. Zephyr, San Luis & Rio Grande
Colorado was ripe with passenger trains in 2007. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief hustled down the old Santa Fe Raton Subdivision. Union Pacific steam engine, 4-8-4 Northern-class no. 844, visited the Denver-Pueblo Joint Line to pull the Colorado State Fair Express. Luxury cruise passengers enjoyed the romance of the rails on the Grandluxe Express, as it traversed the famously scenic Moffat Tunnel Route of the old Denver & Rio Grande Western. Amtrak’s storied California Zephyr traversed the same historic rail line. Finally, passengers enjoyed a trip over the scenic La Veta Pass Route, provided by freight and passenger hauler San Luis & Rio Grande. From the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains to Colorado’s Western Slope and beyond, passenger railroading peaked during this unusual time in railroad history.
Full Dome, Private Cars on Amtrak California Zephyr & Electric ACS-64 in 2015
Durango & Silverton 3-foot Gauge Steam 1994-95, DRGW 2-8-2 K-28, K-36
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates 3-foot gauge steam-powered passenger trains over the former Denver & Rio Grande Western Silverton Branch, north from Durango, Colorado. Mikado-class 2-8-2 K-28 and K-36 coal-fired steam locomotives traversed this treacherous mountain railroad, along the Animas River, and into the San Juan National Forest. Enjoy one of Colorado’s world famous steam railroads in action.
Trains & Trolleys of the 20th Century (Extended Version)
Contrast of Eras 1987/88-2007: Trains of the Southwest
Compare and contrast trains videotaped from the same place but in two different eras. A shot of a Burlington Northern, Rio Grande or Santa Fe freight train, taken in 1987/88, is followed by a shot of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe or Union Pacific train taken in 2007. Notice the changes in train equipment, railroad operations and the landscape over the course of 20 years. Enjoy this retrospective of the famous Colorado Joint Line over the mountainous Palmer Divide and south to Texas. In the Lone Star state, compare and contrast eras on the Santa Fe/BNSF Transcon in Dalhart, Higgins and Canadian, Texas.
Colorado Short Lines: Cimarron Valley RR and San Luis & Rio Grande in 2017
Final Era of Southern Pacific on Colorado Joint Line 1994-1996
Keokuk Jct., Conrail & The Kyle 1992 features short line Keokuk Junction Railway
Keokuk Jct, Southern Pacific, Conrail, Amtrak F40PH, CSX F7A 116, MARC F9PH 83 1992 (Part 16.1 of 4)
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern U23B 2399 GP30 5513, Chicago Central, BN WICT 1992 (Part 16.2 of 4)
Wisconsin & Calumet FP7A 96A GP7 614 & 617, LMX B39-8, TPW GP20, BN SP 1992 (Part 16.3 of 4)
Conrail, Soo Line, UP, Kyle Railways U30B & U30C in 1992 (Part 16.4 of 4)
Colorado Joint Line July 2007, BNSF SD40-2, SD60M, SD70MAC, C44-9W, ES44AC, UP AC4400CW, SD90MAC
In July 2007, Colorado Front Range railroads Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific were hopping with coal trains and mixed freights, on the mountainous Joint Line between Denver and Pueblo, over the Palmer Divide. Classic locomotive types included former Burlington Northern SD70MAC diesels, BNSF C44-9W, ES44AC, ES44DC and the occasional SD40-2 or SD60M unit. Union Pacific diesels included SD60M, AC4400CW and unique SD90MAC locomotives in action. Watch also for foreign power from Iowa, Chicago & Eastern, and Mexico’s Ferromex railroads, rounding out this spectacular railroad video from a classic era.
Trains from Wac to Crandic 1992.
Burlington Northern, Chicago & North Western, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City GP9 1992 (Part 15.1 of 4)
Chicago & North Western, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City GP9, Iowa Interstate GP10 1992 (Part 15.2 of 4)
Cedar Rapids & Iowa City SW8 SW900 GP9, Keokuk Jct. NW2, BN, C&IM SD38-2 SD18 1992 (Part 15.3 of 4)
Norfolk Southern, Chicago & Illinois Midland RS1325 30, Keokuk Jct CF7, BN CNW 1992 (Part 15.4 of 4)
Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Steam 1995, DRGW 2-8-2 K-27, K-36, K-37
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad operates narrow gauge steam-powered passenger trains over the former Denver & Rio Grande Western San Juan Extension. Mikado-class 2-8-2 K-36 and K-37 coal-fired steam locomotives traversed this treacherous mountain railroad on 3-foot gauge track between Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, via Cumbres Pass. In 1995, "Mudhen" K-27 no. 463 had been previously restored, and was making appearances on both passenger and "photo freight" trains.
Secondary Rail Routes of the Midwest 1992
UP Banjo Signal 1992, Kyle Rwy on the Rock Island, BN SD9, Chicago Central GP10 (Part 14.1 of 4)
Chicago Central, BN GP39M in 1992, IAIS GP9, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City SW8, C&NW GP7 (Part 14.2 of 4)
Chicago Central at Night 1992, SP Chicago-St. Louis Line, Bloomer Line GP9 (Part 14.3 of 4)
Iowa Northern GP9 1992, Chicago Central GP20, F7 Iowa Star Clipper Dinner Train (Part 14.4 of 4)
Trains Then & Now 1986-2006 Colorado Joint Line Railroad Rephoto Survey (Part 2)
Compare and contrast trains videotaped from the same place but in two different eras. A shot of a Burlington Northern, Rio Grande or Santa Fe freight train, taken in 1986, is followed by a shot of a Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train taken in 2006. Notice the changes in train equipment, railroad operations, and the landscape over the course of 20 years. Enjoy this retrospective of the famous Colorado Joint Line over the mountainous Palmer Divide.
Snow & Winter Time Trains 1991 North Shore Scenic GP7 & Other Midwest Railroads!
Snow & Wintertime Trains 1991 North Shore Scenic GP7 & Other Midwest Railroads (Part 13.1 of 4)
Burlington Northern, Norfolk Southern 1991 Plus More GP38-2 U23B C30-7 SD40-2 SD60 (Part 13.2 of 4)
Rio Grande Moffat Route & Ski Train 1992 SD40T-2 GP40-2 SD50 Amtrak F40PH SP SD45 (Part 13.3 of 4)
Snow Amtrak Zephyr 1992 Plus Colorado Joint Line (Part 13.4 of 4)
Trains Then & Now 1986-2006 Colorado Joint Line Railroad Rephoto Survey
Steam & Diesel in the Midwest 1991- 4-parter
Chicago & North Western 1991, GP7 GP15-1 GP50 C40-8 SD40-2 SD50 SD60 & Soo Line (Part 12.1 of 4)
Soo Line 1991, Northern Pacific 4-6-0 328, Dakota Minnesota & Eastern, CNW BN ATSF (Part 12.2 of 4)
Santa Fe 1991, Toledo Peoria & Western GP20, Burlington Northern, Illinois Central (Part 12.3 of 4)
Toledo Peoria & Western GP20 in 1991, Amtrak F40PH, Santa Fe B40-8W GP60 F45 SD40-2 (Part 12.4 of 4)
UP Steam 4-6-6-4 no. 3985 & the Golden Spike Steam Special 1994
North American Railways 1991- 4-parter
Tennessee Pass Line, Harrisburg Electrified Line, Norristown High Speed Line 1991 (Part 11.1 of 4)
NJ Transit & Amtrak Atlantic City Express 1991, Colo. Joint Line, UP Overland Route (Part 11.2 of 4)
UP Overland Route 1991, BN CNW & Soo Line in Iowa, Amtrak California Zephyr (Part 11.3 of 4)
Soo Line, CNW, Santa Fe, Canadian National, CP 1991 GP38-2 GP60M SD40-2W SD60 C40-8 (Part 11.4 of 4)
Southern Pacific Amtrak UP West Coast Trains 1991, SD9, SD45, SD40T-2, GP40, GP40-2, F40PH, SD60, SD60M
Trains of 1991: 4-parter
C&NW, Elgin Joliet & Eastern, CSX, Amtrak 1991 (Part 10.1 of 4) F40PH GP40-2 GP50 SD38-2 SD40-2 SD60
CSX, Amtrak Auto Train, Conrail, C&NW 1991 (Part 10.2 of 4) P30CH F40PH B36-7 C40-8 GP40-2 SD40-2
UP BN & Amtrak Pioneer in Pacific Northwest 1991 (Part 10.3 of 4) GP38-2 SD40-2 B30-7AB C40-8W F40PH
BN UP Amtrak Columbia & Cowlitz GP7 in Pacific Northwest 1991 (Part 10.4 of 4) GP39M SD40-2 F40PH
Union Pacific Freight Action & Steamer 844 2007
Union Pacific mainline freight trains traversed the Denver Pacific line in Colorado, and UP’s famous Overland Route in Wyoming and Nebraska. In July 2007, UP steamer 4-8-4 no. 844 pulled the Cheyenne Frontier Days train from Denver to the Frontier Days festivities in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and return.
Conrail, Amtrak, MARC, CSX, Santa Fe Swingbridge, BN, C&NW & Soo Line 1990 (Part 8.1 of 4)
Conrail B36-7 no. 5002 hustled a hot trailer-on-flat-car train westbound, just before crossing the Cuyahoga River lift bridge in Cleveland, Ohio. The railroad often employed General Electric built B36-7 diesel locomotives to pull short, fast trains such as this throughout its northeastern U.S. rail network. Number 5002 was built for Conrail in November 1983. Following its career on Conrail, no. 5002 was rebuilt into a BB36-7 to haul freight in Brazil.
DRGW GP30 3006 on Colorado Joint Line & Other SP Trains 1994 (GP40-2, GP60, SD45, SD40T-2, SD45T-2)
Denver & Rio Grande Western GP30 no. 3006 waits to begin its day’s assignments, early in the morning in 1994. This was the local switch engine for the Rio Grande and Southern Pacific railroads for many years in Colorado Springs. Its primary task was to switch freight cars in the local downtown rail yard, and deliver many of those cars to local rail customers in the surrounding metropolitan area. No. 3006 has since been placed on the Colorado Historic Register for the purpose of preservation.
Burlington Northern, Soo Line "Victorian Express," Chicago & North Western 1990 (Part 7.3 of 4)
In 1990, pre-merger railroads Burlington Northern, Soo Line, and Chicago & North Western moved heavy freight trains throughout the Midwestern United States. The Soo Line ran the “Victorian Express” passenger train from St. Paul to Winona, Minnesota, and return, in celebration of Victorian Days in Winona. On the rear was the “Silver Solarium” (pictured), built for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in 1948. It was a vista-dome sleeper observation car which once operated on the storied “California Zephyr,” between Chicago, Illinois, and Oakland, California, before the formation of Amtrak.
Ringling Circus Train, 1 Day Chase 2007
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Red Unit circus train traversed north through Brighton, Colorado, on Union Pacific’s Denver Pacific Line. It originated in Colorado Springs on Colorado’s Joint Line, then traversed the Denver Pacific line to Cheyenne, Wyoming, before heading west on UP’s Overland Route. The circus train was heading for Las Vegas, Nevada, for the show’s next performance.
Wyoming Overland Route & Colorado Joint Line 1990
BN GP39M & Caboose in 1994!
US 30 Spectacular: Chicago & North Western, Union Pacific Overland Route 1989
Amtrak & BNSF Freight on Raton Sub in 2020!
Wagon Mound can be seen in the background as an eastbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe train of truck trailers approaches the historic semaphore signals in Levy, New Mexico. On the point is a BNSF C44-9W, a very common General Electric-built locomotive during this final era of regular freight trains traversing the old Santa Fe Raton Subdivision in 2003.