Denver hot spots.

[BNSF-Fort Collins]

Hi all,

Looking for some interesting places to railfan on my lunch break. I'm on the east side of town near Lowry. Anything close? There's, I think, a UP line north of me a few miles (runs under 225 right before 70). Does that get a lot of traffic? Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks,

Jeff

[HemiAdda2d]

Welcome! If you were on the west side of town, I'd suggest the Moffat Route--but at lunchtime, the MOW forces go out and inspect & fix track. Usually 2-4 hour downtime. Where is the BNSF line to Sterling? PRB coal traffic there, Joint Line-bound for the South.

[EricB]

From where you are, you might want to try up on Smith road near the jail. There is alot of industrial trakage and it is usually busy. No main running but usually lots of action.

Eric

[Stourbridge Lion]

There's, I think, a UP line north of me a few miles (runs under 225 right before 70).

From where you are, you might want to try up on Smith road near the jail. There is alot of industrial trakage and it is usually busy. No main running but usually lots of action.

The line you are thinking of is along Smith road. I used to work near this line and as Eric points out there is a lot of freight traffic. You can get to the line from the North side from a field with parking nearby so you are not out in traffic. I would suggest using Airport Circle off of 32nd Ave and maybe "barrow" a parking space at Graebel (16456 East Airport Circle) by parking on the far SW side of the lot out of the way of employees and 18 Wheelers.

[BNSF-Fort Collins]

Thanks for the feed back! I'm going to try to get over there today if I can get out of here.

Thanks,

Jeff

[BNSF-Fort Collins]

Well, I headed over to Smith Rd. It was quiet near Airport Rd so I drove west toward town. When I got to Peoria, I saw the small yard across from the jail. There were four UP units, 4 axle EMD, looked like GP-38's or 40's (it's been a while since I railfaned, so my ID's are sketchy). There was a DRGW unit in consist with two of the UP units. There was also a two unit consist north of 37th ave, again 4 motor EMD's, 1 DRGW and 1 SP. I ate my lunch and watched them for a few minutes. A couple of guys were working on the rear of a boxcar near the coupler.

Thanks again for the tip.

[Triplex]

There were four UP units, 4 axle EMD, looked like GP-38's or 40's (it's been a while since I railfaned, so my ID's are sketchy). Did they have two or three fans above the radiators? Did they have a box running the width of the roof between the cab and the dynamics (assuming they had them)?

[Stourbridge Lion]

Thanks again for the tip.

I use to work along Airport Circle which is why I know about the open field there. Lots of traffic moving back and forth down this line and it makes things interesting during the morning / evening rush hours as cars try to cross the tracks all along Smith Road.

Keep your eyes open for Deer in the area too...

:thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up:

[BNSF-Fort Collins]

If I remember correctly, all had two fans, not three (but I could be mistaken). They all had dynamic brakes. I don't remember if there was box between the cab and the bulge.

Do you guys know of any online spotting guides? Next time I go, I'll make sure I have my camera.

J

[Stourbridge Lion]

Not aware of any around here but there is always action along that line and depending on how things go Light Rail /Commuter Trains will also be moving into that area later on route to DIA on the same or side by side with those tracks. RTD and UP are trying to working something out. The idea is for a line to come up along I225 and connect to a line coming out of downtown along I70/Smith Road what will then go to DIA from a station built in that area. It's a few years out but once they work the details you might see MOW traffic in the area too to move/add tracks so it's a good spot to remember.

[Triplex]

Do you guys know of any online spotting guides? Try http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1280