Jason, IIRC, that siding doesn't lead to the Craig Branch, but that turnout to the branch is just west of the end of that siding. Insert train here:
Oh man Jason! Wish I would have known! We drove the dirt road that runs the length of the yard but I didn't take any pictures. And it's dumping rain today or I'd grab some as we head back over Tennessee Pass. Mike
We were staying at a small campground in Wolcott, so State Bridge wasn't that far away. When we came down the hill, there was an empty rolling west pretty slow. Made it over the hill to catch the empty come to a stop just before the crossovers at the Craig Branch. Thought something might be coming down the Branch, but nope. I wasn't let down though!
The rear end of the loaded wasn't out of view yet before the empty got the green to head out. The empty didn't get moving far before it stopped again. I thought it might be a crew change at Bond? Don't know for sure, but as we pulled away, I looked back and seen Amtrak coming around next to the empty. Caught a few pics of it at State Bridge. Sure was a good way to start the day off with! Mike
Totally cool pic's! To hear them would be the most! Mike thanks for the offer but dont make a trip just for me,but if you do,fuel money is still on offer lol. This is the best thread going!Thanks Ben & Mike,you've made my day.
Thanks for the comments guys!! Ben, would loved to have had you there man! Jason, I took some not so good pics while driving through Minturn yesterday. Tried to get some of the buildings and such. I know Ben has some pics of that area also. What were you looking for? As we hurried back to State Bridge, I barely got stopped and got the camera out to get a pic of Amtrak. Just a second too late for a good pic... Heading over Trough Rd, we seen that loaded coal train sitting in the siding at Yarmony. Amtrak was long gone by the time we crossed the tracks. And here comes the dark clouds and rain Mike
We sat at Yarmony for a bit, but nothing was happening and the rain started pouring, so we made our way over to Radium. While checking out the camp ground and boat launch, the rain subsided and the sun started to shine again. A few minutes later, that same coal train came around the curve! The sun was against me (like usual) but I tried to get a pic anyway. He came to a stop just before the road xing, so it looks like I'm in for another meet! I seen a good spot to get some pics at the tunnel, so made my way up to it. And there I sat for just about an hour, the whole time the sun was shining Then I heard the squeeling
Not long after that manifest went by, the coal train got the green, and off they went, as the sun started to fade behind more rain clouds.
Rear DPU That was the last I'd see this day. We even hung out at Inspiration Point for a bit but no luck. The next day we took the lower half, from Dotsero to State Bridge. I'll get those pics up soon Mike
Love the series at Tunnel 42! If you hike all the way up to the top of that hill across from T42, you'll see a sawed-off telegraph pole--maybe you might find my folding saw--black with orange knob... I lost it out there coming down off that hill.
You are welcome Jason! Give me an early heads up when you are planning on heading this way again and I'll see if I can get some time off of work to railfan some more with you. I usually need to get my vacation request in 30 days in advance. Ben
Hemi, haha, sorry, didn't see your saw... And thanks for letting me know what tunnel # that was. Got another one in the Amtrak pic below.... Ben, you bet I'll let you know. That would be awesome! And a little side note, we are sitting in the Walmart parking lot in Grants, NM, and the BNSF transcon is right behind me. Too bad it's dark out, I keep hearing (and feeling) a train roll by what seems like every 15 minutes. Tomorrow I hope to get some pics. Ok, back to our scheduled program. Hope you guys don't mind a few non UP photos! The next day we took the drive from Dotsero up to Bond. Nothing going on until we crested the hill at Range. Seen a BNSF sitting in the siding, so we turned around and headed back to see what was coming. Just Amtrak at tunnel #? (Hemmi?) He was moving right along, so by the time we got back to the vantage point of Range, that BNSF was already staring to leave. Chased it down to the road bridge. Mike
