Warning, lots of pics of the same train! The rest of the way to Bond was a no show for anything. As we came into McCoy, we decided to head up to the crater loops. I'd never been up there, but had seen pics of the place. Drove all the way up there, and U turned at the top of the loops. Waited for a bit, but didn't see anything coming down the mountain across the valley. We pulled away and headed back down the road. As my luck would have it, I looked in the rear view mirror and seen coal hoppers. Ok, caught in the middle of the loops and on the wrong side of the train to get good pics of the whole loops! Here's what I did get though. The head end (with another SP loco on the front!) heading around the first loop You can really see how steep the grade is in this pic. Mike
Couldn't really get a good shot from where I was of the lower loop. midtrain and rear (another SP!) looks like someone left the door open on the midtrain set
Antlers and Crafts as the rear passed, we sped off in a hurry to get across the tracks at Bond. Just made it in time to get a few of him coming down the hill.
More chasing! Over the hill and out of the truck in time to grab 2 more. and since he was still blocking the road and traffic at Bond, I had time to stop in the road and grab this shot of the midtrain help.
We ended up eating a late lunch at the bridge at Yarmony waiting for more action, but alas, that was it for the day. Grabbed a few of the signals and boxes. It was a fun couple of days chasing trains, and I hope to get back there next year. And thanks for following along with all my pics. Mike
Mike those last half doz shots are a scenery & detail bonanza! Have been trying to decide what type of signals to buy for ages. Its the little details that counts. Thanks for clearing that up Jere,I knew it was a abit of a funny arrangement there. Always thought Craig branch would be a jewel to model.....
Nice shooting! Love the overlook at Range. That tunnel on the Cutoff with Amtrak #6 is Sweetwater Tunnel. D&RGW named their tunnels, while D&SL numbered theirs. BEAUTIFUL shots at Yarmony! Love the colors, the light, the clouds, the sky! Kudos!!
Crater Loops! Excellent! Very hard to catch action on the Craig Branch. Miniscule traffic density. Nice pic--graphically illustrates the hundred some odd feet elevation change required on a 2% grade. Two thumbs way up for Craig Branch coverage! If you follow the road further in, you'll come to a T in the road. follow it left to the cinder pit, and you can see the mouth of Rock Creek Canyon, Tunnel 45-48, and the bridges hanging off the side of the cliff.
Thanks Jason! Glad they helped you out Thanks Hemi! Coming from the master of all things D&RGW, it means alot! And thanks for the info on the tunnels NOW you tell me! haha! I was a bit skeptical about going any further, since that place is surrounded by private land. Next time I'll know to head up there further. So when are we all getting together to hit this place up again?!? Mike
Great photos again Mike! I have never made it to Crater Loops. I guess I will have to explore the Craig Branch in the future. Ben
Mike, We should set up a trip in '11. I'll fly to Colorado, collect my buddy Mikel from Denver, meet up with you and Ben, and all hit the Craig Branch. The only problem is that low traffic density. Rock creek Canyon is surrounded by private land, unfortunately, but there's some seriously unknown railfan territory all the way to Steamboat Springs from there. Rock Creek Canyon, Egeria Canyon, Volcano siding, Oak Creek Canyon, etc. Had I known that you were going ahead of time, I'd have given you a ton of info and tips!
Thanks, Mike, but I've got much to learn, as a young Jedi. I just have a growing Grande library to read and share with others.
If you guys go up the Criag branch,I'll throw in funds for that too!!!!!! Speaking of Grande,everyone seen the new R.. C. Farewell book just released? "insert Homer drool here"
Hey Mike, You will not believe it but I caught not one but two un-patched S.P. units today! I'll try to get my pictures uploaded tomorrow. Ben
Oh man Ben, Awesome! Can't wait to see what you got today Hemi, how about Ben and I will meet you and your friend in Denver, and we'll work our way back westward Mike
I like it! Might not be 2011, because of funds. It would be a very expensive trip, and we'd make it a family vacation; we'd need to save for a while. Ben, how about those unmolsted Bloody Noses?
Hemi, Just let us know what year and we will pick you up. Now for this weeks U.P. action with two unmolested Bloody Noses. A loaded coal train stops so the switch can be thrown on the Montrose Branch. And look here at SP 177.... Ben
Following SP 177 into the Grand Junction yard. After proceeding down to the yard I came upon this UP flat car loaded with concrete ties and an old Rio Grande scale test car. I worked my way to the north side of the yard and found a second un-patched SP unit! Ben
