Rio Grande Main Line
The Main Line through the Rockies from Denver, Colorado to Salt Lake City, Utah via the Moffat Tunnel, Dotsero Cutoff, Gleenwood Canyon, Utah Desert and Solider Summit. The Denver & Rio Grande Western was sold to the Union Pacific in 1997 and all through through traffic rerouted via Wyoming leaving many sections of the line with little through traffic apart from Amtrak and the BNSF runthrough trains. However parts of the line has seen a increase in coal traffic partically from the North Folk Sub.
 Amtrak 82 and 172 are seen leading #5 west climbing up from Denver to the Moffat Tunnel about to enter Tunnel 1 - 19/09/2019 |  Amtrak P42 172 and 43 are seen leading #5 the westbound California Zephyr climbing up to the Moffat Tunnel at Tunnel 1 - 26/09/2023 |  BNSF ES44C4 6591 is seen leading an eastbound Manifest from Provo to Denver down the Moffat Plain - 26/09/2023 |  UP 6656 is seen waiting at Pinecliffe, Colorado with a southbound loaded coal train - 24/08/2007 |
 BNSF ES44 7338 is seen leading an eastbound Manifest at Pinecliff - 19/09/2014 |  UP6632 is seen heading downgrade near Tolland on a loaded coal train from the Craig area. - 24/08/2007 |  BNSF 4748 is seen climbing the 2% of the Moffat Pass working flat out and barely above walking space seen here below Tolland, Co with a long westbound freight – 24/08/2007 |  Amtrak P42 #11 is seen leading the westbound California Zephyr #5 at Tolland - 19/09/2014 |
 Union Pacific AC4400 5697 is seen leading an eastbound loaded coal train downgrade from the Moffat Tunnel at Tolland, Colorado - 19/09/2014 |  Amtrak P42 138 15 and 194 are seen leading #6 the eastbound California Zephyr at Tabernash - 26/09/2023 |  Union Pacific SD70ACe 8606 leading a eastbound unit oil train is seen holding the main at Tabernash while Amtrak P42 126 passes on the siding with the westbound #5 California Zephyr - 27/09/2023 |  UP AC400 5260 is seen on M-NYRO near Granby - 20/09/2011 |
 UP AC4400 5682 is seen leading the Denver North Yard to Salt Lake City Roper yard manifest west leaving Granby - 20/09/2011 |  Union Pacific SD70ACe 8606 leading a eastbound unit oil train into Hot Sulphur Springs - 27/09/2023 |  Union Pacific AC4400CW 6352 is seen leading an eastbound unit oil train away from Hot Sulphur Springs - 27/09/2023 |  Amtrak #100 is seen leading the Califorina Zephyr west through Byers Canyon, Colorado - 04/09/2008 |
 UP AC4400 5260 is seen on M-NYRO in Byers Canyon - 20/09/2011 |  UP AC4400 6497 is seen leading a coal train west in Byers Canyon - 20/09/2011 |  UP 6672 is seen leading an empty coal train exiting Byers Canyon, Colorado - 04/09/2008 |  BNSF Dash 9 5261 is seen leading a eastbound manifest at Parshall, Colorado - 20/09/2011 |
 Amtrak P40s 821 and 823 are seen leading the eastbound California Zephyr #6 at Parshall - 07/10/2014 |  Union Pacific derated AC6000 6967 is seen on the rear of a westbound empty coal train at Parshall - 07/10/2014 |  Union Pacific derated AC6000 6967 is seen leading a westbound empty coal train at Parshall - 07/10/2014 |  Amtrak P42 138 15 and 194 are seen leading #6 the eastbound California Zephyr at Parshall - 26/09/2023 |
 Union Pacific AC4400 6864 is seen leading a westbound empty coal train near Flat - 07/10/2014 |  UP AC4400 6497 is seen ledaing a coal train west near Troublesome, Colorado - 20/09/2011 |  BNSF ES44AC 6152 is seen leading a westbound manifest from Denver to Provo at Troublesome. M&NA 3210 a former CNW SD45 brings up the rear of the power on transfer to the Utah Railway - 27/09/2023 |  UP 7237 is seen near Kremmling, Colorado with a loaded coal train heading upgrade - 04/09/2008 |
 UP AC4400 7211 is seen leading a coal train west near Kremmeling, Colorado - 20/09/2011 |  Amtrak 114 is seen leading the Califorina Zephyr west at Yarmony, Colorado - 08/09/2008 |  Union Pacific AC4400 6068 is seen leading an eastbound empty coal train for Energy Mine at Yarmony - 07/10/2014 |  Union Pacific AC4400 6587 is seen leading a westbound loaded coal from Energy along the Colorado River at State Bridge - 07/10/2014 |
 Amtrak P42 #60 and P40 #816 are seen leading the westbounde California Zeprhyr #5 west at State Bridge - 07/10/2014 |  Union Pacific AC4400 6068 is seen leading an eastbound empty coal train for Energy Mine at State Bridge before taking the Craig Branch - 07/10/2014 |  BNSF SD70ACe 8404 is seen leading an eastbound loaded coal train along the Colorado River at State Bridge - 06/10/2023 |  BNSF ES44AC 6228 is seen on the rear of a eastbound loaded coal train at State Bridge - 06/10/2023 |
 Amtrak P42 169 and 15 are seen leading #5 the westbound California Zephyr along the Colorado River at Burns - 05/10/2023 |  BNSF B40-8W 527 is seen leading the Parachtue Local back to Grand Junction at Parachute - 04/10/2023 |  Union Pacific SD70ACe 885 is seen on the rear of an eastbound loaded unit oil train along the Colorado River at Dell - 05/10/2023 |  Union Pacific SD70ACe 8365 is seen leading an eastbound loaded unit oil train along the Colorado River at Dell - 05/10/2023 |
 BNSF SD70ACe 8404 is seen leading an eastbound loaded coal train along the Colorado River at Dell - 06/10/2023 |  Rocky Mountaineer 8021 is seen leading the eastbound Rocky Mountaineer from Gleenwood Springs to Denver through Dell along the Colorado River - 06/10/2023 |  Union Pacific SD70ACe 8378 is seen leading a westbound manifest from Denver to Grand Junction over the Colorado River west of Burns - 05/10/2023 |  Amtrak 204 is seen leading a late #6 the east bound ‘California Zephyr’ along the Colorado River on the ‘Dotzero Cutoff’ at about 4pm, this being the first train seen moving all day due a long possession all morning – 29/08/2007 |
 Union Pacific SD70ACe 8378 is seen leading a westbound manifest from Denver to Grand Junction between Range and Dotsero - 05/10/2023 |  BNSF GP39-3 2548 (former GP30) is seen leading the BNSF Parachute Local down the Parachute Industrial Lead - 04/10/2023 |  BNSF B40-8W 527 is seen leading the Parachtue Local back to Grand Junction approaching DeBeque - 04/10/2023 |  Amtrak P42 7 and 182 are seen leading #6 the eastbound California Zephyr at DeBeque - 04/10/2023 |
 Amtrak #6 is seen with 56 leading out of Grand Junction, Co - August 2000 |  BNSF B40-8W 527 is seen parked next to Grand Junction Depot ona BNSF Local - 03/10/2023 |  Amtrak 67 is seen leading the eastbound 'Califorina Zephyr' east of Cisco, Utah runninh only around an hour late - 12/09/2008 |  UP 3216 is seen leading an overpowered Potash local west across the Utah Desert - 12/09/2008 |
 UP 7270 is seen leading a empty coal train west across the Utah Desert climbing Cottonwood summit - 12/09/2008 |  Amtrak P42 7 and 164 are seen leaqding the westbound 'California Zephyr' #5 at Cisco - 07/10/2022 |  Following the manifest was Amtrak #6 with Amtrak 81 in charge seen here again near Thompson Springs (which overtook manifest at the next loop) - 01/09/2007 |  Looking the same way from the same 'mud hill' UP7047 is seen leading the daily manifest from Provo to Denver (the old route of US6 can be seen in the distance) – 01/09/2007 |
 BNSF manifest running under trackage right agreements is seen near Thompson Springs (about 20 miles west of Green River) with BNSF4631 up front heading west – 01/09/2007 |  UP 3423 is seen leading the Potash local back on the main line near Thompson Springs - 12/09/2008 |  Union Pacific AC4400CW 6468 is seen leading an eastbound empty coal train away from Thompson Springs - 07/10/2022 |  Amtrak P42 138 and P40 824 are seen leading the eastbound 'California Zephyr' #6 at Thompson Springs, Utah running about an hour late - 07/10/2022 |
 Union Pacific SD70M 5123 and BNSF ES44C4 4230 are seen the Potash Local from Grand Junction to Potash near Moab west along the mainline at Thompson Sprigns - 07/10/2022 |  BNSF ES44C4 4230 and Union Pacific SD70M 5123 are seen laeding the Potash Local back to Grand Junction east at Thompson Sprigns - 07/10/2022 |  Amtrak P42 152 and P42 182 are seen leading a on time eastbound 'California Zephyr' #6 at Thompson Springs, Utah - 08/10/2022 |  Utah Railway MK50-3 5004 is seen leading a train of empty coal and tank wagons to CV Spur at Price, Utah - 25/09/2011 |
 UP SD90MAC 8076 is seen leading an eastbound manifest from Salt Lake City (Roper Yard) to Denver (North Yard) at Price, Utah - 25/09/2011 |  Union Pacific SD70ACe 8823 is seen leading an empty coal train to CV Spur at Price - 06/10/2014 |  BNSF Dash 9 4728 is seen leading an eastbound Manifest away from Helper - 05/10/2014 |  Utah Railway MK50-3 5001 is seen at Martin, Utah awaiting into next duty helping a train up Soldier Summit - 24/09/2011 |
 Utah Railway MK50-3 5002 is seen stabled at Martin, Utah - 05/04/2014 |  At Helper, Ut the 2.4% grade of Solider Summit begins also here the Utah Railway branch comes in and under an early agreement with the Utah Railway were given trackage rights over the D&RGW into Salt Lake City and the line was also double tracked as part of the agreement. Here Utah Railway MK5000 #5005 is seen leading an empty coal train down grade at Castle Gate – 30/08/2007 |  UP 8228 is seen leading a empty coal down the 2.4% grade of Solider Summit – 30/08/2007 |  UP AC4400 6885 is seen leading an eastbound empty coal downgrade in the Price River Canyon - 24/09/2011 |
 UP SD90MAC 8076 is seen leading a short eastbound manifest from Salt Lake City (Roper Yard) to Denver (North Yard) in the Price River Canyon - 25/09/2011 |  Southern Pacific UP Patched AC4400 6417 (former SP371) is seen climbing Solider Summit in Price River Canyon at little more than walking speed with a loaded coal train - 05/10/2014 |  Union Pacific AC4400 6682 is seen leading a westbound M-NYRO (Denver North Yard to Salt Lake Roper Yard) Manifest up the 2.4% grade up Soldier Sumit in Price River Canyon - 05/10/2014 |  UP 6515 is seen leading a eastbound empty coal train downgrade at Kyune, Utah - 10/09/2008 |
 UP 6052 is seen leading a westbound loaded coal up the 2.4% grade of Solider Summit at Kyune, Utah - 10/09/2008 |  UP SD90MAC 8076 is seen leading a short eastbound manifest from Salt Lake City (Roper Yard) to Denver (North Yard) at Kyune - 25/09/2011 |  BNSF Dash 9 5341 is seen working a westbound Denver to Stockton manifest at Kyune - 24/09/2011 |  BNSF Dash 9 4420 is seen leading a westbound Denver to Stockton manifest at Kyune - 24/09/2011 |
 BNSF Dash 9 4728 is seen leading an eastbound Manifest down Soldier Summit at Kyune - 05/10/2014 |  Southern Pacific UP Patched AC4400 6417 (former SP371) is seen climbing Solider Summit at Kyune with a loaded coal train - 05/10/2014 |  Utah Railway MK50-3 5006 is seen leading the IPPX loaded coal from CV Spur at Kyune having just reached the top of the 2.4% grade on the climb up to Soldier Summit - 06/10/2014 |  Union Pacific ES44AC 7945 is seen on the rear of a loaded train at Kyune - 05/10/2014 |
 Union Pacific AC44C6M 7307 (former 6,000hp AC6000CW) and ES44AC 5506 are seen leading a loaded IPPX coal train climbing Soilder Summit at Kyune with 4 mid train 'swing' helpers just visible on the S Bend and 2 DPUs on the rear - 06/10/2022 |  Climbing the 2.4% grade and working flat out with a loaded coal train behind UP5673 is seen heading west at Colton with 2 other locos at the front and 6 Utah Railway mid trains helpers in the middle which will be cut out at the summit - 30/08/2007 |  UP 4827 is seen leading a empty coal train downgrade at Colton, Utah - 30/08/2007 |  Utah Railway 5004 is seen leading a loaded coal train up Solider Summit at Colton, Utah - 11/09/2008 |
 Utah Railway 5004 is seen at Solider Summit, Utah - 11/09/2008 |  UP AC4400 6885 is seen leading an eastbound empty coal at Soldier Summit - 24/09/2011 |  Union Pacific AC4400 6682 is seen leading a westbound M-NYRO (Denver North Yard to Salt Lake Roper Yard) Manifest at Soldier Summit - 05/10/2014 |  Utah Railway MK50-3 5006 is seen leading a westbound loaded coal train at Soldier Summit - 06/10/2014 |
 nion Pacific AC44C6M 7307 (former 6,000hp AC6000CW) and ES44AC 5506 are seen leading a loaded IPPX coal train at Soilder Summit - 06/10/2022 |  Union Pacific ES44AC 8209 is seen leading an empty coal train for Scofield on the Pleasant Valley Sub at Soilder Summit - 08/10/2022 |  UP SD90MAC 8076 is seen leading a short eastbound manifest from Salt Lake City (Roper Yard) to Denver (North Yard) at near Gullily on the climb to Soldier Summit - 25/09/2011 |  Union Pacific AC4400 6682 is seen leading a westbound M-NYRO (Denver North Yard to Salt Lake Roper Yard) Manifest down Soldier Summit - 05/10/2014 |
 Utah Railway MK50-3 5006 is seen leading a westbound loaded coal train down Soldier Summit - 06/10/2014 |  UP SD90MAC 8076 is seen leading a short eastbound manifest from Salt Lake City (Roper Yard) to Denver (North Yard) on the climb to Soldier Summit - 25/09/2011 |  BNSF 7713 is seen leading a Denver-Provo Manifest west at Thistle, Utah - 10/09/2008 |  UP 7182 is seen leading a loaded coal train from the Plesant Valley sub north at Thistle, Utah - 11/09/2008 |
 Utah Railway 5004 is seen leading a loaded coal train downgrade at Thistle, Utah - 11/09/2008 |  UP SD90MAC 8076 is seen leading a short eastbound manifest from Salt Lake City (Roper Yard) to Denver (North Yard) at Spannish Fork Canyon on the climb to Soldier Summit - 25/09/2011 |
All Photos © Copyright Jonathan Lewis and may not be re-used without permission. Please e-mail jonathan@milepost39.co.uk if you require a high resolution image.