The steam crew has been busy preparing the Challenger No. 3985 along with the TTT-6 steam locomotive No. 5511 and Centennial diesel locomotive No. 6936 for delivery to the non-profit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA).

The donated equipment will be towed by diesel locomotives from Union Pacific's Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on Friday, Nov. 11. The Heritage Donation Special will make periodic maintenance stops along the route. The special train is scheduled to arrive at the RRHMA's shop in Silvis, Illinois, on Saturday, Nov. 19. A complete schedule can be found on the UPSteam.com web site.

The donation includes the following equipment:   

4-6-6-4 Challenger UP 3985

Class TTT 2-10-2 UP 5511

The Centennial UP 6936

E9B passenger locomotive shell

Four 1950s coach cars

Diner-Lounge car

Baggage car

Caboose

Two business cars: the Selma, previously Western Pacific's Feather River, and the Stanford, originally the 1928 Southern Pacific Sunset

The RRHMA plans a multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration of the equipment, including restoring the steam locomotives to operating condition.

Union Pacific plays a leading role in preserving railroad history and maintains the finest heritage fleet in the world, which includes the world's largest steam locomotive, the Big Boy No. 4014, and the fastest steam locomotive Living Legend No. 844. Each year, Union Pacific proudly sponsors a steam tour, inviting communities and rail fans to whistle stops and displays across its 23-state network to celebrate Union Pacific's rich heritage and learn about modern rail operations.

Daily work on the UPRR

UP 3793, SD70M, on Sidney Local after dropping off cars to the Julesburg to Sterling, Colorado, Branch at Julesburg, CO, Sunday, October 23, 2022.  ©2022 Chip (Editor note: In our quest to capture main line action, let's not overlook the daily routine activity Thanks Chip.)

The GWR station in Longmont

The old GWR station in Longmont with great adaptive re-use. ©2022 Denny Leonard

The GWR Loveland station

Great Western Railway Loveland Depot still in place October 17, 2022. OmniTrax 4012 working Loveland, Colorado, yard on frosty morning. ©2022 Chip (Editor note: there has recently been interest in moving the station off of the GWR property and restoring it. Stay tuned)

Amtrak Heritage locomotive in Denver

Amtrak 160 Heritage 50th Anniversary Unit was on Train #5, the California Zephyr, October 11, 2022 at Denver, CO.  Train was only an hour late.  ©2022 Chip

Federal Railroad Administration Car on the Joint Line

Timothy Tonge caught the FRA test car on the Joint Line on  October 13  Both Pictures ©2022 Timothy Tonge

Why we live here!

Autumn splendor was reflected by pond along Colorado Highway 72 west of Pinecliffe, CO, 30 September 2022. Aspen gold was about two weeks late account the warm September weather.
Enjoy your day! ©2022 Chip

PVs on the Moffat Sub

Private varnish disappeared into Union Pacific's tunnel one in Coal Creek Canyon, CO, October 6, 2022. Patrick Henry Creative Promotions cars Warren R. Henry dome with rear platform, Evelyn Henry sleeper, and SLRG 1 named Caritas business car were on Amtrak's California Zephyr, train #5. PV Caritas was previously owned by Clark Johnson. ©2022 Chip

The Rocky Mountaineer

Full passenger train -! Full passenger load from the looks of passengers loading at UP's 36th Street Yard, Denver, CO, October 2, 2022. © 2022 Chip	Rocky Mountaineer locomotives were back on their 11-car train October 2, 2022. Full passenger load from the looks of passengers loading at UP's 36th Street Yard, Denver, CO, October 2, 2022.© 2022 Chip

An unusual passenger car

Seldom pictured Pullman car built in 1882, converted to a safety car by CF&I Steel, at Steel Museum in Pueblo CO ©2022 Denny Leonard

The CF&I Mine Rescue Car No. 1 was designed by the Wagner Palace Sleeping Car Company in 1882. It remained in service as a sleeping car until 1910 when it was purchased by the U.S. Bureau of Mines and sold to CF&I in 1923. For the next two decades, it served as a rolling classroom promoting mine safety training in an effort to mitigate the dozens of mine disasters that were occurring in mining districts along the Front Range. It later became the Scrapyard Department office at the Pueblo steel mill until the company’s bankruptcy in the early 1990s.

A link to the video which shows a RTD Light Rail  train derailing on a curve.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/celebrity/new-video-shows-the-rtd-light-rail-derailment-that-left-several-people-injured/vi-AA12dQll?category=foryou

Copy link and paste in your browser. If the video is not on top, scroll down as new stories may be added.

Ringneck & Western RR get funding for improvements

Picture Chip ©2022

Ringneck & Western Efficiency and Growth Project (funding up to $1,799,009)The proposed project will improve the economic growth, safety, resiliency, and efficiency of the Ringneck & Western Railroad (RWRR) located just east of Plankinton, S.D. The project includes construction, materials, and support services necessary to construct two 1,500-ft transload tracks to transport lumber and aggregate, and construct a 558-ft industrial lead track and a concrete maintenance pit in an existing locomotive maintenance building. Ancillary project work would include a loadout spur, six turnouts, and a roadway for vehicular and transloading equipment access. The project will improve locomotive maintenance and provide an area to transload goods from rail to truck, improving efficiency for the products being moved and the area’s economy. The RWRR will provide a 40% match.

Two foot gauge in Portland, ME

During a recent cruise along the Atlantic Coast, one of the Shore trips was to Portland Maine. As we were walking towards our tour bus, I saw the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad train waiting riders for the first trip of the day. They operate about 1 1/2 miles of 2 foot gauge utilizing the right-of-way of the old Portland Terminal line.

The locomotive in the picture is a G.E. switcher built by the Whitin Machine Shop. The line also has an ex- Monson 0-4-2 locomotive which is out of service. The rolling stock is made up of ex-Maine 2 foot gauge railroad such as the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes and the Monson. Some of the equipment also came from Edaville as well

The two trips that I saw seem to be reasonably crowded for the middle of a week.

This is their office, ticket office and gift shop. They had a nice selection of railroad items including books. ©2022 Walter Weart	This is a side view of the G. E. Whiten diesel taking the place of their 0-4-4 Forney. The Trucks remind me of a little kid with big shoes.  ©2022 Walter Weart
This view shows you how truly narrow this locomotive really is. It makes the Colorado Railroad Museum diesels look absolutely huge in comparison. ©2022 Walter Weart	The caboose from the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes and you can see some of their extra equipment stored in the background. .©2022 Walter Weart
This is another view of the caboose and it has been restored to almost new condition. ©2022 Walter Weart	I'm not sure of the history of this caboose but it is on display and if you notice there is steps at the rear so the public can look inside..©2022 Walter Weart
According to their website, they roster four steam engines, Monson Forneys No. 3, and No.4 both 0-4-4s and a Bridgton & Saco River No. 7 and No.8 both  2-4-4s. Most of their rolling stock is from the Sandy River. & Rangeley Lakes with the couple of pieces from the Bridgton& Saco River. Some of the passenger cars also came from the Edaville Railroad.

The last day of Thomas at the Colorado Railroad Museum

Thomas is crossing the Museum entrance September 25 on one of the last runs of this 3 weekend event. My impression was that there large crowds each weekend.  ©2022 Walter Weart

At Pueblo

Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (AT&SF) #2912 was built in January 1944 by Baldwin Locomotive Works. This engine is one of the "Santa Fe 2900 Class", a series of 30 engines numbered 2900 through 2929. These engines are an example of a “4-8-4” design, with four small leading wheels, eight driver wheels, and four small trailing wheels. The first engines to use this 4-8-4 design were purchased by the Northern Pacific Railway in 1926, and so the design came to be known as the "Northern". Some earlier versions of the 4-8-4 "Northerns" originally ran on coal, and were later converted to use fuel oil. In contrast, the 2900 Class never used coal, only fuel oil – 7000 gallons of it.  ©2022 Chip

Pueblo Union Depot (left) with ATSF 2912 as a loaded southbound BNSF coal train passed at right Pueblo, Colorado, September 22, 2022. ©2022 Chip

The well maintained Pueblo Union Depot is illuminated the evening of September 22, 2022 at Pueblo, CO  ©2022 Chip Pueblo Union Depot is the historic railroad station in Pueblo, Colorado. It was built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style in 1889–1890 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Initially the station was served by the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the Colorado & Southern Railway (which was acquired by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in 1908), the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Today the Union Pacific Railroad and the BNSF Railroad share use of the tracks, and the depot is privately owned. ©2022 Chip

A monument to time

Comparing Time plaque on bronze statue across from fromer UP Cheyenne, WY, depot. September 20, 2022. Sculptor Joey Bainer. James L. Ehernberger, donor. ©2022 Chip	Comparing Time plaque on bronze statue across from fromer UP Cheyenne, WY, depot. September 20, 2022. Sculptor Joey Bainer. James L. Ehernberger, donor. ©2022 Chip

A Light Rail derailment

On the accident scene at S. Sable Blvd. and East Eexposition Avenue RTD accident looks like excessive speed Three folks injured taken to a hospital  R Line light rail in Aurora, CO. accident happened 3:45 PM Wednesday, 21 September 2022. ©2022 Chip

OmniTRAX, has signed a letter of intent to purchase the bankrupt San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad.
Courtesy Rail Group News

The Valley Courier reports that while OminTRAX has signed a letter of intent to purchase the SLRG, the railroad has not yet been sold. William Brandt, the trustee overseeing the possible sale, said that a final agreement has not yet been reached. Brandt said, “A deal has been reached in principle, but the deal is still being negotiated.” The OmniTRAX offer is $5.75 million, but approximately $4 million will need to be spent on back taxes.

The SLG is a former Iowa Pacific holdings property, and the line has been operating in bankruptcy for the past three years. OmniTRAX is associated with the Broe Real Estate Group in Denver, and specializes in freight logistics and shipping.

If OmniTRAX and SLG can reach an agreement, it will be submitted to the bankruptcy court, with a hearing expected sometime in October.

Colorado Pacific power

On September 4, 2022, K&O (WAMX) 3824 was parked on the K&O/CP interchange at Towner, Colorado. The Colorado Pacific (WAMX) painted unit apparently still has not arrived on the CP. I have seen photos of it in eastern Kansas but nothing in western Kansas or eastern Colorado ©2022 Larry Dilts

At the Mantau & Pikes Peak

On September 7th 2022, trains were running on the M&PP. The new modernized depot complements the station area. With the rebuild of the M&PP, a second boarding track was installed at the depot and a pedestrian bridge over the track which makes for nice photos. Only the old rebuilt Swiss units are in operation right now while the new Stadler trains are receiving repairs. ©2022 Larry Dilts

More miniature trains

The Flying W Ranch near the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs operates a short circular miniature train using a home built locomotive built by the Flying W Ranch in 1965. Although a short trip, it crosses a small trestle and passes through a tunnel. The gauge is unknown but appears to be somewhere between 18 and 24 inch. The Ranch opens at 5PM. It survived the devastating Waldo Canyon fire which destroyed the rest of the ranch. ©2022 Larry Dilts

 New commuter equipment going to California

This is the first catch with them running on their own wheelsets, with UP power. Built in Salt Lake City. Tested in Pueblo. Headed eventually to run in California. ©2022 Bob Thiele

Lakeside Amusement Park

The Lakeside Amusement Park operates an odd 22.75 inch gauge railroad which skirts a lake at the amusement park. They are currently only operating their California Zephyr replica while the steam locomotive sat on the siding. It hasn’t been used for a couple of years due to the high fire danger. The sunny Labor Day made for a nice outing. ©2022 Larry  Dilts

Tiny Town

Labor Day 2022 marked the end of the Tiny Town season. The Tiny Town Railroad was operating two trains that day. One was an F A&B Rio Grande painted set while the other used a Uhrich Locomotive built Mason Boggie (the locomotive is diesel powered with the exhaust vent through the stack). The Railroad is a 15 inch gauge railroad operating around the perimeter of the park.©2022 Larry Dilts

The Englewood Belleview Park Railroad

The Englewood Belleview Park Railroad operates a 24” gauge circular railroad through the Belleview Park. September 5, 2022 was the last day of operations for the season. The train crosses two large trestles and passes through one tunnel.©2022 Larry D. Dilts

A miniature train in Pueblo

On September 4, 2020 the City Park Railroad in Pueblo was running its last trains for the season. The 15 inch gauge train makes a 2,200 foot circular trip around the park and a small lake. The Rio Grande painted locomotive was built by Bill Daney and has been operating at the park since 1955.   Larry  Dilts

Operations on the Ringneck & Western RR

Ringneck & Western RR WAMX 4023 with flying pheasant logo was at Chamberlain, South Dakota, September 12, 2022. The Ringneck & Western took over the former Dakota Southern Railway in late May 2021. Line originally built and operated by Milwaukee Road. ©2022 Chip

The Ringneck & Western Railroad (reporting mark RWRR), a subsidiary of Watco, is a railroad that began operations in late May 2021 over 108 miles (174 km) of former Dakota Southern Railway track between Mitchell and Presho, South Dakota. The railroad was formed after Watco purchased the 189.7 miles (305.3 km) of track between Mitchell and Kadoka, South Dakota from the state of South Dakota in 2021. The line beyond Presho, SD, is out of service with the US Highway 83 expressway crossing having been removed in the early 2000s during the years that the line was used only for car storage.

New power for the Colorado Pacific

Colorado Pacific RR has purchased two National Railway Equipment (NRE) SD40 locomotives. CXR 1964 was built January 1971 as Penn Central 6270. The other unit is CXR 1923. Both units were refurbished and painted by NRE at Mt Vernon, IL, and moved west by BNSF. Units were at NA Junction east of Boone, CO. ©2022 Chip

On the UP

UP dispatcher had UP 3057 East stop to assist double coal load with 283-cars to pickup conductor who setout two bad ordered coal cars at Cozad, NE, 26 August 2022. Note 3057 was the only locomotive on unit auto train from Milipitas, California, to Chicago, IL. ©2022 Chip

UP 1111, SD70ACe Powered by Our People, east of North Platte, NE, sunrise August 27, 2022. UP train M NPAL-27 the North Platte, NE, to Altoona, Wisconsin. ©2022 Chip The Employee Pride Locomotive – was created to honor the men and women of Union Pacific Railroad. Locomotive's number – 1111 -- represents Union Pacific's goal to be the No. 1 railroad with the No. 1 employees who have the No. 1 safety dedication with 1 vision – Building America.

New power for Amtrak

ALC-42 AMTK 301 leads an all star cast of brand new power including 309, 313, and 314 and test car among the usual consist and not a GE P42 mud-missile in sight. Cold soaking rain at Moffat East Portal beckons Fall under the Great Divide which has played host to the Most Talked About Train in the Country since 1948. 8/25/22   ©2022 Erik Lindgren

On the G&W at Limon

G&W had yet to repaint this old Rail America motor seen working in Limon. ©2022 Limonrail

Off to a new home

Note BUGX reporting marks are now displayed on former San Luis & Rio Grande RR 1100 at Alamosa, CO. Evidently, Dieselmotive/ Bruggere & Monson has added this sharp looking F-unit to their roster. Heavy rain around Alamosa left puddles on August 22, 2022. ©2022 Chip

Pictures from Kansas

Looney Toones cartoon characters have been showing up on grain hoppers in Colby and Mingo, Kansas. ©2022 Larry Dilts
Balcones Recycling has quite a variety of graffiti artist. To paint so much, they must paint the graffiti at the recycling facility in Dallas,    Texas. I have seen a large number of cars they have painted.©2022 Larry Dilts	On August 5, 2022 a Norfolk Southern C44C6M was on a grain train at Cornerstone Ag in Colby, Kansas. It was nice to see a little variety and clean paint. ©2022 Larry Dilts
On August 20, 2022, a K&O train was parked at Scott City with K&O GP39-2s 3914, 3933, and GP40-2 4010. Number 4010 was the unit on short term lease to the Colorado Pacific stationed at Eads. I have heard that the CP has received their own units now and the leased unit returned to the K&O. ©2022 Larry Dilts

On the Moffat Sub

Erik Lindgren caught No. 6 at tunnel 15 and South Boulder Peak stands proud high over the craggy Eldorado Canyon. ©2022 Erik Lindgren

3' gauge in central Michigan

The Huckleberry Railroad, which is part of Crossroads Village, operates about a 5 mile line with loops at each end. The steam engine operates on weekends and a diesel, once owned by the Georgetown Loop railroad, operates during weekdays. The railroad also owns K_27 D&RGW No. 464, one of only theee  Rio Grande engines narrow gauge engines not in Colorado. (The other is in Knotts Berry Farm in California.)

The line operates over an old Pere Marquette right of way. I was told that narrow gauge was chosen as when they were constructing the line in 1977, standard gauge equipment was either unavailable or too expensive.

No. 167 is a Baldwin product, tracing it history back to the Alaska Railroad. ©2022 Walter Weart	The caboose and coach came from Mexico. ©2022 Walter Weart
A blow down on the first loop. ©2022 Walter Weart	I guess the conductor is looking at  the "White Walls" for sliding wheels but the land is table top flat. .©2022 Walter Weart
A view on the second loop. The first car was built in their shops. ©2022 Walter Weart	The 2-8-0 is from Mexico and is thought to be in such poor condition as to make restoration not worthwhile. ©2022 Walter Weart

The Pere Marquette caboose is fully restored and it open the visitors. ©2022 Walter Weart	This caboose is not in Guide but appears to be well cared for. ©2022 Walter Weart

Every year, the Huckleberry railroad posts a Railfan Weekend. I have attached a link to a PDF file which contains a copy of the 2022 Guide. The pages are not in the correct sequence however it will give you a history of the railroad and an overview of its equipment.

Copyright by the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club 2021

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