Railfanning Wyoming and Montana - 3B, Powder River Basin

Hi, This post will cover the afternoon of our first day in the Powder River basin.

The afternoon began along Hilight Rd with a southbound Union Pacific coal train (above and two below). Note that UP rights in the Powder River Basin end at the northernmost mine.

While waiting at Lawver Rd., the overpass in the background of the first photo, this piece of work equipment, which I think is a ballast cleaner, came past.

Moving north about a mile to Hoadley Rd. at Coal Creek Junction we encountered what appeared to be a track geometry train (above and below).

Shortly a UP coal train went south (above and below).

We were able to catch the train again off Hilight Rd (above and below).

Then it was back to Hoadley Rd. for still another southbound UP coal loads (above and below). Note the windmill to the left in the photo below.

We beat the train to the Lawver Rd, over pass (above and below).

The rest of the day was spent along Hilight Rd. First up a north bound coal train met a south bound coal train.

The north bound continued north (above and below).

We got it again about a 1/2 mile south of Lawver Rd. Thus ended day one.

Thanks for looking.