New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona -5, Coal Haulers

Hi, In this post I will cover three rail lines whose only purpose is to haul coal from a mine to a power plant. One uses electric locomotives, one an electric and a diesel locomotive and one is solely diesel.

On June 5th we spent a couple of hours in the morning seeking out the Navajo Mine Railroad. This approximately 10 mile line is located about 13 miles west of Farmington and brings coal to the Four Corners Power Plant. The trains usually have an E60 on one end and an Alco C425 on the other. Regrettably the power plant had been down for about a month and was not expected to reopen for at least another 2 weeks. Also regrettably, the railroad has 2 new General Electric ET44ACs in the process of being delivered and the plan is to replace the E60s.

In late morning we headed west to Kayenta, AZ. After lunch we explored the Black Mesa & Lake Powell hoping to find something moving on this 78 mile long railroad. While the exploration would prove useful later in the day nothing moved until about 5:00 PM.

We waited along Arizona Route 98 for about 1 1/2 hours for the empty train to leave for the mine. We had checked the power plant track, which can be seen from the highway, and could see the train unloading. Finally, a few minutes after 5 we were rewarded (above and below).

We beat the train to Kaibito, AZ where a small cloud blocked the sun at a critical instant.

Our final shots of the Black Mesa & Lake Powell were just off US 160 with the first two of these (above and below) taken near the intersection of Routes 98 and 160.

On June 6 we traveled from Kayenta to BNSF's southern Transcon, former ATSF trackage. About 12:45 PM we caught the Escalante Western train crossing McKinley County Route 19 just east of the Plains Escalante Western Generating Station. This 75 mile long railroad operates on mostly on BNSF's Lee Ranch Sub between the power plant and Peabody Coal Comany's Lee Ranch Mine.

Next we parked just outside the plant in a lot and photographed the train arriving at the power plant (above and below) and

unloading (above and below). It turns out this lot is on power plant property so eventually we were asked to leave. Also, I was told I had to delete my photos taken from the lot. I deleted one photo. That satisfied the guard.

On June 9 we caught the loaded train twice a few miles south of Lee Ranch Junction off New Mexico Route 509 (above and two below).

Thanks for looking.

New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona - 4, C&TS Final

Hi, This will be a short post as some of the photo locations chosen for Sunday afternoon just weren't worth the effort to climb on and off the train.

After the Cascade Trestle photo runbys we stopped at Osier to pick up box lunches and take water (above and below).

We met the westbound regular passenger train powered by 2-8-2 "Mudhen" #463.

A stop was made at Sublette (above and below).

This was the final photo run for friend Dale and Me. He did not even detrain here. The weather was deteriorating and the track was mostly obscured by brush.

We were going to have a photo opportunity at Lava where the regular eastbound passenger train would pass the photo freight. At this point we asked if we could complete our return to Antonito on the regular train and our crew arranged it for us. This saved us an hour which was very beneficial as we had a long drive to Farmington, NM that evening. Thanks for looking.

New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona - 3, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Continued

Hi, This is the second post on the C&TS photo freight.

The images above and below were taken during the last photo runby on Saturday.

When we returned to Antonito we spotted "Mudhen" #463 sitting outside the engine house being attended to.

Tanglefoot curve, location of the first photo runby on Sunday, provided some great photo angles (above and nine below).

We stopped for photos at two more locations. Here is the first one (above and two below) and

here is the second (above and four below).

The last photo run of the morning was at Cascade Trestle. Thanks for looking. 

New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona Railfan Trip - 2

Hi, On the weekend of June 4th and 5th Dale Diacont and I participated in a freight charter on the Cumbres & toltec Scenic Railroad. Our train had seven cars including a newly restored caboose in which we rode, a box car that was set up with restrooms and a counter for snacks and souvenirs, two gondolas with benches and three additional gondolas to fill out the train. Our power was D&RG consolidation #315 built in 1895. For a history of this locomotive see - http://www.drhs315.org/blog/drgw-315/history/.

On Saturday the trip began in Antonito, CO and terminated in Cumbres, CO with a bus return to Antonito.

We had numerous photo runbys each day. Therefore, I will break the charter photos into multiple posts to keep the length of each post down. Also, since most of the locations were out in the middle of nowhere I'll only comment where I have some specific information to share.

For this location the only time the sun was on the side of the train was when it was in the far distance. I don't like dark side shots and this time was no exception so none are shown (above and below).

Before re-boarding there was an opportunity to take some static photos (above and below).

The sun angle was fine here but there was lots of brush.

After turning the train at Big Horn Wye the train backed west a few blocks and we had three photo runs (above and two below).

Our charter then returned to the wye, was turned again to face west and waited for the regular westbound passenger train to pass us.

I really enjoyed about an hour riding in the cupola of the caboose.

One of the signature locations on the railroad is Rock Tunnel (above and below).

Our lunch break was at Osier, CO (above and two below).

Thanks for looking.