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In a message dated 98-05-04 22:45:54 EDT, you write: << I'm wondering if any list members can give me a general rundown on what traffic levels are like on the Moffat lately. Just the general stuff, like number of daylight trains, train frequency, and particularly what the power is looking like. (As in: any SP consists left?) What about the BNSF run-throughs? What's the schedule on the Craig branch? >> Traffic on the Moffat line isn't too bad between Denver and Bond, junction where Craig branch takes off, as you have all the coal trains from the Craig branch as well as those that run from the North Fork branch down by Grand Jct. In addition there are the BNSF trackage right trains it is possible to see up to 4 of these. Power can be anything BNSF has. There is usually a westbound out of Denver early in the morning. It is possible to still see solid sets of SP power, mostly ACs, on the coal trains. Last week between Bond and Denver I saw 12 trains on one day and 15 another. Not too bad. UP will still occasionly run a westbound manifest as well. A line worth exploring is the Montrose branch south out of Grand Jct. This line follows the Gunnison river to Delta and is very scenic. At Delta the North Fork Branch heads west to the coal mines. Again a very scenic line. Last September I caught 6 trains on this line. 3 loads and 3 empties. Very nice day. If you are interested in seeing solid sets of Rio Grande tunnel motors. Helper UT is the place to be. I was there last month and saw at least 15 RG units at helper. Also on M-S Helper yard sends the trash train east to Mounds where it then takes the turnoff to the Sunnyside branch. This train traverses about half of the branch, drops its loads, picks up empties and returns to Helper, UT This process can take as little as three hours or as long as six depending on how much work they have to do. I have photographed this train about 10 times during the last year and each time only RG power was used. Always three clean tunnel motors. Sometimes it is possible to see a coal empty depart Provo with RG power run out to the CV spur load and return to Provo. I saw this happen last month with 5 RG tunnel motors. I hope this will be helpful to you. I plan on being in Helper on May 22-25 for anothe go round. Frank Keller Colorado Springs, CO ======================================================= -> SPORRS: 'Serious Photographers Of Railroad Related Subjects' -> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs/ -> Message © 1998 SPORRS® - All Rights Reserved =======================================================
