Wednesday, a Union Pacific Coal load on the Joint-Line or Pikes Peak Subdivision. in Tales of the Jointed Track

I took my son to work. He can’t drive due to Epilepsy and other issues. I think he’s finally getting his head “out”. He stays with us on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Snow has been in the forecast, the last few days. I have shoveled and/or snow blowed the last few days. The week end holds the same forecast, but hey still winter, still Colorado, but I digress.

Its Wednesday, I am walking the track at Westridge, have KNUS 710 on the radio. It shuts off. Phone intercept, its Dan. Drama, I didn’t or goofed up my alarm. I need a ride. Good thing I am retired. “I’ll be there, by 740, be ready we’ll get ya there”.

He’s picked up. I take Broadway south to County-Line Road, to circumvent congestion. Approaching County-Line Road, the Railroad over passes for the north and southbound mains. I hear the drone of locomotives, I still am attuned to that sound. I look in the mirror, as I stop for the light at Highway 85. A Union Pacific coal load. Five units on the head end. They are taking a slow order, at MP 12.3, and there is a “yellow” track flag at MP 13.3 for another at 15.3, around Blakeland. I can see the yellow flag, from the highway. Sorry, I rode this territory for 35 plus years.

Coming under the overpass, They are still coming over the 10 mph, and will soon be on the Blakeland slow order. There were five units on the head end. A mixture of C-44-AC’s and SD-70-M’s. Waiting at the traffic light off of Highway 85 and C-470, I can see the train all the way back to the Mineral lite rail station. I don’t see the telltale wisp of smoke, mid train so I don’t think there is a swing helper. There will a DP on the back for sure. UP is is known for running 2X2X2 on the stretch, and also coming from the Mines at Sommerset and Panonia on the Western Slope.

We arrive at his work, which is near Big Lift, where I did the troubleshooting for the BNSF. I drop him off and I’ll roll this thing by, near the old water trailer. He shows 10 minutes later. All five on the head-end are making horse power. They have accelerated off the slow at Blakeland. From MP 16.1 to MP 17.5, its downgrade before you start up again. He’s making good speed through here. It levels again from MP 19.5 to MP 21.6. I think he’ll make the Hot Box detector, 21.3 at 18 to 20 mph. I can’t verify, because I don’t have a radio.

The rear end shows. A lone C-44-ACCTE shoving the rear. If all goes well, he’ll crest Palmer Lake in about two and a half hours.

Last updated March 02, 2015