tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67555979702220776712024-03-27T23:49:47.624-05:00 WaltersRail Railroad Photography and Commentary by Paul Walters
(pwalters@sbcglobal.net) Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-37886769198679830262024-03-26T11:32:00.000-05:002024-03-26T11:32:12.826-05:00TABLE OF CONTENTS<div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1. <span face="">Crater Loops, Little Gore Canyon, Flaming Aspen and Other Vanishing Splendor </span></span></span></div><div><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/colorado.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/colorado.html</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">2. Curtis Hill -- Cimarron River Valley</span><br /><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/curtis-hill-cimarron-river-valley.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/curtis-hill-cimarron-river-valley.html</a><br /><span><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>3. Pecos River Bridge -- Fort Sumner, New Mexico</span></span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/pecos-river-bridge-fort-sumner-new.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/pecos-river-bridge-fort-sumner-new.html</a> </span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span>4. Crozier Canyon and Truxton Canyon -- Where the Waters Flow</span></span><br /></span></span><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/crozier-canyon-and-truxton-canyon-where.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/crozier-canyon-and-truxton-canyon-where.html</a></span></span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">5. Crookton Cutoff -- Eagle Nest,Doublea, Crookton and Seligman</span><br /><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/crookton-cutoff-eagle-nest-doublea-and.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/crookton-cutoff-eagle-nest-doublea-and.html</a><br /><span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">6. Loma Alta, Lucy and the New Mexico High Plains</span></span></span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/12/loma-alta-lucy-and-new-mexico-high.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/12/loma-alta-lucy-and-new-mexico-high.html</a> </span></span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">7. Tehachapi Loop<span face=""> Saved <span face="">My Marriage</span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/12/railroad-photography-at-tehachapi-loop.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/12/railroad-photography-at-tehachapi-loop.html</a> </span></span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">8. Travels with Mighty Dog in Search Of the Kansas City Southern; Austin, Todd and Ladd; Arkansas and Oklahoma; Kansas and Oklahoma; Avard Subdivision and Other Oddities</span></span></span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/12/trains-travels-with-mighty-dog-in.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2015/12/trains-travels-with-mighty-dog-in.html</a> </span></span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">9. BNSF Transcon in the Texas Panhandle</span></span></span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/01/railroad-photography-bnsf-transcon-in.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/01/railroad-photography-bnsf-transcon-in.html</a> </span></span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""><span face="">10. Abo Can<span face="">yon: Then and (S)n<span face="">ow</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/01/abo-canyon-then-and-snow.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/01/abo-canyon-then-and-snow.html</a> </span></span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">11. Lombard Canyon and the Three Rivers</span></span></span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/02/lombard-canyon-and-three-rivers.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/02/lombard-canyon-and-three-rivers.html</a> </span></span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""><span face=""><span face=""><span face="">12. Mountains May <span face="">Begin</span> <span face="">With <span face="">Mon<span face="">tana, but Fugichrome Ends With Me</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""><span face=""><span face=""><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/02/mountains-may-begin-with-montana-but_24.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/02/mountains-may-begin-with-montana-but_24.html</a> </span></span></span> </span></span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">13. Mullan Pass: Mullan on my Mind</span></span></span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/03/blog-post.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/03/blog-post.html</a> </span></span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">14. Kingman Canyon: What am I Do<span face="">ing <span face="">u</span>p Here?</span> </span></span></span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/03/kingman-canyon-what-am-i-doing-up-here.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/03/kingman-canyon-what-am-i-doing-up-here.html</a> </span> </span></span></span></span><br /><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">15. BNSF Transcon: Not Every Meeting is a Waste of Time</span></span></span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/03/bnsf-transcon-not-every-meeting-is.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/03/bnsf-transcon-not-every-meeting-is.html</a> </span></span></span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""><span face=""><span face=""><span face="">16. The Arbuckles are Worn Down, and I'm Headed There: AT&SF and BNSF Railroad Photogr<span face="">aphy From an Oklahoma Sinkhole</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span face=""><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/04/the-arbuckles-are-worn-down-and-im.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/04/the-arbuckles-are-worn-down-and-im.html</a> </span> </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""><span face=""><span face=""><span face="">17. BNSF, UP and MRL in the Idaho Panha<span face="">ndle</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/04/bnsf-up-and-mrl-in-idaho-panhandle.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/04/bnsf-up-and-mrl-in-idaho-panhandle.html</a> </span><br /><span><br /></span><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">18. Burlington Northern: Trinidad to Walsenburg (Someone Built a Railroad Through Here?)</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/06/burlington-northern-trinidad-to.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/06/burlington-northern-trinidad-to.html</a></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">19. Santa Fe on Curtis Hill (Things Ain't What They Used to Be)</span></span></span><br /></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/05/santa-fe-on-curtis-hill-things-aint.html" target="_blank"><span>http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/05/santa-fe-on-curtis-hill-things-aint.html</span></a> </span><br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></span><span><span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">20. BNSF West of Belen: MP 27.8 to 31.9</span></span></span><br /><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/07/bnsf-west-of-belen-mp-278-to-319.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/07/bnsf-west-of-belen-mp-278-to-319.html</a><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </span><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">21. BNSF at Flagstaff (and a little AT&SF)</span><br /><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/08/bnsf-at-flagstaff-and-little-at.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/08/bnsf-at-flagstaff-and-little-at.html</a></span><br /><br /><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">22. I Feel Like the Rock Island (Memories of a Stricken Railroad)</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/08/i-feel-like-rock-island-memories-of.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/08/i-feel-like-rock-island-memories-of.html</a></span><br /><span><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">23. Kansas City Southern: Requiem for White Knights and Telephone Poles</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/09/kansas-city-southern-requiem-for-white.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/09/kansas-city-southern-requiem-for-white.html</a></span><br /><span><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">24. BNSF at Curtis Hill: Where the West Begins</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/09/bnsf-at-curtis-hill-where-west-begins.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/09/bnsf-at-curtis-hill-where-west-begins.html</a></span><br /><span><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">25. Tennessee Pass: Alas</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/09/tennessee-pass-alas.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/09/tennessee-pass-alas.html</a></span><br /><span><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">26. BNSF West of Wellington</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/10/bnsf-west-of-wellington.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/10/bnsf-west-of-wellington.html</a></span><br /><span><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">27.<span face=""> Cajon 2016: Before the Fire</span></span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/11/cajon-2016-before-fire.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/11/cajon-2016-before-fire.html</a> </span></span><br /><span><br /></span><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span face="">28<span face="">. Union Pacific: Aspen<span face=""> Mountain Through Echo Canyon</span></span></span></span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""><span face=""><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/12/union-pacific-aspen-mountain-through.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/12/union-pacific-aspen-mountain-through.html</a></span></span></span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span face=""><span face="">29. Burlington Northern at Crawford Hill </span></span> </span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/12/burlington-northern-at-crawford-hill_13.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2016/12/burlington-northern-at-crawford-hill_13.html</a></span><br /><span><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">30. St. Louis Railroads -- as I Remember Them </span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/01/st-louis-railroads-as-i-remember-them.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/01/st-louis-railroads-as-i-remember-them.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">31. BNSF Across the Sacramento Valley: Wild Burros and Cold Bears</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/01/bnsf-across-sacramento-valley-wild.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/01/bnsf-across-sacramento-valley-wild.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">32. She Caught the Katy and Left me a Mule to Ride</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/02/she-caught-katy-and-left-me-mule-to-ride.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/02/she-caught-katy-and-left-me-mule-to-ride.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">33. Santa Fe in the Unassigned Lands</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/03/i-live-in-what-once-was-called.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/03/i-live-in-what-once-was-called.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">34. BNSF: Another Look at Crozier Canyon</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/04/bnsf-another-look-at-crozier-canyon.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/04/bnsf-another-look-at-crozier-canyon.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">35. BNSF: Colorado River to Goffs Hill</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/05/bnsf-transcon-needles-to-goffs-hill.html" target="_blank">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/05/bnsf-transcon-needles-to-goffs-hill.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">36. Cajon Pass: After the Fire</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/06/cajon-pass-after-fire_29.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/06/cajon-pass-after-fire_29.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">37. BNSF in Oklahoma: Avard Subdivision</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/08/bnsf-in-oklahoma-avard-subdivision.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/08/bnsf-in-oklahoma-avard-subdivision.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">38. Back East! Lost in the Trees</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/11/back-east-lost-in-trees.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/11/back-east-lost-in-trees.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">39. Union Pacific: The Craig Branch in its Prime</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/12/union-pacific-craig-branch-in-its-prime.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/12/union-pacific-craig-branch-in-its-prime.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">40. Union Pacific from Point of Rocks to Granger: Wherein Mighty Dog Clashes with the Serpent</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/12/union-pacific-from-point-of-rocks-to.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2017/12/union-pacific-from-point-of-rocks-to.html</a></span></span><br /><br /><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">41. Trials and Tribulations of Train Photography</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/01/trials-and-tribulations-of-train_3.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/01/trials-and-tribulations-of-train_3.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">42. The Frisco of my Youth: Both Gone</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/01/the-frisco-of-my-youth-both-gone.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/01/the-frisco-of-my-youth-both-gone.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">43. When That Evening Sun Goes Down: Ellinor After Hours</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/02/when-that-evening-sun-goes-down-ellinor.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/02/when-that-evening-sun-goes-down-ellinor.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">44. Nebraska's Sandhills in Transition</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/03/nebraskas-sandhills-in-transition.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/03/nebraskas-sandhills-in-transition.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">45. BNSF: Highway 47 to Mountainair</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/04/bnsf-highway-47-to-mountainair.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/04/bnsf-highway-47-to-mountainair.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">46. Rock Island and Union Pacific on the Chisholm Trail</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/05/rock-island-and-union-pacific-on.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/05/rock-island-and-union-pacific-on.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">47. Union Pacific, Southern Pacific and Western Pacific Potpourri: Arnold Loop, Echo Canyon, Aiken Hill, Sherman Hill and Donner Summit</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/08/union-pacific-southern-pacific-and.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/08/union-pacific-southern-pacific-and.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">48. Lake Pend Oreille! or The Importance of the Angle of Incidence</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/08/lake-pend-oreille-or-importance-of.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/08/lake-pend-oreille-or-importance-of.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">49. Sunset on the Missouri Pacific</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/10/sunset-on-missouri-pacific.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2018/10/sunset-on-missouri-pacific.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">50. BNSF Transcon: Kansas City to Cajon (Part One: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas)</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2018/12/bnsf-transcon-kansas-city-to-cajon-part.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2018/12/bnsf-transcon-kansas-city-to-cajon-part.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">51. BNSF Transcon: Kansas City to Cajon (Part Two: Clovis to Belen) </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/01/bnsf-transcon-kansas-city-to-cajon-part.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/01/bnsf-transcon-kansas-city-to-cajon-part.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">52. BNSF Transcon: Kansas City to Cajon (Part Three: Belen to Seligman) </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/02/bnsf-transcon-kansas-city-to-cajon-part.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/02/bnsf-transcon-kansas-city-to-cajon-part.html</a></span></span><br /><br /><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">53. BNSF Transcon: Kansas City to Cajon (Part Four: Crozier Canyon to Cajon)</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/03/bnsf-transcon-kansas-city-to-cajon-part.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/03/bnsf-transcon-kansas-city-to-cajon-part.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">54. Burlington Northern Blues (and Greens)</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/04/burlington-northern-blues-and-greens.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/04/burlington-northern-blues-and-greens.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">55. Kansas City Southern: Ouachita Mountains Revival</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/05/kansas-city-southern-ouachita-mountains.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/05/kansas-city-southern-ouachita-mountains.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">56. BNSF: Trinchera Pass </span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/06/bnsf-trinchera-pass.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/06/bnsf-trinchera-pass.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">57. BNSF at the Millennium in the Cherokee Strip</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/08/bnsf-at-millennium-in-cherokee-strip.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/08/bnsf-at-millennium-in-cherokee-strip.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">58. O, Canada! <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/09/o-canada.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/09/o-canada.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">59. Bridges, Trestles and Causeways</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/10/bridges-trestles-and-causeways.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/10/bridges-trestles-and-causeways.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">60. I Feel Like the Rock Island, but I Dream of the Santa Fe </span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/11/i-feel-like-rock-island-but-i-dream-of.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/11/i-feel-like-rock-island-but-i-dream-of.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">61. A Brief Tour of Tehachapi </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/12/a-brief-tour-of-tehachapi.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2019/12/a-brief-tour-of-tehachapi.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">62. The Flint Hills! <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/01/the-flint-hills.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/01/the-flint-hills.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">63. The Only Place I Ever Felt at Home <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/02/the-only-place-i-ever-felt-at-home.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/02/the-only-place-i-ever-felt-at-home.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">64. Rio Grande on the Moffat Route</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/03/rio-grande-on-moffat-route.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/03/rio-grande-on-moffat-route.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">65. Six Days in the Desert (BNSF Transcon: Danby to Ash Hill) </span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/03/six-days-in-desert-bnsf-transcon-danby.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/03/six-days-in-desert-bnsf-transcon-danby.html</a> </span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">66. Walking Backward to go Forward <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/04/walking-backward-to-go-forward_15.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/04/walking-backward-to-go-forward_15.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><br /></span><br /><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">67. Rio Grande Across Soldier Summit (and Beyond)</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/05/rio-grande-across-soldier-summit-and.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/05/rio-grande-across-soldier-summit-and.html</a></span><br /><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">68. When the Arkansas was King</span><br /><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/05/when-arkansas-was-king.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/05/when-arkansas-was-king.html</a></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">69. The Graying </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/05/the-graying.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/05/the-graying.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span>70. Canyons (Plus a Deep Dive into Esoterica) <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/08/canyons-plus-deep-dive-into-esoterica.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/08/canyons-plus-deep-dive-into-esoterica.html</a><br /></span><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">71. O,Columbia! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/09/o-columbia.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/09/o-columbia.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">72. Union Pacific: Tie Siding to Hanna Hill <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/10/union-pacific-tie-siding-to-hanna-hill.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/10/union-pacific-tie-siding-to-hanna-hill.html</a> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">73. BNSF: Trinidad to Cedarwood </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/11/bnsf-trinidad-to-cedarwood.html" target="_blank">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/11/bnsf-trinidad-to-cedarwood.html</a> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">74. California 2020 </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/12/california-2020.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/12/california-2020.html</a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">75. Belen Revisited </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/01/belen-revisted.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/01/belen-revisted.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">76. Home Sweet Oklahoma <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/02/home-sweet-oklahoma.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/02/home-sweet-oklahoma.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">77. R.I.P. Carlita <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/05/rip-carlita.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/05/rip-carlita.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">78. The Land That Swallows Trains -- Part One </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/05/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-one.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/05/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-one.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">79: The Land That Swallows Trains -- Part II </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/06/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-ii.html" target="_blank">https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/06/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-ii.html</a>\</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">80. The Land That Swallows Trains -- Part 3 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/09/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-3.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/09/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-3.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">81. The Land that Swallows Trains -- Part IV </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/11/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-iv.html"><span style="font-family: arial;">https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/11/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-iv.html</span></a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">82. The Land That Swallows Trains -- Part 5 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/12/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-5.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/12/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-5.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">83. BNSF: Trinidad </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Hill </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/12/bnsf-trinidad-hill.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/12/bnsf-trinidad-hill.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">84. BNSF: Providence Hill</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/01/bnsf-providence-hill.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/01/bnsf-providence-hill.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">85. Union Pacific: Palisade Canyon</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/02/union-pacific-palisade-canyon.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/02/union-pacific-palisade-canyon.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">86. Return to Colorado </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/03/return-to-colorado.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/03/return-to-colorado.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">87. BNSF: Truxton Flyover to Sacramento Wash (With Thoughts about the Desert, W.B. Yeats and the End of Life)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/04/bnsf-truxton-flyover-to-sacramento-wash.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/04/bnsf-truxton-flyover-to-sacramento-wash.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">88. Lawrence: U-boats to Ditch Lights</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/05/lawrence-u-boats-to-ditch-lights.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/05/lawrence-u-boats-to-ditch-lights.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">89. Union Pacific: The Law of Unintended Consequences </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/07/union-pacific-law-of-unintended.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/07/union-pacific-law-of-unintended.html</a><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">90. Union Pacific: Maricopa Mountains</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/08/union-pacific-maricopa-mountains.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/08/union-pacific-maricopa-mountains.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">91. West of Gillette</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/08/west-of-gillette.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/08/west-of-gillette.html</a><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">92. Mescal Summit and the El Paso and Southwestern </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/09/mescal-summit-and-el-paso-and.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/09/mescal-summit-and-el-paso-and.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">93. West of Dragoon</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/09/west-of-dragoon.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/09/west-of-dragoon.html</a><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">94. East of Dragoon</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/11/east-of-dragoon.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/11/east-of-dragoon.html</a><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">95. Union Pacific: Steins Pass</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/12/union-pacific-steins-pass.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/12/union-pacific-steins-pass.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">96. Powder River Basin: Part One (BNSF)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/01/powder-river-basin-part-one-bnsf.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/01/powder-river-basin-part-one-bnsf.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">97. RIP: Bear the Mighty Dog </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/03/rip-bear-mighty-dog.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/03/rip-bear-mighty-dog.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">98. Powder River Basin: Part Two (UP)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/04/powder-river-basin-part-two-union.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/04/powder-river-basin-part-two-union.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">99. Union Pacific Along the Oregon Trail: Farewell Bend to Hot Lake</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/05/union-pacific-along-oregon-trail.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/05/union-pacific-along-oregon-trail.html</a><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">100. The Old Man and the Snow </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/06/the-old-man-and-snow.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/06/the-old-man-and-snow.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">101. Colorado in Fall </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/07/colorado-in-fall.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/07/colorado-in-fall.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">102. Sweet Soo</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/09/sweet-soo.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/09/sweet-soo.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">103. My Favorite Western Grades: Part One </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/11/my-favorite-western-grades-part-one.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/11/my-favorite-western-grades-part-one.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">104. My Favorite Western Grades: Part Two</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/12/my-favorite-western-grades-part-two.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/12/my-favorite-western-grades-part-two.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">105. Sundown: Part One <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2024/01/sundown-part-one.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2024/01/sundown-part-one.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">106. Sundown: Part Two</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2024/01/sundown-part-two.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2024/01/sundown-part-two.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">107. Sundown: Part Three</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2024/02/sundown-part-three.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2024/02/sundown-part-three.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">108. Canadian, Texas </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2024/03/canadian-texas.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2024/03/canadian-texas.html</a></span></div></div></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-46501336287015353212024-03-26T11:27:00.000-05:002024-03-26T11:27:22.517-05:00Canadian, Texas<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlloSxj6rGbiT5vj-vhkhlkoG1qKThVfH3-FUBZHsIJmYtgA8WjelFZziSltHEV_p3RtGCz4QNhH_-qcnkgKovMPeO8G7NLmEAFf-qoURjcqcU8N_Gl8vXg9jl9vb-1G3p_plZbc8tvrQt1enYN1gRySNZ2MQCkCV-bTJO4dZjBamqzJTCH2z7aVlPbiT/s6774/9%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlloSxj6rGbiT5vj-vhkhlkoG1qKThVfH3-FUBZHsIJmYtgA8WjelFZziSltHEV_p3RtGCz4QNhH_-qcnkgKovMPeO8G7NLmEAFf-qoURjcqcU8N_Gl8vXg9jl9vb-1G3p_plZbc8tvrQt1enYN1gRySNZ2MQCkCV-bTJO4dZjBamqzJTCH2z7aVlPbiT/w1789-h1186/9%20copy.jpg" width="1789" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound grain in the valley of Red Deer Creek. The grain elevator of Canadian, Texas, rises in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A previous article (<a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2016/01/railroad-photography-bnsf-transcon-in.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2016/01/railroad-photography-bnsf-transcon-in.html</a>) discusses the BNSF Transcon as it runs through the small, northern Texas Panhandle settlement of Miami. To the northeast sits the larger town of Canadian, though no town in the northern Texas Panhandle is "large." With a population of about 2,300, Canadian is nonetheless the most significant attraction on the Transcon between Woodward, Oklahoma, and Amarillo, Texas.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5TIU70K1jyGab86g1CsuosPoE-wUm3MOlybBEzD_zpSCPaS5KoF4Aem0ZT8_H2etIe-clNwFkfK5clGT8edt9PlUktKH5X5JKcLII1WfiFDpVZyUm9Nx2_Bo2QT7-M_9jOKcECoOkuiLSlpM8J1oqTPYVS__U-aWRnxHRzRePC-7E9OwpJK0yPqpyVMk/s4352/Screenshot%202024-03-06%20at%206.42.42%20PM.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1942" data-original-width="4352" height="765" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5TIU70K1jyGab86g1CsuosPoE-wUm3MOlybBEzD_zpSCPaS5KoF4Aem0ZT8_H2etIe-clNwFkfK5clGT8edt9PlUktKH5X5JKcLII1WfiFDpVZyUm9Nx2_Bo2QT7-M_9jOKcECoOkuiLSlpM8J1oqTPYVS__U-aWRnxHRzRePC-7E9OwpJK0yPqpyVMk/w1712-h765/Screenshot%202024-03-06%20at%206.42.42%20PM.png" width="1712" /></a><br /></span><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqJVqKi15mNJelMSW9bwTmxk_E5CUCtYMp-kDX7RNPKPcBFUi5d3CPkYd1itAl8gqUjIdt4GcT1mHq17lYnL1GVarYPQf7OzSiI-CXCL4YHIkf2XZgA1y-KcNg7BlbZloRpdN3CDQbrQE5YqXsVyeIV5w2KmSH9NZo1tZuaojMhpK282mjpRYOGFTJ1Zmc" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="600" height="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqJVqKi15mNJelMSW9bwTmxk_E5CUCtYMp-kDX7RNPKPcBFUi5d3CPkYd1itAl8gqUjIdt4GcT1mHq17lYnL1GVarYPQf7OzSiI-CXCL4YHIkf2XZgA1y-KcNg7BlbZloRpdN3CDQbrQE5YqXsVyeIV5w2KmSH9NZo1tZuaojMhpK282mjpRYOGFTJ1Zmc=w1584-h1000" width="1584" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Canadian River Basin.<br /><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_River#/media/File:Canadian_River_basin_map.png">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_River#/media/File:Canadian_River_basin_map.png</a><br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The town is surrounded by bluffs of the Canadian River. Some residential streets climb those hills to reveal an old oil mansion, now a museum, totally out of proportion to this harsh country, as though one of the Gilded Age homes from Newport, Rhode Island, had been airlifted to the middle of nowhere and were now seated on a throne above a river that most of the year is more sand than water.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Red Deer Creek flows northeast into the Canadian, and the Transcon follows it to the southwest on a moderate grade (0.6 percent), climbing from the valley to the Llano Escatado, the tableland of southeastern New Mexico and northeastern Texas.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The valley of Red Deer Creek is honey-combed with oil wells and accessible only on the rugged service roads that cross the country like vericose veins. The roads are all privately owned but no one seems to mind your driving on them as long as you do not disturb the livestock. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2KJkc0YDzVitJqSbO60if-B8Us8HkK9wNI0XU-iT0Vi_q7G7P9rBVZ_hX0_ax7VbSDvHh4fmEy2wkc3EmWKbQpsaHqcM5v1Hclad1R55_vIfZFtaxS9R0ZiamKBTMlK3THhWBHO-jgVomTfE00H1KLMHwG9fp-SjYpAtRmqciPMNgGW1QSaL9sui6X3t/s6774/3.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2KJkc0YDzVitJqSbO60if-B8Us8HkK9wNI0XU-iT0Vi_q7G7P9rBVZ_hX0_ax7VbSDvHh4fmEy2wkc3EmWKbQpsaHqcM5v1Hclad1R55_vIfZFtaxS9R0ZiamKBTMlK3THhWBHO-jgVomTfE00H1KLMHwG9fp-SjYpAtRmqciPMNgGW1QSaL9sui6X3t/w1788-h1185/3.png" width="1788" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>One of the parade of BNSF westbound stacks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMtm6__4HgdhkqzdM0TlpB6QlQALa4MHkiVIfLw4DaLMz1qU9UTAW8JYicx3PpwUyMQI_fG7C29dt-6jRHwRsi38dN6CsoUgnTHZnPPNSuU4R4ls4IM3Ct2MIYnPrZLL3OaxFfXPQavYZvNGvGgNJRyIsc6kI4ACCwjAY8USMto5e32goidxMX8eaHDEP/s6774/4%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMtm6__4HgdhkqzdM0TlpB6QlQALa4MHkiVIfLw4DaLMz1qU9UTAW8JYicx3PpwUyMQI_fG7C29dt-6jRHwRsi38dN6CsoUgnTHZnPPNSuU4R4ls4IM3Ct2MIYnPrZLL3OaxFfXPQavYZvNGvGgNJRyIsc6kI4ACCwjAY8USMto5e32goidxMX8eaHDEP/w1782-h1181/4%20copy.jpg" width="1782" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Another. This image shows a few of the hundreds of wells.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XrqBFJErCSlzVXdj748TC_ZskPfjf_NEAPkYhqEN9n0gl9QEgzupS8zakJmN_seNXZ5Zk7rERXdA0Vh71k4LwUaG69784CxkhPq4joSCLd-paQqCeQxagPzW0fAMOi3Sov4NELbxpKNuhRVTGyj-DeZVVzl0BIhQrSuWgAaWBmqknd2dK_7jirHQ8gLk/s3022/37.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3022" height="1187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XrqBFJErCSlzVXdj748TC_ZskPfjf_NEAPkYhqEN9n0gl9QEgzupS8zakJmN_seNXZ5Zk7rERXdA0Vh71k4LwUaG69784CxkhPq4joSCLd-paQqCeQxagPzW0fAMOi3Sov4NELbxpKNuhRVTGyj-DeZVVzl0BIhQrSuWgAaWBmqknd2dK_7jirHQ8gLk/w1809-h1187/37.jpg" width="1809" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>These eastbound stacks have crossed the Canadian River and are headed to Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Weather in the Texas Panhandle is extreme -- bitter cold, blazing heat, snow, sleet, ice, wind, dust, fire. Because of the low humidity, the skies are severe, frequently lacking clouds, and when the dust is down, you can see as far as the curvature of the earth allows.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Average annual precipitation is around 15-20 inches. Rain, when it falls, can come in torrents, an inch or more per hour. Thunderstorms spawn tornadoes. The old-timers know that when the sky is deep purple and the wind suddenly dies, you head for shelter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This was the heart of the Dust Bowl, and though modern land practice has severely curtailed a darkening prairie, spring gales can still produce reminders of that grim past. A rancher near Canadian once told me that the grass in his pasture grew mostly on soil blown from Amarillo, 100 miles away.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFr4En61XzO-D6i_ca6xHuTJROtwozM8lSBqasrFx4nsRHjIWFMrAUXls67Hoj5ttLSgp_3sSKfq49NPG2dKXfN4iC4jNp_4mRUsCWQR0ImNl5S7SgktNlnBzt54FbTgSclokNk0euavUgImMZUduPyvX8Jg9BfbMf6rAo8GDaGAovXg-3pWz_c83g2OFv/s3049/43a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3049" height="1147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFr4En61XzO-D6i_ca6xHuTJROtwozM8lSBqasrFx4nsRHjIWFMrAUXls67Hoj5ttLSgp_3sSKfq49NPG2dKXfN4iC4jNp_4mRUsCWQR0ImNl5S7SgktNlnBzt54FbTgSclokNk0euavUgImMZUduPyvX8Jg9BfbMf6rAo8GDaGAovXg-3pWz_c83g2OFv/w1782-h1147/43a.jpg" width="1782" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Near sundown, an eastbound manifest rolls downhill toward the Canadian River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAv4XxDiPlct70FGWAUNRDCnvZz16b4o0bOZH00KnztND50tLpPrC73A54DcBUWoxDmLC1FJf6wJGzKpb6RPr5wsxppZHCzzO3FRcdhrD-P9ImQ8FZxjo1WzA6Ii-MdCSkHiycvUvY7iwSCO0uyuIioLfzNglWhf7IIQo5EaGeSoW0zyEoEe8_gfrLeb1/s3084/40%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1945" data-original-width="3084" height="1127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAv4XxDiPlct70FGWAUNRDCnvZz16b4o0bOZH00KnztND50tLpPrC73A54DcBUWoxDmLC1FJf6wJGzKpb6RPr5wsxppZHCzzO3FRcdhrD-P9ImQ8FZxjo1WzA6Ii-MdCSkHiycvUvY7iwSCO0uyuIioLfzNglWhf7IIQo5EaGeSoW0zyEoEe8_gfrLeb1/w1785-h1127/40%20copy.jpg" width="1785" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQOWY0HD-YHLWUwSI9xgDAB96WfnUeYaF8wL02bPPQIjUDNX0oYr88bL3sN8Fs_ZShIpx4ysSvS_ZGkk21IXss7Aim4qTJUAhS7FXdd_mSkUM-f-0MgJXBHyRFD03Tr5a-hK18kXpCsEg5rcGXv7vXTpv7Fw2_6vnZ4Rs7H_AN9ua_OUXCFnBlMPrmwUX/s2999/39a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2999" height="1189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQOWY0HD-YHLWUwSI9xgDAB96WfnUeYaF8wL02bPPQIjUDNX0oYr88bL3sN8Fs_ZShIpx4ysSvS_ZGkk21IXss7Aim4qTJUAhS7FXdd_mSkUM-f-0MgJXBHyRFD03Tr5a-hK18kXpCsEg5rcGXv7vXTpv7Fw2_6vnZ4Rs7H_AN9ua_OUXCFnBlMPrmwUX/w1787-h1189/39a.jpg" width="1787" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Potash.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The river after which Canadian, Texas, is named is the longest tributary of the mighty Arkansas, with headwaters </span><span style="font-family: arial;">on the east side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, around 9,600 ft in southwestern Las Animas County, Colorado, about a mile and a half north of the New Mexico border -- near Raton Pass. Almost 1000 miles later, the waters flow into the Arkansas River in far eastern Oklahoma -- in an immense flood plane that becomes a lake during heavy rains.</span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsfsUYLLmUKLXaTNPNh2akLQF3DRsgV2u6LFDIOa4m2lOtw9TDck5CPYKeCN4n5BaHikKD_sktLw-RMaaIcVVDz-wsO2BWzJIJTrdVQQrrIoC7H85WWTG6v7Wf67LXpvPBKDqI9DKo6cvor8F37f2Em7DTP8pbdXEOFS7mH4F27TSRutInmF79B1ZHOEr/s3374/Screenshot%202024-03-06%20at%205.55.47%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1734" data-original-width="3374" height="870" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsfsUYLLmUKLXaTNPNh2akLQF3DRsgV2u6LFDIOa4m2lOtw9TDck5CPYKeCN4n5BaHikKD_sktLw-RMaaIcVVDz-wsO2BWzJIJTrdVQQrrIoC7H85WWTG6v7Wf67LXpvPBKDqI9DKo6cvor8F37f2Em7DTP8pbdXEOFS7mH4F27TSRutInmF79B1ZHOEr/w1697-h870/Screenshot%202024-03-06%20at%205.55.47%20PM.png" width="1697" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Confluence of the Canadian and Arkansas Rivers.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The three main tributaries of the Canadian are the Little, Deep Fork and North Canadian, all contained entirely within Oklahoma. They come together near the small town of Eufaula. Slightly downstream is Eufaula Dam, which impounds the contents of the lake of the same name.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSin216D3Hx4-BlM0YZHXAfEW9XvrgPhH7Zu5OpylV0yhPdSPmHPYqL1QgWazm2KISPmeJ5akeC2jpHMLMx-iLZGiM0PKp7QxLP5EUmtNipZnkQsuqEpS2U1Q1Ry25Wby-mC3EoYBog5Y4R5pwIqVGflkGppSeR9QDF8FC25NwBFWSI0ca2CDN_C6d3EZ8/s4394/Screenshot%202024-03-06%20at%206.15.59%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1622" data-original-width="4394" height="627" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSin216D3Hx4-BlM0YZHXAfEW9XvrgPhH7Zu5OpylV0yhPdSPmHPYqL1QgWazm2KISPmeJ5akeC2jpHMLMx-iLZGiM0PKp7QxLP5EUmtNipZnkQsuqEpS2U1Q1Ry25Wby-mC3EoYBog5Y4R5pwIqVGflkGppSeR9QDF8FC25NwBFWSI0ca2CDN_C6d3EZ8/w1700-h627/Screenshot%202024-03-06%20at%206.15.59%20PM.png" width="1700" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lake Eufaula Dam.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Canadian passes through the dry plains of the Texas Panhandle and far western Oklahoma, the prairies of central Oklahoma, and the forests and mountains of eastern Oklahoma. In the west, water often flows beneath the sand. In the east, the river runs above ground year-round. The bed in the west contains much quicksand, making travel near the river precarious.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Canadian watershed was occupied by several Native Americans, including the Spiro peoples in the east, followed by the Wichita near the river's confluence with the Arkansas, plus the Plains Apache, Comanche and Kiowa in the west.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Upon European arrival, the river was explored by both the Spanish and French. New Mexico's governor Juan de Oñate followed the river onto Oklahoma's western plains in 1601. In 1719 French explorer Bénard de la Harpe traveled from the Kiamichi Mountains in southeastern Oklahoma to the mouth of the Canadian. In 1740 Pierre and Paul Mallet explored the river's entire length, beginning French trade with the Osage and Wichita.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Three major rail bridges cross the Canadian: the first at Logan, New Mexico, where the Union Pacific (formerly Rock Island) heads southwest to El Paso; the second at Slaughterville, Oklahoma, where the BNSF (formerly Santa Fe) works toward to the Arbuckle Mountains and Texas.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyTfKKfH6q4ypHt52pZqspnyu4zpBUZGWeUO-ZH6wMQWmR8qT5JOKfSryeYPI4FZbuDyCm4Gne1jvuYU9UmYYTRE5ypS0MoQEHh__mC5U10JPfrrJBwWopHM3SS4rVK46xsNqmrhg9YxeQPjJLPXpcI1tMugyXfru2wxiWZ6Fc99SsQkdsGcIYsb5PCAr/s3002/Logan%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3002" height="1196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyTfKKfH6q4ypHt52pZqspnyu4zpBUZGWeUO-ZH6wMQWmR8qT5JOKfSryeYPI4FZbuDyCm4Gne1jvuYU9UmYYTRE5ypS0MoQEHh__mC5U10JPfrrJBwWopHM3SS4rVK46xsNqmrhg9YxeQPjJLPXpcI1tMugyXfru2wxiWZ6Fc99SsQkdsGcIYsb5PCAr/w1797-h1196/Logan%202.jpg" width="1797" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Logan, New Mexico.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="1175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzqFCyNmPAQ8iMprnaQI-rsEcPsNNFSHIbOYt94H1cTBN6SuGDUrWhxWxh0sYuvOGSeUIU3l5ZcaC-WlTGGM7Y8rtcxDy4JbE-9oWo4aMU5HwJovsLC4i5gKLP2YZNimHd0ccJG2wvqy7VLnRonP24Wq5tdtNvgO2YKBvw4iK94K6wCTH4_LPgcJPex4E/w1807-h1175/Canadian%201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="1807" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Slaughterville, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzqFCyNmPAQ8iMprnaQI-rsEcPsNNFSHIbOYt94H1cTBN6SuGDUrWhxWxh0sYuvOGSeUIU3l5ZcaC-WlTGGM7Y8rtcxDy4JbE-9oWo4aMU5HwJovsLC4i5gKLP2YZNimHd0ccJG2wvqy7VLnRonP24Wq5tdtNvgO2YKBvw4iK94K6wCTH4_LPgcJPex4E/s3041/Canadian%201.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></b></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The third major rail bridge sits at Canadian, Texas, on the Transcon. Your author has never taken a presentable photograph. Cottonwoods surround and crowd the structure on both sides, and there are no nearby bluffs to provide elevation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">There are actually two bridges, side-by-side, the first constructed as part of the Belen Cut-off in the early 20th century, the second as part of the double-track project from the late 20th to the early 21st century. The following image can be found at <span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.hanson-inc.com/portfolio/BNSF-Canadian-River-bridge-design/96/portfolio-details">https://www.hanson-inc.com/portfolio/BNSF-Canadian-River-bridge-design/96/portfolio-details</a></span>, the website for Hanson Engineering, the company which constructed the second bridge.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8pPEfMFajDisxW75VEryVsbwr9wb0U-WSu8UZxbijRKQp0Pop7kN3Y-riVL7CTRtuRWOFkc-xHgZR8Ew6d_tDVxLObqhFhV-0W05AQ0Fh_G6fTO1oET4O8vE6chswrlwKpYX9Nixxk1cPY04fI71lQgXhDAdVUxKYLsw-dZF3sysdCcE39sd9ZYMnUfED" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="533" height="1031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8pPEfMFajDisxW75VEryVsbwr9wb0U-WSu8UZxbijRKQp0Pop7kN3Y-riVL7CTRtuRWOFkc-xHgZR8Ew6d_tDVxLObqhFhV-0W05AQ0Fh_G6fTO1oET4O8vE6chswrlwKpYX9Nixxk1cPY04fI71lQgXhDAdVUxKYLsw-dZF3sysdCcE39sd9ZYMnUfED=w1374-h1031" width="1374" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The first (original) bridge is behind and below this new structure. The photograph was taken before cottonwoods surrounded both.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Inquiring minds may wonder how a river in the Texas Panhandle came to be called "Canadian." There is no simple answer. In fact, different sources claim different names. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Fremont's map of 1845 calls the river "Goo-al-pah" from the Comanche and Kiowa. I believe that the English translation is "red," a name appropriate for every river in western Oklahoma.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A 1929 article in the <i>Chronicles of Oklahoma </i>by Muriel Wright claims that the river was named about 1820 by Canadians camping along the river's confluence with the Arkansas.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The <i>Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture</i> states that Spanish explorers in the 17th and 18th centuries called it Rio Buenaventura (good fortune) and Magdalena (a female name).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Since the river today is called "Canadian," your author assumes that the Canadians must be responsible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuuGkm7PZqQbe-utXJtj9u-EH8MEELLaq-PskuJLVNeMSUmcETwHZ7VusMzisLac8GhfWl7piQY31nkVv-MQjOIOehImwEOWQ6hoVkBN6-038qZ14EQZNASj5azHurYVCaaJjR2KYniVB6jJA7RSjyh1rXA0bVBY9FOzJ9PXAQQAxCbl133tC3qX0bKcq/s6774/5.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuuGkm7PZqQbe-utXJtj9u-EH8MEELLaq-PskuJLVNeMSUmcETwHZ7VusMzisLac8GhfWl7piQY31nkVv-MQjOIOehImwEOWQ6hoVkBN6-038qZ14EQZNASj5azHurYVCaaJjR2KYniVB6jJA7RSjyh1rXA0bVBY9FOzJ9PXAQQAxCbl133tC3qX0bKcq/w1806-h1196/5.png" width="1806" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks have rolled off the Llano Estacado and are beginning the downhill run through the valley of Red Deer Creek to the Canadian River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW-BXW8poVZ3QhxFRjvmbxPutCPqotQ_MSx1aRAYgdG5zaLAbOIz2DTkYepAEKAW3DNizWzdds9hlw8scecrQIpqqV7sWBjBt3Fa6ySnqAYjsfZLXDSn1ulOJbqzPTTJxqurnEIdT_7ZHQ3vOv5DfTUvcijQAgZKhco7yMLMTb-NijH-ncKO-ovEN_dq9/s6774/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW-BXW8poVZ3QhxFRjvmbxPutCPqotQ_MSx1aRAYgdG5zaLAbOIz2DTkYepAEKAW3DNizWzdds9hlw8scecrQIpqqV7sWBjBt3Fa6ySnqAYjsfZLXDSn1ulOJbqzPTTJxqurnEIdT_7ZHQ3vOv5DfTUvcijQAgZKhco7yMLMTb-NijH-ncKO-ovEN_dq9/w1790-h1186/6.jpg" width="1790" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks approach the tableland of the Llano Estacado.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-size: xx-large;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRGcF1mDGSl0SaKg7uKdPzl5eGA7QPN_obHIgjQSzkenMTIDPx1fwY8EcihIseaoNmQRZO16QBUntJQVgbO-8f7GAwq2WWgY7SyP4Qe5tlXTqY7jaw6hFzYMd75GYCa2JCYRi0yINt5afkobvoDBPNYnTDsAQJYwqXYeCzrUZlOYaolA8wtqrejAaesF9/s3032/6a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3032" height="1177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRGcF1mDGSl0SaKg7uKdPzl5eGA7QPN_obHIgjQSzkenMTIDPx1fwY8EcihIseaoNmQRZO16QBUntJQVgbO-8f7GAwq2WWgY7SyP4Qe5tlXTqY7jaw6hFzYMd75GYCa2JCYRi0yINt5afkobvoDBPNYnTDsAQJYwqXYeCzrUZlOYaolA8wtqrejAaesF9/w1802-h1177/6a.jpg" width="1802" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound at sudown.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">After the United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Major Stephen H. Long concluded his 1821 expedition along the Canadian by declaring this country the "Great American Desert." Obviously, he had never seen the Mojave or the Sonora.</span></span></p><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Traders who knew otherwise established stations along the river. Edwards' Post was erected at the mouth of Little River. In 1834 Colonel Henry Dodge established Camp Holmes. About the same time, Chouteau's Trading Post was built in the Creek Nation near present Lexington, Oklahoma. In 1843 Captain Nathan Boone led dragoons up the Canadian to the 100th Meridian, at that time the United States' western border.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Ten years later came a large party </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">headed by Lieutenant Amiel Weeks Whipple, with instructions from Congress to survey a railroad route to the Pacific Ocean along the 35th parallel, beginning at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and proceeding to the Pacific. This blog discusses their trials and tribulations in five separate articles beginning with: <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/05/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-one.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2021/05/the-land-that-swallows-trains-part-one.html</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As history unfolded, no railroad was constructed along the 35th parallel as far west as New Mexico. Thereafter, significant portions were used by the Santa Fe's transcontinental line to California, operated today by BNSF.</span></p><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5G9rJIAQiRTeeCdJlO_6e17b1QsOVQ725LXAQsrnOJarov3lv0CaCgTjTrjSU20EdkwtPgDcqibFGcNoCPhsr54RuCL1U0Kt6zQ6m5cesg8sVnrbpyp68SbeSf8AwNPG3kH6ysd7mA9EMukX5ZaN1OvAyqeILzeqcTKyDZotU_nYPmVL9jDHoSQo0JICO/s3048/34%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3048" height="1172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5G9rJIAQiRTeeCdJlO_6e17b1QsOVQ725LXAQsrnOJarov3lv0CaCgTjTrjSU20EdkwtPgDcqibFGcNoCPhsr54RuCL1U0Kt6zQ6m5cesg8sVnrbpyp68SbeSf8AwNPG3kH6ysd7mA9EMukX5ZaN1OvAyqeILzeqcTKyDZotU_nYPmVL9jDHoSQo0JICO/w1811-h1172/34%20copy.jpg" width="1811" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The images in this article were taken in late September after heavy rains. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS94sYOPnYHJLvZh4sjM3Oz1FibawVPMn4iblKrPvxtBqok_UJDrk7Wmp7579FEm-yzFalyGsGtYmt6O0ZiXmYMcwhv1RoWA82xXNkz-z5K0D-Ma-oU1vWZmRqV5bGlJ39MO95q3GknAFSTU5qvx4e3TdR_5YfWFnCLuYNw4VVwPGDrjyXB_V_gYky3WAm/s3023/32a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS94sYOPnYHJLvZh4sjM3Oz1FibawVPMn4iblKrPvxtBqok_UJDrk7Wmp7579FEm-yzFalyGsGtYmt6O0ZiXmYMcwhv1RoWA82xXNkz-z5K0D-Ma-oU1vWZmRqV5bGlJ39MO95q3GknAFSTU5qvx4e3TdR_5YfWFnCLuYNw4VVwPGDrjyXB_V_gYky3WAm/w1786-h1172/32a.jpg" width="1786" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound manifest. Merchandise freights are rare on the Transcon. The second track in the background was constructed as part of the double-tracking project in the late 20th century.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxTOlM6zT8gxqZ1R34cxyreBovOm5FvDf-igJEzStVkA2A9UgygWxWVMd2tB7YRadd4pdyMT3xmPb5VMMlJFl6tD50WbD70X486a-JLsZVpDbTr3FU9qE_WlOsVBf5ktvUX4opqCdI5c9jjYANhufMHMdhjYJK2Wa_UE_lZCgTB-5ZhGfC1M4gz8hNgO3/s3020/27a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3020" height="1178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxTOlM6zT8gxqZ1R34cxyreBovOm5FvDf-igJEzStVkA2A9UgygWxWVMd2tB7YRadd4pdyMT3xmPb5VMMlJFl6tD50WbD70X486a-JLsZVpDbTr3FU9qE_WlOsVBf5ktvUX4opqCdI5c9jjYANhufMHMdhjYJK2Wa_UE_lZCgTB-5ZhGfC1M4gz8hNgO3/w1795-h1178/27a.jpg" width="1795" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b> Norfolk Southern power near the confluence of Red Deer Creek and the Canadian River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Transcon crosses the Canadian River on a north-south alignment. To the south is Red Deer Creek. To the north are the stabilized sand dunes prevalent on almost all major rivers flowing southeast out of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. In places the dunes remain unstablized, pure sand. The Transcon passes one such area at the bottom of Curtis Hill in northwestern Oklahoma, where the tracks cross the Cimarron River.</span></div><div><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefOG3OQ9Q9ue33J-zwnLvL479VY0gm6q8N2d8pIz3gao6msbBdPzDWwQGDOW4-58Mve2TvqzSDmv_rcJs5xGrMKYZvdMOiPTMTKLSM5KXo2eTdk9zDoUb91NbojQHYBEI9AG-NuSAqAx7xldtEwobZ52eAcR8kJFI8k5EuCqlpHuSYkRb7wz2n2kLipQN/s3016/Curtis%20Hill%2039.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3016" height="1189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefOG3OQ9Q9ue33J-zwnLvL479VY0gm6q8N2d8pIz3gao6msbBdPzDWwQGDOW4-58Mve2TvqzSDmv_rcJs5xGrMKYZvdMOiPTMTKLSM5KXo2eTdk9zDoUb91NbojQHYBEI9AG-NuSAqAx7xldtEwobZ52eAcR8kJFI8k5EuCqlpHuSYkRb7wz2n2kLipQN/w1802-h1189/Curtis%20Hill%2039.jpg" width="1802" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The open sand dunes of Little Sahara State Park.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The sand was produced at the end of the last Ice Age, around 10,000 years ago, when the massive glaciers in the Colorado Rockies melted almost overnight, releasing torrents of water flowing downstream to the Gulf of Mexico, carrying tiny bits of rock scraped by moving glaciers, plus silt picked up along the way southeast, all of which was deposited along the edges of river beds as the waters receded.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In places, the sand has remained pristine, without vegetation, into the 21st century. Mostly though, native vegetation has taken root, leaving only lumps as evidence of the distant, cataclysmic flooding. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Transcon passes through such lumps north of Canadian.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKxmKiU-gYG8-NPUzvHcQ9zC_6EiMdINohO67ddCYY8U69-q9o5xnwzse71DkLDdfNAgUP8j-0xL6nnJJR0Bx3YWEBaLLVRdahQupWSVgT3rM8s4osWn8wf612SyVxj0-_77zLbplsJFNqgxZ3pv4qrFPWNO9hIwF1LtXqKFu9SIlyfcwoQEfTT6i8bDf/s2989/50.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2989" height="1211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKxmKiU-gYG8-NPUzvHcQ9zC_6EiMdINohO67ddCYY8U69-q9o5xnwzse71DkLDdfNAgUP8j-0xL6nnJJR0Bx3YWEBaLLVRdahQupWSVgT3rM8s4osWn8wf612SyVxj0-_77zLbplsJFNqgxZ3pv4qrFPWNO9hIwF1LtXqKFu9SIlyfcwoQEfTT6i8bDf/w1802-h1211/50.jpg" width="1802" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks climbing through the stablized sand dunes north of Canadian, Texas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b6A8Kjfx-B-LOUjDK51_zZJeyg86cj0njgvm-SrtKN3A-7isOoJjrNNAAd8hSKJ-xid8qeUbLZqwI0FgmfRvW4Otkzo9Ja9oQq_44b1ZvSyZXt6C9QvBsl9a65FBZIwAkzGG-6Uay_LpDyVL3krjqzk2OopRDlZb1C1Y6GL9NBP5k5H1qkMMJuTSC7wq/s3002/57.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3002" height="1202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b6A8Kjfx-B-LOUjDK51_zZJeyg86cj0njgvm-SrtKN3A-7isOoJjrNNAAd8hSKJ-xid8qeUbLZqwI0FgmfRvW4Otkzo9Ja9oQq_44b1ZvSyZXt6C9QvBsl9a65FBZIwAkzGG-6Uay_LpDyVL3krjqzk2OopRDlZb1C1Y6GL9NBP5k5H1qkMMJuTSC7wq/w1805-h1202/57.jpg" width="1805" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Ferrormex pushers.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVnsrhX5B52wNmKahFQq9NNw2ke5R49aQiPcQnH5Wprr5r70z-X_HGemLL0C3JYDMfcrQyY4rgqxux2fY_qGYJJ2GEi-NwLVgowZKNGn0-V62cMOKC3tiuAPX5Iq1srIDRNdmiBr4XoGK2GRQdCZO-BMImP7qBtODrOPzDr50PR5Ks4G_o7-KjP9RK50d/s3088/03800004%20copy%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVnsrhX5B52wNmKahFQq9NNw2ke5R49aQiPcQnH5Wprr5r70z-X_HGemLL0C3JYDMfcrQyY4rgqxux2fY_qGYJJ2GEi-NwLVgowZKNGn0-V62cMOKC3tiuAPX5Iq1srIDRNdmiBr4XoGK2GRQdCZO-BMImP7qBtODrOPzDr50PR5Ks4G_o7-KjP9RK50d/w1801-h1193/03800004%20copy%202.jpg" width="1801" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A "meet" in the stabilized sand dunes.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Those who have never seen the Texas Panhandle think of it as flat, treeless and boring. And part is flat -- the Llano Estacado -- an immense plateau stretching several hundred miles from southwest to northeast, but it is never boring. Crossing the Llano is like crossing the ocean, with the same likelihood of storms and disorientation, and few call the ocean boring. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Llano was described by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado in a letter to the king of Spain in October 20, 1541: </span></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I reached some plains so vast, that I did not find their limit anywhere I went, although I traveled over them for more than 300 leagues . . . with no more land marks than if we had been swallowed up by the sea . . . . there was not a stone, nor bit of rising ground, nor a tree, nor a shrub, nor anything to go by.</span></p></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Canadian River roughly separates the Llano from the northern High Plains, which are like a normal landscape pulled and stretched to gigantic proportions. A hill is climbed in miles. A valley is the same. Trees cluster in lowlands, which collect moisture. </span></p><div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And everywhere visible is the horizon. This is the original country of the big sky. Everything is huge: land, people, railroads, dreams, ideas, mistakes -- everything.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESyruo_OP-kw6Jj4TLwiZm7fzQJqTMwHvyB_kCG4jNro7EtVIq5JY2_f8C2y6d7-dNOllx6kPGb2dvurot8JflfoLJSd2CIyfWP4QBoilMtauGaqc8e7eA3nu_Fx2R4JsQqtFkFgfdoP5hSdOuxpJRxVsyU6z0Eve1uVFiQqyGj6BbyMHxq5wgmY6mBcy/s6774/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESyruo_OP-kw6Jj4TLwiZm7fzQJqTMwHvyB_kCG4jNro7EtVIq5JY2_f8C2y6d7-dNOllx6kPGb2dvurot8JflfoLJSd2CIyfWP4QBoilMtauGaqc8e7eA3nu_Fx2R4JsQqtFkFgfdoP5hSdOuxpJRxVsyU6z0Eve1uVFiQqyGj6BbyMHxq5wgmY6mBcy/w1806-h1196/12.jpg" width="1806" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound attacking the grade to Amarillo.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIJ1dpL3vNyTAqya-Q2hE91rr-ejNi3dEgL8dKp4S5-sQGk9hZSg-wsEhyphenhyphenOa0nn6oEJ6vzTRx47DlHwNRO9S7mcowd62WqQvR7I5h3sVXVHdZ7ORLcpFQ7dQHHf2cQjPgyIOB6nRS3f9gpGVano9ZwEtku3sF6TgajRMU1z5dKpx5Jjfm7z1Fux6L83ak/s2959/36.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="2959" height="1239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIJ1dpL3vNyTAqya-Q2hE91rr-ejNi3dEgL8dKp4S5-sQGk9hZSg-wsEhyphenhyphenOa0nn6oEJ6vzTRx47DlHwNRO9S7mcowd62WqQvR7I5h3sVXVHdZ7ORLcpFQ7dQHHf2cQjPgyIOB6nRS3f9gpGVano9ZwEtku3sF6TgajRMU1z5dKpx5Jjfm7z1Fux6L83ak/w1810-h1239/36.jpg" width="1810" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the valley of the Canadian River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Biggest of all is the prairie fire, which can rise from the grassland like hands of the devil. In the 21st century, such fires are rare because of land conservation and fire prevention. Even so, with the right circumstances -- heat, wind and sparks -- smoke can darken the sky for hundreds of miles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A fire can be started by a lightning strike, a campfire, a cigarette, sparks from a train, a charcoal grill -- almost anything.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When the country was home to the Comanche, migratory warriors, a range fire was as common as sunrise. The natives used fire to keep the High Plains free of brush. Unlike bushes, which are killed, grass grows back rapidly in burnt pasture. The Comanche also used fire as an offensive weapon against other tribes and white invaders.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">If you have not seen a prairie fire, you should, especially at night. The spectacle will quickly reveal your insignificance in the cosmos.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Following is a description of one such fire from 1856: </span></p></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The first disastrous fire . . . came from the northwest and those who witnessed the spectacle say that it had the appearance of a wall of flame.</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A stiff breeze was blowing, which caught up burning wisps of grass and carried them in advance, constantly starting new fires. </span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In this way, the Coon River and other streams were crossed. The tall slough grass was dry enough to burn like tinder and the people soon came to realize that all efforts to fight the fire would prove futile. Therefore, they fled from their homes to save their lives, leaving practically everything to the flames.</span></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Wild animals in great numbers also fled before the fire, but the domestic animals were not endowed with sufficient instinct to save themselves, and many perished. A few families were rendered homeless and all the settlers suffered by the destruction of their crops. <a href="https://www.thegraphic-advocate.com/content/preserving-past-prairie-fires-1856-and-beyond">https://www.thegraphic-advocate.com/content/preserving-past-prairie-fires-1856-and-beyond</a></span></p></div></blockquote><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyFErUPgQ3rHE9s5wLtqjRccOt9J87sVCWT2euVaNg-H6SudXaaW5uZrkLbpBl6U1L06IFgMrgq17i63XhghF1wCtOhC1kEZmCATLin2OIVcG25ASyNXi5DyLEk8jORgqyrtfg0ASEQTsydswMDkUbyR3ZRauos3dZ65dV0Q-HM2PGj82C-CscX20LBj3/s6774/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyFErUPgQ3rHE9s5wLtqjRccOt9J87sVCWT2euVaNg-H6SudXaaW5uZrkLbpBl6U1L06IFgMrgq17i63XhghF1wCtOhC1kEZmCATLin2OIVcG25ASyNXi5DyLEk8jORgqyrtfg0ASEQTsydswMDkUbyR3ZRauos3dZ65dV0Q-HM2PGj82C-CscX20LBj3/w1807-h1197/20.jpg" width="1807" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Near the Canadian River, the Transcon is almost inaccessible. This location requires driving several miles on oil field roads that appear to run in circles. It took your author about an hour to find this spot and another to find his way out.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgt1xmlrIoYFfa_yhLG9cJAJK2o5I_MOLqmRJ0gk20qRqmB5FCclT7ElaMP8nFqsCp8p4Yz814IpMBeypQ4TMMyLxgY7djLzVQGhDz88FTQBMakLo__YVZhgfqpRI4tafv1MvPtnj61NP9C8E0o1xfupRDneS_PL0gzXfR99eLHFQLBy11hCWHVtOoj7z/s6774/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgt1xmlrIoYFfa_yhLG9cJAJK2o5I_MOLqmRJ0gk20qRqmB5FCclT7ElaMP8nFqsCp8p4Yz814IpMBeypQ4TMMyLxgY7djLzVQGhDz88FTQBMakLo__YVZhgfqpRI4tafv1MvPtnj61NP9C8E0o1xfupRDneS_PL0gzXfR99eLHFQLBy11hCWHVtOoj7z/w1810-h1199/24.jpg" width="1810" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This location required a long hike.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-ffhOvbV0FnINT0Cyh0Dt3uHpCn_kJOH7gLZ9CCDfVrHNUr7uE8LxpzkF540Rxag4YhLa_fvWKDfw6GbDQvNQhfK4W58k8R4NiEgerJhZGIBVLSB3FEv7iZP5JSR5btlbDJZJKRhhLzgZTclmLsFqBIqLfTCpcuvRhATCG7awk9aJjM9SkD7rlUdZ2ZE/s6774/25.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-ffhOvbV0FnINT0Cyh0Dt3uHpCn_kJOH7gLZ9CCDfVrHNUr7uE8LxpzkF540Rxag4YhLa_fvWKDfw6GbDQvNQhfK4W58k8R4NiEgerJhZGIBVLSB3FEv7iZP5JSR5btlbDJZJKRhhLzgZTclmLsFqBIqLfTCpcuvRhATCG7awk9aJjM9SkD7rlUdZ2ZE/w1807-h1197/25.jpg" width="1807" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cottonwoods line the banks of Red Deer Creek.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Prairie fires are not simply historical curiosities. On February 27th, 2024, the Texas Panhandle began burning along the Transcon near Canadian. The town was evacuated before sundown. The cause of the fire was, and remains, unknown, but the conflagration was abetted by fierce winds (gusts of 50 mph and more), low humidity (around 15 percent) and high temperatures (80 degrees fahrenheit or greater) -- an unusual day in February even by the standards of that part of the world. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">BNSF held the Q-LACNWH6-23 in downtown Canadian, while Z-WSPPHX2-26 was holding just west of Higgins, TX. Train Z-WSPLAC2-26 stopped at Shattuck, Oklahoma. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Seven eastbound trains stopped on the mailine west of Pampa, Texas. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Before sundown, BNSF called the fire train out of Amarillo to fight fires along the tracks. On the morning of the 28th, a second fire train ran, with a third behind it that afternoon. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Despite the railroad's efforts, the Main Two bridge (the original structure) over the Canadian River caught fire and required repair. Another small bridge at MP 459.8 on Main Two also burned. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On February 28th, BNSF detoured two westbound Z trains out of Newton, Kansas, to Hutchinson, Kansas, where they transferred to UP's Golden State Route to Vaughn, New Mexico. At Vaughn, the trains made a back up move off the UP to the BNSF to go on west. (The connection at Vaughn is set up only for BNSF trains to run south to El Paso.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">BNSF detoured several westbound trains off the Transcon south at Augusta, Kansas, on the Red Rock Sub to Fort Worth, where they turned west via Wichita Falls to Amarillo and back on the mainline. Eastbounds took the reverse route. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The fire burned over 1,000,000 acres (about the size of Delaware), the largest in Texas history. Dark red smoke blew east across most of Oklahoma, making your author in Oklahoma City think that a dust storm was approaching.</span></p><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXQnAy3yqEQZnbfw2hKiTyCc5uPPYRyoHVTIkp2MYStWKCtca2yucl8qas0XtUyd_mcLfTNxC6S_lqCBO0gQFPy-_12DUSPO8Zjkd1kABSMLnXeb0m_bitbhztkh_rzEgm1am-ildR9NdOzzuafHEhSPv20aNx-tELkjYIFM5lxgCuntgilAKaynHC5tD/s3017/38a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3017" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXQnAy3yqEQZnbfw2hKiTyCc5uPPYRyoHVTIkp2MYStWKCtca2yucl8qas0XtUyd_mcLfTNxC6S_lqCBO0gQFPy-_12DUSPO8Zjkd1kABSMLnXeb0m_bitbhztkh_rzEgm1am-ildR9NdOzzuafHEhSPv20aNx-tELkjYIFM5lxgCuntgilAKaynHC5tD/w1807-h1191/38a.jpg" width="1807" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This westbound is climbing the 0.6 percent grade through the valley of Red Deer Creek.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>g</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13ohfDN0E-PsYEHpfaskafalGNsm5LXCEZzJDge4Ysc_l3qUz6j9lx_Z2XQfn0fmpLvjt_f3DErwKOQ7kt96tLmZFFW8Wtm5k9qyrabiFfDpx4TCrLctYaMANBgxOxiU4qXIxvyl3LusSw5iyrBp3WB5-c2ZCt3WqvQmXVohDX3YlaiuB_hcTkKCMQNqi/s6352/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4464" data-original-width="6352" height="1268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13ohfDN0E-PsYEHpfaskafalGNsm5LXCEZzJDge4Ysc_l3qUz6j9lx_Z2XQfn0fmpLvjt_f3DErwKOQ7kt96tLmZFFW8Wtm5k9qyrabiFfDpx4TCrLctYaMANBgxOxiU4qXIxvyl3LusSw5iyrBp3WB5-c2ZCt3WqvQmXVohDX3YlaiuB_hcTkKCMQNqi/w1804-h1268/15.jpg" width="1804" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YbsKHo6RmHTR537zDGuXQSs4To0WfdmLzY2BJqgU7bdTjoHVsV4_HquZaqomVDjR5rpzxe3Ct5sWfz1JohvsphFfbfVi-q1EjimnUlQoLrZfK9jEljmfA0dcs-PP48SgL2No1BdjafkhcRKCa3_4VEBW5u4YhXd4KiYFCvw88epdpp-2abmCwcCo2r-w/s6774/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YbsKHo6RmHTR537zDGuXQSs4To0WfdmLzY2BJqgU7bdTjoHVsV4_HquZaqomVDjR5rpzxe3Ct5sWfz1JohvsphFfbfVi-q1EjimnUlQoLrZfK9jEljmfA0dcs-PP48SgL2No1BdjafkhcRKCa3_4VEBW5u4YhXd4KiYFCvw88epdpp-2abmCwcCo2r-w/w1803-h1194/17.jpg" width="1803" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mid-trains on one of BNSF's 10,000 feet monsters.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ScT75W4IOJ1nuBp1qc05VwRdy86ObBf1fvym3tyilYb4hDGk2Qivdn_Ow1HwGbE9F-2ss_blIsOPHpA2PM4gB7ZNAy2ackT33olb6gc2Mqr6VlBmiJL0T-7o1qZ3VsW_2TnDIQgHkyJZBGuK_jABd48_Ko6UaaQCfj1E9S2AAeOot7qVNWOhCf6vYKKR/s6774/19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ScT75W4IOJ1nuBp1qc05VwRdy86ObBf1fvym3tyilYb4hDGk2Qivdn_Ow1HwGbE9F-2ss_blIsOPHpA2PM4gB7ZNAy2ackT33olb6gc2Mqr6VlBmiJL0T-7o1qZ3VsW_2TnDIQgHkyJZBGuK_jABd48_Ko6UaaQCfj1E9S2AAeOot7qVNWOhCf6vYKKR/w1800-h1192/19.jpg" width="1800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Oil and gas are the lifeblood here.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the Texas Panhandle, the Canadian River flows through some of the more interesting geology in North American. The oldest rocks exposed here and there along the Transcon are the Permian Red Beds, occupying the High Plains of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico, and extending into the Intermountain West. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The red beds acquired their color from rusted metallic minerals in relatively soft rocks that erode in flakes, with the oldest layers on the bottom, younger layers above. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The area is also home to limestone or dolomite, created when a </span><span style="font-family: arial;">sea stretched from the Arctic Ocean near Alaska, across what are now Canada and the United States, entering the Pacific Ocean in Mexico. Because it</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> formed from organic material such as plankton, shelled animals, algae, and corals, Dolomite is extremely hard and resists erosion.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As the climate fluctuated over millions of years, the level of the inland sea rose and fell. When the water dropped, saltwater was trapped in low lying basins, then evaporated, leaving behind salt and organic material from dead plants and animals, which over more millions of years formed beds of gypsum within the Permian red beds. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Today, when water flows over gypsum, salt dissolves, which is why the Canadian River tastes salty. (Yes, your author has sampled the water.)</span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCoKgsV8PQxdjzS6Bi5aFLadsluO8V5itauT72TSP9j9ZYQotvksS1vK0-RLib8Iuyn-mC7kaXg3ai8dC04cz_28au-GPwVQ5mt5pNuWy15iQ3HZ9L7DaHrtKwZmVx5YrSJhbReoUK1eFi2RFLvdUXevC00kvFEAWbDGst7lxH3QrVNcxCrTNFTHN-hds/s3002/36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3002" height="1206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCoKgsV8PQxdjzS6Bi5aFLadsluO8V5itauT72TSP9j9ZYQotvksS1vK0-RLib8Iuyn-mC7kaXg3ai8dC04cz_28au-GPwVQ5mt5pNuWy15iQ3HZ9L7DaHrtKwZmVx5YrSJhbReoUK1eFi2RFLvdUXevC00kvFEAWbDGst7lxH3QrVNcxCrTNFTHN-hds/w1812-h1206/36.jpg" width="1812" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound in the valley of Red Deer Creek. The bluffs in the background are the edge of the Llano Estacado, and the Caprock is formed from caliche, </b></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>a hardened natural cement of calcium carbonate that binds other materials—such as gravel, sand, clay, and silt. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqjMLND5pZueXVkEynFT0XaLC3p_mu7DOOA5ujIS6XOdni3lRt5a1LD53gAnjXFpQnxy2T0r83raLKt_FVfIhTO77Gw9BTL0GI8E2ZWp_rNvINvZnlFvodTt8SBz7Jqe1qkao82_VqkD7u2kVchZZqJrHsniO5AAGZTPSjh29dHLlBjJydnlqjfdsOT3j/s3040/31a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3040" height="1172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqjMLND5pZueXVkEynFT0XaLC3p_mu7DOOA5ujIS6XOdni3lRt5a1LD53gAnjXFpQnxy2T0r83raLKt_FVfIhTO77Gw9BTL0GI8E2ZWp_rNvINvZnlFvodTt8SBz7Jqe1qkao82_VqkD7u2kVchZZqJrHsniO5AAGZTPSjh29dHLlBjJydnlqjfdsOT3j/w1803-h1172/31a.jpg" width="1803" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Autos headed west.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Caliche occurs across the globe in arid or semiarid regions -- central and western Australia, the High Plains of the western United States, the Sonoran, Chihuahuan and Mojave Deserts, eastern Saudi Arabia and Chile. The term is Spanish, originally from the Latin "calx," meaning lime.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Caliche generally forms where annual precipitation is less than 26 inches per year and the annual mean temperature exceeds 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant roots excrete carbon dioxide, releasing calcium carbonate trapped in the soil and rocks to dissolve as calcium bicarbonate. Where rainfall is adequate but not excessive, the bicarbonate is carried further down where there are no plant roots. (Too much rain leaches the calcium completely out of the soil. Too little does not release it.) The bicarbonate then reverts to insoluble carbonate and mixes with clay, sand and silt, first forming grains, then clumps, then a layer, and finally a thick, solid bed, as hard as concrete. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Because caliche does not easily erode, the soil above and surrounding it washes away over thousands and millions of years, leaving the natural cement as the top of the broad and flat mesas seen throughout the High Plains, looking down upon the eroded countryside, often river valleys. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhuveFn6WsxM9rLnoEAhSbXE9fKNTFVyYyUcERboEV-fQbmPHMEj-oezEDdUq7JpmLn62OSk7QvFofbJQdCtJe_t5n0y6dEYeixVYoVXSCwRDxR5p6l8JUGhDMtBUtvuqDc89YZeuUHIN4XOg_c19b09R_hyphenhypheneNDEy9T0S3wrte4vBbhCbIsxhvredhsqi/s6774/11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhuveFn6WsxM9rLnoEAhSbXE9fKNTFVyYyUcERboEV-fQbmPHMEj-oezEDdUq7JpmLn62OSk7QvFofbJQdCtJe_t5n0y6dEYeixVYoVXSCwRDxR5p6l8JUGhDMtBUtvuqDc89YZeuUHIN4XOg_c19b09R_hyphenhypheneNDEy9T0S3wrte4vBbhCbIsxhvredhsqi/w1812-h1200/11.jpg" width="1812" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The photographer is standing along the edge of the Llano Estacado, looking down into the valley of Red Deer Creek. A portion of the hard caliche (the Caprock) is visible in the foreground.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The contrast between the Llano and the valley of the Transcon is striking. Your author saw it for the first time when driving northeast from New Mexico through Amarillo on U.S. 60. The highway is board flat, and the land stretches in all directions to a flat horizon. This is perfect geography for high speed rail -- no hills, no curves, just straight flat running for hundreds of miles. Of course, almost no one lives here, so the magnificent high speed trains would be empty.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Northeast of Amarillo, the highway drops suddenly off the Caprock. The valley appears out of nowhere, without warning, like Canyon Diablo in northeast Arizona. The tableland is behind, as though you have left the ocean and are standing now on dry land. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The highway in the valley follows the Transcon to Miami, then climbs up the bluffs, while the tracks disappear behind cottonwoods. In the short drive to Miami, however, you will almost certainly have seen trains on the busy Transcon.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Then you reach Canadian, Texas, and cross the river, and you will feel that you are approaching civilization. But you will be mistaken. You are on the High Plains, not flat just stretched out like bread dough, and you will keep driving and driving and driving across Texas, western Oklahoma and Kansas -- an apparently limitless and virtually uninhabited land. Though the Llano Estacado has disappeared in the rear view mirror, the horizon in front continues to outrun you, as though infinite, and you will recognize for the first time the fantastic size of a country not yet old enough to recognize itself. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my other posts, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-26348268738538058752024-02-27T14:08:00.000-06:002024-02-27T14:08:54.175-06:00Sundown: Part Three<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwp_yVp8VeFWvaSpa97G__dKQm-Jq7qGouz_qikvSo_x-yqdtOT61l1Sg0ALQopeo5aMldJVSeIN1fFxI6cx2MY1t3k7LGmgQxON-Gu9y7iSN3VzRX_YK1UgqEhRKuTiJZfwzI1Nxcx9CoWgWNMHmMlfpsdWWxzCr4ORB6sSBSj3HWwaQEOv0J9GutZWKj/s2523/52.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2523" data-original-width="2378" height="1241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwp_yVp8VeFWvaSpa97G__dKQm-Jq7qGouz_qikvSo_x-yqdtOT61l1Sg0ALQopeo5aMldJVSeIN1fFxI6cx2MY1t3k7LGmgQxON-Gu9y7iSN3VzRX_YK1UgqEhRKuTiJZfwzI1Nxcx9CoWgWNMHmMlfpsdWWxzCr4ORB6sSBSj3HWwaQEOv0J9GutZWKj/w1171-h1241/52.jpg" width="1171" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Aikman, Kansas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When I was young, I liked to rise before dawn and watch the sun climb slowly above the eastern horizon. I liked to watch the world come slowly awake, as though each morning were a resurrection of everything good and proper.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Now that I am old, the thought of rising before dawn makes me shudder, the same reaction I have when thinking of debilitating diseases like Parkinson's or cancer. Now I like to watch the sun drop slowly below the western horizon. No more resurrections for me. Now the end of each day closes another chapter in the disorganization of my life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Dusk is when a train's whistle sounds the most plaintive. Dusk is when I marvel that 19th century technology is still going strong in the 21st. Dusk is when, occasionally, my thoughts coalesce into something close to consensus, and I realize that the peace and tranquility of sunset should be desired. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As Ernest Hemingway is reported to have said: "I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know?”</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Flint Hills</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Because of the lack of trees, the Flint Hills of central Kansas produce some of the world's greatest sunsets. The wind may have blown all day, but at dusk it ceases, and you can hear the prairie birds calling across the bluestem grass. In the far distance, the faint sound of a train emerges like a dim echo, growing steadily more insistent. If you are standing beside the lone cantilever signal at Aikman (gone now these many years), you adjust your tripod for what you hope will<b> </b>justify all the waiting in the sun and wind.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEM8Bo488_7TGNOT-BeTu7cYGjZSci-BADiqt59WHcLM4zHXlo_pm7jPsrEMGIXu2XQLVquMDCPvdvPTjpNBHWUuFTIGfDH9HFdTuGinnEBQ58uwAHmakkJLktx6eabiW4eHf6f650LRvNFYhpjMU6JW1GkREobxPVe2Cecj6GHpAPjqiNWMuhgHAuGbI/s2968/31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="2968" height="1251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEM8Bo488_7TGNOT-BeTu7cYGjZSci-BADiqt59WHcLM4zHXlo_pm7jPsrEMGIXu2XQLVquMDCPvdvPTjpNBHWUuFTIGfDH9HFdTuGinnEBQ58uwAHmakkJLktx6eabiW4eHf6f650LRvNFYhpjMU6JW1GkREobxPVe2Cecj6GHpAPjqiNWMuhgHAuGbI/w1836-h1251/31.jpg" width="1836" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound Roadrailer at Aikman, Kansas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOcwI9v2fM88H-_x3wnx9TzGmKU6hoWJ_7tLByi2cDFTxWIQuAXShEDnxxJmxuktwV3TTBpHMvdgeaaa6UG9sJiBLeyR0nVpcN-sblZYWFlJV6NQusuTTJUQ49s3mUP_lNWSb_NM0WUfFXFAH7yIYDrOk-V_s7CZUmokzk3Ill0UxKIbGnCe9pIYwc2qk/s3032/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3032" height="1195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOcwI9v2fM88H-_x3wnx9TzGmKU6hoWJ_7tLByi2cDFTxWIQuAXShEDnxxJmxuktwV3TTBpHMvdgeaaa6UG9sJiBLeyR0nVpcN-sblZYWFlJV6NQusuTTJUQ49s3mUP_lNWSb_NM0WUfFXFAH7yIYDrOk-V_s7CZUmokzk3Ill0UxKIbGnCe9pIYwc2qk/w1829-h1195/32.jpg" width="1829" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound and southbound meet at Aikman.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn02ekTO8lB4ScEuW7C93KX5x5NH0Bfg3Cis9mvr7GJPdGix6o_WGrpxAAWym8T9TFdpUP5TOafZzmRiNOsyvs7kVr4K_8lfKSadBxddvIzFYTGlLOJM9Mw8my-VseDy0l02SYa4w0DidzSMDRS8zAA07tm-LpoYnEYkq0icFE8BJZQuD2V-fmcxf_GYru/s3011/47.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3011" height="1212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn02ekTO8lB4ScEuW7C93KX5x5NH0Bfg3Cis9mvr7GJPdGix6o_WGrpxAAWym8T9TFdpUP5TOafZzmRiNOsyvs7kVr4K_8lfKSadBxddvIzFYTGlLOJM9Mw8my-VseDy0l02SYa4w0DidzSMDRS8zAA07tm-LpoYnEYkq0icFE8BJZQuD2V-fmcxf_GYru/w1828-h1212/47.jpg" width="1828" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flashing FRED.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GvqhE1nGbQ-lMKuMN1faESiRxUkZW47K83gLloIIa1etdUgSfOYgWGoLIrq32aciXRHD2bgFmVimwXtdYYrSzI_sHk-KivTzDTopypkRA6ZYzjstIL4UyQV4E_50yWwtKYO0Uwp5r282Sm-Oq83vr0Kxq4wOabCvqQdO69nfXfC7fISwiwmC9XT7vDeg/s3046/49.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3046" height="1183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GvqhE1nGbQ-lMKuMN1faESiRxUkZW47K83gLloIIa1etdUgSfOYgWGoLIrq32aciXRHD2bgFmVimwXtdYYrSzI_sHk-KivTzDTopypkRA6ZYzjstIL4UyQV4E_50yWwtKYO0Uwp5r282Sm-Oq83vr0Kxq4wOabCvqQdO69nfXfC7fISwiwmC9XT7vDeg/w1829-h1183/49.jpg" width="1829" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The sun sets on the Flint Hills.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>St. Louis and San Francisco</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Once railroad consolidation started in earnest, the Frisco never stood a chance. The Burlington Northern swallowed the smaller line like a bear eating a minnow.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A relatively small, regional line serving mostly Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri, this road ran beautiful red and white engines, always clean, over well-maintained roadbed. Living in Oklahoma City, I always looked forward to the daily morning freight from Tulsa, which usually came through the valley of the Deep Fork River about 10:00 a.m.</span></p><p><b><br /></b></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScqBLDr6fQ-An2rCgPx4sFhgORzQ6gq6G5BGuZ8GHdliRpqhZg5kaabk61-vs7yvx8rbESO7f-f1EBzlm5pye-yvCB1_lLdiw0PBAs-llCrfH3LNMbiEmDMi5Vn6_FtGBGNPdB86qi8KIhUE2UY-hQrkB-LGJ6Hjicvx0Nzu5NyAsHYc1dAqfTTduOi3V/s3026/Frisco%2012.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3026" height="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScqBLDr6fQ-An2rCgPx4sFhgORzQ6gq6G5BGuZ8GHdliRpqhZg5kaabk61-vs7yvx8rbESO7f-f1EBzlm5pye-yvCB1_lLdiw0PBAs-llCrfH3LNMbiEmDMi5Vn6_FtGBGNPdB86qi8KIhUE2UY-hQrkB-LGJ6Hjicvx0Nzu5NyAsHYc1dAqfTTduOi3V/w1829-h1200/Frisco%2012.jpg" width="1829" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northeast from Oklahoma City to Tulsa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUOHmQEM7Hij-VP-QEoJbo7iuraNKSCxS1A3WQ5PwStnZsxWpfL9La6qb9nJbDY0FTsJP2Ksuw7mvGq5cy0cz3AVsFR2X7iuvmUfO2Ph_i3Hri9yOW5dw_1WXeOI3TJasnuhtqsCOHTUqhrsKsNzq8bKnZonMVdiQYxJqdVX6GUniHkDaX0eeLfpT8bR5/s3021/Frisco%2020.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3021" height="1207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUOHmQEM7Hij-VP-QEoJbo7iuraNKSCxS1A3WQ5PwStnZsxWpfL9La6qb9nJbDY0FTsJP2Ksuw7mvGq5cy0cz3AVsFR2X7iuvmUfO2Ph_i3Hri9yOW5dw_1WXeOI3TJasnuhtqsCOHTUqhrsKsNzq8bKnZonMVdiQYxJqdVX6GUniHkDaX0eeLfpT8bR5/w1840-h1207/Frisco%2020.jpg" width="1840" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound approaching the Red River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fjx345v0bKEaEoTov8MDia9LEKJmxTRGneq_mIZb4Z4Ul5oGbqwOzIwsdWFCpdZxP5MY8C7fe6EbqQByMFeAhcwddqSmTBXCcHOJSnCJl_HjW6mT1xIRpG9FqCsQGMqMXQCruAb0pT3Y-xrcVFUF5fx_wT8VO5Fm1qoWw2cislKdPu8jBa-ShAaWfY6X/s2998/Frisco%2030.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2998" height="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1fjx345v0bKEaEoTov8MDia9LEKJmxTRGneq_mIZb4Z4Ul5oGbqwOzIwsdWFCpdZxP5MY8C7fe6EbqQByMFeAhcwddqSmTBXCcHOJSnCJl_HjW6mT1xIRpG9FqCsQGMqMXQCruAb0pT3Y-xrcVFUF5fx_wT8VO5Fm1qoWw2cislKdPu8jBa-ShAaWfY6X/w1839-h1230/Frisco%2030.jpg" width="1839" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Oklahoma City.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERfSvmxD07AbOOFCvNm84-2YKWUxfogLs1_3atnnM0-dZpPRGLzM0O0pqw-JG1AwpicvVIqpzo_fPnwmPyOw6J4ehQRAxoSm0415hQGU0kcN4RB-K6Lq_-bt22Vbcx2XLGyI3i8r3q8wcR617Zn-wW6M1HzAwzaWNee5l0bWSJUtGiYTs7S_MVzz0h1KD/s2876/Frisco%2040.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="2086" data-original-width="2876" height="1329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERfSvmxD07AbOOFCvNm84-2YKWUxfogLs1_3atnnM0-dZpPRGLzM0O0pqw-JG1AwpicvVIqpzo_fPnwmPyOw6J4ehQRAxoSm0415hQGU0kcN4RB-K6Lq_-bt22Vbcx2XLGyI3i8r3q8wcR617Zn-wW6M1HzAwzaWNee5l0bWSJUtGiYTs7S_MVzz0h1KD/w1833-h1329/Frisco%2040.jpg" width="1833" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More Oklahoma City. The cotton gin is long gone, and the area is unrecognizable today.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nqf48rmjn0vnprXhbtfyumRhQe9NqX_SBpgJmkkJcRFKwbBZp0F9lxEHjKVslsvO2bkS-bjYNmFZo2dKIiOuBAfEjgAHm6vZeZYOlp3M3NcCV07-076QLfPrToW49IqNDCKkOh_9mXwWUMdy_Gb5ykXKUQtxT1swOld8Ty2IsQNxmfVPIi4GalMj90un/s3008/Frisco%2042.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nqf48rmjn0vnprXhbtfyumRhQe9NqX_SBpgJmkkJcRFKwbBZp0F9lxEHjKVslsvO2bkS-bjYNmFZo2dKIiOuBAfEjgAHm6vZeZYOlp3M3NcCV07-076QLfPrToW49IqNDCKkOh_9mXwWUMdy_Gb5ykXKUQtxT1swOld8Ty2IsQNxmfVPIi4GalMj90un/w1836-h1216/Frisco%2042.jpg" width="1836" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tulsa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gallup, New Mexico</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Gallup is a dusty town in far western New Mexico, the gateway to the canyon of the Rio Puerco of the West. (There is also a Rio Puerco on the eastern side of the Continental Divide.). Trains on the BNSF Trascon race through day and night. Like most small places in the West, the town follows the tracks. Near the Arizona border, the BNSF runs through a deep and magnificent sandstone canyon.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ5dycvu55brKvGs-LOMrLgJPDqkfB2li_zz3K1aNM1J4lyBdFEHpHjTrONPOltT7pUZSqi_oTAU_7HF028rPNg1EKQSpaB-0fgpGttuk8t-zN3cp8aQdCi7vhIbP82X7mlY6FyFUA-8jHghXTQ_Ft5dInOtgyz3FPKzkeB3EtX7VpavfN0dc11PCkbhS/s3176/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1889" data-original-width="3176" height="1087" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ5dycvu55brKvGs-LOMrLgJPDqkfB2li_zz3K1aNM1J4lyBdFEHpHjTrONPOltT7pUZSqi_oTAU_7HF028rPNg1EKQSpaB-0fgpGttuk8t-zN3cp8aQdCi7vhIbP82X7mlY6FyFUA-8jHghXTQ_Ft5dInOtgyz3FPKzkeB3EtX7VpavfN0dc11PCkbhS/w1831-h1087/21.jpg" width="1831" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Two stack trains meet west of Gallup.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAA-3EKRAx1nHINJPbs18ygitDwPd0_A5jnb5trniXKHE55Hs7qIxmH-ulzcGDDiIzsYXO3b-lHVkRMXJry1S6txal9vwRJ3QInFQvG-g6FkNC43RLEYKxzfk4rdFu67gqLW8WjYyk_JLV7rphyphenhypheneeAHPP0FiQ-bwVs1HcLMBkp1iwp6q7pxZot7gozy2G/s3152/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="3152" height="1106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAA-3EKRAx1nHINJPbs18ygitDwPd0_A5jnb5trniXKHE55Hs7qIxmH-ulzcGDDiIzsYXO3b-lHVkRMXJry1S6txal9vwRJ3QInFQvG-g6FkNC43RLEYKxzfk4rdFu67gqLW8WjYyk_JLV7rphyphenhypheneeAHPP0FiQ-bwVs1HcLMBkp1iwp6q7pxZot7gozy2G/w1833-h1106/32.jpg" width="1833" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound trailers deep in the canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q9y1pXVQ0phj2R7z9P0W6SrkayccfApjI2cqdIZwQrzT_UnzD6qit1ToNTHQrICPM4CQTDfMEwlZeNgwRqyRkZWcPnFCUY-jbXimhvpRlt_XdaMstVTVRubeL6fRZxLwJI1PITT1AwZo1v9GrP19Vc2GdH8zK7FY5ht5TZqsrj37XqECYXNhyHt3vm5p/s3013/69.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="1206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q9y1pXVQ0phj2R7z9P0W6SrkayccfApjI2cqdIZwQrzT_UnzD6qit1ToNTHQrICPM4CQTDfMEwlZeNgwRqyRkZWcPnFCUY-jbXimhvpRlt_XdaMstVTVRubeL6fRZxLwJI1PITT1AwZo1v9GrP19Vc2GdH8zK7FY5ht5TZqsrj37XqECYXNhyHt3vm5p/w1828-h1206/69.jpg" width="1828" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Late-running Amtrak at the border of New Mexico and Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Glendo, Wyoming</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Coming south from the coal mines of the Powder River Basin, BNSF trains run through the tiny village of Glendo, perched in the plain above the North Platte River like a small bird on a telephone line. The tracks run along the edge of Glendo Reservoir, and the mountains to the west look down in absolute silence. Thunderstorms are frequent in this solitary land, and at sundown amazing rainbows can appear and disappear without warning.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaLLbVkIZIskaNfxpX-B6FQtf6um6TGubsvWLVauoIz7MzsAnkhSLj9raxDpWl5VDK9o8j68oXvA-yhnA2FkhCyPN2hOv40KFcrTFUANQ3wPowsqz0LHiQnDfUt7EWRrX_SWfK5jPdGBhBwpgfkBdRXprx_1BTqZY15FxZ7j9m-0vlxqA9l3CnlsbwZCL/s3046/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3046" height="1184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaLLbVkIZIskaNfxpX-B6FQtf6um6TGubsvWLVauoIz7MzsAnkhSLj9raxDpWl5VDK9o8j68oXvA-yhnA2FkhCyPN2hOv40KFcrTFUANQ3wPowsqz0LHiQnDfUt7EWRrX_SWfK5jPdGBhBwpgfkBdRXprx_1BTqZY15FxZ7j9m-0vlxqA9l3CnlsbwZCL/w1831-h1184/10.jpg" width="1831" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A Glendo rainbow.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2g87nCvBDhjRtcy7unt1EJaWXrb6xHjcP0q1bWenVJ5KRL5VpPzq_wIv0mg_lTvQnZg3BkTYgWBvReCVjbKHNWOiBZ4buDMfwG9HXbzKClEnO5XeOEIKDTVwhgp8jPf-EJncKUA9eIxWPid-PMT5T-L3QTE8kz2JlJc6aUSB_Hxzh5xutTNY6-dzCIg6/s3054/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3054" height="1178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2g87nCvBDhjRtcy7unt1EJaWXrb6xHjcP0q1bWenVJ5KRL5VpPzq_wIv0mg_lTvQnZg3BkTYgWBvReCVjbKHNWOiBZ4buDMfwG9HXbzKClEnO5XeOEIKDTVwhgp8jPf-EJncKUA9eIxWPid-PMT5T-L3QTE8kz2JlJc6aUSB_Hxzh5xutTNY6-dzCIg6/w1829-h1178/13.jpg" width="1829" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fP9tAMxY0D-3mBRiWOIcEyhoUmyhldSjdwthRX3anmhXm5fTE8g9EgC95e_v3leJLPzyHgLb5Ue4S8UFKxt2ieY0iARNQdKOMORExzY2cW6Sz6vFV-rGodQjlu8UxRHTEudLVs-vnU0mMaKjlluT6kCGEtlB-ySBaiINKd3UDw9BBLxR5-s9Elh6yGkA/s3024/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fP9tAMxY0D-3mBRiWOIcEyhoUmyhldSjdwthRX3anmhXm5fTE8g9EgC95e_v3leJLPzyHgLb5Ue4S8UFKxt2ieY0iARNQdKOMORExzY2cW6Sz6vFV-rGodQjlu8UxRHTEudLVs-vnU0mMaKjlluT6kCGEtlB-ySBaiINKd3UDw9BBLxR5-s9Elh6yGkA/w1831-h1203/21.jpg" width="1831" /></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound (railroad west) empties headed to the mines.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt-CgrP8BaNDr7P0e8veQ-Fv6Gi1b4iu-sd7kRcpZMuxwYDt05UJJEB3GpBqsHh92x15Tf23uQ61TJVqT567ZyFceqKsmd_Ygmy_HGHcgs5ShFEns9tcWUT30sucZOYniT9hffxzk3zLvUxyVUdDHV1clcTHQUMbmirz10VzCbK2UKfr90B5ei-aU8kNI/s3039/60.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3039" height="1187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt-CgrP8BaNDr7P0e8veQ-Fv6Gi1b4iu-sd7kRcpZMuxwYDt05UJJEB3GpBqsHh92x15Tf23uQ61TJVqT567ZyFceqKsmd_Ygmy_HGHcgs5ShFEns9tcWUT30sucZOYniT9hffxzk3zLvUxyVUdDHV1clcTHQUMbmirz10VzCbK2UKfr90B5ei-aU8kNI/w1826-h1187/60.jpg" width="1826" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound (railroad east).</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM7S91B6rJk4DggxIdMiHeJZy1DlaRUYvprvmtO0uL2HbaEuBnoaqZVDVaBZsmqlzJMjkVDiOjdxDL8ZrcdBDh5LM4pn1kyUpZo_nOw5TIFrn3GqxbLybrpFg4MkVELaaL5xLuXJX-757BMV7Nkx33Bl82qDNNISxEjf9UmGiP9AyNvg9ks5OE4-YKbSJ/s3050/61.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3050" height="1175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM7S91B6rJk4DggxIdMiHeJZy1DlaRUYvprvmtO0uL2HbaEuBnoaqZVDVaBZsmqlzJMjkVDiOjdxDL8ZrcdBDh5LM4pn1kyUpZo_nOw5TIFrn3GqxbLybrpFg4MkVELaaL5xLuXJX-757BMV7Nkx33Bl82qDNNISxEjf9UmGiP9AyNvg9ks5OE4-YKbSJ/w1826-h1175/61.jpg" width="1826" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This northbound manifest will divert westward at Orin Junction and head to the Wind River Canyon.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptgLI6SfF_BkcB5EuHSCjSfXQgUvb1CS_vLbRrpR7NUtECHBhPEW8wdYAflUfQC4GoaNGQC6hvdURAhRwIekVu6HL6KftwTNZ-_jQpxOpTFTtwtgJu5OxrXOQqr9lxvxKclaY4dnyGFespwE7MR8uHWswC2JXYhs-aZuwGiQX0w5loSKxlR-H-ZLeucFh/s2999/70.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2999" height="1223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptgLI6SfF_BkcB5EuHSCjSfXQgUvb1CS_vLbRrpR7NUtECHBhPEW8wdYAflUfQC4GoaNGQC6hvdURAhRwIekVu6HL6KftwTNZ-_jQpxOpTFTtwtgJu5OxrXOQqr9lxvxKclaY4dnyGFespwE7MR8uHWswC2JXYhs-aZuwGiQX0w5loSKxlR-H-ZLeucFh/w1837-h1223/70.jpg" width="1837" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wyoming thunderstorm as the sun sets.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-X8cU-kiKnIXSj6_5Xmuv4W_OuhR-Ngg2Bg9Lo__PSa08AyxmJgq1bfqnfQLyAumHc40POo5M_McWyWdHfmKbLZl4wAUy0x35opLPJ1sstJnTE3ak55bSZPhfAx-4lJdMUSiPA3f32zf22pAOnSa1plTK0d5i3TnjCYQCDvZnYzHlSTekzb-4ojK0lho/s2999/74.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2999" height="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-X8cU-kiKnIXSj6_5Xmuv4W_OuhR-Ngg2Bg9Lo__PSa08AyxmJgq1bfqnfQLyAumHc40POo5M_McWyWdHfmKbLZl4wAUy0x35opLPJ1sstJnTE3ak55bSZPhfAx-4lJdMUSiPA3f32zf22pAOnSa1plTK0d5i3TnjCYQCDvZnYzHlSTekzb-4ojK0lho/w1847-h1230/74.jpg" width="1847" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>First dark.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXREqUgSp6rkov-aQi-bboGOlPnBR5CJH2roOCU19Tqszwx4U-8eyFG_76kCw0BeP4OnOAAbB0A3_66bKp5cMoq4S4a8eK2qxV5G-CjzsOoHp1Fl4_YyBtvpTtDRPuSAKMQ_m-pOWaPA-F9cFjBeNBy2SJ52WPVh5XOmeGjiDCK0Fh2oH9n3XfvbyjhMf/s3001/90.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXREqUgSp6rkov-aQi-bboGOlPnBR5CJH2roOCU19Tqszwx4U-8eyFG_76kCw0BeP4OnOAAbB0A3_66bKp5cMoq4S4a8eK2qxV5G-CjzsOoHp1Fl4_YyBtvpTtDRPuSAKMQ_m-pOWaPA-F9cFjBeNBy2SJ52WPVh5XOmeGjiDCK0Fh2oH9n3XfvbyjhMf/w1841-h1226/90.jpg" width="1841" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Loads at dusk.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>gg</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkCRE4psdtL6QWisENyIwoBuYiK-cgkY-CBMccgMnn7gr8cZRY9yF1Mx0b-hhFV-6eOsPDdkicCQBRLej_NhHIwUiIMJhZCcB38MqRkL1O2cIltE7oFoTpw33yNVffUM2sMIMhrrBiOxaK3g0T-uff_w7e5Q3FhQ5d3XKn-3x9R2sKlgCL_qWsr4KcvXu/s3028/100.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3028" height="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkCRE4psdtL6QWisENyIwoBuYiK-cgkY-CBMccgMnn7gr8cZRY9yF1Mx0b-hhFV-6eOsPDdkicCQBRLej_NhHIwUiIMJhZCcB38MqRkL1O2cIltE7oFoTpw33yNVffUM2sMIMhrrBiOxaK3g0T-uff_w7e5Q3FhQ5d3XKn-3x9R2sKlgCL_qWsr4KcvXu/w1839-h1201/100.jpg" width="1839" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>As darkness falls.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Goffs Hill</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Goffs Hill is the first westbound grade past Needles, California, the first of many gradients that trains in both directions must surmount between Needles and Barstow. This crossing of the Mojave Desert changes with the seasons as surely as birds migrate with the changing temperature. Winter brings mild days and the little moisture that falls in this barren land. Summer brings heat beyond endurance, beyond imagining. Sundown in both seasons brings an ambience found only in the desert, a crimson-tinged tranquility that must be close to what death feels like.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ULV-T7gGmA1HgdxcfN3Vl0cwse9HrRi5C_ufZZDt9EOFXny5Zk2ArXn9st7I8z74rVHH_7TBRAkEtP25HHa5Q11IcHx9glwwl9SYC5HUvW_qVbJPxdUNHHiVO6tTbMdBQZmQuPRn_1Z7TGDXy03pQOC6rdOfJ7Jkfkc80GdHo3EGaZ6gj-8Zhar6sDL2/s2959/Goffs1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="2959" height="1258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ULV-T7gGmA1HgdxcfN3Vl0cwse9HrRi5C_ufZZDt9EOFXny5Zk2ArXn9st7I8z74rVHH_7TBRAkEtP25HHa5Q11IcHx9glwwl9SYC5HUvW_qVbJPxdUNHHiVO6tTbMdBQZmQuPRn_1Z7TGDXy03pQOC6rdOfJ7Jkfkc80GdHo3EGaZ6gj-8Zhar6sDL2/w1839-h1258/Goffs1.jpg" width="1839" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>As the sun sets, westbound stacks are framed against the Dead Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc_RG2oURwNKMHpoppcJhRNZy3Wcna0giQXZYSgOhfzzzsJnNQEA6KAN4_1mQHpNqpWtlmV_A0KyKYf76pte1if1uZuzVQKvmmoXsmq6Am71yRSdM-LVQr0VItMR4V36hhJ9lWVAEwkfjGAyDrQuOBNHZrTeLvagBt3QM8-_e6kRpbJTrPy8OFQhpUYt2/s3052/Goffs36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3052" height="1179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc_RG2oURwNKMHpoppcJhRNZy3Wcna0giQXZYSgOhfzzzsJnNQEA6KAN4_1mQHpNqpWtlmV_A0KyKYf76pte1if1uZuzVQKvmmoXsmq6Am71yRSdM-LVQr0VItMR4V36hhJ9lWVAEwkfjGAyDrQuOBNHZrTeLvagBt3QM8-_e6kRpbJTrPy8OFQhpUYt2/w1832-h1179/Goffs36.jpg" width="1832" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound races down the hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxXZoJvoDS3c-o4-hZI9g58sKy_V7VIwEYUP98EYSKaFth5pPnPtHk6qkPAL3QoyNWY_mYJOvoOsWUSzX-14KKa4w0-tCfsd6MFK6qDYPRyDlvtk-ob_hwIdfMgZF2YsCssHwatSpZxZaIyKam2IFYhJhvSGppMNI5ua6HketYodKk5qbBdXjIrmRxTrl/s3026/Goffs29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3026" height="1196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxXZoJvoDS3c-o4-hZI9g58sKy_V7VIwEYUP98EYSKaFth5pPnPtHk6qkPAL3QoyNWY_mYJOvoOsWUSzX-14KKa4w0-tCfsd6MFK6qDYPRyDlvtk-ob_hwIdfMgZF2YsCssHwatSpZxZaIyKam2IFYhJhvSGppMNI5ua6HketYodKk5qbBdXjIrmRxTrl/w1823-h1196/Goffs29.jpg" width="1823" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound beginning to climb.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDZXWKipirSaWuigsUnPzU1I5ZcjnG63SfsdnYr7A9inK_UOBB9TBmC1khpNAZjG22sSR66c3GWPS8Q11yRw72KGmhDgQkuS8-19uPgILkoDnsja-HZX1yTnwFI4mwgZ_d7u_SC92T4rZJUmAanAxqRgcNRFjWADEKBKBfT3o5jCQUw7XtDx7FX2Gepdd/s3024/Goffs13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDZXWKipirSaWuigsUnPzU1I5ZcjnG63SfsdnYr7A9inK_UOBB9TBmC1khpNAZjG22sSR66c3GWPS8Q11yRw72KGmhDgQkuS8-19uPgILkoDnsja-HZX1yTnwFI4mwgZ_d7u_SC92T4rZJUmAanAxqRgcNRFjWADEKBKBfT3o5jCQUw7XtDx7FX2Gepdd/w1816-h1191/Goffs13.jpg" width="1816" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This westbound is approaching Needles, where a new crew will take the stacks across the California desert.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEioR_tSesvRKdutg6evC_L3L47uyhH-lIRwfMfon_dl4sb6PRDa-x71_tizRBUTxhWTDU3wpbFAyxpJqPOSYVh9ZjAo-hChste7SMOKQ-PuT0RkJQLgzKKcJ6u7NTTGdb99fzTpmussbrDR07YI8EdCTT9rZIUiAwzPW7Dh2XD_1vabIyB0vm0_8rPgWW/s2990/Goffs3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2990" height="1217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEioR_tSesvRKdutg6evC_L3L47uyhH-lIRwfMfon_dl4sb6PRDa-x71_tizRBUTxhWTDU3wpbFAyxpJqPOSYVh9ZjAo-hChste7SMOKQ-PuT0RkJQLgzKKcJ6u7NTTGdb99fzTpmussbrDR07YI8EdCTT9rZIUiAwzPW7Dh2XD_1vabIyB0vm0_8rPgWW/w1810-h1217/Goffs3.jpg" width="1810" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound at Ibis, where the tracks divide.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sacramento Valley</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One of Arizona's contributions to the Mojave Desert, the Sacramento Valley runs southwest from Kingman to the Colorado River near Needles. Framed by the Hualapai Mountains on the east and the Black Mountains on the west, this terrain, which looks flat to the naked eye, actually slopes upward from the river at approximately 500 feet to Kingman, 45 miles away, about 3,300 feet above sea level. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A few brave souls live in this harsh country, souls who prefer solitude and isolation to companionship. Chrysler tests its Jeep Wranglers here. If a vehicle can navigate this terrain, it can navigate anywhere. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrzj3MPVY6TTWhSZ1viD7BMnr0FZSJfThgM-JFMvM2wPG1UxdBOvU3xo0ch-m69mF0neqNt_u_xnlJsFTGTenOh6fwvvheABbBVio992tNkrONuW4JdyFGT90R73VxV0Uuod8mLeIMW1M6uU27hzm7fN5ehAwuQs29-ymtmZaE3oPsqawIHXPqQUYg97b/s3053/Haviland35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3053" height="1186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrzj3MPVY6TTWhSZ1viD7BMnr0FZSJfThgM-JFMvM2wPG1UxdBOvU3xo0ch-m69mF0neqNt_u_xnlJsFTGTenOh6fwvvheABbBVio992tNkrONuW4JdyFGT90R73VxV0Uuod8mLeIMW1M6uU27hzm7fN5ehAwuQs29-ymtmZaE3oPsqawIHXPqQUYg97b/w1843-h1186/Haviland35.jpg" width="1843" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound (compass north) beneath the Hualapai Mountains. Notice the five different paint schemes.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY96rFrs_jxTOUet-fsfC0qF7Ax7YOZG_PfvtsFpif0VffbKMDZ6XwJj2PkQhgEsTmonP8hgHos4TB-Z0VnFNbc7wudfXreuatSitumWN_KR4BA0HFxDQ3kYR9QxG_77UMF597Fo8Rv3EqgLo3KnOPTCUpJT5N6wopHpw094Tg-dyVeq1NGCig8TQZa0K/s3004/Haviland36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3004" height="1225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY96rFrs_jxTOUet-fsfC0qF7Ax7YOZG_PfvtsFpif0VffbKMDZ6XwJj2PkQhgEsTmonP8hgHos4TB-Z0VnFNbc7wudfXreuatSitumWN_KR4BA0HFxDQ3kYR9QxG_77UMF597Fo8Rv3EqgLo3KnOPTCUpJT5N6wopHpw094Tg-dyVeq1NGCig8TQZa0K/w1841-h1225/Haviland36.jpg" width="1841" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Climbing the grade to Kingman.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5RGjWF9T-dhZ1pOl1eZqxZnIu2c4ZI4K2Q1mJzVutT9u_k9_5mYQEFQls2aO8u5CuIYtrOVGD1u3jmfKMOW1-3PKo5WLAiS69ZrEH69n60nF4i3dbFAcWPJ_9Z_XGJ_HVWJer9SCizozXNgMthDqY-FSR71iCPRXemaBfDg5tZlDQ8_ntBBxSY2-eXw9/s3088/Kingman%20Photo8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5RGjWF9T-dhZ1pOl1eZqxZnIu2c4ZI4K2Q1mJzVutT9u_k9_5mYQEFQls2aO8u5CuIYtrOVGD1u3jmfKMOW1-3PKo5WLAiS69ZrEH69n60nF4i3dbFAcWPJ_9Z_XGJ_HVWJer9SCizozXNgMthDqY-FSR71iCPRXemaBfDg5tZlDQ8_ntBBxSY2-eXw9/w1845-h1223/Kingman%20Photo8.jpg" width="1845" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kingman Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q0vDIkLUhlTqPvkmlDkyZU1-6FoIn_wNPEa6dAZ5qqHCRYh-IwHm0kqVr31itwXLDr_86doaWm8DoYX-fcGcsWaUC1HwnyjNYHQRT7pMzLZV4GVXjUUK-fhhDHrPKy6R75WXwgcyViWNQAHnYLWHWSMvyan8Wk-gPAsqhof8Qg_3TIq7EmEWYiO2FDfG/s3024/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4q0vDIkLUhlTqPvkmlDkyZU1-6FoIn_wNPEa6dAZ5qqHCRYh-IwHm0kqVr31itwXLDr_86doaWm8DoYX-fcGcsWaUC1HwnyjNYHQRT7pMzLZV4GVXjUUK-fhhDHrPKy6R75WXwgcyViWNQAHnYLWHWSMvyan8Wk-gPAsqhof8Qg_3TIq7EmEWYiO2FDfG/w1845-h1210/8.jpg" width="1845" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Open desert.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWk9Mla5PRpynUnNbOTmhKi55vZqbWKQw702yUL-F3K0euAp5KLqUb2zSBDaiR0z_ab_t1j3TuYxUMjkAzYV06ivgT_7YCK-E-1CJ_V9G0fWEXmeLnuULA_mY0Q_I3f813xZcaV2w67pqnUIZoynkeaeMZZgLKraSIJXnUsn5F9siMJdTYEHfUVPFt2EX/s3010/52.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3010" height="1223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWk9Mla5PRpynUnNbOTmhKi55vZqbWKQw702yUL-F3K0euAp5KLqUb2zSBDaiR0z_ab_t1j3TuYxUMjkAzYV06ivgT_7YCK-E-1CJ_V9G0fWEXmeLnuULA_mY0Q_I3f813xZcaV2w67pqnUIZoynkeaeMZZgLKraSIJXnUsn5F9siMJdTYEHfUVPFt2EX/w1845-h1223/52.jpg" width="1845" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Downgrade to Needles.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Beyond Laramie</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Laramie, Wyoming, sits in a frigid valley above 7,000 feet. Winter starts early and ends late. The growing season begins around June 13 and ends aboiut September 2 -- less than 90 days.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Westbound Union Pacific trains on the Overland Route head north-northwest out of town to avoid mountains and don't turn due west again for about 120 miles. The terrain here is deceivingly tranquil in comparison to the mountains, but trains still struggle over several hills in both directions.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Like the rest of Wyoming, this country is filled with beautiful sunsets, instant thunderstorms and unexpected rainbows. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8lSQIQ9VeIFtEVJI8VR6RyxHUBb8ScmVGb_hL2WuvHkOM_mVS77NaIoBqB2062dlc0c5e29wiGNfKwbvHEauuHbyHdr83y9Gr5mTChWX3rUVbU87hk6eKB5um5ocuCMChv26U9-xMxLtsXye6cYIbvFgLbog9juhN8IWlKIG5ftFUVe3PsCsmpa7re1X/s3040/11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="3040" height="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8lSQIQ9VeIFtEVJI8VR6RyxHUBb8ScmVGb_hL2WuvHkOM_mVS77NaIoBqB2062dlc0c5e29wiGNfKwbvHEauuHbyHdr83y9Gr5mTChWX3rUVbU87hk6eKB5um5ocuCMChv26U9-xMxLtsXye6cYIbvFgLbog9juhN8IWlKIG5ftFUVe3PsCsmpa7re1X/w1844-h1198/11.jpg" width="1844" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound into the sunset.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vENu0E4SNFqKAsaI07btSVMWHC7xR0RmAWq2olh1vYFFX76hltIAMa_95g3LZXU0oeq1pF722wqnAcTJxfMgo08z7I__PhAuFtKtoWbFaPepqOxkMr2u7y7gv9YH3huPZlDTALxTBedsGk3IvvPJi0raT2NCEyU5WNS8d_Oxv_gjA7ibBfCgA9FWAI38/s3068/39%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="3068" height="1177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vENu0E4SNFqKAsaI07btSVMWHC7xR0RmAWq2olh1vYFFX76hltIAMa_95g3LZXU0oeq1pF722wqnAcTJxfMgo08z7I__PhAuFtKtoWbFaPepqOxkMr2u7y7gv9YH3huPZlDTALxTBedsGk3IvvPJi0raT2NCEyU5WNS8d_Oxv_gjA7ibBfCgA9FWAI38/w1848-h1177/39%20copy.jpg" width="1848" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Hannah, Wyoming.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ36QY5hFi8l13T7Dfl90qWS7_iLVkf98wthoEL9ZvU3iei-loH__Y73L271qfHotoVrnpF_ke39fIbiV44ZnQ8gsjoM0as21ib0Tqz9aONc_f0G9WGkmGX9nqs6d-yZDUtF42IkgOE9XsXGuC7dS2sp4JxZfaO6exJqKOhen3lp75VISfW0V7xZi9fcQ/s3008/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQ36QY5hFi8l13T7Dfl90qWS7_iLVkf98wthoEL9ZvU3iei-loH__Y73L271qfHotoVrnpF_ke39fIbiV44ZnQ8gsjoM0as21ib0Tqz9aONc_f0G9WGkmGX9nqs6d-yZDUtF42IkgOE9XsXGuC7dS2sp4JxZfaO6exJqKOhen3lp75VISfW0V7xZi9fcQ/w1842-h1220/39.jpg" width="1842" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFgRw7ps7dz3WrBSvwpNZLuqK3z6ovkIpyeP5KZ_mkW9_Z0mJDbgkm6xM4J56vDm3yhInC2SPOXCF8ZDuRnAcv9DQlGg3okSGC0DNAohrS0A9HDp8m4Q2-zpaF-vzR-Pj1XcPVSItVyG_HWFxZ57riPt3fYeRxuf7jTYloTRcZC3kgkBEbbcf8Bmxo6JO/s2408/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1641" data-original-width="2408" height="1260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFgRw7ps7dz3WrBSvwpNZLuqK3z6ovkIpyeP5KZ_mkW9_Z0mJDbgkm6xM4J56vDm3yhInC2SPOXCF8ZDuRnAcv9DQlGg3okSGC0DNAohrS0A9HDp8m4Q2-zpaF-vzR-Pj1XcPVSItVyG_HWFxZ57riPt3fYeRxuf7jTYloTRcZC3kgkBEbbcf8Bmxo6JO/w1849-h1260/40.jpg" width="1849" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPU on another eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dzVLLUezehPk4RkXdgVs6v0ZAezdCbmPVoN4hXjw4aolun51zCuyW9GIEF6yh7_b89phscKV6qbX8Z3P3lUsNwzBKy0CtdAYuLje4vUqOcp2zfXWUp8AJNhEAc2iIZw5JC_LFFc2puGgmWQJv7g8vWqk8GLRC9dgo_9uwXPPqQHlcUrU6at5Ic2d_mEd/s2993/41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="2993" height="1234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dzVLLUezehPk4RkXdgVs6v0ZAezdCbmPVoN4hXjw4aolun51zCuyW9GIEF6yh7_b89phscKV6qbX8Z3P3lUsNwzBKy0CtdAYuLje4vUqOcp2zfXWUp8AJNhEAc2iIZw5JC_LFFc2puGgmWQJv7g8vWqk8GLRC9dgo_9uwXPPqQHlcUrU6at5Ic2d_mEd/w1845-h1234/41.jpg" width="1845" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The mountains to the south are why the Overland Route detours far to the north.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YBDXdXFXwyt1Lsv7l9IktQvmGH7rEGi4iyDeZEDkGXsFp_8TeVF9B_JPdbfrr3biyN-bMBM_cDTGEqA-lY9xLxrvzH4Q7M12GmL6Vl1GJ1EUwVwie67WyDpo14rUhRxOLt_aI4yNIOEX6zbYLgctl1_0px1h5L0aearHtkCBuW9NdUD73rGOpvNXqcnP/s2978/60.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="2978" height="1246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YBDXdXFXwyt1Lsv7l9IktQvmGH7rEGi4iyDeZEDkGXsFp_8TeVF9B_JPdbfrr3biyN-bMBM_cDTGEqA-lY9xLxrvzH4Q7M12GmL6Vl1GJ1EUwVwie67WyDpo14rUhRxOLt_aI4yNIOEX6zbYLgctl1_0px1h5L0aearHtkCBuW9NdUD73rGOpvNXqcnP/w1846-h1246/60.jpg" width="1846" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Approaching Sherman Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfE_BR69DeH2F0O1foWofrnSiyxCxnLC7HDCOGavK965HbNzPu_e52hy9dpIInoMjXucxucjqbK0s8CajBHBLbIOqYKOh4CdXDw3xj5SsSA8ZDchnbG-S-uq_UPP85EGetNDLOuc0bhkoT3DVQcyjtnZOYnN5TcaigThzA9u1t6ew_aEppeRRMxu43zVy/s3041/66.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ej7YospeSKPu_jO7iEJFPgz6P0MhLYG4_ebFypPAEye_Z-9V5dzuAWW4iNvh2a0PVDosAtMijp8pmJqs0WpdBE5_g7dI7Q5stSusYKSX-eW3c6f4dzQNjjyKiJFgLvUETRbOEbN0A_vyCJI66gkU8PiEDV22b0U5cMgSy4CxXVVdk3EDMteBp_gXSBPD/s3009/64.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3009" height="1222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ej7YospeSKPu_jO7iEJFPgz6P0MhLYG4_ebFypPAEye_Z-9V5dzuAWW4iNvh2a0PVDosAtMijp8pmJqs0WpdBE5_g7dI7Q5stSusYKSX-eW3c6f4dzQNjjyKiJFgLvUETRbOEbN0A_vyCJI66gkU8PiEDV22b0U5cMgSy4CxXVVdk3EDMteBp_gXSBPD/w1844-h1222/64.jpg" width="1844" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The last light of day sneaks through a thunderstorm.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfE_BR69DeH2F0O1foWofrnSiyxCxnLC7HDCOGavK965HbNzPu_e52hy9dpIInoMjXucxucjqbK0s8CajBHBLbIOqYKOh4CdXDw3xj5SsSA8ZDchnbG-S-uq_UPP85EGetNDLOuc0bhkoT3DVQcyjtnZOYnN5TcaigThzA9u1t6ew_aEppeRRMxu43zVy/s3041/66.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid13dNGcJw_PbRgqQ1_7QZaT78JJdz3xklKeGd_RQW7THSaFZuc-yeF4J1JmxeJhIkNh7Rwt0JpDk7YoN3rb2z8XRdE57bZAvq7Gn6A-9iWe4qH6gB4VjRPRXjRU2P7vy1Shop6Nf6OhSWsYo97t9R8b8CbeLrIbZKaWJyN7wLy8KC-OgLkSiEr_dTK06u/s2992/70.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2992" height="1237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid13dNGcJw_PbRgqQ1_7QZaT78JJdz3xklKeGd_RQW7THSaFZuc-yeF4J1JmxeJhIkNh7Rwt0JpDk7YoN3rb2z8XRdE57bZAvq7Gn6A-9iWe4qH6gB4VjRPRXjRU2P7vy1Shop6Nf6OhSWsYo97t9R8b8CbeLrIbZKaWJyN7wLy8KC-OgLkSiEr_dTK06u/w1841-h1237/70.jpg" width="1841" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Clouds descend.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfE_BR69DeH2F0O1foWofrnSiyxCxnLC7HDCOGavK965HbNzPu_e52hy9dpIInoMjXucxucjqbK0s8CajBHBLbIOqYKOh4CdXDw3xj5SsSA8ZDchnbG-S-uq_UPP85EGetNDLOuc0bhkoT3DVQcyjtnZOYnN5TcaigThzA9u1t6ew_aEppeRRMxu43zVy/w1843-h1198/66.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="1843" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPU on grainer.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPuposeRi6wLPSWciMbPXLAHfz0DYdSWQ1a2L0DfJulHk6AQj69EEKBvlC3gmhw8vaQiWOTWmWqRNinlIsUZHqAE9aysOoQk7SNM9nwdUdjflGpcX-mIuMLaI-rnA2Qo-O9m97PZvLOErYUSzBbH8yhy5aRQjtoWHcxF1txiWjEn-JBaYlQ-sjOn1wQPS/s3020/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3020" height="1209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPuposeRi6wLPSWciMbPXLAHfz0DYdSWQ1a2L0DfJulHk6AQj69EEKBvlC3gmhw8vaQiWOTWmWqRNinlIsUZHqAE9aysOoQk7SNM9nwdUdjflGpcX-mIuMLaI-rnA2Qo-O9m97PZvLOErYUSzBbH8yhy5aRQjtoWHcxF1txiWjEn-JBaYlQ-sjOn1wQPS/w1842-h1209/5.jpg" width="1842" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dodging rain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpcf8zbiax5AEVF4G8wPKPaRTZjmjTuvlSynoFiZYmKINIZnbDbQutzd1TQOtrZQZMBEPxYNaMo4lbfoRP597a2_yQDv_CmN1d8VKTW3TaG6uCsQ6fW8or1y-tQ-Wvi5Lx4ct2kW_yzpk4BWeLjHD2JlJ8r2O7InwIZ5d_6Fzg4yxQIMVNwLjHjXN2gTm/s2964/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1828" data-original-width="2964" height="1133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpcf8zbiax5AEVF4G8wPKPaRTZjmjTuvlSynoFiZYmKINIZnbDbQutzd1TQOtrZQZMBEPxYNaMo4lbfoRP597a2_yQDv_CmN1d8VKTW3TaG6uCsQ6fW8or1y-tQ-Wvi5Lx4ct2kW_yzpk4BWeLjHD2JlJ8r2O7InwIZ5d_6Fzg4yxQIMVNwLjHjXN2gTm/w1841-h1133/20.jpg" width="1841" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The unexpected rainbow.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Maricopa Mountains</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Southwest of Phoenix, in the Sonoran Desert dominated by the majestic Saguaro, the Maricopa Mountains look like lost orphans at an otherwise deserted railway station. In a state filed with majestic mountains and canyons, the Maricopas barely rate notice, which is why the locating engineers for the Southern Pacific chose to cross them -- rather than other, taller impediments -- on a short gradient to the valley of the Gila River. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Unlike the Mojave, the Sonoran is filled with vegetation, making one realize that water is everything. Even a desert, with just a little bit more water, can blossom. A desert can produce a tree like the Palo Verde, containing chlorophyl in its branches and stems, allowing it to survive until the next rainfall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMnCn0_XjVtLnOPcSMyCbrlfe4BACG-bU2m6t8gO1EGGSTNuQQrLStkI7SVa7oUckEuSBUqjukfMxotu81wnGzYSA5KhbpKy8wanhVhVoj4CfHAWSO4-WypfRWkIhvk_ArI5NcI2WF0UasjXlPJUiyX0nnkFPxP-OBgQqm6ic3mJefBH4G_7NncVuRnW-/s3021/38.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3021" height="1213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMnCn0_XjVtLnOPcSMyCbrlfe4BACG-bU2m6t8gO1EGGSTNuQQrLStkI7SVa7oUckEuSBUqjukfMxotu81wnGzYSA5KhbpKy8wanhVhVoj4CfHAWSO4-WypfRWkIhvk_ArI5NcI2WF0UasjXlPJUiyX0nnkFPxP-OBgQqm6ic3mJefBH4G_7NncVuRnW-/w1847-h1213/38.jpg" width="1847" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound autos navigating through the Macicopa Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MSCVsgAUQu59_vyRt6amvBeoJpYxH_GHbnRADO6WM7UiVUspr3F3L4IJQeSgPaKd_PArGGBTZMpCtZNWeDrev7pqvEQDOQds9HK9Ks1QDGCOiv8DFse0SmAt4QgMEEbBxOgXqDCgWE9N3f-_VMU66Y4C5PXDj0UNhu3oFkI7o8q9MYFU0wt8FfZn_-pC/s2978/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2978" height="1252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MSCVsgAUQu59_vyRt6amvBeoJpYxH_GHbnRADO6WM7UiVUspr3F3L4IJQeSgPaKd_PArGGBTZMpCtZNWeDrev7pqvEQDOQds9HK9Ks1QDGCOiv8DFse0SmAt4QgMEEbBxOgXqDCgWE9N3f-_VMU66Y4C5PXDj0UNhu3oFkI7o8q9MYFU0wt8FfZn_-pC/w1845-h1252/40.jpg" width="1845" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1Ej54tFFtIoo98ZuqyRBRG9w2WmmVV_WK2aEFcW8EkqxNh31UNpR9yo2z-ljfHrMKo1GHqXocYqnHgqifO3nv4aCEVxdFPJubNI9lLoxSuw0ROREBcmqDFHk_yEI5bAojDQZ52J3AmxsmltcsLCSgbBplfbajXDJ-PRlSWCKjKvQInqnSjKbZDu86T8I/s3072/56.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1953" data-original-width="3072" height="1165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1Ej54tFFtIoo98ZuqyRBRG9w2WmmVV_WK2aEFcW8EkqxNh31UNpR9yo2z-ljfHrMKo1GHqXocYqnHgqifO3nv4aCEVxdFPJubNI9lLoxSuw0ROREBcmqDFHk_yEI5bAojDQZ52J3AmxsmltcsLCSgbBplfbajXDJ-PRlSWCKjKvQInqnSjKbZDu86T8I/w1837-h1165/56.jpg" width="1837" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Climbing the grade to the summit at Shawmut.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6QgxzgQ_sDAeun-b7hZCExuw7SS3TfDLDO74Ij_2mR3ZuQmstzeG-Fkf7YJj0goau6p5PBOxKe30YhYVhVZ3aIzYHy1UyWNL4w5qyrwr6xTttdcySHWR3PnGu1W4QnPyfxKham3skTI1MoXDClIKmWLN2h1GjB20MllIkw2HFpp0HQuMmqr5VIBecwxQ/s3021/58.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3021" height="1204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6QgxzgQ_sDAeun-b7hZCExuw7SS3TfDLDO74Ij_2mR3ZuQmstzeG-Fkf7YJj0goau6p5PBOxKe30YhYVhVZ3aIzYHy1UyWNL4w5qyrwr6xTttdcySHWR3PnGu1W4QnPyfxKham3skTI1MoXDClIKmWLN2h1GjB20MllIkw2HFpp0HQuMmqr5VIBecwxQ/w1835-h1204/58.jpg" width="1835" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqaPSK0NdQCpGon7_d2Ee7WoNThOu7blQR7OgYm9gS2AFScWqN70RAxd-E7NR4qxeK1-AjNKgFrwdJxC2v3s_bb821UlVCDPO6qQUfyMzbSq7fpAynY5GYCFt4Q126OE7H5Y7X2qMucIi5uxYVO7zbU9QITrloNYMsRWrvtktpZRY8O-V5fxOsSzGlG_O/s2975/63.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2975" height="1240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqaPSK0NdQCpGon7_d2Ee7WoNThOu7blQR7OgYm9gS2AFScWqN70RAxd-E7NR4qxeK1-AjNKgFrwdJxC2v3s_bb821UlVCDPO6qQUfyMzbSq7fpAynY5GYCFt4Q126OE7H5Y7X2qMucIi5uxYVO7zbU9QITrloNYMsRWrvtktpZRY8O-V5fxOsSzGlG_O/w1827-h1240/63.jpg" width="1827" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Although not as busy as BNSF's Transcon, UP's line from El Paso west still sees heavy traffic.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURDbZ9PtqMyr6LsCviAw69dKW50CwXu-UZP-ihHDxbPsro_Nh23lB93soIzDZP6UEGpLk253yAR5-cDVFBhl8rnVx7JPxlfUJvcAKCBhe5I0j-yDoTxerO4zP51OoK787kqQhDrMBWS8EbgE1LaGp20-fRtosNPdVSiW9U4Ms1h1pGN0SzUgLyZWWTMif/s2997/64.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURDbZ9PtqMyr6LsCviAw69dKW50CwXu-UZP-ihHDxbPsro_Nh23lB93soIzDZP6UEGpLk253yAR5-cDVFBhl8rnVx7JPxlfUJvcAKCBhe5I0j-yDoTxerO4zP51OoK787kqQhDrMBWS8EbgE1LaGp20-fRtosNPdVSiW9U4Ms1h1pGN0SzUgLyZWWTMif/w1816-h1215/64.jpg" width="1816" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In this land, the Saguaro is king. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uNt6f4fWsBYuxfSzui8u3WIpU6E27DaLsq0XItOyy8tpjTYe9MhVtm9dY0VeIIokxtCIycBrE7u9seqPQNLM8ZlUZWG0cVhYxmIS5Gn5BwScMU5AtmFQRODXHaShYEeThmEWQnxEjmgtxLxvL8WLPzjqjJC7EurJM9BH89fLWHAxzZ1w1hDhhzzrnmXy/s3017/68.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uNt6f4fWsBYuxfSzui8u3WIpU6E27DaLsq0XItOyy8tpjTYe9MhVtm9dY0VeIIokxtCIycBrE7u9seqPQNLM8ZlUZWG0cVhYxmIS5Gn5BwScMU5AtmFQRODXHaShYEeThmEWQnxEjmgtxLxvL8WLPzjqjJC7EurJM9BH89fLWHAxzZ1w1hDhhzzrnmXy/w1825-h1204/68.jpg" width="1825" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific charges west.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Transcon Meets</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Because traffic on the BNSF Transcon is so heavy, one will often see two trains pass within photographic range. Seeing this event at sundown, however, is less common -- about as common as an honest man. As Harry Truman said, if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlItv9M85DzSeZfpgZuWkqFyGxKMVVKgu4fihx62b7GgRPE45K7dHtBGMrzk6NPlC2GUQlpd9_7-owUyO5kFgY8ThyphenhyphenhvDBBJghfEMRU-NkdysFulS7Tuas0vlQeg8Wa6pmsKYyL8V0Bgu02ceq5mZkk8vJheV2ODN7hyMnxbytdGcDtBN3f1HWLptME1n/s4695/Belen%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3178" data-original-width="4695" height="1247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlItv9M85DzSeZfpgZuWkqFyGxKMVVKgu4fihx62b7GgRPE45K7dHtBGMrzk6NPlC2GUQlpd9_7-owUyO5kFgY8ThyphenhyphenhvDBBJghfEMRU-NkdysFulS7Tuas0vlQeg8Wa6pmsKYyL8V0Bgu02ceq5mZkk8vJheV2ODN7hyMnxbytdGcDtBN3f1HWLptME1n/w1841-h1247/Belen%202.jpg" width="1841" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Near Belen, New Mexico.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wEmpZjenPf_vPx5Hg60Ec5jkZoA367md-o6k2DjnejpZVapc8KDQqRk9VVdM2Azq0FD480ZZWUl7KW_9uq_q6mRvN3vlrhJls5kDCvLUOOAZl2DnCzBLRaTzcAgZ33LVOhzO9ywyHF-u-WNn-G0yA85dLpVpBSw8DL7VAzstnRsN09XH90j9zK8jtXkx/s2905/Ellinor%201.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2065" data-original-width="2905" height="1309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wEmpZjenPf_vPx5Hg60Ec5jkZoA367md-o6k2DjnejpZVapc8KDQqRk9VVdM2Azq0FD480ZZWUl7KW_9uq_q6mRvN3vlrhJls5kDCvLUOOAZl2DnCzBLRaTzcAgZ33LVOhzO9ywyHF-u-WNn-G0yA85dLpVpBSw8DL7VAzstnRsN09XH90j9zK8jtXkx/w1844-h1309/Ellinor%201.jpg" width="1844" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ellinor, Kansas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnEv2BguCrnEqWx4VaNQ-283G1kz6QmPUKRD8az-WjpHzeh0kqz9MK9hNC3ldgjahog0DDeC4cCWM9cqdQ22uYpA8lbr92ua4MDLRCyfuuZoC3ffI_-f48ulCcMDVw4-yXX1DJTrtjOz4xujmZ0xUGC3a00oUJ-864DHa14GhK0ACXfaJHhpGaGDYq-ME/s3005/Ellinor%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnEv2BguCrnEqWx4VaNQ-283G1kz6QmPUKRD8az-WjpHzeh0kqz9MK9hNC3ldgjahog0DDeC4cCWM9cqdQ22uYpA8lbr92ua4MDLRCyfuuZoC3ffI_-f48ulCcMDVw4-yXX1DJTrtjOz4xujmZ0xUGC3a00oUJ-864DHa14GhK0ACXfaJHhpGaGDYq-ME/w1847-h1230/Ellinor%202.jpg" width="1847" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ellinor, Kansas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9bNdU2ILe6yh4DWCdLs3XMRrRrgfUFVTtg_1v_P1WgymI2K2ygwdzcdkVLeaHbxawlaxbFYVV-8dkWFhBDlkkupMBuSagVGvcThKKHnWBdu0-8hUH7lkQyLrkCnRx_Yu2uT_vnzleppVx21HiBnI-0rUqdpw6gFSOBW75_0fSnTTyhyIXUYPWDJzXZdT/s4608/Flagstaff%204%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3156" data-original-width="4608" height="1256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9bNdU2ILe6yh4DWCdLs3XMRrRrgfUFVTtg_1v_P1WgymI2K2ygwdzcdkVLeaHbxawlaxbFYVV-8dkWFhBDlkkupMBuSagVGvcThKKHnWBdu0-8hUH7lkQyLrkCnRx_Yu2uT_vnzleppVx21HiBnI-0rUqdpw6gFSOBW75_0fSnTTyhyIXUYPWDJzXZdT/w1837-h1256/Flagstaff%204%20copy.jpg" width="1837" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flagstaff, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgqqhSN5sn-e732nI5q8Xcl6vSP2CAq5Q8_-SpOEyqsQgMmtqr8z_ygX8vxrdRsiekFAH5CuiZ5Qwft1ZHwGMT8M7brAzjkkbi_24UDxveGP53IUgcmILh-8oh-5I8qzOQj0qmM-_XJ8JQg8AVnZEpb9A96ocWDD1ozFY7WM-KPJybvw4pzyNgtXiEbS_/s4695/Goff%201%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3178" data-original-width="4695" height="1244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgqqhSN5sn-e732nI5q8Xcl6vSP2CAq5Q8_-SpOEyqsQgMmtqr8z_ygX8vxrdRsiekFAH5CuiZ5Qwft1ZHwGMT8M7brAzjkkbi_24UDxveGP53IUgcmILh-8oh-5I8qzOQj0qmM-_XJ8JQg8AVnZEpb9A96ocWDD1ozFY7WM-KPJybvw4pzyNgtXiEbS_/w1834-h1244/Goff%201%20copy.jpg" width="1834" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mojave Desert.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOyguBKrE0CBzxONsN9WwMg-i30ewLbdF60UD1mBjO0JQmQM_ixMTVArx3lE5MFW60IXOoiGw53ystTeJNlJI5lbjxwdlPm494ndEV5fpBHSVpo7wz_PTcuG7vOtzVaR8-XwdmW-ba48aZb0oHGWFNW9P2vo0hbXcDDGA7gZbfviztj_R-vErvF8ta84B/s9600/Puerco%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6360" data-original-width="9600" height="1215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOyguBKrE0CBzxONsN9WwMg-i30ewLbdF60UD1mBjO0JQmQM_ixMTVArx3lE5MFW60IXOoiGw53ystTeJNlJI5lbjxwdlPm494ndEV5fpBHSVpo7wz_PTcuG7vOtzVaR8-XwdmW-ba48aZb0oHGWFNW9P2vo0hbXcDDGA7gZbfviztj_R-vErvF8ta84B/w1835-h1215/Puerco%202.jpg" width="1835" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rio Puerco east of the Continental Divide.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Je3hOc5T-vbO3XWsmY6KUc6wczRGiO3hvvHePycq7P68eN6Dye9XbsvM0bWAxQNyqHsWYSkLaqu1kfeVxG_m0Q0vG9I1Lm8SHgvsjamYx_a4oce5FQbu8FXTbYgmN38FMWmutz_BGYoTvW55yRSPZpBe5fdvBiu3e0wOKI2cslhrH98XkLkfWafU3O3e/s2962/Puero%206%20copy%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2026" data-original-width="2962" height="1258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Je3hOc5T-vbO3XWsmY6KUc6wczRGiO3hvvHePycq7P68eN6Dye9XbsvM0bWAxQNyqHsWYSkLaqu1kfeVxG_m0Q0vG9I1Lm8SHgvsjamYx_a4oce5FQbu8FXTbYgmN38FMWmutz_BGYoTvW55yRSPZpBe5fdvBiu3e0wOKI2cslhrH98XkLkfWafU3O3e/w1838-h1258/Puero%206%20copy%202.jpg" width="1838" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the valley of the Rio Grande.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my other posts, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><p><br /></p>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-12108899271342620822024-01-28T13:41:00.001-06:002024-02-08T23:20:38.816-06:00Sundown: Part Two<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CaHLn5je91zy-sJLOHEgKfch9wxuoAv-n4wBcO5SyytRjRjpV-1VOiczfDAjAdsyyrXeIIaCmnc3jra7xsxNOjdV98_HYrIumesi_ASDoTrjKQlEhJuI1BNEqXEFPYNquhyh1Rx4Kc3X034GiWgDjkFQ5qmMeqg6pqI2MpW0FbN-2apMmpAq1XgdzEr_/s2989/14a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2989" height="1228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CaHLn5je91zy-sJLOHEgKfch9wxuoAv-n4wBcO5SyytRjRjpV-1VOiczfDAjAdsyyrXeIIaCmnc3jra7xsxNOjdV98_HYrIumesi_ASDoTrjKQlEhJuI1BNEqXEFPYNquhyh1Rx4Kc3X034GiWgDjkFQ5qmMeqg6pqI2MpW0FbN-2apMmpAq1XgdzEr_/w1827-h1228/14a.jpg" width="1827" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As I grow older, I think of life as a journey. Sometimes I believe I am traveling from ignorance to experience. Others, from confusion to enlightenment. But such moments are rare. More often, I see myself on a pilgrimmage from sunup to sundown. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The sun is chasing the horizon now. Shadows lengthen. The wind dies. Now in the last light, moments of clarity appear, and I realize that I am not moving past life. Life is moving past me, like a fast freight into darkness, and I am standing in the same place I have always stood. The trains keep moving. I keep standing and waiting.</span></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Washington Cascades</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Cascade Mountains in Washington contain innumerable narrow valleys surrounded by precipitous rock walls and towering evergreens that block most sunlight, especially late in the day. The little light leaking through is soft and hazy, as though filtered by smoked glass.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQwdmqAZKbTToak_xLrJLD502hECx9RY6WAlEBppSC59moWlURzKTkOR0huC6RwCf1mTG7Eg7waGw6yPU9FjdUJDADQr0iJdijJdIkkzDMGfrUf8prvXQy0uXzluvTKxU3g-fAk-Si5l_a0eC2z4UCmHFO-2MnpMIrvryDsC0xaPUPywA8anAbl4x6Lc8/s2978/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2978" height="1239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQwdmqAZKbTToak_xLrJLD502hECx9RY6WAlEBppSC59moWlURzKTkOR0huC6RwCf1mTG7Eg7waGw6yPU9FjdUJDADQr0iJdijJdIkkzDMGfrUf8prvXQy0uXzluvTKxU3g-fAk-Si5l_a0eC2z4UCmHFO-2MnpMIrvryDsC0xaPUPywA8anAbl4x6Lc8/w1826-h1239/16.jpg" width="1826" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The sky above is still blue, but this eastbound freight is already shrouded.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdR6WNGu7tjhILoJByN3xTrVq-KyXoC7ImLfqC0pny1hfaC72KLZ5OdY-1np29DVwQZoeuL84xkhOzbLASx4wCrb9WUfAHuiC4Y4ih3agXaWzk7PznMsECVEZfuuzZ-BITkjOFdZaaiKHLnBMq9VuIO9B2UoX9Pw0qRYh_r2zefHmyy8FvCMaUuPI2rBL/s3009/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3009" height="1215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdR6WNGu7tjhILoJByN3xTrVq-KyXoC7ImLfqC0pny1hfaC72KLZ5OdY-1np29DVwQZoeuL84xkhOzbLASx4wCrb9WUfAHuiC4Y4ih3agXaWzk7PznMsECVEZfuuzZ-BITkjOFdZaaiKHLnBMq9VuIO9B2UoX9Pw0qRYh_r2zefHmyy8FvCMaUuPI2rBL/w1834-h1215/4.jpg" width="1834" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The sun is shining directly down the tracks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWa52ParogatO8SoeOps41OBr_6l9TMdP6orK-ZwEFoq10qqUwTJ-AxY9FSOXbwnmM4VvrPFVJROVc1_TXUStJMgDHsbbe5aY7lrVYEN_dfhmaHePrBV0ehKP5uCZWYgjtoKYDNdpV6uHKc0LFe3yriol3iTzAi6ZM9a78SnJSY1-cZW1VvBd9rW9UfTqj/s2970/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="2970" height="1246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWa52ParogatO8SoeOps41OBr_6l9TMdP6orK-ZwEFoq10qqUwTJ-AxY9FSOXbwnmM4VvrPFVJROVc1_TXUStJMgDHsbbe5aY7lrVYEN_dfhmaHePrBV0ehKP5uCZWYgjtoKYDNdpV6uHKc0LFe3yriol3iTzAi6ZM9a78SnJSY1-cZW1VvBd9rW9UfTqj/w1828-h1246/27.jpg" width="1828" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The sun has set on this train, though not on the mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Columbia River Gorge</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Columbia River Gorge was created by forces larger than I can conceive -- millions of years of basalt flows followed by Biblical flooding. The result is a canyon as impossibly enormous as a man twenty feet tall. This is another location where the sun generally falls below the rim of the world long before darkness arrives. Patience, however, sometimes yields pleasant surprises.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgkLgVmqYrL1xrzVHFr34Dg22oSEojTPbCdHCTcv1SGz3GHch5Z5Llkn58DgC2dxZSKjGAAONdK5UepShOS0FbpY7XUyq4W005IYyW6FYr3djSquqTx-Lb0fSTghoJmFcsP5p7FYNuJOUKVtQqq4mu7rQfyFceFFFOy6kjIqCeTsZqolCr8QQ04piAMW8/s3004/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3004" height="1221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgkLgVmqYrL1xrzVHFr34Dg22oSEojTPbCdHCTcv1SGz3GHch5Z5Llkn58DgC2dxZSKjGAAONdK5UepShOS0FbpY7XUyq4W005IYyW6FYr3djSquqTx-Lb0fSTghoJmFcsP5p7FYNuJOUKVtQqq4mu7rQfyFceFFFOy6kjIqCeTsZqolCr8QQ04piAMW8/w1835-h1221/6.jpg" width="1835" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound grainer.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAyoa2VHxx2QgGiEO3pxi_k6gTIdZw4jEeNejhNBPEGkw32a-HgLGR1MFKuVcajih72R64xEOcuern8IT-9TWsjvc8RpBiNN8WzdgyZXx6mxcmr3hY9Ix5DbevjEXrX1_p3dBNmZfMAfT_tLWFPlhN0Q894-btygoHNyiJXHCpKLJKHqWicv7Y-22TyVn/s3015/63.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAyoa2VHxx2QgGiEO3pxi_k6gTIdZw4jEeNejhNBPEGkw32a-HgLGR1MFKuVcajih72R64xEOcuern8IT-9TWsjvc8RpBiNN8WzdgyZXx6mxcmr3hY9Ix5DbevjEXrX1_p3dBNmZfMAfT_tLWFPlhN0Q894-btygoHNyiJXHCpKLJKHqWicv7Y-22TyVn/w1831-h1208/63.jpg" width="1831" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Page, Oklahoma -- RIch Mountain, Arkansas</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My first encounter with the KCS mountain grade from Page, Oklahoma, to Rich Mountain, Arkansas, was life-changing, as when a child realizes that the world is larger than his backyard. The hardwoods and pines of the Ouichita National Forest were like an open book waiting to be read -- if only I had enough patience.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kNQUzak26NRVqS9nybo2UThSrtXEyMoENcyqn3_ju7gE8UFdTQ5g7VHmUWdAG_cfScpZS6SHylirFAs-717vpn5y8AIYdWI2YaOBqSpxypQPLGG7C6bYhdI7UJobrJbA02Fvp04DrWoRlJuTwIMOzRp9Oe9Hm4UFFXYOkEmlFxhtOrVH5JPCiSzMIjYU/s2997/2006-5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kNQUzak26NRVqS9nybo2UThSrtXEyMoENcyqn3_ju7gE8UFdTQ5g7VHmUWdAG_cfScpZS6SHylirFAs-717vpn5y8AIYdWI2YaOBqSpxypQPLGG7C6bYhdI7UJobrJbA02Fvp04DrWoRlJuTwIMOzRp9Oe9Hm4UFFXYOkEmlFxhtOrVH5JPCiSzMIjYU/w1836-h1228/2006-5.jpg" width="1836" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A Grey Ghost chases the setting sun.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKhmEd8oPMNDeoCJaNp0P-2N8aFjkh6Wy7RLxpSe114oIHnq32j-Wu6nCJdGwQ6LyMKhyODUQ0tbmsmjVb1sFEMjXWFPfnl2QR4Gf5M9WhWmF0b1SAOd8LDA-3MV-3xMGXm_8bUvm9t8erjtJE_HZDk-fMFwQQWwb1p3FNIyK_o60YClmoHJqjKRJUwpe/s3039/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3039" height="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKhmEd8oPMNDeoCJaNp0P-2N8aFjkh6Wy7RLxpSe114oIHnq32j-Wu6nCJdGwQ6LyMKhyODUQ0tbmsmjVb1sFEMjXWFPfnl2QR4Gf5M9WhWmF0b1SAOd8LDA-3MV-3xMGXm_8bUvm9t8erjtJE_HZDk-fMFwQQWwb1p3FNIyK_o60YClmoHJqjKRJUwpe/w1851-h1203/34.jpg" width="1851" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific power on a southbound empty coal drag.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-iv8ur6R73p9fjur3GExGa9wtpTs5xgvVMo00Bo63arHB76PTHpbSgZGxrg7n3_OYCGF1mvsRBCpR9FGwV_sTZkw8jVCb0rf9z0CjiuZsQSrgqlvr5Wf2IIOMvqz7hc7BuseAsWxLrJ7qE_eyP_mnrc8CpfeTjfpcG2bYiXgtsFoRGUlzVVlGeiYxoj0/s2997/51.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-iv8ur6R73p9fjur3GExGa9wtpTs5xgvVMo00Bo63arHB76PTHpbSgZGxrg7n3_OYCGF1mvsRBCpR9FGwV_sTZkw8jVCb0rf9z0CjiuZsQSrgqlvr5Wf2IIOMvqz7hc7BuseAsWxLrJ7qE_eyP_mnrc8CpfeTjfpcG2bYiXgtsFoRGUlzVVlGeiYxoj0/w1850-h1238/51.jpg" width="1850" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound manifest (compass west) approaching the Arkansas-Oklahoma border.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJQqfAG1IY8UJX_0Yo9C-m81l_0qcKV06NHgFYyLJGtZBXw876UrV25_MztjM-G9TOrZkwxYfIghHV6VSc4ilzysUUMsD0SyVmG8xMLYzdLafz7QqZmgqc_j-ezhMljkkMvk-YOJprFVRyllmmZGpwMjQbgQLc0H8SqnGf2vVYzUDWoSlYOqq9gx975QE/s3012/54.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJQqfAG1IY8UJX_0Yo9C-m81l_0qcKV06NHgFYyLJGtZBXw876UrV25_MztjM-G9TOrZkwxYfIghHV6VSc4ilzysUUMsD0SyVmG8xMLYzdLafz7QqZmgqc_j-ezhMljkkMvk-YOJprFVRyllmmZGpwMjQbgQLc0H8SqnGf2vVYzUDWoSlYOqq9gx975QE/w1847-h1224/54.jpg" width="1847" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound grain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT6ywHqf2_3O0ox7kcw4okezlumT79NvZ0qOBdnLDSCy1LHgGTKLQRhqL790BxMaPE9jCIVlBI3qXjluI7jRSpQ_NS1lGMzJDaF9vXbQ5kRVVMtNpnl_rdYKVQ8MnvRDVUQKqeVMKZn-n4FT-FkDTZDBDcMJQUXGyVOv88bCNabejLmJxpSyZmUqtwqA6/s3019/KCS39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3019" height="1222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT6ywHqf2_3O0ox7kcw4okezlumT79NvZ0qOBdnLDSCy1LHgGTKLQRhqL790BxMaPE9jCIVlBI3qXjluI7jRSpQ_NS1lGMzJDaF9vXbQ5kRVVMtNpnl_rdYKVQ8MnvRDVUQKqeVMKZn-n4FT-FkDTZDBDcMJQUXGyVOv88bCNabejLmJxpSyZmUqtwqA6/w1852-h1222/KCS39.jpg" width="1852" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rich Mountain, Arkansas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzIVSs8-AJI6-pgHMz2mltBTtSR3DP_ZoqQlLxdH9yiTp1dG1rEncsgJMyGz6mRpM7e_gcev82NPN-XATyM_1iiqaLT-5AOQngIHlCiYx4nH_H9DxT2eTrQbjwSdE4qD32z2ZHTYxsZHjdIA_ynC8NbFfTlHCAyAPjN8kRK7DahGrnM6m2cHuzaCnGy1-/s3001/KCS21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzIVSs8-AJI6-pgHMz2mltBTtSR3DP_ZoqQlLxdH9yiTp1dG1rEncsgJMyGz6mRpM7e_gcev82NPN-XATyM_1iiqaLT-5AOQngIHlCiYx4nH_H9DxT2eTrQbjwSdE4qD32z2ZHTYxsZHjdIA_ynC8NbFfTlHCAyAPjN8kRK7DahGrnM6m2cHuzaCnGy1-/w1853-h1235/KCS21.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Page, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWAAukK9GIANS2ptBRsQDuqjKz7j1YnwsH134OJiPHpBbUk3RnVyKlzBiwuzvLCnpE1-hzfuKUkCdQeFhdlbG8rdaDX2yBRcyssNyCvDFG0lo5LwaoG6WzjLLk3EPmVWebR16nTAvAvWJbO9mYs2EwUoxCoPu7A8Njkyk12sPpLPf_zll50qVKdHF13eY/s3044/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3044" height="1184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWAAukK9GIANS2ptBRsQDuqjKz7j1YnwsH134OJiPHpBbUk3RnVyKlzBiwuzvLCnpE1-hzfuKUkCdQeFhdlbG8rdaDX2yBRcyssNyCvDFG0lo5LwaoG6WzjLLk3EPmVWebR16nTAvAvWJbO9mYs2EwUoxCoPu7A8Njkyk12sPpLPf_zll50qVKdHF13eY/w1831-h1184/14.jpg" width="1831" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound manifest in fall.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWW6tph-lu05G8F02gM8iiiPuDUNPK41wWicWqQe2bl0VVD_PqkVc5AD1B3O8sx2KValTfSo-BOOxk-eg1L8P3uX9zSrJPawqcO6e2DJw62xspKXZXwQo1n1bvX7Mddh_P9-Ouqz2jMPmCHB1QFi8db86VGBtCAzDRN7-ZzckKoWSuzx9rYvESogUWL0Mg/s2935/29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="2935" height="1278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWW6tph-lu05G8F02gM8iiiPuDUNPK41wWicWqQe2bl0VVD_PqkVc5AD1B3O8sx2KValTfSo-BOOxk-eg1L8P3uX9zSrJPawqcO6e2DJw62xspKXZXwQo1n1bvX7Mddh_P9-Ouqz2jMPmCHB1QFi8db86VGBtCAzDRN7-ZzckKoWSuzx9rYvESogUWL0Mg/w1833-h1278/29.jpg" width="1833" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The new CPKC.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Craig Branch</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">David Moffat's railroad west from Denver intended to reach Salt Lake City through the coal fields in northwestern Colorado. Fantastic costs, however, bankrupted both Moffat and his railroad, and construction stopped near the small settlement of Craig. When the Moffat Route was connected to the original Rio Grande mainline at Dotsero, the tracks to Craig became a branch servicing the coal mines. Today (January 2024), at least one mine is still open, and a few trains ply the rails each week. </span></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniJ5G91-f_R5_eyWcUanq1gnJkTL8hh5dVoCFlGw-bi6XKTrQBDZzJCdEKmsYUeQZQmVVcIvx53fJw-A9hYJ2eBTGq_NGzVg4uR9IpKBEM4aDJZLoLah1TduaXigFJLuNs3q92l_HHlDSEstAB-yx3XfB-7nrT2mmptCUMi7FZl0ReuanxXGmz5jVDhxR/s3028/Craig%209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3028" height="1074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniJ5G91-f_R5_eyWcUanq1gnJkTL8hh5dVoCFlGw-bi6XKTrQBDZzJCdEKmsYUeQZQmVVcIvx53fJw-A9hYJ2eBTGq_NGzVg4uR9IpKBEM4aDJZLoLah1TduaXigFJLuNs3q92l_HHlDSEstAB-yx3XfB-7nrT2mmptCUMi7FZl0ReuanxXGmz5jVDhxR/w1645-h1074/Craig%209.jpg" width="1645" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An empty coal train is headed to the mines.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwoL6RXBxCccPDjo_jpcXg_6idkIvkyjKZ9MO77Ube21VSYUHTrenVktTBZftyjZoZEQ6TLOJag1Jr4m8Yb5VCbmwOw997HggWSn8eoIuxc0Fy_gUoE4WTA7aJoF9NfH85gaIP-GVWrSK1axzm74JvXTiwJFl4dbLqeYhZTR0aiEtDKDc2jZWRLgVQRoC/s3062/Craig%2012.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3062" height="1174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwoL6RXBxCccPDjo_jpcXg_6idkIvkyjKZ9MO77Ube21VSYUHTrenVktTBZftyjZoZEQ6TLOJag1Jr4m8Yb5VCbmwOw997HggWSn8eoIuxc0Fy_gUoE4WTA7aJoF9NfH85gaIP-GVWrSK1axzm74JvXTiwJFl4dbLqeYhZTR0aiEtDKDc2jZWRLgVQRoC/w1833-h1174/Craig%2012.jpg" width="1833" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Coal loads struggling upgrade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJBFhboiHvlhxTyGoPHM5nHZWWtIvlskGGEqcHNSXlpd0vD7_Rp0TzNcc5yIg7I2SvuYDO-GGnXEg0syuiItqjvcabFIePkqX0JWgUux0HCYemXnTXD0aYneTgCjAgHNhgdoQEVAXZQDkMXB5_k2HebQnfmndDbPzN8CC0O6jzBsBlLUzEblQzaKQFMDJ/s3088/Craig%2047.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJBFhboiHvlhxTyGoPHM5nHZWWtIvlskGGEqcHNSXlpd0vD7_Rp0TzNcc5yIg7I2SvuYDO-GGnXEg0syuiItqjvcabFIePkqX0JWgUux0HCYemXnTXD0aYneTgCjAgHNhgdoQEVAXZQDkMXB5_k2HebQnfmndDbPzN8CC0O6jzBsBlLUzEblQzaKQFMDJ/w1833-h1214/Craig%2047.jpg" width="1833" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Loaded coal entering Egeria Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Marsland, Nebraska</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Marsland was founded on August 28, 1889, along the newly constructed C,B & Q line across Crawford Hill and was named after Thomas Marsland, the railroad's general freight manager. For years, I thought the place was so named because it looked like the planet. Now a ghost town, Marsland is the site of a scenic horseshoe curve.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2lDoPN4nG1eUhr3yOnDfd0TqM-b-JzsBexXsnDC9UJX0SQvVWg-0Yu28qOm-rLMOG4vUU8Kzw5zGe5pRR-zOjBpMfPNWify4E_Tu9yS7_QgZlTCsnuNxxIgUlgBes61uoTfpO-50zU17XcwGEp6vuK6o9JEHGnffPYLCNX8kWeiP8VEu-PjJ14bI9zZA/s3234/Crawford4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="3234" height="1055" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2lDoPN4nG1eUhr3yOnDfd0TqM-b-JzsBexXsnDC9UJX0SQvVWg-0Yu28qOm-rLMOG4vUU8Kzw5zGe5pRR-zOjBpMfPNWify4E_Tu9yS7_QgZlTCsnuNxxIgUlgBes61uoTfpO-50zU17XcwGEp6vuK6o9JEHGnffPYLCNX8kWeiP8VEu-PjJ14bI9zZA/w1835-h1055/Crawford4.jpg" width="1835" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers on eastbound loaded coal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S8sBai1HAAPgX6l3EN4dM83Kr5GKBvcQoYFgAuw-l3A2ob0s0EFPxqbno6f2xZrqg4X6vjs8itGfrQDbiFTEl_3eYW5lhWfu3OD4VqZgqx9UreXjvaVuXAuhBW7Mrt-5nj-pePhEdaXMP6fsJyf6f13P-w5JqfIaiXdgDcIuczaN7lVi01T-dFurWaGJ/s2974/Crawford13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2974" height="1241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6S8sBai1HAAPgX6l3EN4dM83Kr5GKBvcQoYFgAuw-l3A2ob0s0EFPxqbno6f2xZrqg4X6vjs8itGfrQDbiFTEl_3eYW5lhWfu3OD4VqZgqx9UreXjvaVuXAuhBW7Mrt-5nj-pePhEdaXMP6fsJyf6f13P-w5JqfIaiXdgDcIuczaN7lVi01T-dFurWaGJ/w1830-h1241/Crawford13.jpg" width="1830" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound empties.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Crookton Cut-off</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the 1950's, the Santa Fe constructed the Crookton Cut-off to lessen the harsh grade between Williams and Ashfork, Arizona. The new tracks run through some remarkably remote territory and in several places are approachable only by four-wheel-drive. The land is a mixture of basalt from the San Francisco Volcano Field and limestone from an ancient sea.</span></div><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQtBZjJEPgpLsWcnbQWmpBl49XKVWbfkf5IW4vUWZlJERsCT-QbgE1uRAqJv4H4rmSK8XK1BGLi6VcXhkdY61M2elwsvODxjsapLQexR47wB6denpNqKKMP2tHhOa3UZot3um_7kG9HSYugBWTJNuGUwtussbTTUFFJzr3SyfoLhy2jSw02w3zI_gqCQY/s3088/81700011%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQtBZjJEPgpLsWcnbQWmpBl49XKVWbfkf5IW4vUWZlJERsCT-QbgE1uRAqJv4H4rmSK8XK1BGLi6VcXhkdY61M2elwsvODxjsapLQexR47wB6denpNqKKMP2tHhOa3UZot3um_7kG9HSYugBWTJNuGUwtussbTTUFFJzr3SyfoLhy2jSw02w3zI_gqCQY/w1851-h1226/81700011%20copy.jpg" width="1851" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound approaching the big cut at Doublea.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDdAWypyllNGoUlKiuKgC8wDJpASO8YvyLR3MJcOQ0lFJBZskntI-8wQP-91LQuSQUGs93O_-tuyxDJFqAoswiyAHreKTovA73EFFJx64yUYo3ygZwo_BmspWXGorfpeNru2qun82rlGeVWstTJgEb8s3yBrvWh46CQCLKTmSa90iKkAnEmrUeKz8mVkB/s3088/81730006%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDdAWypyllNGoUlKiuKgC8wDJpASO8YvyLR3MJcOQ0lFJBZskntI-8wQP-91LQuSQUGs93O_-tuyxDJFqAoswiyAHreKTovA73EFFJx64yUYo3ygZwo_BmspWXGorfpeNru2qun82rlGeVWstTJgEb8s3yBrvWh46CQCLKTmSa90iKkAnEmrUeKz8mVkB/w1838-h1218/81730006%20copy.jpg" width="1838" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>On the big fill at Eagle's Nest.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrqTxFBq4xjENJuFHzhOe3_imZ8_xc0XB0356wmDwtUUc6QCPILz430O4No6OUuHI3hxchBnN7g0ZU5QBhYhvt09Vw41IBsWYe9V82guK_hb671vMtYWIPbFDOC5xJtPrBNm6hqZdrycEQRA2gm3vUf8p9bw4RlhH5BsMuvyAk5EeohQaWb77FGqhrr6k/s3088/81760001%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrqTxFBq4xjENJuFHzhOe3_imZ8_xc0XB0356wmDwtUUc6QCPILz430O4No6OUuHI3hxchBnN7g0ZU5QBhYhvt09Vw41IBsWYe9V82guK_hb671vMtYWIPbFDOC5xJtPrBNm6hqZdrycEQRA2gm3vUf8p9bw4RlhH5BsMuvyAk5EeohQaWb77FGqhrr6k/w1836-h1216/81760001%20copy.jpg" width="1836" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound in last light.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Curtis Hill, Oklahoma</b></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Westbound traffic on BNSF's Transcon climbs from the Cimarron River Valley at Curtis Hill, an isolated area in northwestern Oklahoma prone to amazing weather extremes -- blazing hot in summer, frigid in winter, almost always windy. Home to an annual rattlesnake hunt, Curtis Hill is truly a western landscape.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjGgaE7TjiKuzj7-AVUzv_tOQbBBO7d924Rtlo2iw2gcSTgtDuFlFv-LY7Yg5doXhYkMgDh98K9Rye8B380BBHMqg-Xp9sMUDIXo1oxsEaL8QlczcQbZLRXOVkACEnimsXEohpr3v8_3HyrjpbwgKxwCtipcSPqXdGotX3wSini8NEqZDT5DzvzElaUuU/s2997/Curtis%20Hill%201.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjGgaE7TjiKuzj7-AVUzv_tOQbBBO7d924Rtlo2iw2gcSTgtDuFlFv-LY7Yg5doXhYkMgDh98K9Rye8B380BBHMqg-Xp9sMUDIXo1oxsEaL8QlczcQbZLRXOVkACEnimsXEohpr3v8_3HyrjpbwgKxwCtipcSPqXdGotX3wSini8NEqZDT5DzvzElaUuU/w1827-h1222/Curtis%20Hill%201.jpg" width="1827" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound racing down the hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-afeaYUGJToCVP-gysf-vRwvuIKdkOv3hPBwPjd6kS7qIQabClhTTiX9wtMDOClGSNAeCOlAdQ14Uh1us5xAFEAvnxq1376IkwdVR1fKuydOA7yiGoeoDYn3qUHTY_NrAADyu57eIJBqURwQPDPWcO14BnNlZrACbYSNu8tchT4FrBPGsREvcAFXkA9bg/s3001/Curtis%20Hill%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-afeaYUGJToCVP-gysf-vRwvuIKdkOv3hPBwPjd6kS7qIQabClhTTiX9wtMDOClGSNAeCOlAdQ14Uh1us5xAFEAvnxq1376IkwdVR1fKuydOA7yiGoeoDYn3qUHTY_NrAADyu57eIJBqURwQPDPWcO14BnNlZrACbYSNu8tchT4FrBPGsREvcAFXkA9bg/w1820-h1212/Curtis%20Hill%202.jpg" width="1820" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound waiting for a green board at the bottom of the hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDaTV3tAxJBAhcMTXYkCZfc9sVW07IpA75Erum4wJWmntHv7nu4BPImkFRgYZwfmAXpFUGTAY6SMzGNtsb2PL2rEhFoSP7ArTIj_n3fKfFwPa4W0dcNXF2pI8AtLlujI_Gznvol2AVeE_TIJpZIhaLJPdt-EefhBIGJY4wIWCNgVVD1b-clj9QhyphenhyphenyN5d8/s2990/Curtis%20Hill%203.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2990" height="1231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDaTV3tAxJBAhcMTXYkCZfc9sVW07IpA75Erum4wJWmntHv7nu4BPImkFRgYZwfmAXpFUGTAY6SMzGNtsb2PL2rEhFoSP7ArTIj_n3fKfFwPa4W0dcNXF2pI8AtLlujI_Gznvol2AVeE_TIJpZIhaLJPdt-EefhBIGJY4wIWCNgVVD1b-clj9QhyphenhyphenyN5d8/w1832-h1231/Curtis%20Hill%203.jpg" width="1832" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Preparing to roll downgrade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTGF97CmVsaiyDPL2N-HTiSCYDxH_2lgkQNGBNqUzvRXYe6W3-yhPWY2cQoagt0z2LfwC4ZPUSnX_qz3RTrfiNahoHEuec9f6C4OvhN6hCf-ul-GiHujlGxtWptQfu6EXndTwWQNXn8066EOB7LyCPnfuJXuhnfEhYpOR-7twhNNs5FzDxLi9SC9cHb-M/s3022/Curtis%20Hill%208.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3022" height="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTGF97CmVsaiyDPL2N-HTiSCYDxH_2lgkQNGBNqUzvRXYe6W3-yhPWY2cQoagt0z2LfwC4ZPUSnX_qz3RTrfiNahoHEuec9f6C4OvhN6hCf-ul-GiHujlGxtWptQfu6EXndTwWQNXn8066EOB7LyCPnfuJXuhnfEhYpOR-7twhNNs5FzDxLi9SC9cHb-M/w1829-h1201/Curtis%20Hill%208.jpg" width="1829" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Into darkness.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVb22DJrooJxf65Dxr3wrNJ4uAXftlKEJh1BDDgnJdFJyBRmlApFuuLtT1FkTihBkqqIO49MsI4t8idSZsAyIEcNbrox081YLrMP7QzV3c68tUTVlbQIftQVNaZZGMikfy7vBJUHx9juozBw9C8nEltySQMSUSQ5iabu8D3CjeiLzTCPCiEQ-eYJxZ1ek/s3031/Curtis%20Hill%2026.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3031" height="1199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVb22DJrooJxf65Dxr3wrNJ4uAXftlKEJh1BDDgnJdFJyBRmlApFuuLtT1FkTihBkqqIO49MsI4t8idSZsAyIEcNbrox081YLrMP7QzV3c68tUTVlbQIftQVNaZZGMikfy7vBJUHx9juozBw9C8nEltySQMSUSQ5iabu8D3CjeiLzTCPCiEQ-eYJxZ1ek/w1836-h1199/Curtis%20Hill%2026.jpg" width="1836" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks approaching the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHg5sDkYrMhagRBGE4-sB58X2obt7ec3SGaQeImZLXqRDwuXcCwsSCVRmcHXOt1BGLtNmL5r_YI-_YZ5inyzTvmrJtszW-ktJCNzDtXdx9-TQQbqZlxkllVt7A2ggd9CZIhQBBmo7Qf5h58YpAyY1AZx8AD8_bmzz6jXrYbHMjwCu2ysH20NLnOi2imex/s3003/Curtis%20Hill%2027.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3003" height="1221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHg5sDkYrMhagRBGE4-sB58X2obt7ec3SGaQeImZLXqRDwuXcCwsSCVRmcHXOt1BGLtNmL5r_YI-_YZ5inyzTvmrJtszW-ktJCNzDtXdx9-TQQbqZlxkllVt7A2ggd9CZIhQBBmo7Qf5h58YpAyY1AZx8AD8_bmzz6jXrYbHMjwCu2ysH20NLnOi2imex/w1834-h1221/Curtis%20Hill%2027.jpg" width="1834" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Chasing the sun.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibld1yJiG10icpI-inhK0jcqcDAunrPMK_gHIAAZj80EZgyNwZNwZkx6URuuuIenTLGgGjDIGka9-w_Yrc3Nb_mbQaZTYStZ0wfbBW6pBYJEtqhTZOBF0CV3rA_HDPNaMwLmkP7tjBLISO9dlxDGqvoMgPm5FvZCSa-hnv-leCiEwaMIUCALNSH7RWKrpE/s3088/67580001%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibld1yJiG10icpI-inhK0jcqcDAunrPMK_gHIAAZj80EZgyNwZNwZkx6URuuuIenTLGgGjDIGka9-w_Yrc3Nb_mbQaZTYStZ0wfbBW6pBYJEtqhTZOBF0CV3rA_HDPNaMwLmkP7tjBLISO9dlxDGqvoMgPm5FvZCSa-hnv-leCiEwaMIUCALNSH7RWKrpE/w1848-h1224/67580001%20copy.jpg" width="1848" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Beginning the climb.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYBgdcAGJK3oCRIcKLrY08htthwt5qO0IYi189TgOHBndqLbxnWm2Mp8uwKdjJvi3j55jPwDeyyIjB5WrdZfahoTZmLQQ10pvJrx-d8ae3IOq92SSC-liIr8BnnOHhZxllitmeXUBAL0QzS8pH66PojUrCg9ASS7YulVLAs9NB4tqpRHCTfPPH6h4Uja0/s3088/67580002%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYBgdcAGJK3oCRIcKLrY08htthwt5qO0IYi189TgOHBndqLbxnWm2Mp8uwKdjJvi3j55jPwDeyyIjB5WrdZfahoTZmLQQ10pvJrx-d8ae3IOq92SSC-liIr8BnnOHhZxllitmeXUBAL0QzS8pH66PojUrCg9ASS7YulVLAs9NB4tqpRHCTfPPH6h4Uja0/w1844-h1222/67580002%20copy.jpg" width="1844" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Chased by the sun.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dragoon, Arizona</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Dragoon, Arizona, is the highest point on Union Pacific's Southern Transcon between California and El Paso. Wedged in the saddle between the Dragoon and Little Dragoon Mountains, the small settlement is named after the soldiers who fought a long and bitter war against the Apaches, a conflict in which each side showed both valor and viciousness, a conflict in which only the desert ultimately prevailed.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbLQbW7oj1IoJp26knKeB4T2jmm91ItGtve7pAenj55GzgC8cXO8UCXOvvzEnSmxwlo2ttJ77LleH8txdh3rVHeI-sjkascR9m2-I250qM_TCwhaQgYDLt0ktdO551SWNu2u-tT6gU0b8A0CUbPS3t8Ue_HEw2XxRe-g20-E0DVg-zx00vKl7V6x_-TlU/s3028/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3028" height="1211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbLQbW7oj1IoJp26knKeB4T2jmm91ItGtve7pAenj55GzgC8cXO8UCXOvvzEnSmxwlo2ttJ77LleH8txdh3rVHeI-sjkascR9m2-I250qM_TCwhaQgYDLt0ktdO551SWNu2u-tT6gU0b8A0CUbPS3t8Ue_HEw2XxRe-g20-E0DVg-zx00vKl7V6x_-TlU/w1855-h1211/32.jpg" width="1855" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks at the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05RTLJkskjpXO6zKoJk-i2yur48HV9yycmeeV-OxXcJhqnaxaZEQeGFZ4IhxF6gU2NrroPG2HZbqerdrEQKYPMGG-KF9mtIG5jseFBOmL6oOAVB7ve3GbHScMNoryZpmNn616yAXHhur7CcTVAeexD7K5IZqH7z2Thk_UFpyjXg_ofW0MLJi21mHWWqNe/s3024/48%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3024" height="1217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05RTLJkskjpXO6zKoJk-i2yur48HV9yycmeeV-OxXcJhqnaxaZEQeGFZ4IhxF6gU2NrroPG2HZbqerdrEQKYPMGG-KF9mtIG5jseFBOmL6oOAVB7ve3GbHScMNoryZpmNn616yAXHhur7CcTVAeexD7K5IZqH7z2Thk_UFpyjXg_ofW0MLJi21mHWWqNe/w1855-h1217/48%20copy.jpg" width="1855" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Amtrak rolling downgrade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rkqTUKU6lYo-jp-GyiKxMFFizP_s9pCJmbGvCA6kceNkKdO0lVMop4wDWUwoi_tBGl0xBA8yMwEO8oXKOdVkUYd9-9InPsRpAmAQpi-0YxwXLeyCFpMQ2nJLepb1stit0re4Es3A_BLs1inLTZXgYzS4OuV2pa6IwUCU2hr0AAGLUvSLq1mrthFP7T6M/s3025/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3025" height="1216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rkqTUKU6lYo-jp-GyiKxMFFizP_s9pCJmbGvCA6kceNkKdO0lVMop4wDWUwoi_tBGl0xBA8yMwEO8oXKOdVkUYd9-9InPsRpAmAQpi-0YxwXLeyCFpMQ2nJLepb1stit0re4Es3A_BLs1inLTZXgYzS4OuV2pa6IwUCU2hr0AAGLUvSLq1mrthFP7T6M/w1853-h1216/17.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sundown at Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fDnUSbAHMXvdt9aFcqOt8aKG0NNKnxKaJmbdeduoBX-YI_8P5mgTX5Vo2CoXx8SilQrAicwbB27cK8hYvVHNkUF7f-6OiH7ETqWaojhKmtyoKJztD_MzSIy72Pul1T8gDYMpH4uC5xvbWwy9iY2zzIirNLePG6EY8DCSvSbapigxtNyGefRO9FbWe75n/s3036/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fDnUSbAHMXvdt9aFcqOt8aKG0NNKnxKaJmbdeduoBX-YI_8P5mgTX5Vo2CoXx8SilQrAicwbB27cK8hYvVHNkUF7f-6OiH7ETqWaojhKmtyoKJztD_MzSIy72Pul1T8gDYMpH4uC5xvbWwy9iY2zzIirNLePG6EY8DCSvSbapigxtNyGefRO9FbWe75n/w1848-h1201/15.jpg" width="1848" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound climbing the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeFrsUhsOncEwnF2VG33IaN7d2bRxWku9UGuFULz8gHWyUuATG5V5woblr9Pj76gN8qtcn332HJI4VbLve-uLMSf9yZPpFh8t9boi2TSxN8sGZ-yuPaboHrGSfuwtrl5lNV0wWO6KvvvZc-iuaOmajfq6RXBR79nA8EcjUJGwVXs5aYTHiT3Jldas-4MQ/s3052/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3052" height="1193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeFrsUhsOncEwnF2VG33IaN7d2bRxWku9UGuFULz8gHWyUuATG5V5woblr9Pj76gN8qtcn332HJI4VbLve-uLMSf9yZPpFh8t9boi2TSxN8sGZ-yuPaboHrGSfuwtrl5lNV0wWO6KvvvZc-iuaOmajfq6RXBR79nA8EcjUJGwVXs5aYTHiT3Jldas-4MQ/w1853-h1193/35.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound approaching the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ellinor, Kansas</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">About ten miles west of Emporia, Kansas, sits Ellinor, not a town, just the point where BNSF's La Junta Sub to the west divides from the Emporia Sub to the southwest. The railroad is triple-track here, with as many as ten trains per hour racing through the bottom land of the Cottonwood River. If you like to see a lot of trains, Ellinor is for you.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyonr6osWbJxiMCpTxIIePR95c3hsrEAzrY_PirNgME6aEpBnfID657dpspdh6K1xd-G0_FGoPL1EruKWA15DxcSkXgaS7F3P-hGYJThP0veU0Vz9MHnExHtvljrgfnpJ0vVn5ZtBo0hl_RxGBzqgP_UX_o08ISqByyrqTcDY4TpSggel-osQrrOpJnUUh/s2304/Ellinor%2032.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="2304" height="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyonr6osWbJxiMCpTxIIePR95c3hsrEAzrY_PirNgME6aEpBnfID657dpspdh6K1xd-G0_FGoPL1EruKWA15DxcSkXgaS7F3P-hGYJThP0veU0Vz9MHnExHtvljrgfnpJ0vVn5ZtBo0hl_RxGBzqgP_UX_o08ISqByyrqTcDY4TpSggel-osQrrOpJnUUh/w1853-h1205/Ellinor%2032.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>When traffic gets heavy, trains often wait for a green board, as 5714 West is doing one winter's evening.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq6KJOCA1DPRaa6cpU-r14J9QMW1hCniRcclzIrrwVBLp72QevdR4CqxcumEAdq2T-foRZ6e4ilJbo8jk8e34SO6rexwbf0IvSoeusY5W34aLIx9aU7NDpDf2qgCRlg3dZPSCWG0ar0YTPzqR3CLuwXaipudPXmRN5N24dWwon5Ywg_er1DHcyFJ5QkhM/s3057/Ellinore%2030.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3057" height="1188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq6KJOCA1DPRaa6cpU-r14J9QMW1hCniRcclzIrrwVBLp72QevdR4CqxcumEAdq2T-foRZ6e4ilJbo8jk8e34SO6rexwbf0IvSoeusY5W34aLIx9aU7NDpDf2qgCRlg3dZPSCWG0ar0YTPzqR3CLuwXaipudPXmRN5N24dWwon5Ywg_er1DHcyFJ5QkhM/w1855-h1188/Ellinore%2030.jpg" width="1855" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kansas sunset.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRJFD-5xWP2v4hPhp4T1MkkKNvCJr60P0OsNCDBwEmE-XWVCeIGwIhKpGF8aweDwS4uikiMuahP2sUXM4wd8M7AJOMB0v6mDhjsV-dzFrqdlw12rv9saH4xtCNNOT1BcavHTyoPZCv30HGmJNzL0Brlxux42tc2Vjf2rLfONpvAnEVAHL-4ehQG-umEfb/s3070/Ellinor%2033.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="3070" height="1180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRJFD-5xWP2v4hPhp4T1MkkKNvCJr60P0OsNCDBwEmE-XWVCeIGwIhKpGF8aweDwS4uikiMuahP2sUXM4wd8M7AJOMB0v6mDhjsV-dzFrqdlw12rv9saH4xtCNNOT1BcavHTyoPZCv30HGmJNzL0Brlxux42tc2Vjf2rLfONpvAnEVAHL-4ehQG-umEfb/w1850-h1180/Ellinor%2033.jpg" width="1850" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Because of the high traffic volume, one or more trains often come through in the last light of day.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznGQBuPILaoPKycRCGwH5R2rOMI2HyvKSqaJOYB1B1BkyURptB2j7WnqF8OIy8zxEM_lXdrz3jvg3PqAXAfBRSJc7NG__B9ZUUd5d4tshFc3Q91NIwMrMeHPyucxI2t4m9LdX4DBmB0_yBjUWdRD3Yf7R6dXuq_iguJlkmQa4qct1nPVR_5S0ChLlH4Vp/s3083/Ellinor%2022.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="3083" height="1168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznGQBuPILaoPKycRCGwH5R2rOMI2HyvKSqaJOYB1B1BkyURptB2j7WnqF8OIy8zxEM_lXdrz3jvg3PqAXAfBRSJc7NG__B9ZUUd5d4tshFc3Q91NIwMrMeHPyucxI2t4m9LdX4DBmB0_yBjUWdRD3Yf7R6dXuq_iguJlkmQa4qct1nPVR_5S0ChLlH4Vp/w1851-h1168/Ellinor%2022.jpg" width="1851" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This eastbound is coming off the La Junta Sub.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhJPuYQjrZQqVaSmnvgWEI7CHsGuQk-rwhQdMBTfi99ydhxnxtA10a48cy3GHd9a7pNfCvLaXkhWfBVC_0IxqpLJwaqCaKCsG1RD2Gw2yEburdHz3sw5vGXXSwicAp_DYPYUQA-FTm_FYdRpQmfcw-B2Llm1pOyvaWMLQDJZ1lrDHtRJZJSgwkLFoYHWj/s3072/Ellinor%2018.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1953" data-original-width="3072" height="1174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhJPuYQjrZQqVaSmnvgWEI7CHsGuQk-rwhQdMBTfi99ydhxnxtA10a48cy3GHd9a7pNfCvLaXkhWfBVC_0IxqpLJwaqCaKCsG1RD2Gw2yEburdHz3sw5vGXXSwicAp_DYPYUQA-FTm_FYdRpQmfcw-B2Llm1pOyvaWMLQDJZ1lrDHtRJZJSgwkLFoYHWj/w1851-h1174/Ellinor%2018.jpg" width="1851" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemKpVTR8aPyRrIbICy4nK-ZMAx8cjhxs-4azNX38-1ThaBES9rXLyx6BE3Ew_bK7q-ZVhMB4Zk2JRatNQ53JK3UgUeHl98O-w_mCI-M24-WcxPriM6W2uhjLdH19e1jYT0gvllJqvn379IHcEB2_daDYVdW2YptupYrkBV4CTxp3Cgkzt2LCy1tdf_Mn5/s2988/Ellinor%2016.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2988" height="1241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemKpVTR8aPyRrIbICy4nK-ZMAx8cjhxs-4azNX38-1ThaBES9rXLyx6BE3Ew_bK7q-ZVhMB4Zk2JRatNQ53JK3UgUeHl98O-w_mCI-M24-WcxPriM6W2uhjLdH19e1jYT0gvllJqvn379IHcEB2_daDYVdW2YptupYrkBV4CTxp3Cgkzt2LCy1tdf_Mn5/w1848-h1241/Ellinor%2016.jpg" width="1848" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbounds on the Emporia and La Junta Subs running side-by-side.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIBFK2tV3kevXL2thuY5syP-Xrwt42p2joNLzAiuQ-sq19pPKVFfDMgi8Tmc2bBQwgY06cOPK89tmydBtbLchPA5Voh7Bn_cOvZmz4b2dGnjnNPUY3sN0u9yEOeBQhbMLZLxYp2wYdp98HdC-pS-OCtkkJ-6XnK1bMHLxiy8QgTSj4GRlYv9QZnzUmKMt/s3084/Ellinor%2010.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="3084" height="1168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIBFK2tV3kevXL2thuY5syP-Xrwt42p2joNLzAiuQ-sq19pPKVFfDMgi8Tmc2bBQwgY06cOPK89tmydBtbLchPA5Voh7Bn_cOvZmz4b2dGnjnNPUY3sN0u9yEOeBQhbMLZLxYp2wYdp98HdC-pS-OCtkkJ-6XnK1bMHLxiy8QgTSj4GRlYv9QZnzUmKMt/w1850-h1168/Ellinor%2010.jpg" width="1850" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Some evenings, the parade of trains seems endless.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIposgV_Q_zFddL4QdH1M5jPb2LECQoVTMgkZhJZCDxXRc9a982-VRSm0W5XBP4047jvZclvA8nb18QQDuxblKeNqUgGaQU3_xV7T9T34zSoemW0a_rbCPcGfMKxs0kAUI-qnd2GSg-D8aGFR5JdnGDTHF0KqNJRtstj4LmtGaIpfQGvhercaCQ-QBIysT/s3024/Ellinor%207.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIposgV_Q_zFddL4QdH1M5jPb2LECQoVTMgkZhJZCDxXRc9a982-VRSm0W5XBP4047jvZclvA8nb18QQDuxblKeNqUgGaQU3_xV7T9T34zSoemW0a_rbCPcGfMKxs0kAUI-qnd2GSg-D8aGFR5JdnGDTHF0KqNJRtstj4LmtGaIpfQGvhercaCQ-QBIysT/w1851-h1214/Ellinor%207.jpg" width="1851" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In fall and winter, the sun sets south of the the tracks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC6tRO7x2vtIc3AcZgyvf5gqi2Brnf4zY3TmnBlrNHeu9k6KcEshvsmQkrLJ7-p7fgucSbj0f0L9_n47mtOBXAVGRR-LIjwW_n0uTTj5yFzrc5RJ2f80Ox3AMoe8vQ7X430qf-W_gmgj1PJB-PdRRL0-P-oed1PH0aGRLxGlTTDnoqQi3ppKHjxfZIuSA/s2991/Ellinor%205.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2991" height="1244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC6tRO7x2vtIc3AcZgyvf5gqi2Brnf4zY3TmnBlrNHeu9k6KcEshvsmQkrLJ7-p7fgucSbj0f0L9_n47mtOBXAVGRR-LIjwW_n0uTTj5yFzrc5RJ2f80Ox3AMoe8vQ7X430qf-W_gmgj1PJB-PdRRL0-P-oed1PH0aGRLxGlTTDnoqQi3ppKHjxfZIuSA/w1853-h1244/Ellinor%205.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In summer, to the north.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZbsU2IwAyvd8N5cnaB_qdlfI8ESW_G8kpESN9mrenV_eFWKsh-ZUgkjUQKE5L0TGvYBmhhRZ1qRv731kGXU2q1-QXEmNpyLZ9anNGELy-KNPx9oZtN1yb4KeYoXp9VPaZsokNYYybyGyKlU4mD1UyUM95vO7VofM2tlNcdAzEkJT4gIceycL2C_6kJr6/s3029/Ellinor%206.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3029" height="1207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZbsU2IwAyvd8N5cnaB_qdlfI8ESW_G8kpESN9mrenV_eFWKsh-ZUgkjUQKE5L0TGvYBmhhRZ1qRv731kGXU2q1-QXEmNpyLZ9anNGELy-KNPx9oZtN1yb4KeYoXp9VPaZsokNYYybyGyKlU4mD1UyUM95vO7VofM2tlNcdAzEkJT4gIceycL2C_6kJr6/w1848-h1207/Ellinor%206.jpg" width="1848" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>If you don't like Kansas sunsets, you don't like sunsets.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flagstaff, Arizona</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Flagstaff is where BNSF's Transcon crosses the San Francisco Volcano Field. Trains climb laboriously in both directions to the Arizona Divide, at over 7,000 feet, and although the tracks wind and twist through the world's largest Ponderosa Pine forest, the right-of-way is wide enough to allow late afternoon sun to shine through in pristine clarity.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Flagstaff is also the gateway to the Grand Canyon.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-oWPehH5UAnNOqDs-RWK0d9RTZSqdMUVYwUH2XEBK8mMkB6KoSONl7D14jJJywjsPUFvCo5vdsArItZMyfe179BWo9sfJhkKisYUI74i1BmK1Lir38J5w-_AGoegx4Nwk-y5-074uZ2nvZGmBBfC58OcVPflVP79opYEYwzTf60xrzUC88zJs5lQEDAL/s2939/Flagstaff2.tif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2041" data-original-width="2939" height="1284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-oWPehH5UAnNOqDs-RWK0d9RTZSqdMUVYwUH2XEBK8mMkB6KoSONl7D14jJJywjsPUFvCo5vdsArItZMyfe179BWo9sfJhkKisYUI74i1BmK1Lir38J5w-_AGoegx4Nwk-y5-074uZ2nvZGmBBfC58OcVPflVP79opYEYwzTf60xrzUC88zJs5lQEDAL/w1851-h1284/Flagstaff2.tif" width="1851" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks beneath San Franisco Peak, a huge strato-volcano.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBG4ChjOlj66uLiNu-TsHdqzmE-XM1KqSuF-FNuZwzTx-vAcJHKHJvAQ-56EHRhxmSZw8WtpI9S4f-H2ChoEyHSpWZ7JpYgXSo1bCGGRy3D9WnPo4S1b2QTTfnLxkP-sUB7pq3CzmpnTSlqyTReeQ2JRdeuIQLY5AqEDq6R4j0FvZ1nSoFvpraLIapAjvK/s3012/Flagstaff11.tif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBG4ChjOlj66uLiNu-TsHdqzmE-XM1KqSuF-FNuZwzTx-vAcJHKHJvAQ-56EHRhxmSZw8WtpI9S4f-H2ChoEyHSpWZ7JpYgXSo1bCGGRy3D9WnPo4S1b2QTTfnLxkP-sUB7pq3CzmpnTSlqyTReeQ2JRdeuIQLY5AqEDq6R4j0FvZ1nSoFvpraLIapAjvK/w1850-h1225/Flagstaff11.tif" width="1850" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound to New Mexico.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2xDxEh7APcNS2v3dk4AByyQ1YJILGJrMdXlhG9yb72skElO5WJOqbNksxmxm2rLckLXeW069tHsaz7oTsHSCVYKR_TjruGIkb1MBzjXGYC4Cn7X93Emfp7dDUteodX_7NvZo9As093W7YV6ghD5ze6MYpXO4rPWBruux-i2oWXQnyYEvaeOHQ1X_FHQJ/s3014/Flagstaff41.tif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3014" height="1218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2xDxEh7APcNS2v3dk4AByyQ1YJILGJrMdXlhG9yb72skElO5WJOqbNksxmxm2rLckLXeW069tHsaz7oTsHSCVYKR_TjruGIkb1MBzjXGYC4Cn7X93Emfp7dDUteodX_7NvZo9As093W7YV6ghD5ze6MYpXO4rPWBruux-i2oWXQnyYEvaeOHQ1X_FHQJ/w1849-h1218/Flagstaff41.tif" width="1849" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound beneath Bill Williams Mountain, another volcano.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1a8K875rcjVIN93zF4vDDC_HNWdqyvCH1o0fQwb-ayAeLkAo6oZuNC3mZNiByyUCmP71nUKiexJjdVpZFpZnDZiwMVDY7t9ZC0T8goCJBJfA0jFTNskbBaQd04qO715PN9s-8h-jee43XiDM5zf0X1MIv1qE54CAh7Nakg2cjgaSs2qylG0WH20I3uKTb/s3042/Flagstaff42.tif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3042" height="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1a8K875rcjVIN93zF4vDDC_HNWdqyvCH1o0fQwb-ayAeLkAo6oZuNC3mZNiByyUCmP71nUKiexJjdVpZFpZnDZiwMVDY7t9ZC0T8goCJBJfA0jFTNskbBaQd04qO715PN9s-8h-jee43XiDM5zf0X1MIv1qE54CAh7Nakg2cjgaSs2qylG0WH20I3uKTb/w1842-h1198/Flagstaff42.tif" width="1842" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPU's at Maine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz30Z_j-L6NOa1XFd1WI3IVEdIq3YnJAU36w0rmVTTEeNXYAvk1-iLLQHsXaRoQbGzpqUBneL_KHMUxPrrkd3dEDi0IwuQz7D3fMdvnOj2N_n6s5dNfn_YoAoibKvPa0kPXhBoDGUpaWZyUeT5cxQRqd-WPV233xEd1jKCwPWDhFxKRL_UEZipOEIPJ1K5/s2937/Flagstaff43.tif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2043" data-original-width="2937" height="1284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz30Z_j-L6NOa1XFd1WI3IVEdIq3YnJAU36w0rmVTTEeNXYAvk1-iLLQHsXaRoQbGzpqUBneL_KHMUxPrrkd3dEDi0IwuQz7D3fMdvnOj2N_n6s5dNfn_YoAoibKvPa0kPXhBoDGUpaWZyUeT5cxQRqd-WPV233xEd1jKCwPWDhFxKRL_UEZipOEIPJ1K5/w1843-h1284/Flagstaff43.tif" width="1843" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sundown at Bill Williams Mountain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhuKph0ce8g2-baTEEFqjxa4sPq6_LDFpWxRpnf5N5_9lmGR6aqSWvCvAZfoSuaKioHeHw3WRv-lYIyLI36WN-n4fc3WUJB9Uk9zg_UJeioqux1YCkQswxtZQwP0c5GOBSPWnK6bN65TwaZHEY04D2RDB24SWfaO_LTHeoZsEcOU_ulMpmq6xJGuk6bP5/s3002/Flagstaff54.tif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3002" height="1233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhuKph0ce8g2-baTEEFqjxa4sPq6_LDFpWxRpnf5N5_9lmGR6aqSWvCvAZfoSuaKioHeHw3WRv-lYIyLI36WN-n4fc3WUJB9Uk9zg_UJeioqux1YCkQswxtZQwP0c5GOBSPWnK6bN65TwaZHEY04D2RDB24SWfaO_LTHeoZsEcOU_ulMpmq6xJGuk6bP5/w1853-h1233/Flagstaff54.tif" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound approaching the Arizona Divide.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSQLBNzG80fmAWbX66NSR2ETk3wsadnfRRkeI7h5eLAw8JTQscf-LdVLX1n_0zS53GWflhQTbLGZpiJueKy14xhKUrnbnjWjkXs0-COwwaXAIxBDD06CejK0E09UJ6CZoOW7oPM0bvETuLX7ZX4OsNr6KiPZWuyXm2s17zFR5Bp6XDPt2zGQKspuTu7nq/s3021/Flagstaff63.tif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3021" height="1212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSQLBNzG80fmAWbX66NSR2ETk3wsadnfRRkeI7h5eLAw8JTQscf-LdVLX1n_0zS53GWflhQTbLGZpiJueKy14xhKUrnbnjWjkXs0-COwwaXAIxBDD06CejK0E09UJ6CZoOW7oPM0bvETuLX7ZX4OsNr6KiPZWuyXm2s17zFR5Bp6XDPt2zGQKspuTu7nq/w1846-h1212/Flagstaff63.tif" width="1846" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound in summer when the sun sets north of the tracks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhmsD8s2HUzk6hmn9z8oVuyBBFlq7n0Fek3-fJBdMrdX9RquL7YqvR6Qn2LZwKR8tXftvwaHJ2ai-fh_ZdXhTCDvlc4v6yd9TNvw2SD6dJpN6uXlAPH6Dvar4ZqSDfuGEyzSL4I6i0c6GhztOGMe9BVY1vbFE06Zh3hQxJvEHwQ54fI5_NcoC54JcZavs/s3010/Flagstaff75.tif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3010" height="1221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhmsD8s2HUzk6hmn9z8oVuyBBFlq7n0Fek3-fJBdMrdX9RquL7YqvR6Qn2LZwKR8tXftvwaHJ2ai-fh_ZdXhTCDvlc4v6yd9TNvw2SD6dJpN6uXlAPH6Dvar4ZqSDfuGEyzSL4I6i0c6GhztOGMe9BVY1vbFE06Zh3hQxJvEHwQ54fI5_NcoC54JcZavs/w1843-h1221/Flagstaff75.tif" width="1843" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Into the sun.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGehLpzN3HOtpchBhEcC4DyPjNdWllX4lwbSSnXoeKbDIt5SNfipnFebw5jHqqZMv-ETJNa_0NUnWUnfFOymOnrjNXkJNlEeaJm-cHVkXg8SuK6VdVVFPD7Os1viPF6ku2kDdC3Klw32bkA2jMAcfQhKDcbNkLGyfkCXlPFV9_DK5WfUyGZzYGNReOEkZN/s2550/Flagstaff91.tif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="2353" height="1260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGehLpzN3HOtpchBhEcC4DyPjNdWllX4lwbSSnXoeKbDIt5SNfipnFebw5jHqqZMv-ETJNa_0NUnWUnfFOymOnrjNXkJNlEeaJm-cHVkXg8SuK6VdVVFPD7Os1viPF6ku2kDdC3Klw32bkA2jMAcfQhKDcbNkLGyfkCXlPFV9_DK5WfUyGZzYGNReOEkZN/w1161-h1260/Flagstaff91.tif" width="1161" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my other posts, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-55822986497541269312024-01-19T15:27:00.001-06:002024-01-19T15:27:26.406-06:00Sundown: Part One<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74EdAesOB0DlYI7swHKj1aO0iF-Bxj8KvSALeYISx3oghC3_-lLTNP49DgCJuVeEsfQmX4Iu9Dp4OhHKZ1hFR7MjoZUhNvXYHtpFZP76fxOllX-Vri2OwDZKe9w1NSDLRJNQevsXbI0r4d4r64otmO0xJDKtkzsbIKnIqbg6Aoi5O57ppGYxSaXO-TaqO/s3030/51.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3030" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74EdAesOB0DlYI7swHKj1aO0iF-Bxj8KvSALeYISx3oghC3_-lLTNP49DgCJuVeEsfQmX4Iu9Dp4OhHKZ1hFR7MjoZUhNvXYHtpFZP76fxOllX-Vri2OwDZKe9w1NSDLRJNQevsXbI0r4d4r64otmO0xJDKtkzsbIKnIqbg6Aoi5O57ppGYxSaXO-TaqO/w1823-h1191/51.jpg" width="1823" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My favorite time for photography is the ten minutes or so before and after sundown when the world feels content and calm. Railroad photography then is challenging, because (1) catching a train in such a brief window can be problematic, and (2) getting the proper exposure (I still shoot film) is tricky. Still, I have been doing this long enough to accumulate many images, a few of which follow.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mojave Desert</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">BNSF's California mainline crawls with trains, one or two of which sometimes appear in the last light of day. In the Mojave Desert, nothing blocks the view for miles, and one is reminded of the transience of all living things. </span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk1pXSR8CgNMijNZ5i3y6UitBuOIUSSnfInua7x5QB2ia6uWWKNZWS0BbM1L3WxbRozcuU6JfURByMC-m9-rL9aXqqicNUFro_526NJRt0bxBvIg7SmdGGseGXEVuFn_bhNHVTBm-6uVwzx1c2okpPJYiHgzoCNqhsicW12taa3Jq4tDJOSIJtZzy3-qc/s2986/74.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2986" height="1216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk1pXSR8CgNMijNZ5i3y6UitBuOIUSSnfInua7x5QB2ia6uWWKNZWS0BbM1L3WxbRozcuU6JfURByMC-m9-rL9aXqqicNUFro_526NJRt0bxBvIg7SmdGGseGXEVuFn_bhNHVTBm-6uVwzx1c2okpPJYiHgzoCNqhsicW12taa3Jq4tDJOSIJtZzy3-qc/w1809-h1216/74.jpg" width="1809" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks climb Bolo Hill. Four additional trains are illuminated down the hill, indicating just how busy the Transcon can become.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-rfqDd-dq7-S01mVgsQ3BJErvZ4hAo4MIVfB2dr7U-yZgBIQmnnSq0bpxrIx_9_Apl7quR4bF8ZtATJOIhJ-ojQdz4eVwY36ACsW-yIqOw3P0dvKRW6l71GRBEmn-7F1jwjkiRSJa5zvZaQs3U5HytV22kY3i-hLvPXtWgfA5wnHnYKsRnWv9Tg3fVhE/s3090/82.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1941" data-original-width="3090" height="1141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-rfqDd-dq7-S01mVgsQ3BJErvZ4hAo4MIVfB2dr7U-yZgBIQmnnSq0bpxrIx_9_Apl7quR4bF8ZtATJOIhJ-ojQdz4eVwY36ACsW-yIqOw3P0dvKRW6l71GRBEmn-7F1jwjkiRSJa5zvZaQs3U5HytV22kY3i-hLvPXtWgfA5wnHnYKsRnWv9Tg3fVhE/w1817-h1141/82.jpg" width="1817" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A manifest and stacks passing at the top of Ash Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcfcc3P1QGTEFR-H_a2u_K60zaivSTVQYHoMrZJzrfLkczr1uwLDvIb1Wly6s27R6nm7o0NI6Vxl-nNyt4Pd8E41LtVysPU-whe-DB3zkll4a6YiNMjr7NE8II1rw9BoMGfhtBrhU7vR-0E8bOBbINHQdRz0fti_Xa7_wQJV9KNsHbiFHrt3qLX8xUOPD/s3075/116.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="3075" height="1156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcfcc3P1QGTEFR-H_a2u_K60zaivSTVQYHoMrZJzrfLkczr1uwLDvIb1Wly6s27R6nm7o0NI6Vxl-nNyt4Pd8E41LtVysPU-whe-DB3zkll4a6YiNMjr7NE8II1rw9BoMGfhtBrhU7vR-0E8bOBbINHQdRz0fti_Xa7_wQJV9KNsHbiFHrt3qLX8xUOPD/w1822-h1156/116.jpg" width="1822" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Two trains meeting at the bottom of Ash Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB3La86AFYDDTGkUphMMgf6cKir1SxqonJOMwk5OQHSQSF8puRAqBzAljKRTuRlwApc-xPrPrKLgaiIv_y91Fv1K-voXZCBsHSp34SiWVdt_6Rpixv6MIP95PDKcEzM8v2ZUOchsDqDyUuLnQ9Iw-Fx3lA8lFb7IgfC9HwStgm_wgbFcM0a2dPSJaBJGm/s3037/117.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3037" height="1186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB3La86AFYDDTGkUphMMgf6cKir1SxqonJOMwk5OQHSQSF8puRAqBzAljKRTuRlwApc-xPrPrKLgaiIv_y91Fv1K-voXZCBsHSp34SiWVdt_6Rpixv6MIP95PDKcEzM8v2ZUOchsDqDyUuLnQ9Iw-Fx3lA8lFb7IgfC9HwStgm_wgbFcM0a2dPSJaBJGm/w1824-h1186/117.jpg" width="1824" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers at Amboy.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlLLjoqWOvACPM4p8Q71CiKPSv2V-XnrjhvrGcCj5PRDWU6Mk_hz5yKtjXNe0325LmRiGLgGCYevQOtOH4l_cObk-EmDu0AzNRiPIedJDG043ndhHupA_Y3Er_pIWFoQ4gzhu67ye3fbekpIS11eRgcVQDonXahqVIAZBX14BC0qnbZXzNsT7HEPJpuZx/s3087/127.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="3087" height="1151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLlLLjoqWOvACPM4p8Q71CiKPSv2V-XnrjhvrGcCj5PRDWU6Mk_hz5yKtjXNe0325LmRiGLgGCYevQOtOH4l_cObk-EmDu0AzNRiPIedJDG043ndhHupA_Y3Er_pIWFoQ4gzhu67ye3fbekpIS11eRgcVQDonXahqVIAZBX14BC0qnbZXzNsT7HEPJpuZx/w1822-h1151/127.jpg" width="1822" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Stacks at Amboy.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuX_x6ykxxkhC-YESQthl0gHLJJZMhAzHQtBlmCZITNj1Dxxb-p6GOoeZYoJJglz0Qrf4YdfUav-5cfcK3LcKlS_VhwMJTn-NlGtJ1MCSauGYsIiqdzyK9kCUSX0Xv_WIem8H3UnuCYv2t-dBl9h-cyuegI4_A96VrxzWHkHBpalQyJuIh_9MUDWr_5Zu/s3076/134.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="3076" height="1155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuX_x6ykxxkhC-YESQthl0gHLJJZMhAzHQtBlmCZITNj1Dxxb-p6GOoeZYoJJglz0Qrf4YdfUav-5cfcK3LcKlS_VhwMJTn-NlGtJ1MCSauGYsIiqdzyK9kCUSX0Xv_WIem8H3UnuCYv2t-dBl9h-cyuegI4_A96VrxzWHkHBpalQyJuIh_9MUDWr_5Zu/w1822-h1155/134.jpg" width="1822" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A meet on Ash Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKvFITsijqZyWocM5Jsh4hq5XObtcnLSBcCa-Cip3q_-M_y4_L8jf0XQ729lXil4Wu_iNTOv_m_hFWZLZWXnfLR5JRcge1VDwSxUjrGxSrX6dZeVgHlsimorULkHJf511BQMvW7eCdtrsQ_Uc_Xp1BHahGAAKDa10C4eNKv9KtiGW6hIjo7e6bFW0Tocc/s3038/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3038" height="1183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKvFITsijqZyWocM5Jsh4hq5XObtcnLSBcCa-Cip3q_-M_y4_L8jf0XQ729lXil4Wu_iNTOv_m_hFWZLZWXnfLR5JRcge1VDwSxUjrGxSrX6dZeVgHlsimorULkHJf511BQMvW7eCdtrsQ_Uc_Xp1BHahGAAKDa10C4eNKv9KtiGW6hIjo7e6bFW0Tocc/w1820-h1183/18.jpg" width="1820" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Light power in the open desert.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-vS-mWxHzh8Jf21hb80W5XjnVfZhPrlSbv4CO5B08N_uIX1-yWLECXOgTYkJHMvGn3MasZebA0myXYpYVuG-Sw5279pHPRD20DC35brh4e2xuhyphenhyphenXNnL8G3In9V45pR5Q5zbMmaXRDUxkN0CeAbdviNfr3KVx7lU8uCZajXzWVeb3nqCm9n6aY8RkNlCS/s3010/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3010" height="1204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-vS-mWxHzh8Jf21hb80W5XjnVfZhPrlSbv4CO5B08N_uIX1-yWLECXOgTYkJHMvGn3MasZebA0myXYpYVuG-Sw5279pHPRD20DC35brh4e2xuhyphenhyphenXNnL8G3In9V45pR5Q5zbMmaXRDUxkN0CeAbdviNfr3KVx7lU8uCZajXzWVeb3nqCm9n6aY8RkNlCS/w1817-h1204/22.jpg" width="1817" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mid-trains chasing the sun.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHOz6aV-2O8aHIbHumIKejjfqAuQDRKbKa2ULj6kSFbmcSqXsHzbaDGIH-gPKWtVrddqXqfE_cVS8zg5Km53HbHZzqP5wgWTYG0eywlmMQpKwSPT_dyx5yXhdbFQZvHIJsFMYwpOwAAxMnxoquWg1gdjRehHHeyiLBTmc6j60i59UE6OU-ZD554E-6zuc/s2993/33.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2993" height="1217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHOz6aV-2O8aHIbHumIKejjfqAuQDRKbKa2ULj6kSFbmcSqXsHzbaDGIH-gPKWtVrddqXqfE_cVS8zg5Km53HbHZzqP5wgWTYG0eywlmMQpKwSPT_dyx5yXhdbFQZvHIJsFMYwpOwAAxMnxoquWg1gdjRehHHeyiLBTmc6j60i59UE6OU-ZD554E-6zuc/w1819-h1217/33.jpg" width="1819" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Even creosote cast long shadows this time of day.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Santa Fe</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe ran the fastest freights in the world. The Transcon from Chicago to California was an unequaled super-highway. The north/south main to Texas, though not as fast, still put to shame other roads serving the Lone Star State. I believed that the Santa Fe, unlike the Rock Island and Milwaukee Road, would last forever.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0CH_yriFAeRf8Tu06bMey1utQuRLyTcSDLVo2bx8ucKKXmiAPt_yvLlf58urXN_XDWYQ5j4h38T3dnSr6YomoB6_W4RBWj3kGbQlxwQi3K89cL1e_JpA6pxH-6fZxJG548hR-l0HpO3dyRMeoyod1MoIaP8Qlwq0O27wXYHSHFVHqJz9MD9THE55mtf6/s3055/%3F%205.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3055" height="1175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0CH_yriFAeRf8Tu06bMey1utQuRLyTcSDLVo2bx8ucKKXmiAPt_yvLlf58urXN_XDWYQ5j4h38T3dnSr6YomoB6_W4RBWj3kGbQlxwQi3K89cL1e_JpA6pxH-6fZxJG548hR-l0HpO3dyRMeoyod1MoIaP8Qlwq0O27wXYHSHFVHqJz9MD9THE55mtf6/w1826-h1175/%3F%205.jpg" width="1826" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The sun sets on the AT&SF.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb3-8Fn8wDDZ8R4YUmmLRtTE06mugsgfS9Mvqq4o40Y4vQ1TguYBoh0DFsceVp8Ah2iDsmxpvYjnxAvuOZ4XjwIxLxC7NlG28psCdrFEZupQBq4dJLzindnxvWMDr1mcCqYDQ0q-ePeBPABTFPuSiX3yG4m1K7U8kKnOPpGqc0RxbHWpXxzq0PNM1Vaqw/s3083/Cimarron.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1947" data-original-width="3083" height="1151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbb3-8Fn8wDDZ8R4YUmmLRtTE06mugsgfS9Mvqq4o40Y4vQ1TguYBoh0DFsceVp8Ah2iDsmxpvYjnxAvuOZ4XjwIxLxC7NlG28psCdrFEZupQBq4dJLzindnxvWMDr1mcCqYDQ0q-ePeBPABTFPuSiX3yG4m1K7U8kKnOPpGqc0RxbHWpXxzq0PNM1Vaqw/w1822-h1151/Cimarron.jpg" width="1822" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Crossing the Cimarron River, southbound to Oklahoma City.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLWid4Nyo-aSmGiNM56opQDMj9dvRgm9Qwvp3dsIr8WzZRremRELTFrY64hM7qmAIJgfyUDhD_lltUHmw3BsDkXqyEWy_6R9QlDlIRwcdGBuIsenBavG8VAT2VPm7zAhaRbO58z6mN1c4i7DRkGjpP8v9Ba3PPh_erYHFD0r70CPx32rvZURmyUPJw1lk/s3010/Curtis%20Hill%203.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLWid4Nyo-aSmGiNM56opQDMj9dvRgm9Qwvp3dsIr8WzZRremRELTFrY64hM7qmAIJgfyUDhD_lltUHmw3BsDkXqyEWy_6R9QlDlIRwcdGBuIsenBavG8VAT2VPm7zAhaRbO58z6mN1c4i7DRkGjpP8v9Ba3PPh_erYHFD0r70CPx32rvZURmyUPJw1lk/w1818-h1205/Curtis%20Hill%203.jpg" width="1818" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Curtis Hill, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QdFNHK_C0pMj2q56iCyGiDho_Se_03KxQO3c0XbSd2gfSC13d-Q9ZQCldq8qsiTqAfH5uo2i1XwbzSE86tTOLRFlB6J63EI2mIh9DBbGOw6pZQxZzK1kWWvKy1mQgPhTrpVg_riD56vAsXmZD97yT4kitF3HTMGj6ZRj6-aqTd4Ef3pq1Nnt57kRxexX/s2979/Eudora%201.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2979" height="1229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QdFNHK_C0pMj2q56iCyGiDho_Se_03KxQO3c0XbSd2gfSC13d-Q9ZQCldq8qsiTqAfH5uo2i1XwbzSE86tTOLRFlB6J63EI2mIh9DBbGOw6pZQxZzK1kWWvKy1mQgPhTrpVg_riD56vAsXmZD97yT4kitF3HTMGj6ZRj6-aqTd4Ef3pq1Nnt57kRxexX/w1820-h1229/Eudora%201.jpg" width="1820" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Amtrak on Santa Fe rails leaving Lawrence, Kansas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeqP0fUyYpQp_F5Ex1Hs6Sz2mgAV1ytaTGwr1TdK6uUVWa9343jdYx7t3qqts_xEUtjugEZk_vbtlBU8qkXzsh2ODUMbHmmV6iJyctj0StPf6KKNbfF1StvzlOHXAB0KSDZSo3NwNQBK3RT2cVsAD_iEvyhUbJ5OHra6ew8tOJn1gI6ruDqV8p3vjETEw/s3004/Guthrie%201.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3004" height="1213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeqP0fUyYpQp_F5Ex1Hs6Sz2mgAV1ytaTGwr1TdK6uUVWa9343jdYx7t3qqts_xEUtjugEZk_vbtlBU8qkXzsh2ODUMbHmmV6iJyctj0StPf6KKNbfF1StvzlOHXAB0KSDZSo3NwNQBK3RT2cVsAD_iEvyhUbJ5OHra6ew8tOJn1gI6ruDqV8p3vjETEw/w1822-h1213/Guthrie%201.jpg" width="1822" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Guthrie, Oklahoma, and the last cantilever signal on the Red Rock Sub..</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8D-63yYSbVoPCp35mSC5kKc7V9x79rL14z1earu4BSfnlBd5Sk8TV2e1fP5zc78RGXG-klsSC0MWALJ7q8JVvaypvvtOC8IvqWJqICeh-GvVbD8wbgx7HYN2-OQy4QJ4MHEDFjU1Nzjz1kVYTcea5LWhyUQZPLDcVAlhiS6Ue3aJFuNFCW6cCE5bkmIe/s3000/Ottowa%203.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="1212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8D-63yYSbVoPCp35mSC5kKc7V9x79rL14z1earu4BSfnlBd5Sk8TV2e1fP5zc78RGXG-klsSC0MWALJ7q8JVvaypvvtOC8IvqWJqICeh-GvVbD8wbgx7HYN2-OQy4QJ4MHEDFjU1Nzjz1kVYTcea5LWhyUQZPLDcVAlhiS6Ue3aJFuNFCW6cCE5bkmIe/w1820-h1212/Ottowa%203.jpg" width="1820" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ottawa, Kansas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXRRkY8jwI4a_IYIbydbLWcnVNBXj_OV9TWLPo-esPhTJ5LJauvj7HHgU3pJwALZmSj7QrjK7pLDpy6joi1wpz2M4d7ANLoSB2Q5S5e5Ff8khx5B_i0RvL9l1uORUU768K-FmS3PSwKk-qiJQKMvfgdnImfi5saO14mt0J4irECeyQsLPl4_5-OFOqoso/s2989/Seward%201.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2989" height="1219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXRRkY8jwI4a_IYIbydbLWcnVNBXj_OV9TWLPo-esPhTJ5LJauvj7HHgU3pJwALZmSj7QrjK7pLDpy6joi1wpz2M4d7ANLoSB2Q5S5e5Ff8khx5B_i0RvL9l1uORUU768K-FmS3PSwKk-qiJQKMvfgdnImfi5saO14mt0J4irECeyQsLPl4_5-OFOqoso/w1815-h1219/Seward%201.jpg" width="1815" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Seward, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnVMzPVSI1qkULjjOe4QbD64yzvAibdg_ygmK7fkNaqmG3hCe7csl-tDVvn9LL61Z2-TwRxTqokzsobt4KsZGpryTG6CT_twei_XcZObIaigRJbU6ivLGH2gevneGr2zjAzkdFtg0I616NU1LfVW7-0DMHVMwoo0S0gZlQZ2cD0pugC9FtHKX1WrYVUhE/s3015/Waynoka1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3015" height="1204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnVMzPVSI1qkULjjOe4QbD64yzvAibdg_ygmK7fkNaqmG3hCe7csl-tDVvn9LL61Z2-TwRxTqokzsobt4KsZGpryTG6CT_twei_XcZObIaigRJbU6ivLGH2gevneGr2zjAzkdFtg0I616NU1LfVW7-0DMHVMwoo0S0gZlQZ2cD0pugC9FtHKX1WrYVUhE/w1826-h1204/Waynoka1.jpg" width="1826" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Waynoka, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1U15jMjlF6RabuksKgeTOJmA77xO6cfMW0YU9MqqWRj0QBhDe2L7dZZmC8zC6K01Upx6LSIy_WsdSEkQCqnmJ-ov0qggJXOcU736eBGg6XZmgrltQeUlEd9oEswTc1LUJ5ifZvUppoLm7YkQ3h6vc8joG5RVq-gFWpwR1nt0jpX0C805YlLt1v7RI7K9/s2992/ATSF27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="2992" height="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1U15jMjlF6RabuksKgeTOJmA77xO6cfMW0YU9MqqWRj0QBhDe2L7dZZmC8zC6K01Upx6LSIy_WsdSEkQCqnmJ-ov0qggJXOcU736eBGg6XZmgrltQeUlEd9oEswTc1LUJ5ifZvUppoLm7YkQ3h6vc8joG5RVq-gFWpwR1nt0jpX0C805YlLt1v7RI7K9/w1838-h1230/ATSF27.jpg" width="1838" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>North of Edmond, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZIJM4UxrXBw8oevwoktu91Ckogbx7I0kmqWWjVQ_-cNsYpIbTwCyGBsaJui2C-oCvc98F3SL8-exmIgsgsxvIViwe1xIWwoAlX_pl6pcobOkmlSTPbw6DAvzGHsArME2hGsfLrjlvQxnvM58MsMY3MvvmIKEAn9bFIGVSqJwGlLXCaH_ocgZNYj3d2-_/s3017/ATSF9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3017" height="1220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZIJM4UxrXBw8oevwoktu91Ckogbx7I0kmqWWjVQ_-cNsYpIbTwCyGBsaJui2C-oCvc98F3SL8-exmIgsgsxvIViwe1xIWwoAlX_pl6pcobOkmlSTPbw6DAvzGHsArME2hGsfLrjlvQxnvM58MsMY3MvvmIKEAn9bFIGVSqJwGlLXCaH_ocgZNYj3d2-_/w1851-h1220/ATSF9.jpg" width="1851" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Logan County, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>San Gorgonio Pass</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Southern Pacific's gateway out of the Los Angeles Basin to the Imperial Valley (today operated by Union Pacific) provides serious mountain railroading at Beaumont Hill. Unfortunately, California has surrounded the tracks with subdivisions, windmills and desert swimming pools. Still, with diligence, one can discover relatively pristine photographic locations that, late in the day, sparkle with the promise of new creation.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8acLVK45CLdINZqkWLtryc30QAs65of7ZjxoQz9-7wg5TchIZF5YUOyAG7dxOJZJkUVSuxHEnTkr1G5Vw8OQnrZcZT5wzAHxldIjfXX2gjpLlABl5Gdwe7yEs0OZ7oT_HMjReKXpCyPhpXicc6wFLY0LxodLcF-wzT7sY2B3rGTga0MSKwGFS_zjDkaj/s2985/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="2985" height="1250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8acLVK45CLdINZqkWLtryc30QAs65of7ZjxoQz9-7wg5TchIZF5YUOyAG7dxOJZJkUVSuxHEnTkr1G5Vw8OQnrZcZT5wzAHxldIjfXX2gjpLlABl5Gdwe7yEs0OZ7oT_HMjReKXpCyPhpXicc6wFLY0LxodLcF-wzT7sY2B3rGTga0MSKwGFS_zjDkaj/w1860-h1250/2.jpg" width="1860" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Everyone has an opinion of these 21st century windmills. I think they look like space aliens.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUiGfUfjxQMsIrVH4aEoay2lt_POBpPGgEUqlXhJptIMSZGh42MNDC4B-HDPJAt5JikEC8fIInicPWJjEpXMoUaAiaDBa6vMTshxZyPWIjy7A7OlUK6gv-oYG0LSFlzRMr7hWuexptwUcL4QoxXrW8XdMfDeb0iNbRBxawIHXmN34goBliPFvVddrTBej/s2992/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="2992" height="1218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUiGfUfjxQMsIrVH4aEoay2lt_POBpPGgEUqlXhJptIMSZGh42MNDC4B-HDPJAt5JikEC8fIInicPWJjEpXMoUaAiaDBa6vMTshxZyPWIjy7A7OlUK6gv-oYG0LSFlzRMr7hWuexptwUcL4QoxXrW8XdMfDeb0iNbRBxawIHXmN34goBliPFvVddrTBej/w1857-h1218/12.jpg" width="1857" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>I love this light, but train crews don't.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjc79uNXuf8Tku4sAGRrqlO2lK-09TIR8Si5_l5BCib9tRvWV0egJi7TZpWGVvcr4prpUrRI4XbxPYhnxySKm7EBvlcZNGrw0t2tIAc7mMqgIYt41EZAyntSFT3mIErrOuaqfPNhsjjXBal9DSPPorwSaGSl_B7zl4CU1ScJj1W-UkZoXc1svehyphenhyphenvE7oH/s2978/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="2978" height="1258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjc79uNXuf8Tku4sAGRrqlO2lK-09TIR8Si5_l5BCib9tRvWV0egJi7TZpWGVvcr4prpUrRI4XbxPYhnxySKm7EBvlcZNGrw0t2tIAc7mMqgIYt41EZAyntSFT3mIErrOuaqfPNhsjjXBal9DSPPorwSaGSl_B7zl4CU1ScJj1W-UkZoXc1svehyphenhyphenvE7oH/w1864-h1258/3.jpg" width="1864" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">More mid-trains.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcrTOXyEa6WGN771tykK6y38rMOWWnTMPFpOgDSz9neQRlhyzeS_1xL1ZAVwupwzz0ZIyZti1F7i3ed19DHpv3_s5gybU7Da4WoZYnljDY8j53Ry7wlfjyOUU6rvTMknD815NZDpUkIEI_B65L2iH3LVGlv3UVefcjR4pu47zynvvUDItpKGwNRJQ89v-/s3049/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3049" height="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcrTOXyEa6WGN771tykK6y38rMOWWnTMPFpOgDSz9neQRlhyzeS_1xL1ZAVwupwzz0ZIyZti1F7i3ed19DHpv3_s5gybU7Da4WoZYnljDY8j53Ry7wlfjyOUU6rvTMknD815NZDpUkIEI_B65L2iH3LVGlv3UVefcjR4pu47zynvvUDItpKGwNRJQ89v-/w1860-h1203/23.jpg" width="1860" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>High desert.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRyecSKEb_L2aU70w1_fSWD4Vz7__wc2ViQoWbyH2G0SQpkSyRIiHbyvo8uKRTidY3tbnLiXsEpY_RfJp-9fXAToUC3fmjwrWm5jFUdgmS1HI35PRGpdznnvOgBbrGuKw6qwSVGn6kxnlssBngtMl_N8z5FiPiIuvqhhlTPgemJuN0I1ZCTpGBYLS3zEN/s3027/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3027" height="1220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRyecSKEb_L2aU70w1_fSWD4Vz7__wc2ViQoWbyH2G0SQpkSyRIiHbyvo8uKRTidY3tbnLiXsEpY_RfJp-9fXAToUC3fmjwrWm5jFUdgmS1HI35PRGpdznnvOgBbrGuKw6qwSVGn6kxnlssBngtMl_N8z5FiPiIuvqhhlTPgemJuN0I1ZCTpGBYLS3zEN/w1858-h1220/18.jpg" width="1858" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Shortly after taking this image, the photographer got stuck in the sand.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">Belen, New Mexico</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A major division point on BNSF's Transcon, Belen sits quietly along the Rio Grande. Without the railroad, the town would disappear. With it, the sleepy village still has one foot in the grave. Several of the best photographic locations within 30 miles or so of town are surrouded by sand deep enough to snare even the sturdiest four-wheel-drive vehicle, as you author has discovered more than once.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X_4fUEgTSArR6qzMoxMHYMYcGDj7umowd1B2C_fMQGENZIGk4Od-PBW6vhKZl5DwnU_pszBbikTxIIbZ_CoC-KqURCMlkPL0ObREnqt-pcPcNPhS0zVOdptCd36XFCtlJ_ZwmX0mTgcYCWv_W1rsrjUvPwtzSHkDnjTYP9zIIwNkUY3w2lVcELndicnJ/s3027/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3027" height="1214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7X_4fUEgTSArR6qzMoxMHYMYcGDj7umowd1B2C_fMQGENZIGk4Od-PBW6vhKZl5DwnU_pszBbikTxIIbZ_CoC-KqURCMlkPL0ObREnqt-pcPcNPhS0zVOdptCd36XFCtlJ_ZwmX0mTgcYCWv_W1rsrjUvPwtzSHkDnjTYP9zIIwNkUY3w2lVcELndicnJ/w1858-h1214/14.jpg" width="1858" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Very late on a deeply overcast day, two trains pass on the Transcon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08Rf_EZuVEA5IUFNqbX59U7jRgzkZMlHtKHCeCzjP0jIwlI9GmmU4DdRY20PboPGf8PQvAB1OetU00ALWjrTfSk_9YQYzo3slxjXOLWomYtHpDtTkwZs9FFOgTEJUuLPN2nKNhbp1dsuYwS91p7hJMvIhFb61SAuDMquxhbbHwoIiDNOBAXmTPPo0yrMz/s3050/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3050" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08Rf_EZuVEA5IUFNqbX59U7jRgzkZMlHtKHCeCzjP0jIwlI9GmmU4DdRY20PboPGf8PQvAB1OetU00ALWjrTfSk_9YQYzo3slxjXOLWomYtHpDtTkwZs9FFOgTEJUuLPN2nKNhbp1dsuYwS91p7hJMvIhFb61SAuDMquxhbbHwoIiDNOBAXmTPPo0yrMz/w1851-h1191/21.jpg" width="1851" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound as the sun sets.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUswH3XtEreiqT_4CSytMkST-j1DImff-AGLHPgHQkjDYJi3nP_ZJOu_TyO5lc2SatfTXsbcmRDo76CIfmAYKn881e-KR4nVBb-BKfyOD71lOTWRDt7K9b9gYhvCSE5Y-CeKR58wC7H2oeGIxG9m3XOaCRsIHRMUMQXEbKXYywVf2ABC7PqgOIS5pd8au/s3021/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3021" height="1218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUswH3XtEreiqT_4CSytMkST-j1DImff-AGLHPgHQkjDYJi3nP_ZJOu_TyO5lc2SatfTXsbcmRDo76CIfmAYKn881e-KR4nVBb-BKfyOD71lOTWRDt7K9b9gYhvCSE5Y-CeKR58wC7H2oeGIxG9m3XOaCRsIHRMUMQXEbKXYywVf2ABC7PqgOIS5pd8au/w1855-h1218/22.jpg" width="1855" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLsM-6iNmCudtZBFJT9nyJ136AD1TN7-P-XMz3k1RGokII1sFGRRSpu9tB61sp8EV_fmCkphBkjYYHxt1FcsyCj1ARz4hKB60OZMGe4r6yf4vaLo2-vvBCzey8rRoNHMlx4xyGrtRzUrgNA41-WDXpcY3rx0fcVh4eNOwnF7RFxCn7znY3MoULAZcH057/s3023/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLsM-6iNmCudtZBFJT9nyJ136AD1TN7-P-XMz3k1RGokII1sFGRRSpu9tB61sp8EV_fmCkphBkjYYHxt1FcsyCj1ARz4hKB60OZMGe4r6yf4vaLo2-vvBCzey8rRoNHMlx4xyGrtRzUrgNA41-WDXpcY3rx0fcVh4eNOwnF7RFxCn7znY3MoULAZcH057/w1856-h1218/23.jpg" width="1856" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>And another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiKS9R0ceI0e_IJUDnrDexduOl5fpoqil-RPKwuWPTeBajz4m2vyWiH3IKEpN3myHUiTvuh7Ukt0v5eSw3OZcJtwyBJK93yk0SCsJB6Xjk98QvFcLKSWZ6FG9TiEb1m_ZaqRDf6xctrq4OTOX3UYrNcOS1k03M9nnQacy-1ELqwFJy9X6BtfcteTD5joE/s2822/Dalies2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2126" data-original-width="2822" height="1395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiKS9R0ceI0e_IJUDnrDexduOl5fpoqil-RPKwuWPTeBajz4m2vyWiH3IKEpN3myHUiTvuh7Ukt0v5eSw3OZcJtwyBJK93yk0SCsJB6Xjk98QvFcLKSWZ6FG9TiEb1m_ZaqRDf6xctrq4OTOX3UYrNcOS1k03M9nnQacy-1ELqwFJy9X6BtfcteTD5joE/w1852-h1395/Dalies2.jpg" width="1852" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Amtrak has just crossed Rio Grande. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcig0uBLTU5cc-4WRQ3EShT4RMaQYZmev7BqcJIOSmpmQzuV7UxT1fTZsf0CC5sf45-ZEMtpC7gfthTg8CqM7OS-gm0y7qpUnaWvMtE5P3s9tbQ3j8l9mvevmoUiNLhAPFNjjyfHTOckIerkjvtNqiRrTR_ZrsBj_hGmRsQWAbpevTgIs2-XDg0eWgjOI/s3021/Dalies26.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3021" height="1221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcig0uBLTU5cc-4WRQ3EShT4RMaQYZmev7BqcJIOSmpmQzuV7UxT1fTZsf0CC5sf45-ZEMtpC7gfthTg8CqM7OS-gm0y7qpUnaWvMtE5P3s9tbQ3j8l9mvevmoUiNLhAPFNjjyfHTOckIerkjvtNqiRrTR_ZrsBj_hGmRsQWAbpevTgIs2-XDg0eWgjOI/w1860-h1221/Dalies26.jpg" width="1860" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Loaded coal above the valley of the Rio Grande.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMICuRywQK084ueiqE-u0zIW9AfhrsfB81l3KX92Vhif8lW773MhTYqk4wOFe8zTzIz7F3KlKWiMjhOmk-TljswgC8AYD7UNBu4vguBY81fdu-yXtD24XSd1lt-Uwgbrj0zmExaxnrJl2olu1lx8Rel-ylLKFrBYNI59vps2Ld-wtl_iZnegPwoo8RGSy/s3044/Dalies60.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3044" height="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMICuRywQK084ueiqE-u0zIW9AfhrsfB81l3KX92Vhif8lW773MhTYqk4wOFe8zTzIz7F3KlKWiMjhOmk-TljswgC8AYD7UNBu4vguBY81fdu-yXtD24XSd1lt-Uwgbrj0zmExaxnrJl2olu1lx8Rel-ylLKFrBYNI59vps2Ld-wtl_iZnegPwoo8RGSy/w1860-h1203/Dalies60.jpg" width="1860" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound chased by the setting sun.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv4PM44d5J2hGwtPzocM3RsNxLN95IPHfo5W81lJgjCAfA-TmKM1qyDkpRmmtRwx2RTEGINpZjQRxmYR4xV_DNCoqaxhIk-V3y8zOl6varvYlmPGuF6fQoyiJhDI5tOcOwI2Zh8kRpPwUpW_5xkB2FWJZyzdR2-Eu9i2wOLUnPQYXma_T54lg2fsl0wWf/s2977/Dalies72.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2977" height="1264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv4PM44d5J2hGwtPzocM3RsNxLN95IPHfo5W81lJgjCAfA-TmKM1qyDkpRmmtRwx2RTEGINpZjQRxmYR4xV_DNCoqaxhIk-V3y8zOl6varvYlmPGuF6fQoyiJhDI5tOcOwI2Zh8kRpPwUpW_5xkB2FWJZyzdR2-Eu9i2wOLUnPQYXma_T54lg2fsl0wWf/w1863-h1264/Dalies72.jpg" width="1863" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkhIpWMq09uQ0lrMKAqJXYFrh-d9d8R0xTc58w3OQrZmqOF4W7_TUT0BLguyvB5LFMHc8DFvPQJQ7mbdLHtWvE6P8Lpv54pi00EQac_mvveKhon2e18ec4c0q24NyQx8ZwKdsYCaIp-JQgP_q-rXwWOsfzvQX5gyP__gN4ELSUy8nsI_mKrDxZUmlfVwp/s3001/Dalies73.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkhIpWMq09uQ0lrMKAqJXYFrh-d9d8R0xTc58w3OQrZmqOF4W7_TUT0BLguyvB5LFMHc8DFvPQJQ7mbdLHtWvE6P8Lpv54pi00EQac_mvveKhon2e18ec4c0q24NyQx8ZwKdsYCaIp-JQgP_q-rXwWOsfzvQX5gyP__gN4ELSUy8nsI_mKrDxZUmlfVwp/w1863-h1241/Dalies73.jpg" width="1863" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mile Post 31.9 west of Belen.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Colorado and Southern</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Colorado and Southern south of Denver to Texas saw little traffic until the passage of the Clean Air Act in the 1970's, when utilities across the country began devouring coal from the Powder River Basin. When Burlington Northern owned the line, traffic was steady, though not heavy enough to require CTC, except across Trinchera Pass. Still, trains at sundown were common enough to warrant photography.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIWLYWAAE5M3ApWQHO6uHpl9zCtT5RxytrrMWrKkbe0jWbUNaRlDXIWt8RF-ocWLtzN6SMaWfNB52T83D4riuLyP4dbFVEqPplT-7U_P7sfGC7G6vf1SZm1O9FxHN3z555DQ4CQn7lWnHfoIwmol8EipwfAN4ZNPyx5JQyx8y5BQSvFqxXjjEQsIqMrq_/s3084/C&S%2016.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="3084" height="1169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIWLYWAAE5M3ApWQHO6uHpl9zCtT5RxytrrMWrKkbe0jWbUNaRlDXIWt8RF-ocWLtzN6SMaWfNB52T83D4riuLyP4dbFVEqPplT-7U_P7sfGC7G6vf1SZm1O9FxHN3z555DQ4CQn7lWnHfoIwmol8EipwfAN4ZNPyx5JQyx8y5BQSvFqxXjjEQsIqMrq_/w1852-h1169/C&S%2016.jpg" width="1852" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound empties.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQg7_PH7O6Y76TSyX8WpdgDdpMvTQwecnOMmmm6k8LiqSRtW8lMcin9mLxj3005kymzeU49s2ombKclYuZKg4CfL53HYOv7CEx8ROGSbZLNl0jSbbAznMQgU1e330Ih5lxAt3_lWQnVzIw02XSfRjZMnJHdShRQxM9ApuVhwbTQ6h_B_FrYlr5986XehB/s2934/C&S10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2045" data-original-width="2934" height="1295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQg7_PH7O6Y76TSyX8WpdgDdpMvTQwecnOMmmm6k8LiqSRtW8lMcin9mLxj3005kymzeU49s2ombKclYuZKg4CfL53HYOv7CEx8ROGSbZLNl0jSbbAznMQgU1e330Ih5lxAt3_lWQnVzIw02XSfRjZMnJHdShRQxM9ApuVhwbTQ6h_B_FrYlr5986XehB/w1859-h1295/C&S10.jpg" width="1859" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGOPjQLFFkpASOJe0XKHnNvAE_hrgt3kBfa9JSnq1DjdLMKscDbjK8wx76tnbv0sYNnefdLhF1sB00LHYtwiFCaSOkXXEI64_5YTZgRdQAeMkrpPbmzYHbdj_MFXWhWOCa67avVIMS1Wkk6m92TvKE9UCubn-f64C4gOKAV8Cqqs88pYMvLAd8AYU8wjj/s2988/C&S14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2988" height="1250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGOPjQLFFkpASOJe0XKHnNvAE_hrgt3kBfa9JSnq1DjdLMKscDbjK8wx76tnbv0sYNnefdLhF1sB00LHYtwiFCaSOkXXEI64_5YTZgRdQAeMkrpPbmzYHbdj_MFXWhWOCa67avVIMS1Wkk6m92TvKE9UCubn-f64C4gOKAV8Cqqs88pYMvLAd8AYU8wjj/w1860-h1250/C&S14.jpg" width="1860" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Riding the roller coaster along the Front Range. Santa Fe power was common on this line.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMclinBOJSGU8LvFrAPihPHmEo8cC02mLgVxfU7N4Bw12OmENYR3BaKCXlZbmx3MUljzGRMRaZgOMfjTCtzcLSsgZA_83xfmeCiARtyDtBznO9EBEXCX0UNC7iqeYQ6QrI03lU7VW8E73K2_LStZk4ODkMRhnbp-bP7UWZLccm2fsvVw4Mfv5txWTusZwt/s2648/C&S19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2266" data-original-width="2648" height="1592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMclinBOJSGU8LvFrAPihPHmEo8cC02mLgVxfU7N4Bw12OmENYR3BaKCXlZbmx3MUljzGRMRaZgOMfjTCtzcLSsgZA_83xfmeCiARtyDtBznO9EBEXCX0UNC7iqeYQ6QrI03lU7VW8E73K2_LStZk4ODkMRhnbp-bP7UWZLccm2fsvVw4Mfv5txWTusZwt/w1859-h1592/C&S19.jpg" width="1859" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Not all traffic was coal, but most was.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ7ClExKGpWgzkLn41Khga2XEpXNq4aExLz1lBDsKIQ4OCAwp8dETgVvc40SvixbhyphenhyphenbnaIJeo_KWTDa1BnhWPwYAnQ7GvMRbPJKKDPJy964-NvhaNvm2BF6iDXP9zbtzQEJM4fEVPGryt_HnQ4-8MrU8pG9vNdUp9qpT13Swo0H8Xs1AP9jwjIcXWSbCJ/s3184/C&S25.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="3184" height="1096" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ7ClExKGpWgzkLn41Khga2XEpXNq4aExLz1lBDsKIQ4OCAwp8dETgVvc40SvixbhyphenhyphenbnaIJeo_KWTDa1BnhWPwYAnQ7GvMRbPJKKDPJy964-NvhaNvm2BF6iDXP9zbtzQEJM4fEVPGryt_HnQ4-8MrU8pG9vNdUp9qpT13Swo0H8Xs1AP9jwjIcXWSbCJ/w1855-h1096/C&S25.jpg" width="1855" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound loads to Texas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoqeOehFZDiABkMGhL9hnJXXqZkbNMT3KQLimvgBtU_MAbYH7UJhS4JoUFVYxxmweJC2lcF-kf4gkTgoJW1fg5r-mxr_3PlCNksxdh55H4Shqi3P6u1_REHRMRnktFjx90su2kIlq7cBLjPaBfDGPPRu1JWRVK-dRIcefn_omLKN3eK8Ux0V5GEU6hP-I/s2965/C&S34%20(2).jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="2965" height="1267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRoqeOehFZDiABkMGhL9hnJXXqZkbNMT3KQLimvgBtU_MAbYH7UJhS4JoUFVYxxmweJC2lcF-kf4gkTgoJW1fg5r-mxr_3PlCNksxdh55H4Shqi3P6u1_REHRMRnktFjx90su2kIlq7cBLjPaBfDGPPRu1JWRVK-dRIcefn_omLKN3eK8Ux0V5GEU6hP-I/w1859-h1267/C&S34%20(2).jpg" width="1859" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>High Plains rainbow.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpWAGkNqhyphenhyphenUCem2oKvfCcmvPwX6hEMUFwwAdJ-fgT7scNhtK3h9gFkLX2F6IL4LqPKDtzLji-d0nuzOYhWI7UA-Cggu9muIM_I9-shDCaKFNDx7r9_BPP8Qe9R77naF8luUVk2dMzCPDkZ8-tyyaHg9T90sqzHMoqufBABY8IwdUGLHNUoSFT1zaEGVsY/s3049/C&S48.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3049" height="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpWAGkNqhyphenhyphenUCem2oKvfCcmvPwX6hEMUFwwAdJ-fgT7scNhtK3h9gFkLX2F6IL4LqPKDtzLji-d0nuzOYhWI7UA-Cggu9muIM_I9-shDCaKFNDx7r9_BPP8Qe9R77naF8luUVk2dMzCPDkZ8-tyyaHg9T90sqzHMoqufBABY8IwdUGLHNUoSFT1zaEGVsY/w1860-h1203/C&S48.jpg" width="1860" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Climbing the hills to Denver.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cajon Pass</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cajon Pass is flanked by the San Gabriel Mountains on the west, and the sun disappears behind the peaks an hour or more before it slips below the actual horizon. In a few places, however, late afternoon light does sneek through.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGhpu4R7yEnuDwKZ4YfoKaJmzho-jZLYstMrArd_NsLU0lF6EVBzOZFxS3dGXxTq2fy4AFKlBPqQTC_i0Mn9_I3UTOmFTOpR7W-VAlCqRPI-OMK6rSot808MuZC70rBnVafsoibR93yDbdgv8liphwfIC_cvdXRicSB-YeQNnvHwJQcYUOLzpptNWYYXB/s3018/Cajon14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3018" height="1229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGhpu4R7yEnuDwKZ4YfoKaJmzho-jZLYstMrArd_NsLU0lF6EVBzOZFxS3dGXxTq2fy4AFKlBPqQTC_i0Mn9_I3UTOmFTOpR7W-VAlCqRPI-OMK6rSot808MuZC70rBnVafsoibR93yDbdgv8liphwfIC_cvdXRicSB-YeQNnvHwJQcYUOLzpptNWYYXB/w1864-h1229/Cajon14.jpg" width="1864" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound UP climbing to the high desert.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUOsQnZjbukAF6TRNBmM7D3Atb4yD-4z4zNkOMTOLT23RIsA5DWXg4LPpWlvwY0MaToma7ZvKztDaHqLI6E2ipcHNHNsUHctGOVl7YMwe_huOdyCw6dXnykHQMmSOY2gkA7DXqnHTy9Lop4q75RwOC0eRUBqXDaNU1997p8uLAdWiajj9GH44TJFpYMel/s3007/Cajon57.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3007" height="1233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUOsQnZjbukAF6TRNBmM7D3Atb4yD-4z4zNkOMTOLT23RIsA5DWXg4LPpWlvwY0MaToma7ZvKztDaHqLI6E2ipcHNHNsUHctGOVl7YMwe_huOdyCw6dXnykHQMmSOY2gkA7DXqnHTy9Lop4q75RwOC0eRUBqXDaNU1997p8uLAdWiajj9GH44TJFpYMel/w1861-h1233/Cajon57.jpg" width="1861" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Chasing the sun to San Bernardino. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1A72MkqtHVs19JniiMRq-hIAvRQZUDTF-5BOE-s7an-Q9ndB64qH7MPC7H3ojYpacOn4cSQJQeAiNeY4r_8-_BNtk6Eb_bH68n-w_qdQpPQlkT8ncV86FFeAveXDE0QJdPU_hgRsRPZhUw_UWm8LfGETXWC8XS3yR6VYTQVw7PTXQseVS0DMPzcp4WJ/s3064/Cajon1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1958" data-original-width="3064" height="1186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1A72MkqtHVs19JniiMRq-hIAvRQZUDTF-5BOE-s7an-Q9ndB64qH7MPC7H3ojYpacOn4cSQJQeAiNeY4r_8-_BNtk6Eb_bH68n-w_qdQpPQlkT8ncV86FFeAveXDE0QJdPU_hgRsRPZhUw_UWm8LfGETXWC8XS3yR6VYTQVw7PTXQseVS0DMPzcp4WJ/w1859-h1186/Cajon1.jpg" width="1859" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Oil train approaching the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QYjUNT1clkBTFIjgziXRqwFWi0nWZPkPTccOIc-f0_QGGm0TCseYWFgesVrBqlWhn3m14zRpxY8zRMLzclwunSJqpzP4v575kTgU-uT0lk5xOLxilhnQl_GAB7yoAg599ZYv8pEgcv-ccITKzdobibMnpT6tPZFOMj-XW0z8osCGzsP78hUgnR6xbS6-/s2997/Cajon%2036.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QYjUNT1clkBTFIjgziXRqwFWi0nWZPkPTccOIc-f0_QGGm0TCseYWFgesVrBqlWhn3m14zRpxY8zRMLzclwunSJqpzP4v575kTgU-uT0lk5xOLxilhnQl_GAB7yoAg599ZYv8pEgcv-ccITKzdobibMnpT6tPZFOMj-XW0z8osCGzsP78hUgnR6xbS6-/w1861-h1244/Cajon%2036.jpg" width="1861" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Autos headed east.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Canadian, Texas</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the northern Texas Panhandle, BNSF's Transcon follows Red Deer Creek southwest out of the vallley of the Canadian River (at the eponymously named Canadian, Texas) to the Llano Estacado, one of the largest table lands in the world, rising from about 3000 feet in the southeast to about 5000 feet in the northwest and extending over 37,000 square miles.</span></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0kqTF0jryTaQ4mRhR3-d3tDoNpl6WgR8WyG7yg9RGokZHPtgWOrbMf3f38PRudypaBX7OLj9ypVvThHB7KT_C9ktn2enPjtZzbAXACwf4fsv41Ruiv5LSO355UDqAoULGcnLaf6EoLbgGgxaFhR1RhnbBvLR5eFRCpwYWB3J4tZ18k3yvJJY2dEw1ohU/s3032/6a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3032" height="1212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0kqTF0jryTaQ4mRhR3-d3tDoNpl6WgR8WyG7yg9RGokZHPtgWOrbMf3f38PRudypaBX7OLj9ypVvThHB7KT_C9ktn2enPjtZzbAXACwf4fsv41Ruiv5LSO355UDqAoULGcnLaf6EoLbgGgxaFhR1RhnbBvLR5eFRCpwYWB3J4tZ18k3yvJJY2dEw1ohU/w1856-h1212/6a.jpg" width="1856" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound approaching the Llano Estacado.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYCXcxZmvC6M02ZZjLgdn9GtfoYTlx6OZhYK8XP64bQcYIS49OEqzDtWgUR1p0AHRMqR1rFI2n2qQldQhGJnV4FFwqaYeWBRfWFRPMBQUJIEk_a4x__2COrfcuIHIndIbd7B5KKqNl48VrSfklQLau8w-phbINT8K9cTfC_-a407WrUDsfzzCJ4f9rrVu/s6774/9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYCXcxZmvC6M02ZZjLgdn9GtfoYTlx6OZhYK8XP64bQcYIS49OEqzDtWgUR1p0AHRMqR1rFI2n2qQldQhGJnV4FFwqaYeWBRfWFRPMBQUJIEk_a4x__2COrfcuIHIndIbd7B5KKqNl48VrSfklQLau8w-phbINT8K9cTfC_-a407WrUDsfzzCJ4f9rrVu/w1850-h1226/9.jpg" width="1850" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound. The grain elevator of Canadian, Texas, rises in the background.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jaEdEvtJ6XJ9aeiHt8x10NtF2AZ77fnk6PGt36ZGyCxcG7DrorlbW_Q62GUxfnTQ32tqAxOK00FniW98qMLjBpqB6LTq3_EiKO8Q1KqY1rvGVwf3FUdtKJltM8pvKQKrsmuOeLew9KptPzQJN5rCVj4FihjjQXvXRXqzm8o5Cf8b56LlZ0QKsMAiXQCd/s6774/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jaEdEvtJ6XJ9aeiHt8x10NtF2AZ77fnk6PGt36ZGyCxcG7DrorlbW_Q62GUxfnTQ32tqAxOK00FniW98qMLjBpqB6LTq3_EiKO8Q1KqY1rvGVwf3FUdtKJltM8pvKQKrsmuOeLew9KptPzQJN5rCVj4FihjjQXvXRXqzm8o5Cf8b56LlZ0QKsMAiXQCd/w1857-h1230/10.jpg" width="1857" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL58uDKP11x0qtNhO35uxdCWjN7jzG8me3Stwh9n1IhMRj-Zx9EsI0YKCYNYG9by1tqKRqB9AYvba1OYqh8DSme3zfF51ChaHSs-R99dmJDbEdqrBNqBdhwHDjJ_dBF78HZop895SrANVkWjfVozDAAUI78eJOM3oxPFenSJZSX_lKR0m-FkjFQQ86fIH/s3049/43a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3049" height="1196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL58uDKP11x0qtNhO35uxdCWjN7jzG8me3Stwh9n1IhMRj-Zx9EsI0YKCYNYG9by1tqKRqB9AYvba1OYqh8DSme3zfF51ChaHSs-R99dmJDbEdqrBNqBdhwHDjJ_dBF78HZop895SrANVkWjfVozDAAUI78eJOM3oxPFenSJZSX_lKR0m-FkjFQQ86fIH/w1858-h1196/43a.jpg" width="1858" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the valley of Red Deer Creek.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bridges</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At sundown, bridges often provide a nice silhouette, if you are lucky enough to find a train.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAPfwVAnRwDqPVlvx_GFzlr-HYiCdWQbpfqb_F3O9RLnKQvkInGLTqIvA2mrDLmMkQm_Ts-Qs6HQ-eP-MfmJsRE-jDmpdVGlY0x1EFJho1zZx_UnO2SgpJgpSOjhyphenhyphenHzDZ3gyxKUEpu-Y14LREWHOkQ1wqB6TkE8AARxitNzYuC7cQqszjUNbp2IDHDtbv/s3088/90360015%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAPfwVAnRwDqPVlvx_GFzlr-HYiCdWQbpfqb_F3O9RLnKQvkInGLTqIvA2mrDLmMkQm_Ts-Qs6HQ-eP-MfmJsRE-jDmpdVGlY0x1EFJho1zZx_UnO2SgpJgpSOjhyphenhyphenHzDZ3gyxKUEpu-Y14LREWHOkQ1wqB6TkE8AARxitNzYuC7cQqszjUNbp2IDHDtbv/w1855-h1229/90360015%20copy.jpg" width="1855" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pecos River, New Mexico -- BNSF</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdB5_gB533ckX7hoANt2MRO7-EEDs7_uucjGdyqHsgYBGb9ONQzGgkueITtLopH_yifWcl-KIPp27T4ATlP7smiDpc5PfHnXBL9_9FCZa8qj6E1VWMxPiAo-tr9Dov-5i4D9LuMofUornlse3W9Gk6umpT0yEtUF3kEiGL4lzuwrB45eZJ5AI1zJh4lD5/s3088/90330032%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdB5_gB533ckX7hoANt2MRO7-EEDs7_uucjGdyqHsgYBGb9ONQzGgkueITtLopH_yifWcl-KIPp27T4ATlP7smiDpc5PfHnXBL9_9FCZa8qj6E1VWMxPiAo-tr9Dov-5i4D9LuMofUornlse3W9Gk6umpT0yEtUF3kEiGL4lzuwrB45eZJ5AI1zJh4lD5/w1859-h1232/90330032%20copy.jpg" width="1859" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYa_EwMHod3UMcRN81ZKxciqdNM_an8OEpAViA7IFKg0HAsKtiHlUL7t83MN6d3Z4BPCa3D_tdASzQ0S3iH6D4nwAWM5Tr9C764v9On-n4shyphenhyphenKgv9Ahppiq0ocAAw-dRxY1zB_bz39LRkefiQwy6tqb0WSSbO8L86uPnbNlVzM9A56jJUdlHX5KE_l-pjn/s3088/82200032%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYa_EwMHod3UMcRN81ZKxciqdNM_an8OEpAViA7IFKg0HAsKtiHlUL7t83MN6d3Z4BPCa3D_tdASzQ0S3iH6D4nwAWM5Tr9C764v9On-n4shyphenhyphenKgv9Ahppiq0ocAAw-dRxY1zB_bz39LRkefiQwy6tqb0WSSbO8L86uPnbNlVzM9A56jJUdlHX5KE_l-pjn/w1860-h1233/82200032%20copy.jpg" width="1860" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb5A_IVQrljWCsJqDXDSD0u0OCVXWgc_NgtFyAYuz-ngPwZJK86lgDnOhbjD5rtNtlyv7zpvp3iGLCcXTmqZ6VLVfBeWDlbvWavQ8OQEu5u_nGgGfU3yar4oYQgWmYVcX4fpuNFerlswVk3dx0XnavjqqEMZmor8Ur_li94mBzOiHhPiK6cQDceL8g8pR/s3088/87830031%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb5A_IVQrljWCsJqDXDSD0u0OCVXWgc_NgtFyAYuz-ngPwZJK86lgDnOhbjD5rtNtlyv7zpvp3iGLCcXTmqZ6VLVfBeWDlbvWavQ8OQEu5u_nGgGfU3yar4oYQgWmYVcX4fpuNFerlswVk3dx0XnavjqqEMZmor8Ur_li94mBzOiHhPiK6cQDceL8g8pR/w1868-h1239/87830031%20copy.jpg" width="1868" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Cimarron River, Oklahoma -- BNSF</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRPbJ-_Tva3SUetX4RPhXtAnj94AXNo7t5XdUGF9nidxgmQ3aKLRagudzrzyHnzbbI9QfHw_PlBWrHZbtzIfHTEay4RuLkLbMaOTNmSite2mE7CdHAJ_Qx619qTzPM7GWfVzvAjSIGVgO21m0qu6YrQX6sQ58Sz1xsYEYe_IHgA1R6zi4pukR83t7xVOU/s3088/65000012%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRPbJ-_Tva3SUetX4RPhXtAnj94AXNo7t5XdUGF9nidxgmQ3aKLRagudzrzyHnzbbI9QfHw_PlBWrHZbtzIfHTEay4RuLkLbMaOTNmSite2mE7CdHAJ_Qx619qTzPM7GWfVzvAjSIGVgO21m0qu6YrQX6sQ58Sz1xsYEYe_IHgA1R6zi4pukR83t7xVOU/w1873-h1241/65000012%20copy.jpg" width="1873" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sacramento Wash, Arizona -- BNSF.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qUvcYGx_wxImQrS3NmUOfQ_y17HjR0Bh7_1K2fCSmF3izUlgJ-GatYeO-KXB43xPK-Wedv39GpShyrqowuW5YolOOpju1GS073pNOI1PuAw0vlggSd0ExdWznnzuApAuwO1lehgmgGQb28VPduxnjWR35Pa7vwuuvU4edXRO94aBHYHPZDEJFSsO5Hih/s3041/Canadian%201.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="1213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qUvcYGx_wxImQrS3NmUOfQ_y17HjR0Bh7_1K2fCSmF3izUlgJ-GatYeO-KXB43xPK-Wedv39GpShyrqowuW5YolOOpju1GS073pNOI1PuAw0vlggSd0ExdWznnzuApAuwO1lehgmgGQb28VPduxnjWR35Pa7vwuuvU4edXRO94aBHYHPZDEJFSsO5Hih/w1866-h1213/Canadian%201.jpg" width="1866" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Canadian River, Oklahoma -- BNSF.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignDu57_zbf_gBmbD45XeRrtD-GIrWsIjavItcVlUlIEqeEQmsHRftkCjfJ7qi32OoxXJ5mDisg2oV6KvxaI0uWnMJpxTAF5ROa-6ms6nRxVZQai56GTxesWLOX-pk6I6cf2vWRs6O3BaevHWVHkZgCzg_Lp5HMoOPdsY8VAuiRjEV00SOenJkDVC0iO46/s3002/Texhoma%205.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3002" height="1239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignDu57_zbf_gBmbD45XeRrtD-GIrWsIjavItcVlUlIEqeEQmsHRftkCjfJ7qi32OoxXJ5mDisg2oV6KvxaI0uWnMJpxTAF5ROa-6ms6nRxVZQai56GTxesWLOX-pk6I6cf2vWRs6O3BaevHWVHkZgCzg_Lp5HMoOPdsY8VAuiRjEV00SOenJkDVC0iO46/w1862-h1239/Texhoma%205.jpg" width="1862" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lake Texhoma, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Part Two will contain more sundown images in different locations.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOE14kSo4oXLGJ6yQ6rhxUy9BXO_7hSggmGLoQ6tXJd2KSK5Bo4PUNi63iEruQ-z9Q0gSiWtolWH5rfN2AVU2xVKFqE-Eap0Io9x3WwOenocTRGXypw8PVAPHQZcr__91xmjE28q5SpzybqqJDOTRdH7K9YAKWWf_jvyHKmKZnX9XmA3YUpslBMoIDcm3/s2989/Nebraska8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2989" data-original-width="2006" height="1077" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOE14kSo4oXLGJ6yQ6rhxUy9BXO_7hSggmGLoQ6tXJd2KSK5Bo4PUNi63iEruQ-z9Q0gSiWtolWH5rfN2AVU2xVKFqE-Eap0Io9x3WwOenocTRGXypw8PVAPHQZcr__91xmjE28q5SpzybqqJDOTRdH7K9YAKWWf_jvyHKmKZnX9XmA3YUpslBMoIDcm3/w725-h1077/Nebraska8.jpg" width="725" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my other posts, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-46413240822414254472023-12-17T11:35:00.000-06:002023-12-17T11:35:45.791-06:00My Favorite Western Grades: Part Two<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj767nQW1BhKbhCxKVyB043oVFp0RVbQ2Jvm7J5HIBEpWlNjl-QPWa7NDQbStxRsb9rTLf8OvEAL01cq9bAt7kRQQL45Hfcn9pzC3e4cyjCa8RrEgzHPuFbELqZS3BbIxwkUEm_m7Nx4jz93tXk9CXYvQMLeWqzM592N3fwSFBhhhQ3Fs1y39gblg_Ys-45/s3088/Mullan7%20copy.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj767nQW1BhKbhCxKVyB043oVFp0RVbQ2Jvm7J5HIBEpWlNjl-QPWa7NDQbStxRsb9rTLf8OvEAL01cq9bAt7kRQQL45Hfcn9pzC3e4cyjCa8RrEgzHPuFbELqZS3BbIxwkUEm_m7Nx4jz93tXk9CXYvQMLeWqzM592N3fwSFBhhhQ3Fs1y39gblg_Ys-45/w1959-h1298/Mullan7%20copy.jpeg" width="1959" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>MRL climbing Mullan Pass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Part One (<a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/11/my-favorite-western-grades-part-one.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/11/my-favorite-western-grades-part-one.html</a>) showcases Western grades in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. Part Two looks at your author's favorite grades in the remainder of the western United States and British Columbia. (If one of your favorite grades is not mentioned, it is likely because I have not yet visited it.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">These lines were built in the last half of the 19th century into the first years of the 20th, when engineering and construction techniques were crude. Men, steam shovels, mules and dynamite were the tools of the trade. Small tent cities of laborers (Chinese, Irish, Mormons and many others) moved slowly with the completion of each mile of track. Even today (December 2023), construction across these summits would be major projects, although, unlike in the 19th century, loss of life would probably vanish completely.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">These railroads were built at phenomenal human cost. Each cross-tie is the grave of a worker who perished during construction. As you review the following images, salute the thousands who came before.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Arizona Divide</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Building southwest through the valley of the Rio Puerco in eastern Arizona, the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad halted at what became Holbrook. To the west stood the Mazatzal Wilderness -- vicious mountains that in the 21st century are not crossed by even the most primitive road. The locating engineers thus chose to follow the Little Colorado River northwest toward the San Francisco Volcano Field, where construction reached the Arizona Divide (7,335 feet) about 15 miles south of San Francisco Peak, a huge strato-volcano towering over 12,000 feet. BNSF freights now struggle in both directions to surmount this obstacle.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKdbAY43KCZdGgGumNNJ1_ygTDoQ3ghCKJZdFZVilMbg0Y1rTFnfIlaZnV6HlyfiQa4tDhQ_EQjtEXlS3UBbc_L4JPra06vrEU5xaJ6XOO_YTcycgEq6KqBVnnUvE14qUrQs_7_UKh6PVgZDHj4rQRO4D_jXhyphenhyphen0IrEMOEzBKfHBx531z57y_A7vcFs8cV/s2887/Flagstaff.tif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2078" data-original-width="2887" height="1404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKdbAY43KCZdGgGumNNJ1_ygTDoQ3ghCKJZdFZVilMbg0Y1rTFnfIlaZnV6HlyfiQa4tDhQ_EQjtEXlS3UBbc_L4JPra06vrEU5xaJ6XOO_YTcycgEq6KqBVnnUvE14qUrQs_7_UKh6PVgZDHj4rQRO4D_jXhyphenhyphen0IrEMOEzBKfHBx531z57y_A7vcFs8cV/w1954-h1404/Flagstaff.tif" width="1954" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks beneath San Francisco Peak.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi0KPoFeemWosL2i0EMzz6AkgziRazu-nb2TB3ZkJbZo6-FIpxnAdh8f50PVPWDwGnggx4PB7ucqm-MJJGBDGrGloumRyP6KdvsniEQfD2fu2pQIHUOKGv8Fyj8U-uZ8LEX9wf2qFFXtU6Ey3LkNwHwdfFuC5VH8IJR9BqQ3hUUtE9_XhvXDtTqNLxKhv/s2655/Flagstaff1.tif" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2260" data-original-width="2655" height="1663" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi0KPoFeemWosL2i0EMzz6AkgziRazu-nb2TB3ZkJbZo6-FIpxnAdh8f50PVPWDwGnggx4PB7ucqm-MJJGBDGrGloumRyP6KdvsniEQfD2fu2pQIHUOKGv8Fyj8U-uZ8LEX9wf2qFFXtU6Ey3LkNwHwdfFuC5VH8IJR9BqQ3hUUtE9_XhvXDtTqNLxKhv/w1957-h1663/Flagstaff1.tif" width="1957" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound oil train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nyyBBDVn32OR3gZWbwigImnth1mBhBZbQTQf8WVV_6lhHkbBbyK1YVvY37lhYv5DVsmYy9bP_y7KR-BNao4GRQMVR7kbQxV4a5lEZ98WsSoVRplwtMT61dyd0ZvFKSjmRwp5ezpgYgzTfig7rnDCGuPL54KoJ-2GaHGyopTsTTxymDabqI0pkgzaEp8Y/s2664/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2027" data-original-width="2664" height="1484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nyyBBDVn32OR3gZWbwigImnth1mBhBZbQTQf8WVV_6lhHkbBbyK1YVvY37lhYv5DVsmYy9bP_y7KR-BNao4GRQMVR7kbQxV4a5lEZ98WsSoVRplwtMT61dyd0ZvFKSjmRwp5ezpgYgzTfig7rnDCGuPL54KoJ-2GaHGyopTsTTxymDabqI0pkgzaEp8Y/w1954-h1484/20.jpg" width="1954" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At over 7,000 feet, the Arizona Divide sees a lot of snow.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kingman Canyon</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In addition to the Arizona Divide, the BNSF Transcon climbs two other lengthy grades from Needles to Flagstaff -- a distance of about 200 miles and a climb of about 7,000 feet. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The first is the long continuous climb from Topock to Kingman -- which takes the line through Kingman Canyon. The grade is eastbound. Westbounds glide serenely downhill, while eastbounds struggle for about 50 miles while climbing approximately 2,700 feet. The original line contained a ruling grade of almost two percent. In 1922, the Santa Fe constructed a second main of 1.4 percent. Trains climb through some of the harshest country in North America -- the Mojave Desert.</span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40dcU1RP_vrvrcRRCypd8ZsWj4AIw1XbK6qq2QmSv0T8k1gYpj_MC_OsRkteYEBiorlQyLMDB5oCVNKOAgOeshjEukng6ZVYcAh9oXn4Xm0UMHaIR9ZIMXPWplsFQFBr7ePWufAVmbRGQzMb1ibTRgVFuGl00gnbspseRmfEvUlssiVc4sVZ3dHdPUHMu/s3088/Kingman%20Photo%2012.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40dcU1RP_vrvrcRRCypd8ZsWj4AIw1XbK6qq2QmSv0T8k1gYpj_MC_OsRkteYEBiorlQyLMDB5oCVNKOAgOeshjEukng6ZVYcAh9oXn4Xm0UMHaIR9ZIMXPWplsFQFBr7ePWufAVmbRGQzMb1ibTRgVFuGl00gnbspseRmfEvUlssiVc4sVZ3dHdPUHMu/w1951-h1292/Kingman%20Photo%2012.jpg" width="1951" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound Z climbs the 1.4 percent grade in Kingman Canyon. The original steeper grade is in the lower right.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbDi-S5j8nhfwi59fSj_EWnYEDx-eJGT3B1PDQGpEPxA8AzlCtu5Ou72yYAJ7bE-iOoCLCNtyxeH_rdMkkKRno3miEs5CfK2lo86ztId2UXoWmP4aS4oYRgsjQ8VpCOmDHMRf-29VzIrT1LobUb1UZQ_Dh63LhUEMltSlM6KIcsRontSrbo1AyZC80Czf/s3088/Kingman%20Photo%2030.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbDi-S5j8nhfwi59fSj_EWnYEDx-eJGT3B1PDQGpEPxA8AzlCtu5Ou72yYAJ7bE-iOoCLCNtyxeH_rdMkkKRno3miEs5CfK2lo86ztId2UXoWmP4aS4oYRgsjQ8VpCOmDHMRf-29VzIrT1LobUb1UZQ_Dh63LhUEMltSlM6KIcsRontSrbo1AyZC80Czf/w1959-h1299/Kingman%20Photo%2030.jpg" width="1959" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound on the original grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MP3M77xnHzyBzvZdnVRwCuxFMZsObxUnRZM8VdYD__OLpJc_DdgP6aeG3tQlZ_zUriCCDaYK81pydrDNvWCt8dOAyyy8IvWyMPz3awMqcXI28YD3omsUefcTHSJn3bWIzPu-KNLkQ8J-yPyXZOdVU2VhBCZlUkOKp0LLVvvh-XLq7ioAU2bc8CMk9hF2/s3018/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3018" height="1293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MP3M77xnHzyBzvZdnVRwCuxFMZsObxUnRZM8VdYD__OLpJc_DdgP6aeG3tQlZ_zUriCCDaYK81pydrDNvWCt8dOAyyy8IvWyMPz3awMqcXI28YD3omsUefcTHSJn3bWIzPu-KNLkQ8J-yPyXZOdVU2VhBCZlUkOKp0LLVvvh-XLq7ioAU2bc8CMk9hF2/w1961-h1293/35.jpg" width="1961" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Crozier Canyon</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The second major grade begins at Hackberry and continues unbroken to the summit at Yampai -- elevation 5630 feet at mile post 451.9. This section runs through Crozier Canyon, where eastbounds struggle mightily against the grade. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Crozier Canyon is unique because, even though in the middle of the desert, spring water flows through it year-round and supports lucious vegetation. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh5S7Ob8c-X7aOtSY4kU18-9AmaPzvtgOKYRFrOXvp6lTu-5Y9IAFmG7Ak_Isk5fcAxDqt0ZLAc7MZwPG3SQIGNz-ePZeuCDSreittBX6ocPl_G5M79y2AP2T1xBHEg_xsVrvnsnkdra66LtZ5lPgnk9Uos4I7qcWoM7H-v4LCNmU3BrnJlTNaTXM8M24/s3030/Crozier1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3030" height="1279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh5S7Ob8c-X7aOtSY4kU18-9AmaPzvtgOKYRFrOXvp6lTu-5Y9IAFmG7Ak_Isk5fcAxDqt0ZLAc7MZwPG3SQIGNz-ePZeuCDSreittBX6ocPl_G5M79y2AP2T1xBHEg_xsVrvnsnkdra66LtZ5lPgnk9Uos4I7qcWoM7H-v4LCNmU3BrnJlTNaTXM8M24/w1958-h1279/Crozier1.jpg" width="1958" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound in dynamics. Behind the tracks are leafless winter trees, sustained by the clear flowing stream in the bottom of the canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtHfdoyeX7fVc5nAjLj-0Py-uCBYSCdCOlNVsGZvH1oRbTIdoDrL7VBtW7YacIyXSO2cQOLRdB7bQt61rW8UqL7bDoKJjJKM93MRBKwjP0xWghD1jmja6NULPVp9g0tbRHDi_HfucDO7jNL-T6TJS_sufx_j0897KZPW8EdnngwePZpeuXcMZGbuUuKS1/s3037/Crozier2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3037" height="1268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtHfdoyeX7fVc5nAjLj-0Py-uCBYSCdCOlNVsGZvH1oRbTIdoDrL7VBtW7YacIyXSO2cQOLRdB7bQt61rW8UqL7bDoKJjJKM93MRBKwjP0xWghD1jmja6NULPVp9g0tbRHDi_HfucDO7jNL-T6TJS_sufx_j0897KZPW8EdnngwePZpeuXcMZGbuUuKS1/w1950-h1268/Crozier2.jpg" width="1950" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound climbing the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeOioCKTDWkG9F-S-U6NvYZDCbhIW19GcMN-e5Clj3IW8Cdkg1Jih_BUowFF4ZcZ1E97OR06vpN5KpSy0yOL4lCnREE7Q6ulUSeBAfOYuWhi-wt1FgmzhPdQdPt_wl83NNFIFAgcnirdcX0-nI35Tz8bEuN6DsllgVJvXiMt1wc_rQcoXzwi42Ndc5Fli/s2978/Crozier31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2978" height="1326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeOioCKTDWkG9F-S-U6NvYZDCbhIW19GcMN-e5Clj3IW8Cdkg1Jih_BUowFF4ZcZ1E97OR06vpN5KpSy0yOL4lCnREE7Q6ulUSeBAfOYuWhi-wt1FgmzhPdQdPt_wl83NNFIFAgcnirdcX0-nI35Tz8bEuN6DsllgVJvXiMt1wc_rQcoXzwi42Ndc5Fli/w1957-h1326/Crozier31.jpg" width="1957" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Seligman to Yampai</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Crozier Canyon is the eastbound grade to Yampai. The westbound grade starts at Seligman and climbs steadily through the Aubrey Valley, which appears flat to the eye but slopes from southeast to northwest with a 1.4 percent BNSF grade. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Seligman was named for J.W. Seligman and Company, a prominent U.S. investment bank in the 19th and early 20th centuries, until its divestiture under the Glass–Steagall Act. The firm financed several major U.S. railroads in the 1870s (including the Atlantic and Pacific), plus construction of the Panama Canal. Seligman was also involved in the formation of Standard Oil and General Motors. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Yampai" is I believe a corrupted spelling of the Yavapai Tribe.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfs8RUPPcwLyl8afH5ZM8tXf0JoP-Q6rqxUTx2y6SeOuMVikY68tE6b59UjhiocaTAelLWM7b7H_In4AhpIE4eMMGVDx0tyu5dZQLV2kA1ueVqw5KJYH04VG49e_W2KFzkEYJaNcSbyw9ZkVmppmntEzrt7T9SdPj2raloxywskA_gDJ2U9J4wAmGm3-0z/s3022/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3022" height="1289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfs8RUPPcwLyl8afH5ZM8tXf0JoP-Q6rqxUTx2y6SeOuMVikY68tE6b59UjhiocaTAelLWM7b7H_In4AhpIE4eMMGVDx0tyu5dZQLV2kA1ueVqw5KJYH04VG49e_W2KFzkEYJaNcSbyw9ZkVmppmntEzrt7T9SdPj2raloxywskA_gDJ2U9J4wAmGm3-0z/w1963-h1289/2.jpg" width="1963" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Stacks trains meet in the Aubrey Valley. The consist on the right is climbing the hill to Yampai.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI84qf-xGHzQFc0WRU9djQyuTBfaqK3DhfCEoEvpddSc3uglmTBXIbeGs_SgeI9auuPsfoAKNZoax0trUVsxow4fNAgrVbqRYnBT3rEUlARYFetlJUDJ4gQH6IUNtkzP4NF9oM19RjnmGRQ1mEnqR-JG6G7k9W4g78duQzsvi7-hwjeAd-mMaHxyuXwf_I/s3006/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3006" height="1299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI84qf-xGHzQFc0WRU9djQyuTBfaqK3DhfCEoEvpddSc3uglmTBXIbeGs_SgeI9auuPsfoAKNZoax0trUVsxow4fNAgrVbqRYnBT3rEUlARYFetlJUDJ4gQH6IUNtkzP4NF9oM19RjnmGRQ1mEnqR-JG6G7k9W4g78duQzsvi7-hwjeAd-mMaHxyuXwf_I/w1961-h1299/1.jpg" width="1961" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Attacking the 1.4 percent.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfziHW1V83gLUD-Hhe9gn1oWbCwmUZbhsw9eTScZqpMEufVPWpS9E-yLc_I3iqj3_E9Mwy_ZXit4Cf0DP3m8JIpl0WE3ty5MoXLNpOiGJ91c3jH2hVlxRoV6RMl_xLYfntk4uKdnHv2DS6r9e-RfaDnVy52ke00V9v7Ylwv1lhN2H4QuUMkTrAg86PxlZ1/s3035/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3035" height="1278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfziHW1V83gLUD-Hhe9gn1oWbCwmUZbhsw9eTScZqpMEufVPWpS9E-yLc_I3iqj3_E9Mwy_ZXit4Cf0DP3m8JIpl0WE3ty5MoXLNpOiGJ91c3jH2hVlxRoV6RMl_xLYfntk4uKdnHv2DS6r9e-RfaDnVy52ke00V9v7Ylwv1lhN2H4QuUMkTrAg86PxlZ1/w1967-h1278/4.jpg" width="1967" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Downgrade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dragoon, Arizona</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Dragoon is the Arizona summit of Union Pacific's southern transcontinental line, wedged like a rock in a tire tread between the Dragoon and Little Dragoon Mountains. The westbound grade covers only a few miles, rising from Wilcox Playa (a dry lake bed) to the summit where a few hardly settlers scratch out a living. The eastbound grade starts in the valley of the San Pedro River and climbs about 15 miles through harsh and unforgiving territory that no one calls home. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3K3aTaj7m4j0UA1VxOKVAwqpHMbi2qgIMl37Wwo_IOC7Gj-Ii_etta-AT-O4mg1-x96y6GCrUQtcy9Q0lMcATEUEypBGnI_yJ4mIbXCJrON63ERPEZPDRFoZ2FH2seQXN_RaWauL-mQctXAugrxjO7NvwLYOqTbXLrLg5cWGYjyE_iIbaINp_R_yE8hp/s3023/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3K3aTaj7m4j0UA1VxOKVAwqpHMbi2qgIMl37Wwo_IOC7Gj-Ii_etta-AT-O4mg1-x96y6GCrUQtcy9Q0lMcATEUEypBGnI_yJ4mIbXCJrON63ERPEZPDRFoZ2FH2seQXN_RaWauL-mQctXAugrxjO7NvwLYOqTbXLrLg5cWGYjyE_iIbaINp_R_yE8hp/w1976-h1296/1.jpg" width="1976" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks leaving the valley of the San Pedro River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMT8u3_CrE_6IpJpqr5zcoGqQclwMxVE-Ev9uvlwwA9NGV4sVT-qwj0rdCByRmkjcQIjsnQr-gzWHAP_B-yvN9yhyphenhyphen0Ww2LfSi7qPt17l1lqOFawPTxkX9iu9zaazbsbgItNp-G3l7n6vONWxSW_zqq7AlSbMdsRfkgHCWhZ2AfaHUDzcuBC5lVLtNHGdf/s3058/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="3058" height="1263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMT8u3_CrE_6IpJpqr5zcoGqQclwMxVE-Ev9uvlwwA9NGV4sVT-qwj0rdCByRmkjcQIjsnQr-gzWHAP_B-yvN9yhyphenhyphen0Ww2LfSi7qPt17l1lqOFawPTxkX9iu9zaazbsbgItNp-G3l7n6vONWxSW_zqq7AlSbMdsRfkgHCWhZ2AfaHUDzcuBC5lVLtNHGdf/w1973-h1263/15.jpg" width="1973" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks crossing Wilcox Playa and begining to climb.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6n_ovBkiSUQSqPdCbkN4ev9hPRALXTp2XaQ0Nsl9L7EdkozJalpWC2IQxOC3fvu1h-_nD8KUpT86GychUXr_pMmOK0GAqbA-X8eDfikxahpUB_Abr47faC73TxIhN9-ETD_5Qt0Wqj3C52ibrP2GpNuRB0j8MXBzTPFk7X3HMgFPGh5EzvxHvdpp79T5/s3017/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6n_ovBkiSUQSqPdCbkN4ev9hPRALXTp2XaQ0Nsl9L7EdkozJalpWC2IQxOC3fvu1h-_nD8KUpT86GychUXr_pMmOK0GAqbA-X8eDfikxahpUB_Abr47faC73TxIhN9-ETD_5Qt0Wqj3C52ibrP2GpNuRB0j8MXBzTPFk7X3HMgFPGh5EzvxHvdpp79T5/w1961-h1293/39.jpg" width="1961" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mescal, Arizona</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Mescal summit is only about 25 miles from Dragoon. From the east, the railroad climbs out of the valley of the San Pedro River to a spot in the desert that does not seem like the top of a strenuous ascent. Though peaks surround a narrow county road crossing the double-tracks, the terrain is flat and mostly treeless. Traffic from the west climbs from Cienega Creek, and the double tracks on that side of the summit are separated almost a mile. One line is the original Southern Pacific Sunset Route. The other is a remnant of the El Paso and Southwestern, retained when the SP swallowed the smaller road in the early 20th century.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf99V-1N5DbyOMP1LNMXKEcrT__clLgcja1lNhW6hrS7febxJvcqgQZCwKs9KH0Txw8pLLCc77pScAxUp5kArwT6tZXLluGFs4_njm_ZRwfFcfqkCR_bjEKNc_IXjswSidlGzITuEXAR0cYfzECZVMtBimBMoR6h0MGMBBB7DxcLb7cpNKAnOAvhTBw9-T/s3037/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3037" height="1271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf99V-1N5DbyOMP1LNMXKEcrT__clLgcja1lNhW6hrS7febxJvcqgQZCwKs9KH0Txw8pLLCc77pScAxUp5kArwT6tZXLluGFs4_njm_ZRwfFcfqkCR_bjEKNc_IXjswSidlGzITuEXAR0cYfzECZVMtBimBMoR6h0MGMBBB7DxcLb7cpNKAnOAvhTBw9-T/w1955-h1271/10.jpg" width="1955" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Light power at the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca99dQKvXhfS4_3JHcxX5vz2C-RiXH5faCOdpof55MC38h_rGoc7XxFOURGEmMFLg3j-7aJbu3KqFWecLaEpbNV0oLSi-95AEUwz4nk_PYX7IpCaPcjIU4hv4jSnIKkvYGHn-sna3UEVAr0xGn083mB9aeU_Zgknm7fXI_9kMZB97YfNHAL7kCTSe7Mnt/s3010/50.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca99dQKvXhfS4_3JHcxX5vz2C-RiXH5faCOdpof55MC38h_rGoc7XxFOURGEmMFLg3j-7aJbu3KqFWecLaEpbNV0oLSi-95AEUwz4nk_PYX7IpCaPcjIU4hv4jSnIKkvYGHn-sna3UEVAr0xGn083mB9aeU_Zgknm7fXI_9kMZB97YfNHAL7kCTSe7Mnt/w1968-h1303/50.jpg" width="1968" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At the bottom on the west side, the old El Paso and Southwestern crosses the original SP tracks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2042" data-original-width="2939" height="1371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3ig0w96C6SNx9_gBTGEQo9zmeC6l4UMllrbTt2-99RtIat8gyp6pdnE3kwNh2uDTb0MBQEiAyGHMShAcpQkM0rO5d9Wjb2a0X8U8ujqjg3tb1KBhsG5vNncRJgDy7zDd8TC1DqK88J1lHL_1yg_sTkVeX5zvQpbpqOPDXa1NnuR603rF5c0tw7t0s7NR/w1977-h1371/7%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="1977" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Climbing westbound out of the valley of the San Pedro River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3ig0w96C6SNx9_gBTGEQo9zmeC6l4UMllrbTt2-99RtIat8gyp6pdnE3kwNh2uDTb0MBQEiAyGHMShAcpQkM0rO5d9Wjb2a0X8U8ujqjg3tb1KBhsG5vNncRJgDy7zDd8TC1DqK88J1lHL_1yg_sTkVeX5zvQpbpqOPDXa1NnuR603rF5c0tw7t0s7NR/s2939/7%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></b></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Maricopa Mountains</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Maricopa Mountains rise stubbornly from the desert southwest of Phoenix, small nubs of a once much larger chain worn down through the eons to rocky protuberances that even an old man can climb. Trains struggle in both directions to reach the summit at Shawmut, once a helper district, now just a forgotten spot in the sand. Vegetation here is suprisingly thick for a desert, most notably the giant Saguaro cacti and the amazing Palo Verde -- trees containing chlorophyll in their trunks and stems, allowing them to survive years in which there is not enough moisture for leaves for grow. </span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezMLQ_t1XgqXtMzMoN4qN2fx65VH7ZC6d0OhkekZ9nnT6YT-YwFlj9o-6D5sHnNjo4r-_ILccmL43S-m2cYZ1SKMO5sdFnZvA1sSHIaL7Id6OnF23NTxDUVOBGsC4xYtah9KKCvVAkc3519LfaX7myOK_I332obbMANPKFMSRCGxVyA83cEn-zVWp0mwg/s2990/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2990" height="1328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezMLQ_t1XgqXtMzMoN4qN2fx65VH7ZC6d0OhkekZ9nnT6YT-YwFlj9o-6D5sHnNjo4r-_ILccmL43S-m2cYZ1SKMO5sdFnZvA1sSHIaL7Id6OnF23NTxDUVOBGsC4xYtah9KKCvVAkc3519LfaX7myOK_I332obbMANPKFMSRCGxVyA83cEn-zVWp0mwg/w1976-h1328/27.jpg" width="1976" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound approaching the summit, back-stopped by Palo Verde.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhfzrq79CKIV1rUVK8NRFVgRzYQ6jcmCw_gM3GfqNoBg9QoX7Sw5Cn-JCEq1OF_Wy45QXyE25PZ48CQ1gChKhIlI3WXowuj3lheStZSD29GBVlJ6kqP4JL56wcx_6HURnN5SJrxj2cfCdxLQL7_rIjc1qB8_4KJ13Zmkf2XlXPMoFExMhGb1aiDcmQ8xS/s3021/38.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3021" height="1298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhfzrq79CKIV1rUVK8NRFVgRzYQ6jcmCw_gM3GfqNoBg9QoX7Sw5Cn-JCEq1OF_Wy45QXyE25PZ48CQ1gChKhIlI3WXowuj3lheStZSD29GBVlJ6kqP4JL56wcx_6HURnN5SJrxj2cfCdxLQL7_rIjc1qB8_4KJ13Zmkf2XlXPMoFExMhGb1aiDcmQ8xS/w1979-h1298/38.jpg" width="1979" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbond at dusk.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IwBmAY5vf_TuvW8Fgaz55f3c9ieVN8ESga3eLfPyYgs8iBDGqb5feJxqibTcm4_GEBd3ongUlFjN8SnGFoGhNZTA5P6NHc7yCnCnR4O-E27MN4CCCobWHieNk2sfA8kEeNIFvCpW4ylvsdzjfcYUDiTTeyICvx2H9a4mlylZ23A2ROiauV9lS36i-tGa/s2997/64.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IwBmAY5vf_TuvW8Fgaz55f3c9ieVN8ESga3eLfPyYgs8iBDGqb5feJxqibTcm4_GEBd3ongUlFjN8SnGFoGhNZTA5P6NHc7yCnCnR4O-E27MN4CCCobWHieNk2sfA8kEeNIFvCpW4ylvsdzjfcYUDiTTeyICvx2H9a4mlylZ23A2ROiauV9lS36i-tGa/w1993-h1333/64.jpg" width="1993" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Soldier Summit</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The route across Utah's Wasatch Mountains that ultimately became part of the Denver and Rio Grande Western was constructed as a narrow gauge line by the Utah & Pleasant Valley Railway in 1878 to access coal deposits near Scofield. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1882, the Denver and Rio Grande purchased the U&PV, intending to build east across Utah to connect with the route to Grand Junction, Colorado, then across Tennessee Pass, through the Royal Gorge to Pueblo on the edge of the High Plains. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The line to the coal mines was misaligned for a road to Colorado, so the Denver and Rio Grande constructed a new narrow-gauge route southwest from Colton down the Price River Canyon to the base of the mountains at Helper. The line was eventually converted to standard guage, and the four percent eastbound grade to the summit was reduced by the loops at Gilluly. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Today (December 2023), Union Pacific’s line across the Wasatch Mountains in Utah is little more than a branch, hosting two Amtrak trains per day and an occasional freight or coal train. The following images were taken when the Rio Grande still operated the line, when Soldier Summit was awash with trains.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwJUOBaC3sYPG37RO8EgFMlMhNOZvfQBL5EXX0rUfO2Nia1NVhBHl6R_rmdkqW_WXkOxBApJCo-LPncKlMjWofexefcsnboBPUxik_M5amXkT6MzP21aA9fuP1dYEGCIiOw1RYOxWVIPmDk9hu9ra-JY2-jR2tH-2i9Ij570Uc6Gh9SZbRhuCZwV2KwOG/s3046/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3046" height="1285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwJUOBaC3sYPG37RO8EgFMlMhNOZvfQBL5EXX0rUfO2Nia1NVhBHl6R_rmdkqW_WXkOxBApJCo-LPncKlMjWofexefcsnboBPUxik_M5amXkT6MzP21aA9fuP1dYEGCIiOw1RYOxWVIPmDk9hu9ra-JY2-jR2tH-2i9Ij570Uc6Gh9SZbRhuCZwV2KwOG/w1986-h1285/3.jpg" width="1986" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound manifest on realigned track required by the 1983 landslide and resulting flood at Thistle. Original mainline can be seen above the water.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxEdyWpVr2hc0GlKMqOBcBuJeh9SJdKO_eXxQjyjNK8yeQG03NOR-Qjhf7wBxTXFRhzm1_8AV_roPhzWZDH5mFTrgxj3IOliCnnuuHlIutK2H-5y_06H3x3Qho49URh_TtL7D8pvIdxc8WxrMYSXwRLS0eAQCIzgew0AwgJnF8uLbUmOrZWrVbZktwHeI/s3043/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3043" height="1285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxEdyWpVr2hc0GlKMqOBcBuJeh9SJdKO_eXxQjyjNK8yeQG03NOR-Qjhf7wBxTXFRhzm1_8AV_roPhzWZDH5mFTrgxj3IOliCnnuuHlIutK2H-5y_06H3x3Qho49URh_TtL7D8pvIdxc8WxrMYSXwRLS0eAQCIzgew0AwgJnF8uLbUmOrZWrVbZktwHeI/w1987-h1285/6.jpg" width="1987" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Amtrak.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1p-_ICeGLMHhfUmbeSTkAVHuAPafJ-uad4wjNhUUIKq1Lku_-hdffsDP55f3dBP3_10ubFMRoiOzJ_3E6pYcS_dAB4ZtDJuzyR9XFWNPwt2mYO-036A-2151j8qR0ASENFkLjI_jYCHdvYXdCfelgw30PDLcoZ-focZkE7OHQSBjXu75E87_xY4sc5QNV/s3021/25.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3021" height="1302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1p-_ICeGLMHhfUmbeSTkAVHuAPafJ-uad4wjNhUUIKq1Lku_-hdffsDP55f3dBP3_10ubFMRoiOzJ_3E6pYcS_dAB4ZtDJuzyR9XFWNPwt2mYO-036A-2151j8qR0ASENFkLjI_jYCHdvYXdCfelgw30PDLcoZ-focZkE7OHQSBjXu75E87_xY4sc5QNV/w1984-h1302/25.jpg" width="1984" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Helper, Utah.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Echo Canyon</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Echo Canyon is part of the passage from the western plateau of Wyoming's Overthrust Belt to Utah's valley of the Great Salt Lake. From Ogden, Utah (4300 feet) to Evanston, Wyoming (6,800 feet) eastbound trains climb 2,500 feet in about 55 "crow-fly" miles. The railroad distance is about 66 miles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The canyon begins at Echo, Utah, and stretches about 32 miles beneath red sandstone cliffs as spectacular as anything in North America, cliffs that have overlooked passage of both humans and animals for thousands of years. Native Americans trod the canyon for centuries, followed by European wagons, the Pony Express, the Union Pacific and Interstate 80. Highway access is available throughout, making Echo Canyon a location that all rail photographers should visit at least once. </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TIbbvIuZkN7pTztep04du6pxTtFrUQVrViqNCbk1FLP0crni7qncKHgsjIq6WqC5DkigeuDWCab52MLho8RHpwXLimEp_5FzMcP7lXpyAIsboiYZ9h9W3aVWkU5MbqAoqzZCXWOMYpgts1HMgId-PYiWOl-KptmJM3tw-0DaPmKXm-9pUqABQebb_oFd/s2744/Echo2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2187" data-original-width="2744" height="1589" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TIbbvIuZkN7pTztep04du6pxTtFrUQVrViqNCbk1FLP0crni7qncKHgsjIq6WqC5DkigeuDWCab52MLho8RHpwXLimEp_5FzMcP7lXpyAIsboiYZ9h9W3aVWkU5MbqAoqzZCXWOMYpgts1HMgId-PYiWOl-KptmJM3tw-0DaPmKXm-9pUqABQebb_oFd/w1994-h1589/Echo2.jpg" width="1994" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound rolling downgrade at Echo, Utah.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwpfqJIxaT76qEKTmHzYhltNBxqVzSwm74QgB4jPT8HcjLQG9FIwbbkjGzITLS-Yj1qb5MGo3z8zgrpVXvfuv8PjWKXK7pTMwO_TVbB0REq0ZvrDQxfQH49FIro2HZEH2nmhIHjCDX2rk2SQ69L1NlM80x9q_kb7l2bAll0yhGTvwuMDXM5dldASxJb1S/s2978/Echo24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2978" height="1356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwpfqJIxaT76qEKTmHzYhltNBxqVzSwm74QgB4jPT8HcjLQG9FIwbbkjGzITLS-Yj1qb5MGo3z8zgrpVXvfuv8PjWKXK7pTMwO_TVbB0REq0ZvrDQxfQH49FIro2HZEH2nmhIHjCDX2rk2SQ69L1NlM80x9q_kb7l2bAll0yhGTvwuMDXM5dldASxJb1S/w1998-h1356/Echo24.jpg" width="1998" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound climbing the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHk2EfjQdT3fG8drwzWkdswLkM8KD3hkqq2ltcZV6KLfUSUuHM8PzOdm1dw_MMt1BgdozH9Deh6_jB1uonFeY0mhAVB2v_kTx3cYYSvXzxrBZr96gQ8k7gVw8jmPuLwCMCHpMtQnPQwobVEabdFcOsyBJVMqnnKqIKrh6nEjwRk6ZcIMZcIAH64kTba_5/s2915/Echo27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2058" data-original-width="2915" height="1411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHk2EfjQdT3fG8drwzWkdswLkM8KD3hkqq2ltcZV6KLfUSUuHM8PzOdm1dw_MMt1BgdozH9Deh6_jB1uonFeY0mhAVB2v_kTx3cYYSvXzxrBZr96gQ8k7gVw8jmPuLwCMCHpMtQnPQwobVEabdFcOsyBJVMqnnKqIKrh6nEjwRk6ZcIMZcIAH64kTba_5/w1997-h1411/Echo27.jpg" width="1997" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Marias Pass</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Great Northern surmounted the Rocky Mountains at Marias Pass, within about 40 miles of the Canadian border, a crossing so relatively mild from the eastern slope, virtually bereft of trees, that God Himself, or perhaps a lesser deity, might have created the passage specifically for 19th century construction. The western slope, on the other hand, collects most of the moisture from the Pacific, generating snow and trees. The two sides are as different as the near and far faces of the moon.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Today (December 2023) BNSF runs a wide variety of freights across the pass, while Amtrak's Empire Builder provides daily transportation to Glacier National Park.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At this northern latitude, the timber line is so low that the bare granite peaks rise above the plains like thrones, hiding glaciers in crevices etched by thousands of years of wind, rain, snow and ice. Trains struggle in both directions, but the summit is open and mostly flat, the perfect crossing.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-gmWdcyK6lVtlYXYS73SVeJ6dKViaBhQziKHBHwNoK5itEV9-DynaDAgR-BJP3QQguZiXJDu2UO7_a4qYhwpbkLtpyWnYFVhXGfycds7IZe2znCVGEaler92tjZ3ET7VvGNmLwNRIMSsWD1dgCR-G8sj2jT5JRKW5mWM5jwlqIy7UIZrPtiiYGGYFoPc/s3089/73040035.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3089" height="1325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-gmWdcyK6lVtlYXYS73SVeJ6dKViaBhQziKHBHwNoK5itEV9-DynaDAgR-BJP3QQguZiXJDu2UO7_a4qYhwpbkLtpyWnYFVhXGfycds7IZe2znCVGEaler92tjZ3ET7VvGNmLwNRIMSsWD1dgCR-G8sj2jT5JRKW5mWM5jwlqIy7UIZrPtiiYGGYFoPc/w2001-h1325/73040035.JPG" width="2001" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks glide down the open eastern slope.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2z3yxImtrHZ0-XTMm4l6WJXluiQWPyIu5-FbcDuleuPAoF7lj31ai4-HBlS5zGV2RnO0cYB49MkzQv3Pp67Jd8fwV-vDmsA2Qakrj5m9yu08uVdu6tXkpMg5cda6k5Hf8j1exHfQqk2XwVgWV3jtv-wGUYG8f8nz4O8LLBv3bpCSaV_QIbicx3kb9Alr/s3089/73100027.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3089" height="1324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2z3yxImtrHZ0-XTMm4l6WJXluiQWPyIu5-FbcDuleuPAoF7lj31ai4-HBlS5zGV2RnO0cYB49MkzQv3Pp67Jd8fwV-vDmsA2Qakrj5m9yu08uVdu6tXkpMg5cda6k5Hf8j1exHfQqk2XwVgWV3jtv-wGUYG8f8nz4O8LLBv3bpCSaV_QIbicx3kb9Alr/w1999-h1324/73100027.JPG" width="1999" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Empire Builder on the western slope.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88Bb6E8CoDBznn6t7VVstr5o8w6R_Su5P38ZduoQo3-fMd61dtK4H7T8wlnp1Jey38odLKdCOyuNDuiWpcFQ2ATF2E-HE8nUwYw7hdsYYfV2-QEZgxAdHNWgZT841A5Crc6ir9WyGjYcTou7u3ZhDPPT1Kb-uLLs61I2SGmW6qqrEZwwAAq0hZy70tn4p/s3089/Summit.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3089" height="1321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88Bb6E8CoDBznn6t7VVstr5o8w6R_Su5P38ZduoQo3-fMd61dtK4H7T8wlnp1Jey38odLKdCOyuNDuiWpcFQ2ATF2E-HE8nUwYw7hdsYYfV2-QEZgxAdHNWgZT841A5Crc6ir9WyGjYcTou7u3ZhDPPT1Kb-uLLs61I2SGmW6qqrEZwwAAq0hZy70tn4p/w1994-h1321/Summit.jpg" width="1994" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bozeman Pass</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Halfway between Livingston and Bozeman, Montana, this pass separates the Bridger and Gallatin Mountains. The Northern Pacific opened a 3,652 feet tunnel under the pass in 1884. A shorter 3,015 feet tunnel just north of the original opened in 1945. Sacagawea, the Shoshone who guided parts of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, led Captain William Clark and his party through the pass on July 15, 1806. Montana Rail Link currently (December 2023) operates trains across the summit; BNSF will take control in January 2024.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gs9BRdeGiQb33pcms6L_FCN_Y4aXuUr4Djoz3iogDHq95vMml7KKH2xXN7TqfJrH_dTy5ELfQOtFJQIyQIR_wsuLthsOsVb5OeM3advGNQ9tKBngXmozqUNBIcOtUyZGDCaUCgdKWctoxs1wY-cLs6TefEDmpavKk_ZGLhLU3DSOR9l8ogt9-jCX4_2M/s3076/Bozeman2acopy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1950" data-original-width="3076" height="1269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gs9BRdeGiQb33pcms6L_FCN_Y4aXuUr4Djoz3iogDHq95vMml7KKH2xXN7TqfJrH_dTy5ELfQOtFJQIyQIR_wsuLthsOsVb5OeM3advGNQ9tKBngXmozqUNBIcOtUyZGDCaUCgdKWctoxs1wY-cLs6TefEDmpavKk_ZGLhLU3DSOR9l8ogt9-jCX4_2M/w2001-h1269/Bozeman2acopy.jpg" width="2001" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>LMX 8583 climbing the eastern slope.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuMXeqFgEsiZKt-1EuQJDhWQRX4RncmcGNJ665pLQzP6zgo8bfiGASmU4r6SPMQ6qdOgCIYutAGZCd21eS1yP1yPvk_F7JSZ_29miDcIC1ia5z4Rn-yaKnIMHVHXJzc9c9nYZIQ2LKcWzrXCwTa8lgFB4L-15BmRx6vxF87yBFeKhlaE0AENAjZCg3kie/s3071/Bozeman4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="3071" height="1273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuMXeqFgEsiZKt-1EuQJDhWQRX4RncmcGNJ665pLQzP6zgo8bfiGASmU4r6SPMQ6qdOgCIYutAGZCd21eS1yP1yPvk_F7JSZ_29miDcIC1ia5z4Rn-yaKnIMHVHXJzc9c9nYZIQ2LKcWzrXCwTa8lgFB4L-15BmRx6vxF87yBFeKhlaE0AENAjZCg3kie/w1998-h1273/Bozeman4.jpg" width="1998" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Western slope.<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU2_0RvqXhiY7_xK8d7uO2KtgnZE2UR5dj-rPilFql9HYRVP0574Kkg3CI-h4p95ZJRs0MYG0jRYXuEqtuOMauW7-V_EyuOXydmBzida8tsLAlQo6M-54WiElEthtvax3scxlRNeAKNpAIfQ93obE13qXU8UlTHkwLQEYcl2r4HASBaZ5AqLpOdq9o4gr/s3055/Bozeman5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="3055" height="1288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU2_0RvqXhiY7_xK8d7uO2KtgnZE2UR5dj-rPilFql9HYRVP0574Kkg3CI-h4p95ZJRs0MYG0jRYXuEqtuOMauW7-V_EyuOXydmBzida8tsLAlQo6M-54WiElEthtvax3scxlRNeAKNpAIfQ93obE13qXU8UlTHkwLQEYcl2r4HASBaZ5AqLpOdq9o4gr/w2000-h1288/Bozeman5.jpg" width="2000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mullan Pass</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">High on the Continental Divide, Mullan Pass overlooks Helena, Montana, with quiet solemnity. Like Marias and Bozeman, Mullan's eastern slope supports fewer trees, while the western is heavily forested. The east side presents some of the most spectacular railroading in the United States. Your author has personally witnessed two coal trains breaking knuckles on the climb to the top -- one inside the summit tunnel!</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRl4RXKgp_cZgA3WTGz8eQX-CwgYKWLfDR5-oycE_bgQVk3L5SdR3RIVMw9gEvvXSqo1DjnGglEtxRoVLMcFCbx-uUWvOVJQAa42V0qUm5lQBGMFkc4MZ-D5cQk1s174vevcIzlhCGZ8scCOGB2c17SbvXzCPb02kq3swZCR5ms5ApNyIVXhvlBVnidL7/s3088/Mullan3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRl4RXKgp_cZgA3WTGz8eQX-CwgYKWLfDR5-oycE_bgQVk3L5SdR3RIVMw9gEvvXSqo1DjnGglEtxRoVLMcFCbx-uUWvOVJQAa42V0qUm5lQBGMFkc4MZ-D5cQk1s174vevcIzlhCGZ8scCOGB2c17SbvXzCPb02kq3swZCR5ms5ApNyIVXhvlBVnidL7/w1995-h1322/Mullan3.jpg" width="1995" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Loaded coal attacking the eastern slope.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlj8Rxd4qj_HpaidVntXO8hSJm67ga4Xli1Vloh9Razy9qBi_Z0ILfvVvgI3FaeavI0EoDBSeVSgjgi7l4KC8xWPf3NvKfJEdGrThE4x8vrPy_2_sSLFitFqt384kvLZII-4-DABfDelXK94yEjevNw_qJojyGHBj2cDkdjwo32nKS7MJR-XngTQzqbIL/s3088/Mullan9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlj8Rxd4qj_HpaidVntXO8hSJm67ga4Xli1Vloh9Razy9qBi_Z0ILfvVvgI3FaeavI0EoDBSeVSgjgi7l4KC8xWPf3NvKfJEdGrThE4x8vrPy_2_sSLFitFqt384kvLZII-4-DABfDelXK94yEjevNw_qJojyGHBj2cDkdjwo32nKS7MJR-XngTQzqbIL/w1993-h1320/Mullan9.jpg" width="1993" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound on Mullan Trestle.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq2_FOgGvjJP1FT0PD_SFAiJ6guWvEREFbHRNKYIG-OzQSctiDo_C9px1UEWex5CKk0T0N1H6o3H1w7Y6LMRA-o55dsScFM1oqP-OzPXLxw2i5NBnUba1ym64osgCq3ghhYSVXbXF7IZTBwKbZd5ri7As4eGzvOvm98GuQDh_YhZATq2JJefD_OmV7Vfq/s2689/MullanA7.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2043" data-original-width="2689" height="1513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq2_FOgGvjJP1FT0PD_SFAiJ6guWvEREFbHRNKYIG-OzQSctiDo_C9px1UEWex5CKk0T0N1H6o3H1w7Y6LMRA-o55dsScFM1oqP-OzPXLxw2i5NBnUba1ym64osgCq3ghhYSVXbXF7IZTBwKbZd5ri7As4eGzvOvm98GuQDh_YhZATq2JJefD_OmV7Vfq/w1992-h1513/MullanA7.png" width="1992" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound coal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kicking Horse Pass</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My photographic expeditions north of the border have been few, and Kicking Horse Pass is the only Canadian grade in my collection. The summit is only about half the height of Tennessee Pass, but the timber line is so low (even lower than Marias) that the naked peaks are overwhelmingly majestic. Unfortunately, the spiral tunnels are below the timber line and lost in the forest. Woe be to he who tries to hike along the tracks, for the Canadian Pacific guards its property like a nuclear missile siloe.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssUF6BHhqNcE7DMey34bwa9gy9JZ2I9zMmhZyNjDb-Zpr-tQEW6S8JrefJ6drH9ZGtrhmln6HHXwEuLGe8fxzG94vLA4sDNxOy2TOJocdF2RXOzIzQGWKSRhqgQO0dk5IyYoqZREJ_ocexuS65td9zEkmIso8jP8WjFI5MqaUGJINrBPOCIH2qljz_Rt8/s3003/KH12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3003" height="1320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssUF6BHhqNcE7DMey34bwa9gy9JZ2I9zMmhZyNjDb-Zpr-tQEW6S8JrefJ6drH9ZGtrhmln6HHXwEuLGe8fxzG94vLA4sDNxOy2TOJocdF2RXOzIzQGWKSRhqgQO0dk5IyYoqZREJ_ocexuS65td9zEkmIso8jP8WjFI5MqaUGJINrBPOCIH2qljz_Rt8/w1983-h1320/KH12.jpg" width="1983" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Beneath Cathedral Mountain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvn1dx5wkaTMeaIJz9EBn7Xi29SVTNUKPFleLeqtOQiu_twaH48bqXQrE8HrKhqaQmxVuvdtORyMhDmmn6JfimViDxWKOtOqT1Vevxrcuc4OVqWmCwcQYS_OJzlGJ4nSRK9mQJ_xQUg19aizAg7vVIejX7Tt1Ku67oU6m9WCQx4hiGHjfwBg-oiwnDvYUE/s2967/KH6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="2967" height="1353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvn1dx5wkaTMeaIJz9EBn7Xi29SVTNUKPFleLeqtOQiu_twaH48bqXQrE8HrKhqaQmxVuvdtORyMhDmmn6JfimViDxWKOtOqT1Vevxrcuc4OVqWmCwcQYS_OJzlGJ4nSRK9mQJ_xQUg19aizAg7vVIejX7Tt1Ku67oU6m9WCQx4hiGHjfwBg-oiwnDvYUE/w1985-h1353/KH6.jpg" width="1985" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Field, British Columbia.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BNwwq1cgGijhX_CyIbkDvq1K9pLgNs5w532i4G2MdUx5w7PiZAZM849iqUsKhaJ1ebr_oFiwuMxJynoe4k04RJyeuXj6DM8828IA3jjfhBURNBjiFCc_3mVkfbQcf9VCqQvqOIwAsSKVUX_BjXSmFMwujfmmGDcG_onTV_j_r6wtKOVxF99MYF6xTcJP/s2977/KH9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="2977" height="1350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BNwwq1cgGijhX_CyIbkDvq1K9pLgNs5w532i4G2MdUx5w7PiZAZM849iqUsKhaJ1ebr_oFiwuMxJynoe4k04RJyeuXj6DM8828IA3jjfhBURNBjiFCc_3mVkfbQcf9VCqQvqOIwAsSKVUX_BjXSmFMwujfmmGDcG_onTV_j_r6wtKOVxF99MYF6xTcJP/w1999-h1350/KH9.jpg" width="1999" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Morant's Curve.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cascade Tunnel</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The longest in the continental 48 states, Great Northern's Cascade Tunnel was once limited to electric traction power to avoid toxic smoke in the bore. A huge ventillation system installed in the 1950's obviated the electrics, though train crews are still given breathing equipment for emergencies. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">After a train exits the tunnel, the next movement must wait until the smoke is cleared, which in your author's experience can sometimes take almost an hour. When the electric blower units are operating on the east portal, smoke flows steadily out the west. The first time your author saw it, he thought the tunnel was on fire. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4m_TmP5UlJ4tLAHEZ8HnEJdUceZnXdi-PtCrhUb5X6JzNytokWaUzXJZc6evyPd4zpWiwjrHzsJ6Li3k6OHP-jpx5w1Rl2_8rL_GMcz7scgBHpUgwEKGggz3rK2y3zZEZTiUjuij4wXMxdYNPNWP442Mxv8yRx-CRtQBu-24y5gDTPyxfsRjonuHIrVi/s2991/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2991" height="1340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4m_TmP5UlJ4tLAHEZ8HnEJdUceZnXdi-PtCrhUb5X6JzNytokWaUzXJZc6evyPd4zpWiwjrHzsJ6Li3k6OHP-jpx5w1Rl2_8rL_GMcz7scgBHpUgwEKGggz3rK2y3zZEZTiUjuij4wXMxdYNPNWP442Mxv8yRx-CRtQBu-24y5gDTPyxfsRjonuHIrVi/w1995-h1340/21.jpg" width="1995" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>East Portal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKpsipDq09hZKVheGEPrDmOlBfcHOLhQdygGKZO7VZuO2wgUYyo21_zY-frS2w3eFuajLKh53WUwvUtGvU3nF63fsUNwXw1s1N7TROefzZER2fGAEHfgyPe5M0yzgjxDfKCcaqOD3qIuJzvktW9sPKRhL9Pc7cfh0cUjE1HpuKqPK7UwMTQ2CqwKI9xmL/s2981/50.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="2981" height="1346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKpsipDq09hZKVheGEPrDmOlBfcHOLhQdygGKZO7VZuO2wgUYyo21_zY-frS2w3eFuajLKh53WUwvUtGvU3nF63fsUNwXw1s1N7TROefzZER2fGAEHfgyPe5M0yzgjxDfKCcaqOD3qIuJzvktW9sPKRhL9Pc7cfh0cUjE1HpuKqPK7UwMTQ2CqwKI9xmL/w1995-h1346/50.jpg" width="1995" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An empty eastbound coal train has emerged from the bore.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DRwyYosT-E_0QF3kHFiFX5gimQAHA9xxfXm4N4zsh_zl5kfkYkaTMJ0rCnXNRH41Rkor0LEbXOz31bTvv2_Z1Y-nhaA0D4scxKllgWby4EUuNCCSD2Hj_pFylpHNWxqGRTkRJhQF9lQw7iar152wCRYSnEQfueYg4_1zAhoktYRUzvGBaocFu0BCGIZd/s3015/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3015" height="1314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DRwyYosT-E_0QF3kHFiFX5gimQAHA9xxfXm4N4zsh_zl5kfkYkaTMJ0rCnXNRH41Rkor0LEbXOz31bTvv2_Z1Y-nhaA0D4scxKllgWby4EUuNCCSD2Hj_pFylpHNWxqGRTkRJhQF9lQw7iar152wCRYSnEQfueYg4_1zAhoktYRUzvGBaocFu0BCGIZd/w1994-h1314/17.jpg" width="1994" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>West Portal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Trinidad Hill</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Another obstacle on the Great Northern's mainline to the Puget Sound was Trinidad Hill, where eastbound trains climb out of the Columbia River Gorge, no simple river valley, but a gigantic chasm carved into ancient basalt by massive Ice Age floods. Trains struggle northeast up a steep grade through Lynch Coulee, then horseshoe back to the southwest, still climbing, eventually reaching the plateau overlooking the canyon. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Like many prime railroad photographic locations, Trinidad Hill is remote and peaceful. Standing at the top of the grade, looking down at what millions of years have wrought, one realizes that one's part in the grand drama is rather miniscule.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CUYaIiNaITVFrWAeiE6iVessFTTtz9b90XHCZaKIJk9mpzyCGtSr7D73gA89HPrv3wrqEBJcv3Vb5rhABxGEmOLq5gNKLgy1ZowEqmeaPuvYJ3nmt26svo1UF1DvA2tMogo0uX9DlU9kblAsGadAy6oUFswETw8IxlFHSrrFhEsd5a-nk4xh8kj_QSOu/s2988/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2988" height="1343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CUYaIiNaITVFrWAeiE6iVessFTTtz9b90XHCZaKIJk9mpzyCGtSr7D73gA89HPrv3wrqEBJcv3Vb5rhABxGEmOLq5gNKLgy1ZowEqmeaPuvYJ3nmt26svo1UF1DvA2tMogo0uX9DlU9kblAsGadAy6oUFswETw8IxlFHSrrFhEsd5a-nk4xh8kj_QSOu/w1998-h1343/14.jpg" width="1998" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Empty eastbound coal struggles out of the Columbia River Gorge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87GLiNt2rWZ-lOItR7nSO8bG2CF-AOtOGDJm1kWWV7xus9IQmWRfV5v8XONmwdCAi0SvO2nSQC6cZoV6BOs5_dvcv_oDO-DX5t1EMU-BDltyFZWre7k-wNBxwr5jYlam2Hsjk1cZyIxQI3JK4KxbNIz8dmGpbI46MTUtDrL4mJ0Shrbpvv3eNFOrPsSxt/s2921/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2054" data-original-width="2921" height="1406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87GLiNt2rWZ-lOItR7nSO8bG2CF-AOtOGDJm1kWWV7xus9IQmWRfV5v8XONmwdCAi0SvO2nSQC6cZoV6BOs5_dvcv_oDO-DX5t1EMU-BDltyFZWre7k-wNBxwr5jYlam2Hsjk1cZyIxQI3JK4KxbNIz8dmGpbI46MTUtDrL4mJ0Shrbpvv3eNFOrPsSxt/w1999-h1406/23.jpg" width="1999" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>At river level, preparing to climb.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa1ySlQTTqUN517QXCPJU3YQwxQDbe571nc9oLH-Fawa0-PPx4LN8YtbpJNm1QSKIEXTm8c-RDvCXMbMW90CChE1WSYnhMmvoUINnrO2tBfXpgMbD8ZyG7KhjCUccdo1AUeVqjHzKxyqPBUqmoILO5AIYIZ3opYWnUJOOkht9jz55vSy0U9NWjfZp3C0W/s3030/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3030" height="1306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa1ySlQTTqUN517QXCPJU3YQwxQDbe571nc9oLH-Fawa0-PPx4LN8YtbpJNm1QSKIEXTm8c-RDvCXMbMW90CChE1WSYnhMmvoUINnrO2tBfXpgMbD8ZyG7KhjCUccdo1AUeVqjHzKxyqPBUqmoILO5AIYIZ3opYWnUJOOkht9jz55vSy0U9NWjfZp3C0W/w1999-h1306/34.jpg" width="1999" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Providence Hill</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Providence Hill is located in the southeast Washington Palouse, hills formed over thousands of years from wind blown silt, called "loess," carried by prevailing southwest breezes. From above, the hills look like giant, grass-covered sand dunes -- which is what, in effect, they are. In the spring, the winter wheat turns deep green, as deep as a pool of motionless water. In summer, the grain turns to yellow-gold and is ripe for harvest. Although nature generally repeats itself across the globe, the Palouse hills are unique. You will not see anything like them no matter how far you travel. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Providence Hill summit is reachable on Lind-Hatton Road, which at the top of the grade intersects to the west with Providence Road. Trains climb significantly in both directions, though the longer approach is from the west. Because of the lack of trees, one can stand on top of the hill above the tracks and watch trains approaching for miles in both directions. The line here is double-tracked to avoid bottlenecks caused by slow movements. </span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAQ8XrDgpMrd77NzV_fg8bfZv71RhFSKamO5W1KyH06RdlzY8uQW39uLPuLTxUG4LLqn8LlmQqAAVdjRyOM5WtVjLi0oDumgTamrbHsgKg-C6N1XL9vwrxZjdhRTeo_L3G58YM4wxUZEdZoJNttwKG001oB4YlbfVYi-faIJsZDHmzMinb10erLT0Rybk/s3059/47.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3059" height="1279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAQ8XrDgpMrd77NzV_fg8bfZv71RhFSKamO5W1KyH06RdlzY8uQW39uLPuLTxUG4LLqn8LlmQqAAVdjRyOM5WtVjLi0oDumgTamrbHsgKg-C6N1XL9vwrxZjdhRTeo_L3G58YM4wxUZEdZoJNttwKG001oB4YlbfVYi-faIJsZDHmzMinb10erLT0Rybk/w1997-h1279/47.jpg" width="1997" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound grain climbing the grade to the top of the ridge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38G3JRN9Z_rFTnctP38yf_0-Iflg-7t24IJb68zioyRrkvOAVjrhqtnlbBM9g2sMqFTvlXkzHlqggGc0opwPK8NsGFc0AEEMZhHrUnqp-0jZv4PWZTcCSbipRECM02tcFFrFNssW1qANbdtwpY0EXrIPdcg2IjAPWZAI77MKLuXC1nqCHJ8hAMHMNueM6/s3003/46.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3003" height="1328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38G3JRN9Z_rFTnctP38yf_0-Iflg-7t24IJb68zioyRrkvOAVjrhqtnlbBM9g2sMqFTvlXkzHlqggGc0opwPK8NsGFc0AEEMZhHrUnqp-0jZv4PWZTcCSbipRECM02tcFFrFNssW1qANbdtwpY0EXrIPdcg2IjAPWZAI77MKLuXC1nqCHJ8hAMHMNueM6/w1996-h1328/46.jpg" width="1996" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound empty grain approaching the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1EheTI0QzqN1aO5NKx5L_FLwIDTR1NXxU2rgRqDb4FGfbqi4MS89tt1hze13J16oSuI_Crl30mRWTq47w4JOpu3UjFWla1hml4pfePCiLi1n2Trw0K_ZiznZbZNe_32aU7mlfXmfOa9BBpVowVUcYjrckdi05T2kJUsZleQxHoUDxM_QqpxrUL8TizNb/s3052/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3052" height="1285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1EheTI0QzqN1aO5NKx5L_FLwIDTR1NXxU2rgRqDb4FGfbqi4MS89tt1hze13J16oSuI_Crl30mRWTq47w4JOpu3UjFWla1hml4pfePCiLi1n2Trw0K_ZiznZbZNe_32aU7mlfXmfOa9BBpVowVUcYjrckdi05T2kJUsZleQxHoUDxM_QqpxrUL8TizNb/w1995-h1285/4.jpg" width="1995" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The summit. In the background is recently harvested wheat.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pritchard Creek Horseshoe</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Union Pacific's line to the Pacific Northwest follows the Oregon Trail along the Snake River in Idaho to the approach to Hell's Canyon, a little-known scenic wonder rivaling the Grand Canyon, impassible by land, passible by water only to the brave and/or foolhardy. The locating engineers then crossed the water into Oregon along the tiny Burnt River through a narrow canyon not much wider than the interstate highway that follows it today.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This defile opens on the north to the Durkee Valley, which sits at the base of a steep ridge separating the Burnt from the Powder River. The tracks climb a magnificent horseshoe at Pritchard Creek, one of the most bucolic railroad settings your author has seen.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8r-lHiWYaJORWzB7I1uJ5eMVxMzFmehMoR_9oVQFaVpJr9yNNuCjo8ZB6QQ_zQXypZdHhcCkBfUMVFXwDwAwl5CpW3uK0mv7YM9DwG8eSa2PSjhHD1mwqnRgd-2rfVzcJnLotyVcIzbpWBln8hCp3uHrhodw0PQZ2QE40TaE-We-9XhmWQV7pCYqLJVf/s2982/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2982" height="1352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8r-lHiWYaJORWzB7I1uJ5eMVxMzFmehMoR_9oVQFaVpJr9yNNuCjo8ZB6QQ_zQXypZdHhcCkBfUMVFXwDwAwl5CpW3uK0mv7YM9DwG8eSa2PSjhHD1mwqnRgd-2rfVzcJnLotyVcIzbpWBln8hCp3uHrhodw0PQZ2QE40TaE-We-9XhmWQV7pCYqLJVf/w2002-h1352/15.jpg" width="2002" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound UP manifest in full dynamics is approaching the horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_jFdU-axxXUJcQEBiJc3lLfM9JQhvMZg9A9DhxNE_obI9FD0ZQBumiqRVd2jP2-XtwLZkrDpEwlYmeLN9ZxcqSVNJTqo7tFjd6YRZuMCT5aBhqGKNVR5N4cCqsxxBiafoTMKN-SuyCsL17fVanNaRH6Bnxi8E6sZ2VCj9hufAUbkmaJ93z-l0-QUdZas/s3059/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3059" height="1282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_jFdU-axxXUJcQEBiJc3lLfM9JQhvMZg9A9DhxNE_obI9FD0ZQBumiqRVd2jP2-XtwLZkrDpEwlYmeLN9ZxcqSVNJTqo7tFjd6YRZuMCT5aBhqGKNVR5N4cCqsxxBiafoTMKN-SuyCsL17fVanNaRH6Bnxi8E6sZ2VCj9hufAUbkmaJ93z-l0-QUdZas/w2001-h1282/16.jpg" width="2001" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train in the horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhTia8sah5qYifHG3rP-DEATK1BwSGplfIHGn5Pc5qcrFMmvujwM36f0n1EbqCg-lrNjTvjkkRbe8ijO8mbMCgoz9kVKkC2UOlj-NcvHISxK7MQpad1ooPc4riBfOVV_L1D-hrSLNbpBc0NvUNHPwty5rxUG_TSs3r2lMefhwJCdYrUsj31Dv4Umrlirn/s3019/25.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhTia8sah5qYifHG3rP-DEATK1BwSGplfIHGn5Pc5qcrFMmvujwM36f0n1EbqCg-lrNjTvjkkRbe8ijO8mbMCgoz9kVKkC2UOlj-NcvHISxK7MQpad1ooPc4riBfOVV_L1D-hrSLNbpBc0NvUNHPwty5rxUG_TSs3r2lMefhwJCdYrUsj31Dv4Umrlirn/w2000-h1319/25.jpg" width="2000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Telocaset, Oregon</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">There is no easy path from Oregon's Powder River Valley north to the Grande Rhonde Valley. Both are like flat-bottomed bowls in a sand box, surrounded by mountains and hills that prevent tranquil passage. In the 20th century, Interstate 84 climbed the grade through territory much too rugged for covered wagons and later railroads. The Oregon Trail serpentined to the east through a narrow defile in the hills and climbed the second sustained grade between the Snake River and the Blue Mountains, the route later followed by the Union Pacific. Today a narrow country road mostly follows the tracks through a cleft barely wide enough for automobiles. Trains struggle in both directions to reach the summit at Telocaset, a Nez Perce word meaning "a thing at the top" or "put on top". </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirObrcQeTo51G_aADcZ15aH6dK8lj9ISGzbSoQ_Rha-fR1Vs1zoIAJCVUygxQtyXta84WcqDu60OpXl7Eb8-SKKkJ11m953wIpeRvIlvJp8xTWU58phVyGXhPgFrqQjSwfB848TVSWRVfhKVK28Cq7KnhcEbBEFAjG2UBSbkyDF60AZU7J1lQXDrUZDfc_/s2965/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2965" height="1358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirObrcQeTo51G_aADcZ15aH6dK8lj9ISGzbSoQ_Rha-fR1Vs1zoIAJCVUygxQtyXta84WcqDu60OpXl7Eb8-SKKkJ11m953wIpeRvIlvJp8xTWU58phVyGXhPgFrqQjSwfB848TVSWRVfhKVK28Cq7KnhcEbBEFAjG2UBSbkyDF60AZU7J1lQXDrUZDfc_/w1994-h1358/35.jpg" width="1994" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Two UP manifests meet on the northern slope of Telecaset Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3aKCP7UrE5SiX1Y4f88mo3R3uawq9uCordcuAdXsoHtliv83RQneLKfrOLd5F9sYw6Luyu5MUEyvgPKkb2nR7D8FGhzHWm_uBISINUVTgrYqAb4l8PnnAS7WhlzuuSpwK_OFF7qSudpErm4zvI-gl-13yU9K44cnCCcKXjGMaiHdCYti_LoDvObPyvJa/s3052/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3052" height="1282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3aKCP7UrE5SiX1Y4f88mo3R3uawq9uCordcuAdXsoHtliv83RQneLKfrOLd5F9sYw6Luyu5MUEyvgPKkb2nR7D8FGhzHWm_uBISINUVTgrYqAb4l8PnnAS7WhlzuuSpwK_OFF7qSudpErm4zvI-gl-13yU9K44cnCCcKXjGMaiHdCYti_LoDvObPyvJa/w1992-h1282/14.jpg" width="1992" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound stacks beginning the climb.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk488_0Mm6yKbXEJE_TohKJRO6b1LQlbY-DKn5By2TRIJL26S7FN7XVIBnTztRtwIcwi7tlgCiYtFRi3qpj4hmY3owv7ALUdV6ETKZLOph_qauDcn-LHDbNE_LppvWLIFVwDYx0AAUYq3AWJlmjPLAcgiFKyWjwEs5xv04-khHLpEgYth3YwzgwpvjGaM/s3054/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3054" height="1288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk488_0Mm6yKbXEJE_TohKJRO6b1LQlbY-DKn5By2TRIJL26S7FN7XVIBnTztRtwIcwi7tlgCiYtFRi3qpj4hmY3owv7ALUdV6ETKZLOph_qauDcn-LHDbNE_LppvWLIFVwDYx0AAUYq3AWJlmjPLAcgiFKyWjwEs5xv04-khHLpEgYth3YwzgwpvjGaM/w2001-h1288/12.jpg" width="2001" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Top of the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mount Shasta, California</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Mount Shasta is a member of the Ring of Fire stratovolcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean from Asia to North America. With a total height over 14,000 feet, it stands almost 10,000 feet above the surrounding landscape like an immense throne. Those living beneath it seem not to mind that it is still active, erupting as recently as 200 years ago. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The most strenuous railroad climb is Cantara Loop, where northbound trains climb out of the Sacramento River Valley. This area is surrounded by huge trees, making photography virtually impossible. Fortunately, many other locations make Mount Shasta well worth a visit.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_F59JMheKvWkxlcpXKkVT0Br_4qOtc51CF_wI-S3NQ6cZtFtq_frHMFXN_fC4uwQ-mS-H6oSnlTlFvWyo14GwKFPp_JwM-I9RO3QdtYcAfRy_69URoQn5Be3Ensws0-9yULsM599iixnBx8k6U0M5sBo8DyWNDMZFBLowNG0SYrLL0lIjE6M_TBOBSUg/s3008/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_F59JMheKvWkxlcpXKkVT0Br_4qOtc51CF_wI-S3NQ6cZtFtq_frHMFXN_fC4uwQ-mS-H6oSnlTlFvWyo14GwKFPp_JwM-I9RO3QdtYcAfRy_69URoQn5Be3Ensws0-9yULsM599iixnBx8k6U0M5sBo8DyWNDMZFBLowNG0SYrLL0lIjE6M_TBOBSUg/w1996-h1323/1.jpg" width="1996" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A southbound manifest travels through a recent forest fire.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5Ponx4ticL8t1s8DwHeksb7JuVT8uheyMv1zMEHdd4wuEvA7MNrQThuCDl6S7yDeBE901KqNZw4zgtKCT0n2YZ6WZs2vycvtczpakmARrexzW2A67LjhQ9gumvu2Z_eTLAOKmGhHowOLHBxbmL9FMAqZCaiKifgiS4ExXELT8fzZsx5VbT_BwvUxd6OA/s3031/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3031" height="1301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5Ponx4ticL8t1s8DwHeksb7JuVT8uheyMv1zMEHdd4wuEvA7MNrQThuCDl6S7yDeBE901KqNZw4zgtKCT0n2YZ6WZs2vycvtczpakmARrexzW2A67LjhQ9gumvu2Z_eTLAOKmGhHowOLHBxbmL9FMAqZCaiKifgiS4ExXELT8fzZsx5VbT_BwvUxd6OA/w1991-h1301/2.jpg" width="1991" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound beneath the volcano.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichL8JyZ91HW54Fs6rFN8QqeyF2gyM8GwS7kNZivyX9O6I_E6lb4Jxhkx-24h2wZm4TJHnacARlU_J1Y7wxOhF2AcKTDuEZkn9DLyPb2urph-cUvhxQ7byysZ_Lm46NQCjBblnGqB5kkc5MoWo66uJ_F5S6m1FVfZlqA6qVr0xnpsS2UmmXGodgXY4nlWm/s2975/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2975" height="1353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichL8JyZ91HW54Fs6rFN8QqeyF2gyM8GwS7kNZivyX9O6I_E6lb4Jxhkx-24h2wZm4TJHnacARlU_J1Y7wxOhF2AcKTDuEZkn9DLyPb2urph-cUvhxQ7byysZ_Lm46NQCjBblnGqB5kkc5MoWo66uJ_F5S6m1FVfZlqA6qVr0xnpsS2UmmXGodgXY4nlWm/w1996-h1353/3.jpg" width="1996" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound work train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><p style="text-align: center;"> <b>Donner Summit</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Like other famous Western passes, Donner's windward slope sees more rainfall than the east and therefore supports more vegetation. From Truckee east down the canyon of the Truckee River into Nevada, the tracks are reasonably clear. West of Truckee, the forest grows more densely. West of the summit, the railroad is mostly lost in a thicket. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Though this crossing of the Sierra Nevada is significantly milder than anything to the south, trains still struggle mightily in both directions. The winter weather is legendary, and your author has only visited in summer. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGQzZFZSkClsVx6Otoiryu8hoAidAiRQHjIg7OVzZmNEj6POCgA5t5hBIwSGC-ZHAi7dfze6u-vTkqP_4nCLrL_9lX7eE3rurE81jEr3kMG6yT-EnmP8t84Sf5259IGSp8TT_CpPIIR07_w4BAcvgDhxhYwaWTNXoJOYoARQcr7zLt3tonWTLhitppazo/s2970/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="2970" height="1356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGQzZFZSkClsVx6Otoiryu8hoAidAiRQHjIg7OVzZmNEj6POCgA5t5hBIwSGC-ZHAi7dfze6u-vTkqP_4nCLrL_9lX7eE3rurE81jEr3kMG6yT-EnmP8t84Sf5259IGSp8TT_CpPIIR07_w4BAcvgDhxhYwaWTNXoJOYoARQcr7zLt3tonWTLhitppazo/w1991-h1356/23.jpg" width="1991" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Entering Nevada.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzRu5cMJIP_d2mo7grGgXLGgOXZBj5TEMt6R2sYe4srlGv1EzzxN-LML3HncWPa0ijyU5TRmxxQFEL1Z-Qq3oJvTviTWFWMpqZAx8uAZX34ElaPOD-hh4c16-L-MHkqJrtFoDj4EKbqqts2TJ8CEmyqejC4NenuLaN72ASHhWG2OgvhGnbGyAbbI5lpef/s3013/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="1320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzRu5cMJIP_d2mo7grGgXLGgOXZBj5TEMt6R2sYe4srlGv1EzzxN-LML3HncWPa0ijyU5TRmxxQFEL1Z-Qq3oJvTviTWFWMpqZAx8uAZX34ElaPOD-hh4c16-L-MHkqJrtFoDj4EKbqqts2TJ8CEmyqejC4NenuLaN72ASHhWG2OgvhGnbGyAbbI5lpef/w2002-h1320/17.jpg" width="2002" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Amtrak at the top.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GA9A4gtYZ6cxEMElqktSF0QYMtTD1R-P0NC0eBULSDchsDVGS0-N1YkR_2neAxEhGtYDxX_lUuszbS4ArKmsfzd6XCIBXJsTBtZUU90yrSRiD9ixNLOU51ggwlfq4-oNJNKo1YcRo0WydX51qfazpja6ltDYsP028cWNPzhW4ITi6x6FU7wR1Ko5BEGl/s2997/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GA9A4gtYZ6cxEMElqktSF0QYMtTD1R-P0NC0eBULSDchsDVGS0-N1YkR_2neAxEhGtYDxX_lUuszbS4ArKmsfzd6XCIBXJsTBtZUU90yrSRiD9ixNLOU51ggwlfq4-oNJNKo1YcRo0WydX51qfazpja6ltDYsP028cWNPzhW4ITi6x6FU7wR1Ko5BEGl/w1987-h1328/24.jpg" width="1987" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">East of Truckee.</span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p></span><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Goffs Hill</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From the Colorado River to the Pacific, BNSF's Transcon encounters four California grades that in the days of steam required helpers. The first is Goffs Hill, an approximately 30 miles westbound climb out of the river valley. In the 21st century, high priority traffic climbs the grade fairly easily, but heavy trains still struggle. The harsh Mojave Desert watches with quiet bemusement. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We think that we have mastered the elements, but a short trip to this desert dislodges that fantastic conceit. The idea that man can conquer the Mojave is the equivalent of belief that someday we will turn our swords into plowshares.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOkgdrJHuA2cUovhXTO4hELzo7oY5c50DR72tGRwty9tuan_wRWLn4ZKy2aFehhQjTuJoStJYnI1_o0bVttP-S1try0Tsch0TYrdWO-bxqDu8_KQ3Hc9w93yqceDMmIQWB9trC9CbwidKoGA1ddH3VC3axehcwZ5F9Mrd1Mm2t6Qeg8m4dcv6GnrAnnzH/s3011/Goffs10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3011" height="1326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOkgdrJHuA2cUovhXTO4hELzo7oY5c50DR72tGRwty9tuan_wRWLn4ZKy2aFehhQjTuJoStJYnI1_o0bVttP-S1try0Tsch0TYrdWO-bxqDu8_KQ3Hc9w93yqceDMmIQWB9trC9CbwidKoGA1ddH3VC3axehcwZ5F9Mrd1Mm2t6Qeg8m4dcv6GnrAnnzH/w2002-h1326/Goffs10.jpg" width="2002" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Beginning the climb.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUWxGzeQjMyeLaHc-3Ao3vFn5553n_Wt2-enQ6ynbVKza9Ashm58LryO72wP71GUHeWNz1rXR4zdnNBm8lyGeu4Eg8W2Ovx712d7FRFI1znZ9FwzG4Nj6vpU14w8OWFLodMdSdkuiPnVu-2BVNeFwWfspPEJ9X0jjm-1NqIgYotfUI08kD5KsK8CAIZhk/s3009/Goffs17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3009" height="1328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUWxGzeQjMyeLaHc-3Ao3vFn5553n_Wt2-enQ6ynbVKza9Ashm58LryO72wP71GUHeWNz1rXR4zdnNBm8lyGeu4Eg8W2Ovx712d7FRFI1znZ9FwzG4Nj6vpU14w8OWFLodMdSdkuiPnVu-2BVNeFwWfspPEJ9X0jjm-1NqIgYotfUI08kD5KsK8CAIZhk/w2004-h1328/Goffs17.jpg" width="2004" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A slow manifest beside the dead mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIh7ZJlo3by8YppL7Cti1KjKpwFbi0OKx6TEplHSSWjBonRjq2K0-fP1kRN_JSmtYJHgwJ_KrblNNo90f61w63uWpVUZoDWsRZp1fylhVDpAQ9jv1GaqUqVJfVDWv0-X7Np3WRKmdHx1VsoXmGvoaU4bg2N6h3ViF1qmSvEQ88yV0PHgMEB6KXC8NYZkK/s3027/Goffs26.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3027" height="1312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIh7ZJlo3by8YppL7Cti1KjKpwFbi0OKx6TEplHSSWjBonRjq2K0-fP1kRN_JSmtYJHgwJ_KrblNNo90f61w63uWpVUZoDWsRZp1fylhVDpAQ9jv1GaqUqVJfVDWv0-X7Np3WRKmdHx1VsoXmGvoaU4bg2N6h3ViF1qmSvEQ88yV0PHgMEB6KXC8NYZkK/w1999-h1312/Goffs26.jpg" width="1999" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Halfway up the hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bolo Hill</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Between Amboy and Cadiz (rhymes with "ladies"), BNSF freights in both directions climb this relatively short grade in weather as hot or hotter than 117 degrees Farenheight in summer. In days of old, steam helpers cut off at the summit, and though its rails have lone been removed, the "Y" is still visible in the desert sand. Reaching this location, several miles off the nearest paved road, requires a drive through desolation that defies description. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMMrqomNVyTx45TW1vk61Yj-1SUwESeSJLyo3NgAzoKH1R_UlcFPzEVVJ9sKhqR3caymDrKbwiSIUqXuGT34x8L4eizUhW97e8R9Wxv9ZnbeiRuIrDDIzjBPgxGVzyOpth1AMdtuIkt746xQIDkpJn9ZsClYmGdwIdWs0H68azYhQ11zMa9EnAAssejqS/s3111/20a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="3111" height="1106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMMrqomNVyTx45TW1vk61Yj-1SUwESeSJLyo3NgAzoKH1R_UlcFPzEVVJ9sKhqR3caymDrKbwiSIUqXuGT34x8L4eizUhW97e8R9Wxv9ZnbeiRuIrDDIzjBPgxGVzyOpth1AMdtuIkt746xQIDkpJn9ZsClYmGdwIdWs0H68azYhQ11zMa9EnAAssejqS/w2000-h1106/20a.jpg" width="2000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks beginning the climb out of Cadiz.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHVFvK1xlceL9nOSFEL7pCgrXYhs93NbU1tgHChHqUkVnTPIHcam5G-_B30Y_cQqdOKA2bqx6HbuVYXqgyhqiaPqrWRW22paWIjKbyZ4kGZRuFXsSEUCNZsKoIP9Fyhz84quTALrUzL47E7Mr6at8hyKMeNqM31mTut3wTNd2LVJRHIb5-LoQj9VKmY2R/s3021/63.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3021" height="1311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHVFvK1xlceL9nOSFEL7pCgrXYhs93NbU1tgHChHqUkVnTPIHcam5G-_B30Y_cQqdOKA2bqx6HbuVYXqgyhqiaPqrWRW22paWIjKbyZ4kGZRuFXsSEUCNZsKoIP9Fyhz84quTALrUzL47E7Mr6at8hyKMeNqM31mTut3wTNd2LVJRHIb5-LoQj9VKmY2R/w1997-h1311/63.jpg" width="1997" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound at summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPStdLkLGmyQBoGU7El5yqZoT5zYcQ5Aw0aL_n6z5JPD3BrfUNq8h-DDOkiksive27lgIn1qcPKwLKvG0rwlZLkekTzjCKvAr0d5IgLUmeWfEyeirHZzPOLXXf2A66EtlNE3Ps7jHspWJ-44aypMTVdULauI-BmTxA0hQlTexOwwVVuTsOvSs27GTXqCRk/s2986/74.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2986" height="1344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPStdLkLGmyQBoGU7El5yqZoT5zYcQ5Aw0aL_n6z5JPD3BrfUNq8h-DDOkiksive27lgIn1qcPKwLKvG0rwlZLkekTzjCKvAr0d5IgLUmeWfEyeirHZzPOLXXf2A66EtlNE3Ps7jHspWJ-44aypMTVdULauI-BmTxA0hQlTexOwwVVuTsOvSs27GTXqCRk/w2000-h1344/74.jpg" width="2000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound at dusk. If you look closely, you can see four more eastbounds behind this one.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ash Hill</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Ash Hill takes its name from the volcanic detritus that covers the ground like -- well, like ash. Because of lack of rain and plant growth, the landscape is little changed from the era when the ground exploded with lava. The original line marched straight up the hill. Subsequently, the Santa Fe constructed a second track curving around the impediment on a shallower grade. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As westbounds climb to a higher level of this wasteland, the terrain grows even more forebidding. If T.S. Elliot had seen the Mojave, his famous poem might have turned out differently.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55H3xmU9MyUbZbY86mbfAIsPFkqfWpw0gd3r5BeX4rjloWvv03adb5mKP0O8Qbj0JlIQ3RLEKc2mv_YqtZ-H4544RWKs0k8ePyRszpGTjArQKNz-T-IP_ZQ4gQX0WrkYRypcC1z9QbKA9wubGWcL8JAcvIxZjEwbzYjTctg28OOkHce0ysxbEzlB-3Za8/s3030/141.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3030" height="1309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55H3xmU9MyUbZbY86mbfAIsPFkqfWpw0gd3r5BeX4rjloWvv03adb5mKP0O8Qbj0JlIQ3RLEKc2mv_YqtZ-H4544RWKs0k8ePyRszpGTjArQKNz-T-IP_ZQ4gQX0WrkYRypcC1z9QbKA9wubGWcL8JAcvIxZjEwbzYjTctg28OOkHce0ysxbEzlB-3Za8/w2004-h1309/141.jpg" width="2004" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The mid-trains in the foreground are coasting downgrade. The train in the background is on the shallower alignment.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH-VhJlIOBNiZXH16pd3cPweo9YdiciqMlOk9Yzy-hikXmZjJ6iWxoZm5l-DqMrEk23pTP4nRtWSBsRfZsBA0pjoF1mTAlcjhG_5mKQ8N54DdRPA2raYP4aOMfadHqVkYjEiq1MRsit-V_znDC9H87wKMTNm8Oq8cu80OkxAZwdF0EJRpwIiY80RuMiVA/s3044/140.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3044" height="1294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH-VhJlIOBNiZXH16pd3cPweo9YdiciqMlOk9Yzy-hikXmZjJ6iWxoZm5l-DqMrEk23pTP4nRtWSBsRfZsBA0pjoF1mTAlcjhG_5mKQ8N54DdRPA2raYP4aOMfadHqVkYjEiq1MRsit-V_znDC9H87wKMTNm8Oq8cu80OkxAZwdF0EJRpwIiY80RuMiVA/w2001-h1294/140.jpg" width="2001" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>One train nears the bottom, while another begins to climb.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70nePm2pC-gclQxDFYC9YDlIc6gY2odCPM2lWE3HcPFWn-BBfd3nkP_caOjRsNAQLua1Er3fJwe4FMhW-Dic8E9SrhfzIs-_sHLQVKT7StzVSJCNhhIbYnkV4ZBWXBwXokFGsoWHYrYdeJ8QXlXBbYLExxGdwg6YD97awVF6f8LXg1Ao0lYf5Ug50WtF7/s3090/82.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1941" data-original-width="3090" height="1258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70nePm2pC-gclQxDFYC9YDlIc6gY2odCPM2lWE3HcPFWn-BBfd3nkP_caOjRsNAQLua1Er3fJwe4FMhW-Dic8E9SrhfzIs-_sHLQVKT7StzVSJCNhhIbYnkV4ZBWXBwXokFGsoWHYrYdeJ8QXlXBbYLExxGdwg6YD97awVF6f8LXg1Ao0lYf5Ug50WtF7/w2003-h1258/82.jpg" width="2003" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dusk at Ash Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cajon Pass</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">To the north and east, the Los Angeles Basin is surrounded by mountains that rise above the flatlands like a stockade. Cajon Pass provides a desert entry between the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains and crosses directly over the notorious San Andreas Fault. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The grade is one-way – from southwest to northeast. In places, the pass is not even a mile wide and contains some of the most fascinating geology in North America. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Right here, where highways, railroads, high pressure gas lines and high voltage electric lines all run side-by-side, the earth is both rising and turning simultaneously year after year, enough that all transit modes through the pass must be continuously realigned to avoid rupture. When the next major earthquake occurs – and it is a matter of “when,” not “if” – it is fair to say that all hell will break loose.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hcwTaKRZRCMoV-sbR3Jz-wyIRK-RKSKaE6OL7CCcxFcue7q9xbz9VO4CZziC84FOrlHJJfr4WDLKEZJXaUfutFMICjwN371CIiJtlqiDgtY1nByQ05kg8ZwAICK_5wasRvvsIYXwIacOVzGniF24geZBYKqLUpn5OqskYlFNYaajosJLCAsxzuLyOj_E/s3041/Cajon11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="1303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hcwTaKRZRCMoV-sbR3Jz-wyIRK-RKSKaE6OL7CCcxFcue7q9xbz9VO4CZziC84FOrlHJJfr4WDLKEZJXaUfutFMICjwN371CIiJtlqiDgtY1nByQ05kg8ZwAICK_5wasRvvsIYXwIacOVzGniF24geZBYKqLUpn5OqskYlFNYaajosJLCAsxzuLyOj_E/w2004-h1303/Cajon11.jpg" width="2004" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound BNSF rolling downgrade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQck5fkoQwdcJZm2NKM4zHczDo11hmeFlP8EpM93xEftWgP1PyAunXqqqA_jsvvf7kRiXrzhQTbaa93jBy1f0k8GfhF3t9ci1g3ttf-S9Le9EvrdT-A319U43j3LDfecIGMUnH4oH1NaFls1pjDBsRXLQi4DsQ_In6XZMo_RXBPMqobJ2WvIOUWeBrfjx/s2965/Cajon21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2965" height="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQck5fkoQwdcJZm2NKM4zHczDo11hmeFlP8EpM93xEftWgP1PyAunXqqqA_jsvvf7kRiXrzhQTbaa93jBy1f0k8GfhF3t9ci1g3ttf-S9Le9EvrdT-A319U43j3LDfecIGMUnH4oH1NaFls1pjDBsRXLQi4DsQ_In6XZMo_RXBPMqobJ2WvIOUWeBrfjx/w2004-h1365/Cajon21.jpg" width="2004" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound. Above the motive power is the Palmdale Cut-off, constructed by Southern Pacific in the 1960's, now operated by Union Pacific.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzjg2672r8guvZvgaC1MrW5Z-CjpYc8zE_Iqs_yfKKX20L9vPoSff45VzKFQB3Dubw5KpVnOsiz9i0vwU-KZPY2cn-ElKkWzdCSgGotp_q8CuSr0EiZjOYPFI88ycm7MXkw4kobLavXCakWr9TmiEs2PjNwuQYIXjPN1-jEAO160J3HPNilRu6jAtHVvo/s2987/227.%20%20Cajon%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2987" height="1344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzjg2672r8guvZvgaC1MrW5Z-CjpYc8zE_Iqs_yfKKX20L9vPoSff45VzKFQB3Dubw5KpVnOsiz9i0vwU-KZPY2cn-ElKkWzdCSgGotp_q8CuSr0EiZjOYPFI88ycm7MXkw4kobLavXCakWr9TmiEs2PjNwuQYIXjPN1-jEAO160J3HPNilRu6jAtHVvo/w2000-h1344/227.%20%20Cajon%202.jpg" width="2000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tehachapi Loop</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We end with my personal favorite. To me, Tehachapi Loop is a gigantic model train layout in someone's gigantic garage -- a layout constructed with care and precision over a lifetime. There is a northbound grade coming off the high desert, but the real climb is south out of the San Joaquin Valley through the southern end of the Sierra Nevada. From the valley to summit, the landscape is almost beyond belief, like something constructed by a child in a sandbox -- impossibly flat valleys and impossibilty steep hills and a railroad without tangent track. This grade shows the extent of human imagination.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOC1CuaNIs0RrXEWSfXZQFtcNpvrTXb5n4sXYQ_L_PZ5m9J-AgTqPymSdYoBnNNbIhK-HqHvK-1BdvhyhUVxJsS34axPkWd5T3jPWLAsjtSQmAFOf7nfA0jLNEKlpiHbrhJ9-78SOLY8_ghVfUJytJthYWJDI-ZmHjl3Su73h_5xGHxOjMr2UeGBwqxAg/s2984/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2984" height="1351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOC1CuaNIs0RrXEWSfXZQFtcNpvrTXb5n4sXYQ_L_PZ5m9J-AgTqPymSdYoBnNNbIhK-HqHvK-1BdvhyhUVxJsS34axPkWd5T3jPWLAsjtSQmAFOf7nfA0jLNEKlpiHbrhJ9-78SOLY8_ghVfUJytJthYWJDI-ZmHjl3Su73h_5xGHxOjMr2UeGBwqxAg/w2001-h1351/3.jpg" width="2001" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the day of Santa Fe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_4LWBAIbYiYF-6wZ_2Surbmjhvq0uozCya4kzjMNSvBdc0zeBgNZKlcJoI_9Mv3vCe4bw0_-Z5Xra6iwZBYa0ozFSiyaPVFVhafGM5D2mVU1uJDpfVHTbARnrGb-mo235ZEqSuK7sJ_HCwO73ozPNAszp-59TCIhElrXmW2CkX7d_2hnpjbwcLGuZnKY/s2970/63.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2970" height="1363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_4LWBAIbYiYF-6wZ_2Surbmjhvq0uozCya4kzjMNSvBdc0zeBgNZKlcJoI_9Mv3vCe4bw0_-Z5Xra6iwZBYa0ozFSiyaPVFVhafGM5D2mVU1uJDpfVHTbARnrGb-mo235ZEqSuK7sJ_HCwO73ozPNAszp-59TCIhElrXmW2CkX7d_2hnpjbwcLGuZnKY/w2000-h1363/63.jpg" width="2000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific in the Loop.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU5mxVlRb-A3RStkNSqnrq7YsfL9CkVOzELy6t0MvTWmrHMwW7xa77VqAOn6fIXnyNieT_pXlaSA_AaIOxMMvAyS8vz8wlUR53TcArfEZnTidZ49k2zjJk6IrBWfZiegOiinVU3aiYMolUP6petgWe5DTEPuLL5K4OzBNq-t2-Dv7BU66T8UKH-zB6r2A/s2979/62.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="2979" height="1349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZU5mxVlRb-A3RStkNSqnrq7YsfL9CkVOzELy6t0MvTWmrHMwW7xa77VqAOn6fIXnyNieT_pXlaSA_AaIOxMMvAyS8vz8wlUR53TcArfEZnTidZ49k2zjJk6IrBWfZiegOiinVU3aiYMolUP6petgWe5DTEPuLL5K4OzBNq-t2-Dv7BU66T8UKH-zB6r2A/w1998-h1349/62.jpg" width="1998" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my other posts, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-16784548888727131542023-11-08T20:35:00.002-06:002023-11-29T19:17:49.773-06:00My Favorite Western Grades: Part One<p> </p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0sYpmpdgMwXPMiplekh0iM1x2DMckC19ZcD02JyMEqp5ZV6zw4yG-uogxcDc1caGSf30dSXzJ_RXMyZqxwVpPZJSA4bXEygiGx78eb7020Qg3N8pPLzsOJFe3cgL0tNhsQo35whffje-mI2UgK-KHCAmNKDmZtv4tBe-M9sGZUHPtxPLWaKTMJ7nlq0A/s2969/Curtis%20Hill%2040%20copy.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2969" height="1225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0sYpmpdgMwXPMiplekh0iM1x2DMckC19ZcD02JyMEqp5ZV6zw4yG-uogxcDc1caGSf30dSXzJ_RXMyZqxwVpPZJSA4bXEygiGx78eb7020Qg3N8pPLzsOJFe3cgL0tNhsQo35whffje-mI2UgK-KHCAmNKDmZtv4tBe-M9sGZUHPtxPLWaKTMJ7nlq0A/w1797-h1225/Curtis%20Hill%2040%20copy.jpeg" width="1797" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Curtis Hill, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At first glance, you might think that this article involves either (1) reviews of Western movies or (2) my report cards from primary school. Instead, we are here to discuss some of the areas in the western United States and Canada where railroads, which normally seek the path of least resistance, are forced by geography to climb gradients that bring even the most powerful engines to a crawl. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Not every grade covered here involves mountains, though many do. Some of the best railroad climbs in the West are out of deep river valleys -- Curtis Hill and Sierra Blanca, for example, both of which are found below. And Nebraska's Crawford Hill involves the ascent not of a mountain but rather of a modest escarpment that nonetheless presents a massive obstacle to loaded eastbound coal trains.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">For me, the quintessence of railroading entails heavy trains on steep grades, the pounding of twelve cylinder diesel engines, the deep whine of electric traction motors, the shaking ground, the feeling that at any moment something may give, the train may break apart. And from time to time something does, but that only adds to the intrigue, the excitement, though I am reasonably certain that train crews will choose different nouns.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Not every Western grade is covered, because (1) I have not photgraphed every Western grade, (2) I have chosen only my favorites among the ones I have visited and (3) this is only Part One -- Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. Remaining Western states and provinces are covered in Part Two.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">If I live long enough, I hope to see them all (Western grades, that is). Until then, these are my favorites.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Curtis Hill, Oklahoma</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I start with Curtis Hill because it lies closest to my front porch. The grade is for westbounds only as they climb out of the valley of the Cimarron River. This country is remote, and when you stand on one of the bluffs overlooking the wide valley, you sometimes feel as though the whole world belongs to you.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOJXsQcbiC2rb_pmWaLmuGQbsRbqvpdMKkgIEG-z99W2aSzs9UYlSnIXuIK3UNSiLUfyraVVRsO2KB82mtoQWKMehgBDCkiXX6MIsfDTF-DM8NaiikE5iy03512a5ePf_8psJbOqriYTtxLollx22nBz6tueQlBLGI_CuEgFllj_m2HhZ4uuSh_Xhvqo5/s3061/Curtis%20Hill%2045.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3061" height="1128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOJXsQcbiC2rb_pmWaLmuGQbsRbqvpdMKkgIEG-z99W2aSzs9UYlSnIXuIK3UNSiLUfyraVVRsO2KB82mtoQWKMehgBDCkiXX6MIsfDTF-DM8NaiikE5iy03512a5ePf_8psJbOqriYTtxLollx22nBz6tueQlBLGI_CuEgFllj_m2HhZ4uuSh_Xhvqo5/w1761-h1128/Curtis%20Hill%2045.jpg" width="1761" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cimarron River valley. Behind the train rise the sand dunes of the Little Sahara state park.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgofvX1Cxxii_C9Kq5JgVPIG7X97DUnzGe1u3nXXKXOpEU8C2cAIXQDmkseXB4xQEosee74-Q-pc0icq2U0TGaa6ngmXvEB7jq8MytXIyCMMEK7xvSskJPecV81ZpITzrlRK5RS_cWHhfmpMKNXlS1vU8aA6ChAuYguOSLx78pxKeC1bOi8qeBjKXXlMP/s2960/Curtis%20Hill%2013.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2027" data-original-width="2960" height="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgofvX1Cxxii_C9Kq5JgVPIG7X97DUnzGe1u3nXXKXOpEU8C2cAIXQDmkseXB4xQEosee74-Q-pc0icq2U0TGaa6ngmXvEB7jq8MytXIyCMMEK7xvSskJPecV81ZpITzrlRK5RS_cWHhfmpMKNXlS1vU8aA6ChAuYguOSLx78pxKeC1bOi8qeBjKXXlMP/w1758-h1203/Curtis%20Hill%2013.jpg" width="1758" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A struggling grainer is being overtaken by a fast Z.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8BtLG7ij9Jqc5jKKYnOBrEBfDQL2JGakrLcwcny9jujle3Egr0lL0Xilgf4vW_nkAwT5Yza8bz-JSlFVbR8NZ6HX8L4vkiUvlraH62aF8L41ezwJ2RL9-b0ZfsG6n50Y2ty90TCT2ZVAC3YkV13nYa65HwH9xPpTHIi2fo_2-46Yu93lwdU0N1itIVKI/s2948/Curtis%20Hill%2029.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2035" data-original-width="2948" height="1217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8BtLG7ij9Jqc5jKKYnOBrEBfDQL2JGakrLcwcny9jujle3Egr0lL0Xilgf4vW_nkAwT5Yza8bz-JSlFVbR8NZ6HX8L4vkiUvlraH62aF8L41ezwJ2RL9-b0ZfsG6n50Y2ty90TCT2ZVAC3YkV13nYa65HwH9xPpTHIi2fo_2-46Yu93lwdU0N1itIVKI/w1761-h1217/Curtis%20Hill%2029.jpg" width="1761" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound trailers race down the hill, while a westbound Q-train struggles to make 25 mph. In the days of steam, Curtis Hill was a helper district.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Crawford Hill, Nebraska</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Pine Ridge, an escarpment on the edge of the High Plains, runs northeast to southwest about 100 miles across northwestern Nebraska, also extending into South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation and the northern edge of Wyoming's Niobrara River watershed. Its distance across varies from 4 miles to 20 miles and presents a significant obstacle to eastbound coal trains from the Powder River Basin. I have chosen images from the Burlington Northern days, because that is how I remember this beautiful location.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfqENr-dknU1FFtJjO39WJb6j2G2ydnoSqrxiM0WIFT7I2shgFRqf6XhAIDlEcr1CvH4vgw0oLon_F-wuQKokvUS1LRqTsx3feZQYGoSYi-dDJS80OVjkceroRvl8JKu-ZLt5Mp1YLiXk8f7lpOloSjZqwBFJGZmUlXfUHtPUs-3zqAnYQsstniDxHPxz/s3024/Crawford23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3024" height="1153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfqENr-dknU1FFtJjO39WJb6j2G2ydnoSqrxiM0WIFT7I2shgFRqf6XhAIDlEcr1CvH4vgw0oLon_F-wuQKokvUS1LRqTsx3feZQYGoSYi-dDJS80OVjkceroRvl8JKu-ZLt5Mp1YLiXk8f7lpOloSjZqwBFJGZmUlXfUHtPUs-3zqAnYQsstniDxHPxz/w1758-h1153/Crawford23.jpg" width="1758" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A loaded coal train, with Santa Fe power assisting, attacks the eastbound grade of the Pine Ridge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpFSjBpy_dvq-DR9btFkiUeaQzeMG1LGGtWv3TFQcDhb7XO7ygB8KPVFvhal1yzNM5BvpYIHhK2uCXI2U7ybTliFL-U0TdsX9W5ay4UgtmhHnMLRN818MqUcP9l7yO5pdz71wwxmEtHl1eote1I2c5Mq33DU46jFh_8E3NiCz6MVbaPnRFQC4GBxOcNz-/s3056/Crawford32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3056" height="1132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpFSjBpy_dvq-DR9btFkiUeaQzeMG1LGGtWv3TFQcDhb7XO7ygB8KPVFvhal1yzNM5BvpYIHhK2uCXI2U7ybTliFL-U0TdsX9W5ay4UgtmhHnMLRN818MqUcP9l7yO5pdz71wwxmEtHl1eote1I2c5Mq33DU46jFh_8E3NiCz6MVbaPnRFQC4GBxOcNz-/w1759-h1132/Crawford32.jpg" width="1759" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A loaded coal train in the horseshoe at Crawford Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURXFYN48nMV5-OPN7FOsg97WBVphlJwfXb4X6Ig9aLYXDxeQiuMGu5RgkweT4suBloteo1-S_jFnP_JH6a46iRW942XrKS7LIbD6jlG_7M4lMnhzcMZ2h_cDbzXeZVP2Xux-no8Q8LDBF_3YM1bu28rhMOBJYVKBT7aGkWJNNE692TPcKBEeqcqKmr-Ga/s2984/Crawford14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2984" height="1192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURXFYN48nMV5-OPN7FOsg97WBVphlJwfXb4X6Ig9aLYXDxeQiuMGu5RgkweT4suBloteo1-S_jFnP_JH6a46iRW942XrKS7LIbD6jlG_7M4lMnhzcMZ2h_cDbzXeZVP2Xux-no8Q8LDBF_3YM1bu28rhMOBJYVKBT7aGkWJNNE692TPcKBEeqcqKmr-Ga/w1766-h1192/Crawford14.jpg" width="1766" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Aiken Hill, Kansas</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In northeastern Kansas, the Union Pacific line to Kansas City crosses the edge of the Flint Hills. The grade is relatively mild by Western standards but still steep enough to challenge heavy manifests and loaded coal trains. The scene is bucolic and quiet until the faint sound of an approaching train breeches the silence. The reverberation grows louder, the train passes, the silence returns.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFTsGryS_mRkxtqfYbQ1-0o-QmPL4LmSwQ8Tn16gDiSB4Kqy8A5Mk-3qOSskF9zBtShI8tTCB_mq9nOF3LG1wfFMZC692_J8zdippHYPF7tA8XnA2mBjj6fhfD1Dh1YXU-S74ruf0ahRl8xFgvPMALqyfcxTld-nmGRXEYR1K-wBHN_6BFIJo_SB7YOas/s3033/UP21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3033" height="1172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFTsGryS_mRkxtqfYbQ1-0o-QmPL4LmSwQ8Tn16gDiSB4Kqy8A5Mk-3qOSskF9zBtShI8tTCB_mq9nOF3LG1wfFMZC692_J8zdippHYPF7tA8XnA2mBjj6fhfD1Dh1YXU-S74ruf0ahRl8xFgvPMALqyfcxTld-nmGRXEYR1K-wBHN_6BFIJo_SB7YOas/w1794-h1172/UP21.jpg" width="1794" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound loaded coal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P0H-94oUu8HjCHaGE-tgbNZsrpRTNXsiErc3Zglm_IlhOzktT11XhNxQY-V6uF_V0mXEpul30TYJFQHQm4B2uWiA-XCa858jntwIAlp5gttppFmbJ192I7oGA6jFgg4By95t0_EtehGLk7GBs2FacclwSSf7I0lapH1ATvtCQVdZZ7rzwavR_bs9nT0h/s2166/UP28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="2166" height="1146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P0H-94oUu8HjCHaGE-tgbNZsrpRTNXsiErc3Zglm_IlhOzktT11XhNxQY-V6uF_V0mXEpul30TYJFQHQm4B2uWiA-XCa858jntwIAlp5gttppFmbJ192I7oGA6jFgg4By95t0_EtehGLk7GBs2FacclwSSf7I0lapH1ATvtCQVdZZ7rzwavR_bs9nT0h/w1789-h1146/UP28.jpg" width="1789" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDI1P4_EPeNpEKNGjZove1feiDQ27-ZkXazoq8ZRVOONmeJ0jNGI0dRyywQLls1I0yPgN9TeVP4J4jvoxSeUuDL2objSmD214N8slKvdPPHWZalLVdTDD4ZTkxehbT31zb8A5tHhaHsKdYOVRi1LjMGUwGAFC5rqjOenk2V_u13O_7HIQn6gV0fC88pYZ/s2980/UP29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2980" height="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDI1P4_EPeNpEKNGjZove1feiDQ27-ZkXazoq8ZRVOONmeJ0jNGI0dRyywQLls1I0yPgN9TeVP4J4jvoxSeUuDL2objSmD214N8slKvdPPHWZalLVdTDD4ZTkxehbT31zb8A5tHhaHsKdYOVRi1LjMGUwGAFC5rqjOenk2V_u13O_7HIQn6gV0fC88pYZ/w1785-h1205/UP29.jpg" width="1785" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Auto loads from Kansas City pass more coal headed east.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Carrizo Pass, Texas</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This little-known grade in west Texas can be found at Van Horn on the old Texas and Pacific line from Dallas. The westbound grade (approximately five miles) starts in town and is longer than the east (about two), but both are steep enough to slow even the hotest trains. Interstate 10 runs south of the railroad, but the tracks are often hidden. Photography requires a fair amount of hiking.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cl_jAWKFaMa_G1Xl4ggXqYvL_xOFVXg_sQWw_K2qfmRPLlsSfnEcTqMpWKlcEwoIRV9kqidZEVoo4A0X5NHVCunf5WIz_IgW5i9BNKzfBN__jnidzQZWqQxg-7g-_Qu3is6qn6WSmcTOaFitZ6pOwRrOoofzvtkTGMqL5lNRwMkMAYJ8qRqLRWjoiEj3/s2994/19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2003" data-original-width="2994" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1cl_jAWKFaMa_G1Xl4ggXqYvL_xOFVXg_sQWw_K2qfmRPLlsSfnEcTqMpWKlcEwoIRV9kqidZEVoo4A0X5NHVCunf5WIz_IgW5i9BNKzfBN__jnidzQZWqQxg-7g-_Qu3is6qn6WSmcTOaFitZ6pOwRrOoofzvtkTGMqL5lNRwMkMAYJ8qRqLRWjoiEj3/w1782-h1191/19.jpg" width="1782" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Westbound stacks climbing through the Carrizo Mountains.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgz_RAxar9EwRU5RO23fvPRIr2k2Lej42LXi6p5ow_qksbHWZ4lYOg5kbDINfAsEg_8xcOfIERD_jHbiKBXTUKXnUp1m7BeZXFPw3R3bHhW4Zrlb9sIA6SjI2AxZzc-33u4Zjq9UjzL2XKa5zK9l2nWQKHtjpZgMY7AuqSq8OpLJzmY4wmuyIAfP2mP-M/s3034/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3034" height="1159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgz_RAxar9EwRU5RO23fvPRIr2k2Lej42LXi6p5ow_qksbHWZ4lYOg5kbDINfAsEg_8xcOfIERD_jHbiKBXTUKXnUp1m7BeZXFPw3R3bHhW4Zrlb9sIA6SjI2AxZzc-33u4Zjq9UjzL2XKa5zK9l2nWQKHtjpZgMY7AuqSq8OpLJzmY4wmuyIAfP2mP-M/w1782-h1159/28.jpg" width="1782" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This westbound has just crested the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oyG0gXTmRh9ggnVeYoOzqM1zdmGLGH-PHqUzypel04C2sxCvviESBN5KXvkI0R7C1wlANECgSK9KkYoEPRmuXV2VtS_tEJcw93chyuJtu20nv0NZC5c327tYAHmK6LUFLCmk15ZCXmMgFa5Hj5mxjGvJzjAgZHz9Epw2yqH6SLLqWzZ4mCzU5ZUmYuTm/s2988/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2988" height="1195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oyG0gXTmRh9ggnVeYoOzqM1zdmGLGH-PHqUzypel04C2sxCvviESBN5KXvkI0R7C1wlANECgSK9KkYoEPRmuXV2VtS_tEJcw93chyuJtu20nv0NZC5c327tYAHmK6LUFLCmk15ZCXmMgFa5Hj5mxjGvJzjAgZHz9Epw2yqH6SLLqWzZ4mCzU5ZUmYuTm/w1779-h1195/1.jpg" width="1779" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sierra Blanca, Texas</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sierra Blanca is a grass covered mountain that towers over the valley of the Rio Grande about 90 miles southeast of El Paso, where the old Southern Pacific Sunset Route climbs eastbound out of the river valley to the desert above. The original gradient was filled with narrow curves like a worm on hot concrete, including a horseshoe still visible in satellite images. The tracks were later realigned in a broad, multi-mile eastbound curve in which trains climb over 1000 feet.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJbDiHKKzW1yyjTCsT2evE9dD0QY4CpCCLSyYhNe7eisxJRBgQv0vgK7uUUApnNhuC-abzQ_G01EWk8-GzQgs7VBDbPk5u6TdFb6hmy4N_vpZVXBOW1szz3y1QMu3FF6ZXO8_LH9iN_JpncTWGfa-Cw828e8e003wMHnwEYnC1-fbxJiMyFeyKt-a5JPs/s2995/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2995" height="1192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJbDiHKKzW1yyjTCsT2evE9dD0QY4CpCCLSyYhNe7eisxJRBgQv0vgK7uUUApnNhuC-abzQ_G01EWk8-GzQgs7VBDbPk5u6TdFb6hmy4N_vpZVXBOW1szz3y1QMu3FF6ZXO8_LH9iN_JpncTWGfa-Cw828e8e003wMHnwEYnC1-fbxJiMyFeyKt-a5JPs/w1782-h1192/20.jpg" width="1782" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks struggling into the grade. Because the climb is so long, about 18 miles, one can hear trains attacking the hill 30 minutes or more before they appear.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0FlsnBC7f_ZpvhAcdgER9jNxzm7g5KgZPVKKilxYNv8v3aldI3pKyos7Byr_FuyMCNjLeQlqM8_npKcXxq7pYonGKnlHAZcJQF2UZ7eBp4MOtT_IMeo_kb6vaUwRADbOsr3QvjuaaZqnm93-6WRp1UQJwiLcX2WdIYzULn_6WCtWvXN20FDYEcv_tiT1/s2951/34.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1766" data-original-width="2951" height="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0FlsnBC7f_ZpvhAcdgER9jNxzm7g5KgZPVKKilxYNv8v3aldI3pKyos7Byr_FuyMCNjLeQlqM8_npKcXxq7pYonGKnlHAZcJQF2UZ7eBp4MOtT_IMeo_kb6vaUwRADbOsr3QvjuaaZqnm93-6WRp1UQJwiLcX2WdIYzULn_6WCtWvXN20FDYEcv_tiT1/w1781-h1069/34.png" width="1781" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest below Sierra Blanca.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLwrUT3WF41W0gG7JqsXPt07hGGNzBSzf_54AOopQ6uuW8jwtj7rbXN4J61yb8eA6Js8an_5inLdb1fxSzB5QA4RMQog8HcUjj-miNMeKIpp6hAJAB_UJRKWZVYXbaYK3KbzON4zLF8GDkhhPb4YUq5tmgYTahWLb1Ssls09SNQc9nYyFohUmlSCkZbrc/s2997/46.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLwrUT3WF41W0gG7JqsXPt07hGGNzBSzf_54AOopQ6uuW8jwtj7rbXN4J61yb8eA6Js8an_5inLdb1fxSzB5QA4RMQog8HcUjj-miNMeKIpp6hAJAB_UJRKWZVYXbaYK3KbzON4zLF8GDkhhPb4YUq5tmgYTahWLb1Ssls09SNQc9nYyFohUmlSCkZbrc/w1782-h1192/46.jpg" width="1782" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Stein's Pass</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Located a few miles east of the Arizona-New Mexico Border, Stein's (pronounced "Steens") Pass is the route through the Peloncillo Mountains. Union Pacific tracks and Interstate 10 run almost side-by-side in an area almost bereft of humans, animals and plants. If one wished to find the most inhospitable location in North America, one might choose this place.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecQyH5mqmkobWkLCfSqApSuIvSSBD9U_s4xSf3N0-dQ41WOy_g5ZgY8qbv790Al_ShqtwEVsQWRPitXe5IZQOtOrit_0P4IrWpfCKJ6qjRifzYH8EZeitP2EjAc6Z5FoBUyNi1pt2Qdtu0_PEwxpVdRDu8it1sifIYAatjNYcFW6u-0rwrJM19UpRtALL/s3036/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecQyH5mqmkobWkLCfSqApSuIvSSBD9U_s4xSf3N0-dQ41WOy_g5ZgY8qbv790Al_ShqtwEVsQWRPitXe5IZQOtOrit_0P4IrWpfCKJ6qjRifzYH8EZeitP2EjAc6Z5FoBUyNi1pt2Qdtu0_PEwxpVdRDu8it1sifIYAatjNYcFW6u-0rwrJM19UpRtALL/w1777-h1155/15.jpg" width="1777" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>With the 50th anniversary unit on point, eastbound Amtrak approaches the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLkbRWgyYxtwcsob_JVuTWBMxNYjnPAD-jwmgRCC0bQxr3RZ9Ta0N-a-gA99LszRMXR-xFg7rg2JDbqTOWg6L5nhd66WgbI5BSQ6O8_TxSSw0GtJKBB-dYcmDaVk0Cpfs54vUv6vd5C-YgXDJPkYT-V_mcA7m54NRw9nLpV7AleMVMLFKFwTTx14uHEWY/s3047/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3047" height="1146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLkbRWgyYxtwcsob_JVuTWBMxNYjnPAD-jwmgRCC0bQxr3RZ9Ta0N-a-gA99LszRMXR-xFg7rg2JDbqTOWg6L5nhd66WgbI5BSQ6O8_TxSSw0GtJKBB-dYcmDaVk0Cpfs54vUv6vd5C-YgXDJPkYT-V_mcA7m54NRw9nLpV7AleMVMLFKFwTTx14uHEWY/w1772-h1146/17.jpg" width="1772" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks roll downgrade toward Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenCJA15xsPGlzNjSt-O43QImFbxVK7BAx6fGOH9T82CtZZoEVNUWXVOAVengHNLtQ_Ed2na9VerRtYC-DZ9CWAP7VXt7xZi_cvdV7Mbz2Qdwjk1qXgugporIn4RDQ63cNaQa_JS63zZM87W2nHmP_yDmZz4FpCZ2Vog9yqE18HDjS1WNmS93Jj_kZZHwn/s3045/19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3045" height="1148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenCJA15xsPGlzNjSt-O43QImFbxVK7BAx6fGOH9T82CtZZoEVNUWXVOAVengHNLtQ_Ed2na9VerRtYC-DZ9CWAP7VXt7xZi_cvdV7Mbz2Qdwjk1qXgugporIn4RDQ63cNaQa_JS63zZM87W2nHmP_yDmZz4FpCZ2Vog9yqE18HDjS1WNmS93Jj_kZZHwn/w1774-h1148/19.jpg" width="1774" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks climb the grade from Arizona to the summit of Stein's Pass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tularosa Hill, New Mexico</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak in southeastern New Mexico erupted and filled the Tularosa Basin with molten rock 44 miles north to south, 4 to 6 miles east to west, and 160 feet deep. The resulting Malpais Lava Flow is arguably the youngest in North America. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The old Southern Pacific line from Santa Rosa, New Mexico, to El Paso, Texas, runs along the edge of this flow before climbing compass north (railroad east) out of the basin to higher ground. Union Pacific freights struggle at the remarkably slow speeds (10 mph and less) allowed by alternating current traction motors. Watching these incredibly heavy and lengthy trains, you will swear that they will stall at any moment. But they never do.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kgnPW_6tTq7_lLobIz1BYl1_1x6uRsd-Kwa2u7VHx1-33H-Cs4U9fIrWPZy8n5MKv2LJjDea0tJ5ES_T61oYipMddUPw1Lg8DsHl358cHFXKL2Tl23mZt0-5lGkqNEXIet6QPWPAaW10KIlsudekSZbyqoCoWSZyy3kh_2N4mXFczaQ4GlsMHSVfrV1q/s3015/41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kgnPW_6tTq7_lLobIz1BYl1_1x6uRsd-Kwa2u7VHx1-33H-Cs4U9fIrWPZy8n5MKv2LJjDea0tJ5ES_T61oYipMddUPw1Lg8DsHl358cHFXKL2Tl23mZt0-5lGkqNEXIet6QPWPAaW10KIlsudekSZbyqoCoWSZyy3kh_2N4mXFczaQ4GlsMHSVfrV1q/w1770-h1058/41.jpg" width="1770" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks climb the grade, with the Malpais Lava Flow in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZRH2qgXwQttu4xoBeKS5hUJVShu8yHN1ZI5fsZs4f86_DXWkLLR_w-E_6H_vpX4xe7AqyNiBeO0mc0qUGDHzdgZKasB4vToQYaag-R2xhK8VTnXJhYraRH8RcugDBDGxz8rhK930LUZuyL6gl34uSnJGbDsd1sQp9seycqbTwC6MgLd_3_fnQKFz1lsP/s3023/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZRH2qgXwQttu4xoBeKS5hUJVShu8yHN1ZI5fsZs4f86_DXWkLLR_w-E_6H_vpX4xe7AqyNiBeO0mc0qUGDHzdgZKasB4vToQYaag-R2xhK8VTnXJhYraRH8RcugDBDGxz8rhK930LUZuyL6gl34uSnJGbDsd1sQp9seycqbTwC6MgLd_3_fnQKFz1lsP/w1780-h1168/3.jpg" width="1780" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>More stacks climb the grade beside Carizzo Mountain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYri4HZIhjUDrEUoYglG_q_XZ9Lbi1TOJZlfdfDS5huBsVeR5eoRitE2TWFYghO6URNpVMiEYywba_kDOxsWNAHA_O0NNhjMbR23w3Bl0U9_tn1zCjCNhL206LMTkofURpdyQVO2sdkB4zkpT4bQIz2rqbFLkCW9dQ1djUdFATN9MZCzAePNHyUVxS6L7/s2979/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2979" height="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYri4HZIhjUDrEUoYglG_q_XZ9Lbi1TOJZlfdfDS5huBsVeR5eoRitE2TWFYghO6URNpVMiEYywba_kDOxsWNAHA_O0NNhjMbR23w3Bl0U9_tn1zCjCNhL206LMTkofURpdyQVO2sdkB4zkpT4bQIz2rqbFLkCW9dQ1djUdFATN9MZCzAePNHyUVxS6L7/w1782-h1203/17.jpg" width="1782" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Stacks meet at Coyote Siding, the top of the hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Abo Canyon</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When the Santa Fe decided to bypass Raton and Glorietta Passes, it chose a route that ran south of the Manzano Mountains through a narrow canyon leading to the Rio Grande. There is a slight westbound grade. The eastbound grade, climbing from the river valley, is another matter. Trains struggle mightily all the way to Mountainair, a climb from Belen of almost 50 miles.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The original line was single track. In the early 21st century, BNSF completed a second track through the bottleneck and now guards the line with zealous ferocity. The days when you could hike into the canyon have disappeared along with pay telephones and typewriters.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmviPde3V6h4AD0-jWAwMkiKOVKgk2h6LB5vFjTb4QJNwTVlLCxF2kN0vJq7pFF5KVkDMc9gteMW4tkx6UFoKKdWEQuAOxPfjZZHVk1lJNqPzV5EAc9kLYm3FcjWVnkEwn1ja1LNPszanG7CNrog_3bHWZZKF0CMUOG44whK4XZYAoV4VjiwVCVR3tou4/s2958/104.%20%20E.%20Abo%20Canyon.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2029" data-original-width="2958" height="1216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmviPde3V6h4AD0-jWAwMkiKOVKgk2h6LB5vFjTb4QJNwTVlLCxF2kN0vJq7pFF5KVkDMc9gteMW4tkx6UFoKKdWEQuAOxPfjZZHVk1lJNqPzV5EAc9kLYm3FcjWVnkEwn1ja1LNPszanG7CNrog_3bHWZZKF0CMUOG44whK4XZYAoV4VjiwVCVR3tou4/w1777-h1216/104.%20%20E.%20Abo%20Canyon.jpg" width="1777" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest emerges from Abo Canyon on the original line. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOsYUWNdn5uX3A5BEcYpa9pNe0omrjc_ZGnrN_rY24bBoohQK_pjol87Fe7owezoIanHLAzlyQ5zxLL88TB4V_-Vyo2DdCodcSKmxVTL4Uuw1u0H04F_X48Oj7aDpRYMJ5kA9axPYVA6A4_UQ_hg-VA9uLRx5DC0WrEtNlUc_7iX-Q6Qs45xUf51wmMLg/s3003/Abo%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3003" height="1187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOsYUWNdn5uX3A5BEcYpa9pNe0omrjc_ZGnrN_rY24bBoohQK_pjol87Fe7owezoIanHLAzlyQ5zxLL88TB4V_-Vyo2DdCodcSKmxVTL4Uuw1u0H04F_X48Oj7aDpRYMJ5kA9axPYVA6A4_UQ_hg-VA9uLRx5DC0WrEtNlUc_7iX-Q6Qs45xUf51wmMLg/w1783-h1187/Abo%202.jpg" width="1783" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound warbonnet leads stacks through Abo Canyon</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5O_UkszrvW-dRAG4UchrfYfwzsLX8QF7Zz4z6UzBSkXkkeRLyeADpvvfi_XDY_px3Ul5HyE_9INtt6LVmVMh7BjS4T4EOfqwnwBLrzTxv4Xs-AhMuGpSIqAA0hVsus9dHPZox46E4p6be5YJh2PUupODuX2pyzvbe5pwnEBc0Htx3x5AjiGV8ipEDtfW/s3016/Abo%207.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3016" height="1173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5O_UkszrvW-dRAG4UchrfYfwzsLX8QF7Zz4z6UzBSkXkkeRLyeADpvvfi_XDY_px3Ul5HyE_9INtt6LVmVMh7BjS4T4EOfqwnwBLrzTxv4Xs-AhMuGpSIqAA0hVsus9dHPZox46E4p6be5YJh2PUupODuX2pyzvbe5pwnEBc0Htx3x5AjiGV8ipEDtfW/w1779-h1173/Abo%207.jpg" width="1779" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound warbonnets emerge from Abo Canyon, with the Los Pinos Mountains in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Raton Pass</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Located on the border of Colorado and New Mexico, Raton Pass was the route of the original Santa Fe transcontinental line to California. The ruling grades for both railroad eastbound (compass north) and westbound (compass south) were three percent and created major bottlenecks for the railroad. Construction of the Belen Cut-off in the early 20th century reduced Raton to a secondary main used by (1) passenger trains and (2) occasional freights to relieve pressure off the mainline west. Today (November 2023) only Amtrak runs trains across this scenic location.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPqNU4aNI4Qb3tyiux-fEZ13nB_M6xlD-RbIo-InATMWU0iVQg00A1Lv95_99Vo9chj_ntyswdnDPhLb4Zv_lKnPNMiG-uk-ZHdQOFyXR9_-clvZW4iB_-UUFj6Pf7K4GCD0pnx4NDK78v07cQ5Pvu7Lvz7LubKcv0wDBVaBxTHyN2PD6XfP0McfaKEvJ/s2999/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2999" height="1185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPqNU4aNI4Qb3tyiux-fEZ13nB_M6xlD-RbIo-InATMWU0iVQg00A1Lv95_99Vo9chj_ntyswdnDPhLb4Zv_lKnPNMiG-uk-ZHdQOFyXR9_-clvZW4iB_-UUFj6Pf7K4GCD0pnx4NDK78v07cQ5Pvu7Lvz7LubKcv0wDBVaBxTHyN2PD6XfP0McfaKEvJ/w1780-h1185/1.jpg" width="1780" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound trailers have crested the summit and are rolling downgrade to Colorado. In the background, a work train follows on the secondary track.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHefO-C4fRiD3HB5x00HPrAsT0eNbYpRyoHYzcENP3hQR949ppznRLFCwNWIY7bJ3v_XhievYZR4o0QVpeZHRuqwRnSUJ7lrSe6MbExLeThq9JZenZQtw-0QiAJd9lS852LBdhsmGc2T876ANiNVSOmOWUuAlyVl-IQZJoxb4lBezESz0R3fk3YhjYtpo2/s2986/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="2986" height="1197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHefO-C4fRiD3HB5x00HPrAsT0eNbYpRyoHYzcENP3hQR949ppznRLFCwNWIY7bJ3v_XhievYZR4o0QVpeZHRuqwRnSUJ7lrSe6MbExLeThq9JZenZQtw-0QiAJd9lS852LBdhsmGc2T876ANiNVSOmOWUuAlyVl-IQZJoxb4lBezESz0R3fk3YhjYtpo2/w1781-h1197/2.jpg" width="1781" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>At Wooten Curve, this westbound Amtrak needed Santa Fe help to reach the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8VtCzrICzuJRWL5BlV0AXVw9yjgPu_4EzFQo9yhf5kBbGMWKgIXA7Ho0XD_WuO9aS-NpwLJSnuz_5H9hM7zpRxIB8wvRt7LkxIO9MHKwailkiyleiawHwB72e5HBr6WiZtWUGUBoDu3vX9NvKsL20QTAz2ZWd7YqpfxmfXDhykj7d0BlyyBl7o_wD4JG/s3006/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3006" height="1179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8VtCzrICzuJRWL5BlV0AXVw9yjgPu_4EzFQo9yhf5kBbGMWKgIXA7Ho0XD_WuO9aS-NpwLJSnuz_5H9hM7zpRxIB8wvRt7LkxIO9MHKwailkiyleiawHwB72e5HBr6WiZtWUGUBoDu3vX9NvKsL20QTAz2ZWd7YqpfxmfXDhykj7d0BlyyBl7o_wD4JG/w1780-h1179/3.jpg" width="1780" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound on a cold day in January.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Trinchera Pass</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In far northeastern New Mexico, the old Colorado and Southern crosses the Raton-Clayton Volcano Field, also crossed by the old Santa Fe further west at Raton Pass. There are two separate grades in this crossinig. The first occurs for eastbounds at a horseshoe curve north of Des Moines, New Mexico; the second in both diretions at the Colorado-New Mexico border further north. Originally lightly traveled, this line blossomed when Burlington Northern began running coal trains between Texas and the Powder River Basin. In the 21st century, BNSF runs loaded coal trains over the Boise City Subdivision, bypassing the steep grades of Trinchera. Only coal empties now cross the volcano field.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxV2go1g0-fHwoyLUIKKmT-B106Fm6k1jySPPmmfD_bGAHcrVjtFiPWs27pslm8AkDrA1JK0AjmNSV3ZY3LNuMqQ9lmlijzfcSu0txFgfyZTRk6vbulhp28YI3kLobJ3dmcBqBDWiv_Wp1L7hTtloW6LKTQIuWD9RKzf11Drs6E-qMvivig8_4k_iSRXvR/s3043/49.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3043" height="1152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxV2go1g0-fHwoyLUIKKmT-B106Fm6k1jySPPmmfD_bGAHcrVjtFiPWs27pslm8AkDrA1JK0AjmNSV3ZY3LNuMqQ9lmlijzfcSu0txFgfyZTRk6vbulhp28YI3kLobJ3dmcBqBDWiv_Wp1L7hTtloW6LKTQIuWD9RKzf11Drs6E-qMvivig8_4k_iSRXvR/w1781-h1152/49.jpg" width="1781" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers on loaded coal train in the horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7z9Ty2v3bKMRuZsme-SuQ6Pys_RLndZzCuFt5Cc-xXdxaytKaP8a9ft4XmvU_FeygEd4qCvcWvhpl0ShNLt_Z4bDbSPaocbCYRTjn3zRJYQtJHxOFOZaN6KW3A3R9-lEBCi4PoLdrjqtCMNTEqBT4ReMgeAAFezMw_zPdE1NQSVClVVhMW0FJ6Wyscre/s3047/45.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3047" height="1153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7z9Ty2v3bKMRuZsme-SuQ6Pys_RLndZzCuFt5Cc-xXdxaytKaP8a9ft4XmvU_FeygEd4qCvcWvhpl0ShNLt_Z4bDbSPaocbCYRTjn3zRJYQtJHxOFOZaN6KW3A3R9-lEBCi4PoLdrjqtCMNTEqBT4ReMgeAAFezMw_zPdE1NQSVClVVhMW0FJ6Wyscre/w1783-h1153/45.jpg" width="1783" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Loaded coal climbing toward the summit at the Colorado-New Mexico border.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybB-RaWnTme6gfyKcZaOrofdwbaRB88MJpJnXmNJpGCi9PJSJxFDVWpnQ21UiK6g4jnIcd0qTxJ2i2WfZcWK7yM-jb8-OXMoV8qXSOfE6fMFnqtBmReThMIFAusu28Q3KgAd9wSbINknoNLLuPNYhKLybikRYKdj3KxC1Zd8u6owZ00YQNPDfAiFw_GTn/s2995/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2003" data-original-width="2995" height="1187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybB-RaWnTme6gfyKcZaOrofdwbaRB88MJpJnXmNJpGCi9PJSJxFDVWpnQ21UiK6g4jnIcd0qTxJ2i2WfZcWK7yM-jb8-OXMoV8qXSOfE6fMFnqtBmReThMIFAusu28Q3KgAd9wSbINknoNLLuPNYhKLybikRYKdj3KxC1Zd8u6owZ00YQNPDfAiFw_GTn/w1776-h1187/28.jpg" width="1776" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tennessee Pass</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Trains have not crossed Tennesse Pass since the late 20th century. Nonetheless, it is still my favorite Western grade, because nothing (and I repeat nothing) will ever compare to the sound and feel of a loaded coal train attacking the three percent from Pando to the summit, shaking the ground like a small earthquake. As of November 2023, the rails are still in place, and if you are old enough, you can stand beside them on a calm fall afternoon and believe you hear a train starting the climb from Minturn. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB7ROQIWHo09qvqsN0u5KkiUYdBpOkGnB4eZpa1-pRFlkkhGgRf0HOHY8fsWc3zoUf3HBN-E8Dfcgrs86O1VFKL6HqOv-hdHJSU_jGx7Iq9AScN6vhcgucZ42sXoPrjc0_BpcWdryIKBWwwCSSI7Lpf5YnyyK3X6lq80KrnlMSStL5Q-GcroOXKRPvKSZ/s2962/Tenn.%20Pass%206.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2026" data-original-width="2962" height="1217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHB7ROQIWHo09qvqsN0u5KkiUYdBpOkGnB4eZpa1-pRFlkkhGgRf0HOHY8fsWc3zoUf3HBN-E8Dfcgrs86O1VFKL6HqOv-hdHJSU_jGx7Iq9AScN6vhcgucZ42sXoPrjc0_BpcWdryIKBWwwCSSI7Lpf5YnyyK3X6lq80KrnlMSStL5Q-GcroOXKRPvKSZ/w1779-h1217/Tenn.%20Pass%206.jpg" width="1779" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers at Pando.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaUOI2XmWspZsKYl8SqN8uO7x0DdNrND3R9RoN64ruo60YpZSljWrBC2HeGottSlXAQ3OxjEBIMaurTlDM1tVUKd2NJqkKir2m21mY2-eVt_ews_B8_PXNvik1AwGob-5Xmh-U0rnV3YmFixH4V3sTdJP1aASXFoz6E7oVkej7nZ2EV6gawmTI2Dw4rQL/s2947/Tenn.%20Pass%2020.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2036" data-original-width="2947" height="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaUOI2XmWspZsKYl8SqN8uO7x0DdNrND3R9RoN64ruo60YpZSljWrBC2HeGottSlXAQ3OxjEBIMaurTlDM1tVUKd2NJqkKir2m21mY2-eVt_ews_B8_PXNvik1AwGob-5Xmh-U0rnV3YmFixH4V3sTdJP1aASXFoz6E7oVkej7nZ2EV6gawmTI2Dw4rQL/w1781-h1230/Tenn.%20Pass%2020.jpg" width="1781" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Climbing the eastbound grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkgvkFAsEkrYUA2NSAX9yP4E2kEAX9cXxvt-BWpLhIefVgjyi7ShLytQOUo50CPY0GvxXVU1vhyNq9E4WNvG1fTOi4odvVzyizxV9lEs0ATUsep2YZPdos37VWbKXPPdna3OdQea6Hk1G7WK7tsgZTfrG9MEHwSQIFuGYFr7lIvh2NL4NN8WgQnhbUENs/s3036/Tenn.%20Pass%2036.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkgvkFAsEkrYUA2NSAX9yP4E2kEAX9cXxvt-BWpLhIefVgjyi7ShLytQOUo50CPY0GvxXVU1vhyNq9E4WNvG1fTOi4odvVzyizxV9lEs0ATUsep2YZPdos37VWbKXPPdna3OdQea6Hk1G7WK7tsgZTfrG9MEHwSQIFuGYFr7lIvh2NL4NN8WgQnhbUENs/w1783-h1159/Tenn.%20Pass%2036.jpg" width="1783" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Big Ten Loop</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Big Ten Loop is part of the westbound grade from Denver to Moffat Tunnel. I have chosen this location because it is one of the most interesting pieces of railroad on one of the most interesting lines in North America. Each year Metropolitan Denver grows a little closer. There is a good chance that, within my lifetime, Big Ten will be surrounded.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xaZB1Cxqc_DaLc3DMsM0RnhPrGnmWs7VVXbfn-l1TVzZJmgHaqkuk3LazOXMHQCAYtK3wbq1mg2JNQDWxV6SPBVyHx8fHO0zHhyphenhyphenSbvzzPW0pRRO_BCJ0_8EhrH7A992bAjY89xhglfP5A9aRGu7PG9fpX99VmRja0qYYEhaZh9g46hMTiynnrA9h9iN4/s3130/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="3130" height="1101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xaZB1Cxqc_DaLc3DMsM0RnhPrGnmWs7VVXbfn-l1TVzZJmgHaqkuk3LazOXMHQCAYtK3wbq1mg2JNQDWxV6SPBVyHx8fHO0zHhyphenhyphenSbvzzPW0pRRO_BCJ0_8EhrH7A992bAjY89xhglfP5A9aRGu7PG9fpX99VmRja0qYYEhaZh9g46hMTiynnrA9h9iN4/w1797-h1101/20.jpg" width="1797" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Big Ten Loop in the days of the Rio Grande.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFk7HFzG4jfoHRFriOje1kZ6h0rFuHSbI64uShlOczLYPNLKkz9YCO1INRlPaHyGgQLHsq9jvncefva58lJpqOkJKMC23v1NNBAg6ZqO0en1XbWPFrvO-6hyb9RIZJgVDUO-MQ-IzNoWxUjmoyw9VwRAmYIkEkWmYasB8zOQOk3l62CCRAp7U_tU1ob_EA/s2976/2a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2976" height="1215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFk7HFzG4jfoHRFriOje1kZ6h0rFuHSbI64uShlOczLYPNLKkz9YCO1INRlPaHyGgQLHsq9jvncefva58lJpqOkJKMC23v1NNBAg6ZqO0en1XbWPFrvO-6hyb9RIZJgVDUO-MQ-IzNoWxUjmoyw9VwRAmYIkEkWmYasB8zOQOk3l62CCRAp7U_tU1ob_EA/w1792-h1215/2a.jpg" width="1792" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF (on trackage rights) in the loop in 2021. Metropolitan Denver is getting closer.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9wSuVXp7YOzO8s_N_kpiPgB5DN1228rgkEaaP3AHQmjorBS2TX5Y03kuzRL8efCfj-ntmx0vj5O-f5ZQfADh_ukZgV3IWSf_df6LE8yn9vH5RRpxt4xPTnogd05mkIPsTRsJdFr1CrmW7R-267rjEVvV40RqdVNM2mY2hVOJriQYuydo7js023b8q_k-/s3032/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3032" height="1173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9wSuVXp7YOzO8s_N_kpiPgB5DN1228rgkEaaP3AHQmjorBS2TX5Y03kuzRL8efCfj-ntmx0vj5O-f5ZQfADh_ukZgV3IWSf_df6LE8yn9vH5RRpxt4xPTnogd05mkIPsTRsJdFr1CrmW7R-267rjEVvV40RqdVNM2mY2hVOJriQYuydo7js023b8q_k-/w1795-h1173/22.jpg" width="1795" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Rio Grande in the loop.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Moffat Tunnel</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Rollins Pass was once the most amazing grade in Colorado, in North America, perhaps even the world. Because of Moffat Tunnel, many forget that trains still struggle for many miles in both diretions. Westbounds out of Denver are already straining even before reaching Big Ten Loop, and the Tunnel District lies ahead. Eastbounds at Tabernash begin a harsh climb through the Fraser River Valley before turning sharply to enter the Tunnel at Winter Park. Although traffic is not heavy on this line in the era of Union Pacific, it is still heavy enough to excite anyone passionate about trains.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4ifEQsXS70BhXAXCy6yCG5pC8Fo-VjrYmeaQKNNym8jPetyy5TxQ2Di1DpAASM6ae-3Zp-WgHpwdxHHOiNNglNa9lZp4vB4l4iM_ia1sAxy1fwdGyHXvATh5z-zdIxWr9-Zk0cQXMxGzU4c_0RXhJ5A7oaPSnyVQQMTzrpNgtX4Dc7i46-sjNYDZMiE6/s2940/60.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="2940" height="1249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4ifEQsXS70BhXAXCy6yCG5pC8Fo-VjrYmeaQKNNym8jPetyy5TxQ2Di1DpAASM6ae-3Zp-WgHpwdxHHOiNNglNa9lZp4vB4l4iM_ia1sAxy1fwdGyHXvATh5z-zdIxWr9-Zk0cQXMxGzU4c_0RXhJ5A7oaPSnyVQQMTzrpNgtX4Dc7i46-sjNYDZMiE6/w1800-h1249/60.jpg" width="1800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Moffat Tunnel -- West Portal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_a4ryVAYqHwJBuVrS8z3vYf6L-laRFu_SeSYsb7X9EzSm2rCMVVJDQVweBfonyVemmX-AvvtVo_k3QtPtEmPlkFENd0HNQ9n82oy3C24nTBa6hf4w5xJ-wkEf3n-dsVbwVFyKuuKd48SaBLuJyMNtutSnTs-ybbZMb27J4zBLx7GtvIVpKvLJTgyAR_X/s3049/41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3049" height="1165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_a4ryVAYqHwJBuVrS8z3vYf6L-laRFu_SeSYsb7X9EzSm2rCMVVJDQVweBfonyVemmX-AvvtVo_k3QtPtEmPlkFENd0HNQ9n82oy3C24nTBa6hf4w5xJ-wkEf3n-dsVbwVFyKuuKd48SaBLuJyMNtutSnTs-ybbZMb27J4zBLx7GtvIVpKvLJTgyAR_X/w1801-h1165/41.jpg" width="1801" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound approaching east portal of Moffat Tunnel.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChJ7NYul05HojgHJfuHOAOkKQoZrvv-bVCI4goJrNZAr1thewje32HpbuYZLTkMRElRnwFIb6sACq1Ft7l-QAvCDsm9JRGIlFeT1EbCoc2vRfTZjlJk8Xh7wm2LHZXHuHBmgabEeiWCGvQfedPZZ6tozHIs3lz2ObU56oivjQCFs0W6di6QTYopp53kad/s2999/83.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2999" height="1202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChJ7NYul05HojgHJfuHOAOkKQoZrvv-bVCI4goJrNZAr1thewje32HpbuYZLTkMRElRnwFIb6sACq1Ft7l-QAvCDsm9JRGIlFeT1EbCoc2vRfTZjlJk8Xh7wm2LHZXHuHBmgabEeiWCGvQfedPZZ6tozHIs3lz2ObU56oivjQCFs0W6di6QTYopp53kad/w1798-h1202/83.jpg" width="1798" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound climbing to Moffat Tunnel.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Palmer Lake, Colorado</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Palmer Lake Colorado lies south of Denver and north of the Air Force Academy. Years ago, the southbound grade was surrounded by mountains and pine trees. Today (November 2023), though the immediate grade is still bucolic, civilization encroaches from all sides. The following images are from the Burlington Northern.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFnzCEjyh7u5KM5Q64LaoyJW9oEjcrJrOFGgASeKD4RKGVhNkZLJzch7KOPwQv9YQSmawNh2IZChNx7V1IRaulX21tnBse4Njy4WVPJbpnwNzyiDlJYFE2LP5gBbdF5opFOfo3nuthKHP/s1600/Palmer1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1600" height="1114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFnzCEjyh7u5KM5Q64LaoyJW9oEjcrJrOFGgASeKD4RKGVhNkZLJzch7KOPwQv9YQSmawNh2IZChNx7V1IRaulX21tnBse4Njy4WVPJbpnwNzyiDlJYFE2LP5gBbdF5opFOfo3nuthKHP/w1801-h1114/Palmer1.jpg" width="1801" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A northbound empty coal train is coasting downgrade on the Burlington Northern. The line in the foreground was operated by the Denver and Rio Grande Western at the time (1983). The southbound grade for loaded coal trains required helper units, and the tracks were easily accessible for photography.</b></span></div><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBLDoCEc7-bT_-1e3F1cj-nZ_GAiCkY1JbIv4uAMk7NICsXCzsByirEjiEtAdABrIdc0S9S6PmujzZrX7r8Zo5PtDA0tlsYG3zBS83nmaMccwHliyZ7jriy2QbwSHI724zhUWUsu3HTQL/s1600/Palmer5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1600" height="1149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBLDoCEc7-bT_-1e3F1cj-nZ_GAiCkY1JbIv4uAMk7NICsXCzsByirEjiEtAdABrIdc0S9S6PmujzZrX7r8Zo5PtDA0tlsYG3zBS83nmaMccwHliyZ7jriy2QbwSHI724zhUWUsu3HTQL/w1801-h1149/Palmer5.jpg" width="1801" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A southbound coal train struggles into the grade. In the mid-1980's, it was not unusual to see MKT run-through power on Power River Basin coal trains.</b></span></div><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /><br style="text-align: left;" /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kOeOHZI-QgvqoAv_BkoFF5hjJnKXNuN5oHv0ZEIW8ST2hAYIuxgPwAKE8h0EBpJu-14dF9k68TLul_MzVz_LkOU1CbIa9c3DnhqacK1iYs_seMv7Rip77bKxRw8GQcX-6p8vliW_ExQb/s1600/Palmer4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1600" height="1021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kOeOHZI-QgvqoAv_BkoFF5hjJnKXNuN5oHv0ZEIW8ST2hAYIuxgPwAKE8h0EBpJu-14dF9k68TLul_MzVz_LkOU1CbIa9c3DnhqacK1iYs_seMv7Rip77bKxRw8GQcX-6p8vliW_ExQb/w1783-h1021/Palmer4.jpg" width="1783" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>It is sometimes hard to remember the days before DPU's, when a caboose punctuated the end of every train. In this image from 1983, no less than six crewmen would have been in charge of this coal train -- two in the lead units, two in the helper set and two in the caboose. Communications from the head-end crew to the helpers was by radio, and it took skill to keep the train from breaking apart. Today, two crewmen would operate such a train.</b></span></div><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br style="text-align: left;" /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Craig Branch, Colorado</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When David Moffat's line west from Denver reached what is now Bond, Colorado, construction crews turned north and began a torturous climb from the valley of the Colorado River toward the coal fields that Moffat believed would provide enough revenue to sustain construction into Utah. He was wrong, and the railroad died at Craig -- died suddenly though not unexpectedly like an old man taken off life support. Though the best years of what became a major branch line are past, some coal traffic still makes the climb in both directions to the summit at Toponas. The Crater Loops make this grade among the most amazing you will ever see.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXT-ksZ9hK_Mjpg14bfrK7cOlRVMVcfPm5ChXM_2vllZs-IScLR6_WoPq4mKyI-oLAgTFPKKJvltYLvTHb1qcvFdPiPxMSzMTcrAKm3pGdzfwQhWMeFy3vS1_lOdxhnV_XWrgNUS5wd3gb7VsUB3oBlZPPd0kf1VO3uYsxGXhI6EK2kyrGLQ2VRkKFxAqM/s3020/Craig%203.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3020" height="1182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXT-ksZ9hK_Mjpg14bfrK7cOlRVMVcfPm5ChXM_2vllZs-IScLR6_WoPq4mKyI-oLAgTFPKKJvltYLvTHb1qcvFdPiPxMSzMTcrAKm3pGdzfwQhWMeFy3vS1_lOdxhnV_XWrgNUS5wd3gb7VsUB3oBlZPPd0kf1VO3uYsxGXhI6EK2kyrGLQ2VRkKFxAqM/w1793-h1182/Craig%203.jpg" width="1793" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Crater Loops.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2nagKf7L25QZJPw6gBO03KbQaOthvePL7uMsm__QYe-6nAv1IbZdpy9_MOBvKU8_rcIiFC6BhaOVwxsYRDzkqMgzRrwUSi1x_5lqpJhV4Hq4DDD3bw6vcW67Wsm3Al0sQXA_sSxfH3s-9qRuLHoXSyUkuA_8xM8-1xW2f62ZIRtF4MoEmHolqYm8CznS/s3071/69.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="3071" height="1142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2nagKf7L25QZJPw6gBO03KbQaOthvePL7uMsm__QYe-6nAv1IbZdpy9_MOBvKU8_rcIiFC6BhaOVwxsYRDzkqMgzRrwUSi1x_5lqpJhV4Hq4DDD3bw6vcW67Wsm3Al0sQXA_sSxfH3s-9qRuLHoXSyUkuA_8xM8-1xW2f62ZIRtF4MoEmHolqYm8CznS/w1791-h1142/69.jpg" width="1791" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A loaded Rio Grande coal train is climbing toward the Toponas summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrAzywgZa20qSFHknDjK09oCCh6q1rS528kAY0ewgPxMbKnMQWwaikmdCavcao0UByFBq3h-QD5L_Z3SBY0OWjxrEKS4JySyEa2iAQQdMbv7sugOLy28y3opG75KDjEieKsUOzNranHZ03AgGtzT02SZhR4Ogsjei6eqyzr55DkP_3zU_cXUi18pR_sdL/s3012/56.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrAzywgZa20qSFHknDjK09oCCh6q1rS528kAY0ewgPxMbKnMQWwaikmdCavcao0UByFBq3h-QD5L_Z3SBY0OWjxrEKS4JySyEa2iAQQdMbv7sugOLy28y3opG75KDjEieKsUOzNranHZ03AgGtzT02SZhR4Ogsjei6eqyzr55DkP_3zU_cXUi18pR_sdL/w1798-h1191/56.jpg" width="1798" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Another load.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Trinidad to Walsenburg, Colorado</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In addition to the grades at Trinchera Pass, the old Colorado and Southern rode a roller coaster between Trinidad and Walsenburg in southern Colorado -- one climb after another in both directions. There is very little "flat running" in this country. Instead, trains roll up and down, and up and down again, gaining speed on each descent for the next climb. I imagine that the engineers on this line are among the most skillful, though I also imagine that those who once ran downgrade on the western slope of Tennessee Pass might claim priority. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajIZy4HmQ-0_J63wLNBjtd_92SNyXwqCc9Bj3k0RLZkjIS-JRMevF_wycq7kXYsqqDirnxqjkPJAtpnLvRJZb_fYCP7Fq9soQ5Njuv2pXKG-fGq0PwAD4ywPuhlA3zRrcphI6ipTq9ML2Tej8D4bpH8snufMkdzb5f-0Qu_qMdZ15ENy_e8q8XvOmHjhF/s3038/C&S41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3038" height="1171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjajIZy4HmQ-0_J63wLNBjtd_92SNyXwqCc9Bj3k0RLZkjIS-JRMevF_wycq7kXYsqqDirnxqjkPJAtpnLvRJZb_fYCP7Fq9soQ5Njuv2pXKG-fGq0PwAD4ywPuhlA3zRrcphI6ipTq9ML2Tej8D4bpH8snufMkdzb5f-0Qu_qMdZ15ENy_e8q8XvOmHjhF/w1801-h1171/C&S41.jpg" width="1801" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the Burlington Northern days, loaded coal is coming down off one incline and beginning the pull up another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7td-7FnHQUck6sRIVlvW_RSvR-lL3uSj2UqrI9WLuSx_lvPNOPweurlAwFVMDbI1WxRs8Jgbmto_-ObeZFg_eOGihYUszBAnBeHDpL7iCq8BtHMb5ktHd4bt-VUm2QNPl50V73rCOc46M3kZ4WxpIQ1OBgQjp504foI8Du-4C0coSSQa-psJ7vZeCo_C/s3042/42.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3042" height="1171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7td-7FnHQUck6sRIVlvW_RSvR-lL3uSj2UqrI9WLuSx_lvPNOPweurlAwFVMDbI1WxRs8Jgbmto_-ObeZFg_eOGihYUszBAnBeHDpL7iCq8BtHMb5ktHd4bt-VUm2QNPl50V73rCOc46M3kZ4WxpIQ1OBgQjp504foI8Du-4C0coSSQa-psJ7vZeCo_C/w1801-h1171/42.jpg" width="1801" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Coal loads struggling upgrade to Trinidad. Today (November 2023) coal loads no longer run on this line, instead traveling across the Boise City Sub. Only coal empties run between Trinidad and Walsenburg.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3Fh7LYJFd9p2UCykeBzBr_YpFE2174QXHy7sirEfNMrQ2CuQYfDm9TksaYWUDNX4U7__BHe8mPZKvlV0-LhqM_EfqUsivh8JE7h89vp37j7fz7OZDSADZHIaLR3QvVLOaCwbqHZLFDD3SWzUi66_ovc0nf0sFMEB85FbCAs1RFOVBRxnFBPo_g47NJ_3/s2927/31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="2927" height="1257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3Fh7LYJFd9p2UCykeBzBr_YpFE2174QXHy7sirEfNMrQ2CuQYfDm9TksaYWUDNX4U7__BHe8mPZKvlV0-LhqM_EfqUsivh8JE7h89vp37j7fz7OZDSADZHIaLR3QvVLOaCwbqHZLFDD3SWzUi66_ovc0nf0sFMEB85FbCAs1RFOVBRxnFBPo_g47NJ_3/w1796-h1257/31.jpg" width="1796" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>North from Trinidad.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sherman Hill, Wyoming</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When scouts were exploring potential routes for the first transcontinental railroad, the Rocky Mountains appeared to present an unbreachable barrier. A route through Denver would have required almost vertical construction up an escarpment rising like a gigantic tombstone out of the High Plains, an escarpment that later bankrupted David Moffat.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Perseverance, however, has many rewards, and the Union Pacific eventually discovered an area, known to geologists as the "Gangplank," in southern Wyoming where mountain peaks vanish, giving way to a steep, though passable and relalively smooth incline rising over 8,000 feet to a treeless summit.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Called Sherman Hill, after the Union General who had ravaged the South only a few years before, this area today is reachable only on private roads that are closely guarded. Tresspassers are quickly apprehended either by landowner employees or municipal authorities from Laramie. My images from this area were all taken when one could roam freely over open ground.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxJdFtBfiGUykSmo5P1xLePmmp2ajew8DObuBCV7gL_2JuFh2rQV7B0xJD6vCPePGFiwPn5LnwatZi7j_egXFZbqOFwwCLIDnELgS7at-VMsDrwtngGjTAHL96cycXOBLGXvBJ-zMLqfgKGZHQUK5RlDYEXMIqQ-36vWKPDfvKNKHnc21yY2iXqluqr4j/s3075/UP7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="3075" height="1140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxJdFtBfiGUykSmo5P1xLePmmp2ajew8DObuBCV7gL_2JuFh2rQV7B0xJD6vCPePGFiwPn5LnwatZi7j_egXFZbqOFwwCLIDnELgS7at-VMsDrwtngGjTAHL96cycXOBLGXvBJ-zMLqfgKGZHQUK5RlDYEXMIqQ-36vWKPDfvKNKHnc21yY2iXqluqr4j/w1796-h1140/UP7.jpg" width="1796" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound grainer has crested the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhjXa_zkhbYDnlIsF_B9b_NsAYcwNMnHrnsHhOIZ2jDpFBCKjK4U-Q1e3pFZ_XRjorhFJACRU6VY_IA8JDmal4FL0wzColE1h1n7GovD_iKBo3NaZvJXQyZ3Chw6UIWeXd91BRA4l-8rBq4T-tUXSMr-1k5TfsMzun5zj3Vjg_d89D_dYqfdT_xt6By2D/s3038/UP3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="3038" height="1170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhjXa_zkhbYDnlIsF_B9b_NsAYcwNMnHrnsHhOIZ2jDpFBCKjK4U-Q1e3pFZ_XRjorhFJACRU6VY_IA8JDmal4FL0wzColE1h1n7GovD_iKBo3NaZvJXQyZ3Chw6UIWeXd91BRA4l-8rBq4T-tUXSMr-1k5TfsMzun5zj3Vjg_d89D_dYqfdT_xt6By2D/w1799-h1170/UP3.jpg" width="1799" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another westbound grainer on the third main constructed in the early 20th century to lessen the grade. The original tracks had previously been relocated near the summit for the same reason.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbWBvDR6KZpGqj9t_4XLyAkJaQ-3aVelSdZyo6eLFQRzYNb2EktH0CD-qj_Lcey8LnA76FAqWXf4H2SU3_CCDM95QNSwb19ATaBP0C2H9grc9uSnlfMrNHjty2WLnPye5UIieXJzV4biyi6F6EeBZoUTtsOcamXz6GyfsvLUfinpYt-TAfaMvxM-AFgiW/s3025/UP4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3025" height="1180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbWBvDR6KZpGqj9t_4XLyAkJaQ-3aVelSdZyo6eLFQRzYNb2EktH0CD-qj_Lcey8LnA76FAqWXf4H2SU3_CCDM95QNSwb19ATaBP0C2H9grc9uSnlfMrNHjty2WLnPye5UIieXJzV4biyi6F6EeBZoUTtsOcamXz6GyfsvLUfinpYt-TAfaMvxM-AFgiW/w1798-h1180/UP4.jpg" width="1798" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks paralleling the third main.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Overthrust Belt, Wyoming</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In far southwestern Wyoming, a north-south range of small mountains rises like a step ladder overlooking Utah. Called the Overthrust Belt, this mostly treeless province is part of the larger Rocky Mountains and is theorized to have been created by the eastward movement of far western North America, causing western rocks to crawl over and above their eastern neighbors.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The original Union Pacific transcontinental line crosses the Overthrust Belt through two tunnels. Aspen was the first. When traffic became too heavy for a single track, Union Pacific constructed Altamont Tunnel -- at 6706 feet the UP's longest east of California, and at 7268 feet the second highest point on the transcontinental line after Sherman Hill. This was the last part of the line to be double tracked. </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDKN4ANI_4YfxO4Oor4hp7bQafUAYqfZhoSbE87VqENieFBE5-G6z_gCVnA2W9boCFJYqnRa7b3wgXyn3rtANn7DR4iUPeYCUJxC6UipQCCoLRuOWRb6KU0xl9ncNjNisOnlSRlgKcmTkfUk7Gu3wPJa_W9ryzPaaxd-TZ0v8fb3hfG_PvxGZoyL9VAh6/s3024/Echo37.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDKN4ANI_4YfxO4Oor4hp7bQafUAYqfZhoSbE87VqENieFBE5-G6z_gCVnA2W9boCFJYqnRa7b3wgXyn3rtANn7DR4iUPeYCUJxC6UipQCCoLRuOWRb6KU0xl9ncNjNisOnlSRlgKcmTkfUk7Gu3wPJa_W9ryzPaaxd-TZ0v8fb3hfG_PvxGZoyL9VAh6/w1795-h1178/Echo37.jpg" width="1795" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers on a westbound manifest approaching Altamont Tunnel.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgPf0Yuox9PdghGLSVUMIiZIFl6akTzP_NNYUwNOoKjziYTmlWXkbZjzACw1XcKHOaI7x8wpY9d-l_Ttt7o-0NEhYsAq88ETB-taNMQY-OvMcysbq-KD1muZJ72vsZhIF90Y1TPNpxWF6ow2uQFbtIWEpLBd67GZpM95a0gjwtb34SxUum6_rcCZBlxRs/s2943/Echo46.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2039" data-original-width="2943" height="1238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgPf0Yuox9PdghGLSVUMIiZIFl6akTzP_NNYUwNOoKjziYTmlWXkbZjzACw1XcKHOaI7x8wpY9d-l_Ttt7o-0NEhYsAq88ETB-taNMQY-OvMcysbq-KD1muZJ72vsZhIF90Y1TPNpxWF6ow2uQFbtIWEpLBd67GZpM95a0gjwtb34SxUum6_rcCZBlxRs/w1784-h1238/Echo46.jpg" width="1784" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The hottest train on the railroad descends westbound across the Overthrust Belt.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUIGPBwNeRTmzDo8aLaWhiO1wXntixzOaDziEQALmHoesahVa-4Zk_xzdFwCnPAxIl3mTSQRrVL8pJiuHwdCsunQomEKrQLHIQlOGUR5hsEI-YiqlglgAVgrMSWZzW33Yz90eVEhFRi2zcDjvjn4uv447dEC3htR8VrWMSS8bHd7vmUb6AypnGCVXTqhG/s2985/Echo47.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2985" height="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUIGPBwNeRTmzDo8aLaWhiO1wXntixzOaDziEQALmHoesahVa-4Zk_xzdFwCnPAxIl3mTSQRrVL8pJiuHwdCsunQomEKrQLHIQlOGUR5hsEI-YiqlglgAVgrMSWZzW33Yz90eVEhFRi2zcDjvjn4uv447dEC3htR8VrWMSS8bHd7vmUb6AypnGCVXTqhG/w1786-h1200/Echo47.jpg" width="1786" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks entering Altamont Tunnel.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Peru Hill, Wyoming.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At Peru Hill, a westbound grade, Union Pacific's original transcontinental line climbs out of the deep canyon of the Green River into the high desert country of southwestern Wyoming. Ahead lies Granger, where the line to the Pacific Northwest splits from the route to Echo Canyon, the Great Salt Lake and California. In the 21st century, this country is remote and desolate, not somewhere one would wish to run out of food and water. The thought of settling this country in the 19th century is, to me at least, beyond comprehension.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuteQrWNKM9jrNNU0M3ah6dkN2-xU3H58PErJGPE_A4ehkHT1nOWq3HB7iDKKfvte3j7Bczt5_yWk5V6PKmR7ZHwuxtDIIxH80dbQKsgItQS5xGoAythvvE5DrUhYiKrP_nUG0yLUilGUmTchyphenhyphenA4arGAHF-UoJeduMeHHfZzQp8AALcuwe9euiaYfPvMpL/s2992/Peru%2033.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="2992" height="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuteQrWNKM9jrNNU0M3ah6dkN2-xU3H58PErJGPE_A4ehkHT1nOWq3HB7iDKKfvte3j7Bczt5_yWk5V6PKmR7ZHwuxtDIIxH80dbQKsgItQS5xGoAythvvE5DrUhYiKrP_nUG0yLUilGUmTchyphenhyphenA4arGAHF-UoJeduMeHHfZzQp8AALcuwe9euiaYfPvMpL/w1800-h1203/Peru%2033.jpg" width="1800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks in the canyon of the Green River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kiXM7JvJ92uOBj7MlfLYqi4ZgA78A0WofZxmnuZ7l3iID3PbB5eafKqg7ZRFK86KtuWupNGOAAWmPLtQAKPGqHLuZgnzyfKuuosDQ4AWxpspZOjZglkteWopkASFauLHPlkGZVeqAZ6NORW2tU-_XIuDqQ-sZEm4waNydhmv0z0IZton5oiSrB4ePwg0/s3036/Peru%2035.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kiXM7JvJ92uOBj7MlfLYqi4ZgA78A0WofZxmnuZ7l3iID3PbB5eafKqg7ZRFK86KtuWupNGOAAWmPLtQAKPGqHLuZgnzyfKuuosDQ4AWxpspZOjZglkteWopkASFauLHPlkGZVeqAZ6NORW2tU-_XIuDqQ-sZEm4waNydhmv0z0IZton5oiSrB4ePwg0/w1800-h1170/Peru%2035.jpg" width="1800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More westbound stacks climbing out of the canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUXh48plb3tSs_ZwFYipG2cpaoY4lb0EgXgp4ZFTmLKMVXke7RlPMogk8t-ofI4PR258CWsS2fHgU8rlShxMRYwkzhcG7HYYYtQfJ5uz_RN5yjiosUAo1ij-sSXkMr2gPEs8tJjpNcUuoNLt72KNbWcDF8crEBWvWi6Ubwi15CjBkd7hFD5hESTdhNAug/s3070/Peru%2022.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="3070" height="1142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUXh48plb3tSs_ZwFYipG2cpaoY4lb0EgXgp4ZFTmLKMVXke7RlPMogk8t-ofI4PR258CWsS2fHgU8rlShxMRYwkzhcG7HYYYtQfJ5uz_RN5yjiosUAo1ij-sSXkMr2gPEs8tJjpNcUuoNLt72KNbWcDF8crEBWvWi6Ubwi15CjBkd7hFD5hESTdhNAug/w1791-h1142/Peru%2022.jpg" width="1791" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>At the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Page, Oklahoma</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We end this article where we started in my home state of Oklahoma. Page is where southbound Kansas City Southern freights begin the compass-east climb to the summit of Rich Mountain, Arkansas. The entire grade is located within the Ouichita National Forest which contains the largest area of old growth timber in the United States outside of Alaska. Loaded coal trains struggle into the grade in an area that averages about 60 inches of rain per year.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPMv5cWoMlXedv19jGoJ-zhG3ah2xJzBfjit5eErDnLpJyazy1T9bHHb8RWVL8HHYGWEx6xoQy5t93zQNVVajOoLMQaKkkBgSuY2tI6WYE535_FW0p3kDZQOAmB1qqAfD0F_GJNgg7ukd-mCU4SGTQ-wOL6Vcq6mGOemkyiATmF8BdVUgRWTenXNz4Jnl/s3033/KCS32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3033" height="1171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPMv5cWoMlXedv19jGoJ-zhG3ah2xJzBfjit5eErDnLpJyazy1T9bHHb8RWVL8HHYGWEx6xoQy5t93zQNVVajOoLMQaKkkBgSuY2tI6WYE535_FW0p3kDZQOAmB1qqAfD0F_GJNgg7ukd-mCU4SGTQ-wOL6Vcq6mGOemkyiATmF8BdVUgRWTenXNz4Jnl/w1794-h1171/KCS32.jpg" width="1794" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>White Knights at Page, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpY0u2y9xV8RWWYm93mWRBpJ-vQCyy0bXLgxZ3DJUG3sdx2sDh-zTaVVXZwNd-9cQBNf6OscsaYZos14tN7VOECSpLS1regGJJErVGmOe71cL0lcmCYNw1lAx7NNXjehVoPwfyCBWhmSP3jWy7XFuFKqQAQOU5eUqWx5U_RRNMcKMggLql765EYF2a_5CG/s3028/1997-31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3028" height="1174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpY0u2y9xV8RWWYm93mWRBpJ-vQCyy0bXLgxZ3DJUG3sdx2sDh-zTaVVXZwNd-9cQBNf6OscsaYZos14tN7VOECSpLS1regGJJErVGmOe71cL0lcmCYNw1lAx7NNXjehVoPwfyCBWhmSP3jWy7XFuFKqQAQOU5eUqWx5U_RRNMcKMggLql765EYF2a_5CG/w1798-h1174/1997-31.jpg" width="1798" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gray Ghosts taking the siding at Page, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VCbYpDHiQaMsSFSuk5jlOmVwb8BqUXM-uk22zHS9tucf-Pv66TWMiL_wT8S-bJLKE46j7RX1q4dCIj3R_zmUSq9yDllAVJzSStzLtWL5ZqbNCdGsDOlKeazPA9o5o1OFrh9xs2QxuBeaMGKMC-gRz2ta0S52Q1cIBdRyOvt25g2jovNkPJJx-oyhAni1/s3010/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3010" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VCbYpDHiQaMsSFSuk5jlOmVwb8BqUXM-uk22zHS9tucf-Pv66TWMiL_wT8S-bJLKE46j7RX1q4dCIj3R_zmUSq9yDllAVJzSStzLtWL5ZqbNCdGsDOlKeazPA9o5o1OFrh9xs2QxuBeaMGKMC-gRz2ta0S52Q1cIBdRyOvt25g2jovNkPJJx-oyhAni1/w1799-h1191/8.jpg" width="1799" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Retro-Belles at Page, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From the Overthrust Belt to Page, railroads climb some of the most spectacular geography you will ever see. And the change in that geography from west to east is as extreme as the grades surmounted. For me, nothing else is quite as amazing.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In Part Two we will examine the remainder of my favorite Western grades.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my other posts, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></span></p></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-50150648915517142082023-09-14T11:40:00.002-05:002023-09-19T19:29:54.478-05:00Sweet Soo<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EfmXdB6_Qs6yBtS8Grldf_u8t2ikHsy-i8n_KrFIPYXGRlVHZuBrGIoIawihWTkWiozRxBBRG08tRkuBBWmGPZxqJCI5YWotd1DdmFx6odOYfHVsonDWUwxwP8SyIHksZNZ_4m6CjTYOtW5QciC12anrribploTyO7slpIkv2272gpf2IVQxNEyNcMC0/s2971/19%20copy.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2019" data-original-width="2971" height="1157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EfmXdB6_Qs6yBtS8Grldf_u8t2ikHsy-i8n_KrFIPYXGRlVHZuBrGIoIawihWTkWiozRxBBRG08tRkuBBWmGPZxqJCI5YWotd1DdmFx6odOYfHVsonDWUwxwP8SyIHksZNZ_4m6CjTYOtW5QciC12anrribploTyO7slpIkv2272gpf2IVQxNEyNcMC0/w1708-h1157/19%20copy.jpeg" width="1708" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound manifest approaching Lansing, Iowa, on the old Milwaukee Road line to Kansas City. The Soo Line's purchase of the truncated Milwaukee Road is discussed below. The lead unit sports this author's favorite Soo paint scheme -- white body </b></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>with SOO on the sides in bold black letters. Engine number on the sides of the cab with red nose and end of the long hood, and a red curve from the top of the cab to the running board on the side. "SOO LINE" painted on the nose in small white letters. The second unit shows a small change in this scheme. The curved red border has been changed to a straight diagonal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When I was a boy in rural Oklahoma, the Soo Line seemed the most exotic railroad in the world. Michigan's Upper Peninsula seemed as far away as Alaska. Sault Ste. Marie might as well have been in France. I had heard of the Great Lakes, but I had also heard of the Indian Ocean; my ignorance of each was as vast as their waters. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4x3ZxMa929ekgMbpKk5hwy_OuF03GRSkr3o2WBZJIcGbFD7fbskoNJYt48synEYkKh6vGbX8XRkQN3EIn5c5BS2WCqV4xyxnjxorP9sRKwefyovjIsqY9iizSTZ-dqOGvmr7UbMUsQi8jFYzFinBWGEWj0CidNKiODpExzdpPg7nXDT9aPTjQiWe9nE_/s3092/11.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3092" data-original-width="1940" height="1209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4x3ZxMa929ekgMbpKk5hwy_OuF03GRSkr3o2WBZJIcGbFD7fbskoNJYt48synEYkKh6vGbX8XRkQN3EIn5c5BS2WCqV4xyxnjxorP9sRKwefyovjIsqY9iizSTZ-dqOGvmr7UbMUsQi8jFYzFinBWGEWj0CidNKiODpExzdpPg7nXDT9aPTjQiWe9nE_/w760-h1209/11.jpg" width="760" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lansing, Iowa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Minneapolis businessmen founded the Minneapolis, Sault Ste. Marie and Atlantic Railroad in 1883, without any land grants or government money. From the start, the railroad was called “Soo,” a phonetic spelling of “Sault,” French for “waterfall” or “rapids.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Because all eastbound rail traffic from the Twin Cities was controlled by the Milwaukee Road and the Chicago and Northwestern, grain producers and distributors in Minnesota believed that they were being significantly overcharged by what amounted to a legalized duopoly. Similarly, James J. Hill (of the Great Northern) controlled grain shipping eastward across the Great Lakes, and his high rates showed the lack of competition. So the Minnesotans decided to construct their own railroad northeast to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to a connection with the Canadian Pacific, which would then haul the merchandise to eastern Canada for ultimate transport to Boston and New York, bypassing both the Chicago railroads and Hill's ships.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Initial construction ran 46 miles from Bruce, Wisconsin, to Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, where the new railroad leased connecting track to Minneapolis from The Chicago, Minneapolis and Omaha. In 1887, tracks reached Sault Ste. Marie.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xgKQA1WvQpse_wbsADuYkZdshea_XIn5Sd3MOFRj2eNZEZYvNdDZZK9xbC89ppx2BDf8EXyi4gVXWpiTLlriaVch9EHZfkBUrr2jAdF1hf6bMJyCiY9bmBmzclTguYEXGAqH9Lkh6KHyqLAup_KjBk9rDKUjpP3xx3RRNGPd-DsrI2Y7BQX1rhgwm9dg/s2810/Screenshot%202023-09-05%20at%201.54.55%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2254" data-original-width="2810" height="1051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xgKQA1WvQpse_wbsADuYkZdshea_XIn5Sd3MOFRj2eNZEZYvNdDZZK9xbC89ppx2BDf8EXyi4gVXWpiTLlriaVch9EHZfkBUrr2jAdF1hf6bMJyCiY9bmBmzclTguYEXGAqH9Lkh6KHyqLAup_KjBk9rDKUjpP3xx3RRNGPd-DsrI2Y7BQX1rhgwm9dg/w1309-h1051/Screenshot%202023-09-05%20at%201.54.55%20PM.png" width="1309" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Original Soo.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgHx6fp5QixSdVC4h4sQ17jd2fbSczLKi2ROEv7iUvbrvl6h8h7ONOAt4zAJ6oxBKo13z0eoXP9B25HLm77jZZtrQ5SmxSC9NLRBYPjli-CDYPcCUHJZ4I51t3NzX1JhVP_FF7BufJY1YBeoaw6yXtWj4MLl9eMgQX1RSOrKJY4uk-h2nsffpMl4Io_qf/s2965/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2965" height="1164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgHx6fp5QixSdVC4h4sQ17jd2fbSczLKi2ROEv7iUvbrvl6h8h7ONOAt4zAJ6oxBKo13z0eoXP9B25HLm77jZZtrQ5SmxSC9NLRBYPjli-CDYPcCUHJZ4I51t3NzX1JhVP_FF7BufJY1YBeoaw6yXtWj4MLl9eMgQX1RSOrKJY4uk-h2nsffpMl4Io_qf/w1709-h1164/14.jpg" width="1709" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This southbound is approaching the bridge across the Mississippi River.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1888, </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">the flour millers sold 56% of the railroad to George Stephen and Donald Smith, the two Canadian members of the syndicate that built both the Great Northern and the Canadian Pacific. Stephen and Smith changed the railroad's name to the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad. When they retired in 1890, the two sold their interests in the Soo to the Canadian Pacific. That same year, the CP also purchased the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic, an ore hauler linking Duluth with Sault Ste. Marie. Both American lines continued to operate as indepdendent companies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgHOd2FCb9qNfeLINQSm5083ye3TLF22gGtqTclukIZ2p8EF1PbXIxDmO09inSspUDlIoPWhYZQbOi675RbWEDcQkAgvsJYoKniPQJ7Mv7tjJpVRLhMctXs9wo4Iv_YfTP-lcpeqiGeEQnpeOxGM6r88VfeH6YZGe7Z_DipHdY1lir-5sR3Q2nyxSZra-/s3013/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3013" height="1131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgHOd2FCb9qNfeLINQSm5083ye3TLF22gGtqTclukIZ2p8EF1PbXIxDmO09inSspUDlIoPWhYZQbOi675RbWEDcQkAgvsJYoKniPQJ7Mv7tjJpVRLhMctXs9wo4Iv_YfTP-lcpeqiGeEQnpeOxGM6r88VfeH6YZGe7Z_DipHdY1lir-5sR3Q2nyxSZra-/w1708-h1131/6.jpg" width="1708" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A beautiful Soo Line caboose along the Mississippi River at Dakota, Minnesota -- on the old Milwaukee Road mainline to Chicago.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi4z8jLWLcoFbYqTDcbeizi-mTVsK6kVGl2dXoJzzHTlnnnFGfYNoerL6LUFJgnJ6Iny-MDSIHPyCRyj7ukewfZREBqf4OwV5s71Ehi74TQGGGv8tKh9avRv2h79I7PDPiycHRs6812hXn00v2EEv4a8CHXmD7Uo55zkfWYJmo5m2V6KJQGgwpkpcWuFN/s3007/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3007" height="1130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi4z8jLWLcoFbYqTDcbeizi-mTVsK6kVGl2dXoJzzHTlnnnFGfYNoerL6LUFJgnJ6Iny-MDSIHPyCRyj7ukewfZREBqf4OwV5s71Ehi74TQGGGv8tKh9avRv2h79I7PDPiycHRs6812hXn00v2EEv4a8CHXmD7Uo55zkfWYJmo5m2V6KJQGgwpkpcWuFN/w1705-h1130/5.jpg" width="1705" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Dakota, Minnesota.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNTZ3gqEsxvkfMTj8IP5risqVxn_5aXf8ZJczW6kKCpBWjxbztnvn79wMqUo9Ro44frHgATRsJ-PwTOdNVI9VBMzG6RLn8dUxcAEJ3H4hcDDbxYtgcQFwUDuNxywk8MWwteMc4ajFR_OGeG52sM-9SMna_kXNTgZFY0f6ibKRv_SqTw2vt2H4R0PhqEYi/s2995/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2995" height="1137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNTZ3gqEsxvkfMTj8IP5risqVxn_5aXf8ZJczW6kKCpBWjxbztnvn79wMqUo9Ro44frHgATRsJ-PwTOdNVI9VBMzG6RLn8dUxcAEJ3H4hcDDbxYtgcQFwUDuNxywk8MWwteMc4ajFR_OGeG52sM-9SMna_kXNTgZFY0f6ibKRv_SqTw2vt2H4R0PhqEYi/w1700-h1137/1.jpg" width="1700" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>In the late 1980's, the Soo adopted a new paint scheme -- candy apple red, with a slanted "SOO" in white on the sides. Two white stripes wrapped around the back of the locomotive, joining the logos. The same style lettering applied to the nose (slanted "SOO") with three thin white stripes beneath. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Prior to its completion in 1893, the Great Northern Railway had teamed with Canadian Pacific to carry goods from the Twin Cities to the CP's port at Vancouver, British Columbia. Once the Great Northern reached Puget Sound, however, the partnership dissolved. To fill the gap, the Soo constructed a new line from the Twin Cities to Portal, North Dakota. The CP then built a connecting track to its mainline at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, a route providing almost straight-line service to Vancouver.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A second Canadian passage was completed in 1903 to Winnipeg, Manitoba, via Noyes, Minnesota. Thereafter, the Soo constructed multiple agricultural branches, mostly in North Dakota, to increase grain shipments. The railroad also extended its reach in Minnesota with two connections to Duluth, one from Brooten, Minnesota, and a second from Frederic, Wisconsin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBcCc_uVtWMLNzRSxRLpx14m5pl-QzrQyMb5H55rYi4VlguLbYVmt5QJwapdzs-BjV57xda5y1umCoc491LX4d-kJi8DFmxJJFcAKJCf5QyvfdlP2o37JF6uhZ_nRBGC3YD3UfoGH5YYInCzCB4M2IOkdrlXavyFXT-mS26mr5pEbj654gT6At7dJ-Sq4/s2977/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2977" height="1156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBcCc_uVtWMLNzRSxRLpx14m5pl-QzrQyMb5H55rYi4VlguLbYVmt5QJwapdzs-BjV57xda5y1umCoc491LX4d-kJi8DFmxJJFcAKJCf5QyvfdlP2o37JF6uhZ_nRBGC3YD3UfoGH5YYInCzCB4M2IOkdrlXavyFXT-mS26mr5pEbj654gT6At7dJ-Sq4/w1705-h1156/13.jpg" width="1705" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The old Milwaukee Road main.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJifYnDdfrbf41pn7nHJRr9kJU7egr5gZNJlXuepht0VV_Lle5n31PiDUGl6paxQo-TbHsDazh5KIv5xawiG7JdpO37bnlyd1b6jAe2WgyI0YRqjnaS5U57gmX2fCKfjXmLqh4zs-eh2exucbXl_BIm0SVkyARNsv6BqgN57KHhmwsF1rnqBlVerbio16Z/s3004/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3004" height="1132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJifYnDdfrbf41pn7nHJRr9kJU7egr5gZNJlXuepht0VV_Lle5n31PiDUGl6paxQo-TbHsDazh5KIv5xawiG7JdpO37bnlyd1b6jAe2WgyI0YRqjnaS5U57gmX2fCKfjXmLqh4zs-eh2exucbXl_BIm0SVkyARNsv6BqgN57KHhmwsF1rnqBlVerbio16Z/w1700-h1132/15.jpg" width="1700" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Along the wide Mississippi, where the Milwaukee Road once roamed.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoEY8nU7ywCtqO2BlJu_unB-qg2bNb4udUbOpFclLwB2sfpatnSC_1NyueaFTJHjN58L82hYcIa2xsBLCYLHfUfsRZjttxU4LGFBXB5nTg1f5TK7XL67ruuTy7yApRm7QvabObwQulEKonCn3hwjfhb6EPjoHer5Pg77ENgYsOW2gPQszq0anXVJYOg75/s3044/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3044" height="1101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoEY8nU7ywCtqO2BlJu_unB-qg2bNb4udUbOpFclLwB2sfpatnSC_1NyueaFTJHjN58L82hYcIa2xsBLCYLHfUfsRZjttxU4LGFBXB5nTg1f5TK7XL67ruuTy7yApRm7QvabObwQulEKonCn3hwjfhb6EPjoHer5Pg77ENgYsOW2gPQszq0anXVJYOg75/w1702-h1101/16.jpg" width="1702" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Again.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1909, the Soo Line signed a 99 year lease of the Wisconsin Central, thereby gaining access to Chicago. Originally an independent road, the Wisconsin Central had been leased for 99 years by the Northern Pacific in the 19th century, giving the latter the first contiguous line from Chicago to Puget Sound. The Panic of 1893, however, the worst in American history save for the Great Depression of the 1930's, forced the Northern Pacific into bankruptcy, where it lost the Wisconsin Central, which then operated again as an indepdent railroad until acquistion by the Soo.</span><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt3G018dO9W8l5Q2f7IUISfNj8XFzCTe0lT1PKyWV3XhLy1q7wnf1KuB1YPtpj6KDZBbytXIBYo62hAJT2myKSG3F15f3xainbUlr9zEdeJp5EXQN1OiWIceTK4JNEPQ1xAilg-N2RM9-XMlaPEjhX_TxhfKt6hEnvecpEt5f3QjLHJW2CTkZIxSYFkv3/s1494/1901_Wisconsin_Central_map%20(1).jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="1282" height="1525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt3G018dO9W8l5Q2f7IUISfNj8XFzCTe0lT1PKyWV3XhLy1q7wnf1KuB1YPtpj6KDZBbytXIBYo62hAJT2myKSG3F15f3xainbUlr9zEdeJp5EXQN1OiWIceTK4JNEPQ1xAilg-N2RM9-XMlaPEjhX_TxhfKt6hEnvecpEt5f3QjLHJW2CTkZIxSYFkv3/w1310-h1525/1901_Wisconsin_Central_map%20(1).jpg" width="1310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>1901 Map.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz3hH5aLiUNIMqbFM_GOXoWK9olf44kPkz9Y8TriNSOngKY2JExeq3m2BlxL1GVbp_xl6WglsuIbhrKt_qu_UYwPfDQXlYZbfv50Qtam-_xAkra0CWnwA0GlFqVH3Wv8irXtsV1DiCqfyMUnVxibgFiP8sZGBP_Qvva_jzQGOJ_BBvs_uzbN5QWDBwKiU/s2950/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2033" data-original-width="2950" height="1176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpz3hH5aLiUNIMqbFM_GOXoWK9olf44kPkz9Y8TriNSOngKY2JExeq3m2BlxL1GVbp_xl6WglsuIbhrKt_qu_UYwPfDQXlYZbfv50Qtam-_xAkra0CWnwA0GlFqVH3Wv8irXtsV1DiCqfyMUnVxibgFiP8sZGBP_Qvva_jzQGOJ_BBvs_uzbN5QWDBwKiU/w1701-h1176/22.jpg" width="1701" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound manifest approaching Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, on the original Wisconsin Central line to Chicago.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ91enJJA4sWMxd5gv43GCZ3-cfmF315qOlSAULOqewH-GF-LLBp00STNS6gVzC1yLAXGaxyP_YJlGXQInQHrXxFt2hAXyjHL4K2PyqkXk75iaK-oshcY6ifamtdAK9Uxkw5IpgiZIpWLHtdp28ECnMkDnd3Ano5Vg3NHW-0dMI5WW3Ns8HgvneTbr-uSE/s3023/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3023" height="1123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ91enJJA4sWMxd5gv43GCZ3-cfmF315qOlSAULOqewH-GF-LLBp00STNS6gVzC1yLAXGaxyP_YJlGXQInQHrXxFt2hAXyjHL4K2PyqkXk75iaK-oshcY6ifamtdAK9Uxkw5IpgiZIpWLHtdp28ECnMkDnd3Ano5Vg3NHW-0dMI5WW3Ns8HgvneTbr-uSE/w1710-h1123/17.jpg" width="1710" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Trailers along the Mississippi -- headed to the Twin Cities.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Wisconsin Central was formed in 1871 by the consolidation of (1) the Winnebago and Lake Superior, (2) the Portage and Superior, and (3) the Portage, Stevens Point and Superior. The brainchild of local Wisconsin promoters, the new line was a land grant railroad. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Between 1850 and 1872, the federal government ceded public lands to both states and railroad companies to promote railroad construction -- lands taken from Native Americans either herded onto reservations or "removed" westward (mostly to what is now Oklahoma). Companies received alternate sections of public land, in 25 or 50 miles wide strips, for each mile of track constructed. Responsibility for surveying and mapping the grants fell to the U.S. General Land Office, now the Bureau of Land Management. Numerous maps of the United States and individual states and counties were made which clearly indicated the sections of the granted land and the railroad rights-of-way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Construction of what became the Wisconsin Central began in June, 1871, at West Menasha and was completed to Waupaca by October. The route between Stevens Point and Ashland was completed in 1877, and by June of that year trains were running from Ashland to Milwaukee (part of the way over the rails of other companies). In 1880, the railroad entered the Twin Cities (also part of the way over other companies' rails). Wisconsin Central completed its own line into the Twin Cities in 1884, and to Chicago in 1886. In 1909, rails reached Duluth.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkWbjphldWOKHv6pLbFoSLA8vm9CUBQksK_koQQS6miQbICyWIpySrj1PWEerLL80ZXCRGhoNhUWykVd_7ipIVhr-g9x4vduQkUETde_SmwoGS1u6FKe8ll3alvldbzxfUzfwR-h-sw1AxdcI3L1erM2Fjqe_IMeiy4jWdDzWxJVxl_5lolUl9pL2lXPf/s2999/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2999" height="1135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkWbjphldWOKHv6pLbFoSLA8vm9CUBQksK_koQQS6miQbICyWIpySrj1PWEerLL80ZXCRGhoNhUWykVd_7ipIVhr-g9x4vduQkUETde_SmwoGS1u6FKe8ll3alvldbzxfUzfwR-h-sw1AxdcI3L1erM2Fjqe_IMeiy4jWdDzWxJVxl_5lolUl9pL2lXPf/w1706-h1135/21.jpg" width="1706" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Old Wisconsin Central route near Stephen's Point, Wiconsin. The lead unit retains the basic red and white scheme but with the new slanted "SOO" logo on the sides. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">After acquisition of the Wisconsin Central, the Soo Line continued to construct branch and connecting lines west of the twin cities, establishing a huge grain collection system sympathetic to the needs and economies of local farmers. At the beginning of the Great Depression, the railroad's footprint looked as follows:</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0sEfVhwFasdr0LRRLu_nPZFvnQuDCZiQ9qJL5mHJeJ8uHESr4vNn3SH6zKfjsRA8ndxCcp1592bSiO8MKi89W7YCnMqcZcTgXSWd8pJ-I9k849VngctUSUf2qC1LvnE2o5RJrYLbD1L0Y9ZmS1mmbhKBqpH3CjzP1oixKgtjcieT-4yK9WNNUSuVNNYP/s2516/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.18.48%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1542" data-original-width="2516" height="1036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0sEfVhwFasdr0LRRLu_nPZFvnQuDCZiQ9qJL5mHJeJ8uHESr4vNn3SH6zKfjsRA8ndxCcp1592bSiO8MKi89W7YCnMqcZcTgXSWd8pJ-I9k849VngctUSUf2qC1LvnE2o5RJrYLbD1L0Y9ZmS1mmbhKBqpH3CjzP1oixKgtjcieT-4yK9WNNUSuVNNYP/w1692-h1036/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%209.18.48%20AM.png" width="1692" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Soo filed for bankruptcy during the Great Depression, emerging from reorganization in 1944. Freight traffic thereafter proved profitable, but passenger service waned. The company cancelled local passenger trains in 1959, followed by summer vacation routes in 1960. The last passenger train ran from Milwaukee to Calumet, Michigan in 1969.</span><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUECXYNIOozR_Ao0PJEA4E1NY6dJS3cObVVwmcpx_Nq52crVVPG67BPtImxFrCwaXK6nZA_dXiNMZVGsg52B86GjP1Ifm-QnM-xuMUcVqpfHjfR-Cx0dG3XdCmkqaiTJ6kRpm6CfjfCaXgm2EJJizZ2DutmxE50Aknluz87sKYoagY7oOns24YBvwVlSsk/s3043/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3043" height="1102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUECXYNIOozR_Ao0PJEA4E1NY6dJS3cObVVwmcpx_Nq52crVVPG67BPtImxFrCwaXK6nZA_dXiNMZVGsg52B86GjP1Ifm-QnM-xuMUcVqpfHjfR-Cx0dG3XdCmkqaiTJ6kRpm6CfjfCaXgm2EJJizZ2DutmxE50Aknluz87sKYoagY7oOns24YBvwVlSsk/w1705-h1102/27.jpg" width="1705" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In 1983, a southbound manifest approaches Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on track originally laid by the Wisconsin Central.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeivagPIVpqCMOquQ_j1uwm073JsSmI1iIirbyRT2leuWK_45oCwt1HGF29FIZAgyqFmHQpXc0N5xAEgKg4tcJdFHUFtCFjk3M5NB-tijI_ExA3n5d1izA9tDB9hQWBfWfjX9L7l_nm8HM-MHo-LOlzz48-yeopeOLQj6WX48aGKdzKLtumf8IgZ9yKwK/s2788/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="2788" height="1214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeivagPIVpqCMOquQ_j1uwm073JsSmI1iIirbyRT2leuWK_45oCwt1HGF29FIZAgyqFmHQpXc0N5xAEgKg4tcJdFHUFtCFjk3M5NB-tijI_ExA3n5d1izA9tDB9hQWBfWfjX9L7l_nm8HM-MHo-LOlzz48-yeopeOLQj6WX48aGKdzKLtumf8IgZ9yKwK/w1704-h1214/3.jpg" width="1704" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound manifest on the passing siding north of Dakota, Minnesota -- old Milwaukee Road mainline from Twin Cities to Chicago.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In 1961, the Soo Line officially merged with the Wisconsin Central Railway and the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic. In those days, the railroad held its trains to a maximum 40 mph systemwide, hardly competitive, especially after the merger that created the Burlington Northern. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Other railroads negotiated labor agreements with reductions in crew size, eliminating cabooses, but the Soo didn’t reach similar agreements until the late 1980s. As other roads expanded and merged, eventually creating the mammoth systems of the 21st century, the Soo became a small dog in a pack of Great Danes. To avoid being trampled, the railroaded need to expand its traffic and reach new markets.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IJvRPeT0tGQcwhv_Ct1_0KDntBcRWuGi_4xPwwhnD4rQFctBki_GCtZK7wK7wJ9sPKkIyCz-sBmBE95RYmWM09TjyctgbqIPIjB9T78MxL70Ckk5iPvFr66z26MP9adEJlHRZ7YbMgRZkarSw3oYS_ckssiyjUzRpNaD28l4H420Or90uQINCPVzdC1s/s3005/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IJvRPeT0tGQcwhv_Ct1_0KDntBcRWuGi_4xPwwhnD4rQFctBki_GCtZK7wK7wJ9sPKkIyCz-sBmBE95RYmWM09TjyctgbqIPIjB9T78MxL70Ckk5iPvFr66z26MP9adEJlHRZ7YbMgRZkarSw3oYS_ckssiyjUzRpNaD28l4H420Or90uQINCPVzdC1s/w1697-h1130/4.jpg" width="1697" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound to the Twin Cities.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjslA__IUGy5b3MvlTrdj69A6FGsMvoEvLq_u0Uznq0lU0CgqkCrYZJ3XlgQozDDC7Qr1fsJ2uJQzcWKDqnLGdDB9kNzvhmvSf9KAlKoBK1E2awJLjUKJ7ga3JxJSX9zsO-WHpE6wYCFj2LRau0HwLeucUHpdK393sSuh_CiOht6YznMXi4Q75j3jyoJk4/s2974/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2974" height="1157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjslA__IUGy5b3MvlTrdj69A6FGsMvoEvLq_u0Uznq0lU0CgqkCrYZJ3XlgQozDDC7Qr1fsJ2uJQzcWKDqnLGdDB9kNzvhmvSf9KAlKoBK1E2awJLjUKJ7ga3JxJSX9zsO-WHpE6wYCFj2LRau0HwLeucUHpdK393sSuh_CiOht6YznMXi4Q75j3jyoJk4/w1706-h1157/24.jpg" width="1706" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>On a frigid January morning, Soo 741 south looks vainly for the sun.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MHNvvvGxHDVwjlYlDCtZ9FH2uipOnDWIbL_dZtalWC9JaeoJiAuk5oiMoCSFhk46aVaTdrCwGerNwp69uisBO7zkcCUpKDrgwdnvnSbDxkRmYr_4gr0vcSV9pveRtp1bq1oalg9nkxtn3-QXM5dLWFeMv0Uv9znmFW9U1n_9vOKJpRcIRHzDPjLnA946/s3040/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3040" height="1106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MHNvvvGxHDVwjlYlDCtZ9FH2uipOnDWIbL_dZtalWC9JaeoJiAuk5oiMoCSFhk46aVaTdrCwGerNwp69uisBO7zkcCUpKDrgwdnvnSbDxkRmYr_4gr0vcSV9pveRtp1bq1oalg9nkxtn3-QXM5dLWFeMv0Uv9znmFW9U1n_9vOKJpRcIRHzDPjLnA946/w1701-h1106/20.jpg" width="1701" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound trailers. The second unit was inherited in bankruptcy, with </b></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>all "Milwaukee Road" emblems painted over in black, causing these engines to be called "Black Patches." </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Kansas City was a logical target. When the Rock Island was liquidated in 1980, the Soo acquired the 77 mile Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern to connect with the Rock's Spine Line to Kansas City. However, in 1982, the Bankruptcy Court awarded that line to the Chicago and Northwestern, teaching the Soo, if it did not already know, that any sort of negotiated agreement, no matter how horrible, is generally preferable to bankrupcy's roulette wheel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Or maybe not. Both the Soo and the C&NW fought it out again in another bankruptcy proceeding -- the Milwaukee Road, which by the time of collapse had cut itself to the bones of a 3,000 mile system in the Upper Midwest. The Soo's bid was lower than the Northwestern's, but in the unpredictable fashion that makes bankruptcy attorneys take to the bottle, a different judge awarded the Milwaukee Road to the Soo, ruling that such was more in the public interest. Included in the purchase was the Milwaukee's secondary main to Kansas City.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7f76k0YwYsXoFZwwXDq1oYLs7bawrZ4yiAdnqb79YuynHKPZ7_MaAzkST2I-IS1Uk9oJkNLrtYFpXwOEHXN-ptWw6-FAKPcw7d6Ea1lSanfU9vcRcUoht_7B_4yFxGCTWsbaURjmOb_kx0grdjwaJLPdRwXz1Ypg0Mh461JBRBG9X0QM_6LafZ9IxxjHA/s2983/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2983" height="1148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7f76k0YwYsXoFZwwXDq1oYLs7bawrZ4yiAdnqb79YuynHKPZ7_MaAzkST2I-IS1Uk9oJkNLrtYFpXwOEHXN-ptWw6-FAKPcw7d6Ea1lSanfU9vcRcUoht_7B_4yFxGCTWsbaURjmOb_kx0grdjwaJLPdRwXz1Ypg0Mh461JBRBG9X0QM_6LafZ9IxxjHA/w1701-h1148/10.jpg" width="1701" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The line to Kansas City.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXoGm3dWMskK72desNrrMFp172n9tkRjcL_rVNAK3_W5B5V9fx13gj2GfCRYxnB93n56bsbpCjFDkfWQBxUh6UvuVaEh58oGHglBeVvKiPzPCK8WRPXC0yh_Fm6ke2qAeLcojzGGJ93OoX_A5mRZm5Bet5fLMs_ivn98hTKzgWaXBBDxsh8s5Vym7ZS-z/s2985/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="2985" height="1146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXoGm3dWMskK72desNrrMFp172n9tkRjcL_rVNAK3_W5B5V9fx13gj2GfCRYxnB93n56bsbpCjFDkfWQBxUh6UvuVaEh58oGHglBeVvKiPzPCK8WRPXC0yh_Fm6ke2qAeLcojzGGJ93OoX_A5mRZm5Bet5fLMs_ivn98hTKzgWaXBBDxsh8s5Vym7ZS-z/w1705-h1146/12.jpg" width="1705" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Also southbound to KC. The train's whistle from behind the trees generated high hopes, quickly dashed as the three flat cars appeared. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Thus, the Soo in one day went from a 4,500-mile railroad to a 7,500-mile system, paying a price it truthfully could not afford -- $187 million in cash, assumption of $383 million of Milwaukee Road debt, plus the attendant millions required to refurbish the Milwaukee's substandard track. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Eventually, to escape this burden, the Soo sold its Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula lines </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to a new Wisconsin Central, Ltd. and in effect (though continuing to operate as an idependent railroad) became an extension of Canadian Pacific to the Twin Cities, Milwaukee, Chicago and Kansas City. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">After the acquisition of the Milwaukee Road and the sale of its other lines, the Soo consisted of a 3,450-mile core system with feeder lines and three Canadian gateways: Portal, Noyes, and Detroit (under an agreement with CSX).</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3Q_U7xS6dzeit2P9gB4ogvpM6FJK2UQJjCCb8PzNMUh5_B4xyLFZzYrNoemK8bTJFjbWtH7UUw1n9DBZM4HCm-rwPJcG8Id8nYXTEoCpelto3MMVzWwFlz7R44euxTTxL5RuqeSD3TiqljnqOA3lHmTNdAi-OUNmjy_e416fh4KD0k8iwVjL8oom_oXl/s1360/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%2010.00.32%20AM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1360" height="1131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3Q_U7xS6dzeit2P9gB4ogvpM6FJK2UQJjCCb8PzNMUh5_B4xyLFZzYrNoemK8bTJFjbWtH7UUw1n9DBZM4HCm-rwPJcG8Id8nYXTEoCpelto3MMVzWwFlz7R44euxTTxL5RuqeSD3TiqljnqOA3lHmTNdAi-OUNmjy_e416fh4KD0k8iwVjL8oom_oXl/w1325-h1131/Screenshot%202023-09-08%20at%2010.00.32%20AM.png" width="1325" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>New Soo Core System</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkxCYVcFz0xg4RNo1EOuENmDDAPjjqmn0CbIWKOk-zMrODDGpMmAvHbK4E9xT-KR18eblUNrO0LGx94jMq5OTscFnnrmu8z1ryGVhcOgc8swwfFqso2fSIkSuhUBEpSbBYO1lVwb7IbcOJMbDixdRlua5GBB8nnxtWu_FoJmqlAaXQlfV9caY_pJXQB6N2" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="968" height="1728" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkxCYVcFz0xg4RNo1EOuENmDDAPjjqmn0CbIWKOk-zMrODDGpMmAvHbK4E9xT-KR18eblUNrO0LGx94jMq5OTscFnnrmu8z1ryGVhcOgc8swwfFqso2fSIkSuhUBEpSbBYO1lVwb7IbcOJMbDixdRlua5GBB8nnxtWu_FoJmqlAaXQlfV9caY_pJXQB6N2=w1440-h1728" width="1440" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The new Wisconsin Central, Ltd. (the old Soo).</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-HjFkJj7BBdvhwD3Y0rj9lEJa7u9icIbL5G3j_e1nYIDIelnFky6HTW_oQe9r3yod0QBO6vDYlKYij7-Ngvsoj5d_jwjyoFffdd--Rl_4o41Zqew7thvDT3YP-43Gn40FNTWOPTCir7b0yGYFPTWdjjbGSvR_seWW1jLDBYZieJXcrcDJ941VPfjCUUd/s2998/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2998" height="1141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-HjFkJj7BBdvhwD3Y0rj9lEJa7u9icIbL5G3j_e1nYIDIelnFky6HTW_oQe9r3yod0QBO6vDYlKYij7-Ngvsoj5d_jwjyoFffdd--Rl_4o41Zqew7thvDT3YP-43Gn40FNTWOPTCir7b0yGYFPTWdjjbGSvR_seWW1jLDBYZieJXcrcDJ941VPfjCUUd/w1706-h1141/28.jpg" width="1706" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound Soo Line manifest (north of Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, on the Wisconsin Central line to Chicago -- 1985). Beyond Soo 776 South are the semaphor signals guarding the parallel Chicago and Northwestern line. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxuNWfkj5Ifm5UiYaKtjdLj6LAR0GAihMueHUPMIATkGFoLDLwEPY3lEAZk1Bwt-7_X-fgX3JiTAo1dwgk0NgF-dvefVb09fh2m3rc3i6Rvm5Luy5nykP7TcKTYE8U0YPN8SG3IYbpqzt2_pGeOvLJ0Cpn8i_RYNlU0Rml-oh7xg6aV3BzyNbBH9UBoze/s3037/26.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3037" height="1109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxuNWfkj5Ifm5UiYaKtjdLj6LAR0GAihMueHUPMIATkGFoLDLwEPY3lEAZk1Bwt-7_X-fgX3JiTAo1dwgk0NgF-dvefVb09fh2m3rc3i6Rvm5Luy5nykP7TcKTYE8U0YPN8SG3IYbpqzt2_pGeOvLJ0Cpn8i_RYNlU0Rml-oh7xg6aV3BzyNbBH9UBoze/w1708-h1109/26.jpg" width="1708" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Neenah, Wisconsin.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhSit53RDLgJx2rPHlchrfc0qYC_ZDSNDWpvdBmuWXXJGng9TmVbx8kN4aWLAsUr2oc-5HGb4GsjiPnOEhLERxGukF223m84rAzVZ96tya9hrBbpzrCn2KWaLbeywntdFnwDluN1DGMqi3QQcU0IGAnKYTvvyKZcwtiZJEj1ldICb7E__XjFM7zIzBNgn/s3046/25.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3046" height="1103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhSit53RDLgJx2rPHlchrfc0qYC_ZDSNDWpvdBmuWXXJGng9TmVbx8kN4aWLAsUr2oc-5HGb4GsjiPnOEhLERxGukF223m84rAzVZ96tya9hrBbpzrCn2KWaLbeywntdFnwDluN1DGMqi3QQcU0IGAnKYTvvyKZcwtiZJEj1ldICb7E__XjFM7zIzBNgn/w1705-h1103/25.jpg" width="1705" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>For some years, the Soo Line ran cabooses after every other American road had reached agreements to abolish them. Here a local pulls a single load, plus manned caboose, on approach to Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5De6091irnCRqUPcfSY84-iW4CqDVuSbo_RYPo6da3V7AOIuY3-WyMGYIzUx3V2bfPEiYoYEl0lTd92NYgu5p5LbRCfnoPUPLGEcMfvT1La5nfpqa5-W0KinVxeZ7nOT9auD-QZ_4XpU8lYF6qh7oyd9PjQ3BbqKIkRJusMooH4P9VoUxW5s2kxAbXoT9/s3086/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1945" data-original-width="3086" height="1076" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5De6091irnCRqUPcfSY84-iW4CqDVuSbo_RYPo6da3V7AOIuY3-WyMGYIzUx3V2bfPEiYoYEl0lTd92NYgu5p5LbRCfnoPUPLGEcMfvT1La5nfpqa5-W0KinVxeZ7nOT9auD-QZ_4XpU8lYF6qh7oyd9PjQ3BbqKIkRJusMooH4P9VoUxW5s2kxAbXoT9/w1705-h1076/8.jpg" width="1705" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The white paint scheme on the Soo's cabooses and engines was reminiscent of the old White Knights on the Kansas City Southern.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1xG18Ls3RbUKiW8gW-BCCxh_L_KX8gr1lLU7O6x9ITgwcR9ZZNAT5eaD7DAIn8tj2qPeSVp2kWPDv6pSZW3vs0QDurZNGVWwpciOLToN9OTrIedzeRVOk6000CYnWj_3p9kdSUjSeFezKuiJQTq2XyYFoOJUdv-0R-EqJrwz2jViGVaY-pVNuZ4jUhah/s2979/KCS11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="2979" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1xG18Ls3RbUKiW8gW-BCCxh_L_KX8gr1lLU7O6x9ITgwcR9ZZNAT5eaD7DAIn8tj2qPeSVp2kWPDv6pSZW3vs0QDurZNGVWwpciOLToN9OTrIedzeRVOk6000CYnWj_3p9kdSUjSeFezKuiJQTq2XyYFoOJUdv-0R-EqJrwz2jViGVaY-pVNuZ4jUhah/w865-h584/KCS11.jpg" width="865" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>KCS White Knights</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirA0G_Hb5CeSrE4DWRpr3A2GEpT-u3Evl0UHAqC5tavc9SE_DcfLPuG8-F_AByM1XcTsb6ryug5ZXUqB6LYMcojI0fK4prTGbJqkbcvpiT6XX9BfIUNG3IEX8MQUZrV9LIdER0q6ABwtog7qqmeqaYlwlNOn4etf9t5cyZbFDOC2Ut--LHo9es2jwuTcgH/s2981/9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="2981" height="1149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirA0G_Hb5CeSrE4DWRpr3A2GEpT-u3Evl0UHAqC5tavc9SE_DcfLPuG8-F_AByM1XcTsb6ryug5ZXUqB6LYMcojI0fK4prTGbJqkbcvpiT6XX9BfIUNG3IEX8MQUZrV9LIdER0q6ABwtog7qqmeqaYlwlNOn4etf9t5cyZbFDOC2Ut--LHo9es2jwuTcgH/w1703-h1149/9.jpg" width="1703" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>One more.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1990, Canadian Pacific purchased the remaining 44 percent of Soo Line stock that it did not already own and turned the railroad into a wholly owned CP subsidiary. In 1995, the Soo Line sold its lines in western Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and southern Minnesota to the I&M Rail Link. (Canadian National purchased the new Wisconsin Central in 2001.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Today (September 2023), the Soo Line exists only on paper. Most motive power on the railroad now wears Canadian Pacific red.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzp-E3Rv3xnmvfry8reR0E0gEXTYlNmHbt3HKZ925xYNA7yieyrnpSUiDYVQFbGwZGyhytU2ivmTtHs48XZspDGfhVmjl-txvVZQ0kSQ0BPPpFoiqP4ORT8BG2JzstRStk-M1mii9bY0EZip_7huqkrB4ObhWcuFwxrgbwUyUzypC621xWrof7hGST5CV/s3003/Soo.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3003" height="1136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzp-E3Rv3xnmvfry8reR0E0gEXTYlNmHbt3HKZ925xYNA7yieyrnpSUiDYVQFbGwZGyhytU2ivmTtHs48XZspDGfhVmjl-txvVZQ0kSQ0BPPpFoiqP4ORT8BG2JzstRStk-M1mii9bY0EZip_7huqkrB4ObhWcuFwxrgbwUyUzypC621xWrof7hGST5CV/w1706-h1136/Soo.jpg" width="1706" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>August 2023: CP 8714 leads frack sand cars north on the old Milwaukee Road main. The KCS unit is emblematic of the CP-KCS merger approved March 2023 by the Surface Transportation Board. The photograph was taken from the "Railfan Plaza" in Dakota, Minnesota. Your author does not know who constructed and now maintains the wooden deck and benches for viewing the railroad, but the structure has been in place, and the right-of-way kept clear, since the author's first visit in 1993 -- 30 years and counting!</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Inquiring minds may wonder how the humble author from Oklahoma managed photographs of the Soo Line. Or, more pertinently, how did the humble author find his way to the Great Lakes? The story is long and winding, not particularly worth re-telling in the particulars, but the short version is that I met and married in Oklahoma a young woman from Wisconsin whose parents and siblings still lived along the old Wisconsin Central mainline in Oshkosh. Before marriage, I felt it necessary to visit my would-be bride's parents and so made the mistake of traveling north in winter.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In those long ago days, Amtrak operated the Texas Chief from Houston to Chicago, and both I and my future wife rode in the coach the thousand miles to the Windy City, then transferred to the Empire Builder, which ran along the Milwaukee Road to Columbus, Wisconsin, where my future father-in-law waited. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxzOk6WvSbLFwGJUE42l7ajmaZ27-aQpirC19O2v3yQj9qplB3AQDQeetC1klYTQckeyYIkPYveReK93aobF1ytEU7gm5KVjG2_S7OSu9XGMw8KSpa0B5CtVIAc8P5dM3y9kitvv-PYolzcJ7nqAlpm7McUsXIu0khjv5m1UXbx0zXOajYPf7-Q-FH4jt/s2999/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2999" height="1135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxzOk6WvSbLFwGJUE42l7ajmaZ27-aQpirC19O2v3yQj9qplB3AQDQeetC1klYTQckeyYIkPYveReK93aobF1ytEU7gm5KVjG2_S7OSu9XGMw8KSpa0B5CtVIAc8P5dM3y9kitvv-PYolzcJ7nqAlpm7McUsXIu0khjv5m1UXbx0zXOajYPf7-Q-FH4jt/w1704-h1135/23.jpg" width="1704" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another local on another cold day.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The date was December 1976, and the old man (who was then significantly younger than I am now) could not understand why anyone would take a train in modern America. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"You know," he said to me, "they fly airplanes in the modern world."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my other posts, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-41542184949682932032023-07-25T18:44:00.000-05:002023-07-25T18:44:44.053-05:00Colorado in Fall<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyQi6Qbx35j8ZjTuCha_YFrTNDPHxjNgHmIsdCJtPye3Vv3y6l7hxEQzgy-yIIAz8T_G9_OzSTJGxb_Rw1K3iZJEjhCRgp_6hMkQbKclwomoOTdiwdZ80LBBRH1ETBOVIlYtOmr_Wie9OjdwM_-359xIravqbLB-XFyv_7Tb68Zog3aCuoJBPhzwefwMl/s2979/84%20copy.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2979" height="1307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyQi6Qbx35j8ZjTuCha_YFrTNDPHxjNgHmIsdCJtPye3Vv3y6l7hxEQzgy-yIIAz8T_G9_OzSTJGxb_Rw1K3iZJEjhCRgp_6hMkQbKclwomoOTdiwdZ80LBBRH1ETBOVIlYtOmr_Wie9OjdwM_-359xIravqbLB-XFyv_7Tb68Zog3aCuoJBPhzwefwMl/w1935-h1307/84%20copy.jpeg" width="1935" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In late September and early October of 2022, I spent time west of the Continental Divide on the old D&RGW mainline from the west portal of Moffat Tunnel to Burns. Now that Union Pacific operates this road, the mystique of the Rio Grande is gone. If you are a baseball fan, you will understand when I say that the difference in railroads is like the difference between Fenway Park and the newest domed stadium. One is newer, with state-of-the-art technology, while the other is old and clunky and slow. And we prefer the old and clunky and slow every time. Still, the scenery is as spectacular as ever.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Geological studies have shown that this spectacular scenery, the many separate ranges that together are called the Rocky Mountains, are like wrinkles in cloth pushed together from the side. In this case, the "cloth" is Precambrian rock, the continental foundation, squeezed over millions of years, breaking into long north-south slivers pushed up from the horizontal to in some cases angles of sixty degrees and more, thousands of feet into the air, crawling up and over neighboring rocks. Younger and softer sedimentary rocks, created mostly from layers of mud and marine skeletons at the bottom of an ancient sea, were also cracked (faulted) and pushed upwards. More pliant, they spread along the mountain sides like drapes, then slowly eroded away, as the mountains continued to rise, revealing the classic serrations we call the Rockies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But here is a mystery. There is no general agreement as to what caused the Precambrian rock to be squeezed. In other parts of North American, California for example, the movement of the Pacific Plate against the North American Plate has created earthquake after earthquake, each raising the ground higher on one side or the other of the fault, a process that over millions of years has created the mountains that give the Golden State much of its splendor. In other areas, northern Arizona for instance, volcano fields have created ridges that tower over the Colorado Plateau. But no tectonic plates rub against each other in central Colorado. And although there are extinct volcanoes in the state, there is no evidence that an active field ever created anything comparable to the peaks above Flagstaff.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Some have hypothesized that a huge landmass hit North America billions of years ago, squeezing the rocks to form the familiar mountains, but that does not explain why there have been two sets of mountains. The first set was short, only a couple of thousand feet, and as it began to erode was submerged by the Western Interior Seaway, which dissected Norther America. The modern Rockies, which we see today, were created after the land started rising again, and no one really knows why there were two sets of mountains or what caused them. Most text books today simply state that the peaks were created by "mountain building events." The technical term is "orogenies," which is used when we don't really understand what happened.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The other major events that shaped the Rockies were the ice ages, the glaciers of which, above approximately 8,000 feet, carved huge scooped valleys out of the rock and, upon melting, left behind large deposits of soil and other detritus (moraine). When you see a valley in the Rockies, if it is V-shaped, it was caused by flowing water, for example Gore Canyon. If, on the other hand, its sides are rounded like ice cream scooped from a container, it was caused by a glacier -- Tolland Valley on the east side of Moffat Tunnel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Colorado Rockies are endlessly fascinating and will repay however much attention you wish to pay them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The images start at the west portal of Moffat and proceed geographically to Burns.</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kOxY5zSHLqiQVDRnYQr9CO_TfdOesda5ZAi_H_4FFTT-EZucsifZEFwZFZcesnpge__NHMbz1bzi69DtOALMog4O8grP8TLuCqqMCg6yM-BGEIayFCxvbuyG04HwpDgHqrgLOGgr33SQ5nSSVXELh36k3Dn_YuLrMKmSAJkl5SpAWRUtQw9Wo3y5T_R5/s2940/60.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="2940" height="1341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kOxY5zSHLqiQVDRnYQr9CO_TfdOesda5ZAi_H_4FFTT-EZucsifZEFwZFZcesnpge__NHMbz1bzi69DtOALMog4O8grP8TLuCqqMCg6yM-BGEIayFCxvbuyG04HwpDgHqrgLOGgr33SQ5nSSVXELh36k3Dn_YuLrMKmSAJkl5SpAWRUtQw9Wo3y5T_R5/w1934-h1341/60.jpg" width="1934" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Moffat Tunnel -- West Portal. If you look closely on the right, you will see a "No Trespassing" sign that references the D&RGW. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The West Portal is surrounded by a ski resort, but there is a station used in the winter for de-training skiers. You can park in the lot and walk along the platform to the location where the above image was taken with a 200 mm lens. Lighting is almost always a problem because of the close surroundings. As the train approaches, you will feel the rush of cold air ahead of it. Because the tracks are curved at the portal, headlights do not appear until the train is almost on top of you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Moffat Tunnel was created to bypass the original railroad that crossed the Continental Divide at Rollins Pass, perhaps the most maintenance-intensive stretch of track ever constructed in North America. A fault zone crosses the divide here, weakening the granite so that it erodes more easily, which caused repeated collapses in the boring of the tunnel</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNsDjA1WgMTPmqpPXbnZdfnQNVPuUY7YkHhrBT6sv6vDmeavMSm7OhmkkKGSh0o32Ny3-mpNa9-ZevUE8NeKeHwcZhW8Cc1EZoqm2rZ-5GhyFMDQZD0-PpQ_yK1yIuFht_S-CqLbewK6t3FX9LzD_xli2he7BoN8DwvtBUro8NF_5bWRZASHoc0VyjqtB/s3011/26.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3011" height="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNsDjA1WgMTPmqpPXbnZdfnQNVPuUY7YkHhrBT6sv6vDmeavMSm7OhmkkKGSh0o32Ny3-mpNa9-ZevUE8NeKeHwcZhW8Cc1EZoqm2rZ-5GhyFMDQZD0-PpQ_yK1yIuFht_S-CqLbewK6t3FX9LzD_xli2he7BoN8DwvtBUro8NF_5bWRZASHoc0VyjqtB/w1932-h1280/26.jpg" width="1932" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Amtrak Number 5 has just exited Moffat Tunnel. Because the train originates in Chicago, it can be hours late, or on time, or somewhere in between, and it is impossible to predict. One must check the Amtrak website to find out.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TRlKk4nMyxDDGAbrmVTdPqw2kXZHkexVxWAvfYyklbrKX-WfxbnQkNape576G9mfazTWSHQ_ano4d_r_92rqhDojEiNhiP8qJtnamrYhOhRnzuGItxKpwP2KePrSsYRaTz9N1wGR_eArS1j9FEbQ0rw1jhx9Lh0RBJDM6xkNBC7fosdOvKRLMc8rOIby/s3041/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="1258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TRlKk4nMyxDDGAbrmVTdPqw2kXZHkexVxWAvfYyklbrKX-WfxbnQkNape576G9mfazTWSHQ_ano4d_r_92rqhDojEiNhiP8qJtnamrYhOhRnzuGItxKpwP2KePrSsYRaTz9N1wGR_eArS1j9FEbQ0rw1jhx9Lh0RBJDM6xkNBC7fosdOvKRLMc8rOIby/w1936-h1258/28.jpg" width="1936" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The daily BNSF eastbound approaches the tunnel. This train often comes through in the early morning.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX162HQeokrGhpgBIqOjtXZyDVycyzR8roqYIfvKHQwnOOvkjSb0sptQNbCwTQmu9qNi_DhKDWygDLlMLP9E5FOnooYcqaZU62fB76BFbaiFFdW6jnJY7fqOYKibknap103rJZJPBGIKre2zwi7daVdJzAWIdD-LI04mN1NUpTbpt6ExvJaKC3cDMIyqfN/s2994/54.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2003" data-original-width="2994" height="1296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX162HQeokrGhpgBIqOjtXZyDVycyzR8roqYIfvKHQwnOOvkjSb0sptQNbCwTQmu9qNi_DhKDWygDLlMLP9E5FOnooYcqaZU62fB76BFbaiFFdW6jnJY7fqOYKibknap103rJZJPBGIKre2zwi7daVdJzAWIdD-LI04mN1NUpTbpt6ExvJaKC3cDMIyqfN/w1938-h1296/54.jpg" width="1938" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound oil train at Winter Park, a common sight in late 2022.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Past Winter Park to the north, the mountains open like unfolding hands to reveal the valley of the Fraser River, carved by glaciers in the last ice age. This close to its headwaters at Berthoud Pass, the Fraser River is so narrow that you can almost jump across it. The stream is clear, cold and fast-running, and the valley around it in the fall is tranquil and inviting, giving no hint of the ferocious winter preparing to descend, when even in this relatively warm inter-glacial respite, temperatures can routinely drop below zero, with wind speeds north of 20 mph. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The valley tilts to the north. Winter Park sits at about 9,000 feet, Fraser at 8,500, Tabernash at about 8,300. If you are not from this country, a short climb up a hillside will leave you gasping. Eastbound trains meeting something coming from the tunnel often wait at Tabernash, before the beginning of the steep grade.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The valley is covered with glacial moraines, with hills of various sizes surrounding small ponds and marshes. (See the cover photograph at the beginning of this article.). Flat terraces near Fraser and Tabernash consist of glacial outwash deposited by streams below melting glaciers.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlJHoFGgf5P5IqLYIiYidF91V6cVdGCHGuwKjdmkbIqMzdz7uKG9IkYmEeh2vANUjw3l1nbXRBvmfFCLAylnhojiEhBjKDzPd2nf0J1ZSYEW35WSD6uawZRbIzeJU3mCLNBrMScnIJInWPaoKf9gqE4w-OPGNmr_s2Y6BLboD98RTH-FbsSypDQ2b7HG9/s3007/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3007" height="1285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZlJHoFGgf5P5IqLYIiYidF91V6cVdGCHGuwKjdmkbIqMzdz7uKG9IkYmEeh2vANUjw3l1nbXRBvmfFCLAylnhojiEhBjKDzPd2nf0J1ZSYEW35WSD6uawZRbIzeJU3mCLNBrMScnIJInWPaoKf9gqE4w-OPGNmr_s2Y6BLboD98RTH-FbsSypDQ2b7HG9/w1939-h1285/6.jpg" width="1939" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbound oil train in the Fraser River valley. Still obscuring the very top of the Continental Divide, low clouds have lifted enough in the west for the sun to peek through.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyv-t71vxoPUg76UJghQXlTnjEmF-h4w5WS3bHCUVKh7rVG69geDmyoWvVrKseCwsDMFu8blVtSyS3GPD51NCtBSIVy-e-VUs_74UFjNUzbE9Rdiqr_RrTyCaYUQErF9XO0SJBMldja64DM6BR7HrOyUhJAkotcSZhNKArkWsBWeWvBl6rconcpCz080WM/s2984/59.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2984" height="1308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyv-t71vxoPUg76UJghQXlTnjEmF-h4w5WS3bHCUVKh7rVG69geDmyoWvVrKseCwsDMFu8blVtSyS3GPD51NCtBSIVy-e-VUs_74UFjNUzbE9Rdiqr_RrTyCaYUQErF9XO0SJBMldja64DM6BR7HrOyUhJAkotcSZhNKArkWsBWeWvBl6rconcpCz080WM/w1938-h1308/59.jpg" width="1938" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Late-running Amtrak No. 5 in the middle of the Fraser River valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWAy8Y8yNzl1VRgp4F7r2BO7XNKUOYuEsN7eFHjBT5cfiAPHI3-aqMfVHF6JxFfASL2OQFuHXDmTOI6HfbZ-k3bkKFITl7U9FeDfR86Esiqs0ichvC-cbvgMOHpb0ju8_98E_sjDVUDsayCogxd7iB6LQz0tF-smt1vAv4I8SVGgdaEIkzuPc9MYkfUQM/s3007/76.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3007" height="1284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWAy8Y8yNzl1VRgp4F7r2BO7XNKUOYuEsN7eFHjBT5cfiAPHI3-aqMfVHF6JxFfASL2OQFuHXDmTOI6HfbZ-k3bkKFITl7U9FeDfR86Esiqs0ichvC-cbvgMOHpb0ju8_98E_sjDVUDsayCogxd7iB6LQz0tF-smt1vAv4I8SVGgdaEIkzuPc9MYkfUQM/w1938-h1284/76.jpg" width="1938" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbound oil train on another day. Clouds are clinging to the top of the Continental Divide.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjMS4V7AUk-TP2Zo4ZlUFwKV7RNkJCl5Ty8nEMh3RIQSKXyvtKJEHJI9m6a6z_HD6YdERAEqHJHumFe0CvuKXUfjTlKJ4jRtGtL8i2ohQ6zZonPP3b8qYOcXXJaaBJR9lpqTbkQtt6gu7xHG9kay8ne_tDI--r8vafCdFn4Atny__NYE0a-XCUEJIWZMd/s2999/83.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2999" height="1296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjMS4V7AUk-TP2Zo4ZlUFwKV7RNkJCl5Ty8nEMh3RIQSKXyvtKJEHJI9m6a6z_HD6YdERAEqHJHumFe0CvuKXUfjTlKJ4jRtGtL8i2ohQ6zZonPP3b8qYOcXXJaaBJR9lpqTbkQtt6gu7xHG9kay8ne_tDI--r8vafCdFn4Atny__NYE0a-XCUEJIWZMd/w1939-h1296/83.jpg" width="1939" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound No. 6 in the Fraser River valley, hauling three shiny new ALC-42's.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc4Kvh419rHHFt65LXYmvtV_DWaDvHs8-XBSkPYeh_NuLdyXMo-DKTZ-8eflT6cZivoVGh3jmhop7gD6X_WGM_tu4kyGLiZXicVwI6ikTVEnXVdzpRR1qsYHL73z6_yHG01N5g99KwPQyeEDZ9kYISZLn6po6CppTi5lvqYOAwfVlCEiqs840CW2V8AkM/s3015/56.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3015" height="1278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc4Kvh419rHHFt65LXYmvtV_DWaDvHs8-XBSkPYeh_NuLdyXMo-DKTZ-8eflT6cZivoVGh3jmhop7gD6X_WGM_tu4kyGLiZXicVwI6ikTVEnXVdzpRR1qsYHL73z6_yHG01N5g99KwPQyeEDZ9kYISZLn6po6CppTi5lvqYOAwfVlCEiqs840CW2V8AkM/w1938-h1278/56.jpg" width="1938" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound oil train waits on the Tabernash siding for westbound Amtrak No. 5. At the rear of the train is the mouth of the Fraser River Canyon, inaccessible to all save the railroad and those on foot. Tabernash takes it name from a native Ute.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ3GzwuqgAGKUCOB4To8Yy7SkDvtpYEBti_eYD49wsDeHuZv2mLfijOYdFqmt_l31m1vX1kCr5U6Dzi3UZtOg5UqD4Pto8mBWSxgy-fBSRqFcU2alAnHfkNoeeXMIITfKEfXb56eSfZgHh5foPtO5nR0WGAxLjMIAabffaEAWM4xa35vCFEpslLLcawHZ/s2964/50.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2964" height="1330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ3GzwuqgAGKUCOB4To8Yy7SkDvtpYEBti_eYD49wsDeHuZv2mLfijOYdFqmt_l31m1vX1kCr5U6Dzi3UZtOg5UqD4Pto8mBWSxgy-fBSRqFcU2alAnHfkNoeeXMIITfKEfXb56eSfZgHh5foPtO5nR0WGAxLjMIAabffaEAWM4xa35vCFEpslLLcawHZ/w1943-h1330/50.jpg" width="1943" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A lengthy and taxing climb allowed the photographer to take this image of No. 5 in the canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0akkKG3NSOIfieqkyX6kWIhEZ6DPrvUerm3IJMdkTlFwe-0YcpqZpAWFwDKVvUlArtsAmBXlqof64oP55QN2grDP439sLVGXxOhiWqJ5gy51pfkM7lmcsDTyO4x_9iYTX5RYpFso5BYLmgxSMiWRJtR0xIWRbUdt24dYC9VW7ejh1HNbFEkunT7_Mv3G/s2971/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2019" data-original-width="2971" height="1312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0akkKG3NSOIfieqkyX6kWIhEZ6DPrvUerm3IJMdkTlFwe-0YcpqZpAWFwDKVvUlArtsAmBXlqof64oP55QN2grDP439sLVGXxOhiWqJ5gy51pfkM7lmcsDTyO4x_9iYTX5RYpFso5BYLmgxSMiWRJtR0xIWRbUdt24dYC9VW7ejh1HNbFEkunT7_Mv3G/w1935-h1312/15.jpg" width="1935" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Amtrak No. 6 is exiting the Fraser River canyon. Freight traffic on the Moffat Route is spotty. Some days you will see four or five manifests, oil or coal trains -- no intermodals. Other days, the only thing you will see is Amtrak and/or the Rocky Mountaineer. This is not the line to visit if you like action. Be prepared for long stretches of nothing, although if you are doing nothing, there are few places more spectacular to do it in.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTI9VIq-8EA-AzPCRnJgfOV1cH3dVNK4ew_rSY7Eh6VtXnOyPK1Mmy7N3bDLHVSBuIKKR1jigloKkGcXg0odyou6XPUMJ0GQOPnT4H-0hS6Ox8ajuvxBqzUpwZEuj-t7HGeDdZZlGoLQ7aQ3b2_SwCbdpQTXqW5Rt-aWmBgdjVFdt5_YMD8rMgmDDi-CE/s2988/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2988" height="1298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTI9VIq-8EA-AzPCRnJgfOV1cH3dVNK4ew_rSY7Eh6VtXnOyPK1Mmy7N3bDLHVSBuIKKR1jigloKkGcXg0odyou6XPUMJ0GQOPnT4H-0hS6Ox8ajuvxBqzUpwZEuj-t7HGeDdZZlGoLQ7aQ3b2_SwCbdpQTXqW5Rt-aWmBgdjVFdt5_YMD8rMgmDDi-CE/w1932-h1298/16.jpg" width="1932" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 5 is entering the Fraser River canyon. The Tabernash passing siding is visible behind the train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4gz991UtGd2uqz3Ks7elRj7ElICy-z0TqmjqduzeYJ_BppBRxVZZ-URUiT_08IvRMuNzjgcCaRdTpdtLY97bGcZYsClC9E_4uQXNDq9ZIOgBa7N0aXb7p3UfbBJBR0Hz16heAzRzq8RGDk1314KgkRT2h8y30EjrkzlX2L_17T246faEBP1SadRwPW2Q/s3008/55.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4gz991UtGd2uqz3Ks7elRj7ElICy-z0TqmjqduzeYJ_BppBRxVZZ-URUiT_08IvRMuNzjgcCaRdTpdtLY97bGcZYsClC9E_4uQXNDq9ZIOgBa7N0aXb7p3UfbBJBR0Hz16heAzRzq8RGDk1314KgkRT2h8y30EjrkzlX2L_17T246faEBP1SadRwPW2Q/w1941-h1285/55.jpg" width="1941" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>On this morning, the dispatcher routed No. 5 on the passing siding.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtouLM5BHHe-XlzQjMhkDtr537xotQF7LTPyIhOCsSHahVnD-lvcE9kUO9zEX_Pq7IGq_xc-VDOpGTeeYYGOILnF-OcFPrsLPXVI8YSbYgINrGz32FqeEvm4OfyRhtxDkjO2Xzo5IBS5V-g9orZYMhoulBTeTZuuz9Wd80yVea80ahUDSQGvhpP1K4eMqI/s3023/79.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtouLM5BHHe-XlzQjMhkDtr537xotQF7LTPyIhOCsSHahVnD-lvcE9kUO9zEX_Pq7IGq_xc-VDOpGTeeYYGOILnF-OcFPrsLPXVI8YSbYgINrGz32FqeEvm4OfyRhtxDkjO2Xzo5IBS5V-g9orZYMhoulBTeTZuuz9Wd80yVea80ahUDSQGvhpP1K4eMqI/w1948-h1278/79.jpg" width="1948" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound oil train exiting the canyon. This train would stop at the east end of the siding.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpnocN6NftjINzhtaVjUEHWPxMzAkuZA1gl9o9WefUGLNKh-Tw1H3quosIqaPftguEm5LnzddRhBqbcnOx8kTXEo3ZrtsFQxyQKZOWYu4e2aN9vhwzdLtjPFLL11NNFbq6wCKocT05hMq6vv-lc9fC5-2u4hHOVbRuzH0fP-_CQ-ftt1q7N0v19b2SgQd/s3039/80.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="3039" height="1259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpnocN6NftjINzhtaVjUEHWPxMzAkuZA1gl9o9WefUGLNKh-Tw1H3quosIqaPftguEm5LnzddRhBqbcnOx8kTXEo3ZrtsFQxyQKZOWYu4e2aN9vhwzdLtjPFLL11NNFbq6wCKocT05hMq6vv-lc9fC5-2u4hHOVbRuzH0fP-_CQ-ftt1q7N0v19b2SgQd/w1937-h1259/80.jpg" width="1937" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers on the same train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWeklU36pYv37t7GrappXN2JGznv5wm-Tm7BNKt_pSs6MB6kZ9c3hfUdGYYJZDzjDenbEFzgu5FVKd_533KbV7HqiDcu8guoPxJR9stNafFwGeq8tNrqQT23mywLb5ES0udlS9Si6cO44fs7N4UqbRQVSPKxrKP0w0_JM4Cdm9sBM1j6IlwnnAz394QA7/s2985/81.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="2985" height="1305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWeklU36pYv37t7GrappXN2JGznv5wm-Tm7BNKt_pSs6MB6kZ9c3hfUdGYYJZDzjDenbEFzgu5FVKd_533KbV7HqiDcu8guoPxJR9stNafFwGeq8tNrqQT23mywLb5ES0udlS9Si6cO44fs7N4UqbRQVSPKxrKP0w0_JM4Cdm9sBM1j6IlwnnAz394QA7/w1942-h1305/81.jpg" width="1942" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Behind the oil train was the daily BNSF manifest, which ran around the oil train -- because the BNSF crew was short on hours.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLA7kf_D8fxvMfdJibB1lnSbro71f-tWKgiYYKbgkutp8qQ8FAGHLSlbcWMMyQvXe2Dl7aZjOXvgJP57dZWjruYK4Nxp3Q2G7KL6HYxpKzs5U9TGLGmOLMvOuoTh5GjSjPBKmAP-f3jHKOcEYbWdp8RUxVP1XNbgufAj2lAte4SjGAj_xYK_jJso50YRn/s3008/82.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLA7kf_D8fxvMfdJibB1lnSbro71f-tWKgiYYKbgkutp8qQ8FAGHLSlbcWMMyQvXe2Dl7aZjOXvgJP57dZWjruYK4Nxp3Q2G7KL6HYxpKzs5U9TGLGmOLMvOuoTh5GjSjPBKmAP-f3jHKOcEYbWdp8RUxVP1XNbgufAj2lAte4SjGAj_xYK_jJso50YRn/w1947-h1290/82.jpg" width="1947" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF passing UP.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Fraser River Canyon is about five miles long and opens on the north to a golf course where your author got lost one day looking for the tracks. Past the course is the small town of Granby where, in June of 2004, Marvin Heemeyer used a bulldozer (which he had armor-plated himself) to demolish many automobiles, houses and commercial buildings before shooting himself in the head. The incident became known locally as the "Killdozer Rampage." He was enraged because he had lost a lawsuit in which he was attempting to stop the construction of a commercial establishment next to his vacant lot.</span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Well, he drove his 85-ton armed and armored Komatsu, D355A bulldozer out of a steel shed in Western Granby. He had three rifles mounted on embrasures on the side of the tank. He had remote viewing cameras — five of them — so he could see where he was going, because there were no windows. And he proceeded to basically attack anyone he thought had done him wrong. <a href="https://www.kunc.org/news/2020-02-20/granbys-bulldozer-rampage-captured-the-worlds-attention-now-its-a-documentary">https://www.kunc.org/news/2020-02-20/granbys-bulldozer-rampage-captured-the-worlds-attention-now-its-a-documentary</a> </span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Amazingly, no one was killed or even injured, probably because Heemeyer's home-made tank was virtually immobile, and anyone in the line of fire would have had plenty of time to move before the mad bomber had located a target on one of his television screens. Damage was limited to property, and there was plenty of it. Heemeyer's armored doom machine broke down while he was destroying a local hardware store. Police tried to get him to come out, but he would not open the door. Eventually, he shot himself, and the authorities had to break into the vehicle with a cutting torch.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Heemeyer left behind a written manifesto which said, in part: "</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Had they not meddled in my business, this whole thing would have turned out completely different." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Apparently, based upon what your author was told by local residents, the mad killdozer has become something of a local cult hero, a martyr almost, which just solidifies my belief that this is the greatest country on earth.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0in0Fl3_nAC91v87OMtRzMWbwjW4JdaNCyBHalpzmQZq4-qdgDKVaFHuRBUjn2oadcBoC8uz6ykSKT_erY6GqRgz5Z9i8FBMIzv59S972Kpu9cV_TMCkrdYsD9oqSUXxrrrGNjYsFOgtK7FgVXZptAEOR3CsUeRCeOrnb6e2LD5Jej16fbYjTXzaWTrR/s3024/45.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0in0Fl3_nAC91v87OMtRzMWbwjW4JdaNCyBHalpzmQZq4-qdgDKVaFHuRBUjn2oadcBoC8uz6ykSKT_erY6GqRgz5Z9i8FBMIzv59S972Kpu9cV_TMCkrdYsD9oqSUXxrrrGNjYsFOgtK7FgVXZptAEOR3CsUeRCeOrnb6e2LD5Jej16fbYjTXzaWTrR/w1945-h1277/45.jpg" width="1945" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>On the Granby siding, a BNSF manifest awaits a fresh crew.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><blockquote><br /></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc7lV9cxfkLZ3O10lLCVL8Nvhovu-YwwoALDwDBt7jxmauSAFD8KLxxRCajSOABqcZQtVM2044pWAc3wa-52xZlgdhjQifFS_u-DrrOPWB4Pn687TBUv-2ipETEQv7Jf87QnWFIhaafOlQNGNoPFMTDui7bfal1pBb1FSrlh1RKQyS6iBh0RxljdV3Xi1/s3015/78.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc7lV9cxfkLZ3O10lLCVL8Nvhovu-YwwoALDwDBt7jxmauSAFD8KLxxRCajSOABqcZQtVM2044pWAc3wa-52xZlgdhjQifFS_u-DrrOPWB4Pn687TBUv-2ipETEQv7Jf87QnWFIhaafOlQNGNoPFMTDui7bfal1pBb1FSrlh1RKQyS6iBh0RxljdV3Xi1/w1946-h1282/78.jpg" width="1946" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A mile or so west of Granby, the Fraser River (seen on the left) flows into the Colorado River (behind Amtrak No. 6).</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimX5vW7IiJ-w-S0SCjTrSFseRrplmYcTN1YzHjWMcwfb5RhPTWXx5UJtGC-ETQFi3b5ObOkRbb8YBmlJo7cwx3dG1Egp_eI_S-dB9SQJCCoo-EbktCQF9VZBDuoGkYMHufB4kcqpyBmIjX8HAkUPzOKnDEpeQMhrmQf6iA4ozc_kmWMPjGviSFO_rAfSgq/s3029/86.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3029" height="1270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimX5vW7IiJ-w-S0SCjTrSFseRrplmYcTN1YzHjWMcwfb5RhPTWXx5UJtGC-ETQFi3b5ObOkRbb8YBmlJo7cwx3dG1Egp_eI_S-dB9SQJCCoo-EbktCQF9VZBDuoGkYMHufB4kcqpyBmIjX8HAkUPzOKnDEpeQMhrmQf6iA4ozc_kmWMPjGviSFO_rAfSgq/w1944-h1270/86.jpg" width="1944" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound BNSF along the Colorado River west of Granby. BNSF's trackage right trains probably account for about one-half the freight traffic on this line.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJl_gwtw7MMIg7PLVbhC1VqDCUrQqCdS0eTBF7qr2QMKPBz_F88DsYocAEBBfmU9zN4Zp1vkzkfgPdR67uUdjCtfLeFYaCR0A5Lt1n-w4lGKwuk60hjojc0lmxFTNaz_KZvNYrNqGSvJn7tCdVrXgMJ7C42tYN4rNoSevgumsg1KjDKagJb7QZiiJ95roV/s3029/64.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3029" height="1274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJl_gwtw7MMIg7PLVbhC1VqDCUrQqCdS0eTBF7qr2QMKPBz_F88DsYocAEBBfmU9zN4Zp1vkzkfgPdR67uUdjCtfLeFYaCR0A5Lt1n-w4lGKwuk60hjojc0lmxFTNaz_KZvNYrNqGSvJn7tCdVrXgMJ7C42tYN4rNoSevgumsg1KjDKagJb7QZiiJ95roV/w1950-h1274/64.jpg" width="1950" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another westbound west of Granby. In the author's home state of Oklahoma, the rock formation in the background would be noteworthy. In Colorado, it is not even a pimple.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2FvmHSjHkgmgmyZrxqZ1nYcKtwig5IHaQev-t0IN8vkEapVNtK13uwtJ93CefQs4qTE7U-a6_ckRBwZorw_lqEiJyvjZOEiAIJUUXfb76VcLqh7e7Ue5gfl2Rnjqs0CBTztXWftfjeq4AMLngHm_-Zho_x8UxGNzJAxdgq9SowEaNnCb2o8vc-QyXVKz/s2977/65.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2977" height="1317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2FvmHSjHkgmgmyZrxqZ1nYcKtwig5IHaQev-t0IN8vkEapVNtK13uwtJ93CefQs4qTE7U-a6_ckRBwZorw_lqEiJyvjZOEiAIJUUXfb76VcLqh7e7Ue5gfl2Rnjqs0CBTztXWftfjeq4AMLngHm_-Zho_x8UxGNzJAxdgq9SowEaNnCb2o8vc-QyXVKz/w1942-h1317/65.jpg" width="1942" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound approaching Granby. At this elevation (8,000 feet) in early October, the trees had lost their leaves. Thirty miles to the west at Kremmling, and 700 feet lower, the leaves were resplendent, as later images will show. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGUmJwpLeBhEkHk8Q-ADXuld1MrrDN1PyG8d3E-Aj3yYxO_B9rE42RN_UBqg0vlInFbxgL5jFAPErUwVzK_vUky9uMlgLTnMy3NYQHbtisl98EO0utCcgJlw5_pNNVgDCUaY52t4UHGwMbrV1IJ70jiv7RqQS2HCR8McyfCDbfas5bPkppAczs0HruBUA/s3012/88.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGUmJwpLeBhEkHk8Q-ADXuld1MrrDN1PyG8d3E-Aj3yYxO_B9rE42RN_UBqg0vlInFbxgL5jFAPErUwVzK_vUky9uMlgLTnMy3NYQHbtisl98EO0utCcgJlw5_pNNVgDCUaY52t4UHGwMbrV1IJ70jiv7RqQS2HCR8McyfCDbfas5bPkppAczs0HruBUA/w1943-h1288/88.jpg" width="1943" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At Hot Sulphur Springs, another BNSF manifest awaits a fresh crew. This image was taken in early morning. When your author came back through town at sundown, the train was still waiting. The hot springs bubble up along a fault line. The water is filled with minerals which over the ages have leeched out to create a huge pile of travertine limestone.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEixSzqNEPM9WLo0Wz1Y8yiDEPbTnFEX6mESnDeMgI715z8Qz1OWryL_WRBGn-7Y_pgTJ4oijP7cNhCAKwMiNP1nbLnjaNefX1am7TOyi3_64_iNxjxDNT3s2isW1RcyzKM5PCK1UVn5PwZIsq-aEp_L3CM5dl_P8VL8WcpEOAnMbgIpoZ1WY4DNTIXdL/s3040/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="3040" height="1266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEixSzqNEPM9WLo0Wz1Y8yiDEPbTnFEX6mESnDeMgI715z8Qz1OWryL_WRBGn-7Y_pgTJ4oijP7cNhCAKwMiNP1nbLnjaNefX1am7TOyi3_64_iNxjxDNT3s2isW1RcyzKM5PCK1UVn5PwZIsq-aEp_L3CM5dl_P8VL8WcpEOAnMbgIpoZ1WY4DNTIXdL/w1948-h1266/12.jpg" width="1948" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPU on a loaded coal train at Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado. Coal traffic had slowed to a trickle in the fall of 2022.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZagOVWoVvaLnPN1-Xt5SqvB4hnJsq--70p0tFXLerB3OslMCOiSSNJvQWYDtMwN2lzrsJFlWPor_BBqIU34_GMmj7MpUvDwxqIm7gBUJIV65bP2JaZqr7hkPzlC_yV7daP60BOwkj7RAEl6qhKrFVTMIZAm3hoMIvt8TrFQy_OIE4DfyErNCuOxxkrgH4/s3036/51.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZagOVWoVvaLnPN1-Xt5SqvB4hnJsq--70p0tFXLerB3OslMCOiSSNJvQWYDtMwN2lzrsJFlWPor_BBqIU34_GMmj7MpUvDwxqIm7gBUJIV65bP2JaZqr7hkPzlC_yV7daP60BOwkj7RAEl6qhKrFVTMIZAm3hoMIvt8TrFQy_OIE4DfyErNCuOxxkrgH4/w1949-h1267/51.jpg" width="1949" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Hot Sulphur Springs is the eastern entrance to Byers Canyon, which can be traversed by automobile and presents many opportunities for photographs. Here is a westbound BNSF manifest entering the canyon beside the Colorado River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIZo_IIGXNvOVMYF0YwPDqMwP0DlmvKe7rgmuSFzzz3rn0skQ_yppNgyppw6Z8N7ZE_TC3UZEk1OGiDm3fn7N-tz1aSsT65M9v8dOaugYtA6eDDeCw8cMFnHp0dTU6D42FYYxurpJI0xfcUJsod4Z2AZbWXDlYoS2CznqKfLgoL4nuz5V26ONmxwibRtE/s3003/36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3003" height="1298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIZo_IIGXNvOVMYF0YwPDqMwP0DlmvKe7rgmuSFzzz3rn0skQ_yppNgyppw6Z8N7ZE_TC3UZEk1OGiDm3fn7N-tz1aSsT65M9v8dOaugYtA6eDDeCw8cMFnHp0dTU6D42FYYxurpJI0xfcUJsod4Z2AZbWXDlYoS2CznqKfLgoL4nuz5V26ONmxwibRtE/w1950-h1298/36.jpg" width="1950" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 5 enters the canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H0_orZYLHVf8b7xgf8udfX8hrdSH9LEjioeUpAFwRvYU5doZKpYC8RPnMRg3coUnsokM9fjoEQsqYyRaThbjNw-PIBFbB4OKsi7bvTJb6VBbDVY9t6cb9E87Ck6FOBnhK40J9doPMbQdSBgP3wU56wMzWC5s3WJjY6lHDW2M59nJhFpGPnXqr-L4y79Z/s3038/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3038" height="1274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2H0_orZYLHVf8b7xgf8udfX8hrdSH9LEjioeUpAFwRvYU5doZKpYC8RPnMRg3coUnsokM9fjoEQsqYyRaThbjNw-PIBFbB4OKsi7bvTJb6VBbDVY9t6cb9E87Ck6FOBnhK40J9doPMbQdSBgP3wU56wMzWC5s3WJjY6lHDW2M59nJhFpGPnXqr-L4y79Z/w1960-h1274/17.jpg" width="1960" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>AMTK 181 West begins to creep through the canyon. Train speed appears to be about 20 mph.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The north side of the canyon (about two miles long at its narrowest and eight miles overall) is composed of Precambrian granite, which on the south side is faulted over various sediments. The thrust fault is located at the base of the granite on the north beside the tracks. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv4-0E-MWf6_MTDyu9tXScRfCUh3JQ0EXO9T9EImuTTM9AuAPPZmPN3oHD01ch8l0WkVbPEG7drd6WF40_A3E3Wyi5SDi-27brnvfNsJAQzQHvgzSr-FdEevKnCoXHCjxC9ACdPof8xDaS7Rh0SBXyV7D9OZaojkCio-Bg-qI3Z-yMHWL88ScHi1pVcbI/s3019/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv4-0E-MWf6_MTDyu9tXScRfCUh3JQ0EXO9T9EImuTTM9AuAPPZmPN3oHD01ch8l0WkVbPEG7drd6WF40_A3E3Wyi5SDi-27brnvfNsJAQzQHvgzSr-FdEevKnCoXHCjxC9ACdPof8xDaS7Rh0SBXyV7D9OZaojkCio-Bg-qI3Z-yMHWL88ScHi1pVcbI/w1958-h1290/4.jpg" width="1958" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound BNSF in Byers Canyon. The tracks here run along the fault.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlbEvKTWNhRoizfV4eHu_kwnwfmm66nsLODKXin2ToLhgp495p9zIf5XadcUiJZbTe8HhVNxBdKxJEa6F6wVkZ8EhmYNum4LMuJR4VAMhsycwAbpAXedGwwg5uq-KG-CGa9AjneeUMr2t76ITLrRnUdm61eg7KgetdCIgbzy06VFggAyApFbSGBSLeo24/s3003/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3003" height="1291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlbEvKTWNhRoizfV4eHu_kwnwfmm66nsLODKXin2ToLhgp495p9zIf5XadcUiJZbTe8HhVNxBdKxJEa6F6wVkZ8EhmYNum4LMuJR4VAMhsycwAbpAXedGwwg5uq-KG-CGa9AjneeUMr2t76ITLrRnUdm61eg7KgetdCIgbzy06VFggAyApFbSGBSLeo24/w1941-h1291/23.jpg" width="1941" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuq28ujY5q9boR_9cL5pg4F6ikOEpYu-gXyfGr-nEWPqG79mB6I-Y-78yZxE49RAuG08Ax8QjKjOnWyoSFcv0aL5Cws_3o8IHAgy06fkH6l2OZIHWrfwXLApIFxcNz-YDITzpqjEY31j5ZJABjfKW9ER3KBHN9DlaJQa4pENNvHvhhVW2ANXD83opW8GDn/s3046/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3046" height="1269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuq28ujY5q9boR_9cL5pg4F6ikOEpYu-gXyfGr-nEWPqG79mB6I-Y-78yZxE49RAuG08Ax8QjKjOnWyoSFcv0aL5Cws_3o8IHAgy06fkH6l2OZIHWrfwXLApIFxcNz-YDITzpqjEY31j5ZJABjfKW9ER3KBHN9DlaJQa4pENNvHvhhVW2ANXD83opW8GDn/w1962-h1269/35.jpg" width="1962" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>As the granite rose almost imperceptibly, the Colorado River likewise almost imperceptibly sliced an almost vertical channel.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqbZuInsup6d1iztKISU4bsKJ8nIxB6azovFTIuNt7XP27uU3hWmnRfAzlpVvO5udd1BT-b1Sr6OCT2So6S8mRZpf1wd_aCWo4CrBGOM4L2p9iO6MVzKX07A16jkKpCv9mmxFAHkXog2ZYeGK8IB5j_9MQ_lD18u9uG3bpNYY1wlSBBdneR414jPxxNy8/s3002/75.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3002" height="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqbZuInsup6d1iztKISU4bsKJ8nIxB6azovFTIuNt7XP27uU3hWmnRfAzlpVvO5udd1BT-b1Sr6OCT2So6S8mRZpf1wd_aCWo4CrBGOM4L2p9iO6MVzKX07A16jkKpCv9mmxFAHkXog2ZYeGK8IB5j_9MQ_lD18u9uG3bpNYY1wlSBBdneR414jPxxNy8/w1953-h1300/75.jpg" width="1953" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Oil train in the canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Emerging from the narrowest part of the canyon, the tracks run due east-west along a ridge. The river runs below, and there is a gravel public road south of the river that provides views of the aspen and cottonwoods in the valley, with the tracks above the trees to the north.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QqWYGi1vpzHTUKexmpaDCCDObAgrEoaErpS-Z-Sn_uc0uRJXmAWC1dgRorWiUKN0ZYhSJ4pH8L8FUO9p8r_9-_CixIIvfwYoO8sg-l-I6cTBp9oQlU6bK_sYGGrLyduNyZdABOcjh8mu8RHQRh-aCIX1vM2t1_QktPAL2KQMzm2DvrgwKo4aUxJNWJ1Q/s2989/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2989" height="1315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QqWYGi1vpzHTUKexmpaDCCDObAgrEoaErpS-Z-Sn_uc0uRJXmAWC1dgRorWiUKN0ZYhSJ4pH8L8FUO9p8r_9-_CixIIvfwYoO8sg-l-I6cTBp9oQlU6bK_sYGGrLyduNyZdABOcjh8mu8RHQRh-aCIX1vM2t1_QktPAL2KQMzm2DvrgwKo4aUxJNWJ1Q/w1958-h1315/40.jpg" width="1958" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Amtrak No. 6 above the Colorado River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJLehP99TjqMjt4hwzRqnhx20slEKNgEPlY3qyvY22sdwt05IdJjaJ_ehUEbqdLC1tum3o4xz8T5gK5ENjnX2l6PhX_KmxGkGTnLZCTOuhluDlxrMeQFIHt96ARSK2A6Q3sbdFF-w6Xq3rUx9lZJ6fsDY9jGLxQMFRn_O5xOINLs_IppTsbdvbnLwPm4Z/s3066/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1957" data-original-width="3066" height="1248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJLehP99TjqMjt4hwzRqnhx20slEKNgEPlY3qyvY22sdwt05IdJjaJ_ehUEbqdLC1tum3o4xz8T5gK5ENjnX2l6PhX_KmxGkGTnLZCTOuhluDlxrMeQFIHt96ARSK2A6Q3sbdFF-w6Xq3rUx9lZJ6fsDY9jGLxQMFRn_O5xOINLs_IppTsbdvbnLwPm4Z/w1956-h1248/14.jpg" width="1956" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The westbound Rocky Mountaineer has just left the narrowest portion of the canyon. Approaching eastbounds receive a message from the hot box detector telling them to slow down.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIKNrY1A5-oO8GX1TJCBuKoYpX_3w4KrDWY9YWkB7cvcAL1zYaT2hMIPuNcAWC6UrVKBJyrQWo6hsQCBYp9quGApvLEmKNh0qN_C7zThlXY0FjV8faA84TsiswQp28W2MuSXzL_S4skBvlOKxl6EY923vTbaqyg0YNbaAWzu2A2VoDbHQMNlX57RZZBeb/s2993/77.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2993" height="1305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIKNrY1A5-oO8GX1TJCBuKoYpX_3w4KrDWY9YWkB7cvcAL1zYaT2hMIPuNcAWC6UrVKBJyrQWo6hsQCBYp9quGApvLEmKNh0qN_C7zThlXY0FjV8faA84TsiswQp28W2MuSXzL_S4skBvlOKxl6EY923vTbaqyg0YNbaAWzu2A2VoDbHQMNlX57RZZBeb/w1952-h1305/77.jpg" width="1952" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The last light of the setting sun illuminates No. 6.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXO8dw0_z8Xt-Wj6F03T5yjtGn2IfeKZ4MQK8tetq_4L82aw69TEM_COSnHMb1tr76pdpFoBUKC5l5UnrRxAJduSFbdbvKECZH3HsVizby5y25smRXQ60UFTljtwsRlwOrhOYprOKZop5QMt0irlWziASOCSOcAY3Ou3KOYf7sNa7_TClA5FDiYGKgqJ_6/s2984/48.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2984" height="1320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXO8dw0_z8Xt-Wj6F03T5yjtGn2IfeKZ4MQK8tetq_4L82aw69TEM_COSnHMb1tr76pdpFoBUKC5l5UnrRxAJduSFbdbvKECZH3HsVizby5y25smRXQ60UFTljtwsRlwOrhOYprOKZop5QMt0irlWziASOCSOcAY3Ou3KOYf7sNa7_TClA5FDiYGKgqJ_6/w1956-h1320/48.jpg" width="1956" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>On another day, an almost identical setting.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSxAVCX1fz-gV5Rse9cSwE9wnty1Cy3QQEZGIcP8sxgUFnDTGreCsAWJStmY7leP0di9e1ryoLgovOWQ7ntfHHS3ffQPUdhiNlleF2jS3lyS5Ob32CM1C-SQVLplGMIeLDP3BMNfV_CC7nBWyaaDjuPkFslw37OkWF7_LLbzRxZzgqU26lvUmqJPR_oD3/s3000/41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3000" height="1302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSxAVCX1fz-gV5Rse9cSwE9wnty1Cy3QQEZGIcP8sxgUFnDTGreCsAWJStmY7leP0di9e1ryoLgovOWQ7ntfHHS3ffQPUdhiNlleF2jS3lyS5Ob32CM1C-SQVLplGMIeLDP3BMNfV_CC7nBWyaaDjuPkFslw37OkWF7_LLbzRxZzgqU26lvUmqJPR_oD3/w1957-h1302/41.jpg" width="1957" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Late-running No. 6 curves along the edge of the canyon, while the hot box detector tells it to slow down for the narrow run ahead.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6x4Ktn0wvXuFLqIH2StdqVxF_M_gjcq6ryAhZyKF2MHk0emLpKEgmZUS-P4p8o7GgxC7ogTh0FwgL6mOVpmQnreADLGlabQTdyxwqn_dL-SjQNlJ4ZAaK1tppnixTQvMPOc8dyF74Ny7cnhn1VRAF9KgT9DXX6Fsut7UZ7-35Fs9NnVdqLF5egw2HshP/s2976/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2976" height="1324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6x4Ktn0wvXuFLqIH2StdqVxF_M_gjcq6ryAhZyKF2MHk0emLpKEgmZUS-P4p8o7GgxC7ogTh0FwgL6mOVpmQnreADLGlabQTdyxwqn_dL-SjQNlJ4ZAaK1tppnixTQvMPOc8dyF74Ny7cnhn1VRAF9KgT9DXX6Fsut7UZ7-35Fs9NnVdqLF5egw2HshP/w1953-h1324/13.jpg" width="1953" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>On this day, No. 5 was the only train running in the daylight.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiCJc3s3Mb4RqZtBX2yJrmnQk_YlUKQkYVSooCVHA2_cJ3W6s-pGCaCy515AT62gYN4Bqso08PLMVhb7ANXOeo97pytf8PygNpNpq-rgJHLnlcy8N_3qldAyoncZ0y_ttg21UKkTvi6AfyosDmoVDVCkTqewen0yuXQx6Co8Rrb24PgwJ7XSVaWYXsSd_/s3001/11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3001" height="1304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiCJc3s3Mb4RqZtBX2yJrmnQk_YlUKQkYVSooCVHA2_cJ3W6s-pGCaCy515AT62gYN4Bqso08PLMVhb7ANXOeo97pytf8PygNpNpq-rgJHLnlcy8N_3qldAyoncZ0y_ttg21UKkTvi6AfyosDmoVDVCkTqewen0yuXQx6Co8Rrb24PgwJ7XSVaWYXsSd_/w1958-h1304/11.jpg" width="1958" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound loaded coal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDReT4ZY8oCjhynlRgjhFfqyLHjJQrQm8lMINjMPR9IKGjI5PWBa5ixo8xd1BJSxyirLEd4rWuem2tK9btE_c2ZfhBlB-VWFdux_anD7kyBD8O1Eim3wX5kFhWC6Gvzi3mGjzejq4MuRTSmOAUjk1-TxVy1-PKz_sFUylmZQthuGx8KQ1GyGwXYHvURdUN/s3022/121.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3022" height="1282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDReT4ZY8oCjhynlRgjhFfqyLHjJQrQm8lMINjMPR9IKGjI5PWBa5ixo8xd1BJSxyirLEd4rWuem2tK9btE_c2ZfhBlB-VWFdux_anD7kyBD8O1Eim3wX5kFhWC6Gvzi3mGjzejq4MuRTSmOAUjk1-TxVy1-PKz_sFUylmZQthuGx8KQ1GyGwXYHvURdUN/w1953-h1282/121.jpg" width="1953" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Rocky Mountaineer headed back to Denver.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeCSd9L5Ct8_B9tGQDp8fJFT7onk_m0Ww_ONpwDyiTQieOqf1Yi1d3ck5lyxA4GigoxpqX253SA3rGBlzvuiBasA1JFLb87BB1M_fiYMcsmDvmmsrnmUuCFt64EktdeBiFtMQ_sMwa70q3IKWz1eAR4Ui4DF2UkzuGOB530azg6HpW_DbzaGM_ywkhyGM/s2955/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2030" data-original-width="2955" height="1346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeCSd9L5Ct8_B9tGQDp8fJFT7onk_m0Ww_ONpwDyiTQieOqf1Yi1d3ck5lyxA4GigoxpqX253SA3rGBlzvuiBasA1JFLb87BB1M_fiYMcsmDvmmsrnmUuCFt64EktdeBiFtMQ_sMwa70q3IKWz1eAR4Ui4DF2UkzuGOB530azg6HpW_DbzaGM_ywkhyGM/w1958-h1346/8.jpg" width="1958" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 5 with three private cars on the rear. The house in the valley has a perfect view of the tracks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Beyond Byers Canyon, the tracks leave behind the fault complex that has created such tortured geography, to say nothing of endless headaches for railroad construction, and enter the relatively flat Middle Park, a basin in Grand County on the southwest slope of Rocky Mountain National Park, approximately 50 miles west of (and across the continental divide from) Boulder. Those 50 miles are some of the most rugged in North America.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The basin extends southwest from the source of the Colorado River at Grand Lake to Kremmling, terminating roughly at magnificent Gore Canyon at the southern end of the Gore Range. The valley is the middle of the three large mountain "parks" in Colorado west of the Front Range. The other two, not surprisingly, but also not very originally, are North (Park) and South. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The land seems almost benign as westbounds cross mostly level ground. Just east of Kremmling, the railroad crosses a thrust fault that forms the western edge of the majestic Front Range. East of the fault lie scattered outcroppings of granite; west is home to the Cretaceous Pierre Shale, which accumulated at the bottom of an ancient shallow sea which geologists believe split north America in half. How do we know the land was once covered with water? Marine fossils have been discovered in the shale below the sandstone bluffs above Kremmling.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GuS3Q9RA0ZEvqL2wE2lXjJx8po4SNaxjImClKCEUHNKE5dakzh8bqPmHnk0hPKXVFsaAkik9V2Uk2K5oJDYtUdFspt7d845J23htu3g5eLReNVuYPYWOlXPJphbAc8S1RBlDop6v4_tPvTlXyDBnx1dzGGdcOnG4FWL2zsg9h7YA6PKFpLshFkuXcsxz/s3056/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3056" height="1260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GuS3Q9RA0ZEvqL2wE2lXjJx8po4SNaxjImClKCEUHNKE5dakzh8bqPmHnk0hPKXVFsaAkik9V2Uk2K5oJDYtUdFspt7d845J23htu3g5eLReNVuYPYWOlXPJphbAc8S1RBlDop6v4_tPvTlXyDBnx1dzGGdcOnG4FWL2zsg9h7YA6PKFpLshFkuXcsxz/w1957-h1260/10.jpg" width="1957" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Though surrounded by mountains, the valley of Middle Park is relatively level. Here a westbound oil train meets a loaded eastbound coal drag at the appropriately named Flat Siding.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzy3tXTgQd0qMHhSlf7zlT6_LueOW-0wpqGPDD629xGYPTmp0SreA2dljlYx1KMn-V5Ro9bblSHaRSXIERQ3VtxON42QJccONznyuL_mjPN7v_dqjT2Z4J_Es7c-i0u2bE_JxTk8gMUyDf-EaTrtwhOyTcbyNOkh_JKR2S-J2d7b1yfsFa6U_JrJlBwbh/s3017/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzy3tXTgQd0qMHhSlf7zlT6_LueOW-0wpqGPDD629xGYPTmp0SreA2dljlYx1KMn-V5Ro9bblSHaRSXIERQ3VtxON42QJccONznyuL_mjPN7v_dqjT2Z4J_Es7c-i0u2bE_JxTk8gMUyDf-EaTrtwhOyTcbyNOkh_JKR2S-J2d7b1yfsFa6U_JrJlBwbh/w1957-h1291/20.jpg" width="1957" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 5 in Middle Park, approaching Kremmling.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XjiGJmLH9CKO35BLd1YpbxNKkoOMBQsrtlFyKO__7Ba4LezX8c6lI7zcO9ztcBOxjzhExYwCoJN1HM0Mao0GJ11iKRVDIo9vfgyj76JFnT9Prf6hu6IxFlWlm3zYVcRoRf8Slll6mgVv6LxWlQ2MQSdFeTbxAbRK_a1XeaxAM2oYK11XLiNqJwX6MgHu/s3107/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1930" data-original-width="3107" height="1216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XjiGJmLH9CKO35BLd1YpbxNKkoOMBQsrtlFyKO__7Ba4LezX8c6lI7zcO9ztcBOxjzhExYwCoJN1HM0Mao0GJ11iKRVDIo9vfgyj76JFnT9Prf6hu6IxFlWlm3zYVcRoRf8Slll6mgVv6LxWlQ2MQSdFeTbxAbRK_a1XeaxAM2oYK11XLiNqJwX6MgHu/w1956-h1216/34.jpg" width="1956" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Middle Park.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Immediately east of Kremmling's small air field, which itself is immediately east of the small village, the hills and mountains spread like parting curtains, and the Colorado River meanders through a valley filled with grazing cattle, wide fields of grain and Aspen and Cottonwoods lining the water, a bucolic setting belying the altitude. In late September the trees turn various shades of yellow, red and orange, and dust rises from pick-ups along the dirt road that crosses the river and then climbs the hills to public land accessible to anyone with four-wheel-drive.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bear the Mighty Dog was still alive in the fall of that year (2022), and he and I sat in the hills for hours. I was waiting for the very occasional train (two or three per day if you were lucky), while Bear searched tirelessly for food. He was well-fed, but instincts control both dogs and people; thus, we are mostly unaware of our behavior. If asked why we did something, an honest reply would be, "I don't know, I just did it."</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The river turns southwest and cuts an almost surgically clean incision through the Precambrian heart of the Gore Range. The gap can be see from the hills east of town, the only passage through the mountains, which were created by a huge faulted anticline where rocks have been pushed together from two sides, causing them to bulge upwards and form an arch. You can create the same effect by pushing a sheet of paper on its sides on a table top and watching the paper's middle rise. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7PMokkYAmwAjlnSK4mCQnR6iHExh2ScO12VC4PpGAN9Vn0_5kPeNY32LB7ARdzFsEYlLa5kqLUrtbV5OssAGcW6-yTvFyDyfJnllBM24jg9U7VqZvwM-oSSbKdQMLDf4ZYTwy3iTA0UmqusKxhhnB4xGtknsbzyiA3L3Ttp_6J8SeEZp1hBmTnq1hhclE" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="440" height="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7PMokkYAmwAjlnSK4mCQnR6iHExh2ScO12VC4PpGAN9Vn0_5kPeNY32LB7ARdzFsEYlLa5kqLUrtbV5OssAGcW6-yTvFyDyfJnllBM24jg9U7VqZvwM-oSSbKdQMLDf4ZYTwy3iTA0UmqusKxhhnB4xGtknsbzyiA3L3Ttp_6J8SeEZp1hBmTnq1hhclE=w841-h515" width="841" /></a></div><br /><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The diagram shows how the ground bulges, with the oldest and lowest rock in the center. The Gore Range is unusual because some of the oldest arching sediments are still in place on top of the range.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The valley east of Kremmling is one of your author's favorite locations to photograph trains, so there are a lot of images here.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KFRWBR_PNzc6dqmWbKXnF0KjSwVgsWp2PcbQJaNJflxxySELRqcTETZVbgSYj8L8lOYGDZv7e-uShF98p_rlnDR-LO_9aWVf26WCj3pzMRsRj3auQD8MBNmHKBCkUDccRtzKe7p9zWz4f310rKeYVNcvst-m2-WpYYZbuLNt8zPNF0g8jHeeZUZN8Mlm/s2987/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2987" height="1318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KFRWBR_PNzc6dqmWbKXnF0KjSwVgsWp2PcbQJaNJflxxySELRqcTETZVbgSYj8L8lOYGDZv7e-uShF98p_rlnDR-LO_9aWVf26WCj3pzMRsRj3auQD8MBNmHKBCkUDccRtzKe7p9zWz4f310rKeYVNcvst-m2-WpYYZbuLNt8zPNF0g8jHeeZUZN8Mlm/w1961-h1318/1.jpg" width="1961" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 5.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxeoNJx4fNktsgboPHX8c7K5gLdcifMi8WnJ98m0v3jlMP4t3Azp6eTGdsyUVX5UAG0WB1od1Juk-j39AZm7yhyKnnLzd-mDf_8ukmwUqoXJUV428DHYNuF_yPoZxzOmJ3YpVnNR4cx7MypEBivoOXkty39DmpYDRzqgaxGkHdUb5VFO_LS8bA6X8N8Gm/s2982/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="2982" height="1321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxeoNJx4fNktsgboPHX8c7K5gLdcifMi8WnJ98m0v3jlMP4t3Azp6eTGdsyUVX5UAG0WB1od1Juk-j39AZm7yhyKnnLzd-mDf_8ukmwUqoXJUV428DHYNuF_yPoZxzOmJ3YpVnNR4cx7MypEBivoOXkty39DmpYDRzqgaxGkHdUb5VFO_LS8bA6X8N8Gm/w1957-h1321/2.jpg" width="1957" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumQmVS15iDLsI_jS6QePA8Ol5W67_S95hI-R_biDOhfKdsEfCoEKke28MO_SVjgD1BLRZgwO3heZ-g6JYW-2d3Ie08d7RgpWzrRRKdUfHRJm3rJl4sKrK4Q2SzAMpEFHjG9nbUjgQi4Xv0E5FJIlENqFRbN94P8JU0T23xEsG1z04bSIiPMM9zuBw2RaJ/s2955/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2030" data-original-width="2955" height="1344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumQmVS15iDLsI_jS6QePA8Ol5W67_S95hI-R_biDOhfKdsEfCoEKke28MO_SVjgD1BLRZgwO3heZ-g6JYW-2d3Ie08d7RgpWzrRRKdUfHRJm3rJl4sKrK4Q2SzAMpEFHjG9nbUjgQi4Xv0E5FJIlENqFRbN94P8JU0T23xEsG1z04bSIiPMM9zuBw2RaJ/w1955-h1344/7.jpg" width="1955" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rocky Mountaineer.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJm-Py_MxaPvz2X8M4JeuyMOOyrCh4_VQHFCjP-z_RFJ_XeOnTeJBbNz6nv_XFmCtCwfPiUMv7EjSPMXr5tMEEsmXyOpdo-2vpjV4PchoxVojH5PAAPxj7QRVGla8_4l7GSw6K8lS3tHDq7nXULYbTeLAdH1Iu8WqoRc2cbnAgxSz3bQ9SsuZYqoWXbjL/s3032/71.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3032" height="1276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJm-Py_MxaPvz2X8M4JeuyMOOyrCh4_VQHFCjP-z_RFJ_XeOnTeJBbNz6nv_XFmCtCwfPiUMv7EjSPMXr5tMEEsmXyOpdo-2vpjV4PchoxVojH5PAAPxj7QRVGla8_4l7GSw6K8lS3tHDq7nXULYbTeLAdH1Iu8WqoRc2cbnAgxSz3bQ9SsuZYqoWXbjL/w1954-h1276/71.jpg" width="1954" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9WGkpQ7Ht2PEu6GlYks6TF8zDeo7TjdSL79ych6XcU1kiN_ffgTsAddGTvui2Jxd3hkfpT1-DHRzX9SEIATjqTkTLhaxNTC0YtNiJHDHiuuyKBcmGqtYfZbfLmvjhJPDLbvgi_vgfLtSsSAPhxA3JY2a4UPpmqxL6wE64CXIEKI_IoQP5BJXAe4miOFX/s2981/73.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2981" height="1320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9WGkpQ7Ht2PEu6GlYks6TF8zDeo7TjdSL79ych6XcU1kiN_ffgTsAddGTvui2Jxd3hkfpT1-DHRzX9SEIATjqTkTLhaxNTC0YtNiJHDHiuuyKBcmGqtYfZbfLmvjhJPDLbvgi_vgfLtSsSAPhxA3JY2a4UPpmqxL6wE64CXIEKI_IoQP5BJXAe4miOFX/w1955-h1320/73.jpg" width="1955" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 6.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiq5xyolQr7BE0PjmvNSgVFQHubQxH3xvUDYhJP12OO-JCXsObaUe6CfG-W1rdO6WbVXKwz5MATRHdVACAf5FbkutmiS2rw2jXZEQJN2zT4uJVkN5tUJPXTVJphfuq0kTYH9nn52EecjuWLm77pxgMigR6wZvt1EZb1QkheLNA9yf_c3QSVDwpFpp5S_fK/s3007/53.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3007" height="1294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiq5xyolQr7BE0PjmvNSgVFQHubQxH3xvUDYhJP12OO-JCXsObaUe6CfG-W1rdO6WbVXKwz5MATRHdVACAf5FbkutmiS2rw2jXZEQJN2zT4uJVkN5tUJPXTVJphfuq0kTYH9nn52EecjuWLm77pxgMigR6wZvt1EZb1QkheLNA9yf_c3QSVDwpFpp5S_fK/w1954-h1294/53.jpg" width="1954" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The westbound Rocky Mountaineer hustles toward Gore Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqxCvEjSygp77ly2LDq2-4IxTG-0cxSqOmb3FRuD7H59Gmx2fAlBCER7F__XUjC_8xEi1Ka9Pg-TuWmPZof5FwvccTFl8pZ44vSAuNMIxq8SS0ltLuvAA5SvnslEcy3XRfQcgtSuv4wl9dYfOkGE7UnMHP8K_aU51Pt8fnupsc05A2B3JfrV5-vLxZ_TR/s3042/52.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3042" height="1268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqxCvEjSygp77ly2LDq2-4IxTG-0cxSqOmb3FRuD7H59Gmx2fAlBCER7F__XUjC_8xEi1Ka9Pg-TuWmPZof5FwvccTFl8pZ44vSAuNMIxq8SS0ltLuvAA5SvnslEcy3XRfQcgtSuv4wl9dYfOkGE7UnMHP8K_aU51Pt8fnupsc05A2B3JfrV5-vLxZ_TR/w1959-h1268/52.jpg" width="1959" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Following close behind was No. 5, with two private cars bringing up the rear.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQkEhUC16THm4QquOcy-mtANjV4gPRiuZv6esTxArz_vwO6nJKi36IrokHbNlaF2DWKu5WtZWmyaau8Laqaz_tI-5zVa47BQl4NKZ8PloUAOhfbrOT76Hl27iDcch9XkPi-wlnmguvD1RaC0rGncpK5ynd9WFGV86c2q5OX85E5EdfaUwYGDi8B0LuvCj/s3022/49.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3022" height="1281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQkEhUC16THm4QquOcy-mtANjV4gPRiuZv6esTxArz_vwO6nJKi36IrokHbNlaF2DWKu5WtZWmyaau8Laqaz_tI-5zVa47BQl4NKZ8PloUAOhfbrOT76Hl27iDcch9XkPi-wlnmguvD1RaC0rGncpK5ynd9WFGV86c2q5OX85E5EdfaUwYGDi8B0LuvCj/w1953-h1281/49.jpg" width="1953" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 6, almost on time today, is chased by a fast moving thunderstorm.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwSIAM87ubyqnvcmoYRCIPnwGOZvbwRsxfKZpEA31YBzncwZl7kxNBiPqJKT8MH-bwIU32XfHEJyWwPtUZmDg_RU7RjmH4KibGJBE4MdC_6uQ7qDEY6ktgu6l_cMuw01_ENbOWCUXXcOb1GmbnO7FOH59JUK3EAs5xvmG9DY3OR-W1VVR-HCe_YclhedG/s2997/47.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwSIAM87ubyqnvcmoYRCIPnwGOZvbwRsxfKZpEA31YBzncwZl7kxNBiPqJKT8MH-bwIU32XfHEJyWwPtUZmDg_RU7RjmH4KibGJBE4MdC_6uQ7qDEY6ktgu6l_cMuw01_ENbOWCUXXcOb1GmbnO7FOH59JUK3EAs5xvmG9DY3OR-W1VVR-HCe_YclhedG/w1954-h1307/47.jpg" width="1954" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The cattle are blissfully unaware of the passing BNSF freight.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nTeWeoiAX4IcwmzqbpWR8AP5qSBqWqL3IuGE5m1dY-zCifNUmJZBApaLoVd8ZM9AjkK3f6c9VHeJxC_pD6cB1I7xhLw2e4RM5cfm7_nZBMGwMIglKsW9ZogYwHZslJmjbNzAXYa_y5GdmqE9iaP9XEfLgeRvw89xAJss-dmG910-fxkduqSs7PzxfspZ/s2998/46.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2998" height="1310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nTeWeoiAX4IcwmzqbpWR8AP5qSBqWqL3IuGE5m1dY-zCifNUmJZBApaLoVd8ZM9AjkK3f6c9VHeJxC_pD6cB1I7xhLw2e4RM5cfm7_nZBMGwMIglKsW9ZogYwHZslJmjbNzAXYa_y5GdmqE9iaP9XEfLgeRvw89xAJss-dmG910-fxkduqSs7PzxfspZ/w1959-h1310/46.jpg" width="1959" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6UO5eY5E5ynGkM-E9R8ZazSV2MpqGKWUzswtZXsML9GhT1Ze5HmBa_H7v0hyoHbXgjTnOr1qSlfnmxuIolLVGYeW5JVV72p20lv6ZYdJJUvrdhNMSZcR14NWKNrQPx6T0NNWP3w0yz_uf6rt524sL6syNR7stoCsjmuanMT3ECpZQYbBkJC1M4Ql7i6v/s3020/37.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3020" height="1283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6UO5eY5E5ynGkM-E9R8ZazSV2MpqGKWUzswtZXsML9GhT1Ze5HmBa_H7v0hyoHbXgjTnOr1qSlfnmxuIolLVGYeW5JVV72p20lv6ZYdJJUvrdhNMSZcR14NWKNrQPx6T0NNWP3w0yz_uf6rt524sL6syNR7stoCsjmuanMT3ECpZQYbBkJC1M4Ql7i6v/w1955-h1283/37.jpg" width="1955" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Like Amtrak Nos. 5 and 6, the Rocky Mountaineer is timed to run in the daylight. Unfortunately, in the short days of fall, when No. 6 is late, and it often is, it comes through in the dark.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-g95MZDA2Eprmz6dLH4H5uIcqdUXJJIf-t2fq-i31ktniPWkvCJRGlMeNQZ4_KizQKJpA7G8jVc-ljMqKWqg6ZIxSeEAY8B4UyjJXfK7Cildz12Pf_2lKQoQeTBByldsdkf51x816SWqhZD7aPYwHmHiRm5y0hqUeWthFELCF34VHnNdCJ4AsUOjr2Vwq/s3033/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3033" height="1279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-g95MZDA2Eprmz6dLH4H5uIcqdUXJJIf-t2fq-i31ktniPWkvCJRGlMeNQZ4_KizQKJpA7G8jVc-ljMqKWqg6ZIxSeEAY8B4UyjJXfK7Cildz12Pf_2lKQoQeTBByldsdkf51x816SWqhZD7aPYwHmHiRm5y0hqUeWthFELCF34VHnNdCJ4AsUOjr2Vwq/w1958-h1279/32.jpg" width="1958" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An on-time No. 6.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySktPZWa8fRcsXHi9vqOzq8f4Kaor_Y8ZGslWAvPYigT9vVgYYu_hUV-i8hT05MB5jmbPHX3cqkxIjvsAAhBLEBEO2oGkWR22PtkDk7yuy35jH5Anede1m1srv0SBSAlVHUzY0SuKD-BGRT25C4ELmLi2XfGUbHHavtabq-TIrtqepSHWBeGUguNLFhFx/s2975/30.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2975" height="1327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySktPZWa8fRcsXHi9vqOzq8f4Kaor_Y8ZGslWAvPYigT9vVgYYu_hUV-i8hT05MB5jmbPHX3cqkxIjvsAAhBLEBEO2oGkWR22PtkDk7yuy35jH5Anede1m1srv0SBSAlVHUzY0SuKD-BGRT25C4ELmLi2XfGUbHHavtabq-TIrtqepSHWBeGUguNLFhFx/w1956-h1327/30.jpg" width="1956" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And now we come to Gore Canyon. Building a railroad through this geologic wonder beggars the imagination, much like the idea of laying a communications cable beneath the Atlantic or boring a tunnel beneath Rollins Pass or writing over 100 articles for a blog that no one reads. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Gore Canyon seems impenetrable. Seems? It is. You can pass only by railroad or water craft, and large signs near the eastern mouth warn would-be rafters, kayakers and other dare-devils not to attempt the rapids without first obtaining extreme skill. Several people have died in the canyon, including many of the men who roped down the side of the canyon to deposit the dynamite charges that blasted away enough granite to construct a level path for the railroad. There is not even enough room to hike into the canyon. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Your author has ridden the California Zephyr several times through this declivity, and each trip is as spectacular as the last, even more spectacular, because I now know what to look for. People in the observation car talking to each other and not even bothering to glance</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> out the windows remind me of those who visit cathedrals and stare at their cell phones.</span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn_NvW701weNn3sAM_YE4vSv1nTVJweHsemk4h-9m0Ul-jYexec-A8S6pyoUO1c87z5cNx_OXboRiHs565CXvwDe5qOY0zJVaDIf9Un1OPnQR9E2jLlu07DbGOOaepFTqy0uGcehDXoVTkENpOzj3t1xP3q9DpQWVrhvZTG4hXi6e73bOorjO_k46pnJe/s3003/101.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3003" height="1305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn_NvW701weNn3sAM_YE4vSv1nTVJweHsemk4h-9m0Ul-jYexec-A8S6pyoUO1c87z5cNx_OXboRiHs565CXvwDe5qOY0zJVaDIf9Un1OPnQR9E2jLlu07DbGOOaepFTqy0uGcehDXoVTkENpOzj3t1xP3q9DpQWVrhvZTG4hXi6e73bOorjO_k46pnJe/w1960-h1305/101.jpg" width="1960" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound UP grainer in Gore Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-JnRNc6eFC_b2VAxKXXfDXNZwik6ucsGD_JA_btcUr__xKF5MRzthJ3t5s1Gdo7Ix7XfMY45MSrxQkZX87PY74hLHavMsxCKj3Kht-ZWJBynQBkV8-epEShPuqOgWj7t_6nrIJXsqjDULePU7PCnnEB7zenbcqUAj0voZWvfKzhzcZ2xI9t0dCBgMLYH/s3000/91.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3000" height="1309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-JnRNc6eFC_b2VAxKXXfDXNZwik6ucsGD_JA_btcUr__xKF5MRzthJ3t5s1Gdo7Ix7XfMY45MSrxQkZX87PY74hLHavMsxCKj3Kht-ZWJBynQBkV8-epEShPuqOgWj7t_6nrIJXsqjDULePU7PCnnEB7zenbcqUAj0voZWvfKzhzcZ2xI9t0dCBgMLYH/w1966-h1309/91.jpg" width="1966" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Amtrak No. 5 in the canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexA7I4mctjvYRgVlM195D25wnXDLU53RPvDNhxkF27rbsvEyvzlOq1EvDmz7M_8mrd0OOi2dJegTlZG9uuW4ZcskdtWAvguyx3fyjcuXbo5YYaVFej8gkLfyTwRTLdQITnGN_uF_F1IlgdCeYYBfJcJ6ahBGim5QkJXNmwYmfUCXQ4MiHVsGlR5tiEF9m/s3014/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3014" height="1297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexA7I4mctjvYRgVlM195D25wnXDLU53RPvDNhxkF27rbsvEyvzlOq1EvDmz7M_8mrd0OOi2dJegTlZG9uuW4ZcskdtWAvguyx3fyjcuXbo5YYaVFej8gkLfyTwRTLdQITnGN_uF_F1IlgdCeYYBfJcJ6ahBGim5QkJXNmwYmfUCXQ4MiHVsGlR5tiEF9m/w1967-h1297/39.jpg" width="1967" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rocky Mountaineer. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Westbounds emerge into narrow Gore Valley where the Colorado River runs smooth and clear. Land along the water is open to the public, and many rafters enter the river here to float placidly downstream for miles. In the early morning, when the wind is down and the sun has just climbed over the mountains, one can hear a loaded coal train from miles away, beginning the climb from Bond, where the Craig Branch ties into the mainline. Fly fishermen stand knee-deep in the cold water, arching their lines into the air. The temperature is only slightly above freezing, but without breeze this land is amazingly comfortable in the slanting sunlight.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomElYcgQ76gyHbJF5x0PFjfN8U6GzN4PCuRRYQal_NnUqEQLfnZIPmY04Zui_Zn68389OTvkt4mR-h2XNAM5WS1G3GjZ7a4HBVX4v5KTLaRCqeisJkTGmgbc1LYz8hL-H8EmRCOynwQD9nJccaJDqFUhm9RxLSstC5Dx5-YLwnk0yxoqYcjMVNNKFDNzk/s3035/58.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3035" height="1269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomElYcgQ76gyHbJF5x0PFjfN8U6GzN4PCuRRYQal_NnUqEQLfnZIPmY04Zui_Zn68389OTvkt4mR-h2XNAM5WS1G3GjZ7a4HBVX4v5KTLaRCqeisJkTGmgbc1LYz8hL-H8EmRCOynwQD9nJccaJDqFUhm9RxLSstC5Dx5-YLwnk0yxoqYcjMVNNKFDNzk/w1953-h1269/58.jpg" width="1953" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Amtrak No. 5 emerges from Gore Canyon into brilliant sunlight.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdiP28s7bE3S0V0X2ee3KuaMAGd2a_-LPdxuIjqtAG4t7XjMJl51BU5M2-NIqRhUpKAxqbCX0wtloBbA9wnf9NjtfLfFKBZeggU_QAIMoWWP9HGCyLL_InohzDQDP2x9WCIAFXmpdfh81vBEH2KQLtXAaFmX-CHDWz0FXPQxjN1AsAjg7Sg93t2Hjfdsw/s2986/92.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2986" height="1308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdiP28s7bE3S0V0X2ee3KuaMAGd2a_-LPdxuIjqtAG4t7XjMJl51BU5M2-NIqRhUpKAxqbCX0wtloBbA9wnf9NjtfLfFKBZeggU_QAIMoWWP9HGCyLL_InohzDQDP2x9WCIAFXmpdfh81vBEH2KQLtXAaFmX-CHDWz0FXPQxjN1AsAjg7Sg93t2Hjfdsw/w1947-h1308/92.jpg" width="1947" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Trough Road runs east of the river and high above the valley, providing many marvelous locations to photograph Amtrak and any freights that might be running.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRWqatQ7GUgSR4SlCPloRzUhY6Ks9znl5klPURggRpV3skIGCIL9BdhNC0HyOI1wmcnBCe2EaLECzdH-OHRwY1dBowtzX7bCJ9izXU5l9S1iyyyKjjYLwVycGhf-fCh8lI9ZimsOziaYx-heSi6A2Zrdzcu6cYviE0rVFoa1ncgmfZ7cJ0BMDa2hlfxMo/s2951/116.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2033" data-original-width="2951" height="1349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRWqatQ7GUgSR4SlCPloRzUhY6Ks9znl5klPURggRpV3skIGCIL9BdhNC0HyOI1wmcnBCe2EaLECzdH-OHRwY1dBowtzX7bCJ9izXU5l9S1iyyyKjjYLwVycGhf-fCh8lI9ZimsOziaYx-heSi6A2Zrdzcu6cYviE0rVFoa1ncgmfZ7cJ0BMDa2hlfxMo/w1963-h1349/116.jpg" width="1963" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 5 above the Colorado River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGnmBtwNCZAffXCc6nNC6tQAMSOB9I1iHR2MWzKOtZb7ue_MqFLmMM5SQjwFh66IpzNH2B-YwNqAHEIn_jFtyZy3n1_QiSx5JjLz1zoLRiurVZscfBps2dKVtoBhv0e5NaWAOfDTt0wWubFoCvE8FOzwy-4oZEnka1dL6o1mKGQ5-4JFSRLcJ_1c9l5ww/s2988/119.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2988" height="1327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGnmBtwNCZAffXCc6nNC6tQAMSOB9I1iHR2MWzKOtZb7ue_MqFLmMM5SQjwFh66IpzNH2B-YwNqAHEIn_jFtyZy3n1_QiSx5JjLz1zoLRiurVZscfBps2dKVtoBhv0e5NaWAOfDTt0wWubFoCvE8FOzwy-4oZEnka1dL6o1mKGQ5-4JFSRLcJ_1c9l5ww/w1976-h1327/119.jpg" width="1976" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A loaded coal train as seen from the river bank.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaXN6l1Xu4eDak07wf_qg5WdYWDRwfcOQg7R-uw0BRGbdXbette-BoHjYwrBqaSrdY-L0bEhZljuL4MbQuJRaYXFDdUJC3P4WqUbl_S-lI7mbUnHe9GmORdWiqZH4WMAvpCY-b0cvbm5mvz3cuPWOtN0qUkhrDfCxuFL7jEPDDUS4Vdri94KtZw8sZJvd/s2976/120.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2976" height="1339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaXN6l1Xu4eDak07wf_qg5WdYWDRwfcOQg7R-uw0BRGbdXbette-BoHjYwrBqaSrdY-L0bEhZljuL4MbQuJRaYXFDdUJC3P4WqUbl_S-lI7mbUnHe9GmORdWiqZH4WMAvpCY-b0cvbm5mvz3cuPWOtN0qUkhrDfCxuFL7jEPDDUS4Vdri94KtZw8sZJvd/w1973-h1339/120.jpg" width="1973" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mid-trains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">After the short interlude in Gore Valley, westbounds enter Little Gore Canyon, which in almost any other environment on earth would not be called "little." The south rim is accessible over public land, and a relatively easy hike will yield many interesting photographs.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQXT9QQwSdzpLimBQWRBGqKul96jO5CFuGO3xzxG5QpdCfPRKCcEks-hXkHOayaeSCE510cfWWt51Ue6s7PiXxr0vqcR4p0HFlOQhX8-89zJW3zbjtzqgr7IMw05_ugePtuADI867xzF0iYJ3ROLWC3y7TfKc6nHYtVciX7HT2pXg1rtE3WPVWWY7ndSa/s3020/102.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3020" height="1301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQXT9QQwSdzpLimBQWRBGqKul96jO5CFuGO3xzxG5QpdCfPRKCcEks-hXkHOayaeSCE510cfWWt51Ue6s7PiXxr0vqcR4p0HFlOQhX8-89zJW3zbjtzqgr7IMw05_ugePtuADI867xzF0iYJ3ROLWC3y7TfKc6nHYtVciX7HT2pXg1rtE3WPVWWY7ndSa/w1982-h1301/102.jpg" width="1982" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Rocky Mountaineer in Little Gore Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDzC7sWov2gPVzpQ1-tOacMcFELgWagybl9KJYYCAhp14h3v9qHS0cDu-b-ZMO6KCUK_L4Whu7m99UJJe8VYeIRHU-3tDhwiR3uPaY1Nj7kwJzlSmV9T3nFOgdvwgPEE318qIaixWDsYu6uE6NTdsTa71vImeimU5FA8wcwle6IFo_Rsg4cTfbtyRxAvu/s2986/98.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2986" height="1330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDzC7sWov2gPVzpQ1-tOacMcFELgWagybl9KJYYCAhp14h3v9qHS0cDu-b-ZMO6KCUK_L4Whu7m99UJJe8VYeIRHU-3tDhwiR3uPaY1Nj7kwJzlSmV9T3nFOgdvwgPEE318qIaixWDsYu6uE6NTdsTa71vImeimU5FA8wcwle6IFo_Rsg4cTfbtyRxAvu/w1979-h1330/98.jpg" width="1979" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound BNSF.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCHUOR4NcRfLP6Q6Z_5Rh_gSpz-RuZfGJThDn46yi-NgobvBTy6pE4gbCfg2DutPqhb5t-CNJcIGB3Kd0CgUl36KQ556VV7wNrje5IXN0llhKxeLNnSz50UebkYHLsX__ibg7OJqOVRVOorrEE6Qa3Zzs_KVNhHi3eQk8V1fL7J94JDf9uUJY2oMdRr1o/s2977/97.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="2977" height="1336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCHUOR4NcRfLP6Q6Z_5Rh_gSpz-RuZfGJThDn46yi-NgobvBTy6pE4gbCfg2DutPqhb5t-CNJcIGB3Kd0CgUl36KQ556VV7wNrje5IXN0llhKxeLNnSz50UebkYHLsX__ibg7OJqOVRVOorrEE6Qa3Zzs_KVNhHi3eQk8V1fL7J94JDf9uUJY2oMdRr1o/w1980-h1336/97.jpg" width="1980" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound BNSF. Gore Valley is visible in the background. In the top center is the V-shaped water gap of Gore Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPBFNkimeINxMfW3Y-pYbCB7XcLvVAOCIVFH3eDjOecZXeRRRmk30Fj_Suaqm55IR2tQCvVW2tvGBlGS-JJYsQt_H3slnQUT8PZcxRWrtqKb8RosdHMWXgtUcUw0XWnc9sLI2CWbaIzfj6rQ7FtAabysfQYAbFxAqfgd9pPEChCgH_c1YUAe3R2PVE4m-/s3000/62.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3000" height="1315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPBFNkimeINxMfW3Y-pYbCB7XcLvVAOCIVFH3eDjOecZXeRRRmk30Fj_Suaqm55IR2tQCvVW2tvGBlGS-JJYsQt_H3slnQUT8PZcxRWrtqKb8RosdHMWXgtUcUw0XWnc9sLI2CWbaIzfj6rQ7FtAabysfQYAbFxAqfgd9pPEChCgH_c1YUAe3R2PVE4m-/w1975-h1315/62.jpg" width="1975" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 6 in Little Gore Canyon, with two private cars on the rear.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGml4HQ9GMS6wwwQIJhU7n5Tbqn0meG1YgGkuHd_spfBRSmck8INZjkBAHh83TXE2asE7-_8QxDcM-UrmmR9hxn9LZBzQnUI-LNeqKpdZ57dwaqDWaCr8FKjmG5TLlZBQfF89_iXz-0PUJNbizU859aX2Qy8Doin2ngVPIVifPRV0dU63-SPnFGOY6eLe-/s2988/61.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2988" height="1329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGml4HQ9GMS6wwwQIJhU7n5Tbqn0meG1YgGkuHd_spfBRSmck8INZjkBAHh83TXE2asE7-_8QxDcM-UrmmR9hxn9LZBzQnUI-LNeqKpdZ57dwaqDWaCr8FKjmG5TLlZBQfF89_iXz-0PUJNbizU859aX2Qy8Doin2ngVPIVifPRV0dU63-SPnFGOY6eLe-/w1977-h1329/61.jpg" width="1977" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 6.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh16jDcAL9rH2hsxKBC84jhQMDa7L49c-ek3wlCBzZbxxJnWCcsIYLDH0k853qtoxnBFhmQvtHIoyU-QkiU8BRkeu0wBaR5l-XNlZ8EwHtowvhlXb00SSN618OxoZPMyG5w_MxpnD-xfG38u8Sy5FZvDVV8tMzI6l6rt0UhY8XpQh-TOiUVly3HEducvGK/s2989/57.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2989" height="1329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh16jDcAL9rH2hsxKBC84jhQMDa7L49c-ek3wlCBzZbxxJnWCcsIYLDH0k853qtoxnBFhmQvtHIoyU-QkiU8BRkeu0wBaR5l-XNlZ8EwHtowvhlXb00SSN618OxoZPMyG5w_MxpnD-xfG38u8Sy5FZvDVV8tMzI6l6rt0UhY8XpQh-TOiUVly3HEducvGK/w1979-h1329/57.jpg" width="1979" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Rocky Mountaineer.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Beyond Little Gore Canyon, the tracks turn south and enter a small valley with a shelf of land wide enough for the passing siding at Radium. A few houses huddle near the tracks. A winding and narrow county lane runs down from Trough Road, and there is public access to the river on the west bank.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The few people who live here are like reclusive lions, as would be anyone, human or animal, living in isolated mountains with ferocious winters and preciously short summers. The nearest gas station and grocery store are in Kremmling, only ten miles away as the crow flies, but the drive requires one to cross the Gore Range on a narrow gravel road that near the summit hugs a cliff that drops over a thousand feet to the Colorado River. Called "Inspiration Point," there is a small turn-out where one can take spectacular images of the railroad. Still, the drive can be nerve-wracking, especially in the rain. Your author has never tried it in snow -- and never will. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If you peer over the edge of the cliff, you will see a dead automobile near the water.</span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx1ekEvjMDe7mWi6kvCnMnh8nQBqQyUpNWBd41RV-YC2TmJieXIUKHPE83P8N1T19L9tAgIfBgQ2qnEsM_6ftnZO36z5ue858rLLU8pHN27BjZUsQdgrqxoP-LUPH3i6TtCFlpC7iHQBIYhQ5Wr8G6OjxGFSlkD0oDXfz8yaiqIDq2YyGMRAsXBnYUkB-/s3027/104.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3027" height="1297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdx1ekEvjMDe7mWi6kvCnMnh8nQBqQyUpNWBd41RV-YC2TmJieXIUKHPE83P8N1T19L9tAgIfBgQ2qnEsM_6ftnZO36z5ue858rLLU8pHN27BjZUsQdgrqxoP-LUPH3i6TtCFlpC7iHQBIYhQ5Wr8G6OjxGFSlkD0oDXfz8yaiqIDq2YyGMRAsXBnYUkB-/w1976-h1297/104.jpg" width="1976" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound No. 6 has just passed Radium and is preparing to enter Little Gore Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtni9CKlezhCTaXQ8x5LEuKGcnb-5Tyve0ANjCR7XxBfxlBeeW-RZEwVoRLD7GZHOFTI2eM4kTrhlnjxG0nf8UBP3cTP3gWsZbV_3eqnVkUUPfHlgRXmt40A8yKDsmC_FbmWLtUthVDW9Z200kjzheHWjwZBFSMguVjnOVWJNDTUfsEgCuOtF_lzb4RV9f/s2984/89.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2984" height="1331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtni9CKlezhCTaXQ8x5LEuKGcnb-5Tyve0ANjCR7XxBfxlBeeW-RZEwVoRLD7GZHOFTI2eM4kTrhlnjxG0nf8UBP3cTP3gWsZbV_3eqnVkUUPfHlgRXmt40A8yKDsmC_FbmWLtUthVDW9Z200kjzheHWjwZBFSMguVjnOVWJNDTUfsEgCuOtF_lzb4RV9f/w1973-h1331/89.jpg" width="1973" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Near sundown, an eastbound UP freight approaches Little Gore Canyon, the entry to which can be seen in the left center of the image.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5bfKg52ezO79vYn58SLQdSmhxFfXLuoYzjag--o_MmBXXrGERV8c0G1jk6BDd95561N78UzvU_Lw4ZNy3Pw07A9tf6IVcrqaCbmSfm6XWVHKPwo2nJwQOxq3oOYA_vvWKKXeN9bha6XkR34xMrET6B5XKEv6wP9jAvyMxKWKSB-ksdieukSIMyT2GCxv/s2997/70.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5bfKg52ezO79vYn58SLQdSmhxFfXLuoYzjag--o_MmBXXrGERV8c0G1jk6BDd95561N78UzvU_Lw4ZNy3Pw07A9tf6IVcrqaCbmSfm6XWVHKPwo2nJwQOxq3oOYA_vvWKKXeN9bha6XkR34xMrET6B5XKEv6wP9jAvyMxKWKSB-ksdieukSIMyT2GCxv/w1977-h1323/70.jpg" width="1977" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound empty coal approaching Radium. The very rear of the train is emerging from Little Gore Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguvFe5f3I29QGNPb4isK1oMwm8JzLRgxHP0YaSh6WDWqKpb6NKFCCD_92RMfzQvWz6QcAoK2qLor2BcUxXD9M3g6M9MX1faO8yNMqtXL6Png2H2wh8h92f0mdz8Z_j8guj2YNe6LUGoNR2g6sPY0MgNWM-R-Gs-J2zNHg0HBu95YCKoG9VBvtM9tA7y7K/s3004/69.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3004" height="1316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguvFe5f3I29QGNPb4isK1oMwm8JzLRgxHP0YaSh6WDWqKpb6NKFCCD_92RMfzQvWz6QcAoK2qLor2BcUxXD9M3g6M9MX1faO8yNMqtXL6Png2H2wh8h92f0mdz8Z_j8guj2YNe6LUGoNR2g6sPY0MgNWM-R-Gs-J2zNHg0HBu95YCKoG9VBvtM9tA7y7K/w1976-h1316/69.jpg" width="1976" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound BNSF approaching Radium.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyywt_XY42Ts035cyxa_Zc6XZewjaW2YwMmcPumso2ERkQpZggY0MozaQHOxfDiDY14Zq-RInH1V2_MrYvOGzjq0XeyTeLPFBDUNpYID0Mi8ChxhMALG4ApW-_GyKRgwnC5K4hhgBl_M6gfM3osDXYI6SG7OAMzgSNmYB58naOs97wVgVmOXTNimb9hyp/s2979/66.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2979" height="1333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyywt_XY42Ts035cyxa_Zc6XZewjaW2YwMmcPumso2ERkQpZggY0MozaQHOxfDiDY14Zq-RInH1V2_MrYvOGzjq0XeyTeLPFBDUNpYID0Mi8ChxhMALG4ApW-_GyKRgwnC5K4hhgBl_M6gfM3osDXYI6SG7OAMzgSNmYB58naOs97wVgVmOXTNimb9hyp/w1975-h1333/66.jpg" width="1975" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 6 at Radium.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /></div><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rp_Y_QAUC4p89Tj0bkTRiuqQpPqgbh1COdeHRGCvKfkqjXZZD3IlK67xv0LOySjDBtx6CW1dlzt-sNlbveXAxIED3VOf_aSSNp2wqj4gfGk4geMmwlPOUDCJq25DEw499c7scDgWos9C2uuqZz3a2VJpfCOm9e31ZiGXViuKAAfvFy-tZV9-PBbY78ap/s3012/67.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rp_Y_QAUC4p89Tj0bkTRiuqQpPqgbh1COdeHRGCvKfkqjXZZD3IlK67xv0LOySjDBtx6CW1dlzt-sNlbveXAxIED3VOf_aSSNp2wqj4gfGk4geMmwlPOUDCJq25DEw499c7scDgWos9C2uuqZz3a2VJpfCOm9e31ZiGXViuKAAfvFy-tZV9-PBbY78ap/w1973-h1307/67.jpg" width="1973" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF at Radium.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bqdxSQHx2i5y3DuG948JEgai45w862TpbDxyedmt6HWPTbqw0NAIcngZwA0Pc4Zcliea4Z7JIQNWxLtONb0SN27nEVwtHrysfewEDqp2hIyBZEpDCachQj-eWBHWoXb7Ntvpc-lq0ACGtTcE8TGwdSWbfOPY4YmEx9UCeBpo_IyA2Rwspp8ijfrWZLdi/s2968/68.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2968" height="1342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bqdxSQHx2i5y3DuG948JEgai45w862TpbDxyedmt6HWPTbqw0NAIcngZwA0Pc4Zcliea4Z7JIQNWxLtONb0SN27nEVwtHrysfewEDqp2hIyBZEpDCachQj-eWBHWoXb7Ntvpc-lq0ACGtTcE8TGwdSWbfOPY4YmEx9UCeBpo_IyA2Rwspp8ijfrWZLdi/w1971-h1342/68.jpg" width="1971" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP at Radium.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxZ0shGXGRCSEmZJu6FVWHyVHu5rpgNQA7HS6JvflgFT4y-9iuzXYy_6cagjteQLBEtjyfG03v6gTIfcdWkYlypEHu_rYgGprK0x4kiorJEjspOVObutFDduRnVCDlDr5URHzmQSuBoh6axIH6Ct3Zu9nNcNrjH36duPW-o8ppzlBxJbhJvB9SH6JeO2T/s3017/42.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxZ0shGXGRCSEmZJu6FVWHyVHu5rpgNQA7HS6JvflgFT4y-9iuzXYy_6cagjteQLBEtjyfG03v6gTIfcdWkYlypEHu_rYgGprK0x4kiorJEjspOVObutFDduRnVCDlDr5URHzmQSuBoh6axIH6Ct3Zu9nNcNrjH36duPW-o8ppzlBxJbhJvB9SH6JeO2T/w1976-h1303/42.jpg" width="1976" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Rocky Mountaineer at Radium.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN82gNaOAMRR1i_zcCIbyBLeOtngsAmkccHDaB-Lgqn5ws9im6hbIZF0Kh8NV1hm7VPz38QSTaNl7F1tuN-aMdOVrFWAQ4w1XDAmqVpXjXyVDeBTciEao_MK5-HH3mKHxWk_GiBNr2L9rkewijm00Vs_DfcTGnzbvFAM-rAt9cOSG1P0h7uU1bCesZovD/s3024/115.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN82gNaOAMRR1i_zcCIbyBLeOtngsAmkccHDaB-Lgqn5ws9im6hbIZF0Kh8NV1hm7VPz38QSTaNl7F1tuN-aMdOVrFWAQ4w1XDAmqVpXjXyVDeBTciEao_MK5-HH3mKHxWk_GiBNr2L9rkewijm00Vs_DfcTGnzbvFAM-rAt9cOSG1P0h7uU1bCesZovD/w1977-h1298/115.jpg" width="1977" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The next passing siding west of Radium is Yarmony. Here an eastbound UP freight waits to meet westbound No. 5.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6s2fF5oeGMtDVa_B6LDgqEsvwMIrslvAVz-6X0-aqsq4HvMHCA0sR1GOlf7pLhbV7Yw52kmS7Eltoe5VBnx_CBuqoMWfq9koxiRIXEZCNyvFjeS8AmnYdT-2FiZVH4BwpKxUABowEB-qNwAvcShaQ5dKdyYUXBqZp2rvgO1DJBKzjaSnCoRRUbxz16fBo/s3002/113.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3002" height="1317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6s2fF5oeGMtDVa_B6LDgqEsvwMIrslvAVz-6X0-aqsq4HvMHCA0sR1GOlf7pLhbV7Yw52kmS7Eltoe5VBnx_CBuqoMWfq9koxiRIXEZCNyvFjeS8AmnYdT-2FiZVH4BwpKxUABowEB-qNwAvcShaQ5dKdyYUXBqZp2rvgO1DJBKzjaSnCoRRUbxz16fBo/w1979-h1317/113.jpg" width="1979" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound BNSF at Yarmony.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfXvMqGCDghWW-ZNEsftS_nttG_muVRiVUV23BxNjcy1OmiBbCSGZ1274sHanoZDFIiHJI71Mu2CLVtLDRS-0Y1t6ibS2P-ydDmjZqolc-p3pGNpArhk2yEH_eusucmflCbfz2rAjA_8gXqnKS_nZ9RBX5xUn_xVUoBQDTuiRsB3ckXL1JzFSK4fJN0Xl/s3053/112.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3053" height="1273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfXvMqGCDghWW-ZNEsftS_nttG_muVRiVUV23BxNjcy1OmiBbCSGZ1274sHanoZDFIiHJI71Mu2CLVtLDRS-0Y1t6ibS2P-ydDmjZqolc-p3pGNpArhk2yEH_eusucmflCbfz2rAjA_8gXqnKS_nZ9RBX5xUn_xVUoBQDTuiRsB3ckXL1JzFSK4fJN0Xl/w1978-h1273/112.jpg" width="1978" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound at same location.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zfuo_9TIQ2cQVWAAlGHfEF7XPrJbLXAulYkuqBAW3t5mv7ugLj8yaqj7dSS8aqAC4F0kxLsW_iuLFo4kCBmBpWCsH4lTO-cEfq-3-9073ddJ7Lx6ypewo8CkevzR5Jlk5bQwNOwaXxz6jfAeJ_dDUWnAkUlhhMbdNqsaZmeOC5PB_7zlnuGZ2kKJD2N4/s3000/114.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3000" height="1315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Zfuo_9TIQ2cQVWAAlGHfEF7XPrJbLXAulYkuqBAW3t5mv7ugLj8yaqj7dSS8aqAC4F0kxLsW_iuLFo4kCBmBpWCsH4lTO-cEfq-3-9073ddJ7Lx6ypewo8CkevzR5Jlk5bQwNOwaXxz6jfAeJ_dDUWnAkUlhhMbdNqsaZmeOC5PB_7zlnuGZ2kKJD2N4/w1975-h1315/114.jpg" width="1975" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bond is where the original Moffat Road left the Colorado River and began the climb up the side of an extinct volcano, one of the most amazing pieces of railroad construction in North America. Today this is the Craig Branch that still services a few coal mines, though traffic has decreased significantly over the years. The mainline now runs from Bond to Dotsero where it connects with the original Rio Grande mainline across Tennessee Pass (now closed). On this day, a string of light engines was awaiting movement.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">West of Bond, the mainline hugs the banks of the Colorado River, twisting and turning like a worm on hot concrete, as it steadily descends to lower elevations ("lower" being a relative term in Colorado). The tracks cross the river and enter a short tunnel. Small ranches hug the flatlands along the water, watched over by the mountains that bracket the tracks all the way to Utah. </span></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDEzgkj1LmZooMDGlbPc3KRnFPtz2OHekacbEUUAWrBvMXgbg_HaIO5Nl4QLImm9nN44GB5olU6LCZJiexQr1usTGb4TzyNq17b63Q0n8oMQMhbOS_iWtjquU5mZamkBP_zbDNpTl92YQKnYj53-AKs33ICXjNyNLwodNczkGIDuPJyFS3uOMrlcZ6DyP/s3049/93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3049" height="1275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDEzgkj1LmZooMDGlbPc3KRnFPtz2OHekacbEUUAWrBvMXgbg_HaIO5Nl4QLImm9nN44GB5olU6LCZJiexQr1usTGb4TzyNq17b63Q0n8oMQMhbOS_iWtjquU5mZamkBP_zbDNpTl92YQKnYj53-AKs33ICXjNyNLwodNczkGIDuPJyFS3uOMrlcZ6DyP/w1980-h1275/93.jpg" width="1980" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound oil train crossing the river and approaching the short tunnel.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06Avn1DTakjMO4raSnsLg7MZ6t2yMK6iwXOzWc5_D9oJLCZaydXrQfZzSzl05rJ88h0O0MUL11p8JOvX6N1EpMk5zgP_QiDInvPMn-UQUxuM0vtIhrZwNBaJ5jL5NUX-zp_lSCxFueeBUaJyhvY2dKtgVBwjLkVJxI7zDuoJiGlH9DpovoLGvwufxLFbi/s3003/108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06Avn1DTakjMO4raSnsLg7MZ6t2yMK6iwXOzWc5_D9oJLCZaydXrQfZzSzl05rJ88h0O0MUL11p8JOvX6N1EpMk5zgP_QiDInvPMn-UQUxuM0vtIhrZwNBaJ5jL5NUX-zp_lSCxFueeBUaJyhvY2dKtgVBwjLkVJxI7zDuoJiGlH9DpovoLGvwufxLFbi/s3003/108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3003" height="1317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06Avn1DTakjMO4raSnsLg7MZ6t2yMK6iwXOzWc5_D9oJLCZaydXrQfZzSzl05rJ88h0O0MUL11p8JOvX6N1EpMk5zgP_QiDInvPMn-UQUxuM0vtIhrZwNBaJ5jL5NUX-zp_lSCxFueeBUaJyhvY2dKtgVBwjLkVJxI7zDuoJiGlH9DpovoLGvwufxLFbi/w1978-h1317/108.jpg" width="1978" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>While awaiting Amtrak No. 6, your author was surprised to see this eastbound oil train headed for the second main at Bond.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06Avn1DTakjMO4raSnsLg7MZ6t2yMK6iwXOzWc5_D9oJLCZaydXrQfZzSzl05rJ88h0O0MUL11p8JOvX6N1EpMk5zgP_QiDInvPMn-UQUxuM0vtIhrZwNBaJ5jL5NUX-zp_lSCxFueeBUaJyhvY2dKtgVBwjLkVJxI7zDuoJiGlH9DpovoLGvwufxLFbi/s3003/108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x9na4eqN8P9UHXAy7NXTzPz31D4FSFWqW26OU7UH5Vqlh2y6ZhPZTZVluI-HG6PO3l-cKLtNcHjwBI_mRnut75PLb6SvxDLAy6llZCG6iKuJv4JdWo7WFtSSK0GbgHku9C2tIFdF68g4eIO94xeNES8UFW5lpetIPOMmPIFfaSst6g4hYwRIiV4uKsRS/s3023/107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3023" height="1289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x9na4eqN8P9UHXAy7NXTzPz31D4FSFWqW26OU7UH5Vqlh2y6ZhPZTZVluI-HG6PO3l-cKLtNcHjwBI_mRnut75PLb6SvxDLAy6llZCG6iKuJv4JdWo7WFtSSK0GbgHku9C2tIFdF68g4eIO94xeNES8UFW5lpetIPOMmPIFfaSst6g4hYwRIiV4uKsRS/w1964-h1289/107.jpg" width="1964" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Less than five minutes behind, No. 6 prepares to enter the short tunnel.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A decent gravel road follows the tracks closely all the way to Dotsero. In places, tracks and road are literally side-by-side, with nothing separating them except the high-altitude atmosphere. Because this section of the line does not see trains off the Craig Branch, traffic can some days be non-existent, save for Amtrak. A few dwellings are tucked in crevices along the river cliffs. Unless a moving train or vehicle is nearby, the mountain stillness is broken only by the sound of the gently flowing water.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Burns appears to have a post office, though every time I have driven past, it has looked closed. There is no town in Burns, just a few deserted buildings.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMG8bEwM18r9tj-WQPVDZ-F5UTPsuoANE0tY0UPwGtzluqHbkWklQe5yRs2Cl8-5tYxywoj_XUNDX-7Kw2SEOoQH6myYOUHfSSEyhi-CId39nkNkgtY26nNeR3WfmiieArwumb2k7M7OTeD176B9HLxqYlLRpt8LEXE8QWE9zO41OSMaeRMZ4p13Rhv6F/s3031/94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMG8bEwM18r9tj-WQPVDZ-F5UTPsuoANE0tY0UPwGtzluqHbkWklQe5yRs2Cl8-5tYxywoj_XUNDX-7Kw2SEOoQH6myYOUHfSSEyhi-CId39nkNkgtY26nNeR3WfmiieArwumb2k7M7OTeD176B9HLxqYlLRpt8LEXE8QWE9zO41OSMaeRMZ4p13Rhv6F/w1970-h1287/94.jpg" width="1970" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>I chased the oil train west where it hugs the river.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjY8x4JFzxCXPqbEDzezqcgjS_VQE4KjixSX5u0TnFfTybTuQ3_l5NM4T1b9cw5zfiAy7wOoMMNUefZkBhFN6p9JM7kiyHU8hiP9xNfJCA4glL4XI3zipwK1mbi3pPQ6_pvA7BKSMzQysgPdkEP6ztSPnoNQ7b0yOW6HT68St0Hh8MU6anpVqEECnoZp-/s3015/106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjY8x4JFzxCXPqbEDzezqcgjS_VQE4KjixSX5u0TnFfTybTuQ3_l5NM4T1b9cw5zfiAy7wOoMMNUefZkBhFN6p9JM7kiyHU8hiP9xNfJCA4glL4XI3zipwK1mbi3pPQ6_pvA7BKSMzQysgPdkEP6ztSPnoNQ7b0yOW6HT68St0Hh8MU6anpVqEECnoZp-/w1968-h1298/106.jpg" width="1968" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tracks and road are side-by-side. Photographer is standing in the road.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSMo8wdO38iZF1ezjSNsAetsRIXO9pbE2_WBss8atUnjkNWbSDICFe4KzNR_qhfceQm4oxdkxAJQimF-_LjUn1ehY9FeGhtXEEmcpf5QgqzaoMHiN8lJVgh9VdY7S8reMyRg2FkLvBU_B9wmrazYBM6w0WGFIQYec6fujvB3MWL9T66hHBjJihF_ZHVf-/s2986/111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2986" height="1329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSMo8wdO38iZF1ezjSNsAetsRIXO9pbE2_WBss8atUnjkNWbSDICFe4KzNR_qhfceQm4oxdkxAJQimF-_LjUn1ehY9FeGhtXEEmcpf5QgqzaoMHiN8lJVgh9VdY7S8reMyRg2FkLvBU_B9wmrazYBM6w0WGFIQYec6fujvB3MWL9T66hHBjJihF_ZHVf-/w1979-h1329/111.jpg" width="1979" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound BNSF is approaching Burns.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI8N8XgzqWxrZahsANj-VO9OU30cMyHcWVijHIHXtkT4i-lQFcysP0_zd82cu9NpK1tI4OlETWLCapHt-jZV7X6Mzz0nGTbo4GzAy5yZrgvQBnKz7gh845Q4qDeBrd3lAktH98qyPbelN4tGOhatgJbK--Z9vu6ko4bNjroxDzpzjHsb-BinH73noBpI6/s2995/110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2995" height="1326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI8N8XgzqWxrZahsANj-VO9OU30cMyHcWVijHIHXtkT4i-lQFcysP0_zd82cu9NpK1tI4OlETWLCapHt-jZV7X6Mzz0nGTbo4GzAy5yZrgvQBnKz7gh845Q4qDeBrd3lAktH98qyPbelN4tGOhatgJbK--Z9vu6ko4bNjroxDzpzjHsb-BinH73noBpI6/w1983-h1326/110.jpg" width="1983" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound BNSF. Burns is just around the corner to the rear of the train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebJkw5r7lmeL796i2knUp5PpfKku5o20bAKSTN6CqxhLP3vtxGsvjp9lt3gzHNYgnh4AY7Nkttf2euFDofEMJEveWJ04MsB4Mx2ACthnHnArfh2SmxuOu9fCicEumSHgfAO7RV5qv0L75wwv6WP92r4tt-JsGOMhWBGhg9PP1Q2aagY-uWQvM7gVQ8Bbc/s2999/95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2999" height="1326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebJkw5r7lmeL796i2knUp5PpfKku5o20bAKSTN6CqxhLP3vtxGsvjp9lt3gzHNYgnh4AY7Nkttf2euFDofEMJEveWJ04MsB4Mx2ACthnHnArfh2SmxuOu9fCicEumSHgfAO7RV5qv0L75wwv6WP92r4tt-JsGOMhWBGhg9PP1Q2aagY-uWQvM7gVQ8Bbc/w1982-h1326/95.jpg" width="1982" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 6.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Burns was the end of the line. Traffic was spotty on the old Moffat Road, but any traffic at all makes it a treasure. Tennessee Pass is gone now. In fact, as of today (July 2023), it has been gone over 25 years. That alone impresses upon me my mortality. I hope the Moffat Road outlasts me. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my other posts, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><div><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-84981391080904383392023-06-29T13:31:00.000-05:002023-06-29T13:31:53.362-05:00The Old Man and the Snow<p><br /></p><p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFboEwABd2kRYtWkdDa9B1EVRIOSnm7AJteulh5KWbe-BCRWuHt0U6Q9Rp8PUHsAYLMrLqjiRzzDDdXpxMlh4hjRTuL8ltaSbr5M5B6aA8Ahkw8lD3oOGJkt5TI0rMDiAWQFQL5zhNDeyHWs4Z33MjoCcEodeyclgFUZa-NWePxKaFVbxjpmmRmH07wZst/s2664/20%20copy%202.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2027" data-original-width="2664" height="1296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFboEwABd2kRYtWkdDa9B1EVRIOSnm7AJteulh5KWbe-BCRWuHt0U6Q9Rp8PUHsAYLMrLqjiRzzDDdXpxMlh4hjRTuL8ltaSbr5M5B6aA8Ahkw8lD3oOGJkt5TI0rMDiAWQFQL5zhNDeyHWs4Z33MjoCcEodeyclgFUZa-NWePxKaFVbxjpmmRmH07wZst/w1707-h1296/20%20copy%202.jpeg" width="1707" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The thermometer reads sixteen degrees Fahrenheit as BNSF 3965 East rolls past Darling, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><p><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish.</span></span></i></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Over the years, I have traveled to Flagstaff, Arizona, to photograph the incredibly busy mainline of first the Santa Fe and now the BNSF. Those trips were taken in summer and fall when the weather at 7,000 feet above sea level is pleasant and unforbidding. Yet the wanderlust in me has always wanted to approach the San Francisco Volcano Field in the worst of winter, the very worst of winter, when the whole country from the bottom of the Little Colorado River to the top of Humphrey's Peak is buried by a foot or more of snow. In January 2023, such an opportunity presented itself while I was traveling in southern Arizona. In Yuma, the days were bright and warm, temperatures in the 70's, with little breeze. A quick check of the NOAA website showed, however, that Flagstaff and surroundings had been entombed by a slow moving blizzard. I am not growing younger, and I wondered if I would have many more opportunities to realize my long-held fantasy. So I took a deep breath and headed north. </span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcv1tzO4aOQzeodBo5s78zmeZsfDK76avcwM4W4i7lQJDjB2BctsX-i4XBuP_nnuOG9CITH1_PRNoET5i5XC1f2W9I0Cw2CLBHF5sAN2PgVxG8fB58GvEpOy1db_rGU0iVsW3I8C_V13ZgfB63z_yZo3lGl94_LVyqqrtwJ9u2niizxTeVCmvdIuP2Q/s2999/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2999" height="1130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcv1tzO4aOQzeodBo5s78zmeZsfDK76avcwM4W4i7lQJDjB2BctsX-i4XBuP_nnuOG9CITH1_PRNoET5i5XC1f2W9I0Cw2CLBHF5sAN2PgVxG8fB58GvEpOy1db_rGU0iVsW3I8C_V13ZgfB63z_yZo3lGl94_LVyqqrtwJ9u2niizxTeVCmvdIuP2Q/w1697-h1130/1.jpg" width="1697" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound at dusk. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From Yuma I took U.S. 95, which runs along the western edge of the Gila Mountains and for a short distance parallels the old Southern Pacific Sunset Route as it makes a huge horseshoe around the northern edge of those peaks through the valley of the Gila River, water from which makes this harsh desert bloom.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xhrhc7vhnopSnvkJvSfEeW1v53vDgwdApT-3qvmvvvOvDW9OoHSeFxwNNZCbVDgXOIXINsovfCHOGzz1ur5cujzBmx00Grfvj_0MkdYHUZOWol6fjVPopq0O6z0AZFU1km4execTb-vPxqpRiB_ksbukYXB7nSI5M9PfNZHAtIQ1UhcUKJ1pPBU6tQ/s3010/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xhrhc7vhnopSnvkJvSfEeW1v53vDgwdApT-3qvmvvvOvDW9OoHSeFxwNNZCbVDgXOIXINsovfCHOGzz1ur5cujzBmx00Grfvj_0MkdYHUZOWol6fjVPopq0O6z0AZFU1km4execTb-vPxqpRiB_ksbukYXB7nSI5M9PfNZHAtIQ1UhcUKJ1pPBU6tQ/w1692-h1121/2.jpg" width="1692" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The Sunset Route. In the background is the Gila River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /> </span><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC_nBIqF2RMaQqSr0vECVhbfD4nUB3UdKkVzq4R0j7VflXTkYC21T-F7afhzJ4XFl1EpRSTFMgzU2zdoz2wWqQ5CrcajHS0UbE1kyRqNGCtLetDjGwMnkAaEqQ7yiW6QbZFa4RpvYOv6cTb2yzmt3O3-GvON8fMXM44-75tz9ujE0puCqX_Po1Rv4uw/s3056/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3056" height="1090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwC_nBIqF2RMaQqSr0vECVhbfD4nUB3UdKkVzq4R0j7VflXTkYC21T-F7afhzJ4XFl1EpRSTFMgzU2zdoz2wWqQ5CrcajHS0UbE1kyRqNGCtLetDjGwMnkAaEqQ7yiW6QbZFa4RpvYOv6cTb2yzmt3O3-GvON8fMXM44-75tz9ujE0puCqX_Po1Rv4uw/w1695-h1090/3.jpg" width="1695" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The Sunset Route curving around the northern edge of the Gila Mountains. In the background is the river of the same name and the irrigated fields that parallel it.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I crossed the river and climbed out of its valley, I was back in a land that in dry years may see </span><span style="font-family: arial;">no rainfall. Average yearly precipitation is 2.5 inches. A wet year is four inches.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">If you are not from this country, the lack of humidity is most noticeable on your skin, which if you do not use lotion begins to itch, as though you have rolled naked in poison ivy. Then it begins to flake, falling to the ground like ashes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The road is two-lane, but traffic is minimal. An occasional eighteen-wheeler passes, and sooner or later you catch an elderly couple in a motor home, driving 55 and worried that they may get pulled over for speeding. You pass with ease, nodding, but the old man behind the wheel either doesn't see you or else considers you beneath the effort of a response.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The problem may be that I have weathered like the land (Oklahoma) in which I have lived. Every storm has produced a red rivulet, and my face is crossed with them, plus the remnants of skin cancers that my dermatologist keeps removing. She is kind and does not scold me for spending too much time in the sun. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><i>The old man was thin and gaunt with deep wrinkles in the back of his neck. The brown blotches of the benevolent skin cancer the sun brings from its reflection on the tropic sea were on his cheeks.</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The land rises gradually like the floor of a house that has settled on one side. Mountains frame the view, small rock mountains with no vegetation, just bare rocks that in the summer radiate heat like mirrors. But it is January now, and the desert air is clear, dry and cool, and you understand why so many people travel in trailers and motor homes to spend the winter here, crowded together like ants, sitting in lawn chairs in the gravel that separates each motor home, each trailer, each tent, snow birds waving as you rush past on the highway.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The desert is hypnotic, mile upon mile of sand and rocks and the occasional creosote bush, and amazingly long-eared rabbits, amazingly long-eared, ears as long as carrots. And the snow birds who flock here in winter begin to look like the desert, gnarled and brown, uninviting yet friendly at the same time, a clever paradox. You hurdle northward in your Jeep with the window down, passing the occasional motor home trundling 55 on the highway, always driven by an old man hunched behind the wheel, staring straight ahead at the road, and you wonder where do all these people come from? And when it turns hot, where do they go?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">You pass the Yuma Proving Ground, surrounded by a chain link fence and razor wire, where the military tests its equipment under desert conditions -- heat, blowing sand, more heat, more blowing sand. In the military, some posts are considered prime, others not so much. My guess is that the Yuma Proving Ground falls into the "not so much" category, but that is just an uneducated guess. Some people like it here in the summer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At the small town of Quartzsite, you intersect Interstate 10, surrounded in all directions by campsites with thousands of motor homes, trailers and tents. </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA1X1I3W7J4ra_6seK0w6KcRWbWowzl7hHMue-oL5PzVg4hB3y_xpP25stw2dQJyTv0fWYTey3-rsYsZ-M7LdpykuviUqWrSwaAJVfYA86FRgMAkTOFNlhjOorMSwrxZzbGAYPxta1thLRZe_BDHzIOrJAhPzlkPSI_pxrekF1J-UB_BUFLdKeoGRuYw" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA1X1I3W7J4ra_6seK0w6KcRWbWowzl7hHMue-oL5PzVg4hB3y_xpP25stw2dQJyTv0fWYTey3-rsYsZ-M7LdpykuviUqWrSwaAJVfYA86FRgMAkTOFNlhjOorMSwrxZzbGAYPxta1thLRZe_BDHzIOrJAhPzlkPSI_pxrekF1J-UB_BUFLdKeoGRuYw=w679-h510" width="679" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Quartzsite, Arizona.<br /></b></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">It is impossible to over-emphasize the scope of the winter migration. This must be the 21st century equivalent of the swarming mass of bison that roamed with the seasons north and south across the North American High Plains, a swarming living mass that takes on a life of its own apart from its constituents. And dotted between the camps are huge retail lots filled with motor homes and trailers for sale, thousands for sale, in case you need a new one, of if you are a virgin purchaser ready to join the herd. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Out of curiosity, I quickly stopped at one, but when I saw the prices, I just as quickly jumped back in my Jeep and headed east on I-10.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I did not have any food with me, but as I age, I have found that I can go all day without eating. I don't know why.</span></p><p></p><blockquote></blockquote><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><i>For a long time now eating had bored him and he never carried a lunch. He had a bottle of water in the bow of the skiff and that was all he needed for the day.</i></span></blockquote><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ3HywHPiZBalh1nTesJn-7wSNymuEMdvoYxrn_25Pe0o5DEFaXpPM-4GOnvhQ9DVaR6spnBbTVMFwop81ZGnCWlHxRowAApv4PtNUrbcDoCMVCVZqkl7E6mHJESaks8g6OqEXb63K05RT4IMTp8DtabOO5rhDerGlNXnBsQdyxZ4jvZK3Ig24OygoA/s3045/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3045" height="1098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ3HywHPiZBalh1nTesJn-7wSNymuEMdvoYxrn_25Pe0o5DEFaXpPM-4GOnvhQ9DVaR6spnBbTVMFwop81ZGnCWlHxRowAApv4PtNUrbcDoCMVCVZqkl7E6mHJESaks8g6OqEXb63K05RT4IMTp8DtabOO5rhDerGlNXnBsQdyxZ4jvZK3Ig24OygoA/w1696-h1098/2.jpg" width="1696" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound -- climbing the Colorado Plateau toward Flagstaff. You can see that, in the distance, the lower elevations are without snow.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ5TkTdkF5xp79G0LAxay2eKM13FYXAAELGkyC5sidL8n-aI_wPpi00r7NLoK4k_7I-II8pzcTGj4bDMJ2t18VfiR1ie-2uO5ST4bSkVuIYFmdkWLwnlyQ66CPPsuTG92zqZutdUs1PlUk1qRzhOy8SIOsJWEG9daObLZpC84kT7sWsCdojpLR4IiCEPJ/s3006/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="3006" height="950" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ5TkTdkF5xp79G0LAxay2eKM13FYXAAELGkyC5sidL8n-aI_wPpi00r7NLoK4k_7I-II8pzcTGj4bDMJ2t18VfiR1ie-2uO5ST4bSkVuIYFmdkWLwnlyQ66CPPsuTG92zqZutdUs1PlUk1qRzhOy8SIOsJWEG9daObLZpC84kT7sWsCdojpLR4IiCEPJ/w1699-h950/4.jpg" width="1699" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the last rays of sunlight, BNSF 7489 East has passed Flagstaff and is rolling downgrade through the snow toward Winslow.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVhbQAaSKeh87a2qeDOaSsBDsruNlqFibtWkobGTrRIThgdZLYmke_BZx_b883cgh189lf6vfc22bCMQgFxpTzJfNgmFEcimM-KfdytcXM4C5DDSNKG2c1oMjVrI5qcUqlvw75bShiIHqJdRbIKnKzgVdRknumarxiCimq4oMhK7cj7SEAt38IgaJaXkF/s2980/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="2980" height="1141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVhbQAaSKeh87a2qeDOaSsBDsruNlqFibtWkobGTrRIThgdZLYmke_BZx_b883cgh189lf6vfc22bCMQgFxpTzJfNgmFEcimM-KfdytcXM4C5DDSNKG2c1oMjVrI5qcUqlvw75bShiIHqJdRbIKnKzgVdRknumarxiCimq4oMhK7cj7SEAt38IgaJaXkF/w1690-h1141/12.jpg" width="1690" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>One of the last warbonnets is helping pull westbound stacks toward the Arizona Divide west of Flagstaff.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">If the snowbirds are bison, then driving on an east-west interstate in the 21st century is like the running of the bulls at Pamplona, Spain, during which s</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">ix Spanish fighting bulls, plus six steers, run from the Corrales de Santo Domingo to Pamplona's Plaza de Toros (the bullfight arena.) During the week long festival, over one million spectators watch thousands of runners try to stay ahead of the bulls through the narrow streets. Controlled mayhem is an inadequate description. Simple mayhem will do.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">100 years ago, Ernest Hemingway popularized this spectacle when he described it in his novel <i>The Sun Also Rises:</i> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The stretch of ground from the edge of the town to the bull-ring was muddy. There was a crowd all along the fence that led to the ring, and the outside balconies and the top of the bull-ring were solid with people. I heard the rocket and I knew I could not get into the ring in time to see the bulls come in, so I shoved through the crowd to the fence. I was pushed close against the planks of the fence. Between the two fences of the runway the police were clearing the crowd along. They walked or trotted on into the bull-ring. Then people commenced to come running. A drunk slipped and fell. Two policemen grabbed him and rushed him over to the fence. The crowd were running fast now. There was a great shout from the crowd, and putting my head through between the boards I saw the bulls just coming out of the street into the long running pen. They were going fast and gaining on the crowd. Just then another drunk started out from the fence with a blouse in his hands. He wanted to do capework with the bulls. The two policemen tore out, collared him, one hit him with a club, and they dragged him against the fence and stood flattened out against the fence as the last of the crowd and the bulls went by. There were so many people running ahead of the bulls that the mass thickened and slowed up going through the gate into the ring, and as the bulls passed, galloping together, heavy, muddy-sided, horns swinging, one shot ahead, caught a man in the running crowd in the back and lifted him in the air. Both the man’s arms were by his sides, his head went back as the horn went in, and the bull lifted him and then dropped him. The bull picked another man running in front, but the man disappeared into the crowd, and the crowd was through the gate and into the ring with the bulls behind them. The red door of the ring went shut, the crowd on the outside balconies of the bull-ring were pressing through to the inside, there was a shout, then another shout.</span></blockquote><p></p><div><div><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The man who had been gored lay face down in the trampled mud. People climbed over the fence, and I could not see the man because the crowd was so thick around him. From inside the ring came the shouts. Each shout meant a charge by some bull into the crowd. You could tell by the degree of intensity in the shout how bad a thing it was that was happening. Then the rocket went up that meant the steers had gotten the bulls out of the ring and into the corrals. I left the fence and started back toward the town.</span></blockquote></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Eighteen-wheelers are the modern American bulls, and the Interstate is the narrow muddy lane leading to the bull-ring. In my Jeep I am running with the crowd, running furiously, but the bulls are gaining, and though I am driving as fast as I feel comfortable, others as racing past; some even honk and shake their fists. I glance in the rear view mirror. The bulls are gaining. They are everywhere, not limited to six but hundreds, thousands, as though the sky has rained huge trucks. I see myself being gored, thrown in the air, landing face down in the mud as the horde tramples me, but then I see the exit sign for U.S. 60, and I turn off the interstate, my health intact if not my sanity.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">U.S. 60 was originally a transcontinental highway from Virginia Beach to Los Angeles. In 1964, the highway was truncated in far western Airzona and replaced by Interstate 10 across California. East of Phoenix, the old road crosses the Salt River Canyon in one of the most incredible highway construction projects imaginable, switchbacking down one side of the vast gorge, crossing the river, then switchbacking up the other side -- a feat never attempted by any railroad, which is why no transcontinental line runs through Phoenix. (BNSF reaches this huge desert megalopolis from the north, Union Pacific from the south.)</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eQ4byeteYbQZTm84_k-q4fHacq4Nr2RdKzsSARFs5kfHIGGOGZl7coqQIxhdYIm80r1w7J4u4gJMf4kObDTfA1WK57erflpaiYrkSaCeOeoCu31NPluz2zW7NmjYqYkYgbPLOjaWhmsJgL3OD32P12fm0fEQxHmnjlbM33KbvnXC2z20jwT-kL89BCyM/s2976/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2976" height="1155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eQ4byeteYbQZTm84_k-q4fHacq4Nr2RdKzsSARFs5kfHIGGOGZl7coqQIxhdYIm80r1w7J4u4gJMf4kObDTfA1WK57erflpaiYrkSaCeOeoCu31NPluz2zW7NmjYqYkYgbPLOjaWhmsJgL3OD32P12fm0fEQxHmnjlbM33KbvnXC2z20jwT-kL89BCyM/w1702-h1155/35.jpg" width="1702" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks and trailers as seen from the old U.S. 66 overpass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZZYlJRYZbJFfc2lFCkrOSxkcYkxk02YOCOhrOmFEfKRugRAuWSLXkh29a6bmRXOtxQXwphd-WT4-msYVSMPGjwKGRdBgCWOOBQ4-HYbxZ2j0vtyFtPtuiUfeoRXdUx5NndYtVCXpGtI-FZVcj5c41K08kRC7b6_pp-_R7hSsVorv4BduCgW7fpODaADo/s3057/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3057" height="1092" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZZYlJRYZbJFfc2lFCkrOSxkcYkxk02YOCOhrOmFEfKRugRAuWSLXkh29a6bmRXOtxQXwphd-WT4-msYVSMPGjwKGRdBgCWOOBQ4-HYbxZ2j0vtyFtPtuiUfeoRXdUx5NndYtVCXpGtI-FZVcj5c41K08kRC7b6_pp-_R7hSsVorv4BduCgW7fpODaADo/w1704-h1092/15.jpg" width="1704" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>High speed passing low speed at Darling, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I cross two small mountain ridges, enter an elongated valley and stop for gasoline in the small settlement of Salome, the daughter of Herodias, an odd name for a town, considering her influence on John the Baptist.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, a</span><span style="font-family: arial;">nd said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. (Matthew 14: 1-11, KJV.)</span></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The King James Version does not much concern itself with pronoun reference, nor do the ancient texts, but you get the idea.</span> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSB4zsz5YXTDiFbzRVZdFNpBW6fvqXYMCmuw4whK6qe7sVEHBmIQWWreh_C1sRV2Jr3lgk2CYsGPwf-fljN6ZwcFInySVqC3vL-aHT2cvoPtf4OHYUYQHCeSLJwFFdH-qV-VE2HfIpaqDcvyEaJQnqHCjUezYSQLv7kGcYtpahDsjtmLQrfGxXDQptyQ" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="440" height="687" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSB4zsz5YXTDiFbzRVZdFNpBW6fvqXYMCmuw4whK6qe7sVEHBmIQWWreh_C1sRV2Jr3lgk2CYsGPwf-fljN6ZwcFInySVqC3vL-aHT2cvoPtf4OHYUYQHCeSLJwFFdH-qV-VE2HfIpaqDcvyEaJQnqHCjUezYSQLv7kGcYtpahDsjtmLQrfGxXDQptyQ=w518-h687" width="518" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Portrait of Salome with the head of John the Baptist -- by Charles Mellin</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Through Salome, the Arizona and California Railroad runs parallel to U.S. 60 -- a former Santa Fe subdivision linking Phoenix with the AT&SF transcon at Cadiz, California, currently operated by Genesse and Wyoming. As I pump gas into my Jeep, I see a headlight to the east, approaching at a snail's pace. When my tank is full, I drive toward the headlight and discover a westbound Arizona and California freight crawling through the desert, running on a slow order, with trailers and stacks in front and boxcars and tankers bringing up the rear. I "chase" it back to the west -- I could have outrun it on foot -- and take the following images before the tracks and highway diverge.</span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBq-nOJ6wigcpNPkOSTp9LBpabxiXOfAJ29M9YdmqAGs4odQn1WonzX_C4jNqlo3f1jfkq7-zUD3bGvEKv4BdgQETi2T7vYs1ddt2PNzwIA30IMibQXdEYPKQpAlOGlBggjXiYfm5QRs66n4j3WWThe1fBDhgll4VV5Kyi255hhDkegSsxet3jzxhGg/s3014/67.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3014" height="1116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBq-nOJ6wigcpNPkOSTp9LBpabxiXOfAJ29M9YdmqAGs4odQn1WonzX_C4jNqlo3f1jfkq7-zUD3bGvEKv4BdgQETi2T7vYs1ddt2PNzwIA30IMibQXdEYPKQpAlOGlBggjXiYfm5QRs66n4j3WWThe1fBDhgll4VV5Kyi255hhDkegSsxet3jzxhGg/w1693-h1116/67.jpg" width="1693" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The locomotives lack lettering and are shiny new.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuIkB6u-b2t-JsoheU75Y94jdhUIZofmv-fphMgruf2SMhlaXLhpyspQJm9z02WS5zAYt650BfLe0dhJghmzlUE-5TeQ_-lMoa85fS8oKmgL9HT8njfn3FPkMf3QbhYkIs62l-Iy4wIm1aqZXQZp0fZ8SqbQaumJSVnDZl8zb1DWWhOwr9LnG2FxE-Q/s2986/68.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2986" height="1140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuIkB6u-b2t-JsoheU75Y94jdhUIZofmv-fphMgruf2SMhlaXLhpyspQJm9z02WS5zAYt650BfLe0dhJghmzlUE-5TeQ_-lMoa85fS8oKmgL9HT8njfn3FPkMf3QbhYkIs62l-Iy4wIm1aqZXQZp0fZ8SqbQaumJSVnDZl8zb1DWWhOwr9LnG2FxE-Q/w1696-h1140/68.jpg" width="1696" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Then I turn back east on U.S. 60 to Morristown, where Arizona 74 takes me across the far northern edge of the Phoenix megalopolis to Interstate 17 north to Flagstaff. Though the heart of Phoenix is almost 40 miles to the south, the metastasizing growth of progress is clearly visible in new housing developments, strip shopping centers and one enormous commercial construction project that looks like it might be an indoor arena of some sort. The people who settled here one hundred years ago, seeking desert solitude, would be aghast, to say nothing of the Native Americans who were displaced. The descendants of both are long departed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When I drive alone, I talk to myself. The conversations do not make any particular sense, nor do they follow any particular order. They are like fair weather cumulus clouds drifting and expanding across a clear mountain sky. One minute the sky is clear, the next clouds have appeared. Some turn into small storms, a deep purple, almost black, as though God is angry. My self-conversations are like that. </span></p><p></p><blockquote><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">“If the others heard me talking out loud they would think that I am crazy,” he said aloud. “But since I am not crazy, I </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">do not care.”</span></i></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Traffic on Interstate 17 is not nearly as heavy as on I-10, consistent with my observation that in the intermountain West, north-south interstates see a fraction of the commotion on the east-west transcontinental arteries. Still, this road is not free from congestion, especially when we reach steep grades that slow eighteen-wheelers to a crawl. Then traffic backs up like a clogged septic tank. When one big truck tries to pass another on a grade, traffic in both lanes comes to a virtual standstill. Tempers flare. Horns honk. Fists wave. I hunker down in the right-hand lane and hope no one shoots me. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We are not climbing into mountains; rather, we are ascending the Colorado Plateau, originally named by John Wesley Powell, comprising tablelands within an immense basin surrounded by highlands. Stream valleys are typically narrow and widely spaced, including the most spectacular – the Grand Canyon. The mean elevation is approximately 6,300 feet, but the range includes canyon bottoms at less than 2,500 feet and volcano peaks over 12,600 feet. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The San Francisco Volcanic Field covers about 1,800 square miles along the southern margin of this plateau. During its approximately 6-million-year history, this field has produced more than 600 volcanoes, including almost all of the hills and mountains between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, the most prominent of which is San Francisco Peak (also called Humphrey's Peak), a stratovolcano rising 12,633 feet. Sunset Crater, Arizona's youngest volcano, erupted about 1085 AD and must have been witnessed by native inhabitants living nearby.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Signs along the road announce changes in elevation: 3000 feet, 4000 feet, 5000. As we climb, we leave the desert air behind; the temperature drops rapidly: 60 degrees, 50 degrees, 40. Flagstaff is less than 30 miles distant, yet there is no snow, and I begin to wonder if the reports of a blizzard were mistaken. Then Ponderosa Pines begin to appear beside the road, stunted and gnarled at first, then growing taller, then very soon full grown, magnificent trees hundreds of years old. The contrast with the territory just traversed is startling, as though one has opened a door in a dark room and walked into brilliant sunlight. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And then the snow appears, not a light dusting but a huge blanket at least a foot deep. One minute there was no snow, the next a foot. The snow is still clinging to the pines; the whole world is white. There are patches of ice on the interstate; traffic slows to a crawl. I pass several cars that have spun off the road into the bar ditch. My Jeep thermometer says it is 20 degrees Fahrenheit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">By the time I reach the Holiday Inn in Flagstaff, the snow is at least two feet deep, piled along the side of the road in huge mounds. The parking lot has been cleared, sort of. The piles of snow are almost as tall as the roof of the porte cochere.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-size: xx-large;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs_LBxTsR43RXviRaijXOgwSVYudtBZDopnlkeIH1rYui_-kDriBZpm4qHkklSYDiZVbunYbpXzbqsXFRl2Rif2GxxzMh9l3Z3xFHSMwpy0mqEJ44UI41zPxFrOC6YA3c077C3s2KNVvGGArwnKN9_ZQDxRMcjX2nUG250hF5blHFeQOWPokygYxyVQ/s2997/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs_LBxTsR43RXviRaijXOgwSVYudtBZDopnlkeIH1rYui_-kDriBZpm4qHkklSYDiZVbunYbpXzbqsXFRl2Rif2GxxzMh9l3Z3xFHSMwpy0mqEJ44UI41zPxFrOC6YA3c077C3s2KNVvGGArwnKN9_ZQDxRMcjX2nUG250hF5blHFeQOWPokygYxyVQ/w1693-h1132/16.jpg" width="1693" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>This westbound manifest is approaching the old U.S. 66 overpass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">When I awoke the next morning and went downstairs for breakfast, the motel lobby was filled with people who I soon learned were going skiing at the nearby slopes. It had not occurred to me that Flagstaff would be filled with skiers, but then I have never been skiing. It probably did not occur to any of the skiers that someone from Oklahoma would be preparing to venture into the snow to photograph the railroad.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Jeep started quickly in the frigid air. The dashboard thermometer read 12 degrees Fahrenheit. I had not planned on venturing into arctic chill and so had not brought with me suitable cold weather gear. I wore pajamas, blue jeans, two pairs of socks and two long sleeve shirts. Before venturing into the wilderness, I patronized a truck stop for a stocking cap, gloves and jacket. Then I headed east along Interstate 40.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Snow was deep and pristine, like freshly troweled cement, and there were few cars on the road. I exited at Winona (the railroad calls the location "Darling") and turned north to the overpass across the tracks, where I met my first dilemma. Because I am not accustomed to heavy snow, it had not occurred to me that when roads have been plowed and the snow is piled to the side, there is no place to pull off and park. Even though my Jeep is very off-road capable, driving into a ditch filled with snow, as I would soon discover, would challenge its capabilities. An eastbound manifest appeared to the west, but I could find nowhere to park. I thought about stopping in the middle of the road, but vehicles were fast approaching in both directions, so I reluctantly kept moving, watching the pristine orange BNSF locomotives framed against the stark white landscape. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-size: xx-large;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk40fKB8HPjzik5o6mVAwtKOTy0iIl353o4huej1GLCPdA4K8efKO12-uA2Qx9G_CvpPuWnAd6vHUGamTTMNdzWwDljoIpkNsDUF0jfCQFr9Qq0ll2BwvrpvoTCpqIY6-PGiLu1hBz-AqFfLziCY5zWcpuQGokvMR4U-Pzb1Ns1kXvaH0pT05xhvifxA/s3024/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk40fKB8HPjzik5o6mVAwtKOTy0iIl353o4huej1GLCPdA4K8efKO12-uA2Qx9G_CvpPuWnAd6vHUGamTTMNdzWwDljoIpkNsDUF0jfCQFr9Qq0ll2BwvrpvoTCpqIY6-PGiLu1hBz-AqFfLziCY5zWcpuQGokvMR4U-Pzb1Ns1kXvaH0pT05xhvifxA/w1696-h1113/5.jpg" width="1696" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>In a few days, though the temperature was still below freezing, snow had sublimbed enough to expose the tracks and hard-surfaced roads, and I found a place to park near the Darling overpass and produced this image. (The process of sublimation is discussed below.)</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">I drove over a mile before I found a spot where there was enough cleared space to turn around. Then back to the overpass, where I saw another train that I could not photograph.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On the east side of the overpass, a narrow country road runs due east beside the tracks for a mile or so, then the tracks turn slightly northeast, but there is another road running north to the tracks that passes a small hill presenting a nice view in both directions. In good weather, one can turn off the road and follow a narrow path to the top, but with two feet of snow on the ground, that was out of the question. However, since there was no traffic at all on these side lanes, I planned to stop in the middle of the road, leave the motor and heater running, walk to the top of the hill, take a few images, then walk back to the Jeep and drive west to Flagstaff.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The road running east had been cleared at one time, though more snow had fallen since that effort. Still, the ground was level, and my Jeep is a champion in the snow. Where other vehicles spin out and pile up, my Jeep just keeps motoring.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As I drove east, I passed a young man and two women jogging. I slowed, they stepped into the heavy snow, and I waved. There were three or four inches of snow on the road, but the Jeep was having no trouble. I reached the turnoff to the road heading north to the tracks and began to climb uphill toward the small hill. No problem for the Jeep. We just kept plowing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When you get stuck in a Jeep, it happens all at once, and you don't see it coming. If you did, you wouldn't get stuck. Suddenly my Jeep slid hard to the right, rear-end first, and the front end began to point skyward. That was it. Just like that. The back of my Jeep was buried in the ditch beside the road that I had not even seen because it was filled with snow. I had driven directly into the ditch. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Over the years, I have acquired several tools designed to rescue me from quagmires: large shovel, small shovel, hand trowel, tow cable, large saw, small saw, traction boards, back-up battery, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, electric tire pump, fix-a-flat, hammers, wrenches, tool kit, and on and on. None of those was quite designed to deal with a vehicle driven directly into a four foot ditch filled with snow. Because I have been stuck so many times, I now in my old age have a pretty good idea of what I can dig myself out of, and what I cannot. A quick look told me that I had driven into the "cannot" category.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I was alone in a ditched filled with snow.</span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><i>No one should be alone in their old age, he thought. But it is unavoidable.</i></span></blockquote><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0s_zej_wPhX8K3UvE6362IpOqdmFbzwEpITebwcnx5LRbiOA0xV08lTw4vdWrm6wOcD-exGi5zVI1E8VzzErDu4UHsc2OUNTAe4N47WkkQQacAAtx-iqPasyehUv0NXaJ30wLrrM-_6_iSX2LrSXal8WTmQUp4oOf4jIM9S4QLyaeOFAjOn0rWgv4HEV/s3036/29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0s_zej_wPhX8K3UvE6362IpOqdmFbzwEpITebwcnx5LRbiOA0xV08lTw4vdWrm6wOcD-exGi5zVI1E8VzzErDu4UHsc2OUNTAe4N47WkkQQacAAtx-iqPasyehUv0NXaJ30wLrrM-_6_iSX2LrSXal8WTmQUp4oOf4jIM9S4QLyaeOFAjOn0rWgv4HEV/w1708-h1110/29.jpg" width="1708" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>NS 4453 leads bare tables west.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRmO9qECQvMFyn5fjcB-b5MxDM7r0sDEHmpFNjcKQLK_0c68xU2wOG6LP-AkmrYm8q7o-9g0wolvSH9WQfpXKUUILbtqQHYX1HnCkxfB_udzP8hZ0VQ5qjkKpDXC33fEigBo7TrxCaf2TJy51BB0Z54-628saDXQv9TOHbslGTQ-GL7tClVALqrcFft6e/s3042/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3042" height="1100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRmO9qECQvMFyn5fjcB-b5MxDM7r0sDEHmpFNjcKQLK_0c68xU2wOG6LP-AkmrYm8q7o-9g0wolvSH9WQfpXKUUILbtqQHYX1HnCkxfB_udzP8hZ0VQ5qjkKpDXC33fEigBo7TrxCaf2TJy51BB0Z54-628saDXQv9TOHbslGTQ-GL7tClVALqrcFft6e/w1700-h1100/28.jpg" width="1700" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Maine, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Still, one cannot simply give up and curse the universe, especially when one is several miles from civilization in several feet of snow. So I retrieved my large shovel and began to dig and quickly realized why some old men suffer heart attacks. The damn stuff (snow) is heavy. I did not have a heart attack, but I began breathing very heavily and took numerous breaks to rest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Another train came through that I could not photograph.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Eventually, when I had cleared enough space to place the traction boards in front of the wheels, I tried to slowly and gently inch my way up and out of the ditch -- and got nowhere. Traction boards are made of heavy, gnarled plastic which, in theory, your tires should grab, allowing you gain enough momentum to leap out of whatever you have fallen into. They have rescued me from sand several times. But not this time. All four wheels spun futilely, because snow beneath the Jeep was pressed hard against the axles and undercarriage. I was "high centered," that is, the wheels were lifted and had no weight on them to gain traction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">About this time, the young man and two young women saw my plight and came jogging up the hill. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Trouble?" the young man said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">He was being polite, because any fool could see that I was an idiot.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Perhaps we can help."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Francoise?" I said, meaning to ask if he were French but mispronouncing the word and instead using a feminine name, such as Francoise Bonnet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Yes," he said, laughing. I think he appreciated my effort.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">He and his two female companions then helped me try to dig out the Jeep, a hopeless task, as was soon apparent to all. With its snout sticking into the air, the vehicle looked like a sinking ocean liner.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The trio shrugged and said that if I was still stuck when they returned from their run, I could come back with them to town to find a towing service. I think they meant that I could run back with them to town, seven or eight miles away and up a steep grade.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Thanks," I said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So I was faced with a Hobbesian choice -- (1) Keep digging for an hour or so until I had literally removed all the snow around the Jeep from the ditch. (2) Run seven or eight miles back to town.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Then it occurred to me that I did not need to run back to town. I did not even need to keep digging. I could instead call a towing service on my cell phone, which was receiving a strong signal from nearby Interstate 40.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Is this a great country or what?" I told myself.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWCNnV-Q91SeROSn5CNjr6qbwnig5ksnGEcjTuqFcBFtmq4L9u4L8fC2FcIiKEoESOw3K1OB5wnh74GV9FY2c3c99TczQpVRAGDJ3wlpKTnsdk-usIZ72dwLZbcaf3-g0NrqsIOaStl7L4Z9TG5Rq9quIDFtLRj44qLQCLscsLR0xGlirhYvch4EMLKXq/s2989/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2989" height="737" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWCNnV-Q91SeROSn5CNjr6qbwnig5ksnGEcjTuqFcBFtmq4L9u4L8fC2FcIiKEoESOw3K1OB5wnh74GV9FY2c3c99TczQpVRAGDJ3wlpKTnsdk-usIZ72dwLZbcaf3-g0NrqsIOaStl7L4Z9TG5Rq9quIDFtLRj44qLQCLscsLR0xGlirhYvch4EMLKXq/w1096-h737/40.jpg" width="1096" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPU's.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I was surfing the internet to find a local towing service when two large black trucks appeared in the snow on the northern horizon, coming down the same road on which I was marooned. The outline of the road was barely visible, and the trucks looked like cargo ships on a white ocean. But they were headed in my direction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When they reached the top of the hill, the lead trunk stopped, and the driver stepped out, a young man, mid-thirties, with a narrow moustache and face red from the cold.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Where you headed?" he said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Well, right now, nowhere," I replied.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"This is the first day we've been able to get off the ranch."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"I'm photographing the railroad. I was going to stop here and walk up that incline, but I drifted into the ditch."<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Yeah, I can see that."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Two other young men had jumped out of the second truck, holding shovels. Together, the three began digging around my Jeep while I positioned the traction boards. I carry a nylon tow rope for emergencies, and I connected it to the front of my Jeep and the back of the lead trunk. Then that truck began to pull, and I very slowly crept up out of the ditch. Over the years, I have learned that when you are stuck, the worst thing you can do is rev the engine and try to roar out of your predicament. That just causes the wheels to burrow even further into the snow, or sand, or mud, or whatever. So I very lightly tapped the accelerator, and we crept slowly uphill.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When I had reached safe ground, I parked the Jeep and climbed out to thank my saviors, who seemed happy to have been of help.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Stay away from ditches," one said as they drove away.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I said I would, but I lied.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_MpRs7ZH-ZC3OxsGKeY6JFNcYaxk99JPxTQx_McnmdY6FwPMEi7DWEq9AaaRsWYh7PEZSzgAia2xGTrHe6u0TPMfkzmEVYt3JTCDR1aRfIrwPNXMepGuokz-KW3YeHjg73MTF94kWZOY9gZ6ye6s-tzq8AtJP6XgdVBr4knDav3VWwJRS52yjlB4Cg/s2988/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2988" height="1144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_MpRs7ZH-ZC3OxsGKeY6JFNcYaxk99JPxTQx_McnmdY6FwPMEi7DWEq9AaaRsWYh7PEZSzgAia2xGTrHe6u0TPMfkzmEVYt3JTCDR1aRfIrwPNXMepGuokz-KW3YeHjg73MTF94kWZOY9gZ6ye6s-tzq8AtJP6XgdVBr4knDav3VWwJRS52yjlB4Cg/w1702-h1144/7.jpg" width="1702" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The view from the hill where I got stuck.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP58zwFVk_PkAUL6Tjz7Zg0WMRGefB-pk1aundF3BFu3-0ZiORTuUTj0i_ZPoXwvOEAUN2XqWfWi8MFAzJa98_9hbEUyjeGtm0ulXO_nHW9GP85q_T3WhpOUdeHqUI94gcJqvBPNjW2vjLysNIQKDJberWo4gZLRXwoyG7LrPDKkOLTQu5ByTMFdMS6A/s3042/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3042" height="1102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP58zwFVk_PkAUL6Tjz7Zg0WMRGefB-pk1aundF3BFu3-0ZiORTuUTj0i_ZPoXwvOEAUN2XqWfWi8MFAzJa98_9hbEUyjeGtm0ulXO_nHW9GP85q_T3WhpOUdeHqUI94gcJqvBPNjW2vjLysNIQKDJberWo4gZLRXwoyG7LrPDKkOLTQu5ByTMFdMS6A/w1695-h1102/13.jpg" width="1695" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p> </p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9Xrvzzfyuv3DZl8HTNA3Fpc1H2kovuku6rKJUtts-TVnFVuVu12HlyRcv-e0EKneyetVRstq5zO8W4Us2c4mZKGsLObT6ixVbVEG7MDP9f-WfK5jUa2TzS7DvYoXvGB4r4uI_-bx4iSKYfxEydfhJzsKSebvGk-vCGiCmnH7pyS40_nRSZWmDEEZ1A/s3025/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3025" height="1112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9Xrvzzfyuv3DZl8HTNA3Fpc1H2kovuku6rKJUtts-TVnFVuVu12HlyRcv-e0EKneyetVRstq5zO8W4Us2c4mZKGsLObT6ixVbVEG7MDP9f-WfK5jUa2TzS7DvYoXvGB4r4uI_-bx4iSKYfxEydfhJzsKSebvGk-vCGiCmnH7pyS40_nRSZWmDEEZ1A/w1695-h1112/17.jpg" width="1695" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound rolling downhill to Darling.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">However, the remainder of that achingly cold day I was extra careful to remain centered on hard-surfaced roads and to stop my Jeep only where snow had been carefully cleared, which of course greatly limited photographic opportunities. Still, when the snow is that deep and undisturbed, you can look almost anywhere and find a nice image. But here is the problem with snow; it does not stay undisturbed very long. Beside the road it quickly turns first brown, then black. In the field away from motor vehicles, it begins to disappear, even if the temperature is below freezing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Such disappearance can occur in two ways. One is when the surface is above freezing, even though the air temperature is below. This often happens where I live in Oklahoma. Snow can fall at a heavy rate but melt rapidly on the roads and fields. When the roads and fields drop below freezing, however, all hell breaks loose, because we have little snow removal equipment, and in any event we don't know how to drive on snow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In Flagstaff, however, the roads and fields were not warm enough to melt snow, which began to disappear anyway due to a process call sublimation, not to be confused with the psychological concept through which a person converts an unacceptable emotion into an acceptable one, as when a woman who is mad at her husband begins a home improvement project, or a man angry at his boss purchases a new car.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCd1dGSs40NTuPWZEA9C1KWC35JjV1Cy1hu8sjadO42R9ykxW74bW6Y1Wc23Lq65z3-Qyff0_5RO-FkUZG0Upo-zDEQvw7SBTVTuoBZv-0_hXLEVXjJEg42I7vjT2_g0P7oJzRJGgVpI0f7YjE9aO05r8IVAH3fmMbTHGX7r3SYanMD84SirZHL_nf39c/s2997/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCd1dGSs40NTuPWZEA9C1KWC35JjV1Cy1hu8sjadO42R9ykxW74bW6Y1Wc23Lq65z3-Qyff0_5RO-FkUZG0Upo-zDEQvw7SBTVTuoBZv-0_hXLEVXjJEg42I7vjT2_g0P7oJzRJGgVpI0f7YjE9aO05r8IVAH3fmMbTHGX7r3SYanMD84SirZHL_nf39c/w1714-h1146/10.jpg" width="1714" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>6611 West is approaching Cosnino Road.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In physics, sublimation occurs when something solid turns into gas without first transforming into liquid. This happens when a substance's "triple point" is high, "triple point" being the temperature and pressure at which the three phases of a substance (gas, liquid and solid) are in equilibrium. With high triple points, a substance sublimates easier than it evaporates and therefore turns into gas before it turns into water. The classic example is so-called "dry ice," the solid state of carbon dioxide, which when brought to room temperature turns immediately to vapor.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We witness sublimation on a regular basis. Solid air fresheners that get smaller with time are undergoing sublimation as they release their scent. Moth balls shrink. Ice cubes left for a while in the freezer also shrink. Snow sublimes in the same fashion as ice cubes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So even as I was trying to avoid the snow, it was disappearing -- not quickly, not rapidly, not fast enough to be seen, but disappearing nonetheless, like youth, like vitality, like the belief that people are all naturally beneficent if given the chance. (Hobbes knew better, even if Rousseau did not.) As I drove back to the Holiday Inn at the end of that short winter's day, I naively thought that the snow would be around many days, certainly a week or more. There was just too much of it.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiBfJXuCTP3qH8uoplJnWfbVGv-PcPcI0ajGLP19uQPNk00XHQcKCND4u4xORSR8cWxFD7IaUutZQePSkGjp6_CYH7EDeph46U8Jtu6IGVqZRPgtcprzSznCqUCpfFFgvRy61CeE7Pi96Ok5GABPJNEv7PbE6W-92Bs-yxtWynqyyDA5cp7XAUlqvqw/s3013/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="1118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiBfJXuCTP3qH8uoplJnWfbVGv-PcPcI0ajGLP19uQPNk00XHQcKCND4u4xORSR8cWxFD7IaUutZQePSkGjp6_CYH7EDeph46U8Jtu6IGVqZRPgtcprzSznCqUCpfFFgvRy61CeE7Pi96Ok5GABPJNEv7PbE6W-92Bs-yxtWynqyyDA5cp7XAUlqvqw/w1695-h1118/39.jpg" width="1695" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Heavy snow west of Flagstaff.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1l-q-TyFdJAOlZYEsGoLzSLZ_61blnyJyaqIBnRFWxX8_3FNRKOdt7pyHMJ5XQv1A_tef-WXf7NdlwHsXQe8z_lnfc_8IludKLE9AGSgn4TsmPCOHLz9vrYoGsFFUgHCPjrCW0bYP9lXKynrABvhY0CsuMc9Gz858mZsQvy63JHI14ieyAx3HWbT9Q/s3039/36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="3039" height="1106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1l-q-TyFdJAOlZYEsGoLzSLZ_61blnyJyaqIBnRFWxX8_3FNRKOdt7pyHMJ5XQv1A_tef-WXf7NdlwHsXQe8z_lnfc_8IludKLE9AGSgn4TsmPCOHLz9vrYoGsFFUgHCPjrCW0bYP9lXKynrABvhY0CsuMc9Gz858mZsQvy63JHI14ieyAx3HWbT9Q/w1702-h1106/36.jpg" width="1702" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flagstaff, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGRhF_ZWs7i9kGV7h4cN41qsslowlhWxVT-_xpYGm6PAUQqhhDMHTjjCVi7s1pg_k-KmkH7RL1vbhT0d1fI3Wn3X75_Nvh-VQnPm4jMXcUJldfHfS5f6t1NdRmodby3Gxe2_UFIjmbqKU37yBO4weyVNZ_3eKofOCMQhJbkspAj8wTgblF0SOg2XdJA/s3027/30.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3027" height="1115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGRhF_ZWs7i9kGV7h4cN41qsslowlhWxVT-_xpYGm6PAUQqhhDMHTjjCVi7s1pg_k-KmkH7RL1vbhT0d1fI3Wn3X75_Nvh-VQnPm4jMXcUJldfHfS5f6t1NdRmodby3Gxe2_UFIjmbqKU37yBO4weyVNZ_3eKofOCMQhJbkspAj8wTgblF0SOg2XdJA/w1698-h1115/30.jpg" width="1698" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>These eastbound stacks are climbing the grade at Maine, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The cold weather certainly lasted, for when I awoke the next morning, it was ten degrees Farenheight. At the same time, it was 45 in Yuma. Part of the discrepancy was because Yuma is about 300 miles south. Another part was elevation. Yuma is about 140 feet above sea level; Flagstaff about 7,000. All things equal, temperature decreases about one degree every 330 feet, or about 21 degrees in the case of Yuma and Flagstaff. The final difference was caused by a shift in the jet stream through which arctic air was racing southward across Flagstaff but not as far south as Yuma. My mind understood all this, but the knowledge did not in any way ease the unpleasantness of the unrelenting cold, just as knowledge of the cause of a disease does not lessen its symptoms.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Yet even in these extreme temperatures -- extreme at least to me -- the snow was disappearing. Roadbed and cross-ties became visible, and the huge piles along the roads became a little less huge. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Each minute that I did not get stuck again made me a little braver, like an alcoholic who has awakened from a blackout, taken a drink or two, not blacked out again and therefore thinks that he and the world are fine. I began venturing into heavy snow, still feet deep in places, and parking along the sides of roads. Nothing bad happened. My old confidence was returning. Without realizing it, I began to feel invincible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">That feeling comes upon you not like the flu but rather like old age, slowly, incrementally. One day you wake up and discover than you're an old man, that everyone seems to tailgate you on the highway, that you can't remember why you walked into the kitchen, that you can't bend over without grunting, that you can't remember the names of close friends (assuming that you have close friends). </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAwcZFmjNXF_bBremrIpGM6iiFSROUGq_Ol3GvfXL_NqmxJoyCKvQ2i9fcGe27ypdxF7fWs8RGDIC_b132g1izIVqbawThQ8NI3M3-9GH5Ctrk_Yom_miv0m9U8RiCFrXOBNeia7_O-LOm3dT6GELccR3uVpp-828vHjqoJucyECddhMWabctOkBFzA/s3041/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="1111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAwcZFmjNXF_bBremrIpGM6iiFSROUGq_Ol3GvfXL_NqmxJoyCKvQ2i9fcGe27ypdxF7fWs8RGDIC_b132g1izIVqbawThQ8NI3M3-9GH5Ctrk_Yom_miv0m9U8RiCFrXOBNeia7_O-LOm3dT6GELccR3uVpp-828vHjqoJucyECddhMWabctOkBFzA/w1709-h1111/34.jpg" width="1709" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Snow is leaving the roadbed though the temperature is still below freezing.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRyQd5VRIuXrzlAAjUUabzqUWf1Nkc-iVZVj3TF8XAJGlD5jjNoSFARmDfrfRbBzh7cSVNM4cIqUNj97vPf5fEJg4BBL248_Ko4we4Zo6XfhfQqIhpnoak2vm8KMHZgkrGzwfsTJ1x2ElDjTrLjFmDRt2ErOiePnkzeiB8q4enG-9nNy-PFO8lGXrAg/s3045/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3045" height="1103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRyQd5VRIuXrzlAAjUUabzqUWf1Nkc-iVZVj3TF8XAJGlD5jjNoSFARmDfrfRbBzh7cSVNM4cIqUNj97vPf5fEJg4BBL248_Ko4we4Zo6XfhfQqIhpnoak2vm8KMHZgkrGzwfsTJ1x2ElDjTrLjFmDRt2ErOiePnkzeiB8q4enG-9nNy-PFO8lGXrAg/w1704-h1103/32.jpg" width="1704" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This eastbound is climbing the grade from Williams to Flagstaff.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_Z9CLHRIQQ3LbW9LPdYk3aWD4Q0YHMW5TdLb82ktPKgu7OSw0h0cVYP3Kq7vTLQirXW4doJOaYy76RgzN4EwjzoxCEhgLCnVhVoKPJiDU-dVxmK77VTRCT9mibg7FUk4TnfapGzBtsbCo6Wv00-bBXvwOgnaRy3SdWlGT6VRFMl0RtRBGhaxUsjMZQ/s2973/31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="2973" height="1153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_Z9CLHRIQQ3LbW9LPdYk3aWD4Q0YHMW5TdLb82ktPKgu7OSw0h0cVYP3Kq7vTLQirXW4doJOaYy76RgzN4EwjzoxCEhgLCnVhVoKPJiDU-dVxmK77VTRCT9mibg7FUk4TnfapGzBtsbCo6Wv00-bBXvwOgnaRy3SdWlGT6VRFMl0RtRBGhaxUsjMZQ/w1701-h1153/31.jpg" width="1701" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbound. Bill Williams Mountain rises in the background -- an old strato-volcano.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On the third day of my visit, the temperature rose above freezing. Then the snow really began to dissipate, though with that much on the ground, a lot of dissipation was needed. I decided to try my luck west of Williams on the Crookton Cut-off, constructed in the 1950's to avoid the troublesome grades on either side of Ashfork, which today sees only trains bound for Phoenix. Elevation drops rapidly as one races down Interstate 40. Williams sits at about 6700 feet. Ashfork is about 5000. The drop is about 1700 feet in 18 miles, which explains why the original lines (there were two) were operational nightmares. (The second line constructed down the escarpment has been preserved for service to Phoenix.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Crookton Cut-off bypasses Ashfork, connecting Williams directly with Seligman (elevation 5,300 feet) on a route that runs north of the steep escarpment and avoids the bowl in which Ashfork sits. What I did not anticipate was that as I drove downgrade, the snow would have dissipated far faster, in part because less had fallen at lower elevations. The road from Williams to Doublea, a huge cut, is gravel and dirt, but on that day was almost exclusively mud, dark mud, sticky mud, the kind that loves to snare vehicles. I could have turned back, but something continually presses me forward, foolishly, but forward nonetheless.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And my Jeep is a great mudder. We just kept plowing and plowing. Mud flew up from the rear tires like shrapnel, sticking to the side windows like paste. It was paste. Had I stopped moving, I might have been stuck for days, weeks, who knows? But the Jeep is a champion, and we continued rolling through the deep mud, which only increased my feeling of invincibility. I had been stuck once, but it would not happen again. It could not possibly happen again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Upon reaching Doublea, I discovered that all of the snow had disappeared on the north side of the cut where the sun, low in the southern horizon, could shine all day without interruption. The south side, where the low-angled rays of never penetrated, still carried a fair amount of frozen precipitation. Unfortunately, the road ran along the south side, so I was now fighting not only mud but also snow. With nowhere to turn around, I just stopped in the middle of the mud on high level ground, assuming that no one else would be foolish enough to attempt transport in such conditions.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDoB_SBnz6XuNAkfj293zVmAAjBSB8FAUSraIKOckExZND2nTt59GMImMU_yHV17wiccH44fFwAhIh1YLzppD3FoNe7KJVxHCliFYwrwbsxq09W6H2moaZ3Rg02LliEtYMCNu-KSuiY41xL0d_vVZrGx3GNNjjOAvHAnJWoyH3j48n0H48LBvZrzzWe1I/s3045/38.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3045" height="1102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDoB_SBnz6XuNAkfj293zVmAAjBSB8FAUSraIKOckExZND2nTt59GMImMU_yHV17wiccH44fFwAhIh1YLzppD3FoNe7KJVxHCliFYwrwbsxq09W6H2moaZ3Rg02LliEtYMCNu-KSuiY41xL0d_vVZrGx3GNNjjOAvHAnJWoyH3j48n0H48LBvZrzzWe1I/w1704-h1102/38.jpg" width="1704" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks are entering the big cut at Doublea.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iXGNJ7pTDhoap93jGA5kuHQfOeXgV0_b7PYdOHrqMVW_nJ1JJUBkn-znHaGtOsO53yj6_ry_zEM5StC5lv9z2iebdpfgazh4SQIlk3Tppi0Q9fZUT2VKTn2NQFVuSHbcMdQg-aUKodsVCbLaorNRBL2gQ7DXuvOQCY_MUfvT7iyG93Sv03tSGpfoMLVd/s3017/42.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iXGNJ7pTDhoap93jGA5kuHQfOeXgV0_b7PYdOHrqMVW_nJ1JJUBkn-znHaGtOsO53yj6_ry_zEM5StC5lv9z2iebdpfgazh4SQIlk3Tppi0Q9fZUT2VKTn2NQFVuSHbcMdQg-aUKodsVCbLaorNRBL2gQ7DXuvOQCY_MUfvT7iyG93Sv03tSGpfoMLVd/w1700-h1122/42.jpg" width="1700" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound in the cut. No snow on the north side.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Nl5vZqmxYHw4JmWmeC8mKZF8IquZgO_XpsOeMwAUl_SjjbXZ59BacGUF4c1SpN4BIuYIBG1zC5IeAl4B7TJIeFJzRF09C0ng3kK1ip0b9bnD3BzG_iLNTQYoUpG60HFeGBE8Hm9Rj2mt-vZG4ebtN6z80L1CqI13YelrRSlAKKTiuq6IaMNWkLBf1kET/s3014/43.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3014" height="1127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Nl5vZqmxYHw4JmWmeC8mKZF8IquZgO_XpsOeMwAUl_SjjbXZ59BacGUF4c1SpN4BIuYIBG1zC5IeAl4B7TJIeFJzRF09C0ng3kK1ip0b9bnD3BzG_iLNTQYoUpG60HFeGBE8Hm9Rj2mt-vZG4ebtN6z80L1CqI13YelrRSlAKKTiuq6IaMNWkLBf1kET/w1709-h1127/43.jpg" width="1709" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbound. On the south side, snow was still a foot deep or more in places.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6A8eWU4dzLO8_Qe63Btb1BldTRAG-Pwz2NkyiQ9tPOV7CxafG0OzPpSfq_Vut2qwEmftmKb3-AmCJetnDZY47Q4e1_bgxieFhDOv3NBYPrpUwnAXuaVP68VmkB24-sIzgPr1Sm-Edd24BksxzSMEcY24JFl2p0JVKfG7wSEi-QSZDc8KTfB_qNmEDRLI/s2951/44.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1894" data-original-width="2951" height="1095" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6A8eWU4dzLO8_Qe63Btb1BldTRAG-Pwz2NkyiQ9tPOV7CxafG0OzPpSfq_Vut2qwEmftmKb3-AmCJetnDZY47Q4e1_bgxieFhDOv3NBYPrpUwnAXuaVP68VmkB24-sIzgPr1Sm-Edd24BksxzSMEcY24JFl2p0JVKfG7wSEi-QSZDc8KTfB_qNmEDRLI/w1708-h1095/44.jpg" width="1708" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">After Doublea I drove to Eagle's Nest, one of the most remote locations on a line that in Arizona crosses almost nothing but remote locations. There the snow was completely gone but the ground was so saturated that even the gravel road was squishy. When I stood on it, my boots sank about an inch. The sun was dropping rapidly, temperature dropping even faster, and though I waited almost two hours, I did not see a train. I had parked on level ground again, but the Jeep struggled to gain traction. After some effort, we finally proceeded south toward Ashfork and Interstate 40. In the eastern distance, San Francisco Peak stood in snow-capped solemnity, watching in silence my foolish endeavors and those of my fellow creatures.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukuBP8r_0sqt-dfpClEmDx_E4z_fXpj5KiNxFpDmBWAuVCUfYvUYErO1nHFo68a4iuIVV01sKJE1WuLDXPQ2Ckd4FRqYBxH48ZvVYvqfCMUxJUeg9_d_n8K7nvkrnTUGm74PHSeVh9-R20-XxR1ogegO-3A8RkWMMgz1iedI--G27L4KfsfligpC9eAqy/s3002/41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3002" height="1129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukuBP8r_0sqt-dfpClEmDx_E4z_fXpj5KiNxFpDmBWAuVCUfYvUYErO1nHFo68a4iuIVV01sKJE1WuLDXPQ2Ckd4FRqYBxH48ZvVYvqfCMUxJUeg9_d_n8K7nvkrnTUGm74PHSeVh9-R20-XxR1ogegO-3A8RkWMMgz1iedI--G27L4KfsfligpC9eAqy/w1696-h1129/41.jpg" width="1696" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A late evening eastbound climbs the grade toward Flagstaff.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbtOuS9I7AZhhlSxKXJpfcrmSSUwLPf-fjwMiRBdXAeKAMtXahubKt5MGNaIDUx8CkLxjkozv-WJcL7xh_gdirWp_Np9ACcE-trViOiZxUGu7QszXzsmuUMWH0AK8C1SZCQItF5tp45L8KpxS6eEqHpzG94GWcI-GN_JSabelCZz736xQKixldbRFurUE/s2953/33.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2032" data-original-width="2953" height="1176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbtOuS9I7AZhhlSxKXJpfcrmSSUwLPf-fjwMiRBdXAeKAMtXahubKt5MGNaIDUx8CkLxjkozv-WJcL7xh_gdirWp_Np9ACcE-trViOiZxUGu7QszXzsmuUMWH0AK8C1SZCQItF5tp45L8KpxS6eEqHpzG94GWcI-GN_JSabelCZz736xQKixldbRFurUE/w1709-h1176/33.jpg" width="1709" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Darling (Winona), Arizona</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Back in Flagstaff the next morning, the sky was clear but the temperature had dropped below freezing again, and my face began to ache when I stepped into the cold, which may or may not be a sign of old age; I'm not sure. Many have commented on aging. Here are a few:</span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Sex at age 90 is like trying to shoot pool with a rope.” </span><span style="font-family: arial;">George Burns</span></span></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-family: arial;">"If we live long enough, we become caricatures of ourselves." </span><span style="font-family: arial;">John Irving </span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“The good thing about being old is not being young.” </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Stephen Richards </span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“You know, when you get old, you see that everything is a joke. All the things you were passionate about don't mean a thing. You only did them to keep busy.” </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Erica Jong</span></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Although I had been in Flagstaff only a few days, and although the temperature had risen above freezing only one afternoon, the snow was nonetheless disappearing, mostly through sublimation. As I stood in the parking lot that morning, it occurred to me that growing old is like subliming snow -- a solid transforming to vapor without melting. You just slowly drift away into the atmosphere.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Other metaphors spring to mind -- itself a metaphor. Growing old is like paint peeling on the side of a house. Growing old is like the pages of a book turning yellow. Growing old is like the power going off during a thunderstorm. Growing old is like an electric line snapping under the weight of snow. Growing old is like the air slowly seeping out of a leaking tire. Growing old is like meat spoiling in a broken refrigerator. Growing old is like the hole in a pair of worn out jeans. Growing old is like a steam locomotive. Growing old is like a can opener. Growing old is like any Mahler symphony. Growing old is like watching <i>Gunsmoke </i>reruns. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I believe that I could expand this list indefinitely, but you get the idea.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><blockquote><i>“But man is not made for defeat,” he said. “A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”</i></blockquote></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCcR9aA6hx1F9KSDrE_FF0aq6C-x9XLIdSBmn6fXlJjD2UNKWuHEnw9GQhd2ak1O_4Wv2l0fTb6oJWp3NFRglbjvuSXNB_EvrNqK6MNfqtw6v1HNin2-TDdxxbCo_gqMZ7C5MTiPky5M9H9gokhyfxO-OQ2dJzsrZitnQOFw5eYjRsizF-Eq9-7plmanM/s3007/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3007" height="1131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCcR9aA6hx1F9KSDrE_FF0aq6C-x9XLIdSBmn6fXlJjD2UNKWuHEnw9GQhd2ak1O_4Wv2l0fTb6oJWp3NFRglbjvuSXNB_EvrNqK6MNfqtw6v1HNin2-TDdxxbCo_gqMZ7C5MTiPky5M9H9gokhyfxO-OQ2dJzsrZitnQOFw5eYjRsizF-Eq9-7plmanM/w1707-h1131/6.jpg" width="1707" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Snow is dissipating at lower elevations, while San Francisco Peak remains covered.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidt-T12YvIh-sEJLjlYt_bdZvp2sNEcFmDIz5jYNUUo4ps_a7_2SfziTQbcSO_l3AZMQWPO-MG-twHJoH1wBtTgGS-TKtbt-21fm0j-DGhryLfMnI6rO7z8v5P5W_tgWn87POpyBXo7jGAOM4IKbvYA81FW9vlCJ-OYUB96HFRqaaYN7IcjowpnjSU5_de/s3011/9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3011" height="1130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidt-T12YvIh-sEJLjlYt_bdZvp2sNEcFmDIz5jYNUUo4ps_a7_2SfziTQbcSO_l3AZMQWPO-MG-twHJoH1wBtTgGS-TKtbt-21fm0j-DGhryLfMnI6rO7z8v5P5W_tgWn87POpyBXo7jGAOM4IKbvYA81FW9vlCJ-OYUB96HFRqaaYN7IcjowpnjSU5_de/w1705-h1130/9.jpg" width="1705" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound climbing toward Flagstaff.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uilV3nWC5oO2t3NPk9FCM7MpdYFnadJKBYY_ReUf6DORGiHJn3fo0B-6JB14PR8XWk5FDKmbbz7sUC9nhnbO2qxWCLIhafcFIGhIFRA0z_srj9tWgC-wnwfM9GDjAUGfwJpriPsReyBV_oYIPYbCpJBzN-ov9KXO_7FtjNCMVQLzcdNvPhCbDi1lHPXj/s3000/37.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3000" height="1137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uilV3nWC5oO2t3NPk9FCM7MpdYFnadJKBYY_ReUf6DORGiHJn3fo0B-6JB14PR8XWk5FDKmbbz7sUC9nhnbO2qxWCLIhafcFIGhIFRA0z_srj9tWgC-wnwfM9GDjAUGfwJpriPsReyBV_oYIPYbCpJBzN-ov9KXO_7FtjNCMVQLzcdNvPhCbDi1lHPXj/w1709-h1137/37.jpg" width="1709" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>4216 East has passed the heavy snow and is rolling downgrade toward Winslow. In about ten miles, the snow will have disappeared.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">By now, the memory of getting stuck in the snow had faded like cheap linen. My Jeep was a monster. Nothing could stop it, provided it was properly driven, and I had learned my lesson. There would be no more driving into ditches, no more wandering into four feet of snow, no more foolishness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Because the area of deep snow was centered at 7,000 feet and above, and because areas to park off the roads were still limited, I was quickly running out of photographic locations. On a whim, and whims are always dangerous, I turned off I-40 on Naval Observatory Road. Almost 50 years before, I had hiked down this road to take my first images in the volcano field, and for some reason I thought I might try to recreate those photographs in the snow. There was a problem, however. The narrow road had been cleared to only one lane, and there was nowhere to park.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Then fortune cast its long shadow over me. A small lane led off Observatory Road into the pines. Snow looked reasonably deep, but if I could just drive in about half a mile, the white precipitation would be pristine. Pristine! I told myself.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At moments like this, I lose rationality. Like a dog, I am overcome with whatever hormone causes one to experience both extreme joy and extreme carelessness. My mind said, "Don't try to drive in there, you fool. You've already been stuck once. And if you get stuck here, no one will come along to pull you out. You'll be stuck in the forest. If anyone should come along Observatory Road, which doesn't see much traffic, he won't even know you are stuck. He won't even see you."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My mind told me all this in a instant. My heart said, "Hold my beer!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So I turned across the road and into the trees. The snow was deep but manageable, although very soon it grew deeper, then deeper still, and my euphoria quickly turned to something approaching dread as I realized the depth of my mistake. I had only driven about fifty yards when I decided to stop. There was no way to turn around, so I decided to back out, and therein lay the problem. For some reason, when the Jeep is in four-wheel drive, I cannot back in a straight line. To a neutral observer, my backing up must look like someone wildly intoxicated trying to pass a sobriety test. In any event, I quickly veered off the narrow path into deep snow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I shouted.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I then tried to drive out of the snow -- to no avail. The wheels spun helplessly. Somehow or other, I had again managed to "high center" myself in the snow and ice. My Jeep was like a June bug on its back -- disoriented, helpless, waiting for someone to step on it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And, of course, as I had already told myself, this time I was really isolated, alone in the forest, contemplating alone my thoughts and foolishness. Why do I keep driving into places that I know will ensnare me? Why do I keep making the same mistakes month after month, year after year?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I can't tell you why.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIvtZIbqTX08wiVNKsohGWypoOKAcOHPfq2_xG4OfXfzDnrQ0bvoi0k2vOl5afTOeU8oB3JP3YlMH0hKZFL0echXhxp3s_P7L9XHuryOyq1s3CeZe6NZaJjt7AD9-1knSXougDCF6Egfk5oAWKUzH62VN3QV0JJRy86ucVNZ6skoKA7ouTRfksTRw2A-f/s3071/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="3071" height="1091" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIvtZIbqTX08wiVNKsohGWypoOKAcOHPfq2_xG4OfXfzDnrQ0bvoi0k2vOl5afTOeU8oB3JP3YlMH0hKZFL0echXhxp3s_P7L9XHuryOyq1s3CeZe6NZaJjt7AD9-1knSXougDCF6Egfk5oAWKUzH62VN3QV0JJRy86ucVNZ6skoKA7ouTRfksTRw2A-f/w1711-h1091/18.jpg" width="1711" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Image taken on a day when I did not get stuck.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnA9Qo8uLXH9CO4CDOAXOKn6SvgGrRo3DTjDsHe20mWNczDGy3-ISIv7PO7n2p0QLl-ZqHeGR1Yfsdc5bwTu_TNWmiWCnXpZe2HY2AnQr8IfdVANRa72jCC5ef9DBb6EwWqyqPDtmLpVM5matiAisJpo7_uD-lgwEVZJD3pICr2iro-Z39-PnUgapuI9k/s2964/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2964" height="1167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnA9Qo8uLXH9CO4CDOAXOKn6SvgGrRo3DTjDsHe20mWNczDGy3-ISIv7PO7n2p0QLl-ZqHeGR1Yfsdc5bwTu_TNWmiWCnXpZe2HY2AnQr8IfdVANRa72jCC5ef9DBb6EwWqyqPDtmLpVM5matiAisJpo7_uD-lgwEVZJD3pICr2iro-Z39-PnUgapuI9k/w1705-h1167/27.jpg" width="1705" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>As the sun sets.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I immediately grabbed my cell phone and searched the web for the nearest wrecker service. What did we do before the internet? How did we live? I know that we survived, somehow, but for the life of me I cannot remember what life was like. It must have been dark and somber, which is why I have blocked the memories.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I dialed the first number I saw, and on the third ring a young man answered. He sounded about twelve to me, though he must have been older. I explained my predicament and gave directions which he seemed not to understand. It was really very simple, I told him. Just take the Naval Observatory Road exit off old 66, then drive down that road until you see an old man standing forlornly in the snow beside the road.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I explained this several times until he finally seemed to understand. Then he said, "This will cost a lot."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Well," I replied, "what are my options?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"I don't know. Two hundred fifty dollars."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Sold," I said. "Come on."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"I'm on the east side of Flagstaff. It will take me a while to get there."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This last statement soundly mildly ominous, as though he had to finish another task before attending to mine. But as we had already discussed, I was out of alternatives, so I settled down in the Jeep to wait.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Five minutes turned into ten, which quickly turned into twenty, with no sight of my savior. He had sounded confused on the phone, so I thought perhaps he might be lost. Also, I did not know exactly what he had meant when he had said that he was east of Flagstaff. That description applies to many places -- Chicago, for example.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So I called again. The phone rang several times before he answered.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"I'm on the way," he said but did not sound at all convincing. "On the way."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Naval Observatory Road," I said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Right."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Thirty minutes now had passed. I calculated that I could drive to Winslow in less time. I thought of calling another wrecker, then decided against it, for as surely as I did, both would arrive at more or less the same time, and I would have to pay both for their trouble. And which one would actually tow me out of the snow? How does one choose?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I sat in the Jeep a few more minutes, then jumped out, grabbed my shovel and began to dig, a process which, though tiring, was also strangely soothing, perhaps because I no longer felt helpless. I would dig for a few minutes, then start the Jeep and see if I could drive myself free. Then more digging and more starting. Then more digging. Then more.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I shoveled snow for at least half an hour, probably longer, and still the wrecker did not arrive. My predicament seemed hopeless, but still I kept digging, because I am persistent, if nothing else.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><i>Luck is a thing that comes in many forms and who can recognize her? I would take some though in any form and pay what they asked.</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Because I carry gloves, my hands did not bleed. And I am not yet so old that physical exertion defeats me. But digging in the snow, stopping to rest, digging again, arms and back aching, I realized that defeat was drawing closer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When it looked as though the undercarriage and axles were completely clear, I very carefully put the Jeep in low and inched forward. The Jeep hung for a moment, like a worm caught in a web, then sprung free and rolled out into my previous tracks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">With infinite care I then backed toward the main road a foot or two at a time, stopping, backing, stopping, backing, until I was free at last.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My instinct was not to call my would-be savior, wherever he might be. But even I am not that thoughtless, at least not most of the time. So I dialed him again. The phone rang and rang. Eventually he answered.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"I managed to dig myself out," I said. "So I don't need you."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Good," he said. That was all he said. Then he hung up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The day was drawing down, and I was exhausted, so I headed back to the motel. The next morning, as I was driving out of town to the east, heading home, I noticed that past Darling, a drop of perhaps 500 feet from Naval Observatory Road, the snow was almost completely dissipated. In other words, I had managed to get myself stuck in about the only deep snow left around Flagstaff. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4gpqlAx7qVbEHgWvPUk2klW0HtOFAJDRdtq7D2RMzyqmzxj5bupm7NofKOM0lrMp201nHFRWmoCn-usp4ROfi2H9aiCYCHofSAFEZUHSoAjAa0KDrsSJqsIVe4q_w6KfJpKKmED9YI6Zpk-qJC8CPt_-8cYr0WcllZbW2fkyAXck6u8_5-omrBMR90L4/s2976/45.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2976" height="1155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4gpqlAx7qVbEHgWvPUk2klW0HtOFAJDRdtq7D2RMzyqmzxj5bupm7NofKOM0lrMp201nHFRWmoCn-usp4ROfi2H9aiCYCHofSAFEZUHSoAjAa0KDrsSJqsIVe4q_w6KfJpKKmED9YI6Zpk-qJC8CPt_-8cYr0WcllZbW2fkyAXck6u8_5-omrBMR90L4/w1703-h1155/45.jpg" width="1703" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The snow cleared rapidly.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my other posts, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-68754963513791651342023-05-18T11:01:00.000-05:002023-05-18T11:01:32.426-05:00Union Pacific Along the Oregon Trail: Farewell Bend to Hot Lake<p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwo3SpxQx_fjovrGqoCj6I_l0l721vZpmlDTYtDTR01YC8-y-8HNb4AyCJdvs4eAqO0kYcFvFDirzeoWZUWJm6WqMjOHpmaAtxVXIppd4E38nChElb4NbBZWgn-RxB0iOvc0jWFM_DCLz0Io1ItnFeK1ED5AR__bk2eurcu4crdikKsNs6ErA6PYVdRw/s2995/48%20copy.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2003" data-original-width="2995" height="1073" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwo3SpxQx_fjovrGqoCj6I_l0l721vZpmlDTYtDTR01YC8-y-8HNb4AyCJdvs4eAqO0kYcFvFDirzeoWZUWJm6WqMjOHpmaAtxVXIppd4E38nChElb4NbBZWgn-RxB0iOvc0jWFM_DCLz0Io1ItnFeK1ED5AR__bk2eurcu4crdikKsNs6ErA6PYVdRw/w1604-h1073/48%20copy.jpeg" width="1604" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A Union Pacific westbound merchandise freight is climbing the grade out of the Durkee Valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Because the moon rotates at the same speed as the earth, we always see its same face. What we call the far side of the moon was completely unknown until the advent of space travel, when humans were first able to observe that back country. From an earthbound perspective, however, the moon is two different worlds -- seen and unseen, known and unknown, comprehensible and incomprehensible, inviting and uninviting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The great state of Oregon is like the moon. Western Oregon is wet, verdant and enticing. Eastern Oregon is dry, brown and forbidding. Early European travelers along the Oregon Trail saw eastern Oregon as a barrier, not a destination, as they crossed the Snake River and began the long climb up the Burnt River Canyon to the Blue Mountains.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Contemporary Oregon maintains that split-personality. In the west, people are insanely liberal, while dwellers in the east are solitary and guarded -- a classic illustration of how personalities are shaped by geography. This point was driven home to your author while exploring Hell's Canyon along the Oregon-Idaho border. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Hell's Canyon is a little-known scenic wonder chiseled through towering granite mountains by the Snake River, which flows more than one mile below the canyon's west rim on the Oregon side and 7,400 feet below the peaks of Idaho's Seven Devils Mountains to the east. Unlike the Grand Canyon carved through the relatively flat Colorado Plateau, Hell's Canyon lies deep in a wonderland of pinnacles and is almost completely inaccessible. No major highway or railroad runs anywhere nearby, nor is the canyon on the way to anywhere. Your author reached it by driving east from Baker City, Oregon, across some of the most isolated and at the same time most beautiful state highways ever seen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A narrow road climbs a mountain to a solitary canyon lookout. The contrast with the Grand Canyon could not be more extreme. Where the Arizona landmark contains a lodge, visitor's center, railroad depot and multiple trails, Hell's Canyon contains a small parking lot and smaller overlook where the forest has been cleared. That's it. The day I visited, only one other vehicle was in the lot, the transportation for two men as strikingly different as the two canyons. One man was almost seven feet tall; the other barely five. They appeared to be long-time travelers as comfortable with each other as brothers. The tall man talked constantly to his companion. The shorter man said nothing. I am not gregarious by nature and so left them alone.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I stood on the edge of the overlook, peering deep into the gorge that presented itself like an unexpected visitor, trying to imagine the millions of years required for the creation of such a marvel. The air was still, and I heard the sound of rushing water over a mile below.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On the way back to Baker City, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I stopped deep in the forest at a solitary convenience store and gas station. After filling up my Jeep, I walked inside to purchase a snack and met a young man in his late thirties-early forties. (I am 72 as I write this, and early forties seem young.). He was short and wide like a piece of furniture, with dark hair and beard and two narrow eyes that looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain, as though he were trying to decide if I were friend or foe. I naively assumed that all Oregonians were as politically liberal as those from Portland and was thus surprised when, after telling him I was from Oklahoma, he said: "Damn! I wish I could go back there."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He told me he had worked in the oil fields several years -- the "best years of his life," he said. But then he had moved to Oregon, and now he ran this isolated convenience store on the edge of Hell's Canyon and wished he could move back to the Sooner State. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Later I discovered that several counties in eastern Oregon are trying to secede and become part of Idaho. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The images in this article begin at the confluence of the Burnt and Snake Rivers in far east central Oregon (called Farewell Bend) and follow the Union Pacific tracks (roughly along the route of Interstate 84) northwest to Durkee and on to Baker City, stopping at Hot Lake, a naturally-heated sulphur spring where people once congregated when they thought the waters could heal myriad ailments. Along the way, the railroad crosses two summits on this long approach to the Blue Mountains, which are not included in the coverage herein but which the author hopes to survey at some future date, age permitting.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVJiPbC8DVJzDeOsBEXZlGW6aiVqaKkrTBDsXm78Qr7JfSDVPvIy6DwhYGtBrv6s9XxT1FVOUYmdAh6_pGh6YmqJOUYJ4aSflN1Ctv_6QCtyJ-fGKprdCf6XqToZT4QFyunZA1QFvDzVqlsB0lGDcg6ZFvEWlT0uYbEiNMl31PXuDJINmkg35Wm5hqg/s1780/Screenshot%202023-05-04%20at%207.13.34%20PM.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="1520" height="1005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVJiPbC8DVJzDeOsBEXZlGW6aiVqaKkrTBDsXm78Qr7JfSDVPvIy6DwhYGtBrv6s9XxT1FVOUYmdAh6_pGh6YmqJOUYJ4aSflN1Ctv_6QCtyJ-fGKprdCf6XqToZT4QFyunZA1QFvDzVqlsB0lGDcg6ZFvEWlT0uYbEiNMl31PXuDJINmkg35Wm5hqg/w857-h1005/Screenshot%202023-05-04%20at%207.13.34%20PM.png" width="857" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL9lbhDSHsE0enxAguzfhMOdTPdVTLy9W7ftA5NCHISmp69CJ6Fu9BJQ78xe-xQhuLQ1pLBYkFpYvbOJ17Yd1_k5Da5_xOP6v_F52yF78C2VEOGBXgUM4hM3A8iaGCuv2g7rKQWfMdMcnygwUt_7h9eCh7wqw0-4P4Qzk-tt5utdXFEbEBBLq2bO7jA/s2344/Oregon.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1579" data-original-width="2344" height="825" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL9lbhDSHsE0enxAguzfhMOdTPdVTLy9W7ftA5NCHISmp69CJ6Fu9BJQ78xe-xQhuLQ1pLBYkFpYvbOJ17Yd1_k5Da5_xOP6v_F52yF78C2VEOGBXgUM4hM3A8iaGCuv2g7rKQWfMdMcnygwUt_7h9eCh7wqw0-4P4Qzk-tt5utdXFEbEBBLq2bO7jA/w1222-h825/Oregon.jpg" width="1222" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The first official exploration of this country was conducted by Captain John Charles Fremont of the Corps of Topographical Engineers, whose expedition surveyed the area in 1843. Acting under orders from Colonel J.J. Abert, Fremont was participating in a War Department survey of the West in conjunction with coastal surveys carried out by the Navy. In the preceding year, he had explored the northern Rocky Mountains.</span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJUFfNzKJMJpW_TKlwUIo8iVX96ufwVarHN7bFhNGqhuIvD9EpkktH3ZnjJKEuifTS9V8yHSDTz91L0ewC-hInIkyVjFrMxphdecUWFrF2rnzSF-IOm0kpftXgN4q9xKZtDdyyrrK44nfP0Yvx2M-vYSJ4iC9XiMkgg0k5f2AIUYs46uBZ6J4_Pj1d6Q" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="500" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJUFfNzKJMJpW_TKlwUIo8iVX96ufwVarHN7bFhNGqhuIvD9EpkktH3ZnjJKEuifTS9V8yHSDTz91L0ewC-hInIkyVjFrMxphdecUWFrF2rnzSF-IOm0kpftXgN4q9xKZtDdyyrrK44nfP0Yvx2M-vYSJ4iC9XiMkgg0k5f2AIUYs46uBZ6J4_Pj1d6Q=w450-h526" width="450" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>John Charles Fremont</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The adventures of men like Fremont convince me that I was born a century too late. Exploring mountains, canyons and rivers untouched by European civilization would have been the thrill of a lifetime, similar to space exploration in the modern era. Of course, the coming of Europeans spelled the end of the pristine wilderness and of the Native Americans, its stewards. So I guess that my dream, like everything else in life, contained both good and bad, up and down, ying and yang. Whether the good outweighed the bad depended, as they say, on whose ox was gored. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A Georgia native, Fremont led five expeditions into the western states. During the Mexican–American War, he was a major in the U.S. Army and took control of California from the California Republic in 1846. He was subsequently court-martialed and convicted of mutiny after a conflict over who was the rightful military governor of California. His sentence was commuted by President James K. Polk, but Fremont resigned from the Army and settled in California, where gold was found on his ranch. He was elected as one of the first two U.S. senators from the new state of California in 1850 and was </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the first Republican nominee for president of the U.S. in 1856 but lost the election to Democrat James Buchanan.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> For a much more thorough discussion of Fremont, see my article at <a href="http://www.waltersrail.com/2022/02/union-pacific-palisade-canyon.html">http://www.waltersrail.com/2022/02/union-pacific-palisade-canyon.html</a>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fremont prepared a report of his explorations, printed by the U.S. Senate, which carefully detailed his ascent of the canyon of the Burnt River:</span></span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Leaving entirely the Snake River, which is said henceforth to pursue its course through canyons, admist rocky and impracticable mountains, where there is no possibility of traveling with animals, we ascended a long and somewhat steep hill; and crossing the dividing ridge, came down in the valley of the Burnt River, which here looks like a hole among the hills. The average breadth of the stream here is 30 feet; it is well fringed with the usual small timber; and the soil in the bottoms is good, with better grass than we had lately been accustomed to see. [Fremont's report is available at <a href="https://archive.org/details/reportofexplorin00frem_1/page/n7/mode/2up">https://archive.org/details/reportofexplorin00frem_1/page/n7/mode/2up</a>.]</span></span></blockquote><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBmIwpexygOs_XmJ8ifSiXocCDtzxkCzlcHPHuPcdIBuT4N15NIDfmiOiBr4zXw_3iHO63Giqp1vIuY--RPYgT7ZqewqcHgUPcxEZreu53skXGfffeR0Zg1ytqhb1s9DhssYURFsYdIBi76Fv1xGYNxl4gPZmUnsycLIxSgfMD2mYFfw3N19wHLxyBw/s3023/19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBmIwpexygOs_XmJ8ifSiXocCDtzxkCzlcHPHuPcdIBuT4N15NIDfmiOiBr4zXw_3iHO63Giqp1vIuY--RPYgT7ZqewqcHgUPcxEZreu53skXGfffeR0Zg1ytqhb1s9DhssYURFsYdIBi76Fv1xGYNxl4gPZmUnsycLIxSgfMD2mYFfw3N19wHLxyBw/w1591-h1045/19.jpg" width="1591" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A Union Pacific freight has just crossed the Snake River and is climbing west through the canyon of the Burnt River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNHa0F48F8_XeL24cRGJD9CHqiioADw0oVbXVqiZcDU5nkYmy5lYKIjelKH4C02jDMsDuOQDExSgs7iPnjFQ21e7LXHyGYejtOwOYoFQSkLWu6JuA-TcByFGWP68JfnoKDiSvPTx6AxkVSvn3dcRh5LuzjCxfPQlqzRpqNx504y0xycU-HXFqs2yNGQ/s3010/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNHa0F48F8_XeL24cRGJD9CHqiioADw0oVbXVqiZcDU5nkYmy5lYKIjelKH4C02jDMsDuOQDExSgs7iPnjFQ21e7LXHyGYejtOwOYoFQSkLWu6JuA-TcByFGWP68JfnoKDiSvPTx6AxkVSvn3dcRh5LuzjCxfPQlqzRpqNx504y0xycU-HXFqs2yNGQ/w1597-h1058/21.jpg" width="1597" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At dusk, eastbound stacks enter the small settlement of Huntington, the meeting point of the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company and the Oregon Short Line (discussed below). The town was named after J.B. and J.M. Huntington, brothers who purchased the location from a previous owner.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Fremont's party then traveled through what he termed "very mountainous country," crossing and recrossing the river, which switch-backed east and west between canyon walls. Horses and oxen grew fatigued with the steep hillside climbs required to avoid narrow gorges unsuitable for the wagons. With few exceptions, the mountains were grass-covered, trees surmounting only some of the tallest peaks. When Fremont saw the country in mid-October, everything was dark green after rains, but the land turns golden brown in the summer much like the hills and peaks surrounding Tehachapi Loop.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcGFiyPfWGtzQyO7Umb_1CJOOoCNHPgOktzv-locPDutop26gKJOMp8DvFLEzx3o1o3ny1KbqbwVATrCWG3cfvG7LfTrBSknC4K-Rb1LmxV0fjvyiWeiZXeXO-Oe0xMOCJjW6aHG0LRk6Hr2FMRhxBlKFvQnjdxDBLrlp5KJ8auxJw793B0c0EOJItA/s3018/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3018" height="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcGFiyPfWGtzQyO7Umb_1CJOOoCNHPgOktzv-locPDutop26gKJOMp8DvFLEzx3o1o3ny1KbqbwVATrCWG3cfvG7LfTrBSknC4K-Rb1LmxV0fjvyiWeiZXeXO-Oe0xMOCJjW6aHG0LRk6Hr2FMRhxBlKFvQnjdxDBLrlp5KJ8auxJw793B0c0EOJItA/w1598-h1054/39.jpg" width="1598" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Crossing the Burnt River in its narrow canyon, UP 7017 East is approaching Huntington.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HwMAWBDDI4_K66aMfrV6jTxXD1WQK66Ujm23qcgC7fSGmEmp_BwDylVaGzX-vMReU_7poe6OurevL1EGBoDudVTnRRp5FFZy9mMj6tesB_h2BUPJs4K75FKh2hGm_wqVZIiDT10TngfdJorM5Fdm5yLK2qHX2bMVN42hIbNt9B12U7Hnqmk3Bup4Dw/s3011/37.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3011" height="1060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HwMAWBDDI4_K66aMfrV6jTxXD1WQK66Ujm23qcgC7fSGmEmp_BwDylVaGzX-vMReU_7poe6OurevL1EGBoDudVTnRRp5FFZy9mMj6tesB_h2BUPJs4K75FKh2hGm_wqVZIiDT10TngfdJorM5Fdm5yLK2qHX2bMVN42hIbNt9B12U7Hnqmk3Bup4Dw/w1600-h1060/37.jpg" width="1600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Burnt River Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">European immigrants had preceded Fremont along what became known as the Oregon Trail, and others soon followed. In 1844, James Clyman joined a large party west and kept a diary of his adventures. Born in 1792 on a farm that belonged to George Washington in Fauquier County, Virginia (his parents owned a life tenancy on the land), Clyman received no formal education but did learn to read and also to write after a fashion. He migrated from place to place with his parents and siblings, moving from Virginia to Pennsylvania, and then to the Ohio frontier, settling in Stark County, Ohio, in 1811, where Clyman actively defended his family and friends from raids by Native Americans struggling valiantly but futilely to retain their property and way of life. </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhw63wEjP-pp2eqxB__UbwU9FqH3ybzPjyKVodN_QvL1OQG5P2ETGPgss90BpAX6CoUGYGSJdkd4cjRixb4SSJ0G6Iv_wHv_KWgX1SLkSW6PV-_WgcNFIqp0DGTGhsOTbySUN21NrPAilit5E3fQEaFRUX0hEmF83RyGmG7Wnb0c47XKfOHND8shFMw1g" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="658" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhw63wEjP-pp2eqxB__UbwU9FqH3ybzPjyKVodN_QvL1OQG5P2ETGPgss90BpAX6CoUGYGSJdkd4cjRixb4SSJ0G6Iv_wHv_KWgX1SLkSW6PV-_WgcNFIqp0DGTGhsOTbySUN21NrPAilit5E3fQEaFRUX0hEmF83RyGmG7Wnb0c47XKfOHND8shFMw1g=w456-h485" width="456" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>James Clyman</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">He later traveled to the Rocky Mountains as a fur trapper and fought in the Black Hawk War. With the money he made in furs, he purchased land in Illinois to settle down and, he hoped, raise a family. But domestication was not his lot. He had spent his whole life on the edge of the frontier and even well beyond it, and as Illinois began to "settle up" into a civilized place, Clyman decided to move on. At age 52, advanced years in the 19th century, he joined a party west across the Oregon Trail to what everyone hoped was the Promised Land.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The lure of free real estate in Oregon and California (under Mexican jurisdiction at that time) tempted virtually every farmer from Tennessee to Missouri, plus points north and south -- a new type of pioneer, not hermits fleeing civilization nor mountain men wanting to go where no one had gone before (if you didn't count Natives), but whole families who piled all earthly possessions into covered wagons pulled by oxen, traveling across a continent that neither they nor their guides really understood, a continent that west of Missouri contained few roads, just wagon ruts, a continent that would not be properly mapped until their entire generation had passed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">About 1500 people started West in 1844, to that time the largest group ever in a single year, five parties in all, three traveling to Oregon under the leadership of Cornelius Gilliam, John Thorp and Nathaniel Ford. Clyman joined Ford's group of about 500 at Independence, Missouri.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">His diary is filled with the idiosyncratic spelling, capitalization and punctuation (mostly lack of periods) common before universal public education and describes the confluence of the Snake and Burnt Rivers (called Farewell Bend) and the canyon to the northwest:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Clear as usual for it has not rained Since we left Fort Larrimie passed a ridge & soon Struck by what we Supposed to be Burnt River Quite a small criek Bound in by steep high Lime rock Mountains almost impossible for our horses yet the wagons have gone this rout these mountains as well as those passed yesterday shew all the visible effects of fire . . . Made 17 miles through the worst mountains and over the worse road we have yet seen the sides of these mountains are nearly pependicular and composed of granite & rough Slate rock without any timber or any other kind of vegitation except Short grass and in many places entirely bare. [Clyman's diary is available at <a href="https://archive.org/details/journalofmountai0000clym">https://archive.org/details/journalofmountai0000clym</a>]</span></blockquote><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT96dovehHaly6WewMwSvgDJgoKa34lVNSmjVUbc1y63x5gPhO5UD_83Okopax4AUbrM-kQxElm2FBt7CwKpk5fhUaNzK-D6nDd107SqOqjXlelySDig5Uu5Sjs88iK3yFLNBlpVErGf6ZxjyWIDg6rXvGnXObQO1YXTj4bZNxFmqbkruQWtNXFdzAA/s3362/Screenshot%202023-05-02%20at%2011.32.36%20AM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="3362" height="822" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLT96dovehHaly6WewMwSvgDJgoKa34lVNSmjVUbc1y63x5gPhO5UD_83Okopax4AUbrM-kQxElm2FBt7CwKpk5fhUaNzK-D6nDd107SqOqjXlelySDig5Uu5Sjs88iK3yFLNBlpVErGf6ZxjyWIDg6rXvGnXObQO1YXTj4bZNxFmqbkruQWtNXFdzAA/w1430-h822/Screenshot%202023-05-02%20at%2011.32.36%20AM.png" width="1430" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Farewell Bend is where the the Oregon Trail left the Snake River. North of this location is Hell's Canyon, impassible to this day by anything on wheels. Union Pacific's bridge across the Snake River is visible in the upper right. The tracks run along the south bank to Huntington, where they and the river turn north.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1846, Congress authorized a line of military posts along the Oregon Trail and created a mounted rifle regiment to construct and garrison them. Those plans were interrupted for two years by the Mexican-American War, which among other things ceded California to the United States by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, but by 1849 the regiment was prepared for its original assignment and departed Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on May 10 -- the first military unit to travel the entire length of the Oregon Trail, with seven hundred horses and twelve hundred mules. The entire party was stretched across the High Plains like a gigantic rubber band about to break, but heat and lack of water soon began to cull the herd, and by the time the regiment reached the Snake River, numbers had been reduced by almost half.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Major Osborne Cross, the quartermaster, prepared a journal of the expedition and noted that the trail was crowded with gold seekers, all of whom turned southwest at the Raft River to take the California Trail. To the northwest, the Oregon Trail was mostly deserted. The regiment arrived at Farewell Bend September 3.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">[The Burnt River] turning to the northeast breaks through the same range of hills, leaves a deep canyon in its passage, and falls into the Snake river not far from where we left it. These openings in the mountains hills are very striking and worthy the notice of those who travel this way. . . . We were completely hemmed in by the mountain hills that form a ravine through which this little stream passes.</span></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">[I have been unable to find Cross's journal on line. Several printed volumes are available for sale on the internet. My own source has been John W. Evans, <i>Powerful Rockey: The Blue Mountains and the Oregon Trail, </i>Eastern Oregon State College (1991).]</span> </p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4WI63OwZm3UBqe4CwEBaUx6RyCKuIrdGwlwrvMYOW5c2otNTMqVsruhGKYU4V0wBjYUh8gyY8CWPoSQgN1bg6yQg5tms3zkT97wV8bWVH-o1djrNJYp1hR895u_zJZ7BCtcRlYwAe5r4Ts6l-y2lgArWkg1bCfWxzcfAIH5yfwo0cskACnUTuM3bHw/s662/Cross%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="381" height="893" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4WI63OwZm3UBqe4CwEBaUx6RyCKuIrdGwlwrvMYOW5c2otNTMqVsruhGKYU4V0wBjYUh8gyY8CWPoSQgN1bg6yQg5tms3zkT97wV8bWVH-o1djrNJYp1hR895u_zJZ7BCtcRlYwAe5r4Ts6l-y2lgArWkg1bCfWxzcfAIH5yfwo0cskACnUTuM3bHw/w513-h893/Cross%202.jpg" width="513" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Major Osborne Cross</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Burnt River Canyon is narrow and twisting like a rivulet, its walls almost perpendicular. As one moves northwest, the cliffs draw closer and closer like the swinging shut of an electric gate, and the feeling of claustrophobia grows, even for those with no concern for small spaces. Constructing a railroad through this confine was no mean feat, to say nothing of the building of Interstate 84 almost 100 years later. Pulling loaded wagons through the rocks, where barely a road existed, seems out of the question, at least to this author.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Major Cross wrote:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We commenced the march at half-past six o'clock this morning up the ravine, which became so narrow that the road passed along the bed of the river for some distance. It again turned to the right and winding around the base of the hills through a very narrow gorge brought us once more on level ground, where the face of the country was entirely changed. Mountains were to be seen all around and it appeared a mystery how we had extricated ourselves from those left behind . . . or how we were to pass those ahead of us. </span></span></blockquote><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3kS0PSWB2NI3M-3LsVzDc_cZxC-EAgzcUplG7d-aqrIztcmtwfJMkdU6_EBHnalYQxOaKBTADgmeLyZQmjFb1p2D1deEWohYYjK06sIjWq3nti5ufzdos4tpucfU4m65CQfasfCNQ9ysx8szM1QEjU98Ya9ok8fGjg_MWCETPmKZcDOMMQonDTdr4Q/s3324/Screenshot%202023-05-02%20at%2011.47.19%20AM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="3324" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3kS0PSWB2NI3M-3LsVzDc_cZxC-EAgzcUplG7d-aqrIztcmtwfJMkdU6_EBHnalYQxOaKBTADgmeLyZQmjFb1p2D1deEWohYYjK06sIjWq3nti5ufzdos4tpucfU4m65CQfasfCNQ9ysx8szM1QEjU98Ya9ok8fGjg_MWCETPmKZcDOMMQonDTdr4Q/w1317-h634/Screenshot%202023-05-02%20at%2011.47.19%20AM.png" width="1317" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Aerial view of a portion of the Burnt River Canyon. Interstate 84 dominates the landscape today. The Union Pacific tracks are west of the highway and duck through a ridge in a short tunnel. Some travelers on the Oregon Trail would have climbed the hill above where the tunnel was bored. Others would have followed the river north through a narrow horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2rQzMCEvlql_ly8LFxt2od__IAnf0fZ4pkZioF6AlZV4EAXu6s3T-TgdZbNZyp3SbfojjMWlgihK_cowiMYMTgr5p7D6KBEl_deRViRPGkYgrDSJ9azOKBdLYVgajmENqpKLIb8wGcGvNP3ad-VPdB4RrnJbmEwfA2WGyrHehRnoFky8eXNEIfVKNg/s2975/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2975" height="1092" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2rQzMCEvlql_ly8LFxt2od__IAnf0fZ4pkZioF6AlZV4EAXu6s3T-TgdZbNZyp3SbfojjMWlgihK_cowiMYMTgr5p7D6KBEl_deRViRPGkYgrDSJ9azOKBdLYVgajmENqpKLIb8wGcGvNP3ad-VPdB4RrnJbmEwfA2WGyrHehRnoFky8eXNEIfVKNg/w1611-h1092/28.jpg" width="1611" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Interstate 84 and the UP make the narrowest sections of the Burnt River Canyon look passible, but that is because of the enormous excavation involved in their construction. Imagine trying to navigate a covered wagon through this location in its natural state.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLh4SFU2yi12g4-Dxzn7436ku6KwSAaKdTdnIEKlVLdKJgZt1HaeyQljuFzGHarZOn62sNS8NJL5TbW8pP5sP0PucAsB9xjF2wPfN5PKp97JuRhuYygmsdPheGi-LCbVht4G23AZvAUreVGdd5_hSMfF0QnnhAL5BSOoNp7yvCidlgpYo4dviyDthOA/s2996/38.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2996" height="1076" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLh4SFU2yi12g4-Dxzn7436ku6KwSAaKdTdnIEKlVLdKJgZt1HaeyQljuFzGHarZOn62sNS8NJL5TbW8pP5sP0PucAsB9xjF2wPfN5PKp97JuRhuYygmsdPheGi-LCbVht4G23AZvAUreVGdd5_hSMfF0QnnhAL5BSOoNp7yvCidlgpYo4dviyDthOA/w1609-h1076/38.jpg" width="1609" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Deep in the Burnt River Canyon, UP 2704 West leads a merchandise freight upgrade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Upstream, past the narrow canyon, the Burnt River opens to the Durkee Valley -- which Major Cross described immediately above. To the east stand the Lookout Mountains; t</span><span style="font-family: arial;">o the south the Pedro Mountains. To the north is the saddle between the Burnt and Powder River drainages. The Union Pacific laid its tracks directly through the heart of this valley, following the paths of Fremont, Clyman and Cross. The Oregon Trail climbed the saddle in a torturous ascent. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpSc4_EwWJB5mEhI4-LwFC63l_O2EaaJlJuWryvZo22J73UURyHMco1MZv6dveseNZaULbQCjgyXPCB0k8OflSwwx6CgruOJf79bvm3n6zF16bjS3-3G78M06n8EJrYNEF18KCsgmqTfJ3o2OiEL5genIeed0HtGDZrPdBY5O6Yl_N1hI6vuoAcIgAw/s1878/Screenshot%202023-05-02%20at%2011.53.36%20AM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1878" data-original-width="1876" height="839" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpSc4_EwWJB5mEhI4-LwFC63l_O2EaaJlJuWryvZo22J73UURyHMco1MZv6dveseNZaULbQCjgyXPCB0k8OflSwwx6CgruOJf79bvm3n6zF16bjS3-3G78M06n8EJrYNEF18KCsgmqTfJ3o2OiEL5genIeed0HtGDZrPdBY5O6Yl_N1hI6vuoAcIgAw/w839-h839/Screenshot%202023-05-02%20at%2011.53.36%20AM.png" width="839" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>From the south, the Durkee Valley forms an upside-down "T" and marks the dividing line between the watersheds of the Burnt and Powder Rivers. Interstate 84 blasts directly up the dividing ridge on a grade too steep for the Union Pacific, which softens the climb at the Pritchard Creek Horseshoe. The climb up this ridge was very difficult for the animals and immigrants.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIGsYbh28zYipGxbShtNWNEfi4Nc-woix6DVoY_ytpuR3KkfcYEiErERglVIDDxoRIQHT7HyG-HfBCFQEaPZJYiMvhqa08Vff5K0TopMWIYwJRD2xdaBAd0LVEUTSIF049QulHosSZ-kksWynQDbtRdNnC30VGEnXqy0vXJyWZ9qVUdMbzt44xB6T6A/s3086/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="3086" height="1017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIGsYbh28zYipGxbShtNWNEfi4Nc-woix6DVoY_ytpuR3KkfcYEiErERglVIDDxoRIQHT7HyG-HfBCFQEaPZJYiMvhqa08Vff5K0TopMWIYwJRD2xdaBAd0LVEUTSIF049QulHosSZ-kksWynQDbtRdNnC30VGEnXqy0vXJyWZ9qVUdMbzt44xB6T6A/w1611-h1017/8.jpg" width="1611" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest descending through the Durkee Valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimdSSaA0hIdA4QYPWhj7QqFjlEvKnUqyGH2xcIihkgUr7saMO9ghVq3lyL6zd9sVujgPK9gVLfyW6fv1PbBVhk_eYxSz85MgzSV0T8YczM-W5uIccJoZ2HkgEz9wHwKAUVHEuQKK3VsT49cD4Rfs3XzMfKBL9RO6r8z36cUr2O9SgDOy_Evq0ohOnag/s3003/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3003" height="1075" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimdSSaA0hIdA4QYPWhj7QqFjlEvKnUqyGH2xcIihkgUr7saMO9ghVq3lyL6zd9sVujgPK9gVLfyW6fv1PbBVhk_eYxSz85MgzSV0T8YczM-W5uIccJoZ2HkgEz9wHwKAUVHEuQKK3VsT49cD4Rfs3XzMfKBL9RO6r8z36cUr2O9SgDOy_Evq0ohOnag/w1614-h1075/20.jpg" width="1614" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This westbound is climbing toward the Pritchard Creek horseshoe. In the background stands the Durkee Community Church.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYArWyarclRgVTVdsqlRRTpAjQi3Ik1f12J7byTs9hMMlHIv_OVnKkiFKLDSnAx0tSs7a-4reRK0sP1exvG2kVh2PWc1hqlSmYCQsWCH5KvuEoSEWpcQc28W0rdSU5TLAYAo9KjmQR5ui5UxUFzfBUFYWdBewGNGP6BG2mRCI3ZjbJLPsQ7U0I2a1rbw/s2968/29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="2968" height="1094" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYArWyarclRgVTVdsqlRRTpAjQi3Ik1f12J7byTs9hMMlHIv_OVnKkiFKLDSnAx0tSs7a-4reRK0sP1exvG2kVh2PWc1hqlSmYCQsWCH5KvuEoSEWpcQc28W0rdSU5TLAYAo9KjmQR5ui5UxUFzfBUFYWdBewGNGP6BG2mRCI3ZjbJLPsQ7U0I2a1rbw/w1605-h1094/29.jpg" width="1605" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP 3003 West leads its train past the west end of Durkee Siding.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The following images were all taken at the Pritchard Creek horseshoe, in your author's estimation one of the most spectacular railfan locations in North American. The country is open and mostly deserted. A very few farm houses dot the landscape, and cattle here and there graze aimlessly through irrigated pastures. A primitive county road climbs the hills to the east of the tracks and will lead you, if your vehicle is rugged enough, to one of the most bucolic locations one can image for watching trains.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5UZ_Flo9-1pa3eWCpLri3NFGg7KISI3szHCwrqVcXpkbSliga5WKnbvzfIZ-817CrifIFdRy0rnzoZi5Gg49rIlsnEKJv-o386LSzyMJOUmXZB9d1-hsBmaoLf4WtrLfRJKYYQEBUi8uOuWDVkh1NwGB5Fz00Epo01lSBdqhvV0gBvrX6pdDbje_tA/s3053/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3053" height="1038" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5UZ_Flo9-1pa3eWCpLri3NFGg7KISI3szHCwrqVcXpkbSliga5WKnbvzfIZ-817CrifIFdRy0rnzoZi5Gg49rIlsnEKJv-o386LSzyMJOUmXZB9d1-hsBmaoLf4WtrLfRJKYYQEBUi8uOuWDVkh1NwGB5Fz00Epo01lSBdqhvV0gBvrX6pdDbje_tA/w1612-h1038/1.jpg" width="1612" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The southeast edge of the horseshoe begins a double track section to the top of the hill. Westbound stacks have stopped on Main One just short of where the steep grade begins to exchange crews with an approaching eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVjzC0LIPjQn0YQN8QTrEvWIoKllNrNFjb4dx8m5UoAeroDYQhou3ekqR5WPaODFLhmGPM0jUv3CTVkG5vzMyLxi5PCKAn2zipG6y9QOqZqQrUT_-SJUUhgPdDvpUM5_8lxgPFO65VxWfDAjJqZSdqv7Ga47iGoQ56cBxeSuvCPvxgBpxRzEdXwvECA/s3027/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3027" height="1061" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVjzC0LIPjQn0YQN8QTrEvWIoKllNrNFjb4dx8m5UoAeroDYQhou3ekqR5WPaODFLhmGPM0jUv3CTVkG5vzMyLxi5PCKAn2zipG6y9QOqZqQrUT_-SJUUhgPdDvpUM5_8lxgPFO65VxWfDAjJqZSdqv7Ga47iGoQ56cBxeSuvCPvxgBpxRzEdXwvECA/w1616-h1061/2.jpg" width="1616" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest is coming downgrade to meet the stacks. The second unit looks as though it recently caught fire.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKNa-JfuHKO9oBtDPjI16ZJjx9HU2yjJTnxiHfkvyvBL4d9iMFPZIVSgxyLuAZkepObQ18aRUjUb3vs777bRoGWI21-QMweyEnpKOhw6lmhctAYoztQ4sa8JQo2ftfsWD-rj4r99G7l-l__8jAkpYOw9F9KRx3xEse7I8O50kuCXBMQo9JxtHv4YeHw/s3025/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1889" data-original-width="3025" height="1013" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKNa-JfuHKO9oBtDPjI16ZJjx9HU2yjJTnxiHfkvyvBL4d9iMFPZIVSgxyLuAZkepObQ18aRUjUb3vs777bRoGWI21-QMweyEnpKOhw6lmhctAYoztQ4sa8JQo2ftfsWD-rj4r99G7l-l__8jAkpYOw9F9KRx3xEse7I8O50kuCXBMQo9JxtHv4YeHw/w1620-h1013/3.jpg" width="1620" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound in the horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEPAwS4ihEjPTZHf_L31fdMqtd-ReHFSU5lGqQzHZexHvakyjY42NwOVw2gNNT1Lw-mMifp7cB8F_Kap9jLAMt65oQoOHhflovjZozHxhc0nyJHQ8ggY617OQFq7c2HXnVPC3PGnxzW8MkaScjukYhQTMA4sJaT7MdTBfb5-KQKXQVW9gUcg-K_DWkw/s3035/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3035" height="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEPAwS4ihEjPTZHf_L31fdMqtd-ReHFSU5lGqQzHZexHvakyjY42NwOVw2gNNT1Lw-mMifp7cB8F_Kap9jLAMt65oQoOHhflovjZozHxhc0nyJHQ8ggY617OQFq7c2HXnVPC3PGnxzW8MkaScjukYhQTMA4sJaT7MdTBfb5-KQKXQVW9gUcg-K_DWkw/w1621-h1054/23.jpg" width="1621" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A meeting in the Durkee Valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDOJyf6wNvyQaftu4M_SdN3y9rs7OKKELVcEfYSBDdD588j7P8GHa45MuqlqRl9sYp92l7ib8YP_K3s4SuE8iMgED-WWWdjRoltKv-Dj_DmfQEFU8qZri2RH0BvkG_9vp0CPXK-P4njuvUNX1HqmLr8AEsPa2B3ywLihz_zvqEWqkMRY71QZVcG-RFw/s4428/Screenshot%202023-05-08%20at%2010.46.35%20AM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1894" data-original-width="4428" height="690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDOJyf6wNvyQaftu4M_SdN3y9rs7OKKELVcEfYSBDdD588j7P8GHa45MuqlqRl9sYp92l7ib8YP_K3s4SuE8iMgED-WWWdjRoltKv-Dj_DmfQEFU8qZri2RH0BvkG_9vp0CPXK-P4njuvUNX1HqmLr8AEsPa2B3ywLihz_zvqEWqkMRY71QZVcG-RFw/w1611-h690/Screenshot%202023-05-08%20at%2010.46.35%20AM.png" width="1611" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Iron Mountain Road, a public thoroughfare, climbs the hills east of the horseshoe. The arrow points to the prime location for photographing the Union Pacific. The images below we are all taken from that spot.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx7oHlIppGTIc-aholiVxeeHGU7FYUXl5hQhO-NiDsJbPfNZk0TgquJ48lJsMhu9AjUzDwnt0YrBBCmSEyQJ8VEQMK0NcbWMjkDzVRa0F-KVBIgLKlh7fmZQBO0M4NpLWIYeYCtMAlZ_Aw75FQ_mQpKODNOqu_34sV-JEQ_Y0yorJfBefFKmcCMiQNA/s2982/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2982" height="1095" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx7oHlIppGTIc-aholiVxeeHGU7FYUXl5hQhO-NiDsJbPfNZk0TgquJ48lJsMhu9AjUzDwnt0YrBBCmSEyQJ8VEQMK0NcbWMjkDzVRa0F-KVBIgLKlh7fmZQBO0M4NpLWIYeYCtMAlZ_Aw75FQ_mQpKODNOqu_34sV-JEQ_Y0yorJfBefFKmcCMiQNA/w1621-h1095/15.jpg" width="1621" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In full dynamics, an eastbound manifest approaches the horseshoe.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUU3ErQgdO2s94NEXUvpq_gqvTbKidYXtewv1H1e4nc7oo7HYjFabOTu98Z-pNtq8t4skW8Rh2KJADDxSzX8_NPBiGx0Wv93jmfzaIM3euelhhzNtJb5_yrAvV0H1U6Fz3-FG5IdN1pLlq24Ak9yE3Doz1ZfrW-W17W9Ra8xC_t_MRdnXVDJWksWwqA/s3059/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3059" height="1039" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUU3ErQgdO2s94NEXUvpq_gqvTbKidYXtewv1H1e4nc7oo7HYjFabOTu98Z-pNtq8t4skW8Rh2KJADDxSzX8_NPBiGx0Wv93jmfzaIM3euelhhzNtJb5_yrAvV0H1U6Fz3-FG5IdN1pLlq24Ak9yE3Doz1ZfrW-W17W9Ra8xC_t_MRdnXVDJWksWwqA/w1622-h1039/16.jpg" width="1622" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train filling the horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Pyzg1QP6Q6-A1t6I2eSyMYiQb_8BzBxraMcQA4O2EwpwNf7mSZ8lu5r8CQFlLEOvBKOExUNbpv0mooEK6OswRyRboe891x0CJQXv8yWZKXDlDWEkOuF_OtiFjWdTYOVFKYATw4n2VNXSnWCHmp3CBklscYRzjhX3sJqbTKh-GIF6nTHg4_9neoGFVg/s3005/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1076" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Pyzg1QP6Q6-A1t6I2eSyMYiQb_8BzBxraMcQA4O2EwpwNf7mSZ8lu5r8CQFlLEOvBKOExUNbpv0mooEK6OswRyRboe891x0CJQXv8yWZKXDlDWEkOuF_OtiFjWdTYOVFKYATw4n2VNXSnWCHmp3CBklscYRzjhX3sJqbTKh-GIF6nTHg4_9neoGFVg/w1617-h1076/18.jpg" width="1617" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound grain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoJF_YzNXQhPiTQCwV3uuROvYwWppJns85M1lnbsK8JlXFIL9UsBjEkUcua_p708H01UOl9DYDKm0AxkZ1Hn2DRTLxyon6OuVKZ51rzNvKWdvKMdfMLP-hQOsMmirQVityjZBWN4FFg5M16pssNlJ5Tu1FX0M4S7KexFq_kUXN728s2NPh8p8SxWd4w/s3025/41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3025" height="1062" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoJF_YzNXQhPiTQCwV3uuROvYwWppJns85M1lnbsK8JlXFIL9UsBjEkUcua_p708H01UOl9DYDKm0AxkZ1Hn2DRTLxyon6OuVKZ51rzNvKWdvKMdfMLP-hQOsMmirQVityjZBWN4FFg5M16pssNlJ5Tu1FX0M4S7KexFq_kUXN728s2NPh8p8SxWd4w/w1618-h1062/41.jpg" width="1618" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLubj8Ajc_-FEni4l0vanCsVOvgNS6lU1bsZB2SL8181zSQM3YzaxLuySlQULrokdERrnzPX8H-f7-pGBhnOky_vd8CC9sm_di4T8CKhEe7RSvYZjqEs7deUyE-DYl-JtqzxLV_8LrIQX8FHBrlXv0zeenR62eg_edvuRRle2EeFrUzzVxQHoXmvARA/s3026/42.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3026" height="1056" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLubj8Ajc_-FEni4l0vanCsVOvgNS6lU1bsZB2SL8181zSQM3YzaxLuySlQULrokdERrnzPX8H-f7-pGBhnOky_vd8CC9sm_di4T8CKhEe7RSvYZjqEs7deUyE-DYl-JtqzxLV_8LrIQX8FHBrlXv0zeenR62eg_edvuRRle2EeFrUzzVxQHoXmvARA/w1609-h1056/42.jpg" width="1609" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-neDEItVwJaixnv1OmBmjfwJTLBloirTIRK4DeQ8eprVUgi8KO40NL2k4eBYX6aI8DzNJMOXGQrylZ5z59zMFIeuD3jG6sWLOsk3IvXKXx9fNF-8R0KAv1DXneHSAwKLK91iP5KzR3QPbIucjtR06csxeh3K2ZvtX2Ja99m9CvEGQrOjsqCefycc-g/s3031/43.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1052" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-neDEItVwJaixnv1OmBmjfwJTLBloirTIRK4DeQ8eprVUgi8KO40NL2k4eBYX6aI8DzNJMOXGQrylZ5z59zMFIeuD3jG6sWLOsk3IvXKXx9fNF-8R0KAv1DXneHSAwKLK91iP5KzR3QPbIucjtR06csxeh3K2ZvtX2Ja99m9CvEGQrOjsqCefycc-g/w1609-h1052/43.jpg" width="1609" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On the west side of the horseshoe, the tracks run through a deep cut, then onto a fill, then begin a long upgrade curve as they climb the ridge to the Powder River drainage basin. Access here is possible, though not easy, but worth the effort.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNi0MXXjVMk-6rMrSMhqecNWMO-NsPw4Z_oFpqfkv5fbS_mO0zq7N20CTzbPH5iualK1pCtxRgkVJe5VHfcDvqhR-zcUgM8xmYj8pdOIfD7CVaud4jSAm4An_nmsPNiyOejcITxdzzWTLqoypiEow0j4iX2cInNav1oi1etUpDgLlLR0jjiqkpndsQg/s3043/44.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3043" height="1048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNi0MXXjVMk-6rMrSMhqecNWMO-NsPw4Z_oFpqfkv5fbS_mO0zq7N20CTzbPH5iualK1pCtxRgkVJe5VHfcDvqhR-zcUgM8xmYj8pdOIfD7CVaud4jSAm4An_nmsPNiyOejcITxdzzWTLqoypiEow0j4iX2cInNav1oi1etUpDgLlLR0jjiqkpndsQg/w1620-h1048/44.jpg" width="1620" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The west side of the horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AhSjZVJkojWHFCApL4KamqKb9rCwQAcJwppkloDzthv9KTwtX1TPQQrFXwnXB593i6wtsioKYN3ansf1j0Pu5mLi1iLZq3Gm6dZCrvciTsSc3C7YTRRNtS59N25A0N2bOiB5jwZP-ml0-zyvGlKSntWTUXNFyKTKFq8qYXq_gVlc9X3oU1HzT5ga2A/s3019/25.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AhSjZVJkojWHFCApL4KamqKb9rCwQAcJwppkloDzthv9KTwtX1TPQQrFXwnXB593i6wtsioKYN3ansf1j0Pu5mLi1iLZq3Gm6dZCrvciTsSc3C7YTRRNtS59N25A0N2bOiB5jwZP-ml0-zyvGlKSntWTUXNFyKTKFq8qYXq_gVlc9X3oU1HzT5ga2A/w1622-h1069/25.jpg" width="1622" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Stacks headed northwest to the Columbia River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After leaving the horseshoe, trains struggle for several miles into the grade. Even traffic on the interstate slows, heavy trucks creeping like beetles. In this location, guides, immigrants and oxen must have wondered if they had made a mistake in vacating the verdant flatlands.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTECk2pGY7OpYVXBffCj71FVN87ZKLEf0fcozGvEr-hW2pq32JBTBX28Ihgdacsb8MFux5xlCAhkXo0pEdJQqRhDc2zUaOcH4q1secgOvGqcV2QE36kAIgMuoH_CT265pr6-NEL0JkZrMNVipWvBeki6mhzsmypeh6QeJXQ4JwgAnWky4IoLPtpKB_Q/s2996/11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2003" data-original-width="2996" height="1081" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTECk2pGY7OpYVXBffCj71FVN87ZKLEf0fcozGvEr-hW2pq32JBTBX28Ihgdacsb8MFux5xlCAhkXo0pEdJQqRhDc2zUaOcH4q1secgOvGqcV2QE36kAIgMuoH_CT265pr6-NEL0JkZrMNVipWvBeki6mhzsmypeh6QeJXQ4JwgAnWky4IoLPtpKB_Q/w1617-h1081/11.jpg" width="1617" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This brutally long manifest is crawling at less than five mph. A small dog could climb the hill faster.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiC1sUYt-zBSeICkA99jT2zQ3vqOwfmhbZWd9ETC3mpR1llnv2l952L3lgnn9nL_ghRMOqJSb1MwjpdB3KxVySYiv6LE0169Dlz4nwdYA6Q3nrZneSPUjljUvdNbs2mB1f0-cpleXwTnqiq6vuYjE-20o0kpL9kFrxuM2-5uFxfKPQylr10fUDDMM8A/s3011/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3011" height="1072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiC1sUYt-zBSeICkA99jT2zQ3vqOwfmhbZWd9ETC3mpR1llnv2l952L3lgnn9nL_ghRMOqJSb1MwjpdB3KxVySYiv6LE0169Dlz4nwdYA6Q3nrZneSPUjljUvdNbs2mB1f0-cpleXwTnqiq6vuYjE-20o0kpL9kFrxuM2-5uFxfKPQylr10fUDDMM8A/w1617-h1072/27.jpg" width="1617" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The line here is double track.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm0ELNsUyR_wt4dljkwoKibd_BcE4vV_etk7BTgH8HtUPZN64sBFfKcUzMJATslrE-A2R6jMhe2Qw7-CjS3t_tFx68KlKtd8kMbfzdKwBAGGQdtH1LKPrKBNPM__Tgl-kCfveLDsrakjp0p2G4kT6_O0u5q0B0alfRpeWnqtlvoRhLVFWmtKzBSpSVA/s2960/30.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2027" data-original-width="2960" height="1106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm0ELNsUyR_wt4dljkwoKibd_BcE4vV_etk7BTgH8HtUPZN64sBFfKcUzMJATslrE-A2R6jMhe2Qw7-CjS3t_tFx68KlKtd8kMbfzdKwBAGGQdtH1LKPrKBNPM__Tgl-kCfveLDsrakjp0p2G4kT6_O0u5q0B0alfRpeWnqtlvoRhLVFWmtKzBSpSVA/w1616-h1106/30.jpg" width="1616" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Crawling westward.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMM1wlNiylIteTNSmiILlNCllYdsohpg6yvrCMXW-7-IEHPdI2x2kzblnX2vWHZQpYlrgmF1P_DSaMAFeMaKMWQRsfTxw_YOG05IwHeDGSLoAr1e4E5ogAfstCVq5iz8FHlBTj9Rgf7MxzMwTcE74gaHyt35k_bqjz7WC8X19bRSnLDV3A3Lae-pU7Q/s2978/31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2978" height="1102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMM1wlNiylIteTNSmiILlNCllYdsohpg6yvrCMXW-7-IEHPdI2x2kzblnX2vWHZQpYlrgmF1P_DSaMAFeMaKMWQRsfTxw_YOG05IwHeDGSLoAr1e4E5ogAfstCVq5iz8FHlBTj9Rgf7MxzMwTcE74gaHyt35k_bqjz7WC8X19bRSnLDV3A3Lae-pU7Q/w1626-h1102/31.jpg" width="1626" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Still climbing.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWVyz2mo5rTX4i05EEaSxFLGPaESZbb63DQtsRvdD6edBXrikrKNtYM8jQP28o5cxJLmP9kVHQdtvvQlTB06ZcjbBpV36e_yNnHKo5m0LVnHLbninmviu0JYhjbEng0ems5Ht60TaEic287WDT2LSs-lQJQU6laPO_N_zTCf8cxcm5sq_-rA0O-xpzw/s3019/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3019" height="1071" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWVyz2mo5rTX4i05EEaSxFLGPaESZbb63DQtsRvdD6edBXrikrKNtYM8jQP28o5cxJLmP9kVHQdtvvQlTB06ZcjbBpV36e_yNnHKo5m0LVnHLbninmviu0JYhjbEng0ems5Ht60TaEic287WDT2LSs-lQJQU6laPO_N_zTCf8cxcm5sq_-rA0O-xpzw/w1624-h1071/7.jpg" width="1624" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At this location on the hill, even this Z train has slowed to a crawl.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0MRlgkx2zq--oRdkqUzjnW_kJPj7-uGi5lkpAQUADdIYvDyU_cniViVX4k7pOS87RA8zBGi14ozRziOMxDPwOK9hIoutt48XC_6qluOTEKbMr_l4R6daAXfPLgNA-ys4rnPBy4r8vkTTnJntE_szsG3Z8Y1WvuegZhw1Ofmm4MZgldbFWDmFX5keJQ/s3067/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="3067" height="1034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0MRlgkx2zq--oRdkqUzjnW_kJPj7-uGi5lkpAQUADdIYvDyU_cniViVX4k7pOS87RA8zBGi14ozRziOMxDPwOK9hIoutt48XC_6qluOTEKbMr_l4R6daAXfPLgNA-ys4rnPBy4r8vkTTnJntE_szsG3Z8Y1WvuegZhw1Ofmm4MZgldbFWDmFX5keJQ/w1621-h1034/40.jpg" width="1621" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Downgrade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AkBAcRKF_C3bCuBbPDdANl2U8-c-v7nXLOtxCzV-ZPSFGmRavN26eePRC7Bxk-UMt3x1bw8FyO5wrXh2JIS7QIRvaPRMBKVR7wZ3W1Afo2kTbqRbg_vNAGie7NhjNKCWWhpzGjd5iJG3aH7WHuZGGzvATqIkCxUo4uUWIgy15Sbni999XYJW5FAehw/s2992/26.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2992" height="1090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AkBAcRKF_C3bCuBbPDdANl2U8-c-v7nXLOtxCzV-ZPSFGmRavN26eePRC7Bxk-UMt3x1bw8FyO5wrXh2JIS7QIRvaPRMBKVR7wZ3W1Afo2kTbqRbg_vNAGie7NhjNKCWWhpzGjd5iJG3aH7WHuZGGzvATqIkCxUo4uUWIgy15Sbni999XYJW5FAehw/w1622-h1090/26.jpg" width="1622" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At the top of the grade, because of the lack of trees, one can see across the country for miles in all directions, with the blue sky overhead like the lid of a gigantic pot. To the north, the mountains are now heavily forested. Major Cross described them:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After passing this morning through the valley in which we encamped last evening the road brought us to the top of a high ridge, giving us a beautiful view of the mountains running east and west and parallel to the ridge over which we were passing. The sight was very fine, as these mountains were the first we had seen covered with pine.</span></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Coming down, one enters the valley of the Powder River, several magnitudes larger than the Durkee Valley, as though when He created the earth, God said, "This will be a good place for people to settle." Mountains to the west rise almost vertically from the ground like a snow fence. The river is narrow and shallow and runs with cool clear mountain water. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cross said: </span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This valley has many advantages over those I have passed on the march besides having a fine stream running through it. The mountains in the vicinity are covered with pine and hemlock, which is easy to procure. The soil is light and sufficiently level to be irrigated and will no doubt yield well when properly cultivated.</span></blockquote><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUZDbJUKPi96fhERaKcDBEHmAx9tseBXH8PAWIyGIGTruKayHrdrYhOIfBJMzBzuLf2QzSgZ81cAk62S54Z0gnaJQvsdzhLuNI7mn5I6eIPj_YK3pWEfNHBToQmDAkvwR1IvtC8sggdARCwOchxJCiuJ_yJFW8YzufJrWkrGERhh3IeW9zec648rv4Q/s1504/Screenshot%202023-05-02%20at%2012.03.29%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1504" height="953" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUZDbJUKPi96fhERaKcDBEHmAx9tseBXH8PAWIyGIGTruKayHrdrYhOIfBJMzBzuLf2QzSgZ81cAk62S54Z0gnaJQvsdzhLuNI7mn5I6eIPj_YK3pWEfNHBToQmDAkvwR1IvtC8sggdARCwOchxJCiuJ_yJFW8YzufJrWkrGERhh3IeW9zec648rv4Q/w1201-h953/Screenshot%202023-05-02%20at%2012.03.29%20PM.png" width="1201" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Powder River Valley. The prominent circles are irrigated farmland.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DolJVyMefayOqqIccTQKQblrLwyrAKesQF_40JEghlcms0VPnrcp5er6T9NJxXi4rafeW4ug7waq7_NQVLzK78WGrg59VTCLuh4EaUgIFzqV5WWawR8B_cN3pX3NxT15IEJzVjHyqv-SrxX0BLMcbyZa5Wo20FPHRauNzeU6O0p4UR2Cy0JbLT54FQ/s3059/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3059" height="1038" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DolJVyMefayOqqIccTQKQblrLwyrAKesQF_40JEghlcms0VPnrcp5er6T9NJxXi4rafeW4ug7waq7_NQVLzK78WGrg59VTCLuh4EaUgIFzqV5WWawR8B_cN3pX3NxT15IEJzVjHyqv-SrxX0BLMcbyZa5Wo20FPHRauNzeU6O0p4UR2Cy0JbLT54FQ/w1620-h1038/4.jpg" width="1620" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This eastbound manifest is climbing out of the Powder River Valley. In the background are the forested mountains described by Major Cross.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_WJKNO4i6dArdi421RIdiKyycJPZ8lrPLJ8YRisCZgwYHsFflXcgDuVDEGEsv44q18fBa2MRWUn_cTef6XQVgBHrgowiWa2jc8bgWIsljNhJWXLdYoUnsxMNnImUg_V9_loVM5XkVsAunT3IWnzJjzxib2M8wDUriEH9hw2qBGxVdRhpAnyggQWM7g/s2973/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2973" height="1101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_WJKNO4i6dArdi421RIdiKyycJPZ8lrPLJ8YRisCZgwYHsFflXcgDuVDEGEsv44q18fBa2MRWUn_cTef6XQVgBHrgowiWa2jc8bgWIsljNhJWXLdYoUnsxMNnImUg_V9_loVM5XkVsAunT3IWnzJjzxib2M8wDUriEH9hw2qBGxVdRhpAnyggQWM7g/w1625-h1101/5.jpg" width="1625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbound climbing the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQi8gRaiWV4Muc_rI8uTvYYL9goJwxTyzzRiQYxQqOHFXNVggoZOj4BjLeIHSsDwHhKjbN3usgETaP9xi7-B9vrpSgAg5mYippxqT-clNElEzZc7h5YiFaTmPbnc-FJOktFGkp4Msm6lSh_TKvMnF0k6wf8PiHuDc1iJu0veA_YMYjn9vLwmB9fVFqQ/s3046/33.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3046" height="1048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQi8gRaiWV4Muc_rI8uTvYYL9goJwxTyzzRiQYxQqOHFXNVggoZOj4BjLeIHSsDwHhKjbN3usgETaP9xi7-B9vrpSgAg5mYippxqT-clNElEzZc7h5YiFaTmPbnc-FJOktFGkp4Msm6lSh_TKvMnF0k6wf8PiHuDc1iJu0veA_YMYjn9vLwmB9fVFqQ/w1620-h1048/33.jpg" width="1620" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound approaching the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The American West is set apart from the East by a constant that Major Cross was fortunate not to encounter -- fire. Clyman saw it firsthand.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The day very Smoky & I Begin to daubt Mr. Espys theory of produceeing rain by any phisical means as the whole country has been on fire for a month past & no rain yet a range of mountains lying close to our left seem to be all enveloped in Smoke</span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Because we think that we, our time and our place are all unique, we believe that our troubles and problems are the worst ever experienced. Thus, we think that Western forest fires are a plague never before seen on the planet, at least not in the intensity experienced today. Clyman's diary gives the lie to this parochial thought, and does Norman McClean's marvelous book <i>Young Men and Fire</i>, a lyrical discussion of the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire in Montana that killed 13 "smoke jumpers," young men who parachuted into remote country, intending to stop fires before they exploded into disasters. But the Mann Gulch Fire exploded too fast, and many perished.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">McClean describes the process by which a seemingly innocuous blaze becomes a killer:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A fire doesn't always need flames to advance. A fire may seem under control, burning harmlessly under tall trees with branches too high to be touched by ground flames, but the fire is burning with such intensity that most of the oxygen has been burned out of the air near it, which is heated above the point of ignition. If the wind suddenly changes and fresh air is blown in loaded with oxygen, then the three elements necessary for a fire are suddenly present in the lower branches -- flammable material, temperature above the point of ignition, and oxygen. An old-timer knows that, when a ground fire explodes into a crown fire with nothing he can see to cause it, he has not witnessed spontaneous combustion but the outer appearance of the invisible pressure of a "fire triangle" suddenly in proper proportions for an explosion. Norman McClean, <i>Young Men and Fire</i>, University of Chicago Press, p. 35 (1992).</span></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Western forest fires have consumed North American far longer than people have lived on this continent and will continue to burn long after the last man and woman are gone. The fires witnessed by Clyman did no lasting harm to the mountains surrounding the valley of the Powder River. When your author visited in the summer of 2022, over 180 years later, those steep, almost vertical slopes were verdant with pine and western larch, though it had not rained for over 90 days and would not rain until well into fall.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Native Americans saw fire as their ally, not their enemy. They periodically burned grasslands to keep them clear for game and also used blazes to defend against immigrant invaders. Clyman said:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As we caught our horses for our afternoons travel Some Indian as is their habit when they discover Strangers in their country set fire to the grass about a half mile ahiad of us our route being N. & a strong south wind blowing the fire kept ahead of us through the hills about 6 or 8 miles and when we overtook the fire we had some difficulty in passing it but all got through nearly suffocated . . . the whole mountains which surround this valley completely enveloped in fire and Smoke</span></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Today the town of Baker City sits in the Powder River Valley, a former mining community that has reinvented itself as an agricultural crossroads, fulfilling the prophecy of Major Cross. Though the surrounding mountains are heavily forested, the valley itself averages barely more than 10 inches of rain per year, which effectively makes it a wet desert. About 50 years ago, however, a solitary land owner decided to dig a deep well mostly to see what was down there and discovered, to his surprise, a vast reservoir of underground water. He began irrigating his land, and the rich soil quickly produced bumper crops of red wheat. Potatoes, mint and sugar beets quickly followed. Irrigation also produced hay that today feeds a major cattle industry.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I met the landowner's son one afternoon while waiting along an isolated dirt road for a train, and he told me how his father had drilled the well and become the first farmer in the valley. With the money gained from his efforts, the father began buying land that others thought was mostly worthless and soon owned thousands of acres, which today the son farms with obvious pride. He and I chatted for almost an hour as two Union Pacific freights roared past and I explained to him what I knew about the construction of the railroad. When we parted, he gave me the name of a local steak house, which that evening prepared for me an excellent meal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Powder River Valley stretches about fifteen miles south to north and about five mile east to west. Bounded on the west by the Little Alps and on the east by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, this basin provided a respite for travelers along the Oregon Trail coming north from Farewell Bend and the rugged Burnt River Canyon. Here the immigrant parties could stop for several days, allowing their animals to graze, while also replenishing their strength and courage, for the trip ahead across the Blue Mountains was even more challenging, not for the faint of heart, especially for those making the journey late in the year, which for this country can be the last half of October when snows begin at highest elevations.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Major Cross found the valley congenial:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We remained here tonight, having fine water, plenty of wood for ourselves, and good grazing for our mules and horses. This stream [Powder River] is about thirty feet wide, is clear, and runs quietly over a gravelly bottom. Here brook trout and salmon are found in great numbers. </span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Clyman said:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Passed through a beautifull vally this fore noon well grassed but to dry for cultivation a Timbred mountain close to our left the same seen range yestarday morning.</span> </p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And Fremont:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We travelled this morning across the affluents to Powder river, the road being good, firm, and level; and the country became constantly more pleasant and interesting. The soil appeared to be very deep, and is black and extremely good, as well among the hollows of the hills on the elevated plats, as on the river bottoms; the vegetation being such as is usually found in good ground.</span> </p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalZPxPVVmX44-IwQ5AzdaYTP4CvwlDN25-VDF9Sr2Pc27zmJlzmkUN-BsuoMSLHaYrRa9lsGCtm4njUWiHLXSmOuPP1quNuIInt2AEp7I4IDuR7Fg_l-sYqEHoD1dQ1_xqkGCSQDshxHafzYsDyNSVprUjesRsiUXGy-nfe-SuGn6DxW3NwjpH7MkfA/s3031/47.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalZPxPVVmX44-IwQ5AzdaYTP4CvwlDN25-VDF9Sr2Pc27zmJlzmkUN-BsuoMSLHaYrRa9lsGCtm4njUWiHLXSmOuPP1quNuIInt2AEp7I4IDuR7Fg_l-sYqEHoD1dQ1_xqkGCSQDshxHafzYsDyNSVprUjesRsiUXGy-nfe-SuGn6DxW3NwjpH7MkfA/w1612-h1053/47.jpg" width="1612" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest in the Powder River Valley is passing a field of sugar beets and the industrial sprinkler that irrigates it.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXI3AwLjvzQOZDy-in07TGcCjks0wn8sMDRGnTQB-ccywQy7lsf70LWXh2qiiP1y62GWeAlce5OAP4HZ-bDF5A5hxu9ihKguMhwE01zhfSfueNHYljXdZcp6sKRs_xMPvSRZHVvmAeQ6BbsXGcoWnqEvzeaKmRNtz7mADg5DOiWgcIKqXRSq6_mjZDQ/s3052/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3052" height="1041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXI3AwLjvzQOZDy-in07TGcCjks0wn8sMDRGnTQB-ccywQy7lsf70LWXh2qiiP1y62GWeAlce5OAP4HZ-bDF5A5hxu9ihKguMhwE01zhfSfueNHYljXdZcp6sKRs_xMPvSRZHVvmAeQ6BbsXGcoWnqEvzeaKmRNtz7mADg5DOiWgcIKqXRSq6_mjZDQ/w1617-h1041/14.jpg" width="1617" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks in the Powder River Valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimHdDSC9d1CLxRQPiTpXf-_2HNlgonVqIfrJRVyxSG4M4SXLzeJhagSwXVXykPKOIBd5IEL5mzpSX1ULzRaBqBpkR1sZsW8YX-IbmEEPTD3G7fkEwFRFi8oys-hQ3xBiZJYIkj9KrXyB3RpFGi_UxMVgqEq1SOcaHt8nEoPADA-fWaOWXi0PJxi_crQ/s3024/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimHdDSC9d1CLxRQPiTpXf-_2HNlgonVqIfrJRVyxSG4M4SXLzeJhagSwXVXykPKOIBd5IEL5mzpSX1ULzRaBqBpkR1sZsW8YX-IbmEEPTD3G7fkEwFRFi8oys-hQ3xBiZJYIkj9KrXyB3RpFGi_UxMVgqEq1SOcaHt8nEoPADA-fWaOWXi0PJxi_crQ/w1606-h1053/13.jpg" width="1606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound approaching Baker City.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is no easy exit from the Powder River Valley, which is like a flat-bottomed bowl in a sand box, surrounded by mountains and hills that prevent tranquil passage. In the 20th century, Interstate 84 climbed the grade to the north through territory much too rugged for covered wagons and later railroads. The Oregon Trail serpentined to the east through a narrow defile in the hills and climbed the second sustained grade between Farewell Bend and the Blue Mountains, the route later followed by the Union Pacific. Today a narrow country road mostly follows the tracks through a cleft barely wide enough for automobiles. Trains struggle in both directions to reach the summit at Telocaset, a Nez Perce word meaning "a thing at the top" or "put on top".</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbf4nmFZeE8cBsywDtX2CdMW3zNR5i8tsqKBqAQkBa7mvhozXd3HgUvRqIpDekcTCLIvfWE9jJX2erDCMIbIv2Ch5EnmUhhP0tUBJYZNDrYReq1k8gNBZxyflXoo4trPWSRgzIsfrq_3O_VXRslLbuF1M2R8RvWIXUmufK6aXPDT6r5hFEgQtOBEukA/s3054/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3054" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbf4nmFZeE8cBsywDtX2CdMW3zNR5i8tsqKBqAQkBa7mvhozXd3HgUvRqIpDekcTCLIvfWE9jJX2erDCMIbIv2Ch5EnmUhhP0tUBJYZNDrYReq1k8gNBZxyflXoo4trPWSRgzIsfrq_3O_VXRslLbuF1M2R8RvWIXUmufK6aXPDT6r5hFEgQtOBEukA/w1611-h1037/12.jpg" width="1611" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Telocaset, Oregon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As you travel north past the summit and down the mountainside, the Grande Ronde Valley comes into view, a magnificent spectacle like a banquet table in a palace. Where the Powder River Valley is almost cozy, the Grande Ronde Valley is spacious and luxuriant. Another metaphor comes quickly to mind: Los Pastos Del Cielo (The Pastures of Heaven).</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Here is Fremont's description:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">About two in the afternoon we reached a high point of the dividing ridge, from which we obtained a good view of the <i>Grande Rond</i> -- a beautiful level basin, or mountain valley, covered with good grass, on a rich soil, abundantly watered, and surrounded by high and well-timbered mountains; and its name descriptive of its form -- the great circle.</span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Grande Ronde Valley floor is at about 2,700 feet above sea level, and its horizon is dominated by the Blue Mountains. Standing in the valley is like standing on an airport tarmac surrounded by jumbo jets. The highest nearby peaks are Mount Fanny to the east, elevation 7,136 feet; Mount Harris to the northeast, 5,335 feet; and Mount Emily to the northwest, 6,110 feet. Communities include Cove, Imbler, Island City, La Grande, Summerville, and Union, of which only La Grande is of any noticeable size, though all are beautifully located. LeGrande contains a Union Pacific yard and facilities, plus Eastern Oregon University, one of the most bucolic small campuses your author has ever seen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When Major Cross first saw the valley, he realized that a railroad could not be far behind:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The only objection, therefore, which can be made to this section of the country is the great difficulty in getting produce to the Columbia river. This could be easily remedied, and the day is not far distant, no doubt, when a railroad will overcome these objections. The distance between here and the Dalles is about two hundred five miles, as the road now runs, passing through the Umatilla valley, which would avoid the high hills and present not the least obstruction. There is timber enough to be found here at and at the Dalles to build a railroad to the Atlantic ocean.</span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The railroad (Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company) came through in 1884, the product of Henry Villard's desire to keep the Union Pacific out of the Pacific Northwest. Villard built a transportation empire in Washington and Oregon, lost it, regained it, then finally lost it for the last time. His story almost defies belief, is told in detail in <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/04/powder-river-basin-part-two-union.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/04/powder-river-basin-part-two-union.html</a> and need not be repeated here.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The railroad was basically constructed by hand, mostly Oriental hands supplied by Chinese-owned companies operating out of San Francisco. With picks, shovels, wheelbarrows, horses and two-wheel dump carts, those men constructed mile after mile through some of the most rugged terrain in the West.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">While Villard was building East, the Union Pacific was building west and had reached Shoshone in Idaho. The two companies now raced toward each other much as had the Central Pacific and Union Pacific in Utah. The OR&N sent surveyors as far south as Farewell Bend and then began dirt work in that area to forestall Union Pacific incursion. Eventually the railroads </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">agreed to connect at Huntington, Oregon, on the Burnt River, just slightly upstream from its confluence with the Snake. The Huntington extension reached Meacham, about twenty-five miles northwest of La Grande, on October 3, 1883. After borrowing another $6 million, the OR&N reached Huntington on November 25, 1884. Through service to Omaha commenced December 1.</span> </p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The OR&N operated 1,143 miles running east from Portland to northeastern Oregon, northeastern Washington, and northern Idaho. Once Villard was out of the picture, the railroad became easy pickings. The UP </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">purchased a majority stake in 1898, the line became a subsidiary of UP (the Oregon–Washington Railroad and Navigation Company) in 1910, and in 1936, the Union Pacific formally absorbed the system, UP's gateway to the Pacific Northwest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The railroad generally followed the Oregon Trail except where the grade was too steep, for example, the Pritchard Creek horseshoe. Also, the railroad diverged from the trail at the Grande Ronde Valley to the summit at Telocaset.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The first construction surveys for crossing that valley called for the line to stay north of Island City, then swing wide to the east around the tule marsh near Hot Lake, then through Union and up the east side of Pyle Canyon. Another proposed route would have run the line to the west by way of Ladd Canyon, but it was ultimately found not feasible because the crossing of the east fork of Ladd Creek would have required a bridge taller than could have been constructed in the late 19th century. In the 20th century, this route was taken by Interstate 84, which saves about eight miles over that ultimately chosen by the railroad, which </span><span style="font-family: arial;">winds north from Telocaset along Pyles Creek through the west side of the very narrow </span><span style="font-family: arial;">eponymous</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> canyon but does not enter Union. Instead, the tracks hug the side of the mountain, then upon reaching the valley floor at Hot Lake, run straight to the northwest to LeGrande. </span></span></p><p></p><p></p><div><br /></div><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHL0O9sQE91cYRvs0CREF4p162W9YDLDPlPiA51FKUcSrA7qoHybPtzRv4dC1DxtzLcDxpw2cnVF5GCKDwysjZsJfNJzMScPW9mrD7yLgdptwyA20Hd5Ll1iQknWtjQxxCBurz049gfa943S5wXSSiFLt2pIW_ngps0lozJsZafoVk-IFATs1srQ5pg/s1988/Screenshot%202023-05-03%20at%202.22.19%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="1674" height="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHL0O9sQE91cYRvs0CREF4p162W9YDLDPlPiA51FKUcSrA7qoHybPtzRv4dC1DxtzLcDxpw2cnVF5GCKDwysjZsJfNJzMScPW9mrD7yLgdptwyA20Hd5Ll1iQknWtjQxxCBurz049gfa943S5wXSSiFLt2pIW_ngps0lozJsZafoVk-IFATs1srQ5pg/w841-h1000/Screenshot%202023-05-03%20at%202.22.19%20PM.png" width="841" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Grande Ronde Valley. Telocaset is the summit of the climb out of the Powder River Valley. The tracks wind down the mountainside to Hot Lake, where this survey ends.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5sHFtK9PTCOuOFKKZmSANQIisslRPZ6fW5OwaJNW1bai8ziXcpAlqUYOjKjMqx2TH5naIeItVMbSnxSYD-VZka1rsnty_IyUOulNiYj0-FYvzvayY53QT2rekFxfWzJnS7puE-1CtJYWOWdnlXi4no4E2FOzSnFb_tpS0gilMnN_nO_x7yY570qUYw/s3007/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3007" height="1076" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5sHFtK9PTCOuOFKKZmSANQIisslRPZ6fW5OwaJNW1bai8ziXcpAlqUYOjKjMqx2TH5naIeItVMbSnxSYD-VZka1rsnty_IyUOulNiYj0-FYvzvayY53QT2rekFxfWzJnS7puE-1CtJYWOWdnlXi4no4E2FOzSnFb_tpS0gilMnN_nO_x7yY570qUYw/w1624-h1076/34.jpg" width="1624" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This westbound manifest has crested the summit at Telocaset and is rolling downgrade on the west side of Pyles Canyon on the approach to the Grande Ronde Valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe2JUMP3JrI8PIIIL3gA-lTcCZn66KFzwIRanlJhHHIVf1-sxvIg1elpsGhELIrDnatpXegvsBkhS2RrT2HtvPcAq66C2GHKWkMDocxocpbVBxysPB_4HABOiTUl394dRvY0_bZVjpmhx7SNqd5UFxpeAeYCDDku9HlzZDDh3wdpATecxJA-JNDwjLw/s3049/36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3049" height="1052" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe2JUMP3JrI8PIIIL3gA-lTcCZn66KFzwIRanlJhHHIVf1-sxvIg1elpsGhELIrDnatpXegvsBkhS2RrT2HtvPcAq66C2GHKWkMDocxocpbVBxysPB_4HABOiTUl394dRvY0_bZVjpmhx7SNqd5UFxpeAeYCDDku9HlzZDDh3wdpATecxJA-JNDwjLw/w1626-h1052/36.jpg" width="1626" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This eastbound manifest is climbing out of the Grande Ronde Valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsb1Iif_WO9NosFsC5y1-sogwAi7MGfIzmxutopOSCm_Ml9SiLoNdVF9LY0pjit1sgoT0CdevyZ5VQcajmXbpeDi6vBEOjQAVCHWkRNltsPqgiZ0owvqeivExJWRUNYdumgM8M8EIclB9Hq9NIJBUqJLIXyFTY3sgQz6JsfZtjmMMCsCaVJ7D25nlOrw/s2965/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2965" height="1109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsb1Iif_WO9NosFsC5y1-sogwAi7MGfIzmxutopOSCm_Ml9SiLoNdVF9LY0pjit1sgoT0CdevyZ5VQcajmXbpeDi6vBEOjQAVCHWkRNltsPqgiZ0owvqeivExJWRUNYdumgM8M8EIclB9Hq9NIJBUqJLIXyFTY3sgQz6JsfZtjmMMCsCaVJ7D25nlOrw/w1628-h1109/35.jpg" width="1628" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The two trains meet in Pyles Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hot Lake is aptly named, with water temperatures</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> between 180 and 200 degrees Farenheight. Signs are posted around its eight acres, warning the unwary to avoid scalding themselves. The water emerges from deep thermal vents at an average of three million gallons every 24 hours. During the migrations on the Oregon Trail, it became a natural resting spot. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The only 19th century description I have found comes from the journal of Robert Stuart, which </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">records an 1812-1813 trip from Astoria, Oregon, through St. Louis to Green River, Kentucky. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Stuart left Scotland at the age of 22 and was employed by the North West Fur Company and later became a partner of John Jacob Astor. He sailed from New York for the Columbia River in 1810 and traveled back eastward in 1812-1813. His journal was published in 1935 as T<i>he Discovery of the Oregon Trail, Robert Stuart’s Narratives of His Overland Trip Eastward from Astoria 1812-1813</i>. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Stuart vividly describes the location, calling it a sulphur lake 300 yards in circumference fed by a boiling spring that produced a very strong odor. He noted that the lake was frequented by elk to shed their antlers and commented on the extreme heat of the waters, which he believed were not much good for anything. But others disagreed, believing that hot sulphur waters could cure ailments as diverse as gout and tuberculosis. Some even thought the waters could heal polio. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A hotel was constructed on the property in the late 19th century. By 1908, the structure contained 108 rooms and was a popular resort. Called the "Mayo Clinic of the West," the property more or less died with its owner in 1931. Three years later, fire destroyed several structures and a portion of the hotel.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The grounds then sat unused for over 70 years. Today (May 2023) a restoration process is underway, and visitors can stay at the hotel, which looks, to your author, at least, like a once beautiful woman who has undergone too many face-lifts. The inside is dark and quiet and musty. When your author stopped there one afternoon, a few guests were sitting in the foyer, not talking, just sitting there like statutes. A young woman at the check-in desk told me that rooms were available. I said I was just passing through. The hotel was huge, with a ballroom big enough to hold several hundred people and a bar-lounge of equal size. Many had once stayed there, and I could feel their presence, as though past and future were melded in a single moment. But the general aura was decline, a slow slide temporarily impeded, though not arrested, by noble efforts.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Union Pacific's tracks pass within one hundred yards, but the small station was demolished years ago, as was the equally small post office. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2W9J8-ZTMwXRIrwqYsPdiXdzBYCQPOtrShPpx7VsCN13kIANTETk9ToQQ9bTC5Penbj8Rd82gY2W5_QhKApfQMWvUVtrOURK__Dt6e_3uSIOuBpK4O2o4lLZRTsz3bDV769nrJagwzng3ZXDstvpMG021pjqB1eRJ0cDmIyG1uD9o0YD9VkE3nAZKw/s3044/50.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3044" height="1043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2W9J8-ZTMwXRIrwqYsPdiXdzBYCQPOtrShPpx7VsCN13kIANTETk9ToQQ9bTC5Penbj8Rd82gY2W5_QhKApfQMWvUVtrOURK__Dt6e_3uSIOuBpK4O2o4lLZRTsz3bDV769nrJagwzng3ZXDstvpMG021pjqB1eRJ0cDmIyG1uD9o0YD9VkE3nAZKw/w1611-h1043/50.jpg" width="1611" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks cross the Grande Ronde Valley. Hot Lake is directly behind the photographer. Ahead lie LeGrande, Oregon, and the Blue Mountains. Travelers on the Oregon Trail who made it this far could rest and hope that the route ahead would be forgiving. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-83310822126606911162023-04-22T12:20:00.002-05:002023-06-14T15:23:16.092-05:00Powder River Basin: Part Two (Union Pacific)<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="2972" height="1232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLtBJvDNjLMEOmUL3hlaCWR44gtBsUWTDtl2Q5n4VGwmI8cu_3CgRsMY6LiQ0KIYUR5OOoFLSv0AoOtSwSFT3rryd5WolFMdpTIcA1gR07rULIoPXRfzY77ZLHF9SzKRkvgn7CiujHfiuz41AxA4CC0sCgnVVy44rM2oV1e3PcjKrk17Bex94jABpbg/w1816-h1232/177%20copy.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="1816" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>South to Shawnee Junction</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLtBJvDNjLMEOmUL3hlaCWR44gtBsUWTDtl2Q5n4VGwmI8cu_3CgRsMY6LiQ0KIYUR5OOoFLSv0AoOtSwSFT3rryd5WolFMdpTIcA1gR07rULIoPXRfzY77ZLHF9SzKRkvgn7CiujHfiuz41AxA4CC0sCgnVVy44rM2oV1e3PcjKrk17Bex94jABpbg/s2972/177%20copy.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In Part One, we discussed in depth the history and geography of the Powder River Basin, plus the layout of track and mines and the operations there of BNSF in the year 2021. Part One is the best article to obtain a general overview of this most unique and remote region and provides necessary background for Part Two. [</span><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/01/powder-river-basin-part-one-bnsf.html" style="font-family: arial;">https://www.waltersrail.com/2023/01/powder-river-basin-part-one-bnsf.html</a><span style="font-family: arial;">.] </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In Part Two, we take a more idiosyncratic look at the 2021 operations of Union Pacific in the age of the War on Hydrocarbons.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z5OyN3aCzONPvI-9X_vOct20OPokIzpq9olsb-VQtf4PWR-3BCQq_LegU5TUy6M2X_SQn_vfOtKCW5JQRFG8b0n0UJjFjI1AL4wSZtkOX-j_ZtozdncdKtrrZ6sfP4PNQPhPs3OJNxz3cz35JI5v24W-WgZR6odKJiQ8M6keUMC8rEfDnpzZCMgg5Q/s3050/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3050" height="1166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z5OyN3aCzONPvI-9X_vOct20OPokIzpq9olsb-VQtf4PWR-3BCQq_LegU5TUy6M2X_SQn_vfOtKCW5JQRFG8b0n0UJjFjI1AL4wSZtkOX-j_ZtozdncdKtrrZ6sfP4PNQPhPs3OJNxz3cz35JI5v24W-WgZR6odKJiQ8M6keUMC8rEfDnpzZCMgg5Q/w1811-h1166/1.jpg" width="1811" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific coal loads approach the Hadley Road overpass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We start with a rant. Conventional wisdom holds that over the eons, natural selection has produced living beings most suited for survival -- i.e., survival of the fittest. Thus over time the only deer to survive are the same color as the woods and grasslands they inhabit, because other colors are easier to see and kill. Mice that migrated to the sand hills of Nebraska all died except for those of light brown, the same color as the sand. Peppered moths in London were both light and dark-colored. During the industrial revolution, buildings became darkened with soot. Birds could easily see the light-colored moths against the dark background, and soon only dark-colored moths were left. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The theory of natural selection does not explain why deer, mice and moths were multi-colored to begin with. It only attempts to explain why one particular color gained prominence. Natural selection, in other words, is a downward process. You start with a wide variety and the pool is slowly winnowed down to the few with the greatest chance of survival.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Darwin theorized that this downward process, what he termed "descent with modification," if perpetuated over eons, would cause the same animal to become differentiated in contrasting environments. For example, fish in cold water would adapt differently than fish in warm water. Eventually, if enough time passed, the changes would become so significant that new </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">species would emerge.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Because the changes to produce a new species (the difference between an elk and a moose, for example) could not be explained by simple adaptation to the environment, the theory of natural selection was augmented by a theory of genetic mutation. In addition to the winnowing down of an existing animals, genetic mutations would over time cause the animal to change in ways more or less suitable to the environment. The more suitable mutations would survive; the less suitable would not. Eventually, the mutated survivors would emerge as different species. Thus, once again, genetic mutation is part of "descent with modification."</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But neither natural selection nor genetic mutation could explain certain behaviors -- such as male insects that are eaten by the female after mating. This led to a refinement of the theory of natural selection to a theory of the "selfish gene." In other words, living creatures adopt behavior that most ensures the survival of their genes, not themselves.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Despite the principle of 'survival of the fittest' the ultimate criterion which determines whether [a gene] G will spread is not whether the behavior is to the benefit of the behaver, but whether it is to the benefit of the gene." </span><span style="font-family: arial;">W. D. Hamilton,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><i style="font-family: arial;">The Evolution of Altruistic Behavior</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">(1963), pp. 354–355.</span></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This theory does not mean that genes themselves are "selfish," rather that the term can be used metaphorically</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> to describe the process. </span><i style="font-family: arial;">See </i><span style="font-family: arial;">Richard Dawkins, </span><i style="font-family: arial;">The Selfish Gene </i><span style="font-family: arial;">(1976, Fourth Edition 2016).</span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Neither natural selection nor genetic mutation nor selfish genes, however, explain why at one time there were both light and dark moths. To obtain a variety of types <b>initially</b>, there must be some sort of upward branching process. Darwin's theory, as modified, points downward. This is a nut that no one has yet cracked. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Creationists claim the above discussion demonstrates that God initially created the wide variety of living organisms that natural selection and genetic mutation have been winnowing down through the centuries. This suggestion, however, also does not crack the nut. To say that God created living things is simply an injunction to stop trying to figure out what happened. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">People once said that God created tornadoes. Meteorologists have now discovered the mechanism of tornado creation. The same is true for volcanoes, mountains, lightning and thousands of other natural phenomena. One could say that God still creates tornadoes; we have just learned how He does it. That's okay with me, but it leads to the obvious conclusion that if God created initial living creatures, he did it through natural processes that can be discovered. But no one as yet has figured out that puzzle.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Your author is not an evolutionary biologist but instead a humble lawyer. His own experience, however, stands in stark contrast to the above theories. Every day I see people engaged in self-defeating behavior that will not allow either themselves or their genes or even their species to survive.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-6yk3pAvr-5ZZcC9GGLenHIsf4_ucD6tDRQOtyjJwuy6C2gZ2neyEGtz3KW2SNq4qEnr_LWJdTG5aIwhvn3Rbo0QeUPh40b1ZI07rShlEEl850X6G-UtURLCKES57QYPrpbMjsPYp2JkgwTwv4gAmdtnGy4Qd2vipQdBGfDW6JTL3DaCyqflN4C_Hw/s2982/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="2982" height="1223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-6yk3pAvr-5ZZcC9GGLenHIsf4_ucD6tDRQOtyjJwuy6C2gZ2neyEGtz3KW2SNq4qEnr_LWJdTG5aIwhvn3Rbo0QeUPh40b1ZI07rShlEEl850X6G-UtURLCKES57QYPrpbMjsPYp2JkgwTwv4gAmdtnGy4Qd2vipQdBGfDW6JTL3DaCyqflN4C_Hw/w1813-h1223/4.jpg" width="1813" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers on a southbound load. The Powder River Basin is also produces large quantities of oil.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvX1Vfv_4rvgWWVJfTNcrrJV-MzZ34Lvyt7P2qaO2NUSo8hqI1EnAB-9cYKYUT-OC0UNZ3S-iEuAaoyxmZepCFpkWWDFOoURd0Xn_gjk_8ZHOviYngW50CCcMWeII_CCTS5I_UrVCTAmPgvgNGjIDbblXt8sU-ct6ZS8lJ_--mxcNd3mTPGkGBfFpFg/s3034/11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3034" height="1183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvX1Vfv_4rvgWWVJfTNcrrJV-MzZ34Lvyt7P2qaO2NUSo8hqI1EnAB-9cYKYUT-OC0UNZ3S-iEuAaoyxmZepCFpkWWDFOoURd0Xn_gjk_8ZHOviYngW50CCcMWeII_CCTS5I_UrVCTAmPgvgNGjIDbblXt8sU-ct6ZS8lJ_--mxcNd3mTPGkGBfFpFg/w1810-h1183/11.jpg" width="1810" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound on triple track main. Three tracks were needed during the height of the boom -- not so much in 2021.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Examples? Examples are as numerous as blades of grass. All are taken from my own personal experience.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. Without checking to see what lies below the surface of the water, a teenager dives into a pond, hits a rock, breaks his neck and dies.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Never having ridden a horse before, a man climbs on a mare, shouts "Let's go!," is immediately thrown off, hits his head on a rock and dies.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. A woman with constant headaches refuses to see a physician. The tumor in her brain grows so big that she losses consciousness and dies.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4. An alcoholic crashes his car, killing himself and his family.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">5. Knowing the risks of AIDS, a young man repeatedly engages in gay sex and dies.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Your author himself has participated in the same mindless behavior. Several years ago, while cutting the hedge with an electric trimmer, I raised the blades directly overhead with my right hand. With my left I reached high to pull some branches clear of the whirring blades, which were about six inches from my fingers. The trimmer slipped in my right hand. The blades dropped and almost completely sliced off the index and middle fingers of my left hand. Bones were shattered; tendons sliced. The only thing keeping the digits intact was a little bit of skin.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My first thought was: "Gee, I hope no one saw me!"</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCwJNaBajAlzHttAFfI460fpi2RHdRgcaBFwfY3_q7ypwxmhgPVw36iiPJxOejgNaMhoe1GEY2wdDy6Q6Xx9JoNHVz48mPzrH3ALNy_mKwHyjfp8fFMYsHnxYikLKPS9Um1eFEsTh7U_KmEzxLiXp4daMSxcIRQUO8ghddreAEhb1jHJsOybxomEqnA/s3012/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCwJNaBajAlzHttAFfI460fpi2RHdRgcaBFwfY3_q7ypwxmhgPVw36iiPJxOejgNaMhoe1GEY2wdDy6Q6Xx9JoNHVz48mPzrH3ALNy_mKwHyjfp8fFMYsHnxYikLKPS9Um1eFEsTh7U_KmEzxLiXp4daMSxcIRQUO8ghddreAEhb1jHJsOybxomEqnA/w1809-h1198/23.jpg" width="1809" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>More triple track.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My son drove me to the emergency room, where the on-call physician told me I was the seventh (seventh!) person he had treated that day for wounds from garden tools. He allowed that my injury was the worst. I was sent to a major hospital in Oklahoma City where an orthopedic surgeon put my hand back together -- sort of. (Those two fingers of my left hand still don't hit the keyboard properly.) Before I was anesthetized, he asked how in the world I had cut my fingers with an electric trimmer. I told him, and he replied, "Well, that's impressive!"</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">At one time or another, we all have engaged in self-pity, procrastination, physical neglect, physical deformation. Chronic depression is perhaps the worst form of self-defeating behavior, one that has plagued your author. The list also includes alcoholism, drug addiction, schizophrenia and other assorted mental illnesses. It seems to me that humanity and its genes survive not because of fitness but rather in lieu of it. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes, mostly humorously, people claim that the above examples involve people "purifying the gene pool" so that their craziness won't be passed to future generations. But this misses the point. Natural selection in theory has been at work a very long time. In theory, it has produced people with one heart, two eyes, two ears, five fingers and big brains. In theory it has produced people with dark skins near the equator and light skins near the poles. Thus, craziness should have been weeded out by now, or at least weeded down, just as light colored moths were weeded out of industrial London.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But that has not happened. People are every bit as crazy today, people are every bit as depressed and self-defeating, people are every bit as foolish as they were in the past. </span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsUQ7UlLFBifGn4OW0yym9Zxo4GZlSV_X1P9846yhOeNMogUE0W6t2DfyOIzYYUjvlspyy0rt_cN4gT3tRLhQ2QeX7eQruGSRj4CBmxvL1xiTbX-HfdUegnM64an4mzQOBK53ltRr9u15Xi9qL1kDL28KwdO21MvHNi5U-5Yd4N-Y1aJj85KbFyOcpQ/s2996/31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2003" data-original-width="2996" height="1213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsUQ7UlLFBifGn4OW0yym9Zxo4GZlSV_X1P9846yhOeNMogUE0W6t2DfyOIzYYUjvlspyy0rt_cN4gT3tRLhQ2QeX7eQruGSRj4CBmxvL1xiTbX-HfdUegnM64an4mzQOBK53ltRr9u15Xi9qL1kDL28KwdO21MvHNi5U-5Yd4N-Y1aJj85KbFyOcpQ/w1813-h1213/31.jpg" width="1813" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers under a bright Wyoming sky.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ76K10dp4dRnjSBey0ZepsNjkL7A_EyR5Pv_tHKcKte6v6CjM2W5I8HFLMlefOgzJofQVgIpRlQAyubwUOHLTBtIVMMbwSfH1aCjvl60-j7-Y8013FjNvmcRmzWZ5Zs5OAUZR_HXBKo393quwSMduR8XrVWO3lsmJDZ8VwUgRhssA7RjOcvOSNhVUg/s3026/36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3026" height="1189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZ76K10dp4dRnjSBey0ZepsNjkL7A_EyR5Pv_tHKcKte6v6CjM2W5I8HFLMlefOgzJofQVgIpRlQAyubwUOHLTBtIVMMbwSfH1aCjvl60-j7-Y8013FjNvmcRmzWZ5Zs5OAUZR_HXBKo393quwSMduR8XrVWO3lsmJDZ8VwUgRhssA7RjOcvOSNhVUg/w1811-h1189/36.jpg" width="1811" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Empties approaching Shawnee Junction.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXwc5UlrcAR3Fe_11IONGnF22Gm45PUEM6e5mDVfO5i5h_IHLW_VPHp81iXrd1LnOMGdLZIDgfD_t49u1RsGsMTe-c7qL451lVm_IgqyMu5iFRtnM-R91G93UDoQHwqmdLAqGBJuZ884JEpLL6qxCmH75NS27EJ-R1JdyfBhsCPlzJ00wzzVdbnxSrQ/s2987/41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="2987" height="1217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXwc5UlrcAR3Fe_11IONGnF22Gm45PUEM6e5mDVfO5i5h_IHLW_VPHp81iXrd1LnOMGdLZIDgfD_t49u1RsGsMTe-c7qL451lVm_IgqyMu5iFRtnM-R91G93UDoQHwqmdLAqGBJuZ884JEpLL6qxCmH75NS27EJ-R1JdyfBhsCPlzJ00wzzVdbnxSrQ/w1811-h1217/41.jpg" width="1811" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Fracking sand at Shawnee Junction. BNSF's Orin line is in the foreground.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1958 Mao Zedong decreed </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the eradication of sparrows because they ate seeds that could provide human nourishment. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Within a few years the birds were almost completely wiped out. Although sparrows do eat seeds, their primary diet is insects. China was quickly overrun by a locust plague that eviscerated entire crops, producing a famine that killed over 20 million people. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It is very likely that the War on Hydrocarbons is cut from the same cloth as the War on Sparrows. In both cases, lawmakers charge into battle without thought of the strength of the opponent (unintended consequences). And the results have been and can be devastating.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of the results have already appeared; for example, rolling electrical blackouts in California, where the war is most intense. The Golden State has mandated that by 2035, all new cars sold in the state must be powered by electricity, which will require those new vehicles to contain about three times as much copper as current internal combustion cars and trucks. Plus, the electric power grid will need to expand enormously to handle the manufacture of electric-vehicle batteries, wind turbines, solar panels and storage batteries, to say nothing of the exponential increase in power for charging stations. That increase in electric infrastructure will more than double the need for copper. Today (April 2022) the United States produces about four percent of the world's copper. Forty percent is produced by Peru and Chile, neither of which is known for political stability.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Seventy percent of cobalt, critical for electric-vehicle batteries, comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And about sixty percent of the world's lithium (also critical for battery production) is produced in China, and almost fifty percent of the world's copper is smelted there. The United States was once home to almost 20 smelters. Now there are two.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I am not smart enough to anticipate all the unintended consequences of the effort to eliminate hydrocarbons. No one is. That is the point. We proceed into darkness today with the same foolish certainty as our long dead ancestors -- and with the same consequences. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We are constantly appalled at the hypocrisy of politicians who make a great show of their religiosity and of honoring the constitution and laws while, behind the scenes, subverting everything they claim to hold dear -- behavior that has not changed in five thousand years. Hear the prophet Isaiah:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of he-goats. When you come to appear before me, who requires of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. . . . Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doing from before my eyes.</span></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then Isaiah provides the simple formula that all should follow:</span> </span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, abolish oppression; defend the orphan, plead for the widow.</span></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Natural selection has not conquered hypocrisy and foolishness, has not even slowed them down. The first man smiled while robbing his neighbor. So will the last. The first man blundered blindly into the night. So will the last.</span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools. -- </span><span style="font-family: arial;">King Lear</span></span></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-family: arial;">And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. -- MacBeth</span></span></p></blockquote><p><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We are all fools, except for the tiny remnant of any age that knows what it is doing and creates systems that the rest of us operate until they break down and we don't know how to fix them. That is when civilizations collapse, to be built again, to collapse again. And on and on like a rotating fan. It seems to me, at least in my darker moments, that humanity survives not due to a remarkable law of nature that selects the fittest but rather because of a grand cosmic scheme that permits the survival of the lame, the halt and the blind.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-Kst-U7mF3doJ5NLw_YsCfVsgaXUVj7eeDglC5YiCICNCUXDo0tBnZDRkovBmfcOfCN9ibZryIOJ-pY472evNUreRCsUMvKwItLF7A3nr1eW7vExcuN5TDGlQnims4LZK26doc_JozvgZFGh9RnlI59cK6HfJNJgFFRRFN44Z0O7TjgRhSuG74iWdw/s2963/42.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2963" height="1237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-Kst-U7mF3doJ5NLw_YsCfVsgaXUVj7eeDglC5YiCICNCUXDo0tBnZDRkovBmfcOfCN9ibZryIOJ-pY472evNUreRCsUMvKwItLF7A3nr1eW7vExcuN5TDGlQnims4LZK26doc_JozvgZFGh9RnlI59cK6HfJNJgFFRRFN44Z0O7TjgRhSuG74iWdw/w1807-h1237/42.jpg" width="1807" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Shawnee Junction.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBBvIGe1oQ3NEMuOgcZPXz69Re3e7u0L-rDv4mlaNS4tPCzAspDJjEP7XHuGrJxywokAfrJiAwymTwnsq97LESH3geWHOOR5ubie2k2O4KYCq41zAZ4AcAB_SqlPe3S8HDu16p_RMU8kM5NUflFTKjnds_S-l_JovaC0iNmxF8x_2KatdBrbKzY92MA/s2976/45.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2976" height="1225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBBvIGe1oQ3NEMuOgcZPXz69Re3e7u0L-rDv4mlaNS4tPCzAspDJjEP7XHuGrJxywokAfrJiAwymTwnsq97LESH3geWHOOR5ubie2k2O4KYCq41zAZ4AcAB_SqlPe3S8HDu16p_RMU8kM5NUflFTKjnds_S-l_JovaC0iNmxF8x_2KatdBrbKzY92MA/w1806-h1225/45.jpg" width="1806" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Empties approaching the junction, with signal from BNSF's Orin line.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylINBI-D9AXWp4qeR6XrVB7Fx9apuqpeG5gHIh_y6VuDGo4bFBMI0m6IM8c-1QKwj-hNHx0a9Q9D2wDAdonZfaKjj3t5xD1-6JuypCIwEwHOtzHzRmO-KeUa6DFhkxq-V6ymHRUgPfsK2oD-2QprM0Ktvf0C3IYOKuZZjvyf_hPaxSX7Y-qh0NNkV8g/s3001/53.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylINBI-D9AXWp4qeR6XrVB7Fx9apuqpeG5gHIh_y6VuDGo4bFBMI0m6IM8c-1QKwj-hNHx0a9Q9D2wDAdonZfaKjj3t5xD1-6JuypCIwEwHOtzHzRmO-KeUa6DFhkxq-V6ymHRUgPfsK2oD-2QprM0Ktvf0C3IYOKuZZjvyf_hPaxSX7Y-qh0NNkV8g/w1806-h1202/53.jpg" width="1806" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More empties at sundown.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Let us tie this rant into railroading -- in the person of Henry Villard, who gained control of the Northern Pacific in the late 19th century, a company on the brink of failure that Villard, with great fanfare, pushed over the edge and into the canyon.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Villard was born Ferdinand Heinrich Gustav Hillgard in Bavaria, Germany, to a family of lawyers and judges. In 1853 he immigrated to the United States and changed his name to Henry Villard. Settling in southern Illinois he learned English and worked as a journalist, serving as a correspondent for New York papers during the U.S. Civil War.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Villard published his own memoirs, which he wrote in the third person, as though he were detailing the life of a friend whom he greatly admired. The memoirs are available on-line and provide what might charitably be called a one-sided account of a man who both made and lost more money than most of us can even imagine. See </span></span><a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Memoirs_of_Henry_Villard?wprov=srpw1_1" style="font-family: arial;">https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Memoirs_of_Henry_Villard?wprov=srpw1_1</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgOocjK20b67wZb2g8iLXGeO2GiZlSqTkP_zPV_nQzB-FUJySaKP5RnUDeZyg1mpI5vonywsFpWuNxAh-SKb0VOyWBTk6ts43EKzALyUXgADn6zwy4-Nxi7tcYBqqPW_u3-B-lM0rsDMzKHQ0w00EEAPck-dI3GrSjVJUR31Z7ADxuWnUTapZfJxziw/s3029/57.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3029" height="1181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgOocjK20b67wZb2g8iLXGeO2GiZlSqTkP_zPV_nQzB-FUJySaKP5RnUDeZyg1mpI5vonywsFpWuNxAh-SKb0VOyWBTk6ts43EKzALyUXgADn6zwy4-Nxi7tcYBqqPW_u3-B-lM0rsDMzKHQ0w00EEAPck-dI3GrSjVJUR31Z7ADxuWnUTapZfJxziw/w1808-h1181/57.jpg" width="1808" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound empties near Bill, Wyoming, a crew change point for the UP. Before the coal line, there was nothing in Bill. There's still not much today.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj-HwieLqWN5lPnOOnp-gReZKjnMekP1iP6iPKF96XCrYRH1OKF1xkB-Ln4BQZovEG42wSAtM7D0iv3OpTSKdf0rJE-Hpl3IfDZYBZJ51wt3JIlm9IDuogbqt4DR9fu-xPVy9__LMxPIrvfE2Y9ayBbCC8Cb2zApRGHtxUVomjXho0iWJOKdLkawcQQ/s3026/58.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3026" height="1188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj-HwieLqWN5lPnOOnp-gReZKjnMekP1iP6iPKF96XCrYRH1OKF1xkB-Ln4BQZovEG42wSAtM7D0iv3OpTSKdf0rJE-Hpl3IfDZYBZJ51wt3JIlm9IDuogbqt4DR9fu-xPVy9__LMxPIrvfE2Y9ayBbCC8Cb2zApRGHtxUVomjXho0iWJOKdLkawcQQ/w1810-h1188/58.jpg" width="1810" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lonesome pusher in lonesome country.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Villard found most of his money in Germany, the land of his birth. He was a man with a dream that he sold to others -- a promoter, if you will, and a good one. His wife was Fanny Garrison, daughter of the abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, which gave him instant connections to New England, where he became secretary of the Social Science Association in Boston. He became friends with William Endicott, a Boston banker, investor and the unseen hand behind Villard's adventures.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">Villard was knowledgable of financing, having sold American railroad bonds in Germany after his marriage. He knew nothing about the actual running of a railroad, but in the 19th century, railroads in America were speculative ventures like electric vehicle manufacturers in the 21st. The idea was to convince investors to purchase railroad bonds (thus loaning money to the railroad) to construct and operate an enterprise that they thought would make lots of money to pay the interest on the bonds, plus the principal when it came due. The best promoters could convince almost anyone of profitability -- but railroad profitability was not where money was made. Money was made in railroad construction, because men such as Villard owned both the railroad and the company that built the railroad. Construction companies charged exorbitant fees to the railroads, paid by purchasers of the railroad's bonds, a goodly portion of which were pocketed by the promoter. In other words, men such as Villard</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> could make huge sums of money from the construction of a railroad whether or not the railroad itself ever earned a dime. And if the railroad did not earn enough to pay the interest on its bonds, plus principal, the debt could always be "rolled over" with new financing. At least that was the theory.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Beginning in the 1870's, borrowing mostly from Germany, Villard assembled an empire in the Pacific Northwest, establishing the Oregon Improvement Company to construct a railroad line on the northern bank of the Columbia River from Vancouver, Washington, through the Wallula Gap to the uncompleted Northern Pacific at Pasco, Washington.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Frederick Billings, president of the Northern Pacific, refused to sell to Villard and also planned to build on the north bank of the Columbia and also across the Cascade Mountains to Tacoma. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Realizing that Billings' plans endangered his venture, Villard began quietly buying shares of the Northern Pacific. He was unable to obtain enough to gain control of that company, so he invented what was later termed the ”Blind Pool,” asking his financiers to invest in a venture that he would not name. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here is how he described it in his memoirs:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">[H]e issued a confidential circular to about fifty persons, informing them that they were desired to subscribe towards a fund of $8,000,000, to which he himself would contribute a large part, in order to enable him to lay the foundation of a certain enterprise the exact nature of which he would disclose on or before May 15, 1881. </span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSBl9q4g9sl2duJkpOiFbtD_vgPFr8RUa3ITSMGnASjjxSGAxDhmR0-bNFB7RiDFO5nsHyjO86P2mqY7PnQk0KnOl4-wKC-aXIbxvBnIFIQAC9-rHyhRvbS5Tft__2TS1EmPEgZjsMqrcCrehJ7-vIYUvaJ_caUsq1kdW-phUIFmUtY2D19LXUuE8Fg/s2928/59.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="2928" height="1263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSBl9q4g9sl2duJkpOiFbtD_vgPFr8RUa3ITSMGnASjjxSGAxDhmR0-bNFB7RiDFO5nsHyjO86P2mqY7PnQk0KnOl4-wKC-aXIbxvBnIFIQAC9-rHyhRvbS5Tft__2TS1EmPEgZjsMqrcCrehJ7-vIYUvaJ_caUsq1kdW-phUIFmUtY2D19LXUuE8Fg/w1804-h1263/59.jpg" width="1804" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVy1gS_stM4VT-GrIiC3kZVws5j3nRQnIi2dZS_89PMf2om5fH-zuf2dnUn8H9auc7RlaE_DqAl_vUQ_OmK4PZN-xfaceaNhkosWUghGQ5Nh-WE8Yk4hEZsmlCipe_u2CBSTVENJF8caaNe2q-Uuo-fCpwkNyBetY41XOA9NKtIyZcebzDLRqbvoYfQ/s2943/60.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2039" data-original-width="2943" height="1256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVy1gS_stM4VT-GrIiC3kZVws5j3nRQnIi2dZS_89PMf2om5fH-zuf2dnUn8H9auc7RlaE_DqAl_vUQ_OmK4PZN-xfaceaNhkosWUghGQ5Nh-WE8Yk4hEZsmlCipe_u2CBSTVENJF8caaNe2q-Uuo-fCpwkNyBetY41XOA9NKtIyZcebzDLRqbvoYfQ/w1810-h1256/60.jpg" width="1810" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Competitors.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94DfXuC_H-YhT14BuLwNl4Ir5rWEbC2psY-UX4weDXMeYbwLm2FljG5DXFYuQuAX8WLt2qqgfhbMu_e8bKYfkrVZEbOqXYbsH-yL9wk30OwpN0AbEsKFfhMxhOiSpGdeO7j79_NfC5yZEtjH_S7pwR7puedQeGbDo-mfrGLqHZWj9Uz4GZgCj3b1hiw/s3031/69.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94DfXuC_H-YhT14BuLwNl4Ir5rWEbC2psY-UX4weDXMeYbwLm2FljG5DXFYuQuAX8WLt2qqgfhbMu_e8bKYfkrVZEbOqXYbsH-yL9wk30OwpN0AbEsKFfhMxhOiSpGdeO7j79_NfC5yZEtjH_S7pwR7puedQeGbDo-mfrGLqHZWj9Uz4GZgCj3b1hiw/w1809-h1181/69.jpg" width="1809" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Shawnee Junction.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Because he had so far been successful, at least some were willing to play along. In fact, because he did not reveal his plan, some investors actually grew excited, thinking that Villard was about to make a killing. Never one for modesty, Villard said in his memoirs: "The effect of the circular was astonishing."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">At the same time, he hid his intentions from the Northern Pacific, an unsuspecting doe about to be eaten by a mountain lion. Before the railroad realized what was happening, Villard owned a controlling interest and named himself president.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">His success in out-maneuvering the Northern Pacific brought Villard a reputation he did not necessarily covet. He wrote:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This unique financial feat, without precedent or parallel, gained for Mr. Villard much of the kind of reputation which he least coveted. Wall Street dubbed it the "blind pool," and the newspaper exaggerations and fictions indulged in throughout the country regarding it gave him a most distasteful notoriety.</span> </span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">He left the day-to-day operations of the Northern Pacific to subordinates and often went months without answering their questions. "My multifarious business occupations do not permit me to follow up my correspondence regularly," he wrote to one.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Villard created the Oregon and Transcontinental (O&T) to construct branch lines off the Northern Pacific main. Each branch was organized by Villard as a separate business entity (primarily owned by Villard) and sold six percent bonds to investors to pay the O&T twice the cost of construction. The inflated costs not used for construction went into the pockets of the owners of the O&T (primarily Villard), which then sold its own <i>five percent</i> bonds to investors and used that money to purchase each branch. Since Villard owned both the O&T and each branch, he also pocketed the difference between the five and six percent. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This scheme required people and institutions willing to invest in railroad construction; i.e., people and institutions willing to purchase Villard's bonds. In the late 19th century, such money flowed as freely as dollars invested today in electric vehicle manufacturers. The promotors of both railroads and electric vehicles became and become rich <i>whether or not their products ever turned or turn a profit. </i>What made and makes them rich was and is their ability to convince others to loan them money; i.e., purchase their bonds.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BO_hhX0coK-4pQDhjjAyNLF8nJ8JvpSWpdUtOHMvzAPKO8kWaZQhpnB5uM5bc0yG8po16JbC-kihvsBy2nudNYoFndYAa3_ph2FJzXZs6T83fdZBpPWOptjcWceJl0pB-btvwh2iwlGeuDGQXQ-Cp9L15gQ06n-M8j7v8olqscPa7nx1yztgwLiZRA/s3019/71.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BO_hhX0coK-4pQDhjjAyNLF8nJ8JvpSWpdUtOHMvzAPKO8kWaZQhpnB5uM5bc0yG8po16JbC-kihvsBy2nudNYoFndYAa3_ph2FJzXZs6T83fdZBpPWOptjcWceJl0pB-btvwh2iwlGeuDGQXQ-Cp9L15gQ06n-M8j7v8olqscPa7nx1yztgwLiZRA/w1814-h1197/71.jpg" width="1814" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Climbing the grade at Myles Hill. Shawnee Junction is about three miles ahead.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_O2QY_c8ioz3whevgECBaam7l8YF2ZnPorMGJ33FJ1VaePeNO-20HfLb_ilU9KEcvzfrM-tiTiPklNWSK-_PaHowrvuSN6Il2t1Y-MX9vUuc-JOXeiWFL1G00QilfAqRVIZpUfZ72IJ6n9x3K3jske5BJKTkQsgBlyxJVjGdq-4vYDEeW76Qm9y9Fw/s3109/81.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1929" data-original-width="3109" height="1129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_O2QY_c8ioz3whevgECBaam7l8YF2ZnPorMGJ33FJ1VaePeNO-20HfLb_ilU9KEcvzfrM-tiTiPklNWSK-_PaHowrvuSN6Il2t1Y-MX9vUuc-JOXeiWFL1G00QilfAqRVIZpUfZ72IJ6n9x3K3jske5BJKTkQsgBlyxJVjGdq-4vYDEeW76Qm9y9Fw/w1816-h1129/81.jpg" width="1816" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Competitors.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If the business entity did not make money, however, then bond obligations could not be paid. Bond holders would then scream, which sometimes mattered and sometimes did not. It did not matter if the bond holders were not powerful. Then the business simply filed for bankruptcy. On the other hand, it did matter if the bond holders <i>were</i> powerful business interests, which was the case with Villard. Ever the optimist, he assumed that making money in the Pacific Northwest would be as easy as finding water in the ocean. And, as a last resort, he could always borrow more money to pay the bond holders. Thus, paying obligations was not his concern.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just as Villard had devoured the unsuspecting Northern Pacific, however, he himself was about to be ambushed by the Union Pacific, which began extending into the Pacific Northwest along the southern bank of the Columbia. When the Northern Pacific did not make the profits he had envisioned, Villard -- against the advice of his advisors -- borrowed money to pay dividends to the company's stock holders and interest to the bond holders, the equivalent of burning the house to keep warm. Finally realizing for the first time that there was not enough traffic to support his own railroad, much less one on each side of the Columbia, Villard proposed to form a pool (with the Vanderbilt interests and the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy) to acquire a majority of Union Pacific stock and kill that line's expansion. This scheme went nowhere. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amazingly, Villard pressed ahead with plans to reach Vancouver along the Columbia, plus cross the Cascades to the Puget Sound at Tacoma, continuing to borrow more and more money. What is more astounding than Villard's borrowing is the continued willingness of his creditors to throw good money after bad.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If the Northern Pacific had been an ocean liner, its bow would already have been below water. The cost of construction through the mountains of Montana had far exceeded estimates, creating enormous financial pressure on the company.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The report of the chief engineer on the cost of</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">the new part of the main line reached Mr. Villard soon after his return to New York late in June. It contained the startling admission that the actual requirements for the completion of the main line would exceed the estimates by more than fourteen millions of dollars.</span></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Concerning this unforeseen impediment, Villard's memoirs make a startling admission:</span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span>While made anxious by the construction deficit and the premonitions of the approach of a period of decline, Mr. Villard kept up his courage, and tried to infuse it into the minds of the doubters beginning to appear among his followers.</span> </span></p></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pAJ5J997h3LsAt9idT9PPMRDwzdZ7AmqLzzUBE7TxiefCtOHaCT3HYFtoFsdvpp-WRljlLamZagazVkDWrydMPeICqU0fwUwHC9FE3GHjzujNlbKIEv0uq9YwH9vGRHZrenUCnp89mjNqp85HSJsFTaOopjL7DbktLBJclyLDpx398-MThZgR41LIw/s3028/83.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3028" height="1186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pAJ5J997h3LsAt9idT9PPMRDwzdZ7AmqLzzUBE7TxiefCtOHaCT3HYFtoFsdvpp-WRljlLamZagazVkDWrydMPeICqU0fwUwHC9FE3GHjzujNlbKIEv0uq9YwH9vGRHZrenUCnp89mjNqp85HSJsFTaOopjL7DbktLBJclyLDpx398-MThZgR41LIw/w1816-h1186/83.jpg" width="1816" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Empties grinding upgrade at Highland Loop Road.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChWD76-FKQG31Hg1VkeRh4DUQ6OiJsVJ9QAtH-OPe8nRGZr7X6uPEhXTi_iwr2XusXf9MzTVx3rVqgdkQOkZDRrVFvBZ5gSLFxO9YEU2Kkz8yEG4scVKehlegNs5ci8G2CKlQNj36-IX7uiL-xSjIOnweFuDRxBG-9MSlTAzcZhWsyCZV4P7t-2QB5Q/s3000/85.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3000" height="1207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChWD76-FKQG31Hg1VkeRh4DUQ6OiJsVJ9QAtH-OPe8nRGZr7X6uPEhXTi_iwr2XusXf9MzTVx3rVqgdkQOkZDRrVFvBZ5gSLFxO9YEU2Kkz8yEG4scVKehlegNs5ci8G2CKlQNj36-IX7uiL-xSjIOnweFuDRxBG-9MSlTAzcZhWsyCZV4P7t-2QB5Q/w1812-h1207/85.jpg" width="1812" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers on a coal load at Highland Loop Road.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Villard kept up his courage and pressed ahead. In September 1883, at the junction of Little Blackfoot Creek and Independence Creek, sixty miles west of Helena, Montana, he held an enormous celebration on completion of his transcontinental line, bringing over 300 guests from Europe and the United States at a cost of about $300,000. Ulysses S. Grant attended, as did the famous German sociologist Max Weber. Endicott wrote Villard after the event: "I cannot quite make up my mind whether it is you or Barnum . . . that has 'the greatest show on earth.'" </span> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This celebration allowed Villard to make a connection he would soon leverage in a futile attempt to avoid self-immolation. In addition to Weber, Villard invited to the celebration several representatives of Duetsche Bank.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The wisdom of inviting the foreign guests to the opening of the road was now demonstrated, the German bankers being so much impressed with the vast regions tributary to the road that they promptly undertook to market the greater part of the new bonds in Germany.</span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Even after the additional new bond sales, however, the Nothern Pacific's ship was still sinking, and Villard was forced to return east to face creditors. An investment syndicate headed by Drexel-Morgan provided new loans to save the railroad, with the requirement that Villard "get the hell out of Dodge."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So he did, describing the event as follows:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">His fate was certainly tragic. Within a few years, he had risen from entire obscurity to the enviable position of one of the leaders of the material progress of our age. But a few months before [the celebration in Montana], he had reached the pinnacle of contemporaneous fame, and received on his transcontinental journey such homage as few men have ever received in this country.</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LV8VXF4yucDkaXLUFAob52NSlp2HunKOZm15VFMC7Y3tg0egtFhDDxSnJX7s8LjkfKU3zisavTdxC9rMflHylcYM1P4DxJuL_VOB6AhJqu0g-pVKUhZY9ua474xQujzojV5bwp9MomojhxB-i6V5BEeypQSkgWy0JYmjjWVYuq8Xdez5RWVbYugQLQ/s3048/86.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3048" height="1175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LV8VXF4yucDkaXLUFAob52NSlp2HunKOZm15VFMC7Y3tg0egtFhDDxSnJX7s8LjkfKU3zisavTdxC9rMflHylcYM1P4DxJuL_VOB6AhJqu0g-pVKUhZY9ua474xQujzojV5bwp9MomojhxB-i6V5BEeypQSkgWy0JYmjjWVYuq8Xdez5RWVbYugQLQ/w1817-h1175/86.jpg" width="1817" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound loads approaching Bill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgABBomOLNNbfzD2V-8g_pkl4i8-lCKJhTxQn00W35Lx78n5gdXnz8yJKi2Fi19BgeySN27Nk9fk50yT8n38vLQX3dvADpHisRIl5zu1wD9Ldp4Zczt1-wBaRm7vT_gFWtmEVu8wyNeBV7AKthA3Q_DR9v2hYOFF5JBuyH2Pj3wB4kEhIV3fN8DMUHw/s3019/89.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgABBomOLNNbfzD2V-8g_pkl4i8-lCKJhTxQn00W35Lx78n5gdXnz8yJKi2Fi19BgeySN27Nk9fk50yT8n38vLQX3dvADpHisRIl5zu1wD9Ldp4Zczt1-wBaRm7vT_gFWtmEVu8wyNeBV7AKthA3Q_DR9v2hYOFF5JBuyH2Pj3wB4kEhIV3fN8DMUHw/w1815-h1197/89.jpg" width="1815" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Esau Road.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">He moved to Berlin. Although he was no longer president of the Northern Pacific, he had made himself wealthy in its failure. He wrote a public letter to the company's stockholders, blaming it (the failure) on civil engineers who had chosen a poor and terribly expensive route for construction through the mountains. He could not conceive any errors on his part. What the rest of the world could not conceive was that he would re-emerge, Phoenix-like, within the Northern Pacific.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You see, Villard was not finished in the railroad business. In Germany, he sold American railroad bonds for</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Deutsche Bank, leveraging the connections he had made during his grand Montana celebration. Then in</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> 1886, still leveraging those connections, he returned to New York, representing Deutsche Bank in the purchase of securities from Drexel-Morgan.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">While Villard's masterful talent at self-promotion must be acknowledged, the apparent endless supply of people and institutions willing to do business with him, like an Irish folk tune that repeats itself without termination, is eerily reminiscent of the like-minded souls in the 20th century who poured millions into the Ponzi scheme of Bernard Madoff.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Villard was the eternal optimist, always basing business decisions on the assumption of huge and steadily increasing profits. He never prepared for a slow-down in business, much less complete economic disaster, even though such hurdles plagued him throughout his life, and his lack of economic sensibility was leading him directly into the whirlwind. </span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7nq8OyEGZXtzaJ5iI1mV-YH4BarboAG2KT5AAJ5rCcBd1g_wGFncGesl1dGzNnITKF-N0q63KSGdoIY0CXiL5x5U_RTjaU0VJBT8p1bi7bNxvr6_XTjnwzBH4wsAVN52McE4nDw5EhcmcPL7FbXu9KgyMraHMo8eS-P_vbYuAAwlUxGaFMp1ttmOnQ/s2966/91.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="2966" height="1233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7nq8OyEGZXtzaJ5iI1mV-YH4BarboAG2KT5AAJ5rCcBd1g_wGFncGesl1dGzNnITKF-N0q63KSGdoIY0CXiL5x5U_RTjaU0VJBT8p1bi7bNxvr6_XTjnwzBH4wsAVN52McE4nDw5EhcmcPL7FbXu9KgyMraHMo8eS-P_vbYuAAwlUxGaFMp1ttmOnQ/w1810-h1233/91.jpg" width="1810" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeMCsHkOTJQqThp5qd-U05vymkgtwCX1BNaYCaYY9xFgFB5mtyHIw9AHG0AH6vLr6LwIYWcV42DUxqkf_E1Uax77yvtUV9rEaUTTysyLzUD2NOrjykzsL4A7apshgzvjbB7C6K6hl4IMYo3FncTq75HBnveskF5X2mYKdDwHPDsngCmRaTLBl1Vkl-w/s3048/90.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3048" height="1171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeMCsHkOTJQqThp5qd-U05vymkgtwCX1BNaYCaYY9xFgFB5mtyHIw9AHG0AH6vLr6LwIYWcV42DUxqkf_E1Uax77yvtUV9rEaUTTysyLzUD2NOrjykzsL4A7apshgzvjbB7C6K6hl4IMYo3FncTq75HBnveskF5X2mYKdDwHPDsngCmRaTLBl1Vkl-w/w1811-h1171/90.jpg" width="1811" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Highland Loop Road</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBX4-INyYmh2WhpHzoeQ8GKJ1wvWvFzGh3CVW5qczcvvmqwQEE7iI7qmC-sjVv41AjBoN0WHHrw9WR-HWnRPPpqvC7_k2oLBjzdzJf5GiH7r2ih9CpDI2_r0tBJZb23jtMcDyt2gO0_XoaCejIYS3xRZC-OmR948yB42K-XexHkDLQF02PfcY0gR38yg/s3017/94.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBX4-INyYmh2WhpHzoeQ8GKJ1wvWvFzGh3CVW5qczcvvmqwQEE7iI7qmC-sjVv41AjBoN0WHHrw9WR-HWnRPPpqvC7_k2oLBjzdzJf5GiH7r2ih9CpDI2_r0tBJZb23jtMcDyt2gO0_XoaCejIYS3xRZC-OmR948yB42K-XexHkDLQF02PfcY0gR38yg/w1809-h1193/94.jpg" width="1809" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Fracking sand at Antelope Road.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqS5RJzU1nJq5xRBHG6cV_airL7eJJzvA1_uJR9cRgNdYh2KM6PUpoZDJekb6BpsgfvOErQ6yPUhv6LKeQg2HPh7tuuKkaPrE0ddlOco-YT0QHbxiBeYl5LrQRotcOKtPGa8aH1ctqvdgWizMV7IcRV0nsxM_RiXDnERi8kpmgpAZNU-IvahvmTMnuQ/s3078/105.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1949" data-original-width="3078" height="1153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqS5RJzU1nJq5xRBHG6cV_airL7eJJzvA1_uJR9cRgNdYh2KM6PUpoZDJekb6BpsgfvOErQ6yPUhv6LKeQg2HPh7tuuKkaPrE0ddlOco-YT0QHbxiBeYl5LrQRotcOKtPGa8aH1ctqvdgWizMV7IcRV0nsxM_RiXDnERi8kpmgpAZNU-IvahvmTMnuQ/w1817-h1153/105.jpg" width="1817" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Highland Loop Road</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But first his optimism was more than handsomely rewarded. He had set himself up in business again in New York when he was contacted by the Oregon and Transcontinental, which he had originally established himself, which he had resigned from when he left the Northern Pacific, and which in the intervening years since Villard's departure had, as part of a long-running dispute, gained a controlling interest in Northern Pacific stock. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The O&T itself was in significant financial distress and needed five million dollars -- fast. If Villard could raise the money, he was told, the company would turn over management to him, plus give him enough proxies to select whomever he wanted to sit on the board of the Northern Pacific.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In the 1880's, about 17 percent of the 667 million marks that Germans invested annually went to the United States. Villard was a direct conduit to that flow, and he did not disappoint. The money was wired to him within 36 hours.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>His memoirs claim that, after his previous fall from grace, he had no desire to involve himself with either the O&T or the Northern Pacific. However, directors of the NP asked him to bring aid to a company that was still teetering on a steep financial cliff. No doubt his German contacts, more precisely the flow of German money, weighed heavily in that decision, which must have been difficult indeed for a board that had previously fired the man that they were now asking to be their savior. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Villard accepted and "had </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">the satisfaction of voting at the annual meeting of the company nearly one-half of the share capital, (365,799 out of 754,193), although he did not himself own a single share of it."</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Northern Pacific placed Villard on its Finance Committee. In the fall of 1888 he declined a nomination to the company's presidency, but in 1889 he became chairman of the board and pushed for the issuance of third mortgage bonds to retire the company's outstanding debts; i.e., borrowing from creditor C to pay off creditors A and B. This is close to a Ponzi scheme, and although not illegal, almost always leads to disaster when credit tightens and interest rates rise. In such a situation, if it becomes necessary to borrow from creditor D to pay off C, the value of the borrower's assets will have fallen and not support a large enough loan to pay off the face or par value of the C bonds. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw5Ti1e1bRJvHwQTZVD1vf_w_DI_YbZPi_WQkUqBP8GWZyhg7nEw9l46iT0ydz1cn3U8uY1v2D0Kian0Ok4dEjVw8V3ygt5U2JIcn33hRAK-d7LS3WqK9POSQzjVaMcdLNtJ803xu6HO80bnv0Aj5h7g--ZloOH44Gg_eY04HVRcsuVR3nhywO12Hrg/s3029/106.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3029" height="1180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw5Ti1e1bRJvHwQTZVD1vf_w_DI_YbZPi_WQkUqBP8GWZyhg7nEw9l46iT0ydz1cn3U8uY1v2D0Kian0Ok4dEjVw8V3ygt5U2JIcn33hRAK-d7LS3WqK9POSQzjVaMcdLNtJ803xu6HO80bnv0Aj5h7g--ZloOH44Gg_eY04HVRcsuVR3nhywO12Hrg/w1806-h1180/106.jpg" width="1806" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Amazingly, Villard was disappointed when the Board refused to agree to the issuance of many millions of dollars of third mortgage bonds, instead authorizing <i>only </i>4.5 million. He wrote in his memoirs:</span></span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Against his advice, the board voted to issue, for this purpose and the current requirements, twelve millions of bonds under a third general mortgage. He considered this issue altogether too small, and advocated the creation of a large consolidated mortgage for present and future wants, but was outvoted.</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Because of their low priority, such bonds would have value only if the company made enough money to fund its interest payments. In a bankruptcy, bond holders would get nothing. Yet the general belief was that, should the Northern Pacific need more financing, it would have no trouble selling even more bonds to meet interest payments.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Accordingly, Deutsche Bank had to close its sale in Germany almost immediately after opening, with offers to purchase swamping the 4.5 million dollars issue. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This insatiable demand for third mortgage bonds led to Villard's getting his way. The Board voted to issue $160 million bonds lasting one hundred years -- to construct new lines, plus retire higher interest first and second mortgage bonds and older O&T bonds now held by Villard. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8pOW5VxGSmn538yrOIfI6M9jgO8L5TD_SkYVSHftnscW2VGeYLvqaPcpdhlaaPbFFJaboe_aoZJYSAXE79cm_iMIQCaFnHlaU22nAjH8vej8zVOtPamTskS6Msh7qMMsXGWo7j9uesYBw52ouMcvNyV6wtFfoZWTWDxaS5wvcAcRXmOqVUwouhLsyg/s2916/107.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="2916" height="1224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8pOW5VxGSmn538yrOIfI6M9jgO8L5TD_SkYVSHftnscW2VGeYLvqaPcpdhlaaPbFFJaboe_aoZJYSAXE79cm_iMIQCaFnHlaU22nAjH8vej8zVOtPamTskS6Msh7qMMsXGWo7j9uesYBw52ouMcvNyV6wtFfoZWTWDxaS5wvcAcRXmOqVUwouhLsyg/w1813-h1224/107.jpg" width="1813" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers at dusk.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooKGyYBV-obttmVrYabO9Jr7fYTJf8YfYjpgqi7N7sioFQQjw5EIpVsxlaTKtjXFEsxtLobb9LBGAq0xzae5Inb3Wexx1iUJ3vWwvqTMI4X2yBaMBh-GXPBgBSGkrqVXp3DyrO3DE-RBuC94BpeuYMFvnV7bjHbuo2W2iRxT-N_y-GcBeTXEo5s4nWA/s3050/114.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3050" height="1162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooKGyYBV-obttmVrYabO9Jr7fYTJf8YfYjpgqi7N7sioFQQjw5EIpVsxlaTKtjXFEsxtLobb9LBGAq0xzae5Inb3Wexx1iUJ3vWwvqTMI4X2yBaMBh-GXPBgBSGkrqVXp3DyrO3DE-RBuC94BpeuYMFvnV7bjHbuo2W2iRxT-N_y-GcBeTXEo5s4nWA/w1806-h1162/114.jpg" width="1806" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Loaded coal struggles south.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO9h1Fk_i9FjSWl-3omPP4HaDEIy6316-rzdl8aBxMVwdfX1p7jAG7l8L0cDrIy-KZrQ4PCbUxsNiv7RnerpZsdSM56rnBhc4jR9unifvqYTSbknXxJAHCCS_OvGEpze9uWK50RqYMUo-ad4ytlh-nGv3pppoY701MYnEfYMlwowAULOjUIStpAJ1Eg/s3056/129.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3056" height="1166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQO9h1Fk_i9FjSWl-3omPP4HaDEIy6316-rzdl8aBxMVwdfX1p7jAG7l8L0cDrIy-KZrQ4PCbUxsNiv7RnerpZsdSM56rnBhc4jR9unifvqYTSbknXxJAHCCS_OvGEpze9uWK50RqYMUo-ad4ytlh-nGv3pppoY701MYnEfYMlwowAULOjUIStpAJ1Eg/w1811-h1166/129.jpg" width="1811" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP coal loads meet BNSF empties.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The threads in this elaborate financial sweater began to unravel almost immediately. Officials miscalculated the amount of O&T bonds to be retired. Then in a financial downturn of 1891, Drexel and Morgan demanded renegotiation of its agreement (at a much higher cost) to market the new bonds, and the Northern Pacific agreed. U</span><span style="font-family: arial;">nder Villard's guidance, the railroad then leased the Wisconsin Central to gain access to Chicago, where it built a new passenger terminal --all with more borrowed funds.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Net earnings per mile almost immediately dropped, as the Chicago and Northwestern, in retaliation for the Wisconsin Central lease, diverted its Pacific Northwest traffic from the Northern Pacific to the Union Pacific. By 1892, the Northern Pacific was losing almost one million dollars per year on the diverted traffic. Villard turned to Deutsche Bank, which loaned the Northern Pacific even more money to meet the interest payments on its bonds.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Then came the panic of 1893, the worst depression in American history until 1930. Northern Pacific traffic continued to drop; revenues ran $30,000 per day behind the previous year's, caused not only by the financial crisis but also by the construction of James Hill's Great Northern, which traversed country even more remote than the Northern Pacific. To capture long-haul traffic to Puget Sound, the Great Northern slashed rates. To keep from losing all its business, the Northern Pacific followed. Soon it could not meet its interest payments. Next, Germans turned off the money spigot. Receivership followed.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">That was Villard's Waterloo. Though still personally wealthy, his tenure as a railroad tycoon was terminated for the second and last time. He resigned from the Northern Pacific in 1893, leaving a trail of company debts as long as the lines from Chicago to Seattle. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">At no time did he believe that imprudent borrowing and profligate construction had led to the Northern Pacific's collapse. His memoirs express the belief that he was guiltless:</span></span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It seemed a hard fate indeed that he should have to pass twice through the same ordeal and receive such severe punishment for once more loyally uniting his personal fortunes with the same ill-starred company.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></blockquote><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn9tWJlyYu_N9oCNQII-LPK1jv6-wu2bFUb6Neux_6fnVcnZ5dkgcE4KOIuFgn6jm09wtQLWMp2LA243TBWhzs7nvsLtiD6gJy8Q2IomLiXdYt3HlVsbs1xoqdsmJfiGKi7ZHKDJCe0t052liCU29yT3fuoiPR3O0L15w_FcrlJZ4aDDWl-01hxFmWA/s3048/133.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3048" height="1174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn9tWJlyYu_N9oCNQII-LPK1jv6-wu2bFUb6Neux_6fnVcnZ5dkgcE4KOIuFgn6jm09wtQLWMp2LA243TBWhzs7nvsLtiD6gJy8Q2IomLiXdYt3HlVsbs1xoqdsmJfiGKi7ZHKDJCe0t052liCU29yT3fuoiPR3O0L15w_FcrlJZ4aDDWl-01hxFmWA/w1815-h1174/133.jpg" width="1815" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A Union Pacific loaded coal train is leaving the North Antelope Mine, while BNSF loads and empties wait on the spur to the Antelope Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Most of the bonds upon which the Northern Pacific defaulted were either held or sold by Deutsche Bank, which sent its president Dr. Georg Siemens to New York in an effort to control the disaster. He prepared a report that laid responsibility squarely upon Villard, who responded in his memoirs:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The first thing Mr. Villard had to do was to demand a formal revocation of and an apology for an offensive circular issued by the Bank in hot haste to the bondholders, full of glaring misstatements, unjust criticism of the railroad management, and an evident attempt to make a scapegoat of himself.</span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To your author's knowledge, the report was never revoked, nor an apology ever given.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Villard blamed the severe economic downturn for panicking German investors, who had ceased to continue the steady supply of money needed to continue rolling over the Northern Pacific's debt. If the money supply had continued unabated, he believed, the Northern Pacific would have suffered no loss. That was true, of course, but to believe that investors would continue indefinitely to fund a money-losing venture was, as they say, whistling past the graveyard. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">E.L. Godkin, founder of the <i>Nation</i> and an iconoclast <i>par excellence</i>, wrote the following in a letter to James Bryce, a British academic, politician and friend:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">. . . Our old friend Villard, sailed for Egypt a week . . . ago, I may say, in disgrace. He has been kicked out of every enterprize [sic] he was connected with here, and is universally denounced as a visionary, if not worse, who had made money at the expense of other people. Unfortunately he has given color to these things by very expensive living all this summer. I am told the Germans are now as furious with him as the Americans which accounts for his going to Egypt, and, I am told, "round the world." The unfortunate truth is that of six companies of which he was the forefront, every one has either gone to smash or depreciated enormously in value, and the losers naturally ask how it is that he has so much money? [See <a href="https://archive.org/details/gildedageletters0000godk/page/452/mode/2up">https://archive.org/details/gildedageletters0000godk/page/452/mode/2up</a>.]</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Villard did in fact take a multi-month trip with his family through southern Europe and the Middle East, winding up in Egypt where they stayed two months. During that time, the Northern Pacific's receiver filed a civil action against Villard for defalcating corporate funds. Villard hired counsel. The receivership moved forward sludge-like, but the lawsuit did not proceed. Villard was not vindicated. Instead, the receiver simply made the decision not to pursue him.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Your author has been a litigation attorney forty-four years. Matters such as the civil action against Villard are not filed by receivers without cause, and they do not simply "go away." A matter not taken to trial has been settled by payment of a sum sufficient to satisfy the receiver. Details of the settlement remain confidential.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AiA9TmwJDi98k5hJ6xl-LW_LmzIk_rplJ9zPSPmSSmCEHPsIA4QMRBnMCv8TJ0_q-tXEezFTHq5hnZSfT6-DA7HcCho0pUr575_feefJkp1vQBRV61U32K8VhV0hPEz23nsESk0WJTqLL3qjCoKFFI8EuzKkDqskEeqM8UIAWwQrAahnEnasq3Swpw/s3033/145.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3033" height="1185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AiA9TmwJDi98k5hJ6xl-LW_LmzIk_rplJ9zPSPmSSmCEHPsIA4QMRBnMCv8TJ0_q-tXEezFTHq5hnZSfT6-DA7HcCho0pUr575_feefJkp1vQBRV61U32K8VhV0hPEz23nsESk0WJTqLL3qjCoKFFI8EuzKkDqskEeqM8UIAWwQrAahnEnasq3Swpw/w1813-h1185/145.jpg" width="1813" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A southbound load prepares to cross under Forest Service 942 Road.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Villard was one in a long line of "entrepreneurs" who have gotten rich with others' money. He did it by creating a construction company that sold bonds to capitalize itself (i.e., purchase construction equipment and offices, pay shareholders, etc.), then overcharged the railroad to lay track. Since Villard controlled both the construction company and the railroad, no one complained about the overcharges.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Villard would use a portion of the railroad's payment to retire the construction company's costs and fulfill the interest on its bonds. Because of the significant overcharges, there was still lots of money left over. This went into Villard's pocket (he was the construction company's major shareholder), along with money from the construction company's initial bond offering, some of which also went to shareholders. A double jackpot. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">To pay the construction company, the railroad (which Villard controlled) also sold bonds. When it did not make enough money to pay the interest on those bonds, he caused the railroad to borrow more money to pay off its original debt. He did this (borrowing from Peter to pay Paul) over and over. All the while, the money he made from owning the construction company and overcharging on construction was secure in his own private accounts, unreachable by creditors of the railroad. All this was perfectly legal, and it continued until the German lenders finally said, "Enough!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">It is not amazing that Villard and his ilk have operated throughout human history. What is amazing is that others have continued to loan them money in the hopes of getting rich themselves. Creditors keep the wheel of greed spinning just as surely as unscrupulous borrowers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">There is an old saying that goes something like this: "When you owe the bank a little, the bank has <i>you</i>. When you owe the bank a lot, you've got the <i>bank</i>." This simply means that lenders will continue to lend to floundering enterprises in the hope that business will improve. Otherwise, if the lender stops lending, he runs the risk of losing everything. Of course, if the lender continues lending and business does not improve, he loses even more of everything.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the dynamic that promoters such as Villard have exploited since money was first lent. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Greed exacerbated by foolishness (of both borrowers and lenders) is perhaps the most self-defeating conduct of all, and it has not been eradicated through the centuries. It repeats generation upon generation -- a constant, it seems, of nature.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What will stop it? Can some form of government do the trick? Apparently not, since all known forms of government have suffered the same fate. All one can do is recognize human nature and attempt to circumscribe it as much as possible, while at the same time impinging human freedom as little as possible. Some systems do this better than others, but none has solved the Sisyphusian problem.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have you ever wondered where the expression "railroaded" came from, as in, "He was railroaded," meaning that someone was cheated? Now you know.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">[For a great discussion of Villard and of 19th century railroad financing in general, see <i>Railroaded: The Transcontinentals and the Making of Modern America, </i>Richard White, W.W. Norton and Company (2011), especially pp. 216-223, 382-383 and 391-397.]</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9RG10OgpNGLXxGcCMIeunqXMYn8JlATnhmaHWpx-mhBmbmFKeELg-GWs4VMXT3D74G7pGIYHS6Y4L0yfFWhNbhXNefpNDty7y6tr53jq00OPy2iM_17_Zpshi2ELwaOFYYKubpZkSVyKh_e78O2u62RxNu8BEqUxeA0Cpj4yYuEVrswc2QHJkUsC6g/s3017/146.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9RG10OgpNGLXxGcCMIeunqXMYn8JlATnhmaHWpx-mhBmbmFKeELg-GWs4VMXT3D74G7pGIYHS6Y4L0yfFWhNbhXNefpNDty7y6tr53jq00OPy2iM_17_Zpshi2ELwaOFYYKubpZkSVyKh_e78O2u62RxNu8BEqUxeA0Cpj4yYuEVrswc2QHJkUsC6g/w1804-h1190/146.jpg" width="1804" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Across the treeless land, UP empties approach the Antelope Mine, the walls of which are visible in the upper left of the image.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So at last we arrive at the Union Pacific and its part in this grand comedy (or tragedy, take your pick). The saga begins with the Chicago and Northwestern, a railroad that owned trackage skirting the southern edge of the Powder River Basin. From Fremont, Nebraska, where C&NW exchanged traffic with the Union Pacific, to the coal fields, the Northwestern ran one train per week over 500 miles of mostly unballasted 90 pound rail, including over 400 bridges that could not support loaded coal trains -- the "Cowboy Line." This track could not be refurbished. To reach the mines, the C&NW would be required to construct a new railroad at an estimated cost of one million dollars per mile, a sum that made the company's Board dizzy, to say nothing of potential lenders.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">However, the demand for clean coal -- the sort found in the Power River Basin -- skyrocketed after Congress pass the Clean Air Act, so in early 1973, the Northwestern sent a civil engineer to scout the terrain north of Douglas, Wyoming, for the possible construction of tracks leading to the Basin. His report indicated that the geography was suitable for railroad construction, and that the potential business opportunity was unimaginably huge. Revenues from the mines could be larger than current total Northwestern income.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In May 1973, the railroad's lawyers filed an application with the Interstate Commerce Commission for permission to construct a new railroad in Wyoming, running from the Cowboy Line north to the coal fields. Six months earlier, Burlington Northern had filed a similar application to construct a connection north from its own line at Orin. The ICC suggested that the companies file a joint application, since it made little sense to construct two competing lines side-by-side. They did so, and the application was granted in July 1976.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhkQeOVY4qXKLKPSp0V_8P8OsrZ_qOm0AEvDnMpANOAt55U4eOMo8kG_c_83boJbpVnn-B_m8BC5kkzSMl5wHOMkIexI3srWQgBNuIkkIYRugGDl30SrxqCwu27Fhj8XUTu1hDLf6XQEiIxh8_UebJhQE_gy5zEfMySTwr_t_MbLWrnqndkaKvxVmyw/s3047/151.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3047" height="1174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhkQeOVY4qXKLKPSp0V_8P8OsrZ_qOm0AEvDnMpANOAt55U4eOMo8kG_c_83boJbpVnn-B_m8BC5kkzSMl5wHOMkIexI3srWQgBNuIkkIYRugGDl30SrxqCwu27Fhj8XUTu1hDLf6XQEiIxh8_UebJhQE_gy5zEfMySTwr_t_MbLWrnqndkaKvxVmyw/w1815-h1174/151.jpg" width="1815" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The dream of the Chicago and Northwestern is realized in the fading sunlight.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Burlington Northern built the line with its own funds, gave the C&NW about two years to pay its half of the costs or lose operating rights, and then began hauling coal. In the meantime, the Northwestern was searching for funds to re-construct the Cowboy Line and coming up dry. Despite the prospect of vastly increased revenues, the cost of completely rebuilding over 500 miles of worn-out track (close to a half a billion in 1976 dollars) scared off even the most optimistic investors.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So the railroad developed an alternative -- instead of rebuilding all the way to Fremont, it would go east to the Wyoming-Nebraska border, then build a new line south to connect with the Union Pacific, saving hundreds of miles and millions of dollars. The topography for the proposed new line was manageable, the territory was semi-arid and virtually uninhabited, not usable for anything but the grazing of a few livestock. Land acquisition costs would be minimal.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Northwestern's president Larry Provo contacted his counterpart at Union Pacific, John Kenefick, to gauge the larger railroad's interest. The UP was certainly interested, but before any action could be taken, Provo died of lung cancer. His successor, James Wolfe, was more cautious, uncertain if he should commit a financially struggling railroad to such an enormous undertaking.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Like a tiger circling a wounded buffalo, the Union Pacific was hungry for a meal of Powder River coal. It offered to rebuild the C&NW track, construct the new connecting line and pay the Northwestern's share of the costs of the joint line previously constructed by BN. In return, UP would pay the C&NW approximately $200 per loaded coal train for trackage rights for 20 years -- the equivalent of the tiger's saying, "If you don't run away, I'll eat you quickly." The offer was "take it or leave it." Given the enormity of potential profits and the triviality of the Union Pacific's "offer," the smaller road had no trouble politely declining.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Union Pacific then informed the ICC that it was prepared to provide competitive service in the Power River Basin, should the C&NW be unable to pay its portion of the joint line costs, which caused the Burlington Northern to (1) complain with loud lamentations that the Union Pacific had no right to enter the Basin, and (2) extend the Northwestern's payment deadline two years until 1979. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgTupgzXzHyGaYFwAxF1-eLOXY_a0_IA2U03V2dU92Sar68mnNeQ20ZYlSYCImk9zTEVLcL2YpjaF5BO3bAKs8XK6QXV4kanJC17gGBLa0UjDCEsivoZBQjzqXFrtnoIozFxVLcZtDZQ90LU8C31T_ue2IVf_wSqgCK3_9w8vDNJnNZhbTIa4wlgr4w/s3011/152.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3011" height="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgTupgzXzHyGaYFwAxF1-eLOXY_a0_IA2U03V2dU92Sar68mnNeQ20ZYlSYCImk9zTEVLcL2YpjaF5BO3bAKs8XK6QXV4kanJC17gGBLa0UjDCEsivoZBQjzqXFrtnoIozFxVLcZtDZQ90LU8C31T_ue2IVf_wSqgCK3_9w8vDNJnNZhbTIa4wlgr4w/w1811-h1200/152.jpg" width="1811" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Another sundown run.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTApj9zujMNH9A5gREFbqIK1Paz3UP_KFyYUSzCAuboHpQd2dyepgiSA8v9yuMYvE7MjWgS4Nm2ik09vgGWRA9c253NTGBqVpIYrY7gJMQMUBzkZ2X_s4HqJfN_v7wcT40u9hFrRLeziaEl3ifLPfb_M1_P11olg5IexqkcA9SiSe3OdVbAM3CadqubA/s3017/155.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTApj9zujMNH9A5gREFbqIK1Paz3UP_KFyYUSzCAuboHpQd2dyepgiSA8v9yuMYvE7MjWgS4Nm2ik09vgGWRA9c253NTGBqVpIYrY7gJMQMUBzkZ2X_s4HqJfN_v7wcT40u9hFrRLeziaEl3ifLPfb_M1_P11olg5IexqkcA9SiSe3OdVbAM3CadqubA/w1805-h1191/155.jpg" width="1805" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A quintessential Powder River Basin view.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">UP had already rebuilt 115 miles of a branch line north of its transcontinental route at O'Fallons, Nebraska, to interchange some coal trains with Burlington Northern at Northport, Nebraska. The potential coal bonanza was so enormous, so tempting, so otherworldly, that the country's first transcontinental railroad then decided that, since it could not bully the C&NW, it might as well do business with it. The companies began negotiations in earnest and eventually agreed that the UP would upgrade the remaining 49 miles of its branch to Joyce, Nebraska, and provide $60 million in short-term financing to the Northwestern. In return, the Northwestern (with the mighty Union Pacific as its partner) would seek permanent financing to construct a new 56 mile line from Joyce north to the Cowboy Line, rebuild that decrepit track 45 miles west to Shawnee, Wyoming, construct another new six-miles off the Cowboy Line to join the BN's new coal line at Shawnee Junction, and pay to BN the C&NW's share of the construction costs of that new line.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The deal hinged on the Northwestern's ability to obtain long term financing. By this time in American history, railroads were not, to put it mildly, a hot growth industry. Private parties (and certainly not Germans) were uninterested in purchasing C&NW bonds. But the prospect of all that coal revenue united with the Union Pacific was sorely tempting to institutional financiers, who love to lend money to companies like the UP that don't really need it. The Northwestern quickly obtained an almost $500 million credit line from a combination of banks.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The thought of competition from the Union Pacific caused the Burlington Northern to complain to the ICC that it had constructed the new coal line with its own money and, out of the goodness of its heart, given the Northwestern a chance to use the line by paying half the costs. The Northwestern had agreed to exit the stage if it could not come up with the money by 1979. According to BN, the Union Pacific was never part of the bargain. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The ICC's response was, "Ha! Ha!" The Commission had never approved a 1979 deadline for the C&NW's entry into the Basin, and it certainly would not approve one now. The C&NW had what amounted to a perpetual right to use the joint track, provided it paid its fair share.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6_P4EtcJGRpnON46AwsTUBjGTdfov80glM9ZCN0jL9KaHB-9I8a_sSFaYeiokOfHhgwU8vO5guBwkF5YkkSjiSkdK16oxVzd_hWxyq4094UIiuj8bx1-j8HuGppETyjJ__PLKA8oCpl0gacDwSN2M20iim07V2BHZeFLHg0yyo57q3YmXi9sEWlrxA/s2987/157.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="2987" height="1215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6_P4EtcJGRpnON46AwsTUBjGTdfov80glM9ZCN0jL9KaHB-9I8a_sSFaYeiokOfHhgwU8vO5guBwkF5YkkSjiSkdK16oxVzd_hWxyq4094UIiuj8bx1-j8HuGppETyjJ__PLKA8oCpl0gacDwSN2M20iim07V2BHZeFLHg0yyo57q3YmXi9sEWlrxA/w1808-h1215/157.jpg" width="1808" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers into the dark.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvsDbdJgAVIDj5aX5aj4w6Zgeox5NiyGmz32ZJMym2IOcc0X30J2MQa3UNgKxkxPgSOE3POqQQka1T7w_c5VH00aHSRo8zYgPvz_PsBLowWFLBioW0VZVevdY5xkyQLDyIr_7AKGaqMH7tS7sj8p3MjV_qJOs7puMSa9ySzxR9YNtPgKESP4c_VjM7Q/s2979/160.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="2979" height="1224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvsDbdJgAVIDj5aX5aj4w6Zgeox5NiyGmz32ZJMym2IOcc0X30J2MQa3UNgKxkxPgSOE3POqQQka1T7w_c5VH00aHSRo8zYgPvz_PsBLowWFLBioW0VZVevdY5xkyQLDyIr_7AKGaqMH7tS7sj8p3MjV_qJOs7puMSa9ySzxR9YNtPgKESP4c_VjM7Q/w1813-h1224/160.jpg" width="1813" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>This coal train has just departed the North Antelope Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The two railroads then attempted to reach agreement on the amount --and got nowhere. The Northwestern felt that it was rolling a boulder uphill, while the Burlington Northern believed it was being attacked by gnats. Eventually, the ICC established by fiat a payment of $76 million -- half the estimated original cost (the ICC did the estimate, since the parties could not agree even on that point), plus 14 percent interest, minus depreciation. If that 14 percent seems outrageous, one must remember that all this occurred during the late 1970's and early 80's, a period of runaway inflation, when it was as cheap to purchase a home on an American Express Card as it was to borrow money from a bank (the interest rates being roughly the same, well above ten percent).</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Northwestern then constructed a state-of-the-art railroad, the equivalent of a new interstate highway, with long stretches of straight and flat running through deep cuts and steep fills. There was only one grade, Myles Hill, seven miles of westbound one percent, starting about 10 miles east of Shawnee Junction. The entire project took an incredibly short 14 months, the equivalent of Roger Bannister's four-minute-mile.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">On August 16, 1984, cannons fired and marching bands played at the Nebraska-Wyoming border to celebrate the first train on the new line. At the start, the line was dispatched by train orders. The Northwestern-Union Pacific partnership ran one train every other day from the Antelope Mine to Newark, Arkansas. From Kansas City south, the coal loads were carried by Missouri Pacific. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Traffic picked up rapidly. During the line's first full year of operation in 1985, the Northwestern and Union Pacific hauled 19 million tons -- almost five trains per day. CTC was installed in 1986. By 1995, 23 trains per day left the basin, and average train size had grown to almost 12,000 tons. In 2000, the line averaged about 30 loads per day; average train size was nearly 15,700 tons. In 2006, an average of 36.2 trains per day were loaded, with an equal number of unloaded trains entering the mines -- over 70 trains per day total. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNiIGkH5biYbVE2zDz51TnCmNo1w6ZHqXfDvQCpMLqo-Kze7DRxhyR_u2c8jZH7NvAh773uLTlIFZ4H9tK4WlhNc4c2WXB0VTbaKpLTMb3X2SFDA9XgQCm1h-987PVzmg1maAArcXcJ3JxeGw1j7ilLlVaCdP3r1DRbB2g1Cc7OUTUbcM4NkoHezFrA/s3004/161.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3004" height="1208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNiIGkH5biYbVE2zDz51TnCmNo1w6ZHqXfDvQCpMLqo-Kze7DRxhyR_u2c8jZH7NvAh773uLTlIFZ4H9tK4WlhNc4c2WXB0VTbaKpLTMb3X2SFDA9XgQCm1h-987PVzmg1maAArcXcJ3JxeGw1j7ilLlVaCdP3r1DRbB2g1Cc7OUTUbcM4NkoHezFrA/w1814-h1208/161.jpg" width="1814" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Antelope Road.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjmVHdvS3OwL8gsIv0w-40rpDE9IIBRcq0Ejl73QWDtyYfGjuf1B7_zRoZWR97CfaQzppajJGcrV3wD1cSqpE0LFt6bj24bjy9Gma-xbLIUVY9DauwXMSbVjnyMzMzeg3iEFgWtorA_iQtPw8hmxAXcWdhg--V3nlXI5yY-cjdUUsEscyCUOqg1Xdgg/s3010/163.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjmVHdvS3OwL8gsIv0w-40rpDE9IIBRcq0Ejl73QWDtyYfGjuf1B7_zRoZWR97CfaQzppajJGcrV3wD1cSqpE0LFt6bj24bjy9Gma-xbLIUVY9DauwXMSbVjnyMzMzeg3iEFgWtorA_iQtPw8hmxAXcWdhg--V3nlXI5yY-cjdUUsEscyCUOqg1Xdgg/w1815-h1202/163.jpg" width="1815" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT5rs_KCtKoVVgjv_MFzjyAKGGV6CS6uq1MEupHMvbILKuYkO54894rUtUJMAIAkVAC0gH6KAaMTXfBmRPOzY2-ziDv2F2Dow9fA1qCR1kMWn_WM2oXX3SPnUDy2baOFMrTfM89ydkkxxOxH4VB4C0cFxZM--CAd1pQD9w1O7zUx7wOe29-2V2HuSNQ/s3039/164.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="3039" height="1180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT5rs_KCtKoVVgjv_MFzjyAKGGV6CS6uq1MEupHMvbILKuYkO54894rUtUJMAIAkVAC0gH6KAaMTXfBmRPOzY2-ziDv2F2Dow9fA1qCR1kMWn_WM2oXX3SPnUDy2baOFMrTfM89ydkkxxOxH4VB4C0cFxZM--CAd1pQD9w1O7zUx7wOe29-2V2HuSNQ/w1815-h1180/164.jpg" width="1815" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>UP meets BNSF at the North Antelope Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Northwestern's original plan had been to provide service as far as Coal Creek Junction, which meant that the railroad would be unable to reach mines all the way to and beyond Donkey Creek, the connection with the BN line that ran southeast to Crawford Hill. Given the avalanche of coal money, however, the C&NW sought permission from the ICC to provide that additional service. Once again, the BN objected with mournful lamentations, pointing out that the Northwestern had signed an agreement in 1975, promising not to access the northernmost mines.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Ha! Ha!" the ICC said again. The Northwestern's prior agreement was anti-competitive and unenforceable. Having grown tired of litigation and the attendant enormous legal fees, the BN then offered to extend half-ownership of its line north for $27 million, and the Northwestern (equally as worn out) quickly agreed.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5Db1CxN8MrK6HcBreqeQ3QYFK7W7-EJPouhDlgvcp7f7wW_owa3ijXhX1zVlnW2T5RzjlZBrozOIG5Wu0A1zBj6LB0eWy_l67l1XZ7WX_pbc5RoV138uHWrm5S49JwAhzZXiPdokvsu2x1tI2HHL54f5A30EVC4SlXIylLa4piB5-E3wBdX4twSaGA/s3203/166.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="3203" height="1060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5Db1CxN8MrK6HcBreqeQ3QYFK7W7-EJPouhDlgvcp7f7wW_owa3ijXhX1zVlnW2T5RzjlZBrozOIG5Wu0A1zBj6LB0eWy_l67l1XZ7WX_pbc5RoV138uHWrm5S49JwAhzZXiPdokvsu2x1tI2HHL54f5A30EVC4SlXIylLa4piB5-E3wBdX4twSaGA/w1813-h1060/166.jpg" width="1813" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Coal loads leaving the North Antelope Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-CHCiCRKexC42UX5_O2sQ1sHtot12kOd9cJopz-oN2OxxJkSue1oxASgjiqoLpNCBRVxiat0bYM78PsngWBO5qJJzxBEeTKbHfp6RgsLWIlDyiBFlsl9c2b6CQK5GtyDavhhkm7YBuebNGzbgfAbNvE9jF9sFvDcVhZBmAWJjj5WvT9-nGT43ryy0g/s3005/173.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-CHCiCRKexC42UX5_O2sQ1sHtot12kOd9cJopz-oN2OxxJkSue1oxASgjiqoLpNCBRVxiat0bYM78PsngWBO5qJJzxBEeTKbHfp6RgsLWIlDyiBFlsl9c2b6CQK5GtyDavhhkm7YBuebNGzbgfAbNvE9jF9sFvDcVhZBmAWJjj5WvT9-nGT43ryy0g/w1820-h1211/173.jpg" width="1820" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Beginning the climb up Logan Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Today (April 2023), neither Burlington Northern nor the Chicago and Northwestern provide service in the Powder River Basin. Instead, BNSF and Union Pacific deliver the coal that heats homes in the winter and cools them in the summer, and supplies power to run word processors that keep old men like your author occupied.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But the same government that encouraged the production of low sulphur coal in the 1970's now wants to shutter the mines and the railroad lines that serve them. Our current politicians have decided that carbon dioxide is their enemy, even though plants require carbon dioxide to survive, even though animals require the oxygen generated by plants to survive. Remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and everything dies.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The War on Hydrocarbons is "top down." Someone decides that something should be done, then a "solution" is designed, then the decision-makers, who never suffer the consequences of their edicts, spread the word down the chain of command and force the solution on the populace. The problem with top down thinking is that errors contained therein (and there are always errors) are magnified step-by-step as the process slowly works downstream to the operational level. This problem applies as much to business as to government. In either environment, top down procedures beget unimagined consequences, which beget new top down "solutions," which beget more problems, then more solutions, and on and on -- the real "circle of life."</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Bottom up" thinking, on the other hand, does not start as a grand system to be imposed on the masses. Instead it begins with an individual or individuals who react to a problem with what seems like a good solution. Others may see the solution and adopt. Problems with the solution may arise, but then are worked out before other adoptions. The process repeats over and over as the solution bubbles slowly upwards. The beauty of bottom up thinking is that mistakes are weeded out by the process itself. In another context, this is called the scientific method -- slow and painstaking, as errors are slowly accounted for, and never completed because new issues keep arising, a constant refining of previous knowledge.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Examples include the development of mathematics, the distillation of alcohol, the refinement of knee surgery, the growing of corn and the improvements in diesel-electric locomotives. All have taken many years, and all are still on-going processes.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Governments and business don't operate this way because they face significant pressure to <b>do something, anything, now.</b> A politician who suggests that inflation be solved by trial and error over many years will not be re-elected. An executive who suggests that a decline in revenues be resolved by patience will likewise be shown the door. Government and business must act fast, which in the long run makes no progress. Look at the War on Poverty, the War on Drugs, the War on Terrorism. And now the War on Hydrocarbons. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Thus, coal production in the Basin steadily declines. As of 2021, the last time your author visited, t</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">he railroads’ Powder River coal volumes had declined 36% since 2017 and were down 54% since their 2008 peak. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">A</span><span style="font-family: arial;">bout 12-15 UP trains per day were running in the daylight.</span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-family: arial;">“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Albert Einstein</span></span></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Einstein's prophecy may be coming true ahead of schedule.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><div><br /></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-7951359778780864242023-03-27T13:15:00.003-05:002023-08-15T00:59:30.126-05:00RIP: Bear the Mighty Dog<p> </p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UtNcEnNHhT4I5mcqqoGLR9SkCUA2ovHVwaHex5xeePoZNcsalZMuGBf-0eM6arHMAzjwQPNnewh7qxARdQRjknC5Wjpn6Prk5aTDDiY8_bdJpzjkymXiopaCKl9F8jJdrf4MoAFAf3qp4ckW6Xw5YD6yzs-ej3r0PjI9sK_oKdnAIg2ddY7kRlrDtg/s4032/Bear.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="1177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UtNcEnNHhT4I5mcqqoGLR9SkCUA2ovHVwaHex5xeePoZNcsalZMuGBf-0eM6arHMAzjwQPNnewh7qxARdQRjknC5Wjpn6Prk5aTDDiY8_bdJpzjkymXiopaCKl9F8jJdrf4MoAFAf3qp4ckW6Xw5YD6yzs-ej3r0PjI9sK_oKdnAIg2ddY7kRlrDtg/w1569-h1177/Bear.jpg" width="1569" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bear the Mighty Dog Asleep on the Author's Camera Bag.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bear the Mighty Dog has shuffled off this mortal coil. He passed February 12, 2023. My loyal railfan companion is no more, and I grieve. A dog's loyalty and affection are beyond words, so I cannot describe the full measure of Bear's devotion. He was with me in good times and bad, winter and summer, health and sickness. Soon enough I will join him in death. For now, I offer this eulogy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My wife found Bear at a local pet store hosting a "beauty contest" for shelter dogs, all lined up in separate cages, hoping upon hope for adoption. You could see it in the dogs' eyes. They wanted someone to take them home where they would remain loyal, obedient and trusting unto the end.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I spied a brown Dachshund who looked at me carefully and wagged his tail. I turned to my wife to suggest that we had found the perfect pet, but she ignored me. She was kneeling in front of a cage that housed a small black dog, with a white head, who looked part Chihuahua and part something else entirely. Unlike the other dogs, he was not nervous or excited. He just stood there on his four-inch legs, looking up at her with bemused curiosity. He was the only dog who did not express eagerness to be taken home. He seemed to be comfortable no matter what happened. If he was taken home -- great. If he remained at the shelter -- well, that was just fine, too. He exuded calmness as some people exude perspiration.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"This is the one," my wife said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"You sure?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Yes," she said. "Absolutely sure."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We paid seventy-five dollars to take him home -- the cost of his neutering -- and he spent the night in our den in a metal dog crate that my wife purchased at the pet store. We fed him in the kitchen, and he stood motionless, as rigid as petrified wood, while I spooned his food into a dog bowl -- both food and bowl also purchased by my wife at the pet store. At that moment, I realized why the pet store holds adoptions. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">He was so intent upon his meal that I wrote a really terrible poem for him, titled "You Won't Feed Me":</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You won't feed me,</span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And I am wasting away.</span></div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You won't feed me. </span></span> </div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There's nothing more I can say.</span></div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I stand here in front of you,</span></span> </div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wondering what you will do.</span></div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I look you right in the eye.</span></span> </div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you won't feed me, I will die!</span> </div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From that first night in our home, Bear was part of the group. Soon enough he was sleeping in a small bed in the closet. He was never nervous, never frightened, never upset. He acted as though he had known and lived with us for years, and that first night I thought, "I must learn to be as calm and happy as he is."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When we adopted Bear, the pet store told us that he had been abandoned in an apartment and left alone for several days, without food or water, before the landlord found him waiting patiently at the door for someone to let him out. A dog's ability to wait for hours or even days makes me think that canines may not experience the passage of time as do humans. When railfanning with your author, Bear could stay in my Jeep for hours while I climbed hillsides and cliffs, or crossed shallow streams and rivers. Often he would fall asleep. Upon my return, he would look at me quizically, as if to say, "Okay, what now?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I often wished that Bear could understand what I was trying to communicate to him. Just as often, I think he wished that I could understand what he was saying. As we both grew older, communication became easier, usually just a glance or a small motion of the head. When he was tired, he would look up at me glumly, almost a frown. When I was tired, I would look down at him with the same expression. As we aged, we spent more and more time in the shade, waiting for a train.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bear did not like loud noises. When my wife or I were chopping vegetables in the kitchen, he would depart for the guest bedroom and wait under the bed for the noise to subside. Likewise, if a passing train whistled, he would go for the trees. I learned quickly not to take him too close to the tracks. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I also learned that Bear loved to ride in my Jeep. Hot or cold, summer or winter, the weather did not matter. He was always ready. Whenever he saw me gathering my camera gear, he would strategically position himself between me and the garage door, looking up quietly, not excited, just patient and completely trusting. He knew that I would take him anywhere.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Early one morning, I was packing my suitcase for a railfan trip to Colorado. Bear watched intently as I methodically loaded underwear and socks into my open suitcase on the floor of the bedroom. I walked to the laundry room to retrieve some jeans from the dryer. When I returned, I found Bear sitting inside my suitcase.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Come on," his eyes said. "I'm ready to go."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On a trip to the Pacific Northwest with my wife and son, Bear disappeared one evening while we were eating supper on the deck of a rental house that overlooked the Columbia River. We were so enamored of the view -- wide blue water giving way to a range of hills overlooked in the distance by snow-covered Mount Hood in Oregon -- that we failed to notice that the dog was missing. We searched around the house and up and down the steep gradient of the street off the narrow driveway -- to no avail. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My wife was mad at me for not paying attention to the dog. I shrugged my shoulders in the manner of someone married over 40 years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Here he is!" my son shouted.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We walked inside to see Bear sound asleep inside my son's open suitcase on the floor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1s2Tnfkq-qOPFfWF3cwFjKpOqTf23uYs02VJ0R_kdRyJ5gvFBTG_1-wIsDJJL-NhxgodI3rZ5BN3jn6oyplnv_o5f4vvFwdTZvH-sGuUqtwOA4bWIvXadc5BywzsJuwN9ejlBdj3S9NMazbVopDJ5L7VONA1GRkDIvJHcwyYYT9Rw5HdYKcR-DqB1Q/s4032/IMG_0959.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1s2Tnfkq-qOPFfWF3cwFjKpOqTf23uYs02VJ0R_kdRyJ5gvFBTG_1-wIsDJJL-NhxgodI3rZ5BN3jn6oyplnv_o5f4vvFwdTZvH-sGuUqtwOA4bWIvXadc5BywzsJuwN9ejlBdj3S9NMazbVopDJ5L7VONA1GRkDIvJHcwyYYT9Rw5HdYKcR-DqB1Q/w1601-h1201/IMG_0959.jpeg" width="1601" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Whenever we traveled, Bear preferred to sleep on a small pallet in the back floor of the Jeep, which I soon came to call "The Rolling Dog House." The vehicle quickly took on Bear's various odors, which I think is why he liked it so much. Once in Green River, Utah, in the dead of a hot summer, I was staying at a Motel 6, and I decided to bring Bear in with me for the night. I carried Bear into the room and placed him on the floor. He looked around, sniffed at the furniture, then turned and looked up at me with an expression that clearly said: "Really? This is the best you can do? I'd rather sleep in the Jeep!"</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So I took him back outside.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bear's one deficiency, at least from my viewpoint, was his tendency to run off while I was waiting for a train. He was not trying to hide, nor to leave. He was just curious, sniffing the ground, looking for scraps of food. He was particularly skillful at finding the bones of dead animals. Even in the middle of the Mojave Desert, Bear found what I believe was the leg bone of a rabbit. He sat contently in the sand, chewing, until the bone was completely gone, disappeared, as though he were a magician.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On our trip to Utah, while I was waiting for a Union Pacific freight on the old Denver and Rio Grande Western mainline, Bear disappeared. I did not want to miss the train, the only freight of the day, plus I was also fighting off swarms of flying insects called "noseeums," which leave some of the most irritating and painful bites imaginable, far worse than chiggers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The train never appeared. I heard the crew on my scanner, talking to the dispatcher, but I saw nothing. The sun went down. Bear was nowhere in sight. Covered from head to toe with bug spray, I went looking for him, whistling and calling his name. I must have searched for an hour, at least, without success.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"My wife is going to kill me," I thought.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I returned to my Jeep, wondering if I should spend the night in the wilderness and resume my search in the morning. As I approached, I heard Bear's collar jingle as he walked out from under the Jeep to greet me. He had been waiting for me the whole time, probably wondering why I was walking around in the dark.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From the beginning of our relationship, Bear possessed what in humans is sometimes called an "irritable bowel," which I think means that certain foods throw your digestive system completely out of whack. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One afternoon while working in my garden, I found Bear beneath a cedar, munching contentedly on the intestines of a dead rabbit. I pulled him away, and he looked at me helplessly, as though I were pulling off one of his legs. I then dug a shallow hole, buried the remains of the rabbit and sent Bear to the house, where he moped for hours. He exacted his revenge that evening, when he vomited the remains of the rabbit on the carpet of my study.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bear had a similar reaction to "people food." He wanted to eat it, but often when I fed him table scraps, he would poop them out of his system like a California mud slide. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The same thing would happen if I changed dog foods. I made that mistake one time on a trip to Wyoming. We were staying in Saratoga, a renown trout fishing location on the North Platte River, and I ran out of his regular dog food. The local grocery store did not carry that brand, so I purchased a similar variety that I foolishly thought would cooperate with Bear's digestive tract. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I fed him the new food that evening and put him to bed in the Jeep. The next morning when I let him out to do his duty, I discovered that he had already done it all over the back seat, which looked as though someone had sprayed sewer sludge across the inside of my relatively new vehicle. It was not his fault, of course. It was mine. My punishment was the hour it took to clean up, plus the additional hour it took to drive to Rock Springs to find a store that sold Bear's preferred brand. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When we arrived back home at the end of our Wyoming journey, my wife was so appalled with the condition of the Jeep, including what she called that "unbelievable odor," that she hired a company, at some considerable expense, to clean my vehicle. I think it was the sort of company that cleans a house after a natural disaster.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bear was especially attractive to other dogs; I don't know why. On many occasions, while we were out in the country looking for trains, local dogs would approach us and swarm around Bear in friendly admiration, as though he were the leader of the pack. He did not mind and did not appear to have the slightest desire to lead, probably because he was too short to return their sniffs to his private parts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">He never barked at other dogs. In fact, he rarely barked at all, which is why I could carry him in a small shoulder bag into any motel -- at least the ones he was willing to sleep in. He never made a sound, even if other dogs were barking nearby. We sometimes stayed in a motel a week or longer, and Bear would sleep ini his bag near the foot of my bed. This usually occurred in the winter when it was too cold in the Jeep. The cleaning staff quickly became friends with Bear and would nod knowingly as I carried him in the "Bear Bag" outside to the Jeep. He never made a mess. Not once.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One time I brought him up into the bed with me. The next morning when I awoke, I found Bear had left the bed and was sleeping on the sofa in the small dining area of our suite. My wife has told me that I snore. Bear confirmed it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The only time I ever remember Bear's barking was when we were around cattle. If he were in the Jeep as we passed cows along the road, he would bark furiously out the window. If we were hiking outside and came upon cattle, he would bark and begin to herd them -- one of the most hilarious sights I have ever witnessed. This tiny dog with four inch legs could run in whatever direction he pleased, barking non-stop, and the cattle would follow his directions. It seemed that he was part Border Collie, though he was far too small for that.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In later years, he suffered the various infirmities of advancing age -- heart murmur, kidney degeneration, failing hearing and eyesight. He spent more and more time at the vets, where everyone fell in love with him and would greet him by name whenever we arrived. We spent a considerable sum on our seventy-five dollar dog. But every penny was worth it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And so Bear follows my father and mother unto death. I have lost all three in the recent past and realize that I am next in the check-out line. Air traffic control has asked if I can see the landing field. I do not think so, I have replied, but the lights of the city are bright and growing larger. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwpbWpfvPw79M8eopx3jo8qGePvEHeVeEHnHed_jaheSgD5I9eok2NndAMsMEZThKcpPzXeWQHdxK3DstrJFlU1yjXJ3zkOiJtutW8dcTUuCweGY-ULAnHiai0g8_WgJh5uy0QvfwSdgBDbEOpm7oyd_G9JLmSvSGJorNII-MFkUsElRfYOCxXgaXdg/s4032/IMG_0712.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="1413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwpbWpfvPw79M8eopx3jo8qGePvEHeVeEHnHed_jaheSgD5I9eok2NndAMsMEZThKcpPzXeWQHdxK3DstrJFlU1yjXJ3zkOiJtutW8dcTUuCweGY-ULAnHiai0g8_WgJh5uy0QvfwSdgBDbEOpm7oyd_G9JLmSvSGJorNII-MFkUsElRfYOCxXgaXdg/w1060-h1413/IMG_0712.jpeg" width="1060" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">***</span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Following are photographs taken on every one of my trips with Bear the Mighty Dog. There were a lot of trips and thus there are a lot of photos, but I think Bear deserves a proper send-off. Our first trip together was to Colorado. Our last was to the same state. Bookends.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Colorado -- First Trip</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvdLfLvNhgB5iU_Zt4u17zUZ2QCUwmKMUhAnrWOrvZbs86pIfqoxKYYqob-2N5kBamyzAc0rxgPUgmxhqxxxi3Ct8ezSI6lW2KfFGfhvgbanWibpQnRpblTYGaHoFNKp20WNDaNPLOHrZrhsGYlTY4GV6sn_SUQExO4isvCCS3PdfSZrR3WaE-fBEKQ/s3088/74.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvdLfLvNhgB5iU_Zt4u17zUZ2QCUwmKMUhAnrWOrvZbs86pIfqoxKYYqob-2N5kBamyzAc0rxgPUgmxhqxxxi3Ct8ezSI6lW2KfFGfhvgbanWibpQnRpblTYGaHoFNKp20WNDaNPLOHrZrhsGYlTY4GV6sn_SUQExO4isvCCS3PdfSZrR3WaE-fBEKQ/w1566-h1037/74.JPG" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound manifest along Colorado River -- just east of Kremmling, Colorado.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF43qyvtGcW6yZGJsNMjeP-tSETiYEvSTCoQvwnHbBzYfL3CGGpJ2U5c7qWu7TFLK1jSitSVI1tBWx5I6cZpSzdSfHCKys6bIUYQY5NNLvCiA6osUn5e0-8JArQh6h-lO2UG1wUeYduVI3326EDpkofqe-vW-u8tNnrekTwE7Wb17YO11NZLLZEGShaw/s3074/43.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1736" data-original-width="3074" height="893" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF43qyvtGcW6yZGJsNMjeP-tSETiYEvSTCoQvwnHbBzYfL3CGGpJ2U5c7qWu7TFLK1jSitSVI1tBWx5I6cZpSzdSfHCKys6bIUYQY5NNLvCiA6osUn5e0-8JArQh6h-lO2UG1wUeYduVI3326EDpkofqe-vW-u8tNnrekTwE7Wb17YO11NZLLZEGShaw/w1578-h893/43.JPG" width="1578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound coal leaving Radium, Colorado.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfisQoPo6-tJOrTK_-pBJjyKE9GyzbTNobgYubdtibKeafe_HmGlHkGQ-s6qZ_vK4U7PjGvkWQvLHX5Cdw_cfCd00sYiao-xb91gPI7dKc05xS51R_bMhhxE5Mpf3Zyh_QXbwGcXnAljMBCS6u9BFEk5IJ8FcUvsBdBn2iaO65ReBT6TN6SQsVxyU9Tg/s3088/91.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfisQoPo6-tJOrTK_-pBJjyKE9GyzbTNobgYubdtibKeafe_HmGlHkGQ-s6qZ_vK4U7PjGvkWQvLHX5Cdw_cfCd00sYiao-xb91gPI7dKc05xS51R_bMhhxE5Mpf3Zyh_QXbwGcXnAljMBCS6u9BFEk5IJ8FcUvsBdBn2iaO65ReBT6TN6SQsVxyU9Tg/w1572-h1042/91.JPG" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound BNSF OCS -- just east of Kremmlng, Colorado.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NaEtJjbbCPDB6tfZ2HVLqmlTpZdRfh1DuQ_ro90GFIU-NIkgEMoh5VpFRfcqUeOqBIEKv-UlMI02Ri1hFouPoGfP_fZuIY__vQ_gx2RRErOoU1ylkk-i6_5PKxr9GiUmK5TptWFPHawO5cRUJq1hw_6GWGf7ZZeZCW3qx3sM5zjPOmmO7IXU7ojVcA/s3088/92.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NaEtJjbbCPDB6tfZ2HVLqmlTpZdRfh1DuQ_ro90GFIU-NIkgEMoh5VpFRfcqUeOqBIEKv-UlMI02Ri1hFouPoGfP_fZuIY__vQ_gx2RRErOoU1ylkk-i6_5PKxr9GiUmK5TptWFPHawO5cRUJq1hw_6GWGf7ZZeZCW3qx3sM5zjPOmmO7IXU7ojVcA/w1575-h1044/92.JPG" width="1575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound manifest approaching Kremmling, Colorado.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoz_jMKmhp0bT6FRrioRRa3_IOWPyhYRMXhZEeEtn7qQB2m77TZrJLNXha03QsHK8NTbCMADci-8hQJEVBXZBY9B8oVweSwQnl6veexyYLu0ouhXy-0ygI3JheFek81ZRHdajNcH2wmlRf6_0aJbZJPe_FPMkt0_1rLP3nWO_pIjG65n7q-bQdZQmEQ/s3088/102.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoz_jMKmhp0bT6FRrioRRa3_IOWPyhYRMXhZEeEtn7qQB2m77TZrJLNXha03QsHK8NTbCMADci-8hQJEVBXZBY9B8oVweSwQnl6veexyYLu0ouhXy-0ygI3JheFek81ZRHdajNcH2wmlRf6_0aJbZJPe_FPMkt0_1rLP3nWO_pIjG65n7q-bQdZQmEQ/w1570-h1040/102.JPG" width="1570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Inspiration Point -- west mouth of Gore Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Colorado -- Last Trip</b></div></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqGh5mEqodxAdXBwUCvTzcdlfXBD_PBC5NPYGg4XmA8V50ZJuh_5R_qIRBNeE4pTVnFoMitUFVQLR6PXhz6ZWMeSlfujmKjuTdS4k_hwYWzFYE-KgggXqT6cwJWQ1gnssvDVYsfugVcr-i9mrbQdlAHZAfOMjonL3vydD8sB4pfJgcz84QhU0YmAMpQ/s2955/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2030" data-original-width="2955" height="1084" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqGh5mEqodxAdXBwUCvTzcdlfXBD_PBC5NPYGg4XmA8V50ZJuh_5R_qIRBNeE4pTVnFoMitUFVQLR6PXhz6ZWMeSlfujmKjuTdS4k_hwYWzFYE-KgggXqT6cwJWQ1gnssvDVYsfugVcr-i9mrbQdlAHZAfOMjonL3vydD8sB4pfJgcz84QhU0YmAMpQ/w1576-h1084/7.jpg" width="1576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Rocky Mountaineer -- just east of Kremmling, Colorado.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /><br /></b></span><p></p><p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhYu5O6kqVQ7ySwHpo6SofbzCCywuRrvI7B6-YQrbB5CluXzQOKAxflU8PxcGxgwfFxJh9x17kz8TyWFvw9s0HN7zlGEpGgaPjktOFf3A1j6eS1kUlgJpknXvkjb65N2Hwe2y1paHVpb0Vkn9jyCesetwPjSrmiM6jQYkdEvwJJ2GQoFVxQwrHA1Psg/s2984/89.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2984" height="1063" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhYu5O6kqVQ7ySwHpo6SofbzCCywuRrvI7B6-YQrbB5CluXzQOKAxflU8PxcGxgwfFxJh9x17kz8TyWFvw9s0HN7zlGEpGgaPjktOFf3A1j6eS1kUlgJpknXvkjb65N2Hwe2y1paHVpb0Vkn9jyCesetwPjSrmiM6jQYkdEvwJJ2GQoFVxQwrHA1Psg/w1575-h1063/89.jpg" width="1575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound manifest leaving Radium, Colorado.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><blockquote><p> </p></blockquote><blockquote><p> </p></blockquote><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK_NxOUHq0xNQf8vqzH2bsFA4OFJOirSdbuPcGo0tTnbDuYCjj9zXWKxQNAC-Gb40Qe6CNU_d6JK016pGKFnL8JJUsZpVo707hrBQxwqywHZLbUA8wUPmiGp6D-MuMfaLE51560DCC7VtNOIv_kVSlTHkxvxcDhzgeEXhDZ2ww-Q7_kdZRW9UEwMBBQ/s3033/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3033" height="1026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK_NxOUHq0xNQf8vqzH2bsFA4OFJOirSdbuPcGo0tTnbDuYCjj9zXWKxQNAC-Gb40Qe6CNU_d6JK016pGKFnL8JJUsZpVo707hrBQxwqywHZLbUA8wUPmiGp6D-MuMfaLE51560DCC7VtNOIv_kVSlTHkxvxcDhzgeEXhDZ2ww-Q7_kdZRW9UEwMBBQ/w1571-h1026/32.jpg" width="1571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Amtrak along Colorado River -- just east of Kremmling, Colorado.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p> </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHrUvsxfM6UTYSrW0ympYhPz0bSk6BgTg2BIRMLx9LXalulD7FS6AlwuNLIyDF5n6LSXsa8iBAfTfptJueQL_ylmE1iyYuoZIzjq64qsUn8R7q_Jab4Rdu-QolJ5GFqvTmte2ykNzKSrrlPXrtWA2WS_dpj1x_xOWtY2Yqwu-M7TxwJTl1cBHLFNDtQ/s2998/46.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2998" height="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHrUvsxfM6UTYSrW0ympYhPz0bSk6BgTg2BIRMLx9LXalulD7FS6AlwuNLIyDF5n6LSXsa8iBAfTfptJueQL_ylmE1iyYuoZIzjq64qsUn8R7q_Jab4Rdu-QolJ5GFqvTmte2ykNzKSrrlPXrtWA2WS_dpj1x_xOWtY2Yqwu-M7TxwJTl1cBHLFNDtQ/w1575-h1054/46.jpg" width="1575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound BNSF approaching Kremmling, Colorado.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBD_lPgIc5I1t9edTzrcASRIC2CJhFtbTHLWb0hspD0jzHT6701S5ccbCgqtB2iF2nzkk68HZJO45AyjtVv1t7fg7MbGZmuuw1f1qqVqOdqu0k9XcIpPVGxmdGJrz_610xWXP4x4guOdFfT8brveDZtiUIq5pB0O6AJO0k_zbWzApaFBLU8_7Sx-d3A/s3003/101.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3003" height="1047" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBD_lPgIc5I1t9edTzrcASRIC2CJhFtbTHLWb0hspD0jzHT6701S5ccbCgqtB2iF2nzkk68HZJO45AyjtVv1t7fg7MbGZmuuw1f1qqVqOdqu0k9XcIpPVGxmdGJrz_610xWXP4x4guOdFfT8brveDZtiUIq5pB0O6AJO0k_zbWzApaFBLU8_7Sx-d3A/w1573-h1047/101.jpg" width="1573" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Inspiration Point -- West mouth of Gore Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Baker City, Oregon </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One summer, my family and I (plus Bear) drove to eastern Oregon to explore the remnants of the Oregon Trail and the Union Pacific line that roughly follows the grass covered hills from Huntington to Baker City.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkAr6inHk2eX6gTyZEAlaP8PraHOTzxXiLAH0IMuvc9CnizAK5_qymPSrol2H2rsgffYQThLceBR7UqvCawgVBi8My0PbfZjkZ38EKg-FGLi1zcDJiwPK4qteLQbAcn7SRWS_9TUSpahujx9dny16nykEDNPar4_WWROwhKfh-_BNBnQcSPqd3XwrUg/s3027/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3027" height="1030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkAr6inHk2eX6gTyZEAlaP8PraHOTzxXiLAH0IMuvc9CnizAK5_qymPSrol2H2rsgffYQThLceBR7UqvCawgVBi8My0PbfZjkZ38EKg-FGLi1zcDJiwPK4qteLQbAcn7SRWS_9TUSpahujx9dny16nykEDNPar4_WWROwhKfh-_BNBnQcSPqd3XwrUg/w1570-h1030/2.jpg" width="1570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Two Union Pacific freights meet at the Pritchard Creek horseshoe in northeastern Oregon -- along the old Oregon Trail. The westbound train has stopped at the bottom of the grade, waiting for the eastbound manifest to pass, before attacking the hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhTb_FDIinuaYcUrGPEjSjKmnQSGqzzY9BsvQ7cxQRr5QxowdFOEhM4aQ3D4wka6aQwB6gr1rXDwtSlhMMO0VHwpgAjrxJI_856L0kr6DkxLDiv_eUVFKmgrU7l5AEBq3uFx4n6BAYQ_skV5ZaNxzgwkUoSYtitoSyVF5O8nHeQc6zRiCL8TYgv7MVQ/s2982/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2982" height="1061" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhTb_FDIinuaYcUrGPEjSjKmnQSGqzzY9BsvQ7cxQRr5QxowdFOEhM4aQ3D4wka6aQwB6gr1rXDwtSlhMMO0VHwpgAjrxJI_856L0kr6DkxLDiv_eUVFKmgrU7l5AEBq3uFx4n6BAYQ_skV5ZaNxzgwkUoSYtitoSyVF5O8nHeQc6zRiCL8TYgv7MVQ/w1572-h1061/15.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest approaches the Pritchard Creek horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mtVpBdNuM0Qu_X56WnCqO4TNDXiNhxdoStgde0ELy8ei9Cbe5YKiXBVEbkHmcT6-WBcpJpm-yCgZeNkxUMIDYg_atleTOSa9pVKMPdr04AwH9FBZEqabcoiPY26qcfl-FI3VPhsyIGBW_JdZBRWgjAh9gMph6KQ1ePytmLbnYC4tJD9BOehAlm6iGw/s3005/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mtVpBdNuM0Qu_X56WnCqO4TNDXiNhxdoStgde0ELy8ei9Cbe5YKiXBVEbkHmcT6-WBcpJpm-yCgZeNkxUMIDYg_atleTOSa9pVKMPdr04AwH9FBZEqabcoiPY26qcfl-FI3VPhsyIGBW_JdZBRWgjAh9gMph6KQ1ePytmLbnYC4tJD9BOehAlm6iGw/w1578-h1051/18.jpg" width="1578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pritchard Creek Horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPyyrnAbTXyhP95w1vi6htX0V1p6rl41-_vl1jnVQBJTdWC-vr4Kcw1YBG3px-uNLp5_9LwYw_WDmFS0ijjd4C8ex25KtltzxkcZR_GXIsQCi5sudR_LmGuv9V6ZcVbG7L1tUCpAbJevFJWzQ1mvDnm3quxBmbgCXWZLLUQKhf6nAZgZypOk_8bue_A/s3043/44.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3043" height="1018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPyyrnAbTXyhP95w1vi6htX0V1p6rl41-_vl1jnVQBJTdWC-vr4Kcw1YBG3px-uNLp5_9LwYw_WDmFS0ijjd4C8ex25KtltzxkcZR_GXIsQCi5sudR_LmGuv9V6ZcVbG7L1tUCpAbJevFJWzQ1mvDnm3quxBmbgCXWZLLUQKhf6nAZgZypOk_8bue_A/w1574-h1018/44.jpg" width="1574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhS-qLA19zQxSN7pAVu4-0LTj8JgldbTObFd1T8Ng83MfVxeiC00gg52BKzRuShdrJddL1tOD1OaTJT2OQSgDAGzz4vzbdQ7JNPVLkd4-HPVT9NhPWYQIiojsMCB_lGuSbJwWCmtwLIRHKZvvaLbNA6Gsj0N6LMQUCPrusttJlhsxhJ1TkaZ2hiv8vA/s2968/29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="2968" height="1070" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhS-qLA19zQxSN7pAVu4-0LTj8JgldbTObFd1T8Ng83MfVxeiC00gg52BKzRuShdrJddL1tOD1OaTJT2OQSgDAGzz4vzbdQ7JNPVLkd4-HPVT9NhPWYQIiojsMCB_lGuSbJwWCmtwLIRHKZvvaLbNA6Gsj0N6LMQUCPrusttJlhsxhJ1TkaZ2hiv8vA/w1570-h1070/29.jpg" width="1570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Durkee, Oregon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_FKe-18yvRR5t46U_J3xFxSr_Ikh1H8c-djDtefui6GTJuNA8DVATtPLzrZ-4FxHgwmLIMQf4SRW_R7JIi7VuSkJPLBmKUXFTHXj6xRtBluhnceMzrsb1-hloXzmpg5K7OwpevrsfUAulussU8nd5dxq4J1biPDMAD5wopQHWqE6Ei4ybW7MbnFkCw/s3010/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_FKe-18yvRR5t46U_J3xFxSr_Ikh1H8c-djDtefui6GTJuNA8DVATtPLzrZ-4FxHgwmLIMQf4SRW_R7JIi7VuSkJPLBmKUXFTHXj6xRtBluhnceMzrsb1-hloXzmpg5K7OwpevrsfUAulussU8nd5dxq4J1biPDMAD5wopQHWqE6Ei4ybW7MbnFkCw/w1571-h1041/21.jpg" width="1571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Huntington, Oregon</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Beaumont Hill</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Shortly before my mother's death, my wife, mother and I took Amtrak from Denver to Emeryville to Los Angeles and then spent several days in Palm Desert, where I photographed the Union Pacific line across Beaumont Hill. My son flew to Los Angeles from Oklahoma to join us and brought Bear with him in the Bear Bag. Our little dog was a perfect air traveler. He would wait patiently in his bag, tucked beneath the seat, neither squirming nor barking, until the plane had landed. He found the desert sun a little hot for his black coat and so spent most of his time in my rental vehicle while I hiked about the sand and rocks, looking for the perfect shot.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynGca1nJ7zQZ9URKul0-Sfb_tmN66qTv6_ZodmZDMQlEy1UG2Njc5vAEItjTG_RKRrqliUKQRG_oDi9YN3uC7WGsgj4xRY7Qd8dcRZQovhXb_arbjWGe97VFGlFH-gAJQLoBjLyXP26TP4hepl8tlDV1Lm6uZoZPU5faxSIsXRsdM_y375hSVHgDcfQ/s3003/30.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3003" height="1046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynGca1nJ7zQZ9URKul0-Sfb_tmN66qTv6_ZodmZDMQlEy1UG2Njc5vAEItjTG_RKRrqliUKQRG_oDi9YN3uC7WGsgj4xRY7Qd8dcRZQovhXb_arbjWGe97VFGlFH-gAJQLoBjLyXP26TP4hepl8tlDV1Lm6uZoZPU5faxSIsXRsdM_y375hSVHgDcfQ/w1571-h1046/30.jpg" width="1571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound manifest approaching the summit of San Gorgonio Pass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY73A-TanSQGtS99Er7by9dEeP-yccTEZyc7dJ-uatjgu_fjM90A1pX6ou-lHM2nzkMVxi6TDMNcTOyy5i96yZ_c-astE8zBsgUXQtPiCPHNoVgzCip78zryZmA6bmqdzSEslwpozKRyNX1ZI7D7RZZnqsAmXV19lwZ7O1GiNa5Oj95lKw8RCbGxLuQ/s2988/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2988" height="1058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY73A-TanSQGtS99Er7by9dEeP-yccTEZyc7dJ-uatjgu_fjM90A1pX6ou-lHM2nzkMVxi6TDMNcTOyy5i96yZ_c-astE8zBsgUXQtPiCPHNoVgzCip78zryZmA6bmqdzSEslwpozKRyNX1ZI7D7RZZnqsAmXV19lwZ7O1GiNa5Oj95lKw8RCbGxLuQ/w1574-h1058/6.jpg" width="1574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound at Palm Desert.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Belen, New Mexico</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On a cold December, Bear and I took a short (four days) trip to Belen, New Mexico, to renew our acquaintance with the BNSF Transcon. Bear slept in the Jeep and was quite comfortable, bundled in his blankets.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp26tXrKLGUXUir8C4D-l4Uv-TnxAtKU7ttCqG1uthAiZIZaLVphev-WqPI_BeZKn0gQC0WQV4yH5LD408TIT2qLX4OCx-pTh76v0KDb_ifIq-kjFEHqLidl2CgpS9Dgv1_mrXs-Zox4M3h2LxB7PscyHWYRlZ0hLFI8ay34aV9GwhQHTlq6zjjXePA/s2982/52.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="2982" height="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp26tXrKLGUXUir8C4D-l4Uv-TnxAtKU7ttCqG1uthAiZIZaLVphev-WqPI_BeZKn0gQC0WQV4yH5LD408TIT2qLX4OCx-pTh76v0KDb_ifIq-kjFEHqLidl2CgpS9Dgv1_mrXs-Zox4M3h2LxB7PscyHWYRlZ0hLFI8ay34aV9GwhQHTlq6zjjXePA/w1562-h1054/52.jpg" width="1562" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound coal climbs the grade to Abo Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBV4rmgJKia-usR9NhaAEvQ9G0_QkGnJ4Ihc92TviY_2V-AktqE5x5-C00ZCSA5QJqFa95_qoNMAXHZEtIy_kfJswhdJLXj9jyvtEkceF9_PoIfgUkGfj6JcB_qkayFJagCYxmtez7U8ogBvg5FXkMpn3EqNOKUVB44xuZi_VkqeHiuflGWC90pt88g/s3023/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBV4rmgJKia-usR9NhaAEvQ9G0_QkGnJ4Ihc92TviY_2V-AktqE5x5-C00ZCSA5QJqFa95_qoNMAXHZEtIy_kfJswhdJLXj9jyvtEkceF9_PoIfgUkGfj6JcB_qkayFJagCYxmtez7U8ogBvg5FXkMpn3EqNOKUVB44xuZi_VkqeHiuflGWC90pt88g/w1566-h1028/13.jpg" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A cold rain falls over the valley of the Rio Grande.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GOeq48JZzqGfewHMsEhF_7XaIsz46Zsyw-GO4qZXl8eOM8wF0Km3PY3GHUdlOWkn9SBZI3nl9zXx5uEBUSzGyVvb-FMijXFMcQYXb5IpVds1t-P--H9gFS4sI4f482Dt_FR3iBOgMSAcEMvTx2Edvd6T_LQj14RGk-_GnqVkX6K5jqKyQRzPPw6P7w/s3056/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="3056" height="1006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GOeq48JZzqGfewHMsEhF_7XaIsz46Zsyw-GO4qZXl8eOM8wF0Km3PY3GHUdlOWkn9SBZI3nl9zXx5uEBUSzGyVvb-FMijXFMcQYXb5IpVds1t-P--H9gFS4sI4f482Dt_FR3iBOgMSAcEMvTx2Edvd6T_LQj14RGk-_GnqVkX6K5jqKyQRzPPw6P7w/w1570-h1006/16.jpg" width="1570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rolling west beneath Manzano Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cajon Pass</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bear and I made two trips to Cajon Pass by airplane in which Bear waited patiently in the Bear Bag both on the plane and later in the hotel room while I completed my business. Once work was finished, we had extra time to explore one of North America's most fascinating railroad locations.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF3ICmNYwtjsflqr6YLMC1ZlRsNQtEaPixwUdk3NW29WMk_Cx7pIKAkQzRAFysYfvOPZvq0nVjcmZ2Scp7jmebL36sGHEMCBxSI5oRbOndHTwDaLqiyGZmT53sXi28jjo4uX1b9gcJTZkezx3C9CybNEGJZU88S9XEtiEjJsZ9XNyWeBFR2F676piag/s3035/Untitled.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3035" height="1022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF3ICmNYwtjsflqr6YLMC1ZlRsNQtEaPixwUdk3NW29WMk_Cx7pIKAkQzRAFysYfvOPZvq0nVjcmZ2Scp7jmebL36sGHEMCBxSI5oRbOndHTwDaLqiyGZmT53sXi28jjo4uX1b9gcJTZkezx3C9CybNEGJZU88S9XEtiEjJsZ9XNyWeBFR2F676piag/w1573-h1022/Untitled.jpg" width="1573" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A Union Pacific manifest climbs the Palmdale Cutoff.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKPHVnN91d43LkMMABkds4UtYcDBdriyYdBa0pUQUOQrZF1cVK374sPq-GxQJw0MQitbB3rEoC-cj0qAJhTdoyGrAGN3tcQ0e9vjvWoiC6xf6K6nLypnXFqCFA-dTybdQue8vi9-_YLB8ARJu6dePdTWxlim0Ky1kPOY45unAa-06zMh_J-gO1aBf2A/s3018/Cajon%2020.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3018" height="1035" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKPHVnN91d43LkMMABkds4UtYcDBdriyYdBa0pUQUOQrZF1cVK374sPq-GxQJw0MQitbB3rEoC-cj0qAJhTdoyGrAGN3tcQ0e9vjvWoiC6xf6K6nLypnXFqCFA-dTybdQue8vi9-_YLB8ARJu6dePdTWxlim0Ky1kPOY45unAa-06zMh_J-gO1aBf2A/w1570-h1035/Cajon%2020.jpg" width="1570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific meets BNSF.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcAhKxl9Vrkjw-rdAAynSeE0hu8uQcuCtS4V6Z7yO0zECEAhcC1S5BPcOvCLKAiNgv4Jl0i-C5OqOgNAwj5sMy7SCdXjPBnpNPnGLuMfDEx40vk-kvVBDMMZkd-vt0ocJW-pu_IX7TaoNuEYFr0nTnjZraYOfJ9SAz7HkDpLRGP6mJ6Iuy51rXAfgEQ/s2947/Cajon.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2036" data-original-width="2947" height="1089" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcAhKxl9Vrkjw-rdAAynSeE0hu8uQcuCtS4V6Z7yO0zECEAhcC1S5BPcOvCLKAiNgv4Jl0i-C5OqOgNAwj5sMy7SCdXjPBnpNPnGLuMfDEx40vk-kvVBDMMZkd-vt0ocJW-pu_IX7TaoNuEYFr0nTnjZraYOfJ9SAz7HkDpLRGP6mJ6Iuy51rXAfgEQ/w1576-h1089/Cajon.jpg" width="1576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The day-lighted Tunnel #2 at Alray, part of BNSF's third-track construction project completed in 2008.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxw_KQGNmsW2XTxaqFe3BpmJuKmnEWsIyi7ittVlrhkRh3VhuJGOKTgCQPdboHlGk7PWAvDmNLxN--QaLzVPI-7bYpcUgQNIvFJWqRmbQ1Eg12emP_2ssQyJbydinWgqKew_RLazajvEYfDR78x7eyyc5EsMCOm6ITQibIZosT8zxGwWCaWxZGRPH0g/s3064/Cajon1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1958" data-original-width="3064" height="1002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxw_KQGNmsW2XTxaqFe3BpmJuKmnEWsIyi7ittVlrhkRh3VhuJGOKTgCQPdboHlGk7PWAvDmNLxN--QaLzVPI-7bYpcUgQNIvFJWqRmbQ1Eg12emP_2ssQyJbydinWgqKew_RLazajvEYfDR78x7eyyc5EsMCOm6ITQibIZosT8zxGwWCaWxZGRPH0g/w1572-h1002/Cajon1.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF approaching the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFbJaqJYceqxfcLlMt09Wj2gtubY5xrZf_xywr2wCu81dD7yI96qm46eg4G6lggNAl5_OBkfnD30XA7aFkXVCX86MDkL0geQuuicaBAkX__1lyd3-Lgo29fY6BF27C5Nwh2sKBCsEgkEiUgqkorAxmO4ZkxYyIPDsyoXH0MUPg5zlFRK0okB0k940jQ/s2999/Cajon4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2999" height="1053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFbJaqJYceqxfcLlMt09Wj2gtubY5xrZf_xywr2wCu81dD7yI96qm46eg4G6lggNAl5_OBkfnD30XA7aFkXVCX86MDkL0geQuuicaBAkX__1lyd3-Lgo29fY6BF27C5Nwh2sKBCsEgkEiUgqkorAxmO4ZkxYyIPDsyoXH0MUPg5zlFRK0okB0k940jQ/w1574-h1053/Cajon4.jpg" width="1574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific downgrade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgs7cbACx-s6aPP40LtQD-AHiLqBuwFvsomdvDVoopuvDZLQ8o6Fr6SiZ0qoQIQpgklLAH1vKykKTxOwjdJIXayvC2TLVifDiXVz5AV5a_F_PAbN_lGOHmD9ylu9NydZ4xKbJGqp086e8zP9TCJpen_x_GzvYI-UA7YbyzSNcyqPBcsGPvsOI9b7-Bw/s3001/Cajon5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgs7cbACx-s6aPP40LtQD-AHiLqBuwFvsomdvDVoopuvDZLQ8o6Fr6SiZ0qoQIQpgklLAH1vKykKTxOwjdJIXayvC2TLVifDiXVz5AV5a_F_PAbN_lGOHmD9ylu9NydZ4xKbJGqp086e8zP9TCJpen_x_GzvYI-UA7YbyzSNcyqPBcsGPvsOI9b7-Bw/w1571-h1045/Cajon5.jpg" width="1571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF at same location.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Canadian, Texas</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Over the years, Bear and I took several trips to Canadian, Texas, about a four hours drive from my house, where the BNSF Transcon crosses the Canadian River and runs southwest through the small canyon carved by Red Deer Creek. The scenery is very pleasant, though civilization is not close at hand.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-u2uJ7v0xsc4Qdf6xN1RcLfFINAyDfmyNyzieChhv_DhYDovv_0KoSrSWCuqJkk_UCIr2GrWxaeVRJgo1ECy7QeAmcofOq2-k1phrYbZ3JCySyrSWPr0Vi9q7VSjEevpM7xLHbaNso9iHLl8XiGkQ-U1AMNC1F1bBfPwddaun2rlwhH5pSY1g5y0NQ/s3084/40%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1945" data-original-width="3084" height="994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-u2uJ7v0xsc4Qdf6xN1RcLfFINAyDfmyNyzieChhv_DhYDovv_0KoSrSWCuqJkk_UCIr2GrWxaeVRJgo1ECy7QeAmcofOq2-k1phrYbZ3JCySyrSWPr0Vi9q7VSjEevpM7xLHbaNso9iHLl8XiGkQ-U1AMNC1F1bBfPwddaun2rlwhH5pSY1g5y0NQ/w1574-h994/40%20copy.jpg" width="1574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound in the valley of Red Deer Creek.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiturrozLdVFQbcZUn-nZZ_MxXrDQuThyh_d29RPeYPEwMtkULyXMeLZ9NwDmjjxeAwEicGa0h76g_6y6cVoTReiyaSc3dYHz2azOoOLoUhfgcVLkqCvlSKSOI3OStiRiIYIHjbEN3Fselg1uBX8TnZToWxpxF-jfeceMZea7qoqklWI89k9Y3YgRJXpw/s6774/25.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiturrozLdVFQbcZUn-nZZ_MxXrDQuThyh_d29RPeYPEwMtkULyXMeLZ9NwDmjjxeAwEicGa0h76g_6y6cVoTReiyaSc3dYHz2azOoOLoUhfgcVLkqCvlSKSOI3OStiRiIYIHjbEN3Fselg1uBX8TnZToWxpxF-jfeceMZea7qoqklWI89k9Y3YgRJXpw/w1572-h1042/25.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound autos headed to Amarillo.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH0yhdCbbZDtbt1XjhVaIDc_bh8PIbIVeaLjWK6TDK1npNd9eyZw0wEmf43AUJUl5UZGfkxOc-b5Vp7sg823k-rok8nLkWTMEDivcrbrRnNwYKk7CheSzi-U72H9i5OKbXbSmsdlJM31dN7sviBqE0c3syqzux7uDSLtXZo8v3F-yuAxEO3GvCxT9ug/s6774/9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4492" data-original-width="6774" height="1041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPH0yhdCbbZDtbt1XjhVaIDc_bh8PIbIVeaLjWK6TDK1npNd9eyZw0wEmf43AUJUl5UZGfkxOc-b5Vp7sg823k-rok8nLkWTMEDivcrbrRnNwYKk7CheSzi-U72H9i5OKbXbSmsdlJM31dN7sviBqE0c3syqzux7uDSLtXZo8v3F-yuAxEO3GvCxT9ug/w1572-h1041/9.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Grain bound for California.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-j0ajeSsStLyDgizdr8L5gEdfeEJkeXBt7a1-fLw0tXO1L5Ip1zlWNta4N2G0RbiWqE4zbyCFZTNXH6BCjDb1uNGP0e5duzkH1ccwBzG28LrHWfQiRCwMQGtqf452yP7uoZMjHb9L29VWHhs8cwSQJX-9MwjNr_yvEOJd2Qe_9Wa0Q-GU1BaqASKqg/s3032/6a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3032" height="1027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-j0ajeSsStLyDgizdr8L5gEdfeEJkeXBt7a1-fLw0tXO1L5Ip1zlWNta4N2G0RbiWqE4zbyCFZTNXH6BCjDb1uNGP0e5duzkH1ccwBzG28LrHWfQiRCwMQGtqf452yP7uoZMjHb9L29VWHhs8cwSQJX-9MwjNr_yvEOJd2Qe_9Wa0Q-GU1BaqASKqg/w1573-h1027/6a.jpg" width="1573" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Carrizozo, New Mexico</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Carrizozo, New Mexico, sits in the valley between the San Adres Mountains to the west and the Sacramento Mountains to the east. Union Pacific's line from Kansas City to El Paso runs through the valley along the edge of the Carrizozo lava flow, one of the largest in the world, over 42 miles long from north to south.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjUeAUKnigq8BvrYmxacVh8m7HEfKLG2iUsRAgN_E4gBOiV_gPqeOVWzKt-xJ3R_-Tp1tPT2pDOHsDpMI1uPCI_UyI7doS08D1IIwAU4DJ2wOcTz05t-FZVLNhVOYLlfZeCaUtYEvz4BxCpwk_ueYylzfNaZW6q03JROxAN3UviVX0PPFXRiGksbjtw/s3023/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjUeAUKnigq8BvrYmxacVh8m7HEfKLG2iUsRAgN_E4gBOiV_gPqeOVWzKt-xJ3R_-Tp1tPT2pDOHsDpMI1uPCI_UyI7doS08D1IIwAU4DJ2wOcTz05t-FZVLNhVOYLlfZeCaUtYEvz4BxCpwk_ueYylzfNaZW6q03JROxAN3UviVX0PPFXRiGksbjtw/w1569-h1029/3.jpg" width="1569" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound stacks beside Carrizo Peak.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCBPGPco1ykR5ZnfFdYzmnlicR9imly0DoPRDKlhFV--XV-PRQ50YDnczk9Wi03vRDJag62ydUay-HW1RFiUrCTBF2l69ho20wsMoIWdlgBOm-XW30egZ4PrUKX4Hp7Ty0ZnwtQFE3_ywa49Sir4bH8-U7ikRch52Gp_qaRTQtwLVAqdFY_1TccB_yQ/s3002/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3002" height="1043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCBPGPco1ykR5ZnfFdYzmnlicR9imly0DoPRDKlhFV--XV-PRQ50YDnczk9Wi03vRDJag62ydUay-HW1RFiUrCTBF2l69ho20wsMoIWdlgBOm-XW30egZ4PrUKX4Hp7Ty0ZnwtQFE3_ywa49Sir4bH8-U7ikRch52Gp_qaRTQtwLVAqdFY_1TccB_yQ/w1567-h1043/15.jpg" width="1567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A small thunderstorm (tornado?) in the New Mexico badlands. It appeared to be heading my way, but as I jumped in the Jeep, the storm lifted and then disappeared. Bear remained blissfully asleep in the back seat.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6wTzKmm9Ynp4ZL-I5GySSO4tC_6Ek-o0Y_95PvxQ2kXeeVolG3c9et6lO9UDN1CeX8kxZoJiR7XPDNCiwYnSIoscEL8GeCSSwdY8Jq2g04GyXO53KJXfOzEkhsEuNOXPsek0NtYqhf_4MLlSY79HNfOYIGMsnrTa91RkRWXmzywSoU6vgGa66l3E-Q/s3015/41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6wTzKmm9Ynp4ZL-I5GySSO4tC_6Ek-o0Y_95PvxQ2kXeeVolG3c9et6lO9UDN1CeX8kxZoJiR7XPDNCiwYnSIoscEL8GeCSSwdY8Jq2g04GyXO53KJXfOzEkhsEuNOXPsek0NtYqhf_4MLlSY79HNfOYIGMsnrTa91RkRWXmzywSoU6vgGa66l3E-Q/w1577-h1040/41.jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound stacks beside the Carrizozo lava flow.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpz6RiwG2lGBl3EndqCX1mjNIKATGJAudYlFm5u7jdCbruHcywSBvYyf3d8derED79G3yd2DuNWw30IaAebLHJEm0xsACFLgNjdbW4TUzH17Qo2E6svySGsinfC86tWodatZbFr0VGYH1qDl9n4oZW1Que0alA0CYfuuknevVm5wdNySuwZVd5ltJBA/s3035/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3035" height="1019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpz6RiwG2lGBl3EndqCX1mjNIKATGJAudYlFm5u7jdCbruHcywSBvYyf3d8derED79G3yd2DuNWw30IaAebLHJEm0xsACFLgNjdbW4TUzH17Qo2E6svySGsinfC86tWodatZbFr0VGYH1qDl9n4oZW1Que0alA0CYfuuknevVm5wdNySuwZVd5ltJBA/w1567-h1019/34.jpg" width="1567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Empty grainer climbing out of the Carrizozo Valley, headed to Kansas City -- BNSF power on the point.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqMluzJbAV2wHx8wwE9_EccLgP1pvDtThq5BNacCzNVxBXcwQ0nRIGBvDVwd-P9PslruYEW9kA1v3VoDEimgePhhj91Mwm85FovLCHHNt-_4FTI4gpfh2jNGPDZ6xFP-_lXgf952CZO8L6Er7i9DNRNDTpEVL13yRfv7cqTeo4eUWeIvPTnkDucj2jw/s2897/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2071" data-original-width="2897" height="1126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqMluzJbAV2wHx8wwE9_EccLgP1pvDtThq5BNacCzNVxBXcwQ0nRIGBvDVwd-P9PslruYEW9kA1v3VoDEimgePhhj91Mwm85FovLCHHNt-_4FTI4gpfh2jNGPDZ6xFP-_lXgf952CZO8L6Er7i9DNRNDTpEVL13yRfv7cqTeo4eUWeIvPTnkDucj2jw/w1573-h1126/28.jpg" width="1573" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound stacks leaving Carrizozo.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Chisholm Trail</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I live about a 45 minutes' drive from the old north-south Rock Island mainline through Oklahoma, which follows the older Chisholm trail between Kansas and Texas. From time to time I drive over that way, looking for the few Union Pacific freights that run in the daylight. Bear often accompanied me on those short trips.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXBYEgrOpLxs3AGFD_irMGhLbNTit-smXfTHt0qZ8cwvDWMPiDqsbX76YVpJr4qHeIX2l-kw6Cub9bSGqj4zXdlHYF5fskhUSuk_4NwOGx6_WCgJiI-ZFtqC5zPMGOf1URqMx0-ExnbekPxhpFC_ViUR6fHQUBen5zTODGr0ubU2Hj5lLTtd8BchFNw/s2986/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="2986" height="1056" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXBYEgrOpLxs3AGFD_irMGhLbNTit-smXfTHt0qZ8cwvDWMPiDqsbX76YVpJr4qHeIX2l-kw6Cub9bSGqj4zXdlHYF5fskhUSuk_4NwOGx6_WCgJiI-ZFtqC5zPMGOf1URqMx0-ExnbekPxhpFC_ViUR6fHQUBen5zTODGr0ubU2Hj5lLTtd8BchFNw/w1571-h1056/13.jpg" width="1571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mighty Dog inspects a southbound UP manifest waiting in the siding at Kingfisher, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0Dvtjpky4uCdtKzuhBNHvbigi99D602KcLEUt6BoWem1uAz3rNK_gmLelrDv7llI6Df7zqPUZajxAwpoX0Or-XOeNSm3VOF5zHFeE7CioZ11NoosvYpXxuhNkemrFmgT2NZG0BHd_wvydWRkFFooOCMUrQaX4-f0PQ02TDw4ZaKPWsDyMOESah99IQ/s3005/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3005" height="1045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0Dvtjpky4uCdtKzuhBNHvbigi99D602KcLEUt6BoWem1uAz3rNK_gmLelrDv7llI6Df7zqPUZajxAwpoX0Or-XOeNSm3VOF5zHFeE7CioZ11NoosvYpXxuhNkemrFmgT2NZG0BHd_wvydWRkFFooOCMUrQaX4-f0PQ02TDw4ZaKPWsDyMOESah99IQ/w1570-h1045/39.jpg" width="1570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound grainer beside winter wheat awaiting harvest.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYarVGcGbC_KAdvtvAIMoA3XA-X1H7uuVIMqY8ENKrNu4NtAhf3ExWvDK5fp7JT-YMvo1PLe8wgZn6D4H-gH8BcVxyWPTmjfchuSAWYBXi1Dpg52wBfegVy4rIosej8KN7XjDAGzguy3JDLM2nJYoaeeMOv6GoMCeEoTSfmvez9Mb6RBQTiR_N7obmA/s3005/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3005" height="1050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYarVGcGbC_KAdvtvAIMoA3XA-X1H7uuVIMqY8ENKrNu4NtAhf3ExWvDK5fp7JT-YMvo1PLe8wgZn6D4H-gH8BcVxyWPTmjfchuSAWYBXi1Dpg52wBfegVy4rIosej8KN7XjDAGzguy3JDLM2nJYoaeeMOv6GoMCeEoTSfmvez9Mb6RBQTiR_N7obmA/w1577-h1050/8.jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound manifest approaching Minco Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Columbia River</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bear and I made a three days' drive to the Columbia River to photograph the BNSF. The scenery was spectacular, though by this time of his life, Bear was asleep more than awake.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Pwoxzmp6B8Dxpolzj1BF3WEWozxqFKTloojB-8aL2XyYtu0hOOkQRo-MsuvL8g76U6BvaiuTSa-ydqGkAcSsHv5DTal-1gedqoLiz28ciE049q81C2xveGsYlO3DBkhB-U47kwpnrFhyMfYlOLtDCbsOotqbtn66HDO2pt2s1MTuExfwRsP2rU9s2A/s3101/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1935" data-original-width="3101" height="985" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Pwoxzmp6B8Dxpolzj1BF3WEWozxqFKTloojB-8aL2XyYtu0hOOkQRo-MsuvL8g76U6BvaiuTSa-ydqGkAcSsHv5DTal-1gedqoLiz28ciE049q81C2xveGsYlO3DBkhB-U47kwpnrFhyMfYlOLtDCbsOotqbtn66HDO2pt2s1MTuExfwRsP2rU9s2A/w1575-h985/2.jpg" width="1575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Amtrak along the Columbia River, overlooked by Mount Hood.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95UAjoF2kwJKW-Ra1J6LaSYBWSCV0P096UIK9jhKttEDOM4Cul_axtydTP1J9_HLr_8kmdoQ8EZ9gRYmoGlvkElmInZ35B5Y1nnqBME8YKOQQywzVpQsPfpHAvKNzkyaY4YBeb6dmbGAjQu67skz2oe5enhG5d-Ab743VGGgd_59IOn8JBq8GA3xx2w/s3062/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3062" height="1004" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95UAjoF2kwJKW-Ra1J6LaSYBWSCV0P096UIK9jhKttEDOM4Cul_axtydTP1J9_HLr_8kmdoQ8EZ9gRYmoGlvkElmInZ35B5Y1nnqBME8YKOQQywzVpQsPfpHAvKNzkyaY4YBeb6dmbGAjQu67skz2oe5enhG5d-Ab743VGGgd_59IOn8JBq8GA3xx2w/w1567-h1004/4.jpg" width="1567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound coal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEu3Yro3Bln80JWeAdgf4ShEh4Gt9k-mJcJT3jGlFR55qqWetve2yhH_futgdvJJHcSe9aw4Bl_jExVYRWVA0YqIUza_-YXYW2DHFJScaL88p4iFKGbuW0JW8-KXle_IKE1k047evF9l4_9xMqFKgz4Ex6h72eG7xEOepVs_UcrL7l3ROohL7Z9VOjg/s2950/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2034" data-original-width="2950" height="1082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEu3Yro3Bln80JWeAdgf4ShEh4Gt9k-mJcJT3jGlFR55qqWetve2yhH_futgdvJJHcSe9aw4Bl_jExVYRWVA0YqIUza_-YXYW2DHFJScaL88p4iFKGbuW0JW8-KXle_IKE1k047evF9l4_9xMqFKgz4Ex6h72eG7xEOepVs_UcrL7l3ROohL7Z9VOjg/w1566-h1082/7.jpg" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest meets westbound trailers at Wishram, Washington.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAJ9e29fSBddBoQl1yLldleI0gQbJh4ulGLC6krHJB7e8BmURkW9_iZIoyGmUErF86lw803WU_jfqnLonTp2lTkaR8mQsnzccTTisDLftUTyWTxGSbj4fAMrB7VJAj7iqiuG7TMffb942v7XBlx-8oyjtP3Cnqt0QNYAmELlXxLOa8220DAJhX49o8g/s3005/51.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3005" height="1044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAJ9e29fSBddBoQl1yLldleI0gQbJh4ulGLC6krHJB7e8BmURkW9_iZIoyGmUErF86lw803WU_jfqnLonTp2lTkaR8mQsnzccTTisDLftUTyWTxGSbj4fAMrB7VJAj7iqiuG7TMffb942v7XBlx-8oyjtP3Cnqt0QNYAmELlXxLOa8220DAJhX49o8g/w1572-h1044/51.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A UP eastbound manifest races along the south bank of the Columbia.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Canadian Pacific</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bear traveled with us to British Columbia when my wife and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. We flew from Oklahoma City to Spokane, then rented a Jeep and drove north. While on the plane, Bear waited patiently in the Bear Bag. We thought we would need his vaccination papers when we crossed into Canada, but the Border Patrol did not ask for them.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTLE-sbB0k8yerQMd2r1r1zqq1ep7puZV-XtaZeWZkFbXk0vzFIJ4AAvPOVO3F0Rr4ZRktl_SEFWr0vt-J8OzN-wSYE462n1oJz3uhub2eomsx_FbKYR7i2iC9jEv3ZviBktzdr69I11WaaMJ8Pr78Dlpl3YvJNuh3dmC0gE0wyRzny2IP1fahqvnig/s2969/Col.16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2969" height="1049" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTLE-sbB0k8yerQMd2r1r1zqq1ep7puZV-XtaZeWZkFbXk0vzFIJ4AAvPOVO3F0Rr4ZRktl_SEFWr0vt-J8OzN-wSYE462n1oJz3uhub2eomsx_FbKYR7i2iC9jEv3ZviBktzdr69I11WaaMJ8Pr78Dlpl3YvJNuh3dmC0gE0wyRzny2IP1fahqvnig/w1576-h1049/Col.16.jpg" width="1576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound grainer crossing Columbia Lake (headwaters of the Columbia River) on CP's Windermere Subdivision.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglTEyCsgVMws75wQklJb-mw3EjcfS4_YD7PETKJCOdl7kNlzMxM0qkQbrUKTdKw7JpagprBnZRzdQEwfR52gA5uAfM15fTN4rky7jHCACxT3VxMxFVO_66uPFzhlb-i7GYkGvP_x9LzmLmIFXNLl9HzteSF12ia-YiNWSMT469GWaU0__JRhfjnkaZA/s2967/KH6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="2967" height="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglTEyCsgVMws75wQklJb-mw3EjcfS4_YD7PETKJCOdl7kNlzMxM0qkQbrUKTdKw7JpagprBnZRzdQEwfR52gA5uAfM15fTN4rky7jHCACxT3VxMxFVO_66uPFzhlb-i7GYkGvP_x9LzmLmIFXNLl9HzteSF12ia-YiNWSMT469GWaU0__JRhfjnkaZA/w1569-h1069/KH6.jpg" width="1569" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Field, British Columbia.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJPsgVdWV__jW_PInnfixolyCnzrt8cMG52h8SYpDrdPCkJni2-VAlC_HF0DCrI1NrxKWgcFjgCbf94Ieye8iUGXr-mMKGtL1w7Qpbi9E2fjS_iWWNjAGuDJYN4N84KLYb-u0AnXZjnH6NgSnSZit4dUjQgjL6iui9FOqARiE8nDs761h0WqBApJO3w/s3043/Spil.14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3043" height="1010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJPsgVdWV__jW_PInnfixolyCnzrt8cMG52h8SYpDrdPCkJni2-VAlC_HF0DCrI1NrxKWgcFjgCbf94Ieye8iUGXr-mMKGtL1w7Qpbi9E2fjS_iWWNjAGuDJYN4N84KLYb-u0AnXZjnH6NgSnSZit4dUjQgjL6iui9FOqARiE8nDs761h0WqBApJO3w/w1563-h1010/Spil.14.jpg" width="1563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Spillamacheen, British Columbia.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo-2E_Q7trgnI_-KXtWfqrVbvW5ItHLTH8ewXzwre8dFyOhjcDXd9F4sPbix4XFS3hukdvMJ54WfPHiwXpORDFl5-L99TsE6DjYDZLRqdo5P4XT9n-NAF2CopHDgftYEEYlO5t6q1NWbT7fBvB-86CbXis5rHr8u-sbhQduiB2jtZnpSxBxeBmcg-HA/s2977/KH9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="2977" height="1055" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVo-2E_Q7trgnI_-KXtWfqrVbvW5ItHLTH8ewXzwre8dFyOhjcDXd9F4sPbix4XFS3hukdvMJ54WfPHiwXpORDFl5-L99TsE6DjYDZLRqdo5P4XT9n-NAF2CopHDgftYEEYlO5t6q1NWbT7fBvB-86CbXis5rHr8u-sbhQduiB2jtZnpSxBxeBmcg-HA/w1563-h1055/KH9.jpg" width="1563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Morant's Curve</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRO1-BTRztNthALROn2iY8JOsaQT1NA4u0G1a46-FpwUqgp4DGUCk3Z-6vg1hsresdK7PdIZiTM6KfVkkA1KCfVWsmse5CerKUPtdNMc6yS3qXOnh_V5DHFxXfFS-WdHCFrqrIbOiT5mNhMZGNmrCFWWICtZckRnwwZ1dTG6wDXhwtIVyTBTuKcIwYg/s3003/KH12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3003" height="1046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRO1-BTRztNthALROn2iY8JOsaQT1NA4u0G1a46-FpwUqgp4DGUCk3Z-6vg1hsresdK7PdIZiTM6KfVkkA1KCfVWsmse5CerKUPtdNMc6yS3qXOnh_V5DHFxXfFS-WdHCFrqrIbOiT5mNhMZGNmrCFWWICtZckRnwwZ1dTG6wDXhwtIVyTBTuKcIwYg/w1571-h1046/KH12.jpg" width="1571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cathedral Mountain, Kicking Horse Pass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rio Puerco</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">West from Belen, BNSF's Transcon climbs the hills out of the valley of the Rio Grande, then almost immediately begins a long descent into the valley of the Rio Puerco. This entire area is approachable only on sandy, primitive roads that can snare like fly paper even the most capable off-road vehicles. Bear and I spent several days there one beautiful January, blissfully free from other vehicles and people.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUI80yBqo0kMMbtrfgnAC2yaiZiTgLBOsbOpiiGSkS51ixHGbWrjGOqbiPwMm7UbAeKGVKXj5Zj1OLTnAdzn9LY8xy76B9HrcHNLjsqpjQDRToZHPMF4R_vefWOx7pOPLdDMkwawcU7AyWiq8AjukVNAt9D3ngI7rH0-HwWDMhMrjv9zMbclGlnV2skA/s3081/Dailies15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1947" data-original-width="3081" height="988" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUI80yBqo0kMMbtrfgnAC2yaiZiTgLBOsbOpiiGSkS51ixHGbWrjGOqbiPwMm7UbAeKGVKXj5Zj1OLTnAdzn9LY8xy76B9HrcHNLjsqpjQDRToZHPMF4R_vefWOx7pOPLdDMkwawcU7AyWiq8AjukVNAt9D3ngI7rH0-HwWDMhMrjv9zMbclGlnV2skA/w1566-h988/Dailies15.jpg" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound autos race downgrade toward the Rio Puerco.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6678Ijp6V9scayGDqxmCitYqXmYdbltcsrAgaeUCwq92kPdFtqNbgSgwPDtDLP3vg0b979Ohin3nNymWCFviRx4EGvLEgA-Vb_flys9OmPlaKpGkKmRYYzeJQeeYKNrU_KLj3ERn2ExfKhLE2t5U4dT2gIV6hb9SbyXeNLnTHG3owK8bX0cb0JtnusA/s2829/Dalies67.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2121" data-original-width="2829" height="1184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6678Ijp6V9scayGDqxmCitYqXmYdbltcsrAgaeUCwq92kPdFtqNbgSgwPDtDLP3vg0b979Ohin3nNymWCFviRx4EGvLEgA-Vb_flys9OmPlaKpGkKmRYYzeJQeeYKNrU_KLj3ERn2ExfKhLE2t5U4dT2gIV6hb9SbyXeNLnTHG3owK8bX0cb0JtnusA/w1577-h1184/Dalies67.jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound minerals.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHofcsleNieL5PCj3sxszY-xBH3qTv3JAAcfXWva_ysE7j6MZC_nmBFRxkGg5gu9zRsFS7NAiSjhU6HJYEJMqy2y0GdQIUkGl_cJ82g1-qUoAQCpZQ8hbrexR57_axbJftGLQIkSyqKuEfL-dt4-Hhk0ghg9n9_agdGV0CZK258B7JBIoj8gQzuBQew/s2877/Dalies1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2085" data-original-width="2877" height="1145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHofcsleNieL5PCj3sxszY-xBH3qTv3JAAcfXWva_ysE7j6MZC_nmBFRxkGg5gu9zRsFS7NAiSjhU6HJYEJMqy2y0GdQIUkGl_cJ82g1-qUoAQCpZQ8hbrexR57_axbJftGLQIkSyqKuEfL-dt4-Hhk0ghg9n9_agdGV0CZK258B7JBIoj8gQzuBQew/w1579-h1145/Dalies1.jpg" width="1579" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound climbing out of the valley of the Rio Puerco. Mesa Lucero towers in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZlNJSdtargkr3j5UjPNn7JAcu0I26grvRnIqJWujbRKuGS_ifw5XHom7X5nrMjxmM1Iasl5Sx0tpCF4Df4zFURZsFKs8vWp0XOk0QS5WclBo1hdTcdhybuKpOyrQUXEgX5dWwLPwa3WD3IYeVbnaqfbMa0JdYhEFwohuDrePINo422pW3AEkXU_Jgg/s3012/Dalies14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZlNJSdtargkr3j5UjPNn7JAcu0I26grvRnIqJWujbRKuGS_ifw5XHom7X5nrMjxmM1Iasl5Sx0tpCF4Df4zFURZsFKs8vWp0XOk0QS5WclBo1hdTcdhybuKpOyrQUXEgX5dWwLPwa3WD3IYeVbnaqfbMa0JdYhEFwohuDrePINo422pW3AEkXU_Jgg/w1566-h1037/Dalies14.jpg" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Office Car Special with Mount Taylor in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Dragoon</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bear accompanied me on two trips to Dragoon, Arizona, the highest point on UP's Sunset Route west of El Paso. Both trips were made in January, and the almost 5000 feet summit was very cold at night, but Bear stayed toasty warm, bundled in blankets on the floor of the Jeep's back seat. He loved to travel. No matter the weather, he was always ready to go.</span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OMNlOnx-ZzgosjspQpVAgzbvf7pt1MuYgxA4sjSLUaDq6xm3hrBANYnsjl9UV6xAgnRxvNGTvKPlnguaa6u-J-_Q9SQYZv86spzwJ9FCJnUEq05132PugdnLVGpBR3E5kj3Ma6SRPIQ58M1rqu00sQJyXVQuv4PyZpomi_517pxH4RsXSlgd-H1obw/s2990/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2990" height="1055" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OMNlOnx-ZzgosjspQpVAgzbvf7pt1MuYgxA4sjSLUaDq6xm3hrBANYnsjl9UV6xAgnRxvNGTvKPlnguaa6u-J-_Q9SQYZv86spzwJ9FCJnUEq05132PugdnLVGpBR3E5kj3Ma6SRPIQ58M1rqu00sQJyXVQuv4PyZpomi_517pxH4RsXSlgd-H1obw/w1570-h1055/18.jpg" width="1570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At dusk, eastbound stacks climb to the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUGB9JV1juBfafuMUnLqRtgx05wl25BMLYr5vPIZz93qHUuyc2dfJufPqtYbUS5VwXxVz_7pYqr7uy4o_Z1kdL2Qu_2Y_Pv7n_v4SgbJXEWtr_PEab1BBtBmT0BBtgqsGDd4EBg173hqUyDeFsd_Ak8T1ygv66fAyLqkRredpsbJP4Nd1SttPObI3lA/s3031/31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUGB9JV1juBfafuMUnLqRtgx05wl25BMLYr5vPIZz93qHUuyc2dfJufPqtYbUS5VwXxVz_7pYqr7uy4o_Z1kdL2Qu_2Y_Pv7n_v4SgbJXEWtr_PEab1BBtBmT0BBtgqsGDd4EBg173hqUyDeFsd_Ak8T1ygv66fAyLqkRredpsbJP4Nd1SttPObI3lA/w1571-h1026/31.jpg" width="1571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks rolling downgrade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTL85YsXmf86IynkLQNdMpeJpybaiVRZ5Ev5HnmSFfiBkRngZ93l_yKPk0HX2uMTAz2LG6qi81mTtaPQflrISAj7XDnd7ocqFZwlQie0YFJB_XtDLxXl3d8BLzYQFGx8KvsMHVrxM5UIkbToIaK4xZk1l_fEatNVPi7kXQO41eaAZ7p9zWDIFASlB2A/s3053/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3053" height="1014" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTL85YsXmf86IynkLQNdMpeJpybaiVRZ5Ev5HnmSFfiBkRngZ93l_yKPk0HX2uMTAz2LG6qi81mTtaPQflrISAj7XDnd7ocqFZwlQie0YFJB_XtDLxXl3d8BLzYQFGx8KvsMHVrxM5UIkbToIaK4xZk1l_fEatNVPi7kXQO41eaAZ7p9zWDIFASlB2A/w1576-h1014/23.jpg" width="1576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wilcox Playa -- the eastern base of the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dPfThOtgRMuKbqPspJE9nW8szF8N7kMh08E2dqh90REPyTxSbc-YaPVeYrvgfcItHpUdr6EyMAjrSMSh-d82RqztcVAzLkWSzdCePZlveApmccTQtgQqc2urlqe3nG3aHXtKdoSTxwCMrT7J86LuSLy6d0zpc-nU3xyqXHvCUsTsnWNFLKfSuBWGOA/s3031/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dPfThOtgRMuKbqPspJE9nW8szF8N7kMh08E2dqh90REPyTxSbc-YaPVeYrvgfcItHpUdr6EyMAjrSMSh-d82RqztcVAzLkWSzdCePZlveApmccTQtgQqc2urlqe3nG3aHXtKdoSTxwCMrT7J86LuSLy6d0zpc-nU3xyqXHvCUsTsnWNFLKfSuBWGOA/w1579-h1031/10.jpg" width="1579" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Approaching Benson, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Echo Canyon</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bear and I drove to Echo Canyon, Utah, one late September and were surprised to find that the small trees in the valley had turned various shades of orange, yellow and red. One morning while waiting at the rest stop along I-80, we met a truck driver taking his small dog for a walk. Bear immediately made friends with someone his own size, and the two canines sniffed each other for several minutes before parting.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXDlP78QPym2U8bn791N8oWFGNjL0fkYSDhEEpuT5yqUZBhhepeXfrnjVj32IB6IzXsfYh6HhhG_Dd3XxKgI8ybtDWwE_Xug9B6VsTtwm_RjIg4ynudicrz7ZIr97_7Itg8dTdcf96snkJ0zhSbEHZBEA15ibqUtAPf3-AElY_wdpW4dRBHV1yP2yWA/s2992/Echo49.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2992" height="1060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXDlP78QPym2U8bn791N8oWFGNjL0fkYSDhEEpuT5yqUZBhhepeXfrnjVj32IB6IzXsfYh6HhhG_Dd3XxKgI8ybtDWwE_Xug9B6VsTtwm_RjIg4ynudicrz7ZIr97_7Itg8dTdcf96snkJ0zhSbEHZBEA15ibqUtAPf3-AElY_wdpW4dRBHV1yP2yWA/w1578-h1060/Echo49.jpg" width="1578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A single DPU helps eastbound stacks climb the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VTvYG6fIEUTjj-jQb3F5uf9zPFM2yEn7YlL0noMCCVkgZMlPvrxYwd2Xo5u_TSCCO_4hGi6qdadYpOu8ZOgJY6xbBCfOQhKEfcNpn-f1ANEB6oDklfuI8SldbOOTCkc66crjvZD7lPnGkpVcyNMmfY3ITI3xXsYMUpCrB-8iYa2HAXc22Oo0fT_B_Q/s2983/Echo44.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2983" height="1066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VTvYG6fIEUTjj-jQb3F5uf9zPFM2yEn7YlL0noMCCVkgZMlPvrxYwd2Xo5u_TSCCO_4hGi6qdadYpOu8ZOgJY6xbBCfOQhKEfcNpn-f1ANEB6oDklfuI8SldbOOTCkc66crjvZD7lPnGkpVcyNMmfY3ITI3xXsYMUpCrB-8iYa2HAXc22Oo0fT_B_Q/w1578-h1066/Echo44.jpg" width="1578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks headed to Ogden.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBB_l9rViftKskqsfcB_b5XCPU7bFnkMzq7wFLigbaUkuNzeamIp5r9Ihzmxg-453TH5PEF-e6ZXMvy7d88jaXnIq33ZLjDqG4L0gu-ZBuSfpWLJAx7E1VsDSK3ggR_Ur9pbihHuvWuwwbLl3XF1kh8lCGJs8CubYAhP73afrUwcjXY_OxGd_aOLAHg/s2933/Echo36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2933" height="1104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBB_l9rViftKskqsfcB_b5XCPU7bFnkMzq7wFLigbaUkuNzeamIp5r9Ihzmxg-453TH5PEF-e6ZXMvy7d88jaXnIq33ZLjDqG4L0gu-ZBuSfpWLJAx7E1VsDSK3ggR_Ur9pbihHuvWuwwbLl3XF1kh8lCGJs8CubYAhP73afrUwcjXY_OxGd_aOLAHg/w1584-h1104/Echo36.jpg" width="1584" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound local with loaded oil tankers.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Flagstaff in the Snow</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">For many years, I wanted to take photographs of Flagstaff in the snow. Circumstances, however, conspired against me. When there was snow in Flagstaff, my legal practice would grow extremely busy with court dates and other nuisances. Late in Bear's life, though, Flagstaff was blanketed with over a foot, and I had nothing much to do. Bear and I jumped in the Jeep and headed west.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xJyJijDcFGKsQpy3Lb3fICDKsvIUi5Tnj1F3KPyuD14FNyd02htYUXLewo1yL7fJbry2y4ntEOZSNgwzIm2wvC8lxKdHt_JX2MnEwQwTq8clGwZI6_epJNXOrYAhrjeCWcXQ6JOyhFZLbQt4btqjo-O4Ed0nvbSjRcDdW8jXy2zf81IIDohF4nQkkQ/s3024/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xJyJijDcFGKsQpy3Lb3fICDKsvIUi5Tnj1F3KPyuD14FNyd02htYUXLewo1yL7fJbry2y4ntEOZSNgwzIm2wvC8lxKdHt_JX2MnEwQwTq8clGwZI6_epJNXOrYAhrjeCWcXQ6JOyhFZLbQt4btqjo-O4Ed0nvbSjRcDdW8jXy2zf81IIDohF4nQkkQ/w1579-h1036/5.jpg" width="1579" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound at Darling -- with the San Francisco Volcano Field in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsCWEATMnEO6NjBn4Y-gSfsBfa_ZWEWkH1Ds5rKh6DQoba7LcjT8AbcUWUYeafzYErbvAnjOXOuLn-WXTkyF8tQP08whPpiFuoPiaN8eVbl4wJ9SmZxjK_QOxgA4yJiGP1iJ0-r7uINSbQGooiRb3GxejRgPoOTx1oqbiUaouPj27Ie6DiDRH0UtHKw/s2980/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="2980" height="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsCWEATMnEO6NjBn4Y-gSfsBfa_ZWEWkH1Ds5rKh6DQoba7LcjT8AbcUWUYeafzYErbvAnjOXOuLn-WXTkyF8tQP08whPpiFuoPiaN8eVbl4wJ9SmZxjK_QOxgA4yJiGP1iJ0-r7uINSbQGooiRb3GxejRgPoOTx1oqbiUaouPj27Ie6DiDRH0UtHKw/w1584-h1069/12.jpg" width="1584" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound approaching Darling.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwY-eh28sLAPHpmAQwrYdWRlNe-xGRmy_HFGStwJBBpsReXq5IRrOwJvF0pJdRU8k5dZcAcSkgR29OipQJvX3JgA3jOEAtlkVxZFXSygaMDUh6KTVP4IShyIq1u8MBasHqq7lyczBJANmehoygVRo3JUvadhAI6B5RaXrJL55LAx7CuSJe6u3mb6FKw/s2997/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwY-eh28sLAPHpmAQwrYdWRlNe-xGRmy_HFGStwJBBpsReXq5IRrOwJvF0pJdRU8k5dZcAcSkgR29OipQJvX3JgA3jOEAtlkVxZFXSygaMDUh6KTVP4IShyIq1u8MBasHqq7lyczBJANmehoygVRo3JUvadhAI6B5RaXrJL55LAx7CuSJe6u3mb6FKw/w1585-h1060/16.jpg" width="1585" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound at old US 66 overpass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHU7PzuY3J4P_eCZq47wU__qSWkaGcyv0rJIYo8_wI0yqZT-6QJvZzsS53Us85FufhdA0YrC8aJK44rD41JMozIe0NOTfW1OLq1pFxl1DafmoDrmm0kEkND6v05W4Em41GZ0SAC7vyU1R7dY2LymUyJJUSLgOdwb9Lu8qUr6gPSlJYU-BCH2ASGBH2w/s2664/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2027" data-original-width="2664" height="1196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHU7PzuY3J4P_eCZq47wU__qSWkaGcyv0rJIYo8_wI0yqZT-6QJvZzsS53Us85FufhdA0YrC8aJK44rD41JMozIe0NOTfW1OLq1pFxl1DafmoDrmm0kEkND6v05W4Em41GZ0SAC7vyU1R7dY2LymUyJJUSLgOdwb9Lu8qUr6gPSlJYU-BCH2ASGBH2w/w1575-h1196/20.jpg" width="1575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound rolling downhill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-NjKGRsBhW4fiu1Od_wkU_gH2yaAnZlFvAMPgOvfNUq_BzrA-lzoZWNRQbdCSmEH03tEnLTu2I97vMxJLJ48Yhfa4VUqs1z68Cv2UOEfEL_ORHnMGo08V2iJ5Du_B0ezUCa6SEyUGwc__qdS5HvYzIiO4w_QDcOJrGWugkffZ-FJJi7Ld8Dn3F5TBg/s2976/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2976" height="1065" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-NjKGRsBhW4fiu1Od_wkU_gH2yaAnZlFvAMPgOvfNUq_BzrA-lzoZWNRQbdCSmEH03tEnLTu2I97vMxJLJ48Yhfa4VUqs1z68Cv2UOEfEL_ORHnMGo08V2iJ5Du_B0ezUCa6SEyUGwc__qdS5HvYzIiO4w_QDcOJrGWugkffZ-FJJi7Ld8Dn3F5TBg/w1572-h1065/35.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound at old US 66 overpass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rio Puerco of the West</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">There are two Rio Puercos in New Mexico -- one east of the Continental Divide, flowing into the Rio Grande, and one west that flows into the Little Colorado. One very hot July, Bear and I spent several days in the valley of the western sibling, photographing the Transcon near the Arizona-New Mexico border.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHIx6MPW8aoXGDmotyrbnCnciEGzXRWE-x-wouCMc4BdUXHv570kesZas9ncFN6_qzjDJCnXK28gnpYMC4CgnmfyDIiOpbIP17wzzjw_-x4fHkj-dl_GxtD0NBVIUmS7C2-FUn0-55OhuO1KHyaO9BYzPyWvC9Enb2wkxIjEU6w3Sr_v87MeE9VVA_Q/s3001/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3001" height="1051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHIx6MPW8aoXGDmotyrbnCnciEGzXRWE-x-wouCMc4BdUXHv570kesZas9ncFN6_qzjDJCnXK28gnpYMC4CgnmfyDIiOpbIP17wzzjw_-x4fHkj-dl_GxtD0NBVIUmS7C2-FUn0-55OhuO1KHyaO9BYzPyWvC9Enb2wkxIjEU6w3Sr_v87MeE9VVA_Q/w1579-h1051/3.jpg" width="1579" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound autos.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLh4oG8f7RNXUJgBGltsaRxfh_Mgv8A0jtZTlJR3MQ_huw-6jDJKWzpmASGdBXZb7IP8D26lbkSVF9OeTg47AewSvkDH97NPNMF92cnmaHicm-fwujb0-gPguK6iwRNRnNXBtU3Q2eGv_2R_7jpzDyko6LtzMB-_2BfksgZebfQfKXg0DAMGrdCRPjg/s3061/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3061" height="1012" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLh4oG8f7RNXUJgBGltsaRxfh_Mgv8A0jtZTlJR3MQ_huw-6jDJKWzpmASGdBXZb7IP8D26lbkSVF9OeTg47AewSvkDH97NPNMF92cnmaHicm-fwujb0-gPguK6iwRNRnNXBtU3Q2eGv_2R_7jpzDyko6LtzMB-_2BfksgZebfQfKXg0DAMGrdCRPjg/w1580-h1012/6.jpg" width="1580" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastward to Belen.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRJP8hbhoONhgLD-RIOdhijTAF3kNKm9YJCLhPJrp-SWSdwfbdsZKa1QXxEZJFer3C36edQoIlR5llB4VpuWmcJ--jvVoxeANjw1xGa3JhSfDpUh-ZEkEPNVybP0JhEYqknXikxTC2ZmgjqaiR_-1K_AZwgwIVH0FdSEOUmt3IBd6alcRlJFvgEai1A/s2990/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2990" height="1063" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRJP8hbhoONhgLD-RIOdhijTAF3kNKm9YJCLhPJrp-SWSdwfbdsZKa1QXxEZJFer3C36edQoIlR5llB4VpuWmcJ--jvVoxeANjw1xGa3JhSfDpUh-ZEkEPNVybP0JhEYqknXikxTC2ZmgjqaiR_-1K_AZwgwIVH0FdSEOUmt3IBd6alcRlJFvgEai1A/w1582-h1063/24.jpg" width="1582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound trailers.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kansas City Southern</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When the Kansas City Southern began cutting down trees from Heavener, Oklahoma, to Rich Mountain, Arkansas, your author and Bear could not wait to sample territory that had been overgrown for more than 30 years. We made several trips, and below are a few of the many resulting images.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpstlzhf30dHg9IGQSl50g3NpuWf4J2kP8fCwdNNvU5g--ykEGikGe8RCeZhHEz2dbHs8H0P6Wg1IVZWnZ0XT98EJl53YDsDBGGR205YmtGPSm5KLi3ZTD3dDOYBvTvi0I0ds4TQl4QPyfOQI97stlHE_28W7qTOKZFlgfFDJFFvIzrstcYOhObz1shg/s3010/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3010" height="1051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpstlzhf30dHg9IGQSl50g3NpuWf4J2kP8fCwdNNvU5g--ykEGikGe8RCeZhHEz2dbHs8H0P6Wg1IVZWnZ0XT98EJl53YDsDBGGR205YmtGPSm5KLi3ZTD3dDOYBvTvi0I0ds4TQl4QPyfOQI97stlHE_28W7qTOKZFlgfFDJFFvIzrstcYOhObz1shg/w1587-h1051/8.jpg" width="1587" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Page, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAt_8X3F1Uz15SGyRYo9KmDzIlF5X-RRx54r_krZ2bb7-SK89XDFnTn2X3N_ex3xEqJGEARZlQH1Y8i28pFuEOOKRaDaseSsCkVwRE7eNaZxYwcwGlFpEnNBAsrNKGL3StfN34m7QosRQrFIatLJgLMeZQL_6SpF14Ym5_8GlqRouLPoisMg2VLiU8w/s3001/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSAt_8X3F1Uz15SGyRYo9KmDzIlF5X-RRx54r_krZ2bb7-SK89XDFnTn2X3N_ex3xEqJGEARZlQH1Y8i28pFuEOOKRaDaseSsCkVwRE7eNaZxYwcwGlFpEnNBAsrNKGL3StfN34m7QosRQrFIatLJgLMeZQL_6SpF14Ym5_8GlqRouLPoisMg2VLiU8w/w1583-h1054/10.jpg" width="1583" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A southbound (compass east) grainer approaching the Arkansas border.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPLYbcHdJljW8B4lg2g1iG1L7fxvBooUBuvwVZfQ1lwkI5-Mw7nHcdbZ7_Kc-sfN0jr0Prfj_-AS9M-O1FcM4T8TfoHqJSPBY_pWLP4kSAY8Cky1RhkEObLXSlpZTgzdupAcH6gjEhRz4_8GsjiUlOQc1CLSydhovT81OLDaQ2qW2kTR_FEXYazMduQ/s2974/47.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2974" height="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPLYbcHdJljW8B4lg2g1iG1L7fxvBooUBuvwVZfQ1lwkI5-Mw7nHcdbZ7_Kc-sfN0jr0Prfj_-AS9M-O1FcM4T8TfoHqJSPBY_pWLP4kSAY8Cky1RhkEObLXSlpZTgzdupAcH6gjEhRz4_8GsjiUlOQc1CLSydhovT81OLDaQ2qW2kTR_FEXYazMduQ/w1577-h1069/47.jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Page, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCL_NTxtCkTJnAGk5ChWTRFVs-RWk_xf-m7r1Z5mKrwxEayd-DX-34Qny6ylWPS5Cp8jrdibs0G83MSBJzIipEnWZHH28SCoZ2ZC0GU8BnZejaSsOFpscX9FNcymrndDHn_urwQ6aWprRBq_rlNnqkfBW-4UT5nAQIS5r6Jdv1SQkD6GKp9X6i6kJK4w/s3032/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3032" height="1032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCL_NTxtCkTJnAGk5ChWTRFVs-RWk_xf-m7r1Z5mKrwxEayd-DX-34Qny6ylWPS5Cp8jrdibs0G83MSBJzIipEnWZHH28SCoZ2ZC0GU8BnZejaSsOFpscX9FNcymrndDHn_urwQ6aWprRBq_rlNnqkfBW-4UT5nAQIS5r6Jdv1SQkD6GKp9X6i6kJK4w/w1581-h1032/3.jpg" width="1581" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rich Mountain, Arkansas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kingman, Arizona</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the middle of summer, Bear and I spent a few days in and around Kingman, Arizona. The temperature was above 100 degrees Fahrenheit each day, and we drank copious amounts of water.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6lfJTwDtQFuybFrqlHRB58Td20TMXZQi7654696CxELoUCoeMasPnuH6Asd2OOiv6lBCFTaO7NOxqUgIfi_zdT11Y_f5Jb8IaJEuGSQlRluXRhQP8fUj3J1ZJAM1US62YGmPRlnowbO61hEnLeNQPGXfTSe4lsZidooO34BY17efvuxbja8M3mLizw/s3035/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3035" height="1028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6lfJTwDtQFuybFrqlHRB58Td20TMXZQi7654696CxELoUCoeMasPnuH6Asd2OOiv6lBCFTaO7NOxqUgIfi_zdT11Y_f5Jb8IaJEuGSQlRluXRhQP8fUj3J1ZJAM1US62YGmPRlnowbO61hEnLeNQPGXfTSe4lsZidooO34BY17efvuxbja8M3mLizw/w1582-h1028/2.jpg" width="1582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound (compass north) through the Sacramento Valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcSEAO0h-rqVz9yvWlbnR1UrQxxurKm2ZesJMJrLv4Oh4u5HMlVZlXtbp3LVXd-qRA0hGOYsy9DgMFuC_noROC4j9bgcWrGXl_7YYw3Vg6tpG8iijX2xB14m-kiqVwa0HX87dTCLM4cPrMLLIBhFRs8sW68KlUjyNydT7AlE0yhJaX3_90k01eMCkYA/s3025/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3025" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcSEAO0h-rqVz9yvWlbnR1UrQxxurKm2ZesJMJrLv4Oh4u5HMlVZlXtbp3LVXd-qRA0hGOYsy9DgMFuC_noROC4j9bgcWrGXl_7YYw3Vg6tpG8iijX2xB14m-kiqVwa0HX87dTCLM4cPrMLLIBhFRs8sW68KlUjyNydT7AlE0yhJaX3_90k01eMCkYA/w1580-h1037/3.jpg" width="1580" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks approaching Kingman.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTYIZE_JnBNvajB6a11XKwChW5_VjywUEd15OBeustf3X10aJoe2CAeVllmsAA_ZYgb593zKygkaqsYt9Jm28rImxNcbSqCkHRwMU4lDZxItr-LuR_W414uUwqVgu0UfFC9FbZZ6sq0LJ_q3Fa9gqe0R8C-Krgv9GLbxUh3P79_NzLSgvE0th8skJVw/s3031/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1033" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTYIZE_JnBNvajB6a11XKwChW5_VjywUEd15OBeustf3X10aJoe2CAeVllmsAA_ZYgb593zKygkaqsYt9Jm28rImxNcbSqCkHRwMU4lDZxItr-LuR_W414uUwqVgu0UfFC9FbZZ6sq0LJ_q3Fa9gqe0R8C-Krgv9GLbxUh3P79_NzLSgvE0th8skJVw/w1581-h1033/5.jpg" width="1581" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound in Kingman Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Maricopa Mountains</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Maricopa Mountains are the remnants of a once much larger chain southwest of Phoenix. Bear and I drove there shortly after the death of my mother, seeking solitude. The desert provided it and helped me understand why one would choose to live in what, at first glance, appears to be such a hostile place.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR29h06Gw6vZonoSwC6R7DQySVExKu5sjFsXUqjXwLVeNAjJ2WLiMKV6k0VezNYOUXzDVcoIZGgTdlcB4ll9FZ0QwvjS9ygDchHT20PlwUoHZbEbvxIcpJ60kvJFKwNk-dNkdzQBeA9s-I9XtMNJLUkqNgzE1HcsMTCWOdB04CJPIDBO5NM0ebns3yQQ/s2990/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2990" height="1063" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR29h06Gw6vZonoSwC6R7DQySVExKu5sjFsXUqjXwLVeNAjJ2WLiMKV6k0VezNYOUXzDVcoIZGgTdlcB4ll9FZ0QwvjS9ygDchHT20PlwUoHZbEbvxIcpJ60kvJFKwNk-dNkdzQBeA9s-I9XtMNJLUkqNgzE1HcsMTCWOdB04CJPIDBO5NM0ebns3yQQ/w1582-h1063/27.jpg" width="1582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks climbing the grade toward Tucson.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghY4wQQphJK1LmOXR5emuFmCsFnhMWHGFuTpcqOCWd-nirmoKE4EeCc6Cw6thJnBv0Kr8b1iMVr7Oh4CsnVSiQ0fzzh3sYMzS4faYWaisIftW6x9DShR8iMizvjfBUtQiBXCBRnMQN7uAsh-gGgRaN81A2UtGr5kuz24hpQ8s98AUx82gRL6rgC1aAHw/s3021/38.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3021" height="1034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghY4wQQphJK1LmOXR5emuFmCsFnhMWHGFuTpcqOCWd-nirmoKE4EeCc6Cw6thJnBv0Kr8b1iMVr7Oh4CsnVSiQ0fzzh3sYMzS4faYWaisIftW6x9DShR8iMizvjfBUtQiBXCBRnMQN7uAsh-gGgRaN81A2UtGr5kuz24hpQ8s98AUx82gRL6rgC1aAHw/w1575-h1034/38.jpg" width="1575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound autos at dusk.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1L8cKJAwHauhEuP7t8d5cUxU3-L8tp64bs_WCzPCftnYGXIoqQZvk_KnnVYeoPtm3xsPxlg_XM7wvBogXDhod_cyAfLF6tDNacRoGUVkqJ5nmO3OfOXN2K7P5yYVpCLWc_AVT4U0gCTukDtN3Yuabwe4ejaSlSD689lvEjEQSSCEmoto4vAYyzL2wQ/s2978/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2978" height="1072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1L8cKJAwHauhEuP7t8d5cUxU3-L8tp64bs_WCzPCftnYGXIoqQZvk_KnnVYeoPtm3xsPxlg_XM7wvBogXDhod_cyAfLF6tDNacRoGUVkqJ5nmO3OfOXN2K7P5yYVpCLWc_AVT4U0gCTukDtN3Yuabwe4ejaSlSD689lvEjEQSSCEmoto4vAYyzL2wQ/w1580-h1072/40.jpg" width="1580" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound to Yuma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZe4YjZhzPFdWqHKoV5CY1Sq77IwrqaDakzwZPvlWcV4RdtYoiI5JIU6vwyrbyIgwc-jmfWCy0cEpI2xV2-34UDvnid1_wRWk_tlJIttGrpfcquBPAA9TdDc8lLDiQxl2LQd1XxAsHdGvjODJu2thvXCR_FXeAN3-kpOqqdqF3n2UEwMsbUVhm9Q68A/s3035/45.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3035" height="1027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZe4YjZhzPFdWqHKoV5CY1Sq77IwrqaDakzwZPvlWcV4RdtYoiI5JIU6vwyrbyIgwc-jmfWCy0cEpI2xV2-34UDvnid1_wRWk_tlJIttGrpfcquBPAA9TdDc8lLDiQxl2LQd1XxAsHdGvjODJu2thvXCR_FXeAN3-kpOqqdqF3n2UEwMsbUVhm9Q68A/w1580-h1027/45.jpg" width="1580" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Climbing east out of the valley of the Gila River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mescal, Arizona</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Mescal is liquor distilled from the fermented sap of agaves. If you have not tasted it, you should. Mescal is also the summit of the Sunset Route between Benson, Arizona, on the east and Cienega Creek on the west, where the old El Paso and Southwestern mainline crosses the original Southern Pacific main. When Bear and I visited in the winter, periodic rain showers dampened our bodies but not our spirits.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7z0sNHNyrLxVYDdw5F0UVVKn02XkrkcUPnWhasaqFFGKu9P181c04WeLfxLJSSPdibHHh_v14CK6O-mkOUXRp10vQVVwZ_q8aQBOecS-tiUDm931hhMXbbZNFMcsQZVdscj7ZI0K9n5suOunvo1VlBDBdTflQnAHYokxJdDZleAlUrN5RRt7i2aqUQ/s3010/50.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7z0sNHNyrLxVYDdw5F0UVVKn02XkrkcUPnWhasaqFFGKu9P181c04WeLfxLJSSPdibHHh_v14CK6O-mkOUXRp10vQVVwZ_q8aQBOecS-tiUDm931hhMXbbZNFMcsQZVdscj7ZI0K9n5suOunvo1VlBDBdTflQnAHYokxJdDZleAlUrN5RRt7i2aqUQ/w1582-h1048/50.jpg" width="1582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks on the original El Paso and Southwestern main.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ7mJD95ULTYWXyrtfuTyWvYDd_ETEzQ6dgT4HjeTjSVff0TNvU22UUnEWwYsy7JDj3wPDwA_CoRdArKSqIQEkLNTeEEx4xeIDpSXahtgpjvH3hZrvedjfo5aBf98CwKfLHR_aYPUW8nU9J7iD2AftPG-LGFQ4dWfFLb-4-xZVk56FA4SnfgcEHWEZw/s2998/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2998" height="1058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ7mJD95ULTYWXyrtfuTyWvYDd_ETEzQ6dgT4HjeTjSVff0TNvU22UUnEWwYsy7JDj3wPDwA_CoRdArKSqIQEkLNTeEEx4xeIDpSXahtgpjvH3hZrvedjfo5aBf98CwKfLHR_aYPUW8nU9J7iD2AftPG-LGFQ4dWfFLb-4-xZVk56FA4SnfgcEHWEZw/w1582-h1058/20.jpg" width="1582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound grainer on the original Southern Pacific mainline, which runs along Cienega Creek.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcJrJyBoG8_z51dK0tcRgEQeczinT-eCxKJnYjtSM6PLg_9zl4hTpiuY9EW7JxyK3H-D6pOVEyirBbv0bYesdWeSRH-lP-wvQUcUW78f8mjbcacVzr8Wym0G1SXzvRhFhIAyahtL_pTMSuhJiM5cM5Ijr-QDzGeZF8hLS5Qwi4mo4yaMP2dhjFsP7FA/s3023/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcJrJyBoG8_z51dK0tcRgEQeczinT-eCxKJnYjtSM6PLg_9zl4hTpiuY9EW7JxyK3H-D6pOVEyirBbv0bYesdWeSRH-lP-wvQUcUW78f8mjbcacVzr8Wym0G1SXzvRhFhIAyahtL_pTMSuhJiM5cM5Ijr-QDzGeZF8hLS5Qwi4mo4yaMP2dhjFsP7FA/w1586-h1041/4.jpg" width="1586" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rain descending.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9g--Xp2eRtNGiG6R4jtuimQU5DqQ5Ipih4Fijb7lE69DEb1alRWvFEd3hOwTWZZEZRl3UIJiwEBv6z0V3JnJ_ttiAg3eeWUS6cEYZElyLtu2QnxEEilRnQQm-FzLc1iB5uT3d2EGJFBrGh2fi-Z9m3P_5HYU4XnASsoQsLrL03dx7KQlKl1Z2yd-9g/s2993/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2993" height="1062" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9g--Xp2eRtNGiG6R4jtuimQU5DqQ5Ipih4Fijb7lE69DEb1alRWvFEd3hOwTWZZEZRl3UIJiwEBv6z0V3JnJ_ttiAg3eeWUS6cEYZElyLtu2QnxEEilRnQQm-FzLc1iB5uT3d2EGJFBrGh2fi-Z9m3P_5HYU4XnASsoQsLrL03dx7KQlKl1Z2yd-9g/w1587-h1062/16.jpg" width="1587" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the rain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Curtis Hill</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Curtis Hill (where BNSF's Transcon crosses the Cimarron River in northwestern Oklahoma) is about a two and one-half hour drive from my house. Over the years, Bear and I made many trips to photograph the red bluffs and plethora of trains.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YqD5u3AQ_6b5Ju4iPPDP8QQsp0Z89TQkLRLwWj7MhCRsiM1JdIJUvMtz3LOrKLW-bOpLVtFIORE1z9b1eud6zARaPN3rgPXqUL5QA2rHXwI9_jO7dNhD-HUizW9qHZdoQlArsTO6jTi7-rbse7pr-qnrx4IS0vK8Anr3thTS21060OOZm5JRaCriVA/s3015/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3015" height="1049" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YqD5u3AQ_6b5Ju4iPPDP8QQsp0Z89TQkLRLwWj7MhCRsiM1JdIJUvMtz3LOrKLW-bOpLVtFIORE1z9b1eud6zARaPN3rgPXqUL5QA2rHXwI9_jO7dNhD-HUizW9qHZdoQlArsTO6jTi7-rbse7pr-qnrx4IS0vK8Anr3thTS21060OOZm5JRaCriVA/w1591-h1049/1.jpg" width="1591" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound is climbing the grade out of the valley of the Cimarron River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOOcAaEKx_eqJMhqzpOeQqm2WJVK9gU2sw5C_dZwNAVOX00sTEjHaFoxckNgbD0XNGFqiXFEvIBexxrBWBifvAMmNMYNgVt9XKU3XLnn7MSRNQC5xQo6MzcQE77mTu7Ml6zuMcgIEbtY-dwMZZ9zD5iYC7censAV4YqqYcwK0iC976zm1FEeXjcsvNg/s3002/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3002" height="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOOcAaEKx_eqJMhqzpOeQqm2WJVK9gU2sw5C_dZwNAVOX00sTEjHaFoxckNgbD0XNGFqiXFEvIBexxrBWBifvAMmNMYNgVt9XKU3XLnn7MSRNQC5xQo6MzcQE77mTu7Ml6zuMcgIEbtY-dwMZZ9zD5iYC7censAV4YqqYcwK0iC976zm1FEeXjcsvNg/w1583-h1054/4.jpg" width="1583" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTx9ZU4AhuJUnfr7jDZzgcQAfirUc8Qt-EQpjed0v7AUhg6zRhWeJ-IvgxX6weDVXenF_nYscuBY949q6zbeKe3rugLzgGtoKjC5bKTXaGSvlFyUtAuRSzjyTwBE-l8UwbWU_IRsuMRBkWvMp1km5X72cuATFv27h9Ik-KZ7qysX41bDjyUTfvvoOTzw/s2132/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="2132" height="1047" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTx9ZU4AhuJUnfr7jDZzgcQAfirUc8Qt-EQpjed0v7AUhg6zRhWeJ-IvgxX6weDVXenF_nYscuBY949q6zbeKe3rugLzgGtoKjC5bKTXaGSvlFyUtAuRSzjyTwBE-l8UwbWU_IRsuMRBkWvMp1km5X72cuATFv27h9Ik-KZ7qysX41bDjyUTfvvoOTzw/w1587-h1047/6.jpg" width="1587" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>And another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEePB8YWb7_IavmnWO02Jsh6xfFX74U7watTmvIbE7qG5e3rGtoVgLt0hqRYzjuzWZDSjchPRZaVuyXs3SGcUJJ_fNk_U_4X7m9Fu1JtIjQ-5BaEA_IajhmH3hdy7R4-HNJ9x-BGqErmSBaQ9eRMOBtnjotXPsl2yqQl663H01ju4oqmbV_ji27Hqp7Q/s3028/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3028" height="1036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEePB8YWb7_IavmnWO02Jsh6xfFX74U7watTmvIbE7qG5e3rGtoVgLt0hqRYzjuzWZDSjchPRZaVuyXs3SGcUJJ_fNk_U_4X7m9Fu1JtIjQ-5BaEA_IajhmH3hdy7R4-HNJ9x-BGqErmSBaQ9eRMOBtnjotXPsl2yqQl663H01ju4oqmbV_ji27Hqp7Q/w1586-h1036/2.jpg" width="1586" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Running beside the sand dunes of Little Sahara State Park.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNQQpxiPPCWKFIMErQjtle_WH-KqUmV5Bszy5eKa6w3B3spam3sQjJDhLEaPySAoFLZNs_uBD91seQhfFeZ7uSS01rLIUXvy3iAJkRkowcxb4s9dTj-ck1_iF4KmOkFZXFvlf_rVJGXuagbzHnnZKP0qw0dxNcwyZ-hAcQTbH8txPVpLfoB_HkgPreQ/s3013/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="1043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNQQpxiPPCWKFIMErQjtle_WH-KqUmV5Bszy5eKa6w3B3spam3sQjJDhLEaPySAoFLZNs_uBD91seQhfFeZ7uSS01rLIUXvy3iAJkRkowcxb4s9dTj-ck1_iF4KmOkFZXFvlf_rVJGXuagbzHnnZKP0qw0dxNcwyZ-hAcQTbH8txPVpLfoB_HkgPreQ/w1583-h1043/10.jpg" width="1583" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Crossing the Cimarron River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Palisade, Nevada</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Southwest of Elko, Nevada, sits the ghost town of Palisade, a once thriving mining community now reduced to rubble and dust. The Humboldt River carves a canyon through the desert hills, where first came the Union Pacific, then the Western Pacific. Today UP runs both lines. On the way back from Oregon, Bear and I spent several days in this wilderness, searching for trains, which were few and far between.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8jInQP4IEg3qmp0TPD-9CV7-8tnRzm7eEz80bQUiX1w7EhPfVtX9yeNFg_mhUJM3QRKLySmE8djLQ1mj_BnUTvZBhtAKHmr2DDRxb8xNbhH4R_NFO6argztaXwTc6pcg1QS4oRFHWC3kn1Z3jOmJACsQuC16K7WKPWg0UEplvfyVVT0ObSGhnETzFw/s3046/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3046" height="1020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8jInQP4IEg3qmp0TPD-9CV7-8tnRzm7eEz80bQUiX1w7EhPfVtX9yeNFg_mhUJM3QRKLySmE8djLQ1mj_BnUTvZBhtAKHmr2DDRxb8xNbhH4R_NFO6argztaXwTc6pcg1QS4oRFHWC3kn1Z3jOmJACsQuC16K7WKPWg0UEplvfyVVT0ObSGhnETzFw/w1577-h1020/1.jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound UP manifest rolls beside the Humboldt River on the original Overland Route. The old Western Pacific mainline is in the foreground.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhvT7j8uDbKu-coFhudquz9NRTD2GNwwUM1QHCcuw4ACTzvgtooM0UiEeWApaGce0YYw9244ONhBO--K12gUQW750e_ZMpimEwcFmEFgj9CgldDQFKqHokUJIqwWP5bMFgCP57_GW3ALJ5aV5Xw_zNovFh2vwaPCyajKixKlK22l0LocnfN0CfC4Mdg/s2970/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2019" data-original-width="2970" height="1081" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhvT7j8uDbKu-coFhudquz9NRTD2GNwwUM1QHCcuw4ACTzvgtooM0UiEeWApaGce0YYw9244ONhBO--K12gUQW750e_ZMpimEwcFmEFgj9CgldDQFKqHokUJIqwWP5bMFgCP57_GW3ALJ5aV5Xw_zNovFh2vwaPCyajKixKlK22l0LocnfN0CfC4Mdg/w1586-h1081/6.jpg" width="1586" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound winds through the desert. The Humboldt River is out of sight beneath the steel girder bridge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxplZCVBaAo50TMPWlpTvCbqXEPok9s7FNRGiNLFS2_jzcUA5Y5VQK3mpPL1Jqa5WGH3PITLEE6pxsU5SPsoOVfWl51sglCG_J82kPBe3FJty89fL1uorAzaVRZjvtpBU6SnG2W2xr3vRFsuNU_yh32jILl1q7qIDp7d_nkdyFeAXjpDLCoiGXTa4rYA/s2995/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2995" height="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxplZCVBaAo50TMPWlpTvCbqXEPok9s7FNRGiNLFS2_jzcUA5Y5VQK3mpPL1Jqa5WGH3PITLEE6pxsU5SPsoOVfWl51sglCG_J82kPBe3FJty89fL1uorAzaVRZjvtpBU6SnG2W2xr3vRFsuNU_yh32jILl1q7qIDp7d_nkdyFeAXjpDLCoiGXTa4rYA/w1598-h1069/10.jpg" width="1598" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOnmurEgYtVE3HwHQbqHVUjBFgVM6eeHsSic4wFk3wvqqCVntVVfbriTYxBfvcamLamSiH9VUhYhHe1p8VMuGlALh9H-GqPGvRzdkNgyPpBrxXRWiHroBnyaDBhLDTANlJEOOVvurYL3AuyNtATZL6S9TJDsdV5_9VcXFfpYbbtS5jBY0lroXv2qAFw/s2972/13a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="2972" height="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOnmurEgYtVE3HwHQbqHVUjBFgVM6eeHsSic4wFk3wvqqCVntVVfbriTYxBfvcamLamSiH9VUhYhHe1p8VMuGlALh9H-GqPGvRzdkNgyPpBrxXRWiHroBnyaDBhLDTANlJEOOVvurYL3AuyNtATZL6S9TJDsdV5_9VcXFfpYbbtS5jBY0lroXv2qAFw/w1591-h1080/13a.jpg" width="1591" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Deep in the canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseVuLZ6yToiK6JrgcEZa7dt0BAtXYZXBhqnnXk6r54wtx6Zxu1CWVpLrvC4JSBd69SU-5CGm8BFDs2JV_MF1eZFeG18YjQe2K1Nf18BBCnXDwS6CyEdIxEzSGy-GzYw6X61xxKDyW1FJSHlv84vuP0WLbGhfRXdYa1E1poWdj51rvHTE-YviRJXEXjw/s3073/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="3073" height="1010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseVuLZ6yToiK6JrgcEZa7dt0BAtXYZXBhqnnXk6r54wtx6Zxu1CWVpLrvC4JSBd69SU-5CGm8BFDs2JV_MF1eZFeG18YjQe2K1Nf18BBCnXDwS6CyEdIxEzSGy-GzYw6X61xxKDyW1FJSHlv84vuP0WLbGhfRXdYa1E1poWdj51rvHTE-YviRJXEXjw/w1593-h1010/24.jpg" width="1593" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks on the original UP Overland Route cross under the original Western Pacific main.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Red Rock Subdivision</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">BNSF's Red Rock Subdivision runs from Gainesville, Texas, to Arkansas City, Kansas, and passes within about two miles of my house. I often sit on my front porch and listen to trains whistling through what used to be open country and now is urban sprawl north of Oklahoma City. Bear and I would occasionally wander into northern Oklahoma to photograph this rarely photographed line.</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ar-81UEIkX-GURFb8TihI-7gN15yxgcT9dYJMdHrb3a7aa5JyJ_NmqUxxn81TXikMGfVj6GOQiL24q_5fVCam9Uc9p30liHzZHb4plOhykYwcWeCibgsT9V6Zadot4d_wMvoEFNKd2ZflY-G-aIe28CKJS2iK6Pr45MGZ6Ap63USrNmy2_m_uVLQeA/s2993/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2993" height="1065" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ar-81UEIkX-GURFb8TihI-7gN15yxgcT9dYJMdHrb3a7aa5JyJ_NmqUxxn81TXikMGfVj6GOQiL24q_5fVCam9Uc9p30liHzZHb4plOhykYwcWeCibgsT9V6Zadot4d_wMvoEFNKd2ZflY-G-aIe28CKJS2iK6Pr45MGZ6Ap63USrNmy2_m_uVLQeA/w1591-h1065/12.jpg" width="1591" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound north of Edmond, Oklahoma.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmRNTnOz8u5mhOLt49DM-6gpJ3E7Txlr5nLzuB3it91iaY-Tk9KiZeWJlaY6fvW3fTtAeCefCtFTsIM1pqNK1zxYnLnLtTHprK3hy9pcgHmP0S0BeeOt8LgLdrO8po0WcaZK4oMW3v5qzLN2gM9wbqvuPkBb4bxXq5eJrzFa9EAuDH_zaTx9X3c7wNA/s3000/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="1061" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmRNTnOz8u5mhOLt49DM-6gpJ3E7Txlr5nLzuB3it91iaY-Tk9KiZeWJlaY6fvW3fTtAeCefCtFTsIM1pqNK1zxYnLnLtTHprK3hy9pcgHmP0S0BeeOt8LgLdrO8po0WcaZK4oMW3v5qzLN2gM9wbqvuPkBb4bxXq5eJrzFa9EAuDH_zaTx9X3c7wNA/w1594-h1061/21.jpg" width="1594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound south of Perry, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wWL2VHlIt105WYLXefqR9l6OMUUICzd_PZiaWMLeFEya5yqLesQW_oTx6hnXlwMDSOZxGZNQY2-djws1VaWWeVRARMVCpeDTNSVu08hhQjcQpvYLGxjh5WOfCEz0JwAeBwrlprdP97xQyGFkFR4AyYjEyG5hZdVZrBTVkIQvdaTJb5Z3V-Wv8ZJn-Q/s3002/30.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3002" height="1057" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wWL2VHlIt105WYLXefqR9l6OMUUICzd_PZiaWMLeFEya5yqLesQW_oTx6hnXlwMDSOZxGZNQY2-djws1VaWWeVRARMVCpeDTNSVu08hhQjcQpvYLGxjh5WOfCEz0JwAeBwrlprdP97xQyGFkFR4AyYjEyG5hZdVZrBTVkIQvdaTJb5Z3V-Wv8ZJn-Q/w1589-h1057/30.jpg" width="1589" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound on Waterloo Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Peru Hill</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When Bear and I visited Peru Hill, his nose swelled to twice its size, and he could barely breathe. Thinking he had been bitten by a rattlesnake, I took him to a kind local veterinarian in Green River, Wyoming, who examined him thoroughly and said it was more likely that he had been stung on the nose by a bee. When the swelling went down the next day, she was proven correct. Still, rattlesnake or bee, it must have hurt. </span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWui2wwGFSUEiPJWVCfHAh70oYei6pmBLgaRYev2KvFGcacJteSIxxqKuD3ZKjckufh5moxCYz-05VlUpHv33mDAa76opvgHrNcP2T4oXxarSwRNtx5TlVA_YFnGN8kqocpUTCMx1KbLzeaD48RUZ6zkOuUNnLUc2sVTH7xryvUn95F1GZHIjVUkU_A/s2984/Peru%205.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2984" height="1075" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWui2wwGFSUEiPJWVCfHAh70oYei6pmBLgaRYev2KvFGcacJteSIxxqKuD3ZKjckufh5moxCYz-05VlUpHv33mDAa76opvgHrNcP2T4oXxarSwRNtx5TlVA_YFnGN8kqocpUTCMx1KbLzeaD48RUZ6zkOuUNnLUc2sVTH7xryvUn95F1GZHIjVUkU_A/w1592-h1075/Peru%205.jpg" width="1592" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Point of Rocks, Wyoming.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1l5v6-J0YyEW9dQ5P65Ncc5bddUXXxt0oEGNzSuLMlDPm_bURLuNR0USS_4GqGHvf7zoLQvgjnqKnSu8yitMP5AN6FleEKhFbUax0Nh4bPc5OV2BGqh5_R2GHpw7sQ8QU7XCyP-fZt5rB7ejHZwhulvbhPhKwJDJq-umUPKkRQ-_bJJp3IVyQod8I0g/s3038/Peru%2031.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3038" height="1038" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1l5v6-J0YyEW9dQ5P65Ncc5bddUXXxt0oEGNzSuLMlDPm_bURLuNR0USS_4GqGHvf7zoLQvgjnqKnSu8yitMP5AN6FleEKhFbUax0Nh4bPc5OV2BGqh5_R2GHpw7sQ8QU7XCyP-fZt5rB7ejHZwhulvbhPhKwJDJq-umUPKkRQ-_bJJp3IVyQod8I0g/w1597-h1038/Peru%2031.jpg" width="1597" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound grainer rolling down Peru Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyXhSFGasTKBqFHekpuhY-y-Q_iu3MWnvZCk7Spq4-PTcWhnnbSUvSO9oXNW2N3fKhiXK0VZfOFz30MBODqO27SQZMhl9OziolY41rdPuL2mc-rkQThuK0-axjd-_vkjrXxJ9qxf_Ob44HJ_zLtOAWc_sxnIdv2RbkD7kYsH64gLyCk0UC0fmm0SnYg/s3036/Peru%2035.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1035" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyXhSFGasTKBqFHekpuhY-y-Q_iu3MWnvZCk7Spq4-PTcWhnnbSUvSO9oXNW2N3fKhiXK0VZfOFz30MBODqO27SQZMhl9OziolY41rdPuL2mc-rkQThuK0-axjd-_vkjrXxJ9qxf_Ob44HJ_zLtOAWc_sxnIdv2RbkD7kYsH64gLyCk0UC0fmm0SnYg/w1592-h1035/Peru%2035.jpg" width="1592" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound climbing Peru Hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Powder River Basin</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">About a year before Bear's passing, we visited the Powder River Basin to see firsthand what destruction had been wrought by THE WAR ON HYDROCARBONS. Traffic was heavier than expected, though much lighter than in the early 21st century. One hopes that the nation comes to its senses before more damage is done, though until rolling blackouts hit Washington, D.C., that hope is probably in vain.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S6v0ZK5qh1Tj-yeC61SwiUyJ1CSfMu-ZeKCaR2_fG7D1kS4JhmLYFYy52iVERRoDGAJdyJ5DRYnjXSQ3QRsnrfP62OivRzPxbgUMAGfP4ON0V_OK1NVZbRKUrt3hfhF4bBOeaWP11xEHIOGjgDIb_5HnWtJlwKJJzYKbmHx2m4ceEyyHC0tXwGKt6A/s3042/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3042" height="1034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S6v0ZK5qh1Tj-yeC61SwiUyJ1CSfMu-ZeKCaR2_fG7D1kS4JhmLYFYy52iVERRoDGAJdyJ5DRYnjXSQ3QRsnrfP62OivRzPxbgUMAGfP4ON0V_OK1NVZbRKUrt3hfhF4bBOeaWP11xEHIOGjgDIb_5HnWtJlwKJJzYKbmHx2m4ceEyyHC0tXwGKt6A/w1598-h1034/17.jpg" width="1598" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Loaded coal on BNSF headed to Shawnee Junction.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a4MpzMqPWnJZyqXApYgthcaS9qL0BrUV_P64vf_uI0EZHMT_5KwY4DfXfAqcSz8uS24WKqvZ3m2W700fowSA9ugb3_s-FAlT-Mpk3bscmmHeoO5LjjoUYNskA-W1NRZPEEuHv9WCWF_1jNcwZOMCnOXmrAiBuFNCNa8XMU6VWS6IuCREzLQQ9BE7OA/s3016/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3016" height="1053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a4MpzMqPWnJZyqXApYgthcaS9qL0BrUV_P64vf_uI0EZHMT_5KwY4DfXfAqcSz8uS24WKqvZ3m2W700fowSA9ugb3_s-FAlT-Mpk3bscmmHeoO5LjjoUYNskA-W1NRZPEEuHv9WCWF_1jNcwZOMCnOXmrAiBuFNCNa8XMU6VWS6IuCREzLQQ9BE7OA/w1596-h1053/32.jpg" width="1596" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Loaded coal on BNSF headed to Donkey Creek Junction.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQuBG_NFpihwT-OEPXFWPqJ03co6GdANJ72lCqd06MVKesg325VgHDvMC48kEuTHyaGl3V1IHmSOEf4uh3AebF_-Z99PDQmMLJxMPA3b1H0wdjqovHPlOpRng8rTpqquwRJhpC6HHv6cFB9LF1zBFx-GDUSzlL1LG6f-h3wwzLy3iponMzmGCrqSPsQ/s3026/36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3026" height="1045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQuBG_NFpihwT-OEPXFWPqJ03co6GdANJ72lCqd06MVKesg325VgHDvMC48kEuTHyaGl3V1IHmSOEf4uh3AebF_-Z99PDQmMLJxMPA3b1H0wdjqovHPlOpRng8rTpqquwRJhpC6HHv6cFB9LF1zBFx-GDUSzlL1LG6f-h3wwzLy3iponMzmGCrqSPsQ/w1593-h1045/36.jpg" width="1593" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP empties approaching Shawnee Junction.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gpHbkpoB9rliVqfm25YLA9nAcWmKYtavoYikD5HO8L4IqCB3388k6CstlDc77bJu5LnuyDPjQ7J0_eQLoVwj_I0turj7Cg5kXCXxbDnxYN748jDBSiskVQNcKixqcK11ZabuqjrmlVkqxy3hF-b-DiLtFc328Oo7i2Fq50SXAF7gZZdRQSokoz7zpA/s2976/45.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2976" height="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gpHbkpoB9rliVqfm25YLA9nAcWmKYtavoYikD5HO8L4IqCB3388k6CstlDc77bJu5LnuyDPjQ7J0_eQLoVwj_I0turj7Cg5kXCXxbDnxYN748jDBSiskVQNcKixqcK11ZabuqjrmlVkqxy3hF-b-DiLtFc328Oo7i2Fq50SXAF7gZZdRQSokoz7zpA/w1593-h1080/45.jpg" width="1593" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>With signals from BNSF's Orin Subdivision in the foreground, another empty UP coal train approaches Shawnee Junction.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcWVMgpgTaR7zTCjIQQErh58f-j8yqebkAa-0JMr1u_NdxsZtfeHwwaw-l44qwHrzx6fKUwLCHH67Sl74Ypy0arY8cIGxT3xkorQSsDMgCDvgHbvhZmUASstY2JLLxF0t0pGKhOaRVwQN4eRSJZQ-rws_w9jpN8h0DmvMRoQ-qH6UjO8siIebT8wDjQ/s3049/50.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3049" height="1025" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcWVMgpgTaR7zTCjIQQErh58f-j8yqebkAa-0JMr1u_NdxsZtfeHwwaw-l44qwHrzx6fKUwLCHH67Sl74Ypy0arY8cIGxT3xkorQSsDMgCDvgHbvhZmUASstY2JLLxF0t0pGKhOaRVwQN4eRSJZQ-rws_w9jpN8h0DmvMRoQ-qH6UjO8siIebT8wDjQ/w1591-h1025/50.jpg" width="1591" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A coal load on the Orin Subdivision.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Providence Hill</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Palouse of southeastern Washington contains a series of rolling hills serrated by coulees scoured during ice age floods. Bear and I visited during a dry summer when the only sounds for miles were the distant growls of approaching BNSF freights climbing the grade of Providence Hill -- some of the most congenial country I have ever seen. If God were to choose a way station, I think He would choose the Palouse. </span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YGPHhrw5R_jsTYvi64UNK-sdld_IPtmaeMIC-A282uXBjyIUzHZm_BNweWk5794SL2CVSFBBL_9rAVro5ccP5CnnP7SzUn_dU5zSjM1V2BvWsvCc_ICPBeETRhOdnJCHmG-21XqElcWK-IieTMY7EG5YL7zkICdHHgyONRGmOxmsn0LS-2c67XrcjA/s3089/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1942" data-original-width="3089" height="1002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YGPHhrw5R_jsTYvi64UNK-sdld_IPtmaeMIC-A282uXBjyIUzHZm_BNweWk5794SL2CVSFBBL_9rAVro5ccP5CnnP7SzUn_dU5zSjM1V2BvWsvCc_ICPBeETRhOdnJCHmG-21XqElcWK-IieTMY7EG5YL7zkICdHHgyONRGmOxmsn0LS-2c67XrcjA/w1594-h1002/20.jpg" width="1594" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound grainer climbing Providence Hill -- deep in the Palouse.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tfQ_yDGYw08qFRb86j-1bfLcTy5cbpRrcE_flTGUDsUof7mvF4Dxje5Rfika-1EoSSZZnM5nPoweRhxzz6fINcHEseWKSl5Em_xTeJWSUiQJ59NOA7CEbbhsce6YPa_NTGr4F-uBrPO29o12gJObb8lzCsxnV6BXsYGpbKBnjGSGPELeWkP9zYa1cw/s3011/29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3011" height="1056" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tfQ_yDGYw08qFRb86j-1bfLcTy5cbpRrcE_flTGUDsUof7mvF4Dxje5Rfika-1EoSSZZnM5nPoweRhxzz6fINcHEseWKSl5Em_xTeJWSUiQJ59NOA7CEbbhsce6YPa_NTGr4F-uBrPO29o12gJObb8lzCsxnV6BXsYGpbKBnjGSGPELeWkP9zYa1cw/w1595-h1056/29.jpg" width="1595" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound in a coulee carved down to basalt.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia99M4jDhkOtQOG7l8lk7IOL1yk2NWyEYit9mZVnJC0_3TeL_DSZhSkMavqC9o7qegH6QxoAyI2-z4EgbTfkDQs1025yaT-o8yRItVmX0UEvAl8FIjMzp5PQhMw-PwzIlG8HOWHkRRDzvfkZr4GMjRyD6N_t9HRxc7Q4uP3aV5as1VaCPvSeKJzDzPZQ/s3056/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3056" height="1028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia99M4jDhkOtQOG7l8lk7IOL1yk2NWyEYit9mZVnJC0_3TeL_DSZhSkMavqC9o7qegH6QxoAyI2-z4EgbTfkDQs1025yaT-o8yRItVmX0UEvAl8FIjMzp5PQhMw-PwzIlG8HOWHkRRDzvfkZr4GMjRyD6N_t9HRxc7Q4uP3aV5as1VaCPvSeKJzDzPZQ/w1596-h1028/35.jpg" width="1596" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Headed to Spokane at sunset.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sierra Blanca</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sierra Blanca is a much eroded, grass-covered mountain in far southwest Texas. The town named after it is the seat of Hudspeth County, with a population of approximately 500. Dry and desolate, this country is where the original Texas and Pacific main west from Fort Worth joined the original Southern Pacific Sunset Route. Mountains rise in all directions, dry mountains in dry country, where dust is as constant as cacti. When the wind blows, which is often, the dry dust fills the sky and turns red at sundown, as though the whole country is bathed in blood.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq8Xouw2kI5yMSQBneCeUt7ome9HmMdzzTH2Z2eMZZtCvybd_9VxBitxd91PHm9hAKMYDl5E4o4B7hvsx69ZtBKax6dGFxjNi7Ai0ljuMThvDe_OXlWsYVdkuqd9zPEgZRuYn7HbHk76fMLnvEpm3_KjIVHb_J34JL0Y5Qs1PFkRtmKLvmV8LMpqdJg/s2988/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2988" height="1073" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq8Xouw2kI5yMSQBneCeUt7ome9HmMdzzTH2Z2eMZZtCvybd_9VxBitxd91PHm9hAKMYDl5E4o4B7hvsx69ZtBKax6dGFxjNi7Ai0ljuMThvDe_OXlWsYVdkuqd9zPEgZRuYn7HbHk76fMLnvEpm3_KjIVHb_J34JL0Y5Qs1PFkRtmKLvmV8LMpqdJg/w1597-h1073/1.jpg" width="1597" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest has crested the summit at Carrizo Pass and is headed downgrade to Van Horn.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozHgujRMDJjGe3bQ--avHe72T-IZR8VzWL_Sl8YHwQPrR7p1bJbMWmgSojrqfnmzerIszrVMxGADW2hQeU8JMnXMfwWNEPkMfp1R-qlgt4Ot6Xgwc3THcVo7wdJ0kAm5G_GJj1T57lgyvEIHap8raop1VNmRFbIgTgKu7eelA5PbOnh02PRWSvE2Xkw/s3036/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozHgujRMDJjGe3bQ--avHe72T-IZR8VzWL_Sl8YHwQPrR7p1bJbMWmgSojrqfnmzerIszrVMxGADW2hQeU8JMnXMfwWNEPkMfp1R-qlgt4Ot6Xgwc3THcVo7wdJ0kAm5G_GJj1T57lgyvEIHap8raop1VNmRFbIgTgKu7eelA5PbOnh02PRWSvE2Xkw/w1606-h1044/8.jpg" width="1606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks beside the Baylor Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZt20aRDOhgoVOa38fNNuuXV-6mlAcpxExCpXu6GlBbGSinfIVoofnduLPmr91L5bcv7cssLBQEfC6NeLXKNB2mR5uv6ehm3JUeo0WONrR7T6oB7BiMHG-wejNVvH6_I572QyQruDuthby6AofLH-UO5sWv2AkKXS7fxWke6c6aoEuWv-VtIwfOR3yQ/s3097/25.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1937" data-original-width="3097" height="1002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZt20aRDOhgoVOa38fNNuuXV-6mlAcpxExCpXu6GlBbGSinfIVoofnduLPmr91L5bcv7cssLBQEfC6NeLXKNB2mR5uv6ehm3JUeo0WONrR7T6oB7BiMHG-wejNVvH6_I572QyQruDuthby6AofLH-UO5sWv2AkKXS7fxWke6c6aoEuWv-VtIwfOR3yQ/w1603-h1002/25.jpg" width="1603" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>As though bathed in blood.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZNSiTiQj-VQTXF9Zfgrq6hWrMTfYEdWBXA1GinKIfabmFxlk-aa-FT4WgU3PCLhz5V_0TbvqLXyakHyG7bJwGJkZNCfazq-W5YTLVXFOMaVh_R2m9MaMNoNIApZ5JNqGZs7KBecRk-08HXmDGrh4JEyhrVzZ7T9wgQzczICzgzodjj2wBWIwkgJSXw/s3022/45.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3022" height="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZNSiTiQj-VQTXF9Zfgrq6hWrMTfYEdWBXA1GinKIfabmFxlk-aa-FT4WgU3PCLhz5V_0TbvqLXyakHyG7bJwGJkZNCfazq-W5YTLVXFOMaVh_R2m9MaMNoNIApZ5JNqGZs7KBecRk-08HXmDGrh4JEyhrVzZ7T9wgQzczICzgzodjj2wBWIwkgJSXw/w1606-h1054/45.jpg" width="1606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sierra Blanca.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Steins Pass</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Steins Pass sits almost directly on the border of Arizona and New Mexico and constitutes the last major grade for eastbounds on the Sunset Route between Cochise, Arizona and El Paso. Interstate 10 runs close to the tracks, closer than your author would prefer, but with a little effort it is possible to take railroad photos that omit the highway.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmahc6apZtwwjWN0As4Yy_RvKbrnHLL_7z75tAIJ4mo41AQ8mUOS0l3bZrnn8leAAD9qEvZOcKPtK_fselxMgheVwfHEFbNgCRkW1crrIeqes0hvLTpYTI3k7CrEEbIFCrpcuyN7HkfudrTo8KFuWStBqQxTlXsTLhImtZgnQTVC16khaBt5DevYtPg/s3045/19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3045" height="1036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmahc6apZtwwjWN0As4Yy_RvKbrnHLL_7z75tAIJ4mo41AQ8mUOS0l3bZrnn8leAAD9qEvZOcKPtK_fselxMgheVwfHEFbNgCRkW1crrIeqes0hvLTpYTI3k7CrEEbIFCrpcuyN7HkfudrTo8KFuWStBqQxTlXsTLhImtZgnQTVC16khaBt5DevYtPg/w1602-h1036/19.jpg" width="1602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound approaches the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD3TLQPzfUZGoULwkjp72Izhgzo-cOGp3buqFzs8ZihWG-QVNIngD-g-EPfgUVfrQXRuJqT6X94xG-0yz78EQDCSo8k8eysUsSUOUtgMz8lucjm8UQDOwIELQkP4DINti7yORmbcyonUU8OShuu2txF5BaVZNEaGH_N0PsN-hxLyWdKkMWAa5f6uQUQ/s3062/42.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3062" height="1029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqD3TLQPzfUZGoULwkjp72Izhgzo-cOGp3buqFzs8ZihWG-QVNIngD-g-EPfgUVfrQXRuJqT6X94xG-0yz78EQDCSo8k8eysUsSUOUtgMz8lucjm8UQDOwIELQkP4DINti7yORmbcyonUU8OShuu2txF5BaVZNEaGH_N0PsN-hxLyWdKkMWAa5f6uQUQ/w1606-h1029/42.jpg" width="1606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This eastbound has crossed the pass and is headed to Lordsburg, New Mexico.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMT4IhHhM4CQzNQrlnDEqvYmVJv0CnzopYJOJKfAYITTjwZeymGRGydRnqrrdHoMt_h0papsoYRIyreZpZirIjoVFZWfe5LrzPCpZxkL6tIHuyiPfl5cE6OeomkMdmC0nvfbYXpKXA-FH_PKobEKYtwLr4ur-TU16Bm-MSKzWCY-LJsidwHHVOIW9VA/s3047/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3047" height="1036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMT4IhHhM4CQzNQrlnDEqvYmVJv0CnzopYJOJKfAYITTjwZeymGRGydRnqrrdHoMt_h0papsoYRIyreZpZirIjoVFZWfe5LrzPCpZxkL6tIHuyiPfl5cE6OeomkMdmC0nvfbYXpKXA-FH_PKobEKYtwLr4ur-TU16Bm-MSKzWCY-LJsidwHHVOIW9VA/w1602-h1036/17.jpg" width="1602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tehachapi</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I have made several trips to Tehachapi over the years but only one with Mighty Dog. We originally planned to photograph the BNSF Transcon on the Colorado Plateau east of Flagstaff, but the weather did not cooperate, so we headed west until we found the first rays of sunshine, which turned out to be in Tehachapi. We only stayed two days before the weather cleared and we returned to Arizona. Because I have taken so many images at the loop, we did not photograph there. I do not know if Bear was disappointed. He did not say.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21X6_eZucVZGtLEU6-k7YbeIppVcjaHTpGr-Gd2rhodsXHmt_aISt52a7mSY0wyOT0l7VX3WJ5Myouog7ICX-IPlK8RPSRJJv_9TtstQ33dYmUjGMmhKxkjO9LGoP-gjOSW1EfxjOyYhwhpfKe3d7TTlzRQRP9x3JHj8BwqSiR8Z8ey_bDmcX8HqMcA/s2977/106.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2977" height="1089" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21X6_eZucVZGtLEU6-k7YbeIppVcjaHTpGr-Gd2rhodsXHmt_aISt52a7mSY0wyOT0l7VX3WJ5Myouog7ICX-IPlK8RPSRJJv_9TtstQ33dYmUjGMmhKxkjO9LGoP-gjOSW1EfxjOyYhwhpfKe3d7TTlzRQRP9x3JHj8BwqSiR8Z8ey_bDmcX8HqMcA/w1606-h1089/106.jpg" width="1606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP stacks have come out of the Caliente horseshoe and are headed downgrade to Bakersfield.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtAU-idFw-IfhivheYSxko6dD3j6UcSXS2pAyTeaHgdyBrWxkk2AYUrkjOHUJPIom2P6KXi3QENYzy0Fy8wDJ5K5y8WJwXyYtltb5o-yebOf-Irx-GrVq9OrnBYM9mJ96H6DMjvCwioAvFUb5plDOdq9_HnQgoiyxDdJdR47nwqcKltcVd123nZ6aUQ/s2970/98.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2970" height="1090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtAU-idFw-IfhivheYSxko6dD3j6UcSXS2pAyTeaHgdyBrWxkk2AYUrkjOHUJPIom2P6KXi3QENYzy0Fy8wDJ5K5y8WJwXyYtltb5o-yebOf-Irx-GrVq9OrnBYM9mJ96H6DMjvCwioAvFUb5plDOdq9_HnQgoiyxDdJdR47nwqcKltcVd123nZ6aUQ/w1599-h1090/98.jpg" width="1599" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A BNSF manifest is about to enter Tunnel 7.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUlu7La6Vy0s7qT1lXFq-xiWuMIPZcv2R1Nn2Hn4lIH3NFKx3NjhhGV5DYhAu_bxwsaXyZX4p3DFVV109kfKGC1pH0im-Tc2DZvuA8L2ZYIdecToyhvqHudNTdkXNPu3st5U60V72k8KAXHrlMlncJn-G7yL7KQPRTtIH9o9hS6Vwfk4SqIIfJ8bwEA/s2971/83.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2019" data-original-width="2971" height="1085" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUlu7La6Vy0s7qT1lXFq-xiWuMIPZcv2R1Nn2Hn4lIH3NFKx3NjhhGV5DYhAu_bxwsaXyZX4p3DFVV109kfKGC1pH0im-Tc2DZvuA8L2ZYIdecToyhvqHudNTdkXNPu3st5U60V72k8KAXHrlMlncJn-G7yL7KQPRTtIH9o9hS6Vwfk4SqIIfJ8bwEA/w1600-h1085/83.jpg" width="1600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A UP manifest exits the horseshoe at the Cesar Chavez National Monument.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkqIUEmYypDhT5YjQVDqlJt_mneaSBtSt0_xXHo3q25mnXKN1KOLJ08mAr839004WlZ1lAhqbZUegK80fMix0DwLmuzRic-ebj0pzsUqTNTRHY5pXLQSSEMjejIfc4P6H983Y0ET4w2LXnn49NilSl4k4Ip1NcapC0Wb6kBM6M6f2x0ane9s-eeZfQA/s3002/80.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3002" height="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtkqIUEmYypDhT5YjQVDqlJt_mneaSBtSt0_xXHo3q25mnXKN1KOLJ08mAr839004WlZ1lAhqbZUegK80fMix0DwLmuzRic-ebj0pzsUqTNTRHY5pXLQSSEMjejIfc4P6H983Y0ET4w2LXnn49NilSl4k4Ip1NcapC0Wb6kBM6M6f2x0ane9s-eeZfQA/w1602-h1067/80.jpg" width="1602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF exits Tunnel 5. The road outside the tunnel is the shoe-fly constructed after the 1952 Tehachapi Earthquake. Trains ran on the shoe-fly until repairs were completed on Tunnel 5. Tunnel 4 (just to the left of the power) was too badly damage for repair and was daylighted.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF Transcon</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Over the years, Bear and I made several trips to photograph the BNSF Transcon, resulting in literally hundreds of images from Curtis Hill to Cajon Pass. Following is a tiny sample.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5iGnQi2MiqHJKxyqKRGjt0K4vdwiO2mSLduhAt1GdIR5JjFjfK3VkJ-ekiOQFlisA9pmhpVIYhR56IrO7B6WUNY_oS3cDK0GdczGehTUH0DuJUTcekGxoa9qZrc4sDIUggwnQl0m1OZ7bQ-uyJxZVgobO7pxXeNk8j3WFNITX2lxFct60burGfD46g/s2961/40.%20%20Little%20Sahara.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="2961" height="1091" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5iGnQi2MiqHJKxyqKRGjt0K4vdwiO2mSLduhAt1GdIR5JjFjfK3VkJ-ekiOQFlisA9pmhpVIYhR56IrO7B6WUNY_oS3cDK0GdczGehTUH0DuJUTcekGxoa9qZrc4sDIUggwnQl0m1OZ7bQ-uyJxZVgobO7pxXeNk8j3WFNITX2lxFct60burGfD46g/w1595-h1091/40.%20%20Little%20Sahara.jpg" width="1595" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Curtis Hill, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Y66zgxNDspsRQShfhNvGcTAhOTe1Gz_6uAh4Ej4lcz2jh_LNFf1krGRjYuc5ctZQ7j4zPRXKR-905eN3jfTAIGd8fiU5sUBVzdbMvqUq_JTJyAtP3-J9pcdIyUVdduLOSYEOnu8LCB4EXDs9cTPK93GKU77TS30r813Af3I8ADTGR-K6sAmU_Im6Rg/s2991/45.%20%20Codman.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2991" height="1073" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Y66zgxNDspsRQShfhNvGcTAhOTe1Gz_6uAh4Ej4lcz2jh_LNFf1krGRjYuc5ctZQ7j4zPRXKR-905eN3jfTAIGd8fiU5sUBVzdbMvqUq_JTJyAtP3-J9pcdIyUVdduLOSYEOnu8LCB4EXDs9cTPK93GKU77TS30r813Af3I8ADTGR-K6sAmU_Im6Rg/w1597-h1073/45.%20%20Codman.jpg" width="1597" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Codman, Texas.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_0uKsyL5o3RQ8YGMJoRKt4HTyhXPf9XgElbYz_nC_Mv8gTJqdUT8q4VXwLekElKxyXso2Yq5EgOTePpRGLvI8oq83fn1M3IPAzJ1NlXnGXv-9kMoM_wB_TGlnRm5Ut7j1hJlprHrj47ei4pjglB511ixXRyuIeOya1mdRMSQej_gPS3Tw1fUxHkXag/s3015/81.%20%20Loma%20Alta.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_0uKsyL5o3RQ8YGMJoRKt4HTyhXPf9XgElbYz_nC_Mv8gTJqdUT8q4VXwLekElKxyXso2Yq5EgOTePpRGLvI8oq83fn1M3IPAzJ1NlXnGXv-9kMoM_wB_TGlnRm5Ut7j1hJlprHrj47ei4pjglB511ixXRyuIeOya1mdRMSQej_gPS3Tw1fUxHkXag/w1605-h1058/81.%20%20Loma%20Alta.jpg" width="1605" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Loma Alta, New Mexico.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFtx9euw0ZY4TE9kP_HroS0u0WJnxLkhIriZVS8mWjbGg0XbIXKnENzuPXhfubDlIxUfRZwElBrlAnt365A0yqvjJdG6KK3WRC7WoNnlvGtvvku83Ggm5-2VNzHuH0UOrIrJ_55VpyK5usI5xz_ueovUID3Af7Ck8Fp3YUUSYTPFCWduW-B_sxNmFxw/s3005/104a.%20%20Monzano%20Mtns..jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1063" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFtx9euw0ZY4TE9kP_HroS0u0WJnxLkhIriZVS8mWjbGg0XbIXKnENzuPXhfubDlIxUfRZwElBrlAnt365A0yqvjJdG6KK3WRC7WoNnlvGtvvku83Ggm5-2VNzHuH0UOrIrJ_55VpyK5usI5xz_ueovUID3Af7Ck8Fp3YUUSYTPFCWduW-B_sxNmFxw/w1597-h1063/104a.%20%20Monzano%20Mtns..jpg" width="1597" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Manzano Mountains, New Mexico.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQ_6XEugFJFN5lhZ6-fMfRqUw1sgCYv7c3TAps7UG2cpWr1715TE85xXzD7o7wWqCiqBYRZqAAO-rMyubPdXUoXw6yS4tJBF568_pxs_Vc7zbaY9eCwQ1EvQNKCfAz8duhiNyorPA4yjQKeIyUvaJjPiJM17tOn0ZqH5pLSac1Ci3qVkEPKRfF_gg2g/s3000/142.%20%20Darling%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="1064" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQ_6XEugFJFN5lhZ6-fMfRqUw1sgCYv7c3TAps7UG2cpWr1715TE85xXzD7o7wWqCiqBYRZqAAO-rMyubPdXUoXw6yS4tJBF568_pxs_Vc7zbaY9eCwQ1EvQNKCfAz8duhiNyorPA4yjQKeIyUvaJjPiJM17tOn0ZqH5pLSac1Ci3qVkEPKRfF_gg2g/w1599-h1064/142.%20%20Darling%202.jpg" width="1599" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Darling, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi467vbnLXH0BLZFLnuXwhkz07075uor2jC4glON2VKbRuUCjdMSeDfdtp_pH93u8dJYceAbk4_k1wT2EpnOz5cfdQG_84IboyqBIwwAhtzvD5BKC9ydObZgvFqbsBI6uqwL3jlYkln1q9AzDeimhW7cx1OmyP65k3tn85QKmIflR4uY6inozzdXM_q0Q/s2992/170.%20%20Crozier.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="2992" height="1064" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi467vbnLXH0BLZFLnuXwhkz07075uor2jC4glON2VKbRuUCjdMSeDfdtp_pH93u8dJYceAbk4_k1wT2EpnOz5cfdQG_84IboyqBIwwAhtzvD5BKC9ydObZgvFqbsBI6uqwL3jlYkln1q9AzDeimhW7cx1OmyP65k3tn85QKmIflR4uY6inozzdXM_q0Q/w1592-h1064/170.%20%20Crozier.jpg" width="1592" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Crozier Canyon, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASGbcVV8uJjrCE2btcXfbwWKyopmw3iHohI5BZzR_BKKPOTaM4ems3hA4i1WmLeLe8Ex67RKUUpC-d9IvamJ4P-2Gcr0fICYXgSxcePXnlYH2bTy0XIJyuNYT8JEnS5JSEzDv-EbqeJSfO5_7AsPDOsDXsl6F0G7mtH6MeaRbNh-c2T3FdhYV3IQ7cQ/s3069/203.%20%20Ash%20Hill.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1955" data-original-width="3069" height="1022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASGbcVV8uJjrCE2btcXfbwWKyopmw3iHohI5BZzR_BKKPOTaM4ems3hA4i1WmLeLe8Ex67RKUUpC-d9IvamJ4P-2Gcr0fICYXgSxcePXnlYH2bTy0XIJyuNYT8JEnS5JSEzDv-EbqeJSfO5_7AsPDOsDXsl6F0G7mtH6MeaRbNh-c2T3FdhYV3IQ7cQ/w1604-h1022/203.%20%20Ash%20Hill.jpg" width="1604" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ash Hill, California.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4BlPMn8Mdi0l-nlfJ9eDqPthe1kPMge4TKg1KxXzBaCjhvV-U8UlDMA0G_g0CX1H_Rm0-f5O9Mc8C0x1t5BTkFHmufxEjxLrXuGzDKf8MZ1q49RqYUtsiMtUYMAkJQS_epfs7duxdWKyYc3RlpKEG-MBfoxaWQLsV4EFlayx3EGvtIhsXHi1aCWHhw/s2987/227.%20%20Cajon%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2987" height="1075" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4BlPMn8Mdi0l-nlfJ9eDqPthe1kPMge4TKg1KxXzBaCjhvV-U8UlDMA0G_g0CX1H_Rm0-f5O9Mc8C0x1t5BTkFHmufxEjxLrXuGzDKf8MZ1q49RqYUtsiMtUYMAkJQS_epfs7duxdWKyYc3RlpKEG-MBfoxaWQLsV4EFlayx3EGvtIhsXHi1aCWHhw/w1600-h1075/227.%20%20Cajon%202.jpg" width="1600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cajon Summit, California.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Trinidad Hill</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At Trinidad Hill, the old Great Northern mainline climbs out of the Columbia River Gorge to the plateau (scoured by coulees) created by the Columbia River Flood Basalts approximately 5,000,000 - 15,000,000 years ago. The terrain is breathtaking, almost unbelievable, a land sculpted by a force beyond imagining. I think Bear was mesmerized by this land. He sat in the Jeep for hours, not sleeping, instead staring into the vastness of the primeval gorge that even today defies all but the most heroic attempts to cross.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_nOSirO2hgv15YxwHHgndJLIr4MAleRmg3cyg-sgwGdWlRLRzaIzZM7qSUnw5H-hGdrscXwMsSvfUbB_mQdR-nAoSOBTB8MSHosXTh6upC4pTbp8jp6-MwpDYZu6EQKkXiX68lc6QGSlpr8FWDlCLyVBUjyyqF6fMlAyNc7mwWWw2DeWIooNR7GYog/s2959/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="2959" height="1091" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_nOSirO2hgv15YxwHHgndJLIr4MAleRmg3cyg-sgwGdWlRLRzaIzZM7qSUnw5H-hGdrscXwMsSvfUbB_mQdR-nAoSOBTB8MSHosXTh6upC4pTbp8jp6-MwpDYZu6EQKkXiX68lc6QGSlpr8FWDlCLyVBUjyyqF6fMlAyNc7mwWWw2DeWIooNR7GYog/w1595-h1091/8.jpg" width="1595" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound Z in full dynamics.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinbrxcHc2da78lSJ21obOGe_3i9qMJHCUa5RtxSJGbFPCdP7qgS-HjGh2abmdgpyHkD5EGFSNCzb6tT04VDc1dlqFD3MNQpa9KV4BVZEhStv0piXXA6h2Lkg87SOcTvUZQ1hp3AwjmP6s_8vVoaJneT_EcAV0o3ixy-Em46TOW3vACt9CIOcImRzzVA/s2989/9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2989" height="1077" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinbrxcHc2da78lSJ21obOGe_3i9qMJHCUa5RtxSJGbFPCdP7qgS-HjGh2abmdgpyHkD5EGFSNCzb6tT04VDc1dlqFD3MNQpa9KV4BVZEhStv0piXXA6h2Lkg87SOcTvUZQ1hp3AwjmP6s_8vVoaJneT_EcAV0o3ixy-Em46TOW3vACt9CIOcImRzzVA/w1603-h1077/9.jpg" width="1603" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Another westbound beginning its descent into the gorge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpbozYP_bkDw1ZkIIXlrwMTqWis1wzZFx402tneTsWnjZ-sbH3WFy-0ll9Y4BDfiEEVVXeAwfqhPIu-u5yZIOpiiokMqkBniIRBl3rNNJUXMhUXMNbCEWL2v5WiCyc0adI8ptnkNBZBawk7CKkBcrv4J9e9UTGC-lJIdPhRWxbJKGqmuvW_RLd_ttJQ/s2988/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2988" height="1082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpbozYP_bkDw1ZkIIXlrwMTqWis1wzZFx402tneTsWnjZ-sbH3WFy-0ll9Y4BDfiEEVVXeAwfqhPIu-u5yZIOpiiokMqkBniIRBl3rNNJUXMhUXMNbCEWL2v5WiCyc0adI8ptnkNBZBawk7CKkBcrv4J9e9UTGC-lJIdPhRWxbJKGqmuvW_RLd_ttJQ/w1610-h1082/14.jpg" width="1610" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The Columbia River Gorge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtpT0LybOob40nDv29qYhVFcBmX49GIjGppXWoHyKwprfbHsWbIdo0kApMyvoWEeNLoSoCK-sJpalT0Hu3jNPD1a-J98BjGrgNb9bS9AHJZSOyRQoWRy3SCrUzQoPi5OAFj-zULPP9EgvWL4Bjohem5P6YYk8ty5qyns2PalErXs0y6rfDYEPsztKzw/s3030/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3030" height="1046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtpT0LybOob40nDv29qYhVFcBmX49GIjGppXWoHyKwprfbHsWbIdo0kApMyvoWEeNLoSoCK-sJpalT0Hu3jNPD1a-J98BjGrgNb9bS9AHJZSOyRQoWRy3SCrUzQoPi5OAFj-zULPP9EgvWL4Bjohem5P6YYk8ty5qyns2PalErXs0y6rfDYEPsztKzw/w1602-h1046/34.jpg" width="1602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wolcott</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Welcott was a station stop in Wyoming on the Union Pacific's Overland Route and in the 19th century claimed about 100 residents. Cattle were loaded and unloaded here, and remnants of the pens are still visible today, though the town itself has vanished. The road leading down into the valley from Interstate 80 is crumbling, filled with potholes the size of basketballs. Trains roar through in both directions and give not the slightest hint that anyone ever lived in this place.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9KGtx2bfqRk4qxWIw69ndnb-7SQdGKGgjhVYLwTG00t-0MFZyCBWIus4PEE2yGRQdgjj2mgM1XD6Aui0Z_rjW6JmROpYuA5LCQmWjF-OPAdn4HY3-TdGyhu30Y7uwAbIwLy-K0536MHFJwPUD_i6ZLldmUdsTRBaRemplu7YEFq1OXqivmqRliJvIQ/s3022/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="3022" height="984" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9KGtx2bfqRk4qxWIw69ndnb-7SQdGKGgjhVYLwTG00t-0MFZyCBWIus4PEE2yGRQdgjj2mgM1XD6Aui0Z_rjW6JmROpYuA5LCQmWjF-OPAdn4HY3-TdGyhu30Y7uwAbIwLy-K0536MHFJwPUD_i6ZLldmUdsTRBaRemplu7YEFq1OXqivmqRliJvIQ/w1613-h984/27.jpg" width="1613" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Accelerating past Wolcott.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMQLhhyjd4HI4ZIIg5Dv-FoA9HDvGOTPbtffHpmYLsylLf9p3vOEhUhDK0zgY0qFDemY-UUZ1x_lfT5IUq2glrSo_NJGG99PVniB8AAGsWGf1ZM4bh4QAaWS2Tq3HNlJMV7GCjmUJEyqBXNectThh8t6eUjFRzv8hiE1b1oqw1wSGXVBphVHAal7ZvQ/s2982/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2982" height="1088" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMQLhhyjd4HI4ZIIg5Dv-FoA9HDvGOTPbtffHpmYLsylLf9p3vOEhUhDK0zgY0qFDemY-UUZ1x_lfT5IUq2glrSo_NJGG99PVniB8AAGsWGf1ZM4bh4QAaWS2Tq3HNlJMV7GCjmUJEyqBXNectThh8t6eUjFRzv8hiE1b1oqw1wSGXVBphVHAal7ZvQ/w1611-h1088/8.jpg" width="1611" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks are curving around the remnants of Wolcott.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QFYLCIxZqdgFpakaOXKJsGLoGm9slZoswQKDSIz_Z1_KIcvsyMLmb0DC8rDycyj9Ni2FXnSiWW8Glx1ujwa3B6CxYctWCtv9mRTGTGAWCLmE7r-tWRlrOIaeQHPfaVxJFdiivWGJAVGpsEt5K_VMfJxbx2QtdrCxsybXt49ljHh3O7Hg7IzrtiDO8Q/s2964/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1828" data-original-width="2964" height="992" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QFYLCIxZqdgFpakaOXKJsGLoGm9slZoswQKDSIz_Z1_KIcvsyMLmb0DC8rDycyj9Ni2FXnSiWW8Glx1ujwa3B6CxYctWCtv9mRTGTGAWCLmE7r-tWRlrOIaeQHPfaVxJFdiivWGJAVGpsEt5K_VMfJxbx2QtdrCxsybXt49ljHh3O7Hg7IzrtiDO8Q/w1611-h992/20.jpg" width="1611" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Not in Kansas anymore.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I wanted Bear to avoid death as one might avoid the flu, because I wanted Bear to join me on many future railfan trips, but at the end he let me know, as my father had before him, that long life is not necessarily a blessing.</span><span> </span></span></p><blockquote><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For in that sleep of death what dreams may come<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Must give us pause: there's the respect<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">That makes calamity of so long life. -- Hamlet</span> </span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Good-by, old friend. </span> </span></p><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNUH5oVAbLpAUNsCMDXOvClcn0btv-LZGHFPms3O0rXvYw8BBmtxKVKcDZIyNrroZaNHjKlbmQvjbZfedV-vmJUyFG-q5mvmz161MoZvOs0uTY1X9vu-9ysS9BmBxKepuAOYOREqB5WG5HGNw5qRCrqHo5mvohCGIqoSYsWsrSu7MsiXhG6BGznPl8w/s2997/218.%20%20Bear.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1071" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNUH5oVAbLpAUNsCMDXOvClcn0btv-LZGHFPms3O0rXvYw8BBmtxKVKcDZIyNrroZaNHjKlbmQvjbZfedV-vmJUyFG-q5mvmz161MoZvOs0uTY1X9vu-9ysS9BmBxKepuAOYOREqB5WG5HGNw5qRCrqHo5mvohCGIqoSYsWsrSu7MsiXhG6BGznPl8w/w1601-h1071/218.%20%20Bear.jpg" width="1601" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p></div><div><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-82328004943483941602023-01-07T18:37:00.001-06:002023-01-11T09:25:24.588-06:00Powder River Basin: Part One (BNSF)<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI19Po1__r2-8uC1GzTspdB5uFjcvK-ZYj5Jb9ikzih1zvQjYnZ33y-Hzc55Pnwc3kmuW_j2CB094YH6Xy6qm5bMByIcJRQhEwtScPiYgjePbyaM7Uc94WwmJtRAqmvJ9eiCnTG-5FkQfdqTukFqcJgFu0tWO8kK0UbNrMExSnJ1nXEhzWccaljicUSw/s3006/52%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3006" height="1186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI19Po1__r2-8uC1GzTspdB5uFjcvK-ZYj5Jb9ikzih1zvQjYnZ33y-Hzc55Pnwc3kmuW_j2CB094YH6Xy6qm5bMByIcJRQhEwtScPiYgjePbyaM7Uc94WwmJtRAqmvJ9eiCnTG-5FkQfdqTukFqcJgFu0tWO8kK0UbNrMExSnJ1nXEhzWccaljicUSw/w1790-h1186/52%20copy.jpg" width="1790" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Not that long ago (early 21st century), as many as 100 or more coal trains per day ran into and out of the Powder River Basin. You could plant yourself anywhere along the tracks from Shawnee Junction to Donkey Creek and, during a busy hour, see 8-10 trains. In a “slow” hour, you might see three.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The intelligentsia in the United States have, however, declared war on coal, with the stated intent of closing all coal-fired generating plants. (The same war has been declared on oil and natural gas.) </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>When I listen to them talk</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> about the need to abolish carbon dioxide, which all plants require to survive, I despair. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">"Eliminate your carbon footprint," they say. However, since </span><span style="font-family: arial;">all of us exhale carbon dioxide with each breath, the only way to eliminate our</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> carbon footprint is to die. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Recently, I began wondering what effect the war on coal was having on railroad traffic in the Powder River Basin, so in late September 2021, your author spent three weeks in and around Gillette, Wyoming, observing the situation for himself. What follows is the first of a two-part discussion of the Powder River Basin under assault. Part One covers BNSF. Part Two will discuss Union Pacific.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">(I am not the best at identifying places. I've tried to locate various coal mines and roads, but there is a real possibility that I have made mistakes. In fact, if I have not made mistakes, it will be a first. If you see one [a mistake], point it out in the comments. Then breathe deeply. Let it go. You'll survive.)</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDD9I6Rb4dWSeKAbKT0fzSzG4pMrjHhOFmNWgfuDp0pVLgJ3wFWCX6wUzvOy8hfhPw2MeV1MfN7W8hfOpHL0xupQjz6z7KI09KnbDHhkBIK66hmN2CuAXR9PnK4CUexQC9ZEmO27pxslbXqndH5D4sCFYj8rD5JHUXLCbK-1jBnSKmvFHDVQGjo-0t2Q" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="474" height="1313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDD9I6Rb4dWSeKAbKT0fzSzG4pMrjHhOFmNWgfuDp0pVLgJ3wFWCX6wUzvOy8hfhPw2MeV1MfN7W8hfOpHL0xupQjz6z7KI09KnbDHhkBIK66hmN2CuAXR9PnK4CUexQC9ZEmO27pxslbXqndH5D4sCFYj8rD5JHUXLCbK-1jBnSKmvFHDVQGjo-0t2Q=w1554-h1313" width="1554" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Generalized-Geologic-map-of-the-Powder-River-Basin-and-surrounding-areas-Orange_fig1_335201750"><span style="color: black;">https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Generalized-Geologic-map-of-the-Powder-River-Basin-and-surrounding-areas-Orange_fig1_335201750</span></a>.</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As used in this article, “Powder River Basin” refers to the valleys and flatlands extending west to east from the Bighorn Mountains in north central Wyoming to the Black Hills on the Wyoming/South Dakota border, and includes the watersheds of the Powder, Tongue and Little Missouri Rivers. To one who has not lived in this land, such as your author, one who has not absorbed the fantastically varied weather and geography, the single most distinguishing characteristic of this place is the endless horizon, the line of infinity where land meets sky. In the Powder River Basin the horizon is as overwhelming as the universe itself – and as unknowable. Chasing the horizon in Wyoming is like chasing a mirage; the faster you run, the faster it recedes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Wyoming’s horizon is so striking because <b>you can see it</b>, which is not as ridiculous as it sounds. You cannot see the horizon in a forest, nor in a cleared field surrounded by trees, nor in a city. There are very few places east of the Mississippi River where one can glimpse even a portion of the horizon. On the open sea, the horizon stretches beyond the limits of imagination; the same is true in the Power River Basin, where trees (mostly cottonwoods) are found only in river and creek bottoms, plus a few scraggly mountain cedars on the uplifts. But the open range is clear of obstacles, like the runway of an Air Force Base. Look in any direction, and the grasslands extend to meet the sky at the point where the earth curves beyond sight. To see this for the first time is to glimpse the overwhelming vastness that to Westerners is an afterthought, like the wind.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KfXyGf9ESulBWG4xiE2I5Lgs7xbQ50Db3m0NdBnPTCmv9OBibZy9Sg8IYKDvpwYT8lgXKt2_7lbUZQ0NYvyydyMNCTVmYXN62UJEl0c6f7two2m-ozZ3FEng5B3upJrIOuByDAV2mNnhJoSRBslIxNylpGQGbH1Sc4V17rmZs-xiz8Dt37UPLQ4Ayw/s3010/19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3010" height="1248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2KfXyGf9ESulBWG4xiE2I5Lgs7xbQ50Db3m0NdBnPTCmv9OBibZy9Sg8IYKDvpwYT8lgXKt2_7lbUZQ0NYvyydyMNCTVmYXN62UJEl0c6f7two2m-ozZ3FEng5B3upJrIOuByDAV2mNnhJoSRBslIxNylpGQGbH1Sc4V17rmZs-xiz8Dt37UPLQ4Ayw/w1883-h1248/19.jpg" width="1883" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A loaded BNSF coal train rolls south beneath the endless horizon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My first trip to Wyoming was in 1970, and my most vivid memory is feeling that I was standing on the very top of the world. Wyoming is the summit of a five-layer wedding cake, the dome of St. Peter’s, the flag flying from the world’s tallest flagpole. Other states have taller mountains – California and Colorado, for example – but none has taller valleys. My favorite illustration is the University of Wyoming, which sits in Laramie in a bucolic valley between tranquil mountains at 7,165 feet. For comparison, the tallest <b>passes</b> on the Canadian Pacific are Kicking Horse (5338 feet) and Rogers (4364 feet). The highest mountain east of the Mississippi is Mount Mitchell in North Carolina – 6684 feet. Sitting in a quiet valley, the University of Wyoming tops them all.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="300" height="798" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRb8ajUybJGnAJivJcxWpYsXy2dB93KMEFac92vt3Gqvyd_KUjFZIuP87mQysOitC4-3hvlX7wTlnCQAZojiWe-vmHmhYDfVu1jvQGOGpJzGsaaNSo5w4onFk-2BEk5AzLj4_dm5vMVd8wCD9sre8hKSKACDQ9GtgnZhnwrADhQBdcnV94wCcCkMvnYA=w564-h798" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="564" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>William F. Raynolds</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRb8ajUybJGnAJivJcxWpYsXy2dB93KMEFac92vt3Gqvyd_KUjFZIuP87mQysOitC4-3hvlX7wTlnCQAZojiWe-vmHmhYDfVu1jvQGOGpJzGsaaNSo5w4onFk-2BEk5AzLj4_dm5vMVd8wCD9sre8hKSKACDQ9GtgnZhnwrADhQBdcnV94wCcCkMvnYA" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></a><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the early 19th century, this country was unknown to those living east of the Mississippi River, a complete mystery. Some thought that a river flowed from the Great Plains to the Pacific Ocean. Others thought that the mountains of the northwest were impenetrable and therefore uninhabitable. Still others thought that the mountains sheltered broad fertile valleys that never froze – bathed in perpetual summer. The expedition of Lewis and Clark shattered those imaginary stained-glass windows but bypassed the Powder River Basin, exploration of which was carried out by Captain William F. Raynolds of the Army Corps of Topographical Engineers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Raynolds was born March 17, 1820, the fourth of six children. His grandfather (also named William Raynolds) was a veteran of the War of 1812 in which he rose to the rank of captain. The younger Raynolds was graduated from West Point in 1843 in a class of 40, which included Ulysses S. Grant. Initially appointed a second lieutenant in the 5th U.S. Infantry, Raynolds was soon transferred to the Army Corps of Topographical Engineers, which conducted surveys and drafted maps until merger with the Corps of Engineers in 1863. Raynolds’ initial assignment involved navigational surveys of the Ohio River. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Raynolds served in the Mexican-American War under Winfield Scott. After cessation of hostilities, while the Army occupied Mexico City, he explored the surrounding mountains and was the first to reach the summit of Pico de Orizaba, at 18,620 feet an active strato-volcano and the third highest peak in North America, behind Denali in Alaska and Logan in Canada. Informed by locals that the mountain could not be climbed, Raynolds set out to prove them wrong. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A pack train of mules, officers, enlisted men and native guides departed Orizaba in May 1848. The tropical jungle presented obstacles never before encountered by those soldiers, mile upon mile of vegetation as thick as a hedge row, vegetation so thick and moist that it seemed to grow larger before their eyes, and more than once they thought of abandoning the project and returning to the comforts of Mexico City. But they pressed forward, eventually establishing a base camp at 12,000 feet, within a thousand feet of the timberline, and on May 10 attempted a final assault on the summit. Raynolds reached the snow-covered top and estimated the volcano’s crater at 400-650 yards in diameter and 300 feet deep. Three years later, a French expedition discovered an American flag at the summit with “1848” carved into its pole.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSs-O0zuE4k2_5H0txePK7u8EdwaNvpMn7y44v01jsMBzMt1CwHG-ennEeMfVSQlI1ilPmccQ9D22aLl8wMwdCsWgoFlb6bGAX7ImhN8NRbNhAb-nolFqrujX2u12yzSMrHfVe5YJLVVJGSZi7LpF77_37jj6Zl1lcOMH4yO0WXGc4CZITU2WnD7jXg/s2772/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-31%20at%203.55.21%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1674" data-original-width="2772" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSs-O0zuE4k2_5H0txePK7u8EdwaNvpMn7y44v01jsMBzMt1CwHG-ennEeMfVSQlI1ilPmccQ9D22aLl8wMwdCsWgoFlb6bGAX7ImhN8NRbNhAb-nolFqrujX2u12yzSMrHfVe5YJLVVJGSZi7LpF77_37jj6Zl1lcOMH4yO0WXGc4CZITU2WnD7jXg/w808-h488/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-31%20at%203.55.21%20PM.png" width="808" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pico de Orizaba</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In 1859, Raynolds was assigned by Congress to explore Montana and Wyoming, especially the Yellowstone and Cheyenne Rivers. The expedition included geologist F.V. Hayden, photographer James D. Hutton and mapmaker Anton Schönborn. Second in command was Lieutenant Henry E. Maynadier, supported by an infantry detachment of 30 men. Famed explorer Jim Bridger was the guide.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Raynolds prepared a report to Congress, which can be found at:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://archive.org/details/reportofexplorat00rayn/page/n9/mode/2up">https://archive.org/details/reportofexplorat00rayn/page/n9/mode/2up</a>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">To put it mildly, Raynolds was not impressed with the Powder River Basin. He was experiencing the West for the first time, unable to appreciate that which he could not comprehend, like a man awakening to discover that he is staring not at the nearby wall of his bedroom but instead into the infinity of a universe that he prefers to avoid: “The country traversed today is the same barren desert that we have been in since leaving the Platte — very little grass, no wood, and scarcely any water. I cannot conceive how it will ever be made inhabitable for the white man.”</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_oHSTyAitYEoc2mCzIfHpdwW-XcNqSEjpCO3Ucwe_FHj62du8AfcRTbisQS_24OaiPqcvlzik4IlPlf-ApwMpRsdjQu-G9E5QRbFChxtf9see4_x6UdjPK-dYMEJYCOMdMkBGbvz7JjeXwOyV0nf0wjeKu8QDgFgN5AU0Jxsc16WeVAfMIOz_DhR9Q/s2933/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="2933" height="1258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_oHSTyAitYEoc2mCzIfHpdwW-XcNqSEjpCO3Ucwe_FHj62du8AfcRTbisQS_24OaiPqcvlzik4IlPlf-ApwMpRsdjQu-G9E5QRbFChxtf9see4_x6UdjPK-dYMEJYCOMdMkBGbvz7JjeXwOyV0nf0wjeKu8QDgFgN5AU0Jxsc16WeVAfMIOz_DhR9Q/w1872-h1258/22.jpg" width="1872" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>"The same barren desert we have been in since leaving the Platte."</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">His Summary Report to Congress contained the following descriptions of the rivers in the Powder River Basin:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Powder River: “Its valley (which is barren and yields but little grass and an abundance of artemisia) averages a mile in width throughout its entire length, until within 50 miles from its mouth, it becomes narrower and the bluffs more ragged and broken. . . . The bluffs bordering the valley are throughout the much-dreaded and barren ‘bad lands,’ and this stream must ever remain of little or no value to the country.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Tongue River: “[T]he Tongue River valley presents few attractions to the settler. The soil is light, and the timber chiefly cottonwood, and scarce — disadvantages that will for years seriously affect its prospects for settlement and development.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Little Missouri River: “The Little Missouri rises in the Black Hills, whence it receives a constant and considerable supply of water, and its length is over 200 miles. This stream having more timber upon its banks than its neighbors, is called by the Indians ‘Ohan-cho-ka,’ or Thick Timbered River. The title, however, is only comparative, and should not create the impression that the valley would be elsewhere considered heavily timbered."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">For those raised in the wet East, the western United States upon first contact seems a desert wasteland devoid of life. This perception is the same as that of a man who has walked outdoors from a room crowded with music and dancing into the relative calm of an adjacent parking lot. At first the world seems to have disappeared, without sound or substance, as though one is floating weightless in the void. But if one has enough patience to stand quietly and listen, sounds begin to appear, random insects, the soft southern breeze, the wail of a lone coyote. But patience is necessary, and Raynold’s report to Congress is devoid of that moderating virtue. Everything is barren, lifeless, horrible, unlivable. His favorite phrase is “unfit for a white man,” or a variant.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The landscape before us was wide in extent, but characterized by forbidding desolation. The valleys of the Powder and its branch were marked by narrow and sinuous belts of green, but these, with here and there a solitary pine of stunted growth, constituted all the verdure that relieved the monotony of barrenness. Naked brown hills rose up on all sides, broken into irregular peaks, and with their sides torn in to deep and impassable gullies by the mountain torrents — a petrified representation of an angry sea in all the fury of a storm.</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2k8p7xtEgT_mB7AjvlL3ae0AQlrRU3AqpfGtQHqEo_jeAd_PBLQuAiuBSpd0kYZWl__ev7jI9EHUrB2fFO5xNekVckgD2EhpAauAo5aaaGQTGM202Fh1gwITF2AlMnlDeuFhiLsVqcs83krgZ3w0nkSCxsvmqDcI6gvYVf83Tx3DuRoXg7RmDQ0b3Jg/s3053/174.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3053" height="1208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2k8p7xtEgT_mB7AjvlL3ae0AQlrRU3AqpfGtQHqEo_jeAd_PBLQuAiuBSpd0kYZWl__ev7jI9EHUrB2fFO5xNekVckgD2EhpAauAo5aaaGQTGM202Fh1gwITF2AlMnlDeuFhiLsVqcs83krgZ3w0nkSCxsvmqDcI6gvYVf83Tx3DuRoXg7RmDQ0b3Jg/w1876-h1208/174.jpg" width="1876" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>"The monotony of barrenness."</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Raynolds was astounded by the lack of trees, a deficiency which seems like a typographical error or an optical illusion to one who has lived his whole life in the forest. Why would trees suddenly stop growing? At the time of this exploration, the mid-19th century, many people believed that there were no trees in Western flatlands because of annual range fires that killed everything but grass. If the fires were stopped, the theory posited, trees would begin to grow, and more rain would fall. In other words, vegetation causes rain. This was a corollary to the belief that lack of rain was caused by lack of people. “Rain follows the plow!” was the battle cry. Settlers carried this belief into the West with predictable results. Dry land farms in Wyoming and Montana perished almost overnight. In the early 20th century, the continuation of this fantastic belief created the Dust Bowl.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Raynolds himself did not believe that rain would increase if trees started growing.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I believe that the well-known hypothesis of Professor Gayot — that the ocean is the great source of the supply of moisture for all continents, the water absorbed by the atmosphere being precipitated in rain by coming in contact with the colder currents of air, and that therefore it naturally follows, (all other things being equal,) that the interior of all large bodies of land must be comparatively destitute of moisture by reason of remoteness from the source of supply — is sustained in every respect by the meteorology of this region. Mountain ranges intercepting the upper currents of air would cause the moisture in them to be precipitated, and hence the mountain sides remote from the ocean would be much more abundantly supplied with rain than the level tracts in the same vicinity.</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">“Professor Gayot” refers to Arnold Henry Gayot of Princeton University, born in Switzerland in 1807, who developed the first national system of meteorological observations, which led to the establishment of the United States Weather Bureau. His <i>Meteorological and Physical Tables</i> was a standard resource for the last half of the 19th century. He is less well known for his belief that climate determines the superiority or inferiority of human races; for example, the idea that, because the tropics are too hot for one to think properly, people living there are stupid.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHV1NnoJQ3ftgJX9R9wT_XhKel3ORzNgB06IhwoNb6aHbsAtNCqcIk4Wzw1oqrD3w4NU_0c1o98F2Ssu6hvO9dcKOfrLm2BF9Z1v7vBFtTepZ9slDdrCrSmxf6gOoSF4fYsvP6MzwuMy-FitZp4m-2Ch7mTHO3S5Y2smQJPjAFsTPpBqBR-XnDOYm_7A" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHV1NnoJQ3ftgJX9R9wT_XhKel3ORzNgB06IhwoNb6aHbsAtNCqcIk4Wzw1oqrD3w4NU_0c1o98F2Ssu6hvO9dcKOfrLm2BF9Z1v7vBFtTepZ9slDdrCrSmxf6gOoSF4fYsvP6MzwuMy-FitZp4m-2Ch7mTHO3S5Y2smQJPjAFsTPpBqBR-XnDOYm_7A=w547-h410" width="547" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Arnold Henry Gayot</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A lot of such nonsense was spread in the 19th century. However, Raynold’s discussion above, based on Gayot’s theories, is reasonably correct. What both Gayot and Raynolds did not understand, and indeed would have been flabbergasted to learn, was that the Power River Basin was filled to within a few feet of the surface with immense deposits of low sulphur coal.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Basin contains up to 17,000 feet of rock from the Cambrian (485-540 million years ago) to the present. The thickest section is from the Cretaceous (145-65 million years ago), composed mostly of marine shale and sandstone deposited in what is called the Western Interior Seaway, an ancient sea that divided North American in half, running from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjd6YNWbY_aCWu2qadr2bIvClksuK3-GdDQri119TQWZzldSeyVxrGkP4ersZRE1kyIZq2Y7UtZVdGFffVWQFuES2z-C4SfzUKVX_P-jeAbTnrli_szOsmp7EkXE4Coxx66sNTrjRBW_xtgyN_WBCg4ce0ylpJjI_E9YYJWDJZV1QhMqIIfE4be-Zl_w" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1000" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjd6YNWbY_aCWu2qadr2bIvClksuK3-GdDQri119TQWZzldSeyVxrGkP4ersZRE1kyIZq2Y7UtZVdGFffVWQFuES2z-C4SfzUKVX_P-jeAbTnrli_szOsmp7EkXE4Coxx66sNTrjRBW_xtgyN_WBCg4ce0ylpJjI_E9YYJWDJZV1QhMqIIfE4be-Zl_w=w780-h780" width="780" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://osoceanfacts.wordpress.com/2021/04/13/western-interior-seaway/"><span style="color: black;">https://osoceanfacts.wordpress.com/2021/04/13/western-interior-seaway/</span></a>.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Coal deposits began forming around 60 million years ago when the land rose from the interior</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> sea, caused by the uplift that created the Black</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Hills. The climate was sub-tropical, much like south Florida or Cuba today, because the planet was much warmer then. Average rainfall was over 100 inches per year, creating swamps filled with palm trees. Dead vegetation accumulated in enormous peat bogs. The land continued rising, forming hills and small mountains, which over time (millions of years) eroded away, their detritus covering the bogs. The sediment grew deeper and deeper, increasing the pressure and heat, eventually metamorphizing the dead vegetation into coal. As the modern age developed, the climate cooled, one Ice Age following another. (Today, we live between Ice Ages. When the next one arrives, all Canada and a significant percentage of the lower 48 states will be covered with perpetual snow, in some places hundreds of feet deep.) Uplift then ceased, and wind and rain began to wash away the sediment, until today the coal in some places lies almost exposed on the surface. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Powder River Basin coal is classified as “sub-bituminous” and does not produce nearly as much heat as a comparable quantity of “Appalachian bituminous,” which contains significantly more sulphur. Thus, for many years, because it took almost twice as much Wyoming coal to produce the same amount of heat as Appalachian coal, Wyoming coal could not compete. That changed when Congress passed the Clean Air Act in the 1970’s, requiring coal-burning generating plants to reduce significantly their sulphur outputs. A plant burning high sulphur coal was thus required to spend huge sums to “scrub” its emissions, and it became cheaper to purchase, transport and burn Powder River Basin coal, which did not require “scrubbing.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The coal beds in the Powder River Basin are shaped like half a bowl -- sliced vertically. A mine starts at the top of the bowl, where coal is near the surface, but as it moves it digs progressively deeper until it reaches the bottom. The overburden (rock and sediment on top of the coal) is loosened by dynamite charges that shake the ground for miles. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Gigantic shovels (called "draglines") then load the fractured detritus into even more gigantic dump trucks that carry it away to refill sections of mines where the coal has been exhausted. Then the shovels load coal onto the same trucks, which transport the cargo to tipples, tall structures that look and function like grain elevators. Coal is carried to the top of the tipple by an auger or conveyor belt. Railroad cars run slowly beneath the tipple until filled with coal. Loading an entire train can take hours.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fo7Pif-n15qmJObg7aLCG9jW9xbJa2F4KaLan5dNDx3wdV_gXTjPKuPQyIXd3tlKctepz5hLbutaXzBFoLWgpiyCtNsgPcCme0eQBQkYu6i_Mm7kdc7H6eNgVahQdUbkmV8vIezgcmR-V6LSm7r2R2vS_Gxnm3JHTs6_4Kq6etP1XhfvPH_RYbGujA/s2958/179.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2028" data-original-width="2958" height="1285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fo7Pif-n15qmJObg7aLCG9jW9xbJa2F4KaLan5dNDx3wdV_gXTjPKuPQyIXd3tlKctepz5hLbutaXzBFoLWgpiyCtNsgPcCme0eQBQkYu6i_Mm7kdc7H6eNgVahQdUbkmV8vIezgcmR-V6LSm7r2R2vS_Gxnm3JHTs6_4Kq6etP1XhfvPH_RYbGujA/w1877-h1285/179.jpg" width="1877" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A very large dump truck. Tires are almost ten feet tall.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvF1pQnAukxaXxoPe6hhsfCX1FYYElEtEDsEtHgRenpQWW813RvIqy93YyqwABDF65l-LaTCi7YlUljUGpCx3BmyORsSGS5AJYToTE-bt3uwpdLvSGCjxWcRSwOrHOIh3N-bAMyI0BA2HdSBdlNg83I5rZoUld8VDYexmF-yUvGBKD9TJ6rsbsSUyxcg/s2981/180.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2981" height="1267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvF1pQnAukxaXxoPe6hhsfCX1FYYElEtEDsEtHgRenpQWW813RvIqy93YyqwABDF65l-LaTCi7YlUljUGpCx3BmyORsSGS5AJYToTE-bt3uwpdLvSGCjxWcRSwOrHOIh3N-bAMyI0BA2HdSBdlNg83I5rZoUld8VDYexmF-yUvGBKD9TJ6rsbsSUyxcg/w1876-h1267/180.jpg" width="1876" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Coal tipple in background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When mining began in earnest, no rail line ran through the Powder River Basin. Two Burlington Northern lines ran nearby, one north and one south. The line north had been constructed by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy in the late 19th century from Alliance, Nebraska, to Laurel, Montana, to link that railroad’s Midwestern lines with the Northern Pacific, which had completed a transcontinental line from the Midwest to Seattle in 1893. Significant traffic had never materialized, however, and at the passage of the Clean Air Act, the line was lightly-used. The idea that Burlington Northern might one day funnel 60 or more trains per day southeast on these tracks was as preposterous as the thought that the United States could be defeated in war by a tiny country from southeastern Asia.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTDAXLkYUtx-3c_wqv_D8I0-SWr4L1GvT-eNYdDee4iBC-3mk8b86Tc9ajX-SA9t-ytS6hU6SgsRUMFJcVgSsizujZaCnkHkfa45_lWDEPIScA1SVvDVUK8p-In8AVdTWOQk9b4DP-D6lIn-zHdG3wir_YSC1fySOENyGBK1w6lsvcGIJOuRv6YAlLg/s2950/Untitled.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2179" data-original-width="2950" height="1144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTDAXLkYUtx-3c_wqv_D8I0-SWr4L1GvT-eNYdDee4iBC-3mk8b86Tc9ajX-SA9t-ytS6hU6SgsRUMFJcVgSsizujZaCnkHkfa45_lWDEPIScA1SVvDVUK8p-In8AVdTWOQk9b4DP-D6lIn-zHdG3wir_YSC1fySOENyGBK1w6lsvcGIJOuRv6YAlLg/w1552-h1144/Untitled.jpg" width="1552" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In 1901, the Northern Pacific and Great Northern (headed by the "Empire Builder" James J. Hill) jointly purchased the CB&Q, forming the Northern Securities Company, and the new conglomerate began planning a line that would link Puget Sound with the Gulf of Mexico. In 1904, the Supreme Court ordered the dissolution of Northern Securities. Undeterred, Hill (on behalf of the CB&Q only) proceeded with construction of the new line south from the Northern Pacific, reaching Frannie, Wyoming, on Oct. 3, 1905. The laborers moved quickly south through the valley of the Big Horn River to Greybull, Basin and Worland, Wyoming, reaching Kirby on September 3, 1907.</span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Work then stopped for almost two years while the CB&Q set up an Immigration Bureau to entice immigrants to settle in the Big Horn Valley, where several new irrigation projects were coming on line. Between 1906 and 1913, the railroad estimated that 8,000 new families settled in the Basin. Deaver, Wyoming, is named for D. Clem Deaver, head of the Burlington Immigration Bureau. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1908, Hill purchased the Colorado and Southern Railroad and the Fort Worth and Denver Railroad, giving him a line from Texas though Denver to Wyoming. He then began construction to complete the line south from Kirby to his new acquisition.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Construction to Kirby had followed the broad valley of the Big Horn River, and the new tracks continued down this ready-made byway to Thermopolis, where the heavy lifting began. To the south lay the Wind River Canyon, one of the most dramatic in the world. Little-known because of its isolation, this magnificent chasm presented an impediment that neither railroad nor Empire Builder could not easily overcome. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-S9Eei1ko1UYvG_NYxaM5T2FgSNgWSfz4klKrbrWwWi3SWCWOUydU0bZKkSJcRc5v5zWM1l9qo-BtLBWFVxUw44hY9HkHC_Yn3XjSEyPXagGA3i5YbG4pyFN37rPyXVIQ4Fo25CItTdeuMZQ5t7Jw2ZPRiczIOKAH5wE9G4z9HAIDw2c4HxpY0gttXA/s4054/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-29%20at%2010.36.15%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2182" data-original-width="4054" height="831" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-S9Eei1ko1UYvG_NYxaM5T2FgSNgWSfz4klKrbrWwWi3SWCWOUydU0bZKkSJcRc5v5zWM1l9qo-BtLBWFVxUw44hY9HkHC_Yn3XjSEyPXagGA3i5YbG4pyFN37rPyXVIQ4Fo25CItTdeuMZQ5t7Jw2ZPRiczIOKAH5wE9G4z9HAIDw2c4HxpY0gttXA/w1545-h831/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-29%20at%2010.36.15%20AM.png" width="1545" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">North of the canyon, the river is named Big Horn. Beginning at the northern mouth of the canyon, the name changes to Wind. The Shoshone had called this magnificent stream the “Wind River” for centuries prior to European settlers such as Lewis and Clark, who had mistakenly called it Big Horn. The state of Wyoming decided to keep the name Big Horn north of the canyon. But through the canyon and south, the river is called Wind. So the river has two names, depending on what part of Wyoming you are standing in. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In places over 2500 feet deep, the Wind River Canyon was created when the Owl Creek Mountains began to rise millions of years ago. The river was already in place, and it eroded sediment and rock at about the same rate as the terrain rising slowly about it, creating a classic water gap. In other words, the river today is roughly at the same level as when the mountains began to rise.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The canyon is remarkably narrow, presenting major challenges to railroad construction, requiring multiple tunnels and repeated tight curves. There are no signals or slide detectors, and line of sight is often reduced to 20 yards or less. The curves are so tight that by the time a crew sees an obstruction, it is far too late to stop. If you search the internet for “Wind River Railroad Derailments,” you will find a litany of accidents that makes one wonder why any train crew would willingly navigate through this region.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2C0U4Vv1peVWJ77VV-HVIOxHXkF1DGI4VN1Fkc6OWbyBF6Qmat69-OC8ou0BLIWrnseu8uU6PjRrEiQamEa6i05yC-J6ctxLlf6gZAi_TdDgOJddRhBs52oPC7dnjw26w-yAQjOrRXzWSmi-hx3pqTKn16qkws17Mrpbx3XE4yHwamdFxkef5cyrX8g/s2274/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-29%20at%2011.33.22%20AM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2274" data-original-width="1390" height="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2C0U4Vv1peVWJ77VV-HVIOxHXkF1DGI4VN1Fkc6OWbyBF6Qmat69-OC8ou0BLIWrnseu8uU6PjRrEiQamEa6i05yC-J6ctxLlf6gZAi_TdDgOJddRhBs52oPC7dnjw26w-yAQjOrRXzWSmi-hx3pqTKn16qkws17Mrpbx3XE4yHwamdFxkef5cyrX8g/w836-h1365/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-29%20at%2011.33.22%20AM.png" width="836" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wind River Canyon</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Past the Wind River Canyon, the line ran east/southeast to Casper, Douglas and Orin, then turned south to Wendover Canyon and Cheyenne. At Orin, the tracks were due south of the coal fields.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Like the line north of the Powder River Basin, the tracks to Orin never generated significant traffic. There were long sections of 10 mph running. However, when Congress passed the Clean Air Act, when Wyoming’s low sulphur coal became a “big thing,” the Burlington Northern (successor to the CB&Q) operated two lightly used lines within shouting distance of the bonanza, in no condition to haul loaded coal trains but <b>already in place.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The ICC had only recently approved the Burlington Northern merger in 1970 when dominoes began to fall. Amax, a gargantuan minerals company, told BN that it was ready to build a mine (called Bel Ayr) southeast of Gillette, which would require a 15-mile spur south off the northern line. Then Decker Coal announced its intention to harvest more than 200 million tons of coal just across the Montana border from Sheridan, Wyoming, which would require a spur running north. Both companies asked BN to build new branch lines to service these mammoth facilities.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Apart from Southern Pacific's Palmdale Cutoff and Santa Fe's Crookton Cutoff, there had been no significant railroad construction in the United States for decades. And Burlington Northern was struggling with cash flow, attempting to reassemble the pieces of a puzzle that, when operated by separate railroads, had teetered for years on the edge of bankruptcy. So BN told the coal companies to finance construction of the new track themselves. BN would reimburse each company over time with proceeds from the new traffic.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From Donkey Creek, about 10 miles east of the Gillette, BN in 1972 supervised the Amax-financed construction of the Belle Ayr line, with a ruling grade of 1.4 percent southbound </span><span style="font-family: arial;">for empties, 1.25 percent northbound for loads. This spur would soon become part of what in the 21st century would operate as a triple and quadruple-track mainline.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">BN quickly realized that coal demand was about to explode, and that new track would be needed from the Bel Ayr spur south to the Wind River Canyon line at Bridger Junction, just east of Orin. Coal traffic to Oklahoma, Texas and other destinations South could thereby avoid both a circuitous route through Donkey Creek and a back-breaking 1.5 percent climb over Crawford Hill in the Nebraska Pine Bluffs. The railroad Board of Directors approved funding.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Burlington Northern then filed an application for new construction with the Interstate Commerce Commission. Soon thereafter, the Chicago and Northwestern filed a similar request. The latter owned a huge branch line to nowhere across northern Nebraska and central Wyoming, dead-ending at Lander (part of an intended transcontinental line that never got past the Wind River Mountains) and believed that somehow it could rebuild the line, which in places saw service only once per week, to handle 15,000-ton coal trains.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The commission suggested that BN and C&NW agree on a joint application. The railroads complied, and on January 26, 1976, the ICC approved joint construction and ownership of 112.5 miles of track between Shawnee Junction (a location on the CN&W line to nowhere) and Coal Creek Junction, where BN-supervised construction had stopped 26.2 miles south from Donkey Creek. The remainder of the southern coal line (from Shawnee to Bridger Junction) would see only BN traffic and was financed and constructed by BN alone. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Chicago and Northwestern was in no financial condition to begin construction, (the story of its entry to the coal fields will be discussed in Part Two), but the Burlington Northern began work immediately. It built 5.7 miles south to the Cordero Mine in 1976. A year later, the tracks were extended 23.1 miles to Reno. Construction then paused for two years while the railroad battled conservationists over the fate of bald eagles. (Your author has nothing against bald eagles, but his sentiments lie with the railroad.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Finally, on May 1, 1979, construction north began at Bridger Junction. On July 15, work resumed south of Reno. The actual meeting point was Milepost 71.26. The ceremonial “last spike” was driven October 6, 1979.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lYxrhbWYfNdLHoMg5n5Ts-nJPB-DlcsxpS5G78zcgDEUp37ngxvEyRfydtuEOEOQiD0ZSDKmvln0HF4T9-ZfFEWim3zP4lLTGMQ9nb4uBROcmRKw95A-v8b12Kztbll-YtgFFnhUQzn-lZyvNVcvl5rRnHAVSEi2COf0hP5LMKMXRITnZA19TCzfXw/s2969/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-29%20at%2011.57.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="2969" height="1007" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lYxrhbWYfNdLHoMg5n5Ts-nJPB-DlcsxpS5G78zcgDEUp37ngxvEyRfydtuEOEOQiD0ZSDKmvln0HF4T9-ZfFEWim3zP4lLTGMQ9nb4uBROcmRKw95A-v8b12Kztbll-YtgFFnhUQzn-lZyvNVcvl5rRnHAVSEi2COf0hP5LMKMXRITnZA19TCzfXw/w1872-h1007/Screen%20Shot%202022-12-29%20at%2011.57.jpg" width="1872" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This map (prepared by BNSF and available at <a href="https://www.bnsf.com/bnsf-resources/pdf/ship-with-bnsf/maps-and-shipping-locations/coal_energy.pdf">https://www.bnsf.com/bnsf-resources/pdf/ship-with-bnsf/maps-and-shipping-locations/coal_energy.pdf</a>) shows the new coal line from Orin to Donkey Creek, plus all mines along the route. The map also shows the original CB&Q lines north and south of the coal fields.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The first revenue movement on the new line was a 110-car train hauling 11,000 tons of coal from the Jacob’s Ranch Mine for delivery to the Public Service Company of Oklahoma in Oologah. The train rode BN rails to Kansas City, then Missouri Pacific south.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Building the line was a significant engineering accomplishment, taking seven years to plan and fully construct, including 26 bridges, 231 miles of fencing and myriad underpasses </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to protect range animals. The final price tag: over $110 million.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">From Donkey Creek south the new line was an elongated roller coaster -- uphill to Milepost 8 on a 1.4 percent grade, then downhill to Milepost 16.4 on 1.25 percent. Next come a 1 per cent upgrade to MP 19.2, 1 percent descending to 21.5, 1 percent up to 28 and again from 32.6 to 34, followed by a 1 percent drop from 37 to 39. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">South of Milepost 39 come three more 1 percent grades, the last of which is punctuated by three sweeping curves leading to the top of Logan Hill, where begins a five mile 1 percent drop. Then from MP 91 to 102 comes another 1 percent climb to the top of Walker Hill, then a slight downhill run to Bridger Junction.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the early years, this new line was single-track, and trains could pile up for miles. Your author remembers a summer afternoon when every passing siding north from Shawnee Junction to Bill (about 22 miles) was occupied by an empty coal train waiting to proceed to the mines. Those trains waited several hours while coal load after coal loaded rolled south. Such “fleeting” of trains was common in those days, and crews often went “on the law” waiting for the tracks ahead to clear.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Congestion quickly led to double-track expansion, but demand kept increasing. In the early 21st century, UP and BNSF spent approximately $100 million to expand capacity to three and even four tracks to satisfy the apparently insatiable desire of utilities for more coal. Generating plants were like dogs that don’t know when to stop eating.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But then they did stop. The war on coal was a contributing factor; another driver was competition from natural gas, as one plant after another converted to the cheaper and cleaner fuel. Eliminating transportation costs made natural gas a strong competitor to the Powder River Basin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Today (January 2023), Union Pacific has begun removing some of the track installed less than 20 years ago. With that in mind, your author visited the coal fields to find out how bad things really are. Here is what I found.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Donkey Creek Junction was almost deserted. Only BNSF traffic runs through here. I spent two afternoons and one morning and saw a handful of trains each time. A local rancher spied me sitting in my Jeep by the tracks and drove up to see if I was hunting illegally. After satisfying him that I was legal, I asked about traffic frequency. He said that only a few years before, trains had roared through every few minutes. But then, almost overnight, they slowed to a trickle. The following photograph from Donkey Creek shows a portion of over 100 locomotives parked in the sidings.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0hcmPC5d6FjHb_SwTJoKhoJmiZlRnPnZXdhAYi2adQrJrPMrYQRw2oB2uh5U3OYM8jMEiPL6DduFSDHPfHHNjl4u5dSX81UbwsefL15yOcsPRVAXcDjcRSqMUaQV6n8138JSwFnlm4_xvYbQyNZpjaBEXi7COOod3dkV3_qg4K_kzBM7L9M9J0yRNQ/s3049/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3049" height="1214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0hcmPC5d6FjHb_SwTJoKhoJmiZlRnPnZXdhAYi2adQrJrPMrYQRw2oB2uh5U3OYM8jMEiPL6DduFSDHPfHHNjl4u5dSX81UbwsefL15yOcsPRVAXcDjcRSqMUaQV6n8138JSwFnlm4_xvYbQyNZpjaBEXi7COOod3dkV3_qg4K_kzBM7L9M9J0yRNQ/w1877-h1214/35.jpg" width="1877" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mothballed engines at Donkey Creek.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My survey of Donkey Creek was far from systematic or reliable, but it does indicate that traffic out the north end of the Powder River Basin had slowed dramatically in late September 2021.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Traffic on the south end (occupied by both BNSF and UP) was another matter. I spent most of my time from the Lawver Road overpass south, which constitutes about the southern two-thirds of the line, triple and quadruple-tracked its entire length. Here traffic ranged from moderate to extremely heavy, anywhere from three to 12 trains per hour. One afternoon at Shawnee Junction yielded more than 30 trains (I lost count), which may or may not be consistent with traffic earlier this century but either way is significant in your author’s limited experience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One afternoon I was standing beside a Forest Service road on a hill overlooking the tracks, which curved to the east in a valley far below. The sky was streaked with high cirrus clouds like strands of cotton. The National Weather Service would call the day “mostly sunny,” which translated into plain English means “lots of clouds.” On the northeastern horizon a huge puff of white smoke appeared suddenly, not a cloud, something more sinister. Several seconds passed, then came a low rumble, almost a growl, growing steadily louder, which continued for about the time it takes to read this sentence. Then, as the roar was dissipating, the ground began to shake, not violently but not gently, either. The ground shook the same way it does when a train is passing close by. It took another moment before I realized that one of the mines had just set off blasting charges.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the following days, I saw several roadside signs warning of blasting, though I only experienced the one event. Even so, when I saw a sign, I did not further approach a mine. An overreaction? Probably, but I did not drive a thousand miles to photograph blast clouds.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I had been worried that I would see only a trickle of trains in the Powder River Basin, like water slowly leaking from an almost empty tub, and was relieved not to experience that fate. From talking to several people in and around the tracks, I gathered that traffic was down but not out. Everyone I spoke with was hopeful that the worst had passed. I hope that is so. I hope that our last railroad frontier is not eviscerated like the overburden blasted away to reveal the mighty seams of coal. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The following images start at Donkey Creek Junction and run south to Shawnee Junction.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Donkey Creek</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This is the junction east of Gillette where the coal line ties into the old CB&Q tracks from Alliance, Nebraska, to Laurel, Montana. The junction itself sits beneath the overpass of Wyoming 51. To the southeast stand the Pine Bluffs of Nebraska and Crawford Hill. To the northwest lies the old Northern Pacific mainline, including the mountain passes at Bozeman and Mullan, plus the majestic canyon at Lombard. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEfrVvMtMBqHkjswqJhDwQyucqQcbMZ1dcDtNXAtElsq1steRIhM-NFzYEaq18LxhnggX0g22TtjEZy1Mmmg6nXugkdE6Vffuc0XmggVJFeCq8_NuwvynAiGHet6HvbTqIXoK7ELO9sMbYhno0HTmgMw_mVY76Ta9zBHpoErIhRxKfB5PkPaB3muwPQ/s3334/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-03%20at%206.15.00%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="3334" height="672" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEfrVvMtMBqHkjswqJhDwQyucqQcbMZ1dcDtNXAtElsq1steRIhM-NFzYEaq18LxhnggX0g22TtjEZy1Mmmg6nXugkdE6Vffuc0XmggVJFeCq8_NuwvynAiGHet6HvbTqIXoK7ELO9sMbYhno0HTmgMw_mVY76Ta9zBHpoErIhRxKfB5PkPaB3muwPQ/w1904-h672/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-03%20at%206.15.00%20PM.png" width="1904" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNbPaS_ktZ-w9HHeUObJEXoLLMsqFgGKxwi1OyyTTjFHT0zjmuvoBQOhkdBBNiaYskvH9phy9aEfk3LIdgTETIjY2Fc5MLScut8RfzS3hpjIGyfgvWnYXCVW2sfF6SJ00EiKCmUiZarXvVwIIM5HZkxEGnnjgJHIX_ZItsI1EbflXiBp_acCHYq0hfA/s3004/9a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3004" height="1250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNbPaS_ktZ-w9HHeUObJEXoLLMsqFgGKxwi1OyyTTjFHT0zjmuvoBQOhkdBBNiaYskvH9phy9aEfk3LIdgTETIjY2Fc5MLScut8RfzS3hpjIGyfgvWnYXCVW2sfF6SJ00EiKCmUiZarXvVwIIM5HZkxEGnnjgJHIX_ZItsI1EbflXiBp_acCHYq0hfA/w1878-h1250/9a.jpg" width="1878" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF's daily intermodal has entered the coal line at Donkey Creek.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYsIc1id-7-QJSL6iFsrw2IY6QQSXgorM2yKwe8sDneJOUS4QyuxJSs-CUnVcgctP2WZVc66xXMnipwEHAYZAfh2ufgPZ-6t0Z5aoL-3bM1Xh4tbZvkjhBrxzyDXBqiwOL5N00lwexDCEXcsfZ2ZnbC1MifkedFkBPKuH2kqFXCayhGoMf8HdHiZw3g/s3068/117.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="3068" height="1197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYsIc1id-7-QJSL6iFsrw2IY6QQSXgorM2yKwe8sDneJOUS4QyuxJSs-CUnVcgctP2WZVc66xXMnipwEHAYZAfh2ufgPZ-6t0Z5aoL-3bM1Xh4tbZvkjhBrxzyDXBqiwOL5N00lwexDCEXcsfZ2ZnbC1MifkedFkBPKuH2kqFXCayhGoMf8HdHiZw3g/w1878-h1197/117.jpg" width="1878" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound coal load approaching the junction. The tracks run along Dry Donkey Creek, surrounded by small bluffs dotted with mountain cedars and cottonwoods.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhPDlnQqPMP2glnXs0M8hKLAPdvaM99v47tA6QJ-W4uzLJxg4zhr8QRElFZfywtld-c8-v9aWmPnSAm1o3bggLsSL85ls_3WpPD6Na2FNFUQc-ZIes9LWApb1GJAuZooFTbRwx9qC7ZjCFsrcTiUJc-jvBkVRAxGOrT0QIAg_zz0ieDAFkx2vW_fnuA/s2940/125.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="2940" height="1308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhPDlnQqPMP2glnXs0M8hKLAPdvaM99v47tA6QJ-W4uzLJxg4zhr8QRElFZfywtld-c8-v9aWmPnSAm1o3bggLsSL85ls_3WpPD6Na2FNFUQc-ZIes9LWApb1GJAuZooFTbRwx9qC7ZjCFsrcTiUJc-jvBkVRAxGOrT0QIAg_zz0ieDAFkx2vW_fnuA/w1885-h1308/125.jpg" width="1885" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers on empty coal train headed south to the mines.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-bwDlGDVWvKlnyCRgRRRdiYk4Pw-wwUrr-rNTTP_u-E29dqCgsdmY9Z2r4xAjJQEXB-otOCtX4mwcUO8TNyWbAwwPEVvQGakNsSuFAeKcerUTV41pslc0_S5zC5ux59-9XUe7KLsByd3dnwPFbkciR-jpiIgohCp3lV6LjiBcDF5PE7yvQBAoCMflQ/s3019/127.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-bwDlGDVWvKlnyCRgRRRdiYk4Pw-wwUrr-rNTTP_u-E29dqCgsdmY9Z2r4xAjJQEXB-otOCtX4mwcUO8TNyWbAwwPEVvQGakNsSuFAeKcerUTV41pslc0_S5zC5ux59-9XUe7KLsByd3dnwPFbkciR-jpiIgohCp3lV6LjiBcDF5PE7yvQBAoCMflQ/w1874-h1236/127.jpg" width="1874" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound empties.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCF43WpuRQRM5sS4skYva_zMaA-dOLUAosLaFtqG7T5Q_Fn2yMVdqwXP96Arb_X5hTq4CkrTayBpq-CDJvqC4-0FSypslnsxXOUenrEFgE1jqPY0cB2TjG7IE8tcXRqM5tYo2_JXz2vROT7m9I3LWILfoCN07S3ziNicwBedk6jMZkIwcjV8RQefnDw/s3013/135.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="1239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCF43WpuRQRM5sS4skYva_zMaA-dOLUAosLaFtqG7T5Q_Fn2yMVdqwXP96Arb_X5hTq4CkrTayBpq-CDJvqC4-0FSypslnsxXOUenrEFgE1jqPY0cB2TjG7IE8tcXRqM5tYo2_JXz2vROT7m9I3LWILfoCN07S3ziNicwBedk6jMZkIwcjV8RQefnDw/w1878-h1239/135.jpg" width="1878" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More southbound empties.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hoadley Road</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Not far south of Donkey Creek Junction, the tracks wander off into their own world where no road follows. Bishop Road is the first crossing south of Donkey Creek, about ten miles south of the junction and accessed off Wyoming 50, about ten miles to the west. In times past, the dragline at Belle Ayr was close to the road and presented excellent photographic opportunities. Today (January 2023, almost 50 years since the mine opened), the dragline has moved far to the west; there is nothing much to photograph. The same is true at T-7 Road. The first decent shots now lie at Hoadley Road, several miles south. Hoadley Road is accessed by turning east of Wyoming 59 at Haight Road, then south on Hilight Road, then west on Hoadley, which takes you to an overpass across the tracks.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaBcTNbDmlx6sh5YEawGOIRugdYjDOptF_UNmXNyhfCYnWQfhtB18qlq-NnjBZ_8wj11RHvyi-MN4_hv08v7tAfabiQS-Ll54S4QjRFlhEO8LM7KYtLY8Dj7665bgFLnrJBQ89d54nSPXeVaF7YsEZQsvEJxhf7UIqRIrnVHSosdW0HwjcPco3XHItQ/s2063/Untitled.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1729" data-original-width="2063" height="1357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaBcTNbDmlx6sh5YEawGOIRugdYjDOptF_UNmXNyhfCYnWQfhtB18qlq-NnjBZ_8wj11RHvyi-MN4_hv08v7tAfabiQS-Ll54S4QjRFlhEO8LM7KYtLY8Dj7665bgFLnrJBQ89d54nSPXeVaF7YsEZQsvEJxhf7UIqRIrnVHSosdW0HwjcPco3XHItQ/w1619-h1357/Untitled.jpg" width="1619" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHq_N6CgTRLvGn7w0_PnFf5qrmldfNq1WJZvCo7fwRVbE9GSH_Lhd1S0HLgUdR0JnxqREVNOs90lrtuhPVdriIbjPfgttQgDTsEqHm7oi85T4ho2XODUM4YPJY-QS2ZudwpVtCFpTsUkFgToZs3xuoVVwz4jom1jMTX4n1-LQIi_M7oz9-2EV7MLFWLA/s3052/153.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3052" height="1207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHq_N6CgTRLvGn7w0_PnFf5qrmldfNq1WJZvCo7fwRVbE9GSH_Lhd1S0HLgUdR0JnxqREVNOs90lrtuhPVdriIbjPfgttQgDTsEqHm7oi85T4ho2XODUM4YPJY-QS2ZudwpVtCFpTsUkFgToZs3xuoVVwz4jom1jMTX4n1-LQIi_M7oz9-2EV7MLFWLA/w1873-h1207/153.jpg" width="1873" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound empties passing the spur to Coal Creek Mine. The tipple in the background belongs to the Cordero Rojo Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAt0-0qImiq_Or234KyzGJma0MHb6zoiFKYhl9lhKFBPRLYVCCYrqClVZapB8d5lMR_wv9pOaEFVCc9l1Y74SjKmNZr7fL3nDT0aj5w5--Kf2HXx4WnxUQSsioOvy3CQVGACpHeneisFD57_frBLXhuTl0LExF0um6E54pWjotUAgZ5L388O0Z3UCPw/s3019/159.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAt0-0qImiq_Or234KyzGJma0MHb6zoiFKYhl9lhKFBPRLYVCCYrqClVZapB8d5lMR_wv9pOaEFVCc9l1Y74SjKmNZr7fL3nDT0aj5w5--Kf2HXx4WnxUQSsioOvy3CQVGACpHeneisFD57_frBLXhuTl0LExF0um6E54pWjotUAgZ5L388O0Z3UCPw/w1869-h1233/159.jpg" width="1869" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers on same train attacking one of the grades between Donkey Creek and Shawnee Junction. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEQGugO6OqdkV4dzeCDXBeMISg15IpZ-nLis9C4xnrtFy83CeBEQbWvU2JvjzW08FJUr2QEhXXNYmcgz4fOUvQ1EyGB7qn2aOtb_Fl6i6IOzxH0N638xebIn3L2ysHf8G8N48YL7rUlkJSu7XhwtYNCNru_N3BCkm0oLCpiXsOF4TN1hm9vJK5TqE3g/s3019/175.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEQGugO6OqdkV4dzeCDXBeMISg15IpZ-nLis9C4xnrtFy83CeBEQbWvU2JvjzW08FJUr2QEhXXNYmcgz4fOUvQ1EyGB7qn2aOtb_Fl6i6IOzxH0N638xebIn3L2ysHf8G8N48YL7rUlkJSu7XhwtYNCNru_N3BCkm0oLCpiXsOF4TN1hm9vJK5TqE3g/w1869-h1233/175.jpg" width="1869" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Empties entering spur to Coal Creek Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lawver Road</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Lawver Road is accessed off Hilight Road to the west or Hoadley Road to the east and offers excellent photo opportunities. Traffic across the overpass is minimal. One can pause there for hours, if so inclined, and watch the parade of empties and loads on their way to and from the mines. Twin buttes rise to the west and provide impressive vistas to those willing to make the climb.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbgG8kvcMYPZ6a2wJ4EvJzlfXjbRe9fisNLndcDK3bJVdDiNPYEsxjN7WORKCf0ArvpIqPh_qrRqlAUcu20juEQ71XhDJjkLzXl0xfapxzKHffvw94A1kKPLcTStucxD03I582BRTFqvXhjVgR0YjcCALFC3mU6-OZjHiiNHWylnooxIhHx84T0aAdQ/s1790/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-03%20at%207.22.34%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1790" data-original-width="1546" height="1482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbgG8kvcMYPZ6a2wJ4EvJzlfXjbRe9fisNLndcDK3bJVdDiNPYEsxjN7WORKCf0ArvpIqPh_qrRqlAUcu20juEQ71XhDJjkLzXl0xfapxzKHffvw94A1kKPLcTStucxD03I582BRTFqvXhjVgR0YjcCALFC3mU6-OZjHiiNHWylnooxIhHx84T0aAdQ/w1278-h1482/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-03%20at%207.22.34%20PM.png" width="1278" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCNF7-dcOhf0Ejmy83x4kR-tRFvI81MBBXQPsj2vVHgqB3yZhSN_YVAUtbd_KBhI3s7jTRV6dC5lziFAPGxrv7s0jMD08_vahWfo7v1js1iiJAoiQK_R3P1d825lHpHDhW0hguhdZyn-WQiQ4u0sPxoHthfEXhPozaq7DH1NLcglx_GjzBZEN1rwhfA/s3052/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3052" height="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCNF7-dcOhf0Ejmy83x4kR-tRFvI81MBBXQPsj2vVHgqB3yZhSN_YVAUtbd_KBhI3s7jTRV6dC5lziFAPGxrv7s0jMD08_vahWfo7v1js1iiJAoiQK_R3P1d825lHpHDhW0hguhdZyn-WQiQ4u0sPxoHthfEXhPozaq7DH1NLcglx_GjzBZEN1rwhfA/w1873-h1205/6.jpg" width="1873" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers passing.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kQwuSc5bRrkxvt3iUeUOpfyx-v7ypsl3CjuqMN27ydV-NEzjidfuo7dEPaILsosjOtKesu6IbDUXSRzcr52wS4cQxJOwXFOvvUNf5DAjCC3VJHJ5XNvfmAqM0i8K162WZOfNlQLd5s6zJ2dAKBBRffoHp-R2gnG3UbOzgQeFzKFqymZKzqWx4ZlROA/s3037/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3037" height="1221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kQwuSc5bRrkxvt3iUeUOpfyx-v7ypsl3CjuqMN27ydV-NEzjidfuo7dEPaILsosjOtKesu6IbDUXSRzcr52wS4cQxJOwXFOvvUNf5DAjCC3VJHJ5XNvfmAqM0i8K162WZOfNlQLd5s6zJ2dAKBBRffoHp-R2gnG3UbOzgQeFzKFqymZKzqWx4ZlROA/w1879-h1221/7.jpg" width="1879" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound load headed to Donkey Creek -- beneath the twin buttes.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc4xBRvJD2Y_8fb2Jgs_rIx7z2WCBiHex674K81LHrbonPaxupsVNCNVo-czEsHvy7GibNjIITCYIeCS6wo6dmZ7-nS5LExzauNFDs-IYtJszhJFsLDDEXsEwCPerFUtzuPJjTa-uFlDj_MSMhC73PzYLljTfow9Nx0vLFWH07MN5tiyXjrrfJkARSg/s3053/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3053" height="1202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc4xBRvJD2Y_8fb2Jgs_rIx7z2WCBiHex674K81LHrbonPaxupsVNCNVo-czEsHvy7GibNjIITCYIeCS6wo6dmZ7-nS5LExzauNFDs-IYtJszhJFsLDDEXsEwCPerFUtzuPJjTa-uFlDj_MSMhC73PzYLljTfow9Nx0vLFWH07MN5tiyXjrrfJkARSg/w1868-h1202/16.jpg" width="1868" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound load passing beneath Lawver Road overpass. Coal Creek Mine tipple in background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS45XLGrB6gHjOVAntov9XHqy0KyjAdxRtS4l7jaSf3JS51ROtBHPO-hibqQEleHqvlPo8wTo1JRXuEtqLKjqFSViRWTn154a8SfvoUDGDeMZktErxmRthInM7ZQNqg6KpBNu7kt8prNWkSEg997-uijonRM7cp4pRK2k71xXv-U8CZpdJfKEaR4j4tA/s3042/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3042" height="1214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS45XLGrB6gHjOVAntov9XHqy0KyjAdxRtS4l7jaSf3JS51ROtBHPO-hibqQEleHqvlPo8wTo1JRXuEtqLKjqFSViRWTn154a8SfvoUDGDeMZktErxmRthInM7ZQNqg6KpBNu7kt8prNWkSEg997-uijonRM7cp4pRK2k71xXv-U8CZpdJfKEaR4j4tA/w1876-h1214/17.jpg" width="1876" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound load passing Coal Creek Mine. Image taken from one of the twin buttes pictured above.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2ZAXIimO1UnK7BJtKMzI5SyjqiB9jlc87jUOfuhmlWXVtI4y6VbEE1whT_ZPLfOBmYDuIwK7zxm7XZ8JHvSdBbAyLWVD6ILoriIJ7ywrx6wNHHyXuvMflh8Ql1h069_Q-MpBuFjJiyrx3uiUJBCyelQaZfsJmf3PYDkaOBYOyJu5cyjzCKOR-x6v-A/s2096/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="2096" height="1278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2ZAXIimO1UnK7BJtKMzI5SyjqiB9jlc87jUOfuhmlWXVtI4y6VbEE1whT_ZPLfOBmYDuIwK7zxm7XZ8JHvSdBbAyLWVD6ILoriIJ7ywrx6wNHHyXuvMflh8Ql1h069_Q-MpBuFjJiyrx3uiUJBCyelQaZfsJmf3PYDkaOBYOyJu5cyjzCKOR-x6v-A/w1876-h1278/20.jpg" width="1876" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another southbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaO17UzAevo4dpKxU_VFIEtdP21HgpqaZ-ZJVA1HUPvWKjL-tsdVWS_JPMYfdXfqVjaxDK_naQzH-KUkvlX3xDbuF1Lgmb2xbMDD5N9qA5-d_zP8Hj8vsxXeB94U9YLnbEq4jlUpL0MAbyKPYhnnSxX9dsn9QqzOvhhAueokq3zR8Kj_ut7UnsSwNvg/s3036/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaO17UzAevo4dpKxU_VFIEtdP21HgpqaZ-ZJVA1HUPvWKjL-tsdVWS_JPMYfdXfqVjaxDK_naQzH-KUkvlX3xDbuF1Lgmb2xbMDD5N9qA5-d_zP8Hj8vsxXeB94U9YLnbEq4jlUpL0MAbyKPYhnnSxX9dsn9QqzOvhhAueokq3zR8Kj_ut7UnsSwNvg/w1874-h1218/24.jpg" width="1874" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound loads headed to Shawnee Junction. In the far background stands the dragline for the Coal Creek Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz7VgtoQvEk267d1eEbOC2xRM0l1lgMd66Jw_JBSLzE59XmQb2hRvY23r3rZpIuyUHR7o4EJFvChyXN7oZxPMx58-u_pVja-q4w8umRn2Wkd4HCVbXwI-HkV-LEwkyaoq3RXifWISWwkwJNCtu0glD8hK_8YUGtWbPYulmGlb4t6VW2eh8bn-9n-uKg/s3016/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3016" height="1238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz7VgtoQvEk267d1eEbOC2xRM0l1lgMd66Jw_JBSLzE59XmQb2hRvY23r3rZpIuyUHR7o4EJFvChyXN7oZxPMx58-u_pVja-q4w8umRn2Wkd4HCVbXwI-HkV-LEwkyaoq3RXifWISWwkwJNCtu0glD8hK_8YUGtWbPYulmGlb4t6VW2eh8bn-9n-uKg/w1877-h1238/32.jpg" width="1877" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound loads are almost lost in the expanse of the Powder River Basin.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejLXdK4hNHrOggKOFseNC50FRE7OkE1fPgp5621BngKs5Ow8-bOaZvIOpEaL3xYBXv5PwduNGP7m1BHqKJiW0CrZB4_O_bvc4G3LJp4N_gjKiuhGi_vJ4hXdQTl_9z5Clc3Npwx0kTWQkyvJrUJZUMIxv8xJv7W-WZGS4lozyE6TKxLQqONcJdvoQjw/s2602/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="2602" height="1385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejLXdK4hNHrOggKOFseNC50FRE7OkE1fPgp5621BngKs5Ow8-bOaZvIOpEaL3xYBXv5PwduNGP7m1BHqKJiW0CrZB4_O_bvc4G3LJp4N_gjKiuhGi_vJ4hXdQTl_9z5Clc3Npwx0kTWQkyvJrUJZUMIxv8xJv7W-WZGS4lozyE6TKxLQqONcJdvoQjw/w1878-h1385/34.jpg" width="1878" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P22Fw2fKpWhycmQPhpeI3zntTr8IoU66-jGUPJakcTHopjazfY3HOHrA1OqhfdLgHItHiVwB9CjB4merhFYFY1BVLwX742fSkALFQbDiFheB2ubbIFphjSZOLURwIw2IlQsrboiiKp7Cmv01RZ4owBk8BQTtGur8x_keKHirBhXOYXCX_FMhWW5RhA/s3049/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3049" height="1212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P22Fw2fKpWhycmQPhpeI3zntTr8IoU66-jGUPJakcTHopjazfY3HOHrA1OqhfdLgHItHiVwB9CjB4merhFYFY1BVLwX742fSkALFQbDiFheB2ubbIFphjSZOLURwIw2IlQsrboiiKp7Cmv01RZ4owBk8BQTtGur8x_keKHirBhXOYXCX_FMhWW5RhA/w1883-h1212/14.jpg" width="1883" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF's daily intermodal. Navigating stacks through coal trains must feel like swimming in sea weed. The Coal Creek dragline rises in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Hilight Road</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Hilight Road runs south off Haight Road and passes within shouting distance of the Cordero Rojo Mine, where the dragline feels close enough to touch. In a few miles, the road and the coal line come together and run south side-by-side all the way to Edwards Road, passing Jacobs Ranch and Black Thunder. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4nbHvBS8AuPH2cAzZYVTXx8qGwcBj2T9D9DphmGAHa-KcRtGWrJTs4OI8LrPn1zjfWCBcYJPNol8XoWrfQiHlT_JsXa6G-AaRpLhKgwTOtNUkLAmyo68i1AVuDiA_OSi7T3Am1s9FAf_CJrknml-vUOU41PYpHTre5_jVk7tTLMgor9wCpJLLQORAA/s2150/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-03%20at%2011.09.11%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="1548" height="1119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4nbHvBS8AuPH2cAzZYVTXx8qGwcBj2T9D9DphmGAHa-KcRtGWrJTs4OI8LrPn1zjfWCBcYJPNol8XoWrfQiHlT_JsXa6G-AaRpLhKgwTOtNUkLAmyo68i1AVuDiA_OSi7T3Am1s9FAf_CJrknml-vUOU41PYpHTre5_jVk7tTLMgor9wCpJLLQORAA/w804-h1119/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-03%20at%2011.09.11%20PM.png" width="804" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pFgucNzIpHSV4ejKoDl5JZRDfiggugTy-1SH3beZ_DJmK70_0UBC4YGcGJmFe1Pm5Sj3c_PBhUmLgDtLXdDOjl1QvNtchYuAYb9vcihzDKcrFW6DJujgRHaFtWoCM3sQ494U7yHbQpdWv6m67BLIWl-7zGbtiOFLQvUMY2Dn7qPAf70WV-wbZI0l1A/s3026/29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3026" height="1236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pFgucNzIpHSV4ejKoDl5JZRDfiggugTy-1SH3beZ_DJmK70_0UBC4YGcGJmFe1Pm5Sj3c_PBhUmLgDtLXdDOjl1QvNtchYuAYb9vcihzDKcrFW6DJujgRHaFtWoCM3sQ494U7yHbQpdWv6m67BLIWl-7zGbtiOFLQvUMY2Dn7qPAf70WV-wbZI0l1A/w1883-h1236/29.jpg" width="1883" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound on triple-track mainline.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></b></span></p><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UHz3m-WT8LbqgBih5vAd00LeGd1jmLDZXn3TOAE5FRpu_so6htvYDzAS3Ods0S-7WaLUG3VwOuTe3DsJyD6xW5Wu3ZCzYX2H3nkhSGsqw61YCV5gcohxWHbEBZsL3B_Do8tJYm7DJWK-DL_cDNUwBdaV62rNk9wQiBbSDqD1sVb6VR3Im4WGymG1EQ/s3047/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3047" height="1215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UHz3m-WT8LbqgBih5vAd00LeGd1jmLDZXn3TOAE5FRpu_so6htvYDzAS3Ods0S-7WaLUG3VwOuTe3DsJyD6xW5Wu3ZCzYX2H3nkhSGsqw61YCV5gcohxWHbEBZsL3B_Do8tJYm7DJWK-DL_cDNUwBdaV62rNk9wQiBbSDqD1sVb6VR3Im4WGymG1EQ/w1878-h1215/28.jpg" width="1878" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Meet at same location.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DG1S9Vo1Z0iQLp3OUxZEsBqMzzZJWIjW2FBqsz_TiqZoSN9g75-Y94TXjZNP08NBvBEi_2vg6vC3INYeJ85AczzW-vII_gwSLnpIz3E4pQhRJRcd6sKnkLEOg9iXyASVLgIJ3EpsBegpt-9eSywiRF96cnCq0tchqKzGMbYO5IdxWWrw0sT4SbKN2Q/s3032/128.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3032" height="1228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DG1S9Vo1Z0iQLp3OUxZEsBqMzzZJWIjW2FBqsz_TiqZoSN9g75-Y94TXjZNP08NBvBEi_2vg6vC3INYeJ85AczzW-vII_gwSLnpIz3E4pQhRJRcd6sKnkLEOg9iXyASVLgIJ3EpsBegpt-9eSywiRF96cnCq0tchqKzGMbYO5IdxWWrw0sT4SbKN2Q/w1879-h1228/128.jpg" width="1879" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another meet further south.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXZwoXHrn_r-2uMJkQbVr5ttRIuti4BSLOmbC8tB05CcvmtZGfEM6DL1ixT9rMxx-Mo1xJyCknOL15KkEVU-HOziDvfrCwPXXMLnW4VahfcGtdH8qEd_Ay_wS3fKcnQ70sC-pdYn6X6tMAjhFHLynmpML7X3wGKa6EJU3frGwL65MlBfxgSUHIXTBVw/s3048/30.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3048" height="1214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXZwoXHrn_r-2uMJkQbVr5ttRIuti4BSLOmbC8tB05CcvmtZGfEM6DL1ixT9rMxx-Mo1xJyCknOL15KkEVU-HOziDvfrCwPXXMLnW4VahfcGtdH8qEd_Ay_wS3fKcnQ70sC-pdYn6X6tMAjhFHLynmpML7X3wGKa6EJU3frGwL65MlBfxgSUHIXTBVw/w1876-h1214/30.jpg" width="1876" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pusher on southbound empties.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Antelope Road</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Antelope Road winds south from Mackey Road through the valley of Antelope Creek, passing some of the most rugged territory on the coal line, encompassing the School Creek, Antelope and North Antelope mines. The road is public, though driving on it feels as though you are deep in the bowels of private property.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFV7QA1cmp_cv_zPQ_qDhSbkN7Kvy3c1200UbCWbJKB84eqqZN-KOPr51ju3-ZsPdBzK52fXRS7I4Ypf06uoX_tydDBVl4BE5bKPLUDFsalqarUWcL4Vq4nm9f6gYmVOZ6cU93Ix98rRsJMLOO5yIr0l_mjFYgpJEzkO3KThfFD1eDwYSyXmsnFP2lw/s2734/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%203.21.59%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="2734" height="1287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFV7QA1cmp_cv_zPQ_qDhSbkN7Kvy3c1200UbCWbJKB84eqqZN-KOPr51ju3-ZsPdBzK52fXRS7I4Ypf06uoX_tydDBVl4BE5bKPLUDFsalqarUWcL4Vq4nm9f6gYmVOZ6cU93Ix98rRsJMLOO5yIr0l_mjFYgpJEzkO3KThfFD1eDwYSyXmsnFP2lw/w1504-h1287/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%203.21.59%20PM.png" width="1504" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p-iKx4bJWKKq0Klx7-Boo1pctR32yBjL8uSblGyQm7rnjzzMKpZcJrL25L6lnsPiqWk6XyyG40VzoisBQh5vfYoSgcs_cOW6Be93gr3a2RscfARHfdZtYjaecwL_ULCykAbf_iPwUqA72zndL0S0IE38Hcw3K5SU-fRoFeRD5LYI-CxZcyzH0Fin7Q/s3048/130a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3048" height="1214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p-iKx4bJWKKq0Klx7-Boo1pctR32yBjL8uSblGyQm7rnjzzMKpZcJrL25L6lnsPiqWk6XyyG40VzoisBQh5vfYoSgcs_cOW6Be93gr3a2RscfARHfdZtYjaecwL_ULCykAbf_iPwUqA72zndL0S0IE38Hcw3K5SU-fRoFeRD5LYI-CxZcyzH0Fin7Q/w1877-h1214/130a.jpg" width="1877" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound approaching Antelope Road crossing. Behind the train are tailings from the North Antelope Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCrqleSuMZzApBJJK4z7OrTHBhE9qGbN7mHvQmrBb0doq3rCGU-Nb5fAxeJ5x9QzmSppem3_EnTn5WGalg7xqiklYbRWHn7pp-ggcxtm05B_IUK3GWQacBJDnh-2GvM7kqYe8GfQ_oJjaYhpLYbnx57d3YE5ecNeiwpNQi6X09wLq6qKcDIM6eUL0Aw/s3041/130b.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="1220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCrqleSuMZzApBJJK4z7OrTHBhE9qGbN7mHvQmrBb0doq3rCGU-Nb5fAxeJ5x9QzmSppem3_EnTn5WGalg7xqiklYbRWHn7pp-ggcxtm05B_IUK3GWQacBJDnh-2GvM7kqYe8GfQ_oJjaYhpLYbnx57d3YE5ecNeiwpNQi6X09wLq6qKcDIM6eUL0Aw/w1876-h1220/130b.jpg" width="1876" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound climbing grade, sandwiched between Antelope and North Antelope mines.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLijF1cp454q5_jzbXW8yBHkzviPY9nBpB8jeQhuXGH_SBCEJ_nnJjVQ1OWAURtST7yw6jZw2nyi_77T2eyAHdSbVPJxou_3CWbhOP0Gh3zLslXVNslmPzJyKPgsuQ1vD9DwVeMRGxH2TgZNQfXQ-htbefdtun-Bvdu3VS_Kpm9TJHRC0bFxYoDaiWw/s3037/162.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3037" height="1220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLijF1cp454q5_jzbXW8yBHkzviPY9nBpB8jeQhuXGH_SBCEJ_nnJjVQ1OWAURtST7yw6jZw2nyi_77T2eyAHdSbVPJxou_3CWbhOP0Gh3zLslXVNslmPzJyKPgsuQ1vD9DwVeMRGxH2TgZNQfXQ-htbefdtun-Bvdu3VS_Kpm9TJHRC0bFxYoDaiWw/w1876-h1220/162.jpg" width="1876" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound empties. In the background, empties are on the spur to the North Antelope Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwEhK0HmxdU4xssGWyMnKXG6_K0JZJYoM6xA-tlx8TJ8DYrIPog8yIdU5fUQqZD9il2wFU852nYetf-y_Mzxmiwzy_0_R40sl2sQwe8CHwOH6tSLkJar1HF026o9yAyRSlkbVmNDPQ8295mHXzebgYTzMvG5Iv8LPvDSFWgGC14pCMg2oDLnxXBIplA/s3010/167.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwEhK0HmxdU4xssGWyMnKXG6_K0JZJYoM6xA-tlx8TJ8DYrIPog8yIdU5fUQqZD9il2wFU852nYetf-y_Mzxmiwzy_0_R40sl2sQwe8CHwOH6tSLkJar1HF026o9yAyRSlkbVmNDPQ8295mHXzebgYTzMvG5Iv8LPvDSFWgGC14pCMg2oDLnxXBIplA/w1876-h1243/167.jpg" width="1876" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound loads leaving Antelope Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXOp6TOMQbD6eE8vIx4lh0aWVC9khDiV2lC9hbk6ATRwTa9cfNmn8c1aD9NsKRY4QzHKqbxYBiIZYA5wgLEeJCMVMkvyGNlA-Rf9XfV0PJ6dRcMfWKcxbDUrOlKD3Rg140kQOOSdZjQmreegU5P2DbeFIVVhMljJwlhykjbDbKPLE0hCU3RMBvVLddA/s2990/169.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2990" height="1262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXOp6TOMQbD6eE8vIx4lh0aWVC9khDiV2lC9hbk6ATRwTa9cfNmn8c1aD9NsKRY4QzHKqbxYBiIZYA5wgLEeJCMVMkvyGNlA-Rf9XfV0PJ6dRcMfWKcxbDUrOlKD3Rg140kQOOSdZjQmreegU5P2DbeFIVVhMljJwlhykjbDbKPLE0hCU3RMBvVLddA/w1878-h1262/169.jpg" width="1878" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Two loads preparing to leave Antelope Mine, while one empty is entering. On the main track, a UP load heads south. Just below the horizon stands a wall of the North Antelope Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Forest Service 942 Road (Logan Hill)</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This road runs east from Wyoming 59 and crests a hill to present a panoramic view of the Antelope Mine and the tracks running toward it. Trains struggle in both directions up the grade, known locally as Logan Hill. One can also take good images from the overpass, as well as drive along the wide right-of-way beside the tracks. Here, perhaps more than any other location along the coal line, one senses the overwhelming vastness of this land.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyka71nn15d_EzOj_G7dmJs255dSwG1kYuz59AevdgVqRW5nR6gW_2P82qiFNyGQek6ETkJ4VFbUTcmYlw5mXrbI8jC6Yb-hh2zhTpdnJu6i406ME2F8U0RWRxq51UuqH4WQ3wZSfJhxXFil2u2ay9gvTcjzUp2eavuswUQdbX0NIrhrDI7fKKI_REw/s2302/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%203.42.02%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1662" data-original-width="2302" height="1165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyka71nn15d_EzOj_G7dmJs255dSwG1kYuz59AevdgVqRW5nR6gW_2P82qiFNyGQek6ETkJ4VFbUTcmYlw5mXrbI8jC6Yb-hh2zhTpdnJu6i406ME2F8U0RWRxq51UuqH4WQ3wZSfJhxXFil2u2ay9gvTcjzUp2eavuswUQdbX0NIrhrDI7fKKI_REw/w1614-h1165/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%203.42.02%20PM.png" width="1614" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG-1a6XQcUcRHdrFttnrmm6LhrGVrQVEnFDfSgfps5eBzwh5Km5V_aId3MNwgaDDLTAehgZKRuCyrM99twWCLaqdWBNB77g1jTI4X-d7e1skxo4VqRvZYd5wPbtDq3cELjgKF8m8NbbTA_OFl3eAh78XwfIA-i2WgoxzmhP4XbD-xsJ8fY-UDGrQhtQ/s2965/172.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2965" height="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRG-1a6XQcUcRHdrFttnrmm6LhrGVrQVEnFDfSgfps5eBzwh5Km5V_aId3MNwgaDDLTAehgZKRuCyrM99twWCLaqdWBNB77g1jTI4X-d7e1skxo4VqRvZYd5wPbtDq3cELjgKF8m8NbbTA_OFl3eAh78XwfIA-i2WgoxzmhP4XbD-xsJ8fY-UDGrQhtQ/w1880-h1280/172.jpg" width="1880" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A southbound load has left the Antelope Mine.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu1_OP_3JlA7yXiJIeAcci3HPJU5Z4Th0KGhmNXH74TBnlDmQYmfxn8twRnlO7Kya4Q3yjUwBfqNl3QSImhcnykeEVxK0IEBpMxxO-2jiDuYHRG4EL-DteDYeI5nzPK1kjr9T0Pi333NxN5kR7ASy4ghPwvtMbwXMs7t0LD-ZAOJKnG1rG530LCPhTw/s3073/171.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1952" data-original-width="3073" height="1189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu1_OP_3JlA7yXiJIeAcci3HPJU5Z4Th0KGhmNXH74TBnlDmQYmfxn8twRnlO7Kya4Q3yjUwBfqNl3QSImhcnykeEVxK0IEBpMxxO-2jiDuYHRG4EL-DteDYeI5nzPK1kjr9T0Pi333NxN5kR7ASy4ghPwvtMbwXMs7t0LD-ZAOJKnG1rG530LCPhTw/w1875-h1189/171.jpg" width="1875" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>This looks like a single huge train but it actually a BNSF southbound load passing UP northbound empties.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-V2khLjarycE1cMb9zB8pBpXrdPGOP-LKfwVVqVKe_pUrcxNgBpdw43W9Uv4WuI3ggDFWOoZRVm1usZfE0dqBQcowECcyWRyjOgtDuK49mHry76-wGqB2hbhGZFFTpUoLz8F6OEv3tSA2m6pSb1O7-IOVghZOFOyO10UvNuZuRFQEXnsv4EXe_taaQ/s3035/170.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3035" height="1218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-V2khLjarycE1cMb9zB8pBpXrdPGOP-LKfwVVqVKe_pUrcxNgBpdw43W9Uv4WuI3ggDFWOoZRVm1usZfE0dqBQcowECcyWRyjOgtDuK49mHry76-wGqB2hbhGZFFTpUoLz8F6OEv3tSA2m6pSb1O7-IOVghZOFOyO10UvNuZuRFQEXnsv4EXe_taaQ/w1873-h1218/170.jpg" width="1873" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>More southbound coal headed to Shawnee Junction. The line here is quadruple-track.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGJExhO2p0axXJNjExLr-3EOSpaRLkwBA_BKM6jXdMFmG8V0zI1TZcu6-dfu8UQimeZ3E5ZiPMExiRi-Fd1HXvxDS10VHR0OLcbgUnYvacD_El3tekUXP9kOc2UR-sjgZ8RJXVriLUBcbLFNeNdHTSPoYeoR0XWsvsnK_UQqKoITTKXJWKf_WXBRz7w/s2990/156.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2990" height="1265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGJExhO2p0axXJNjExLr-3EOSpaRLkwBA_BKM6jXdMFmG8V0zI1TZcu6-dfu8UQimeZ3E5ZiPMExiRi-Fd1HXvxDS10VHR0OLcbgUnYvacD_El3tekUXP9kOc2UR-sjgZ8RJXVriLUBcbLFNeNdHTSPoYeoR0XWsvsnK_UQqKoITTKXJWKf_WXBRz7w/w1883-h1265/156.jpg" width="1883" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers on northbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4vufETU_tZvRySTRe4Q80adnP3RjwewaThHc11xkpwegaof4tiLoWOOhkEEgy250SG1BY3AxiWFKudkrDRW11nqNwFKPZ-nwsBj9QWFuFVDXMgM_OeRwN7i1MJlTn-UuI7jRwLMlGnNBmSxJkCFdu5a5YtpttAapGp1dD861ailueD2w0-yZ7iQXtg/s3030/150.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3030" height="1231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4vufETU_tZvRySTRe4Q80adnP3RjwewaThHc11xkpwegaof4tiLoWOOhkEEgy250SG1BY3AxiWFKudkrDRW11nqNwFKPZ-nwsBj9QWFuFVDXMgM_OeRwN7i1MJlTn-UuI7jRwLMlGnNBmSxJkCFdu5a5YtpttAapGp1dD861ailueD2w0-yZ7iQXtg/w1884-h1231/150.jpg" width="1884" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF chasing UP.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZvOgcpzQrNyscqS9h4BrSkQ-P8UuvV5VpViec19lSin6STXhN-XasOKKBCKiYHoKVV2k36tCB70R4cBfr_CugoDJnt7Fq0mTKrh2P_Y-C7Jr9I6QbMgJtF_ZlC0LFR93ry7mYVK2rvqsGwD_IyYS2iAhdaorzeEfnA6co3bGbwGUgF-iRPJN7DKqaA/s2975/55.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2975" height="1275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZvOgcpzQrNyscqS9h4BrSkQ-P8UuvV5VpViec19lSin6STXhN-XasOKKBCKiYHoKVV2k36tCB70R4cBfr_CugoDJnt7Fq0mTKrh2P_Y-C7Jr9I6QbMgJtF_ZlC0LFR93ry7mYVK2rvqsGwD_IyYS2iAhdaorzeEfnA6co3bGbwGUgF-iRPJN7DKqaA/w1880-h1275/55.jpg" width="1880" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A solitary pusher in the Wyoming wilderness.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bill</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bill, Wyoming, sits directly on Wyoming 59. Years ago, the "town" consisted of a small, wooden store and post office, combined in a single building, and nothing more. Now the store and post office are closed, replaced by a Union Pacific maintenance facility. A large motel sits across the road -- to house UP railroad crews going on or coming off shifts. Your author spent a week there, and the place seemed eerily quiet and empty, as though once filled with the sound of railroaders relaxing after 12 hard hours at work, but now sitting quietly, waiting for new occupants.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SUB5S5KsrH8HHD1Bx2vWzkHh9uRqy31W-yd9AMc7hBkHO2N1h7_kA3OXr5mSe41wWLLW53xyDbJbk2aJsfG3E_iShx3rJbxiLaCVfkYvUoKk-659oz6J-o0jFPouu2msBlj8vyIq8-659zB9ras8Bu9jxo4CkG2lCfu4s2xBg3BYwgb17LqiLrKSUw/s2186/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%203.50.38%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2186" data-original-width="1488" height="1246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SUB5S5KsrH8HHD1Bx2vWzkHh9uRqy31W-yd9AMc7hBkHO2N1h7_kA3OXr5mSe41wWLLW53xyDbJbk2aJsfG3E_iShx3rJbxiLaCVfkYvUoKk-659oz6J-o0jFPouu2msBlj8vyIq8-659zB9ras8Bu9jxo4CkG2lCfu4s2xBg3BYwgb17LqiLrKSUw/w849-h1246/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%203.50.38%20PM.png" width="849" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnOcuRt5a_pjWBQKsLBjR8mahznCVEA2eEIIMBGTXgTLV3-s2IEKeX86jcNbCCdrEUINuRLAyDS9sD6zSsixKKFHHuMl1eI_JOzNWMmLX2E0IuGc59kNPEB4M6x8EzqgOSTeU_aDLoh_E2MKF97q1aqYHYo5TWgBDZ0FJ6MpOpUlBwau5sDgwphA8bQ/s3020/2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3020" height="1254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnOcuRt5a_pjWBQKsLBjR8mahznCVEA2eEIIMBGTXgTLV3-s2IEKeX86jcNbCCdrEUINuRLAyDS9sD6zSsixKKFHHuMl1eI_JOzNWMmLX2E0IuGc59kNPEB4M6x8EzqgOSTeU_aDLoh_E2MKF97q1aqYHYo5TWgBDZ0FJ6MpOpUlBwau5sDgwphA8bQ/w1901-h1254/2.jpg" width="1901" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF 6303 South prepares to duck under Wyoming 59 on the approach to Bill, Wyoming.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8EPqV1rKp3JwjCI-JitP5Y_hYbdA0bZHtSBOasBQscllK9jbdmUnx-pw3dBUvqGl-LUAbRdz8xz8auHYx4dU_S4OsebsvZl-MB7n5gDQytTC5_GDELjMrvzxfnxcJZRhkdlmwtAao9Hns5wPZggdMEZ89q-V2x50-aqb3IBBbmqOgc6w4j-pqbHiyQ/s3055/54.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="3055" height="1223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8EPqV1rKp3JwjCI-JitP5Y_hYbdA0bZHtSBOasBQscllK9jbdmUnx-pw3dBUvqGl-LUAbRdz8xz8auHYx4dU_S4OsebsvZl-MB7n5gDQytTC5_GDELjMrvzxfnxcJZRhkdlmwtAao9Hns5wPZggdMEZ89q-V2x50-aqb3IBBbmqOgc6w4j-pqbHiyQ/w1898-h1223/54.jpg" width="1898" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another southbound load approaches Bill. In the distance, above the middle of this train, a northbound empty rolls to the mines.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzZMCE-5LpQTG2pIpF1y5VjBqmn1e26klMG9GbBvh8ACdea4leEu47Rz90TFwmyZYpXejFadnfB7QuvXD1cdRB_zjcGNjfE5yH2PwwHaPnw9MBrdP3puYk2A_4w9MF3NrYAPX3lXSiyNIGhFKVcWlzGVRe9dJndYB_w4e9wMMvySL4kpiZdLv3OPNWg/s2943/60.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2039" data-original-width="2943" height="1318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzZMCE-5LpQTG2pIpF1y5VjBqmn1e26klMG9GbBvh8ACdea4leEu47Rz90TFwmyZYpXejFadnfB7QuvXD1cdRB_zjcGNjfE5yH2PwwHaPnw9MBrdP3puYk2A_4w9MF3NrYAPX3lXSiyNIGhFKVcWlzGVRe9dJndYB_w4e9wMMvySL4kpiZdLv3OPNWg/w1899-h1318/60.jpg" width="1899" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF meets UP, a common sight on the coal line.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGDW5Y0I_U4XeC0mkvCgF0yDkVtbdw1r-vooCcaJKo1tD1rpFvhfuBHCq8l7hu83Wxg_vARIRxBaQKQ_F4-wd9HwF_e-0qAEg2e5EUHTecojKJlPNOI5agBUU4mL-jRVQI1AWhxZDJklcVkmLoFQueZB61YKuHzocCmsPx6FWy9jhzckab5bEeaOc-Q/s3013/88.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="1251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGDW5Y0I_U4XeC0mkvCgF0yDkVtbdw1r-vooCcaJKo1tD1rpFvhfuBHCq8l7hu83Wxg_vARIRxBaQKQ_F4-wd9HwF_e-0qAEg2e5EUHTecojKJlPNOI5agBUU4mL-jRVQI1AWhxZDJklcVkmLoFQueZB61YKuHzocCmsPx6FWy9jhzckab5bEeaOc-Q/w1898-h1251/88.jpg" width="1898" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bill, Wyoming.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPdec6TKxAiT40YDl7eaDfHrgpAlM0WVUExVKhtn3vNUyuvwMHzrKjOPsr2XHgbHgjRV8n63-sy7o6-TCq8PKKt_pqCnUDU-V5iUPgoj8DklCz0n-c12Nqb2_muxmIZrZiCdwn_oET4sAx27zVuoXBpuYqogb9YzQYzLj5YAavTGxvhkNnUA0IluAvQ/s3057/104.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3057" height="1217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPdec6TKxAiT40YDl7eaDfHrgpAlM0WVUExVKhtn3vNUyuvwMHzrKjOPsr2XHgbHgjRV8n63-sy7o6-TCq8PKKt_pqCnUDU-V5iUPgoj8DklCz0n-c12Nqb2_muxmIZrZiCdwn_oET4sAx27zVuoXBpuYqogb9YzQYzLj5YAavTGxvhkNnUA0IluAvQ/w1899-h1217/104.jpg" width="1899" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>On a clear morning in late September (2022), southbound BNSF coal passes the Union Pacific facility at Bill, Wyoming.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jamie Street</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Every map I have consulted calls this location "Jamie Street," which seems an odd appellation for a dirt road in rural Wyoming, but I shall not quibble with higher authorities. The road passes under the tracks, and the low elevation is perfect for evening shots after the sun has fallen. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PrnKCifqamQxNTkQbt0Y5wAybmpp9cSCInBCp5mDTt_9d1k4ABjM8ZD80p_SBUCDQemrQvTiSCNGsf1v_dhbWJYQxA3FFbUiVLFbtL-hfoOBarOfebNfeZslC9-zUoEFAWd2cqX6Nlx4fFd9kaU7roDLqbMoyTZQdIIDRIKsFNMndMeX287kDCynWA/s2088/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%204.15.10%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2088" data-original-width="1122" height="1302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PrnKCifqamQxNTkQbt0Y5wAybmpp9cSCInBCp5mDTt_9d1k4ABjM8ZD80p_SBUCDQemrQvTiSCNGsf1v_dhbWJYQxA3FFbUiVLFbtL-hfoOBarOfebNfeZslC9-zUoEFAWd2cqX6Nlx4fFd9kaU7roDLqbMoyTZQdIIDRIKsFNMndMeX287kDCynWA/w700-h1302/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%204.15.10%20PM.png" width="700" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5AuyvHYYx3hRnG6whf4GEVZfHuAnlsAfqo5KzaXiFCD3zxyq5giW3CVzI5L6tlOHYJbSxyy45Fw-bOo3NzS48pQWRWgHwk_aXsgg3BenTMXaKsLKaBagnWUnu5j8JRZKQBTRRI8z1cUA6ImJ_7aM8P4Wbpfr80ELT10RbGg8Wu7WClJ-bRAM36vWuQ/s3011/96a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3011" height="1257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5AuyvHYYx3hRnG6whf4GEVZfHuAnlsAfqo5KzaXiFCD3zxyq5giW3CVzI5L6tlOHYJbSxyy45Fw-bOo3NzS48pQWRWgHwk_aXsgg3BenTMXaKsLKaBagnWUnu5j8JRZKQBTRRI8z1cUA6ImJ_7aM8P4Wbpfr80ELT10RbGg8Wu7WClJ-bRAM36vWuQ/w1897-h1257/96a.jpg" width="1897" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound pushers at dusk.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUYjSD0qGrp0S2h5NOSMC9Wpn5cl6-vBnHPjgh-uaOVv01aKyrQQYdc4DArHVTkBIIIUNqJ3awKUXQtiqLEmsgI3KpgGJ4CloUwSouKMWyvh-AYCCDWPs6C6MbWkSBvUyFW3eri8k4uKbfj9dpchukllD6pu9IvGJteCQWuw97oxtEpyGVO5v4olJbQ/s3020/97a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3020" height="1249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUYjSD0qGrp0S2h5NOSMC9Wpn5cl6-vBnHPjgh-uaOVv01aKyrQQYdc4DArHVTkBIIIUNqJ3awKUXQtiqLEmsgI3KpgGJ4CloUwSouKMWyvh-AYCCDWPs6C6MbWkSBvUyFW3eri8k4uKbfj9dpchukllD6pu9IvGJteCQWuw97oxtEpyGVO5v4olJbQ/w1903-h1249/97a.jpg" width="1903" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another northbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b></b></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgVzVmBnFgbTIMA-yMmMUZ_6S16wakQSSQzKPJaELO4Gd6A2sLjpm_fReSYSyv1_rf3M2dIKKJ_ZZ4pfssd0SCIoaJjnzVQLNOVTW0WH8V_jRt3llSL1CwnKA4dUXKE12eWp-Dk5e5-b_4ptp2O7q8zd8iLbe8VMMZzK7kMXx39XALcuxK_2UIRysVw/s3021/95a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3021" height="1248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgVzVmBnFgbTIMA-yMmMUZ_6S16wakQSSQzKPJaELO4Gd6A2sLjpm_fReSYSyv1_rf3M2dIKKJ_ZZ4pfssd0SCIoaJjnzVQLNOVTW0WH8V_jRt3llSL1CwnKA4dUXKE12eWp-Dk5e5-b_4ptp2O7q8zd8iLbe8VMMZzK7kMXx39XALcuxK_2UIRysVw/w1902-h1248/95a.jpg" width="1902" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Private Road by Microwave Tower</span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is the best description I can give for this road. The "private" portion actually starts on the west side of the tracks. One can roll in without trespassing and either drive or climb the fire-break that has been bulldozed on the west side of the tracks. The tops of the hills to the north and south yield impressive views.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P0tUd8cR3bUwnl2YDQTxLXJ8s-tajY3krhqFkm8e-KHB5u_oAlI2mZvIAPHObd4GJvtJFRa7_INH1HtC-mtNGUDTqejrHUaBtvAmTjcflNpGXA34mDEmnD2PAX9mKQIMhLY4YRwpDylx0HGxET0WEa3OAGEHdM4_YzbkdT_w60-SPdj-DCGjvj-52g/s1810/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%204.26.33%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1810" data-original-width="672" height="1332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P0tUd8cR3bUwnl2YDQTxLXJ8s-tajY3krhqFkm8e-KHB5u_oAlI2mZvIAPHObd4GJvtJFRa7_INH1HtC-mtNGUDTqejrHUaBtvAmTjcflNpGXA34mDEmnD2PAX9mKQIMhLY4YRwpDylx0HGxET0WEa3OAGEHdM4_YzbkdT_w60-SPdj-DCGjvj-52g/w496-h1332/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%204.26.33%20PM.png" width="496" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7CLhXzlL_WHoEYLMyhgP_ZzXHUYbb46CCd0vj6gb5QxluaMRJTszK07XcU380ZF4gxi4BLhDNYra5vcRpw80Rzl5HIwgvrmXXVHZ43wx8KbyvPrsb6BSCgFCZKuILSsSDsWe8ILAQ8wCRFrv60m2O5kHKuBRE-yniRq2Uu7ut3Xv__j_FffSyhjY4Q/s3048/84.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3048" height="1229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7CLhXzlL_WHoEYLMyhgP_ZzXHUYbb46CCd0vj6gb5QxluaMRJTszK07XcU380ZF4gxi4BLhDNYra5vcRpw80Rzl5HIwgvrmXXVHZ43wx8KbyvPrsb6BSCgFCZKuILSsSDsWe8ILAQ8wCRFrv60m2O5kHKuBRE-yniRq2Uu7ut3Xv__j_FffSyhjY4Q/w1900-h1229/84.jpg" width="1900" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound empties have come down one hill and are climbing another. If you look closely, you will see the single headlights of two pushers going south. The microwave tower rises beside the highway.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWisycIh_2oN96xSARaVoDdvA-96PpIlAJpGe5jhUzTitnFH_-Zn8T675z-67TXM6uVEkmP6BiuSNVupPGkvOko8VfD29v98XAnC1B-Nt0pyLt-_jn9KwpS_se9rlTfwdWwG1qFSMuKbq8QJV30FOo4F6yLPr0bBLjbihj50k2ITx4kPsbXuSswswx9w/s3013/112.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="1250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWisycIh_2oN96xSARaVoDdvA-96PpIlAJpGe5jhUzTitnFH_-Zn8T675z-67TXM6uVEkmP6BiuSNVupPGkvOko8VfD29v98XAnC1B-Nt0pyLt-_jn9KwpS_se9rlTfwdWwG1qFSMuKbq8QJV30FOo4F6yLPr0bBLjbihj50k2ITx4kPsbXuSswswx9w/w1897-h1250/112.jpg" width="1897" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More southbound coal. As stated in the body of this article, traffic on the south end of the coal line was, at times, very busy during your author's visit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqpaBIyDtHqQaDAtb0jXXahtdZgWepVDPwAND64rfZg_hXboo8s5TBafSI2E9TKFVaT7QkxODXkXf77FyHteP1NV60QNcAO7ee-0-yRjvE2w4LFYElc-WGjrh8Hz9mXZVOlxFPdg8akHj3XFYOZVk-S_7hALjjVOVYEYKXlJgq4-ncW6Pe2S-xTq36w/s3014/111.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3014" height="1248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqpaBIyDtHqQaDAtb0jXXahtdZgWepVDPwAND64rfZg_hXboo8s5TBafSI2E9TKFVaT7QkxODXkXf77FyHteP1NV60QNcAO7ee-0-yRjvE2w4LFYElc-WGjrh8Hz9mXZVOlxFPdg8akHj3XFYOZVk-S_7hALjjVOVYEYKXlJgq4-ncW6Pe2S-xTq36w/w1893-h1248/111.jpg" width="1893" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pusher on same train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIx2nz8Tj0kb5KONe17001CCI179M64ijF2lNYsQ8YQ2iYi2uv1QyyBhVNegi2lSMIw9F-FBqS9pFi2MkIPIp7s9OEhIoJ66xFJzSjjBqVGWMf1dV2ylZ8AThPp__SDDsU2nExidGaZ3rRWdikxBzxdlXx_BKLg55T47huuifAduQHfzgENn7PJqHeg/s3047/110.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3047" height="1224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIx2nz8Tj0kb5KONe17001CCI179M64ijF2lNYsQ8YQ2iYi2uv1QyyBhVNegi2lSMIw9F-FBqS9pFi2MkIPIp7s9OEhIoJ66xFJzSjjBqVGWMf1dV2ylZ8AThPp__SDDsU2nExidGaZ3rRWdikxBzxdlXx_BKLg55T47huuifAduQHfzgENn7PJqHeg/w1892-h1224/110.jpg" width="1892" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound racing downgrade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxE2EtsQFNDPdQXdx5gMmjDyaMX_g1c-bxdiT0d13mpfAwUYiB8zDNfteJWr25D1FSm-dZ5gJnnNKwFicvgzdiMHoWxQlDL6wJE2Zp7TkDMZc2X2iyhVHqn2d2af8ipYU7PTvtMW02LVRC2tOZSdOx2JjX8vbt2NxgvjOYRI6h1kFGCfrIsIpxWJXoA/s3109/81.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1929" data-original-width="3109" height="1178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxE2EtsQFNDPdQXdx5gMmjDyaMX_g1c-bxdiT0d13mpfAwUYiB8zDNfteJWr25D1FSm-dZ5gJnnNKwFicvgzdiMHoWxQlDL6wJE2Zp7TkDMZc2X2iyhVHqn2d2af8ipYU7PTvtMW02LVRC2tOZSdOx2JjX8vbt2NxgvjOYRI6h1kFGCfrIsIpxWJXoA/w1894-h1178/81.jpg" width="1894" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>As UP empties struggle upgrade, another BNSF coal load appears at the top of the hill.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjmAwxLRjMjUgJUosSGZlP1anr7AqRSEx7EpFoOnroOewQDstI4uB5ADIvFtIFjYd1h6-Ka0pQyVy-bj3FoMMT2tABelxf16evoIKs_7PohqUFP1qKXJAy5KODujUHjB-9cUhs5DxKzKCw6JxPQKgLk4OYpB5ftFkuk6A_teNu6-B80kcHpf2yV3J3g/s3052/76.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3052" height="1222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjmAwxLRjMjUgJUosSGZlP1anr7AqRSEx7EpFoOnroOewQDstI4uB5ADIvFtIFjYd1h6-Ka0pQyVy-bj3FoMMT2tABelxf16evoIKs_7PohqUFP1qKXJAy5KODujUHjB-9cUhs5DxKzKCw6JxPQKgLk4OYpB5ftFkuk6A_teNu6-B80kcHpf2yV3J3g/w1898-h1222/76.jpg" width="1898" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This was the fifth of six southbound loads to come through in less than an hour.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0es0-mWI7q8SpSDyhesyqlhvfmzOnil4gQha7U-Art1UZgHq12UH_vZsTkiqaijqhet60DdHykgqouFfdLZY2y3ryWADJrss8tcV0XYEBEv9unpdp6RCMO6loSpGHSi3LRPqEJpcEJ13EW4qBmWlR2ajBuuflsYW_Zu62tcWFqvSxj4RhlCFKxIpneA/s2978/61.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2978" height="1291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0es0-mWI7q8SpSDyhesyqlhvfmzOnil4gQha7U-Art1UZgHq12UH_vZsTkiqaijqhet60DdHykgqouFfdLZY2y3ryWADJrss8tcV0XYEBEv9unpdp6RCMO6loSpGHSi3LRPqEJpcEJ13EW4qBmWlR2ajBuuflsYW_Zu62tcWFqvSxj4RhlCFKxIpneA/w1903-h1291/61.jpg" width="1903" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The sixth.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Highland Loop Road</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Highland Loop Road runs south several hundred yards before crossing beneath the tracks, then turning north and northwest, climbing a moderate grade to reveal the grandeur of the Powder River Basin. This is a public thoroughfare and yields nice images of the country that early explorers found so daunting.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fnMNY6MKW-MXg_7lElkhjZHUSlW-BFNn5Eh0QmxcVJYsv7J93Q6Fv6XKqeqs3jnz9oAfAEWjAKfms77laKS3rLwZ9FwYtr89BTojOZS6k9mNpXWP36D1Al4sNrmQW-unQab_8k5Ha51sMdlFQWLNUu1fPeHCAcQzKbJQ98GZTRi-XH-DNSf9c4OUBg/s2094/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%209.49.21%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2094" data-original-width="1968" height="1277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fnMNY6MKW-MXg_7lElkhjZHUSlW-BFNn5Eh0QmxcVJYsv7J93Q6Fv6XKqeqs3jnz9oAfAEWjAKfms77laKS3rLwZ9FwYtr89BTojOZS6k9mNpXWP36D1Al4sNrmQW-unQab_8k5Ha51sMdlFQWLNUu1fPeHCAcQzKbJQ98GZTRi-XH-DNSf9c4OUBg/w1201-h1277/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-04%20at%209.49.21%20PM.png" width="1201" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fH7EEacHGLSphHDiMzKbS4Cxx4S1o4PDv78BUTj_CR9PrZvRtqnLyTH9mc1BUUpesW5lIXX3VCzBDOv2zonkLwIwov66nIw7i-TYromj71QWzbsbVEnfWfoO6g6qLcj3zzbtjsuc8f4UOO8g4PvqTBSqzV-rktoz5s0agqMyZaS1L1Wkh8O87spZaQ/s2989/149.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2989" height="1276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fH7EEacHGLSphHDiMzKbS4Cxx4S1o4PDv78BUTj_CR9PrZvRtqnLyTH9mc1BUUpesW5lIXX3VCzBDOv2zonkLwIwov66nIw7i-TYromj71QWzbsbVEnfWfoO6g6qLcj3zzbtjsuc8f4UOO8g4PvqTBSqzV-rktoz5s0agqMyZaS1L1Wkh8O87spZaQ/w1899-h1276/149.jpg" width="1899" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>As this image indicates, there is also significant oil and gas production in the Powder River Basin. The Highland Loop Road underpass is shown in the left foreground.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyz7CJW_qXWS7S3qW8F8cvCJie476tuR4A5KOeHsxb_6d56Vie-GSn6ev_SKGjptfDF_Ai2mq31yqJfFuDa1sqe9XEtlqrURhpsvmnCso4n6fmLmbr6gVzrFlVUU26Ekz_lwWOuiuQB5pZFNpISGNFBj-x7Y2YCOp92S-QCOfgFV80uXrYDcmfAVuqg/s3005/147.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyz7CJW_qXWS7S3qW8F8cvCJie476tuR4A5KOeHsxb_6d56Vie-GSn6ev_SKGjptfDF_Ai2mq31yqJfFuDa1sqe9XEtlqrURhpsvmnCso4n6fmLmbr6gVzrFlVUU26Ekz_lwWOuiuQB5pZFNpISGNFBj-x7Y2YCOp92S-QCOfgFV80uXrYDcmfAVuqg/w1894-h1260/147.jpg" width="1894" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound loads at dusk. The landmark microwave tower rises in the distance.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5O38CcqyCXOFvZMw1UA_PHyV_HNbHvmEsfgcf_f_UENbO-b4y8qPkquCnvXTgO2YRsgBbVYraGfpCY2BKwosozkohwKxO-GYGEhzsNAJgFVioSmBvnZk9DNykkwBgp95kTOyRrOy6-d4QcsrBIEEgJWIkpi150c97iO5SmblGZoCExpVeMeefHjhRA/s2951/148.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2033" data-original-width="2951" height="1305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5O38CcqyCXOFvZMw1UA_PHyV_HNbHvmEsfgcf_f_UENbO-b4y8qPkquCnvXTgO2YRsgBbVYraGfpCY2BKwosozkohwKxO-GYGEhzsNAJgFVioSmBvnZk9DNykkwBgp95kTOyRrOy6-d4QcsrBIEEgJWIkpi150c97iO5SmblGZoCExpVeMeefHjhRA/w1898-h1305/148.jpg" width="1898" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Snow fences guard the tracks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXObHK1CxWjpEsHV-H9O_FxXYKlL-5iI2IsukpTYCEQkkrMqkKGQZy-hEa730uMpzNWs-1DlEX_TBs4zL7mS_JjfNRHwLhLv-sX9hOqizLiJfUC1xm-Ty5KWRcngEDa6Gr9di81aRUYwykG8JxvprbbsIePNYKRs91Ch24z-X6wRmGuH1-iAiwhkYFg/s3036/102.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXObHK1CxWjpEsHV-H9O_FxXYKlL-5iI2IsukpTYCEQkkrMqkKGQZy-hEa730uMpzNWs-1DlEX_TBs4zL7mS_JjfNRHwLhLv-sX9hOqizLiJfUC1xm-Ty5KWRcngEDa6Gr9di81aRUYwykG8JxvprbbsIePNYKRs91Ch24z-X6wRmGuH1-iAiwhkYFg/w1911-h1242/102.jpg" width="1911" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Southbound coal -- down one grade and up another.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNi6AefPaWXL97H01OeMA7TMETrjObQPQkjvGFheumYEEpabHYPYd0Rshm8p-nIceU6JgNTjSBu_Amv1P73zZhvuA5HZb0P8x1DjdEhDI66d3ipTOqsPXDbnKOAv0kxtF_xE3_ZRqYTKlXKD0_NAGp4Sqlu-NK4qWTc-kRHUpXUTT2urs-L7FQlYKnQ/s3062/101.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="3062" height="1224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNi6AefPaWXL97H01OeMA7TMETrjObQPQkjvGFheumYEEpabHYPYd0Rshm8p-nIceU6JgNTjSBu_Amv1P73zZhvuA5HZb0P8x1DjdEhDI66d3ipTOqsPXDbnKOAv0kxtF_xE3_ZRqYTKlXKD0_NAGp4Sqlu-NK4qWTc-kRHUpXUTT2urs-L7FQlYKnQ/w1911-h1224/101.jpg" width="1911" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound across Highland Loop Road underpass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmyU4VL2IZn_exPvV6IopnHCrngxD5Tf6f1E4p88h-MA-kzERhDQx4xd6hV9qUGil3yHSWeBd_LQggJDe5echQIKc3-nluYNVkgrBfoIIHmbSEf1kkXhiHp713UbfZJUrFVj56V-n2r1DEqw7JvQ_tKIl86eBtsyfsBrwykBhjm6pL8akMhfOJfT2sw/s3065/80.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1957" data-original-width="3065" height="1216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmyU4VL2IZn_exPvV6IopnHCrngxD5Tf6f1E4p88h-MA-kzERhDQx4xd6hV9qUGil3yHSWeBd_LQggJDe5echQIKc3-nluYNVkgrBfoIIHmbSEf1kkXhiHp713UbfZJUrFVj56V-n2r1DEqw7JvQ_tKIl86eBtsyfsBrwykBhjm6pL8akMhfOJfT2sw/w1908-h1216/80.jpg" width="1908" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound between oil production.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_Dd7QjjFaNIC1my0ZQC-gtE3WmsPv3nNgIEBwTv-zc84HoJjT_rfMj4jNXDb_JjJ3A5LP05H35E_mNpORL4029FCQ5xDWDzo8RIHw_tLFNfC6GXu1AoAzqaEk_0GDLM0pGCHnv-SwyMGA7CT7aNvFwXJ3CbqW_jSb0uJmunLVPSVrveMF_EkkaDycA/s3034/77.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3034" height="1244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_Dd7QjjFaNIC1my0ZQC-gtE3WmsPv3nNgIEBwTv-zc84HoJjT_rfMj4jNXDb_JjJ3A5LP05H35E_mNpORL4029FCQ5xDWDzo8RIHw_tLFNfC6GXu1AoAzqaEk_0GDLM0pGCHnv-SwyMGA7CT7aNvFwXJ3CbqW_jSb0uJmunLVPSVrveMF_EkkaDycA/w1904-h1244/77.jpg" width="1904" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"The same barren desert we have been in since leaving the Platte."</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Shawnee Junction</span></b></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At Shawnee Junction, the BNSF line coming north from Orin joins the UP line coming west from Lusk, and together they run north to the coal fields. East Antelope Road east out of Douglass will take you directly to this location, which offers multiple photographic opportunities from public right-of-way. At one time, landowners here guarded their property zealously. On your author's last visit, however, the land was deserted and open, as though a great crowd had once gathered but was now dispersed. If you want to see a lot of coal trains during the war on hydrocarbons, this is still your spot. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnpPUJrkwIkUuJY3nbJQn7lCpUQjyEuOCYhjA43VZfBd0zEfQZa7DHEraMY9Jt9CWc57vGtsHTRvJNe3LDQlmCtoijXB3ES9oQnJjaTSXfzeferpxMd1Z4LC03eHU-scK5x3eaRuX9QaqMcqlAcg5hZujI8lSKu0vLzmeDHSrv07r_cA5POcWVjZm5w/s1410/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-03%20at%205.35.01%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1410" height="1176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnpPUJrkwIkUuJY3nbJQn7lCpUQjyEuOCYhjA43VZfBd0zEfQZa7DHEraMY9Jt9CWc57vGtsHTRvJNe3LDQlmCtoijXB3ES9oQnJjaTSXfzeferpxMd1Z4LC03eHU-scK5x3eaRuX9QaqMcqlAcg5hZujI8lSKu0vLzmeDHSrv07r_cA5POcWVjZm5w/w1364-h1176/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-03%20at%205.35.01%20PM.png" width="1364" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AcmymlnJNk3Nw6vPvVnNAEHVoT5yWt0Vs5rPqRBmPjG65SLraxNs__IUj_BRfkiHQfN-q0wdHjppguRstpXX9_b6KAkrPtxnzsckdy5Q0_qORVjLfoWSfKoHT8oLPc55J6mZEukDy6R1UBR3dE6Qwa9KD8vMbnz0NIUE4WBDCY_y8jPhTUbJ8NRIdw/s2967/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="2967" height="1295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AcmymlnJNk3Nw6vPvVnNAEHVoT5yWt0Vs5rPqRBmPjG65SLraxNs__IUj_BRfkiHQfN-q0wdHjppguRstpXX9_b6KAkrPtxnzsckdy5Q0_qORVjLfoWSfKoHT8oLPc55J6mZEukDy6R1UBR3dE6Qwa9KD8vMbnz0NIUE4WBDCY_y8jPhTUbJ8NRIdw/w1900-h1295/40.jpg" width="1900" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A BNSF coal load approaches Shawnee Junction from the northwest.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjIKVhXUnyMEQTfUjhFU5zk-jYj7raKB9hHBbzz1ab4WgqhIHV2BnmiQek4FDpmwUZxAio4f0FlIEvIup-cfdBeySLfCKhgVLRT-geKyQKNc3kc1G-0P0vBPAMEqXlOKHujRTPstDI4nVMdeUOvvWfd-LMcx-xJJUa3xX7ifVOOQVMkN1LmZ0bcbQFA/s3029/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3029" height="1247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjIKVhXUnyMEQTfUjhFU5zk-jYj7raKB9hHBbzz1ab4WgqhIHV2BnmiQek4FDpmwUZxAio4f0FlIEvIup-cfdBeySLfCKhgVLRT-geKyQKNc3kc1G-0P0vBPAMEqXlOKHujRTPstDI4nVMdeUOvvWfd-LMcx-xJJUa3xX7ifVOOQVMkN1LmZ0bcbQFA/w1910-h1247/39.jpg" width="1910" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A BNSF load has left the junction and is headed south to Wendover Canyon. In the background, UP empties are headed north to the mines.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncTUtmSr9aVoj4xDhXmzxtIJdthwvEJLZxkULrhkGiX2HKGD5GXmw47QuV84ZYa8AjR9p6lvvQOI8Yw_hYcBqHoKydiP3o2JK29gUdKP6hMAAcr7lGQkVtkYosq_dU5PCrm3C-53rgBxLc_Hs1jCuB1_20AeWkI9rTY7-rZSdmDnnMHr7yzQ_b4izDQ/s3019/47.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncTUtmSr9aVoj4xDhXmzxtIJdthwvEJLZxkULrhkGiX2HKGD5GXmw47QuV84ZYa8AjR9p6lvvQOI8Yw_hYcBqHoKydiP3o2JK29gUdKP6hMAAcr7lGQkVtkYosq_dU5PCrm3C-53rgBxLc_Hs1jCuB1_20AeWkI9rTY7-rZSdmDnnMHr7yzQ_b4izDQ/w1906-h1257/47.jpg" width="1906" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound empties approach the Junction.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsdo0osJwyAW1qJ_9qfCpUBw1eCi18dsHJ9r-witMphXxrSkRIMJ79S7Ydy8GBB0YHRIwhuKZLjStURFvozGeFiQPIlD2n3AJaj1wpvZ_59D6wpc3BA8FY9wGawRgQFr9hL-juuCSaeNIhtdUX-sJwZ_7KIwvNltU5kTz1zb5d_iMQC7OzMDlYEOMzg/s3051/49.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3051" height="1226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsdo0osJwyAW1qJ_9qfCpUBw1eCi18dsHJ9r-witMphXxrSkRIMJ79S7Ydy8GBB0YHRIwhuKZLjStURFvozGeFiQPIlD2n3AJaj1wpvZ_59D6wpc3BA8FY9wGawRgQFr9hL-juuCSaeNIhtdUX-sJwZ_7KIwvNltU5kTz1zb5d_iMQC7OzMDlYEOMzg/w1904-h1226/49.jpg" width="1904" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Two loads running side-by-side have left the junction and are headed south.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3Yyb1_N_FeSSY4Oxhrq-_MGJH00K1Gy-wc8qCtouPtz5f6NI60aVVNSBJoieI1Vlp3J4JoIGHNcSgn-VZKU9yq8WXguz7bfSEQPeYjl95UHXHAAg_jUxPRTr8_ttAvpOEtWfoU9SWnwS9VKnodyvgNrl3zqLtIeXU6kLSyvghBTwCa6GkvsF6jMZtA/s3028/51.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3028" height="1243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3Yyb1_N_FeSSY4Oxhrq-_MGJH00K1Gy-wc8qCtouPtz5f6NI60aVVNSBJoieI1Vlp3J4JoIGHNcSgn-VZKU9yq8WXguz7bfSEQPeYjl95UHXHAAg_jUxPRTr8_ttAvpOEtWfoU9SWnwS9VKnodyvgNrl3zqLtIeXU6kLSyvghBTwCa6GkvsF6jMZtA/w1903-h1243/51.jpg" width="1903" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Modern railroading at its finest.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gkJwbGjn7U-kLL2oiuUoM0lNA4uqGchuEEdvAer6Bg57U81XR4wFehDSjg71S9VwoYgXiZTy5KGDAs29WlGDhCFLuUJ03UU8W1eoaxA9m7Q2qZWltcUbO6CAJlrPJxL_fBRsZlQYVsRGFRa2GzbIFvlIpEc-d5UwAppQk8R6bIkNIF6sYALJfAHo2Q/s3000/67.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3000" height="1176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gkJwbGjn7U-kLL2oiuUoM0lNA4uqGchuEEdvAer6Bg57U81XR4wFehDSjg71S9VwoYgXiZTy5KGDAs29WlGDhCFLuUJ03UU8W1eoaxA9m7Q2qZWltcUbO6CAJlrPJxL_fBRsZlQYVsRGFRa2GzbIFvlIpEc-d5UwAppQk8R6bIkNIF6sYALJfAHo2Q/w1902-h1176/67.jpg" width="1902" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Although mostly devoid of trees, this country (in late September) sports bright yellows and oranges in the creek and river bottoms -- in this case the West Fork of Shawnee Creek. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHitScgYiM31F2OJQ1UFrEiJtszFX5vgir0LZZHb6YqmRlbGowLhm6e0Y6BmXsT2XvtI346DoqptyelbFzAyY7nW48v9nAtBdmND8War2RVo2djhqfk7Fr6fke5kK8uSjsTemsNzCI7gzr9btA9PfTkVafKcEDUYqWVFxLTlkoCf6pCn6D9r591Mjwig/s2988/73.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2988" height="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHitScgYiM31F2OJQ1UFrEiJtszFX5vgir0LZZHb6YqmRlbGowLhm6e0Y6BmXsT2XvtI346DoqptyelbFzAyY7nW48v9nAtBdmND8War2RVo2djhqfk7Fr6fke5kK8uSjsTemsNzCI7gzr9btA9PfTkVafKcEDUYqWVFxLTlkoCf6pCn6D9r591Mjwig/w1906-h1280/73.jpg" width="1906" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP tracks are directly to the left of the cab of BNSF 6119 South. Because the coal line was constructed in 1970's, it does not follow the path of least resistance, winding through creek and river bottoms where the only trees for a hundred miles grow. Instead, the tracks head out over open ground, with huge cuts and fills, creating marvelous photo opportunities. This is what all railroads would look like if constructed in the last half of the twentieth century.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I am 72 years old (January 2023). When I was young, those inclined to worry fretted that the world was about to end in a nuclear holocaust. Those not inclined just lived their lives. In more recent years, the worriers now believe that the world will end in a climate holocaust unto death.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Unfortunately, the worriers gravitate to politics, where they make bad decisions. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The war on hydrocarbons seems to me to be one of those really bad decisions that future generations will bemoan, like Prohibition and the Viet Nam War. Of course, I may be wrong. Time will tell.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-1511703680154628202022-12-05T13:20:00.001-06:002022-12-05T13:37:01.488-06:00Union Pacific: Steins Pass<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE-wRsz87odhbGe6WJ_sHELDNVkyL8RCao-QGewjEt6H_9uudsklSorCibAB_FhWFP4x2Donly05WiDbpN5O-VANPiub4WZlOOxCTK-2tmFwNycxi6cWwrroCAwjJhArax9E2VuifKDNWc9Yt8kYlmXNZ0nPfvc4Pk211kE_PCA4s-WRkyaIwzHC0Wg/s3017/9%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3017" height="1213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE-wRsz87odhbGe6WJ_sHELDNVkyL8RCao-QGewjEt6H_9uudsklSorCibAB_FhWFP4x2Donly05WiDbpN5O-VANPiub4WZlOOxCTK-2tmFwNycxi6cWwrroCAwjJhArax9E2VuifKDNWc9Yt8kYlmXNZ0nPfvc4Pk211kE_PCA4s-WRkyaIwzHC0Wg/w1840-h1213/9%20copy.jpg" width="1840" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Steins Pass</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I'm standing a few miles east of the Arizona-New Mexico border in a narrow defile through the Peloncillo ("Little Baldy") Mountains, which rise in stark, treeless grandeur above a land shaped by wind and rain over more years than humans have roamed the planet. To my north the mountains rise vertically like the wall of a prison. Beneath them Union Pacific's transcontinental route west to Los Angeles and east to Houston and Dallas climbs a grade in both directions that brings even the fastest trains to a crawl.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Interstate 10 is only a hundred yards or so south of me, and between the highway and tracks sits the ghost town of Steins, New Mexico (pronounced Steens), named after United States Army Major Enoch Steins, who camped here in 1856 while exploring the recently acquired Gadsden Purchase. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Although these mountains produced several mining camps in the late 19th century, after deposits of gold, silver, lead and copper were discovered, Steins was always a railroad town. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1878, the Southern Pacific opened a quarry here, using the rock for ballast on roadbed and track being constructed from the west across Arizona. In those days, railroad construction was like a line of ants moving steadily in the direction of food, a living writhing mass seemingly without purpose yet progressing relentlessly toward a goal seemingly out of reach to all save the wildest dreamers. During construction, more than 1,000 Chinese laborers lived at the base of the mountains.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">By 1880, the railroad had reached Steins Pass and a station was constructed at what would become a small settlement. If you have not been to this country, you will be startled by its barrenness, by what appears to be its total inhospitableness to all forms of life. There is no water here, save for some deep underground pools too alkaline to drink. East across the pass is a fantastic dry lake bed that looks like photographs of the moon. For years the area was dotted with a few cabins and tents, nothing more. A post office was established in 1888 to serve the railroad. Whoever sorted the mail must have had plenty of time on his hands. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG_drORQZxkwfR8o_c2D8zbdpNNJaE_XIJmDl08V4CfFisIGhTlMRjPnf9ehQX1hNTz73R7RhzgWdSYwTnD417doKsBpHf82l5WzysXEzx1FRNhOLmfedw4DiQsUB0_0kmGJ10_zNzkCRbGF-R_zJ1C2uQFqzxsmwXCTAnQa5Q79jYB2Hco-CPJh8NA/s3018/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3018" height="1212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG_drORQZxkwfR8o_c2D8zbdpNNJaE_XIJmDl08V4CfFisIGhTlMRjPnf9ehQX1hNTz73R7RhzgWdSYwTnD417doKsBpHf82l5WzysXEzx1FRNhOLmfedw4DiQsUB0_0kmGJ10_zNzkCRbGF-R_zJ1C2uQFqzxsmwXCTAnQa5Q79jYB2Hco-CPJh8NA/w1839-h1212/5.jpg" width="1839" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound autos nearing the summit of Steins Pass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGsY47j04t0LtSoNmRyaUACwAdSrm3JN2Le5eBeewl3ZtQLM2_9TQpV3cNIGY9wYe-dXzs-vA_SkI6iOAsF8dhtqza77ZCMFRKHARCboAIJ-WrkrwiIxd_Ji_3yv_na192htav8Woh9F_P8kMLcTQuiiIfNw3LoDkUW5-pGVu8xlRKQ3oUsYqEV20Iw/s3024/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGsY47j04t0LtSoNmRyaUACwAdSrm3JN2Le5eBeewl3ZtQLM2_9TQpV3cNIGY9wYe-dXzs-vA_SkI6iOAsF8dhtqza77ZCMFRKHARCboAIJ-WrkrwiIxd_Ji_3yv_na192htav8Woh9F_P8kMLcTQuiiIfNw3LoDkUW5-pGVu8xlRKQ3oUsYqEV20Iw/w1838-h1206/12.jpg" width="1838" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks have crested the summit and are approaching the Arizona border.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggU--ucubvfKf43lC6LeMPYpQIt9xuGq5NtVXmOr2sq1WKmlslMV3hl35X4jLeJDR5NTTRIcBGxGPI-LFd3wXMuguZIr3igcoNbgWI41cuQEe3W60wqykF8ZGyi1zqZeXpxKWePjZ_uMN-B5TJ99QrZeMHDkzIKvmTnjXb6zIoDC3URBewacA-M5W6w/s3036/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggU--ucubvfKf43lC6LeMPYpQIt9xuGq5NtVXmOr2sq1WKmlslMV3hl35X4jLeJDR5NTTRIcBGxGPI-LFd3wXMuguZIr3igcoNbgWI41cuQEe3W60wqykF8ZGyi1zqZeXpxKWePjZ_uMN-B5TJ99QrZeMHDkzIKvmTnjXb6zIoDC3URBewacA-M5W6w/w1848-h1201/15.jpg" width="1848" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Amtrak No. 2 at the summit with 50th anniversary unit on the point.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But Steins was like a slow growing desert plant. In 1902, it supported a small school and 35 residents. Two years later the SP built a new station, with the post office soon following. By 1905, 100 people called this place home; the population quickly swelled to 200, with most residents working in nearby mines or the SP rock quarry. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">By 1920, almost 1000 people lived in Steins. There were a boarding house, two bordellos, two saloons, retail stores and a small hotel. The only well water was too alkaline to drink, so the Southern Pacific brought water in by train and sold it for prices higher than oil.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But some desert plants do not live for centuries. Southern Pacific terminated the rock quarry in 1925. At the end of the Second World War, the railroad closed the passenger station, ceased water deliveries and offered the remaining citizens free passage to a new life. Almost everyone accepted. The post office closed in 1944. In 1964, a fire destroyed several of the abandoned buildings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfw6sypT3p8p-CJSYF5aroIKboE9Pbd1lEODCAYb-Dqsksr6CCrzTeW5gDqY4WHVgEcSYkuaYankxawJeekMcive-PMc6ck3Jn-2sQbUHW_Jj-YnzAzr9ksMVVZEumRPhZPNqXrtwppXmB9DuIr4G5F2_ufGfAn4s6GbbItKa9S_aatmG1fHL8O3yAA/s3003/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3003" height="1233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfw6sypT3p8p-CJSYF5aroIKboE9Pbd1lEODCAYb-Dqsksr6CCrzTeW5gDqY4WHVgEcSYkuaYankxawJeekMcive-PMc6ck3Jn-2sQbUHW_Jj-YnzAzr9ksMVVZEumRPhZPNqXrtwppXmB9DuIr4G5F2_ufGfAn4s6GbbItKa9S_aatmG1fHL8O3yAA/w1853-h1233/16.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound where a portion of Steins once stood.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlCgIc8-gVO02N25t3jS5UvNscMnVI8Sf0w0xbMobLcyOAjij0u-OceTlRhJVVYj6NMhr_qmLVGvXXbZrqsiKhRmApPj5cm7uqhIbZcB04N2r1fRYEqpSULxPVc7ubpwjMELnFxhiRCMb1MQqJJIKt7Ltru9A62BqVyierisJ-BO817SfIMblPX9YdQ/s3049/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3049" height="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlCgIc8-gVO02N25t3jS5UvNscMnVI8Sf0w0xbMobLcyOAjij0u-OceTlRhJVVYj6NMhr_qmLVGvXXbZrqsiKhRmApPj5cm7uqhIbZcB04N2r1fRYEqpSULxPVc7ubpwjMELnFxhiRCMb1MQqJJIKt7Ltru9A62BqVyierisJ-BO817SfIMblPX9YdQ/w1853-h1198/18.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound chased by the morning sun.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnRacgE3xvXpB9s6bsmBoZ-kTCHApVVNPq3-9kMGPaP4Jj_GXLsKgq-doTgBoKM5t7FFZf160PSZtkkaiG2Xym7ELnF6CFcu1SA6hKxP2LnKH7AL5PhFZ-zMejTjxoFnO23ItaRwowotWjYULbdxxo-aKhCbJ9xSCSVgxtzDuUx2MPRDRdy7fs1Zh1g/s3031/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3031" height="1213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnRacgE3xvXpB9s6bsmBoZ-kTCHApVVNPq3-9kMGPaP4Jj_GXLsKgq-doTgBoKM5t7FFZf160PSZtkkaiG2Xym7ELnF6CFcu1SA6hKxP2LnKH7AL5PhFZ-zMejTjxoFnO23ItaRwowotWjYULbdxxo-aKhCbJ9xSCSVgxtzDuUx2MPRDRdy7fs1Zh1g/w1857-h1213/22.jpg" width="1857" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound fleeing the evening sun.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the 1970's, a family named Garrison purchased what was left of Steins (your author is not certain from whom the purchase was made), and the son Warren undertook to refurbish the few remaining buildings, with an eye to opening a tourist attraction beside the Interstate. Garrison later wrote:</span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I remember the very first morning I stayed there, a man came up and sat down in the window. “Good morning; how you doing?” and I was just waking up. “So what’s going on, what are you doing here?” </span></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I said, “Well, I’ve always wanted to do something here and I guess this is it.” </span></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">He kind of laughed and gave me five dollars and said he’d check on me again someday when he passed through again and left. That was the first bit of encouragement that I got from anyone. </span></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">During that first night a rattler had crawled into the room and my little dog Spooky had barked and tipped me off, kinda scary but I got up and I do remember having a flashlight so I got it and put it in a big barrel that was there at Steins. </span></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">[See <a href="https://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-steins/">https://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-steins/</a>.]</span></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Garrison did transform Steins into a very modest tourist attraction -- a few 19th century buildings that might have been constructed for the set of a not very good cowboy movie. In 1988, he sold to a couple named Link, who continued to run the operation until 2008. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Today (December 2022), the few remaining buildings are fenced off from the public. A small house on the west side of what used to be the village appears to be occupied, as does a trailer on the east side. All other traces of civilization have vanished.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85JhJTHZuKwj9TCLfn8MvM_Xjqweelqpr8gZBdu1fyXnnHqK2JoGVxOeowPdcyhUoc0RVD1Ba2Ht4KFhVeWmPP4GpAIznSaY1ULD_Bp9mKHgvWnP1tRZuvoQ-oNlSV9ZTfWF3hnE0Vw-MxoqNNiT9adr0KEn8DQOKz34JnHdF1t6evEaRl7AX02xYyA/s3050/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-20%20at%202.56.46%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="3050" height="952" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85JhJTHZuKwj9TCLfn8MvM_Xjqweelqpr8gZBdu1fyXnnHqK2JoGVxOeowPdcyhUoc0RVD1Ba2Ht4KFhVeWmPP4GpAIznSaY1ULD_Bp9mKHgvWnP1tRZuvoQ-oNlSV9ZTfWF3hnE0Vw-MxoqNNiT9adr0KEn8DQOKz34JnHdF1t6evEaRl7AX02xYyA/w1844-h952/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-20%20at%202.56.46%20PM.png" width="1844" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNNyQXueRkWrOdtqMqezxkrPavkUIXjl_9UgL-mn3QNamOvIqg-TRAM3zGc5B1XhFql2uGBUOS2YgrU3lThlNhsgggaBpkBbonqkiob8efOY7z3TVDyb2dg_l0yBJ8lgE9Y5HulzW7yvkh6GaxBF0MbP7mb6oxSz21Bz7lHlqNJ_cHbq_KkCI2W2x6w/s680/Steins%202.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="680" height="1104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNNyQXueRkWrOdtqMqezxkrPavkUIXjl_9UgL-mn3QNamOvIqg-TRAM3zGc5B1XhFql2uGBUOS2YgrU3lThlNhsgggaBpkBbonqkiob8efOY7z3TVDyb2dg_l0yBJ8lgE9Y5HulzW7yvkh6GaxBF0MbP7mb6oxSz21Bz7lHlqNJ_cHbq_KkCI2W2x6w/w1840-h1104/Steins%202.jpg" width="1840" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpBEja5K5GY1NJGmeGWPWoU-DaBCPjd52CrcvyunybSPFX3wEmC29BWuhfktTnU2-aWzZn_PZVOW-JC-blwDpbmfoXb8gSR2LqdTZpCazQKHcs9cr8sn4U-n8AjziWmbR_v-4WpUxYaGWL0FIhBAFLnwyfMeXe9Fn6GwsXCWIWM8lb96t-bt0IGaB5w/s3110/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1929" data-original-width="3110" height="1147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpBEja5K5GY1NJGmeGWPWoU-DaBCPjd52CrcvyunybSPFX3wEmC29BWuhfktTnU2-aWzZn_PZVOW-JC-blwDpbmfoXb8gSR2LqdTZpCazQKHcs9cr8sn4U-n8AjziWmbR_v-4WpUxYaGWL0FIhBAFLnwyfMeXe9Fn6GwsXCWIWM8lb96t-bt0IGaB5w/w1853-h1147/24.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>CSX 3054 far from home.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0SsH_yRvnhBfCZx5K29ZQs35B1rbhO9Xso50ReSiQ64ohv-cWR4iZ3s8xE9JzDgWL4eZvegCfnXLPTlHTqF9Vc1Jq_pUZMvo-XpLOBU3EGzWZOTxMYqzqbY71FyMtAGWrItr0UuglIAWja9hWBtnQZNV6dSF9_p0hnq8jvrIbaTNg71pBZw_aMyFFQ/s3020/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3020" height="1226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0SsH_yRvnhBfCZx5K29ZQs35B1rbhO9Xso50ReSiQ64ohv-cWR4iZ3s8xE9JzDgWL4eZvegCfnXLPTlHTqF9Vc1Jq_pUZMvo-XpLOBU3EGzWZOTxMYqzqbY71FyMtAGWrItr0UuglIAWja9hWBtnQZNV6dSF9_p0hnq8jvrIbaTNg71pBZw_aMyFFQ/w1868-h1226/27.jpg" width="1868" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound has just crossed into New Mexico.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtowzLs2ta0EOsebILynIk7lRoAiIKV008eL9z4nnNgHXcYb2Fq2fcoFWPbuyQD6fZaspJVhYbpXuvtc5UMYgRkcJtID6GZ8torQBBpTVPLaZ6GcmPvJ3Q7uJRiflroGOzL1Le56uqfX6FWoPHpEo0RxlAOnnwB9tHmAvm54tHv_1TEAoXMdut85Iuw/s3024/25.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtowzLs2ta0EOsebILynIk7lRoAiIKV008eL9z4nnNgHXcYb2Fq2fcoFWPbuyQD6fZaspJVhYbpXuvtc5UMYgRkcJtID6GZ8torQBBpTVPLaZ6GcmPvJ3Q7uJRiflroGOzL1Le56uqfX6FWoPHpEo0RxlAOnnwB9tHmAvm54tHv_1TEAoXMdut85Iuw/w1842-h1209/25.jpg" width="1842" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound No. 2.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWYvnykh4QXIuApBSKfP__XubDu1W0HxhFbPlLktOu_D6yvY-0TJUh1KypDGRVMgohhrR-YylG3Q2DeAwyYLjI3elZSRSVvvjTjuC8j6bIOVsy8BiGeQcVzkI2UQYADPCO1MmOtEmHet51PRhNHO32JZ7ZJIu9AanOIug6nhy9iW0U7CinpYF6UYwCw/s3057/26.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3057" height="1190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWYvnykh4QXIuApBSKfP__XubDu1W0HxhFbPlLktOu_D6yvY-0TJUh1KypDGRVMgohhrR-YylG3Q2DeAwyYLjI3elZSRSVvvjTjuC8j6bIOVsy8BiGeQcVzkI2UQYADPCO1MmOtEmHet51PRhNHO32JZ7ZJIu9AanOIug6nhy9iW0U7CinpYF6UYwCw/w1857-h1190/26.jpg" width="1857" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks at same location.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Butterfield Overland Mail did not run through Stein's Pass, instead navigating through the mountains at Doubtful Canyon, about four miles to the north. New Mexico Highway A015 follows part of the old stage route today. The railroad chose Steins Pass because of a shallower grade that tops out at 4365 feet. The Doubtful Canyon summit is 4501 feet. The approach is more severe but had been used by Native Americans for centuries and was the location of a reliable fresh water spring, which is why the stage chose it.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaiF8V3UQMqzoF8B8XDEeZxUy-Lkty0JnmVe3OT4WdrNW7KZcUf-mzb07B0JvM7Giph-9v_YAJMP_4Z80Pen2gNImolgvjtlLzEQpyLM_AICR1Lyl9hU9_SYAyqdF_9foyv3ywNzNZD0W_mdBy030O8MtXgRqegdA7HW-jO-__VDAO64sFe7jhsZULQ/s2170/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-21%20at%201.37.20%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2170" data-original-width="2104" height="1325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaiF8V3UQMqzoF8B8XDEeZxUy-Lkty0JnmVe3OT4WdrNW7KZcUf-mzb07B0JvM7Giph-9v_YAJMP_4Z80Pen2gNImolgvjtlLzEQpyLM_AICR1Lyl9hU9_SYAyqdF_9foyv3ywNzNZD0W_mdBy030O8MtXgRqegdA7HW-jO-__VDAO64sFe7jhsZULQ/w1283-h1325/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-21%20at%201.37.20%20PM.png" width="1283" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Cvs4Xq3ovKpl3m5d3hN7gHIztfQVKom-a9xeBYgBbjj-9eh146G8w3eG0wAAPfxfX9ObRBeqN_DqSQb-YMYLqiHVHvrMG7ahS9LybfA0OxfDAEpzcgte_owJKPtaQUdbmReWKkbIfK_QUlpqRyu8VJam8bSAY8-wIFA8kz_Mcd2Gx-zoob9YrYwOvg/s2979/41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2979" height="1247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Cvs4Xq3ovKpl3m5d3hN7gHIztfQVKom-a9xeBYgBbjj-9eh146G8w3eG0wAAPfxfX9ObRBeqN_DqSQb-YMYLqiHVHvrMG7ahS9LybfA0OxfDAEpzcgte_owJKPtaQUdbmReWKkbIfK_QUlpqRyu8VJam8bSAY8-wIFA8kz_Mcd2Gx-zoob9YrYwOvg/w1847-h1247/41.jpg" width="1847" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Amtrak No. 2.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqoa06Snm5EY1USPnCYXCmxvzH1KHjNi-BMcFpyoC4sx6Q7KcQeheg0lvVah3vdoT4JKDVY5icVJm52HDNTflinggt4OUHYC_KmACTV9nYpqEWR3uIWVbjzZjeGPDx464e-ls55kkumeXuaKNwnOYM5JRpXJs598wvqgrjYJ6AoiGnb0NO3Wev2YZsw/s2995/30.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2003" data-original-width="2995" height="1248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqoa06Snm5EY1USPnCYXCmxvzH1KHjNi-BMcFpyoC4sx6Q7KcQeheg0lvVah3vdoT4JKDVY5icVJm52HDNTflinggt4OUHYC_KmACTV9nYpqEWR3uIWVbjzZjeGPDx464e-ls55kkumeXuaKNwnOYM5JRpXJs598wvqgrjYJ6AoiGnb0NO3Wev2YZsw/w1865-h1248/30.jpg" width="1865" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound crossing Summit Road.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1sxoxm0QJMgf7JVWU3LMS5fafXcCafko-Y0g11ZMvKOISJYYFXxK-qFglQzo2f9Grj90PbP3iOaQ4i6bm1AfglJvZ_Ngvfic8DiUiONdufy_hy4CV52H4yw0cWDA7nAzr4N72KhV_ja-ZdcPt61ZFnguwxPqHRIYbIGIc5wdXs3hjb6tLj5SbwTLdQ/s2985/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2985" height="1251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1sxoxm0QJMgf7JVWU3LMS5fafXcCafko-Y0g11ZMvKOISJYYFXxK-qFglQzo2f9Grj90PbP3iOaQ4i6bm1AfglJvZ_Ngvfic8DiUiONdufy_hy4CV52H4yw0cWDA7nAzr4N72KhV_ja-ZdcPt61ZFnguwxPqHRIYbIGIc5wdXs3hjb6tLj5SbwTLdQ/w1862-h1251/23.jpg" width="1862" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound autos.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZXiwKcs2V2e6tMmm4YhHcOU8j-I8Vd89-VCqCG_fZKgUzJXtm0n7PO3ftudHB5tgTwULrG1EczKkTAzw0HC33qVJDaCcd2BuWXJJlZCtHTF4mdWpL2WFti0tlCsomBomxGcv0zeRS7c3FEcEmw8juS9tBwWY0P6guuhucblJBh_rm9OTHEBuT0C6lw/s3025/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3025" height="1221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZXiwKcs2V2e6tMmm4YhHcOU8j-I8Vd89-VCqCG_fZKgUzJXtm0n7PO3ftudHB5tgTwULrG1EczKkTAzw0HC33qVJDaCcd2BuWXJJlZCtHTF4mdWpL2WFti0tlCsomBomxGcv0zeRS7c3FEcEmw8juS9tBwWY0P6guuhucblJBh_rm9OTHEBuT0C6lw/w1862-h1221/28.jpg" width="1862" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound manifest.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Doubtful Canyon was the site of a small battle in 1864 between an infantry company from California and a band of Apaches. The Californians were moving from Fort Cummings, New Mexico (about 20 miles north of Deming) to Fort Bowie in the Dos Cabezas Mountains of southeastern Arizona (near the site of the so-called "Bascom Affair," in which the Army attempted unsuccessfully to take Cochise prisoner as barter for the return of an American hostage). The soldiers were following the southern route of the Butterfield Overland Mail, which had been discontinued three years earlier because of hostilities between North and South.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Led by Lieutenant Henry Stevens of Company I, 5th California Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the Americans were attacked in one of the more isolated regions of the canyon, which is saying a lot, since the entire route through New Mexico and Arizona is as barren and forlorn as anywhere in North America, with the possible exception of Chicago.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Your author has driven his Jeep into portions of the canyon, and the experience is as eerie and disorienting as awakening in a strange room. There is no sound, nothing. The air is motionless. Rock parapets rise to the north and south like walls of a gigantic abandoned aqueduct. You can see why Apaches would choose this isolated and desolate place to attack, hiding behind boulders larger than railroad cars.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And attack they did, about 100 warriors against 54 soldiers. The fighting lasted for perhaps an hour, desperate fighting, the sort that characterized the Apache Wars of that period, in which men fought not to preserve territory or livestock but rather to preserve their lives, nothing more. In about an hour, both sides lost several men, and nothing was resolved. The Apaches disappeared back into the rocks to bury their dead, while the soldiers continued west toward Arizona to do likewise.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGGW730fDi0uTKbnsmCCx69lYdVolSZfeN-lB5-O97sUpEbxqVxZFN-2GAoO9UtUZTldc3p4pSYMBSi1QViGyRyUI0_6u9NMn9weFhQ-ljZUkpVGI7KHWAaNT_mSv9u7wiXCm1FvHGrEE6B5_DcUuyIw5ezdRJyM04GTi-_xT0oUg904hnFuaPl2p4w/s2998/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2998" height="1232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGGW730fDi0uTKbnsmCCx69lYdVolSZfeN-lB5-O97sUpEbxqVxZFN-2GAoO9UtUZTldc3p4pSYMBSi1QViGyRyUI0_6u9NMn9weFhQ-ljZUkpVGI7KHWAaNT_mSv9u7wiXCm1FvHGrEE6B5_DcUuyIw5ezdRJyM04GTi-_xT0oUg904hnFuaPl2p4w/w1842-h1232/1.jpg" width="1842" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks are climbing the long grade on the west side of the pass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o9RVZoKxeYV84qqr0XIn8VsWcgpMwiTEBkeB69Fr97tE-w8HsSVFbSByrDuUu606DTXXlzTwGTgsmW2x5tyyfytL1iqHtlGsv4bMLBe75Y3gVADly8pHegjJuVfV9q5V8pjAajVNK6O5x_8v4L7sbfFwryt0zo8QfbDISEPODrpE3IUoUzx7GWBwCw/s3056/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3056" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o9RVZoKxeYV84qqr0XIn8VsWcgpMwiTEBkeB69Fr97tE-w8HsSVFbSByrDuUu606DTXXlzTwGTgsmW2x5tyyfytL1iqHtlGsv4bMLBe75Y3gVADly8pHegjJuVfV9q5V8pjAajVNK6O5x_8v4L7sbfFwryt0zo8QfbDISEPODrpE3IUoUzx7GWBwCw/w1850-h1191/10.jpg" width="1850" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbound on the climb.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9Tlcp5G80XJNT0JMHiQYHe9DDjUyKFSZqWKlJQHHMtaOLhf0X8zV1hKDuDzGe9Tbr0WhFxR3nCi3ICksxlbC00IA0FJ59S1og4ulm1GU0J-W7V-PllrLKMlQ9hmppPD13Udl52K8nXcRt4oAlGibfXHNJfJEbecNvnplzuJHvsrLkOn1qik-4fx7Bw/s3056/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="3056" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9Tlcp5G80XJNT0JMHiQYHe9DDjUyKFSZqWKlJQHHMtaOLhf0X8zV1hKDuDzGe9Tbr0WhFxR3nCi3ICksxlbC00IA0FJ59S1og4ulm1GU0J-W7V-PllrLKMlQ9hmppPD13Udl52K8nXcRt4oAlGibfXHNJfJEbecNvnplzuJHvsrLkOn1qik-4fx7Bw/w1849-h1191/14.jpg" width="1849" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>One more.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Four stage stations were located in the territory of the Chiricahua Apache. The Doubtful Canyon station was on the eastern edge. About 18 miles west was San Simon (pronounced "see-moan"). Another 15 miles to the southwest stood the Apache Pass station in a narrow crevice between the Dos Cabezas and Chiricahua Mountains. The fourth station was 40 miles further west at Dragoon Springs. Each was like a small fort, surrounded by rock walls, with a reliable water supply.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The stations were subjected to repeated Apache attacks, often led by Cochise in retaliation for the killing of his brother and two other warriors in the "Bascom Affair." [To see a full discussion of that event, see <a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/11/east-of-dragoon.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/11/east-of-dragoon.html</a>.]</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1-aaWb-lwiRU0YhV6CfODp5uvwPdZd1BK8gDp4-sis5cQoEo5a8b4XD_A59mq474pAeRJC-zFKx-ViuMpIaV__biesy3HkBWsczMw0WvadamjC_6ntwP7V6CyXxWb7fbloNhxTbZqd0ifpsrJJL0km7Owi3-qDRZoMil9hXxtogDQUVt2f7-u6pFdQ/s2973/37.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="2973" height="1256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1-aaWb-lwiRU0YhV6CfODp5uvwPdZd1BK8gDp4-sis5cQoEo5a8b4XD_A59mq474pAeRJC-zFKx-ViuMpIaV__biesy3HkBWsczMw0WvadamjC_6ntwP7V6CyXxWb7fbloNhxTbZqd0ifpsrJJL0km7Owi3-qDRZoMil9hXxtogDQUVt2f7-u6pFdQ/w1852-h1256/37.jpg" width="1852" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks approach the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8uYVcFynh3HZ4fPrJBG0ZdTxw0kzhmuAyVEpHLJAba2wz8P7f9NB37JaDkGMDVJniGiS2UQ9azgnXIkPjcMZ9mFKNLHNO-athxohwhs4oyKdcpTk0pFHK4vQ-d2VflgYixfs397tmcM9jMTLgP3PymMJY5LqzkvNJesSpdJQ8EZQLRK1ilLIDglUhw/s3014/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3014" height="1225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8uYVcFynh3HZ4fPrJBG0ZdTxw0kzhmuAyVEpHLJAba2wz8P7f9NB37JaDkGMDVJniGiS2UQ9azgnXIkPjcMZ9mFKNLHNO-athxohwhs4oyKdcpTk0pFHK4vQ-d2VflgYixfs397tmcM9jMTLgP3PymMJY5LqzkvNJesSpdJQ8EZQLRK1ilLIDglUhw/w1858-h1225/4.jpg" width="1858" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Stack trains meeting at Steins Pass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In April 1861, Cochise ambushed a stage coach carrying five passengers, traveling through Doubtful Canyon near Tsisl-Inoi-bi-yi-tu (Rock White in Water), called Stein's Peak by the Americans. The group left what is now Lordsburg, New Mexico, in the early morning. Late that day, two badly bruised and clearly traumatized mules returned. Seventeen soldiers then set out and discovered near Stein's Peak scattered letters and newspapers, plus pieces of harnesses. The stage coach was resting in a ditch beside the trail. The bodies of two men were tied upside-down to trees, arms extended and fastened by ropes to stakes, with ashes and still-glowing coals beneath their charred heads, which almost touched the fire. The burned bodies had been repeatedly pierced with lances and were unrecognizable.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This was the sort of savagery that punctuated the Apache Wars, the sort of savagery that elicited calls for the annihilation of Cochise and his Apache bands. But one should remember that both sides in the Apache Wars were brutal. The Americans had, after all, hung Cochise's brother from the boughs of an oak tree.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmfhRdIR4p_BVRpcwpQRQwsaA_BI7_f5olfeVPdrIEBYd4CKn95LC0aphNmfJAWZqawPVPfVzFdezcJWZ1hFmaK9J2ukVELDaTssNLRtzCgUx66BGOmjOJDAWqhRulg5IsJWXXRF8pXaXumaxgxea6-A3J0o0S4Zx7UFFmtCT1WQZFvFSLEYWhjBFiQ/s3023/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3023" height="1215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmfhRdIR4p_BVRpcwpQRQwsaA_BI7_f5olfeVPdrIEBYd4CKn95LC0aphNmfJAWZqawPVPfVzFdezcJWZ1hFmaK9J2ukVELDaTssNLRtzCgUx66BGOmjOJDAWqhRulg5IsJWXXRF8pXaXumaxgxea6-A3J0o0S4Zx7UFFmtCT1WQZFvFSLEYWhjBFiQ/w1852-h1215/6.jpg" width="1852" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Amtrak No. 2.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3ZQcl3OYJtYSi42Cf3SMXJSJi5SoFPfpJTIbtnY9UMa2TcGi3nlkg4hiIIQMi00m7fZNkxAiDzLF6-BLQjf9T17VQvLBeHmkftmW81VxNnu_ok6m-kpfvwIsZ8sghvNRF2a3pxEaNLEldB2EqqXVq9s0S5T2dam_PxVBVPwF_cd0fLFJh0968gPA8w/s3005/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3005" height="1231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3ZQcl3OYJtYSi42Cf3SMXJSJi5SoFPfpJTIbtnY9UMa2TcGi3nlkg4hiIIQMi00m7fZNkxAiDzLF6-BLQjf9T17VQvLBeHmkftmW81VxNnu_ok6m-kpfvwIsZ8sghvNRF2a3pxEaNLEldB2EqqXVq9s0S5T2dam_PxVBVPwF_cd0fLFJh0968gPA8w/w1850-h1231/7.jpg" width="1850" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest has crossed Steins Pass and is approaching Lordsburg, New Mexico.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHLdhfEOyD1BH033vcDiBBQDHGRpr9rah3syO-tcmuqN1RFgvCflAiAlWFsyb3g529TQzq1_jEMh5FoLdmY1zCzYXqgJRwXG0Lug8ztxMP4chWi14QKvgmkHi_8D_9dT20bOFzk9z3BurO346W9a8WhTrpcVXFRofJVpoGFxnZtjVhw3vvwr8AYl-5A/s3047/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="3047" height="1195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHLdhfEOyD1BH033vcDiBBQDHGRpr9rah3syO-tcmuqN1RFgvCflAiAlWFsyb3g529TQzq1_jEMh5FoLdmY1zCzYXqgJRwXG0Lug8ztxMP4chWi14QKvgmkHi_8D_9dT20bOFzk9z3BurO346W9a8WhTrpcVXFRofJVpoGFxnZtjVhw3vvwr8AYl-5A/w1848-h1195/17.jpg" width="1848" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks approaching Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On March 22, 1864, the Apaches stole 72 mules from Camp Mimbres, about 35 miles north of Deming. Captain James Whitlock waited a few days before pursuing, hoping that the raiders would let their guard down. On March 27, he led 72 soldiers west toward Doubtful Canyon, detouring north to the Gila River, then turning south into the Graham Mountains, where the Apaches were caught unprepared. The soldiers killed 21 and destroyed homes, horses and livestock. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">About 30 days later, Cochise retaliated with almost 200 warriors who, hiding in the boulders of Doubtful Canyon, ambushed a detachment of 60 men commanded by Lieutenant Henry Stevens. As the sun rose, the Apaches launched their attack with war cries from both of the steep canyon walls. Lacking guns, the Apaches poured hundreds of arrows into the narrow defile.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Stevens' horse was killed, but he nonetheless rallied his men, and the soldiers, firing at will, drove the Apaches to higher ground. Several lay dead in the canyon. The soldiers lost one man. Another suffered a broken arm. Three more were slightly wounded.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wBQmkWPkwm7Sb6A1Xm6J04lfk38mEeD3XoUMRXmmetEbeLygL-ZEN7rEF6eo8dMKQ2NRLJCboM2MvIRvvSktSa_-fXg-Q3tRQYxc6qcZ6HEEMuzBaGzw2kD0Nbcw-TAaMLQfBE_PygQKxt8LWINV8DQ4cPepSblQ0TNDjjXSRYFnuKgbnHoRU6Jprg/s2973/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="2973" height="1256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wBQmkWPkwm7Sb6A1Xm6J04lfk38mEeD3XoUMRXmmetEbeLygL-ZEN7rEF6eo8dMKQ2NRLJCboM2MvIRvvSktSa_-fXg-Q3tRQYxc6qcZ6HEEMuzBaGzw2kD0Nbcw-TAaMLQfBE_PygQKxt8LWINV8DQ4cPepSblQ0TNDjjXSRYFnuKgbnHoRU6Jprg/w1852-h1256/40.jpg" width="1852" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Amtrak No. 1.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFg6kX2vkOF6To19H-RINBJoUIrZ-ci7MVNyJ5NTq0AblLbo_rSKTBB-FzdZ5s7MK_5RW3S9KyXMqW10uFM1h-3oDOtZQPNayl6syUfZId60zt7AEqFMZ2zas3uyQwcUqcV3MLw7ZgAuUpGV9_bpxYQhre1SomDRCREt11dUw-KVTX__46kyK-5b3Cw/s2929/38.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="2929" height="1295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFg6kX2vkOF6To19H-RINBJoUIrZ-ci7MVNyJ5NTq0AblLbo_rSKTBB-FzdZ5s7MK_5RW3S9KyXMqW10uFM1h-3oDOtZQPNayl6syUfZId60zt7AEqFMZ2zas3uyQwcUqcV3MLw7ZgAuUpGV9_bpxYQhre1SomDRCREt11dUw-KVTX__46kyK-5b3Cw/w1850-h1295/38.jpg" width="1850" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP 8187 West (ES44AC) approaches the summit at Steins Pass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6uwWxeOSjezFWxdrL8GQxIf36qdacAjbXP9p2wbg34bk43Kj0uJg4VbHFEIOQn1WVPDDxGObF1eXXsGVeYjyxYr-XTclHtHhqwPY_dCICwzDnF9xQzrpfFBeZ9XuYQcN2DwoOVXvBBATogjWCWwJZcRqHxZxHarijC5Ex1ASZIrlhqf_Qy1NKT8FLg/s3055/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="3055" height="1189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6uwWxeOSjezFWxdrL8GQxIf36qdacAjbXP9p2wbg34bk43Kj0uJg4VbHFEIOQn1WVPDDxGObF1eXXsGVeYjyxYr-XTclHtHhqwPY_dCICwzDnF9xQzrpfFBeZ9XuYQcN2DwoOVXvBBATogjWCWwJZcRqHxZxHarijC5Ex1ASZIrlhqf_Qy1NKT8FLg/w1848-h1189/35.jpg" width="1848" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound at summit. The third unit is CP Heritage 8757 (another ES44AC).</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I want to discuss the route of the railroad from the west to the summit at Steins Pass. From the west, the tracks climb out of Wilcox Playa, a dry, salt-encrusted lake bed, then turn east around the northern end of the Dos Cabezas Mountains and mount a mild summit at what was originally Railroad Pass and is now called Raso, then continue on to Bowie, Arizona, about five miles west of which the tracks run in an almost straight and flat line southeast for 30 miles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bowie takes its name from Fort Bowie, established at Apache Pass in the late 19th century to protect travelers following the old trail across the mountains, providing water and grass not found in the desert below. Bowie is also the junction with the Arizona Eastern Railway, which connects to copper mines at Globe. The Arizona Eastern enjoys trackage rights over the Union Pacific to Lordsburg, New Mexico, where a second short line runs to the mine at Clifton.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Union Pacific's tangent tracks end at the old Butterfield station of San Simon, the beginning of a former helper district on a 15 mile climb to the summit at Steins Pass. The ruling grade of 1.49 percent is the most severe on the line between Yuma and El Paso. Although the area no longer requires helpers, trains coming from the west struggle mightily into this grade.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G5DWyBz1ykbEZYHHFT8uffH6foT0t8N-ybxbzAETGPb8eVhAzYS5pHFUHmSyBN87xIPj3EE04OgB3pkx0BSZRKPbq9eO6cYumUYCVzFLRlFZq7aJ9ZeYRmHk0DvXdn7e4eiB2q5wKERIF3lmp1yEnTdlfqvRzxLj_kKfw2Y9PYznlp9jTSnWZtZR0g/s3048/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3048" height="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G5DWyBz1ykbEZYHHFT8uffH6foT0t8N-ybxbzAETGPb8eVhAzYS5pHFUHmSyBN87xIPj3EE04OgB3pkx0BSZRKPbq9eO6cYumUYCVzFLRlFZq7aJ9ZeYRmHk0DvXdn7e4eiB2q5wKERIF3lmp1yEnTdlfqvRzxLj_kKfw2Y9PYznlp9jTSnWZtZR0g/w1854-h1200/13.jpg" width="1854" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Arizona Eastern 4012 East (B-Boat B40-8) approaches the summit of Steins Pass on trackage rights to Lordsburg.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt5ZdjfQbjzIKa00ZkBtc2VS3O5aUe0g2zOOITLDnH7m8YyfJ_6obcFlOAVz0-hPeg_xrZ7pK1uOotruFOgxvAxXgStF4AtaD4SBFQ6ApGjr7u8EZrBmHOjI7cHPUKtfZy3yYwUZI9AEXAgs_47M1MxzkXbSUlAb_L5qQI1Vc9C4sCx46-MnNjFQzLg/s3023/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKt5ZdjfQbjzIKa00ZkBtc2VS3O5aUe0g2zOOITLDnH7m8YyfJ_6obcFlOAVz0-hPeg_xrZ7pK1uOotruFOgxvAxXgStF4AtaD4SBFQ6ApGjr7u8EZrBmHOjI7cHPUKtfZy3yYwUZI9AEXAgs_47M1MxzkXbSUlAb_L5qQI1Vc9C4sCx46-MnNjFQzLg/w1856-h1218/34.jpg" width="1856" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same set of power returning west the next day.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z_SldrHiLLa27pCQOuI_X4VYxiU_fjmsQzOT26amsi3QPZGq9lsJqgCvLoy8Ng4nIzY8uqypD8qPI26TnVO3LXs3mPHA7zkt5pw6PwwII0RCSeWdxbgUUteJBtNE59dQq28VgwemGH7b81AB-sqSHGu4xfJkJFjao0VYsmrhuVWgRpx3_9o_R_7AqA/s3045/19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3045" height="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z_SldrHiLLa27pCQOuI_X4VYxiU_fjmsQzOT26amsi3QPZGq9lsJqgCvLoy8Ng4nIzY8uqypD8qPI26TnVO3LXs3mPHA7zkt5pw6PwwII0RCSeWdxbgUUteJBtNE59dQq28VgwemGH7b81AB-sqSHGu4xfJkJFjao0VYsmrhuVWgRpx3_9o_R_7AqA/w1851-h1198/19.jpg" width="1851" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Climbing the 1.49 percent eastbound grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQf7IrTM319Pbwa_43CkDUu5E0DepMFIJ9SObiUcB6g-NUqi0gWymYFdt63Q3xI6CxtLheAIYFm4rXvmSCIug5zcvpSaqJxsUBsxvKjYObKuH2nG90K2t8ZnG02FGbK8vjPs9JVLPqKWBzcKMSsX-d2bfDH5TEXx3IEkrvtVVpXMqeMmLe7kYxcktoA/s3049/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3049" height="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQf7IrTM319Pbwa_43CkDUu5E0DepMFIJ9SObiUcB6g-NUqi0gWymYFdt63Q3xI6CxtLheAIYFm4rXvmSCIug5zcvpSaqJxsUBsxvKjYObKuH2nG90K2t8ZnG02FGbK8vjPs9JVLPqKWBzcKMSsX-d2bfDH5TEXx3IEkrvtVVpXMqeMmLe7kYxcktoA/w1853-h1198/20.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In full dynamics down the same grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From the summit east, the tracks turn northeast and begin a quick descent of about three miles into the broad, salt-encrusted, mid-section of the Animas Valley, once covered with water, now dry and desolate. If you have driven across the Great Salt Desert, this place has a similar feel, perhaps not as salty, but once a certain level of saltiness has been reached, anything above is overkill.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">To the north and south are irrigated farmland, but the salt here has denuded all vegetation except occasional patches of desert salt grass. Interstate 10 runs beside the tracks, and signs along the highway warn of dust storms, which can appear as unexpectedly as thunderclaps. In about twelve miles the tracks turn southeast, bending around the northern edge of a series of hills to Lordsburg, where they enter a broad and flat land all the way to Deming. The Western Continental Divide is crossed here, but you would not notice it save for the sign on Interstate 10.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Viewed from one side of the valley, trains on the other are inconsequential; if you are not actively looking for a train, you will not notice it until it is almost upon you, as though the valley itself has disgorged this long chain of rolling metal. At dawn when the wind is down, you can hear the train approaching across the flat basin, and you look for it and think you can see it, but then you blink in the dry air, and whatever you thought you saw has disappeared, only to reappear and disappear and reappear again like the sun behind moving clouds.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH1K-eW8ffh2B5I-nKsmtzG9pUH8jtVRkU6_u7OKC12MU126U3hMo0YA7XF-_G3oPnFCJPvjGjR530gViBlnqnRWNuW6cZcHUF0XbxdVFduALtGDwThViAZjQB60MHgW1CwRamZn4OtKBuqlE1zE6Ha-0TdRhtXG4238v_zz80334DZlyHwqK5icogQ/s3062/42.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3062" height="1186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyH1K-eW8ffh2B5I-nKsmtzG9pUH8jtVRkU6_u7OKC12MU126U3hMo0YA7XF-_G3oPnFCJPvjGjR530gViBlnqnRWNuW6cZcHUF0XbxdVFduALtGDwThViAZjQB60MHgW1CwRamZn4OtKBuqlE1zE6Ha-0TdRhtXG4238v_zz80334DZlyHwqK5icogQ/w1852-h1186/42.jpg" width="1852" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest crosses the Animas Valley. Steins Pass is in the right-center background. In the far background rise the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrv6_CyxHrf_FcxfKKgaC3_m5Q_7x202uVZP4CMpimNc1cbAItemCdKlNSDmNSUYnoh5HlnYJYwj5m-NBAzu0_z0z6R6skXfZrqRB9thfZocoWEKgyjPnZbiZTz-h4KjEHsQLhpx6uLtg5Lhk0sU_a936qLi_Jz5_fX-K_--_MI5Yf1SZeSzrLRIS8Q/s2997/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrv6_CyxHrf_FcxfKKgaC3_m5Q_7x202uVZP4CMpimNc1cbAItemCdKlNSDmNSUYnoh5HlnYJYwj5m-NBAzu0_z0z6R6skXfZrqRB9thfZocoWEKgyjPnZbiZTz-h4KjEHsQLhpx6uLtg5Lhk0sU_a936qLi_Jz5_fX-K_--_MI5Yf1SZeSzrLRIS8Q/w1854-h1239/8.jpg" width="1854" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbound crossing the salt flats.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bc0RiXt3Cr76umh8JWY79N6aV13wUWMmDGg0od7N7JQojYzlDvKpXPXx2o7iWCzkSFW4IDcMqQoxDGm_xzJWdMJoS_97wqfQ4TIPmI4EVd9DIZX0l5qnNuupwYpLkQAns7zIs_kSfPD68-UDIIvu2XPOzqGpAgQZlkW7W0cYvf0mf05DpezyUorUjQ/s2993/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="2993" height="1238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bc0RiXt3Cr76umh8JWY79N6aV13wUWMmDGg0od7N7JQojYzlDvKpXPXx2o7iWCzkSFW4IDcMqQoxDGm_xzJWdMJoS_97wqfQ4TIPmI4EVd9DIZX0l5qnNuupwYpLkQAns7zIs_kSfPD68-UDIIvu2XPOzqGpAgQZlkW7W0cYvf0mf05DpezyUorUjQ/w1851-h1238/21.jpg" width="1851" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound has left the Animas Valley and is climbing the short eastern grade to the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlczK76SVnk2CB8do9PMsPuGA0Xv8wyeybqlbuILUBSQLWd53XyUuj3GjX-Kqm9jgk3VLAsE1MNoAP6wCgHykI2a0CHi7yxJhbb9bHN6gHGS-ue72MmJlJBCZSaxkAvDcIdYNL4NBxL8xDUt6PpBBkRNL4zn50MqHI0kMSf696dVGyWvdFg2GRsIQsg/s3046/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3046" height="1196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlczK76SVnk2CB8do9PMsPuGA0Xv8wyeybqlbuILUBSQLWd53XyUuj3GjX-Kqm9jgk3VLAsE1MNoAP6wCgHykI2a0CHi7yxJhbb9bHN6gHGS-ue72MmJlJBCZSaxkAvDcIdYNL4NBxL8xDUt6PpBBkRNL4zn50MqHI0kMSf696dVGyWvdFg2GRsIQsg/w1849-h1196/32.jpg" width="1849" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Animas Valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The legal maneuvering preceding construction of this line was, to put it mildly, arcane. To understand how the Southern Pacific was built, one must turn to the Federal Constitution, which grants Congress the power to "regulate commerce . . . among the several states." Beginning in 1937, the Supreme Court issued a line of cases holding that this "Commerce Clause" prohibits individual states from enacting laws that interfere with the free flow of goods and services in interstate commerce. Since then, the Court has broadly interpreted the scope of Congressional power. For example, in passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Congress relied on the Commerce Clause to prohibit racial segregation and discrimination in places of public accommodation involved in interstate commerce. In its unanimous (9–0) decision upholding the law, the Supreme Court stated: "[T]</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he power of Congress to promote interstate commerce also includes the power to regulate <i>the local incidents thereof</i>." [Emphasis added.]</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the 19th century, however, those cases did not exist, and state and territorial laws regulating railroads were as twisted, jumbled and thorny as the woods behind your author's house. Different states placed different limits on the length of trains. Different states required different numbers of crewmen. Some states prohibited the transport of certain goods or animals (certain cattle breeds, for example) that others allowed. And on and on. The result was that trains often had to stop and reassemble before passing from one state to another.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Likewise, many states and territories required that railroads be incorporated therein before construction could begin. Thus, the Southern Pacific was originally incorporated in California. When it reached Arizona, it formed an Arizona Corporation. And the same for New Mexico. The Southern Pacific Railroad Company of New Mexico was incorporated April 14, 1879, and construction across Steins Pass commenced immediately and proceeded east with remarkable speed. The tracks reached Lordsburg October 18, 1880, and Deming December 15 of the same year. When the special train carrying Charles Crocker and other big shots arrived in El Paso May 26, 1881, a 16 gun salute commenced the celebration for the arrival of the town's first railroad.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But the El Paso connection was not the most important to the SP. On March 7, 1881, the Santa Fe entered Deming, New Mexico, and a golden spike was driven the next day to commemorate completion of the second transcontinental railroad. Today, almost no one realizes that this SP-Santa Fe combination was the second transcontinental line. Indeed, today, the tracks from Rincon to Deming (60 miles) are not even operated by Santa Fe's successor BNSF. Instead, this short segment is run by the Southwestern Railroad, though your author understands that BNSF still maintains trackage rights.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgGbwmSofTIU8_TXVMXdrGnHyCwwF8ja3IVkC7fCT_-uRWCb7ky4jX_0EDIsKCSHSlxvp96xkPDbF3_eeByZTJLYDAhIC0Z2c-k5a_TUMRXG-lyuV5SBSwgohgXaMZpqoFxLFiYZbJh3w9peyG47pLZVM-jBHO64BUuo4OZVZSEcLVsXp6cGBg-bgfA/s3042/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3042" height="1199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgGbwmSofTIU8_TXVMXdrGnHyCwwF8ja3IVkC7fCT_-uRWCb7ky4jX_0EDIsKCSHSlxvp96xkPDbF3_eeByZTJLYDAhIC0Z2c-k5a_TUMRXG-lyuV5SBSwgohgXaMZpqoFxLFiYZbJh3w9peyG47pLZVM-jBHO64BUuo4OZVZSEcLVsXp6cGBg-bgfA/w1853-h1199/39.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks have left Lordsburg and are turning southwest toward the Animas Valley.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ei_FA9Et0qHaupAVCSKVW7jwNkLWKugwdq5sqnYsPHMqg90GZ3JWcq3YXTpvDSgfj34yjYBEL6fSqXaOYZpjYgtAbYwrjcoQ6Y1y7jpqCNiLnoJ1H_qxb6GL43SSmHYsvxaKPs2xfpU0BExvXx2tFs0wNaDIc6Jj9bvEB4_Nm6ADBsWM4HiocQoo5A/s3007/36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3007" height="1229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ei_FA9Et0qHaupAVCSKVW7jwNkLWKugwdq5sqnYsPHMqg90GZ3JWcq3YXTpvDSgfj34yjYBEL6fSqXaOYZpjYgtAbYwrjcoQ6Y1y7jpqCNiLnoJ1H_qxb6GL43SSmHYsvxaKPs2xfpU0BExvXx2tFs0wNaDIc6Jj9bvEB4_Nm6ADBsWM4HiocQoo5A/w1855-h1229/36.jpg" width="1855" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound grainer is leaving the Animas Valley and turning southeast to Lordsburg.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWeIGxQsHHtmw8dxCsHxIL_fvgM-Rmy-G5chu17GmZdzPfzJZcdSphdDjrlpEMngk1mhX2yqkkREPVp0QDlaV64rVoaLzwG-TtVRUa3hi4Dfb1htSk-GZGa2fsQGz5nGiSktkB3gNivJ0MOKr9lehfaeQF3SUHL1jtzZKauaD2Kg4GrtBzM1K9LS26w/s3017/33.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWeIGxQsHHtmw8dxCsHxIL_fvgM-Rmy-G5chu17GmZdzPfzJZcdSphdDjrlpEMngk1mhX2yqkkREPVp0QDlaV64rVoaLzwG-TtVRUa3hi4Dfb1htSk-GZGa2fsQGz5nGiSktkB3gNivJ0MOKr9lehfaeQF3SUHL1jtzZKauaD2Kg4GrtBzM1K9LS26w/w1853-h1222/33.jpg" width="1853" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Animas Valley. Camera is looking northwest, with Peloncillo Mountains in background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSg3UfI-l-SUTTbCIQ3NN1oDzJVw_2tsJlOkMRYvm2nGwm0pcZj98LTS_ad_8UeVKA01BthUUN5AXV9D5IGjutrfjp_bUQah8DaQoeinD_JRiOGVRAXkDhVOu620A6K1wduk4FsqtutAGZubORNmUPcJGf9hOFt9p-TtwnX4GRT2y8deSAesvZucNAw/s3007/31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3007" height="1226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSg3UfI-l-SUTTbCIQ3NN1oDzJVw_2tsJlOkMRYvm2nGwm0pcZj98LTS_ad_8UeVKA01BthUUN5AXV9D5IGjutrfjp_bUQah8DaQoeinD_JRiOGVRAXkDhVOu620A6K1wduk4FsqtutAGZubORNmUPcJGf9hOFt9p-TtwnX4GRT2y8deSAesvZucNAw/w1850-h1226/31.jpg" width="1850" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Last sunlight illuminates an eastbound approaching Lordsburg.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Lordsburg, New Mexico, has changed with the railroad over the years -- and not for the better. The original village still parallels the tracks, three blocks of late 19th century buildings, part Victorian, part American West, mostly empty now, abandoned, in various states of disrepair. The main street along the tracks is called Motel Drive, but when your author drove through one night, only one such institution was open for business, a dingy dirty place where you would stop only if you were broke and for psychological reasons could not sleep in your vehicle. Every other building was dark, including three abandoned motels, save for one small storefront in which a single unshaded bulb hung down from a long chord, illuminating a barren room. The windows were dust-streaked, making the light look brown.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">What is left of the town now parallels I-10, a few miles south of the tracks, which like all east-west interstates sees a constant flow of heavy trucks both day and night. Driving the interstate in the Year of our Lord 2022 in anything that does not have 18 wheels is an exercise in self-immolation. Plus, because of the constant road noise, sleeping in one of the motels that line the concrete freeway requires the ability to become completely unaware of one's surroundings, an idiot savant without the savant. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Lordsburg is the perfect illustration that local commerce has moved from the railroad to the interstate. Your author does not regret or bemoan this. Change is inevitable. But the short period from tracks to trucks has not given places like Lordsburg time to adjust; the town along the tracks is as forlorn and lost as an old blind dog. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Your author and Bear the Mighty Dog spent a week in Lordsburg in January 2022. There were only two restaurants in town -- one along the interstate, catering to truckers; the other a family restaurant patronized by local citizens. I tried both and preferred the local establishment, party because the food was better, but mostly because the clientele were not the sort one normally sees along the main highways of this huge country.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I ate beef enchiladas (with refried beans and rice) every night because I like to do the same things over and over. One evening a family walked in and sat at the table next to me. The father appeared to be of northern European stock, blonde-headed with piercing blue eyes. But his skin was rough, like everything in the desert.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">His wife looked to be Native American, with black hair and dark severe eyes. Their three children were an endearing mix. One had blonde hair, one black, and the third a medium brown like the mountains at Steins Pass.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When the waitress came to take their order, I heard the husband say that this was their monthly trip into town.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I tell the story only to point out that our country is filled with people that I know nothing about. As I travel, I see more and more of them and realize that my own life is as sheltered as a poodle's.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></p><p><br /></p>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-8634017463875227482022-11-18T22:45:00.000-06:002022-11-18T22:45:30.916-06:00East of Dragoon<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu1EvroIaD-k0IoZ3uaPqH5DMc3iaLKx4Xke21yS9XP24wXWw_-fIl3Y-OWpzD-3NoNNj7Z5VPiHdRfp3lHVCE_iuS2okFnflJs4YLR1TuiqbXp6TauFIl6JuBrl2m9cd9FejiEWaqZaGmckBBNJyVrDGqg00pEzK4Pb39fTLbC_JonHoVW11vrpTUg/s3017/5%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3017" height="1192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUu1EvroIaD-k0IoZ3uaPqH5DMc3iaLKx4Xke21yS9XP24wXWw_-fIl3Y-OWpzD-3NoNNj7Z5VPiHdRfp3lHVCE_iuS2okFnflJs4YLR1TuiqbXp6TauFIl6JuBrl2m9cd9FejiEWaqZaGmckBBNJyVrDGqg00pEzK4Pb39fTLbC_JonHoVW11vrpTUg/w1808-h1192/5%20copy.jpg" width="1808" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound UP manifest is passing Cochise, Arizona. In the background, a westbound is crossing Wilcox Playa to begin the climb to the summit at Dragoon.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Dragoon is the Arizona summit of the Union Pacific's southern transcontinental route across the Southwest. It is not a town, nor even a village -- a few modest clapboard dwellings scattered like rabbit pellets in the bowl between the Dragoon and Little Dragoon Mountains. At night, when the wind is down, you would swear that no one lives within a thousand miles of this place. Yet people do live here, not only the living but also the ancestors who died years ago but are ever-present in the sand, mesquite and cloudless sky. Between the dust towering over Wilcox Playa and the coyotes howling across Cochise Stronghold, the black monolith of history rises from the desert, reminding all that life is never as tranquil as it seems.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I sometimes wonder if the history of the American West has been wildly exaggerated, as when an old man recalls events from his youth that either did not happen in the manner remembered or else did not happen at all. But then I hear names like Cochise and Doc Holiday and Big Nose Kate (there really was such a person), and I read about them in the historical literature, and I realize that every now and then events are actually more fantastic than anyone can even imagine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So it is with Dragoon.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2F6Gl_w_c6zTvr96lvJe1B_A-sOMKCBvqg72j5C7FHRj_LdKemhCfouXt8UyLo5KLwYDALzkTqnHE8Pu98Mxcmo-HuyzPC_9qTmNVEEEjp4q_TMfxlPuiGnOO_Z81ws4l2UFH3Sqh2TEuegPc2j8TZMqF8nXF6V-_bFgWTJquv03hC8z-yKKWIS8Q3w/s3362/Dragoon.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2096" data-original-width="3362" height="1131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2F6Gl_w_c6zTvr96lvJe1B_A-sOMKCBvqg72j5C7FHRj_LdKemhCfouXt8UyLo5KLwYDALzkTqnHE8Pu98Mxcmo-HuyzPC_9qTmNVEEEjp4q_TMfxlPuiGnOO_Z81ws4l2UFH3Sqh2TEuegPc2j8TZMqF8nXF6V-_bFgWTJquv03hC8z-yKKWIS8Q3w/w1810-h1131/Dragoon.jpg" width="1810" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">jj</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzLoppiTZTr99R4s5cg4DacnXYJzMKyKeQgoHgTuEgv8R8rLKMFo2n0nsW2je8eWzSSh_-SrMZ2rBD0Wx5tgRhLNoas7c4-7BrfmDCD6d7wi-kkFO12PDPf-0WrfASpqDU_IJuYmkRLiEYjJvPpTl-pSGIWht_f_RszTJhrRCO78n_JKjcHtT_7017A/s1330/Dragoon%202.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1156" height="1371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzLoppiTZTr99R4s5cg4DacnXYJzMKyKeQgoHgTuEgv8R8rLKMFo2n0nsW2je8eWzSSh_-SrMZ2rBD0Wx5tgRhLNoas7c4-7BrfmDCD6d7wi-kkFO12PDPf-0WrfASpqDU_IJuYmkRLiEYjJvPpTl-pSGIWht_f_RszTJhrRCO78n_JKjcHtT_7017A/w1191-h1371/Dragoon%202.jpg" width="1191" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nQNrUU_Tq5zbMWFsVPxJF4Z3CCYfx3uITFcZgFrAuoyMkzcdwMao5IqEz78DoZX-4AZG-LvCHOxWo68xQbc5tvsmo4WFo_rTI20DseI6wgQLnOpYXyqRaf6CATGcJlQqkH-F6SlnYawLRu6Rt187yl8LegTwwDziFhzTGhLcEP9VtnmeKVJVIMu4ag/s3004/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3004" height="1207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nQNrUU_Tq5zbMWFsVPxJF4Z3CCYfx3uITFcZgFrAuoyMkzcdwMao5IqEz78DoZX-4AZG-LvCHOxWo68xQbc5tvsmo4WFo_rTI20DseI6wgQLnOpYXyqRaf6CATGcJlQqkH-F6SlnYawLRu6Rt187yl8LegTwwDziFhzTGhLcEP9VtnmeKVJVIMu4ag/w1814-h1207/2.jpg" width="1814" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks have crested the summit at Dragoon and are rolling downgrade toward Wilcox Playa through mesquite that have lost their leaves in January. The Little Dragoon Mountains rise in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Any discussion of this place must begin with Wilcox Playa, which from the surrounding mountains looks like a skating rink in the middle of the desert. Roughly eight miles wide by 10 miles long, this dry, salt-encrusted lake bed radiates sunlight like a mirror. Once filled with water in the Pleistocene (the most recent ice age, ending about 10,000 years ago), portions of it have been used by the Air Force as a bombing range. The area is endorheic, meaning that water drains into it from all directions -- east from the Dos Cabezas Mountains, south from the Dragoon Mountains, west from the Little Dragoon Mountains and north from the Pinaleno and Galiuro Mountains. Standing in the basin, one feels as though the entire planet is collapsing inward, that one is about to be sucked into the bowels of the anti-Christ. When the wind blows, which is often, dust rises almost as high as the surrounding peaks.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s3DM_bI8_-jQKq8Es4OM6P5jEqUvJjFsHzPl2V7bPkXQyja7z2OqdCDpIl7gG8NBsjn0kbYE8xCZ_2bdx4VdwIXlwxI4fgzhI5s-PEEUHP0RxigIuv1ajnHSJyT-RSZ8yVhHhcvXKmrJpx8x83PSdM4JT54vjDdrK3xM7MQSwdwkPyMn9AMzfMYNrw/s2988/43.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2988" height="1218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8s3DM_bI8_-jQKq8Es4OM6P5jEqUvJjFsHzPl2V7bPkXQyja7z2OqdCDpIl7gG8NBsjn0kbYE8xCZ_2bdx4VdwIXlwxI4fgzhI5s-PEEUHP0RxigIuv1ajnHSJyT-RSZ8yVhHhcvXKmrJpx8x83PSdM4JT54vjDdrK3xM7MQSwdwkPyMn9AMzfMYNrw/w1814-h1218/43.jpg" width="1814" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Amtrak #1 is climbing toward Dragoon. In the background, dust rises above Wilcox Playa, obscuring the Dos Cabezas Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEpR1KpI27aUYne0KRrCwb5IbQVt0nXwZr7wdxwpho8Hn5c0ABLJFE8K63i9Ia9Wd1h-pNnOon6rm51qWUV_DjwEvWylE0e0Tlh39YVmnD0APPj6huoOndQp8O7XBjFBialgDeJWokrQRMlQ8gtagLj-Zhg6yyYZNP1PqZviIOZPTyUZLycAgaoLlZQ/s3030/9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3030" height="1185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEpR1KpI27aUYne0KRrCwb5IbQVt0nXwZr7wdxwpho8Hn5c0ABLJFE8K63i9Ia9Wd1h-pNnOon6rm51qWUV_DjwEvWylE0e0Tlh39YVmnD0APPj6huoOndQp8O7XBjFBialgDeJWokrQRMlQ8gtagLj-Zhg6yyYZNP1PqZviIOZPTyUZLycAgaoLlZQ/w1815-h1185/9.jpg" width="1815" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Amtrak #2 is crossing Wilcox Playa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From Dragoon, the Union Pacific tracks run due east downhill for about two miles through short, stubby mesquite trees that intermittently cover the grassland like steel wool, providing few photographic opportunities. At the bottom of the steepest part of the grade, the tracks turn northeast and continue in an absolutely straight line downhill toward Wilcox Playa, passing several irrigated pistachio farms, the trees of which in winter are leafless and barren, like coatless relatives attending a funeral. Before reaching the dry lake bed, the tracks pass Cochise, Arizona, a once thriving community of several thousand, now reduced to less than one hundred. The village does support a school for the children who live in the surrounding desert.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Scott Fitzgerald once said: "“Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.</span><span style="font-family: arial;">” </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I want to say something similar about people who live in the desert. They, too, are different They have no soft edges, no faintness of heart nor deep misgivings about the future of mankind. They live in a moment focused exclusively upon water. They dig their wells deep. Like creosote bushes, they don't live too close to each other. Water is everything. </span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNntM1eYTQOO2OlLORqlhVXDhO4D-4ZE3eNvyVY0zo9YkFcqp2LTN847h6pdHccRuytAsUsJoLdLEhQkbQzVPAYg_1-vIlRmH-TgMP9jYYs0NB9Cj3oaqsK2RDrjvfjy0aCi9BNtXqCyi95w-sYf0y_iKRp5di13g0UWuVjrxxvR1qmuShpJRBnAXwBQ/s2963/37.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="2963" height="1242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNntM1eYTQOO2OlLORqlhVXDhO4D-4ZE3eNvyVY0zo9YkFcqp2LTN847h6pdHccRuytAsUsJoLdLEhQkbQzVPAYg_1-vIlRmH-TgMP9jYYs0NB9Cj3oaqsK2RDrjvfjy0aCi9BNtXqCyi95w-sYf0y_iKRp5di13g0UWuVjrxxvR1qmuShpJRBnAXwBQ/w1815-h1242/37.jpg" width="1815" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mid-trains rolling downhill through mesquite.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljWYHMF7gyFEe4p6xLWpyQFwDh70ABySzE9uQSQAnP2QEmPYjx2s5A_0QK8iBjUWw2UnMcT21xx61cPhJyWoGs_jDykolcn7hPz4FwP-ITCOFmiCmuvMviQYcx2EXKk25rQk9YIFQN-_-buZvyyEQYt3A36svOmvqO9X7Dv5-qQD-9tFPilhj1ZHPHA/s3045/46.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3045" height="1175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljWYHMF7gyFEe4p6xLWpyQFwDh70ABySzE9uQSQAnP2QEmPYjx2s5A_0QK8iBjUWw2UnMcT21xx61cPhJyWoGs_jDykolcn7hPz4FwP-ITCOFmiCmuvMviQYcx2EXKk25rQk9YIFQN-_-buZvyyEQYt3A36svOmvqO9X7Dv5-qQD-9tFPilhj1ZHPHA/w1817-h1175/46.jpg" width="1817" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound manifest is turning due west and beginning the steepest part of the climb to Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The village of Cochise, created by the Southern Pacific as a coal and water stop, contains the historic Cochise Hotel, a small, white clapboard and stucco structure with its name emblazoned above the front porch, facing west toward the tracks -- only about 20 yards away. The clapboard, the day I saw it, was peeling. No vehicle was parked in front. I climbed the porch and found the front door locked, so I knocked. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">No one answered, so I knocked again. Still no answer. I walked around back and peered in a window but saw no one. A dog walked across the street to say hello. I found out later that in 1899, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Big Nose Kate, the female sidekick of Doc Holliday, worked at the Cochise Hotel after Holliday's death.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTsWaXNyeqMt0f_mNCWRygAi309Oe57P4uPdl11WpSpQselaaeyIUnp2kVNSsSmUD2-zEcsugCIic2CTbJQfJ5OeivGEDC8KQBiCPL9K1Y6ZdXWta0BBJR0LI7WjkR-pGSHR1K3J8vMN7F50UYymyaRPs9uGKN_EbcSxYs74MAuZ4Xzygo6V_2Hwu46Q" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="1200" height="912" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTsWaXNyeqMt0f_mNCWRygAi309Oe57P4uPdl11WpSpQselaaeyIUnp2kVNSsSmUD2-zEcsugCIic2CTbJQfJ5OeivGEDC8KQBiCPL9K1Y6ZdXWta0BBJR0LI7WjkR-pGSHR1K3J8vMN7F50UYymyaRPs9uGKN_EbcSxYs74MAuZ4Xzygo6V_2Hwu46Q=w1437-h912" width="1437" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK51smyMRQLN3iXnK8mCaAB9d0cWxUpHwoshgSI3X1KaOSQ1FbtmeDgkDR5BOGfgqVSlEFJeP5CKSGLU6yZFScdJ0qizNYNouCyYjMjm-ezeE9YAnLcnpQjs8fzzKyERcyH2LoMEpdhism2dEVf07-v5xGSDtWVn3_SVAoc3QzkBldGY_AZswa6CzC5g/s3027/49.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3027" height="1188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK51smyMRQLN3iXnK8mCaAB9d0cWxUpHwoshgSI3X1KaOSQ1FbtmeDgkDR5BOGfgqVSlEFJeP5CKSGLU6yZFScdJ0qizNYNouCyYjMjm-ezeE9YAnLcnpQjs8fzzKyERcyH2LoMEpdhism2dEVf07-v5xGSDtWVn3_SVAoc3QzkBldGY_AZswa6CzC5g/w1818-h1188/49.jpg" width="1818" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks roll past the Gunnison Hills toward Cochise and the Wilcox Playa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukyC1Yh7LUJWXtlTsPDVBluRr4u3vEgzYQ7HGg9tkSQ4ZyuwQja5CLH71G988Ma2TL5Ly921NswYa4yKyRoyoAlfsHrcj3VF5LKRLA_dlRmBqjH17vqM_tZR935nH6ApKSHwbu2wV-phnhQub-wxXX6j0UrxPfZl7pz5X6CH9KXVsroX6WkZC83R-Bw/s3000/51.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="1211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukyC1Yh7LUJWXtlTsPDVBluRr4u3vEgzYQ7HGg9tkSQ4ZyuwQja5CLH71G988Ma2TL5Ly921NswYa4yKyRoyoAlfsHrcj3VF5LKRLA_dlRmBqjH17vqM_tZR935nH6ApKSHwbu2wV-phnhQub-wxXX6j0UrxPfZl7pz5X6CH9KXVsroX6WkZC83R-Bw/w1819-h1211/51.jpg" width="1819" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound manifest in same location.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63OyqFjsVeo9Bu9gtsGQhIrsuNPaGGaAu1QrChfO1axEb_uRzIEv0uyBae12zHQT3CHt7-sQx2TZCpQQqeivLCcjwt8aqS3jYKmaI2rjtdbRidapSy4q8I0Y6dY5qplniXhxFLoPTcYlJdcYQ7mo5O6DzCNB-j8mjq9iLiaDLc-ubgRFugQBDS8esOA/s3009/44.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3009" height="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63OyqFjsVeo9Bu9gtsGQhIrsuNPaGGaAu1QrChfO1axEb_uRzIEv0uyBae12zHQT3CHt7-sQx2TZCpQQqeivLCcjwt8aqS3jYKmaI2rjtdbRidapSy4q8I0Y6dY5qplniXhxFLoPTcYlJdcYQ7mo5O6DzCNB-j8mjq9iLiaDLc-ubgRFugQBDS8esOA/w1818-h1205/44.jpg" width="1818" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound toward Cochise on a cold day in January.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Mary Katherine Horony Cummings was a Hungarian-born gambler, prostitute and side-kick of Doc Holliday. Her parents emigrated to America in 1860, settling in Iowa. Mary Katherine gained the nickname "Big Nose Kate" for obvious reasons.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdQJXKOG6IJUQhS2hHY4ryGZc7WbgW7-W66PmCs_2MEXtvG0HN95dNq79PYFVHzQO6qzHwcnbjyWtzCHsnVkbiGMEl_pzU6Lnek_P9sI-sVtZ5nIhSLtHCJayU5JPpbetoixz5Vu9vp6vcrycciTLApwn30qeV2e5tOfYywjJIeNXIjWt4fwFT_JFjMA" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1000" height="687" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdQJXKOG6IJUQhS2hHY4ryGZc7WbgW7-W66PmCs_2MEXtvG0HN95dNq79PYFVHzQO6qzHwcnbjyWtzCHsnVkbiGMEl_pzU6Lnek_P9sI-sVtZ5nIhSLtHCJayU5JPpbetoixz5Vu9vp6vcrycciTLApwn30qeV2e5tOfYywjJIeNXIjWt4fwFT_JFjMA=w1146-h687" width="1146" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Her parents both died in 1865 when she was 15, and she and her younger siblings went to live with relatives. At 16, Kate ran away to St. Louis where she produced a son for a local dentist who, along with the son, later died of yellow fever.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1876 she moved to Texas, met Doc Holliday and soon was living and gambling with him. The couple then relocated to Dodge City, Kansas, where Holliday opened a dental office, which produced little income. Most of his money came from gambling. The couple argued frequently, fought with fists occasionally and were sober coincidentally.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In Dodge City they were befriended by Wyatt Earp, whom they followed to Tombstone, Arizona, in search of the money that was flowing from copper mines like distilled water. After one of her many fights with Holliday, Kate signed an affidavit implicating him in a stagecoach robbery and murder. Wyatt Earp and his brother Virgil produced witnesses who swore that Holliday was elsewhere at the time of the robbery, and Kate then said that she was drunk and did not understand what she had signed. The district attorney dismissed the charges. Holliday was released from jail and forgave Kate. Legend has it that they got drunk again.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYI4wZccHxsb0vkRrAczbgvMiRxypAtEuyBaJ6czlhAs2st4uls0Uxlj4iaYy50cxONUqoySG_87rUX4E9JBCmqkCTNQmsffrWSC_OK5f6mUepZ87g5e-ATLB1hIDy2QTnuo5KzMq_LVzngZS1zcNERA3mrWX2jm-hGyvrTINaEoKv_AuSdJKcJtq0A/s3008/42.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYI4wZccHxsb0vkRrAczbgvMiRxypAtEuyBaJ6czlhAs2st4uls0Uxlj4iaYy50cxONUqoySG_87rUX4E9JBCmqkCTNQmsffrWSC_OK5f6mUepZ87g5e-ATLB1hIDy2QTnuo5KzMq_LVzngZS1zcNERA3mrWX2jm-hGyvrTINaEoKv_AuSdJKcJtq0A/w1813-h1201/42.jpg" width="1813" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Downgrade to Cochise, with Dragoon Mountains in background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFDMvgKLAhjZYWR_Ga5C4QecY85BLLWCoBg1s7PIAArBpdIND7GfTK9n7vxZtIuHtS2L7HGcur_cyCIcaehn-r11EjHBuHee8wGSjkFsb7a9jJMASGrLNyUhYoghAiQoOOqVZRNgC6DUiGDY3tJFi6FDEJiiEq_rtEisTKhvHVoLFmI_QIbVc_A_uNA/s3028/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3028" height="1186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFDMvgKLAhjZYWR_Ga5C4QecY85BLLWCoBg1s7PIAArBpdIND7GfTK9n7vxZtIuHtS2L7HGcur_cyCIcaehn-r11EjHBuHee8wGSjkFsb7a9jJMASGrLNyUhYoghAiQoOOqVZRNgC6DUiGDY3tJFi6FDEJiiEq_rtEisTKhvHVoLFmI_QIbVc_A_uNA/w1816-h1186/8.jpg" width="1816" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eclectic westbound approaches the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This brings us to the "Gunfight at the OK Corral." I put the name in quotations, because not everyone agreed that it was a "gunfight." Some, particularly relatives and friends of the Clantons, called it a "massacre," in much the same way that the Cheyenne refer to the "Battle of the Washita" as the "Washita Massacre." I don't intend to retell the story, because it has already been told too many times. However, late in life, Big Nose Kate claimed to have witnessed the shootout.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Apparently, she and Doc Holliday were in Tucson when Wyatt Earp's younger brother Morgan arrived, asking Holliday to return to Tombstone to help arrest Billy and Ike Clanton, who along with several other members of a gang loosely referred to as the "Cowboys," were raising hell in town. Holliday agreed, asking Kate to remain in Tucson, but she refused, riding with her man to that southeastern Arizona town within shouting distance of the Mexican border.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Kate claimed to have watched everything from the window of her boarding house. She watched Holliday and the three Earp brothers (Virgil, Wyatt and Morgan) gun down Billy Clanton, Tom McClaury and his brother Frank. The Earps and Holliday were later charged with murder, but after a preliminary hearing, the presiding judge dismissed the case, ruling that the four were performing their duty as lawmen and thus exempt from prosecution. (Apparently, Virgil, as sheriff, had deputized the others before the fight -- a pretty smart thing to do, as it. turned out.) Ike Clanton, unarmed, not participating in the shootout, was killed six years later while resisting arrest for cattle rustling.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvazRKEedtUiO85KZxMb7tLZLOYbzC3TiUUX7X3cZIEVoPqLdSEJJf9wUOnRO_RuPTw9dorPjnoeCmVL_x1mIGRnF60YlQhhOYlK_-sM7cDHB0Rt3AsnaJupwQHsqYA3LauGzNyeloxR2xRwnQyqNs-jVggs--Nj0xHmqB8c_p8TsXX13yl98U05lguA/s3058/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="3058" height="1162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvazRKEedtUiO85KZxMb7tLZLOYbzC3TiUUX7X3cZIEVoPqLdSEJJf9wUOnRO_RuPTw9dorPjnoeCmVL_x1mIGRnF60YlQhhOYlK_-sM7cDHB0Rt3AsnaJupwQHsqYA3LauGzNyeloxR2xRwnQyqNs-jVggs--Nj0xHmqB8c_p8TsXX13yl98U05lguA/w1814-h1162/15.jpg" width="1814" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The power on these westbound stacks has crossed Wilcox Playa and is beginning the climb to Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLJiRiUTykiqfq8AkGBcVFquEfWRb35ET5gPWCoNHH2DiCwGhNeo7k8LO-WeL9bPXeqha1LXEwine4S9Df_jcxqpnWqWC3cef0_3cNrN7b59cSmqAz7NueTvFlvFzvdhptZZcHdlCeKdUbQAtalRAR-GMlanMSDklfoqRVe-ZktyG6-O7YTABSpR_4Q/s3034/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3034" height="1188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLJiRiUTykiqfq8AkGBcVFquEfWRb35ET5gPWCoNHH2DiCwGhNeo7k8LO-WeL9bPXeqha1LXEwine4S9Df_jcxqpnWqWC3cef0_3cNrN7b59cSmqAz7NueTvFlvFzvdhptZZcHdlCeKdUbQAtalRAR-GMlanMSDklfoqRVe-ZktyG6-O7YTABSpR_4Q/w1819-h1188/16.jpg" width="1819" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Two stack trains meet on Wilcox Playa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Doc Holliday died of consumption in 1887. Kate then married a blacksmith, George Cummings, in Aspen. The pair worked several mining camps in Colorado, then moved to Bisbee, Arizona, the location of the Copper Queen Mine, where Kate ran a bakery, a fairly tranquil life after her travels with Holliday. </span></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cummings, however, turned out to be another desperate alcoholic, but unlike Holliday, he continually abused Kate and could never make up with her. She left him and in 1900 moved to Cochise, where she worked for John and Lulu Rath, owners of the Cochise Hotel.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When she was 80, Kate became one of the first female residents of the Arizona Pioneers' Home in Prescott, established in 1910 for destitute miners and pioneers of Arizona Territory. In keeping with her character, she was an outspoken activist for other residents, contacting both legislators and the governor about bad food, worse mattresses and generally wretched hygiene. She died November 2, 1940, five days before her 90th birthday.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3es3cNH12CMkSLRO-4JYSIJu6pP3HOmRpUWppI3YqRT7gp2RpoVHMHpfvMkBCheiXob2Tnr_xorUP3fgm3NfvV9By1SIBLUjSuSgrkLq5N_JLXvvlSFnZ0ueJi0Y2n40Lx8ZT5D4OAkgHG61N2PtUMETTZFz4DVqbhuzMhhegp5xuYITQ7ysTsmbzA/s3025/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3025" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3es3cNH12CMkSLRO-4JYSIJu6pP3HOmRpUWppI3YqRT7gp2RpoVHMHpfvMkBCheiXob2Tnr_xorUP3fgm3NfvV9By1SIBLUjSuSgrkLq5N_JLXvvlSFnZ0ueJi0Y2n40Lx8ZT5D4OAkgHG61N2PtUMETTZFz4DVqbhuzMhhegp5xuYITQ7ysTsmbzA/w1815-h1191/20.jpg" width="1815" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The summit at Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /> </span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSGmyF0f93Ie6aMNyS5qRX4035jW9mZdfkJd7MmdN30plkA5E3rxwgaBdklbLci22FjXr9-goaFabrEn5nHplYz4TLUVaths8K7e8YzM7W_aW8prN0KIBNCPBw-4IZ5QGSWOdHSX5BzRXesfjYz4MbPOkozSIiPrvkUKvM6EVM7s3W8lZCMDTH-KQgw/s3021/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3021" height="1191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSGmyF0f93Ie6aMNyS5qRX4035jW9mZdfkJd7MmdN30plkA5E3rxwgaBdklbLci22FjXr9-goaFabrEn5nHplYz4TLUVaths8K7e8YzM7W_aW8prN0KIBNCPBw-4IZ5QGSWOdHSX5BzRXesfjYz4MbPOkozSIiPrvkUKvM6EVM7s3W8lZCMDTH-KQgw/w1816-h1191/24.jpg" width="1816" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks have crossed Wilcox Playa and are climbing through Sulphur Springs Valley on the way to Dragoon. In the background are the playa and the widely separated dwellings characteristic of the desert.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyHlEngHrjy6Qgqg5C_QhvCI5K3ZBdSxnWcgtDAYA4ty7HvYNVEZIJ2tXfw_R5tu57V05ayAtKPoJjLbFabMlrJ8u5ejwGc8rIIW4_WBJHO9mjZJjy0f0gvQ2VJ1JZHLPR3ZXzpsFRSPxFEYdyw7wsIGntX-7K9vJ91zZeLSTqe5RUz6fKJ6Ac6D10Q/s3037/26.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3037" height="1180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyHlEngHrjy6Qgqg5C_QhvCI5K3ZBdSxnWcgtDAYA4ty7HvYNVEZIJ2tXfw_R5tu57V05ayAtKPoJjLbFabMlrJ8u5ejwGc8rIIW4_WBJHO9mjZJjy0f0gvQ2VJ1JZHLPR3ZXzpsFRSPxFEYdyw7wsIGntX-7K9vJ91zZeLSTqe5RUz6fKJ6Ac6D10Q/w1816-h1180/26.jpg" width="1816" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wilcox Playa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4__OEYmXIQVS_CHFOyAsvLSwniBkNWy0oWD4jWHSzDD61mUaqq6xvnWX87u_Nx4AHxAzq3H-IY0s1dRN-60iDJRSv9KQi12toldDVB6OtYw8jwBWqzJTy4CI0N8H98yOeKGCslqNEwEFKXsSUWn3_xkgDYeiZw4SCVdrOU8eag9yFscC7rL3AdDhQw/s3006/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3006" height="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4__OEYmXIQVS_CHFOyAsvLSwniBkNWy0oWD4jWHSzDD61mUaqq6xvnWX87u_Nx4AHxAzq3H-IY0s1dRN-60iDJRSv9KQi12toldDVB6OtYw8jwBWqzJTy4CI0N8H98yOeKGCslqNEwEFKXsSUWn3_xkgDYeiZw4SCVdrOU8eag9yFscC7rL3AdDhQw/w1818-h1205/27.jpg" width="1818" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same. Rincon Mountains in background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We cannot write about the Cochise Hotel without discussing its namesake, the famous Chiricahua Apache Chief who waged a personal war against the United States for a decade and might have prevailed had not he ultimately been defeated by the one foe who never loses -- old age. By the time he made peace, Cochise suffered the same aches and pains as do all old men and, again like all old men, wanted to spend whatever life was left him in tranquility. But in his younger years, when the government had tried to capture him under a flag of truce, he was a bold and brilliant tactician who, like Robert E. Lee, won battle after battle against a superior foe.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The event that spawned open warfare was called "The Bascom Affair" by the government. The Apaches called it "Cut the Tent."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In January 1861, two Apache parties raided the ranch of John Ward. One group stole 20 head of cattle; the other seized a twelve-year-old boy. The next morning, First Lieutenant George Bascom led a detachment of dragoons (mounted infantry) to examine the trail and found that the tracks led to the San Pedro River, into the heart of Chokonen Apache country. (The railroad summit at Dragoon was named after such soldiers.) Cochise, as leader, was thus the prime suspect.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As it turned out, Cochise had nothing to do with the raid, but no white man knew that at the time. Here is what happened.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Army ordered Bascom to "pursue the Indians and recover a boy made captive by them," plus "follow the trail until the cattle are found and recovered." The lieutenant was authorized to use whatever force he felt necessary.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bascom's command followed the trail across Sulphur Springs Valley and Wilcox Playa to Apache Pass, a narrow defile between the Dos Cabezas and Chiricahua Mountains, a stage stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail and a favorite Apache camp site. (The Southern Pacific did not follow the stage route over this pass, instead tracking north around the edge of the Dos Cabezas Mountains.)</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhV1IH_66lGDfxMfk2eDsVl2FPCk7Q_zHNg36BmakK7Q4anQ9xQaEEsT0sbwwfRgBhETK6DAyXEtwu8hdCNSexEpJSOdzJ_iNomMhrrjf6iMw3SSpnw6s-7NmeXTSTWnITtlWkGQFFqog_8GLqjObNJ3DM2BG09owam2zIOdTMXxFzYiFJcI_Ji51kzQ/s3031/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3031" height="1185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhV1IH_66lGDfxMfk2eDsVl2FPCk7Q_zHNg36BmakK7Q4anQ9xQaEEsT0sbwwfRgBhETK6DAyXEtwu8hdCNSexEpJSOdzJ_iNomMhrrjf6iMw3SSpnw6s-7NmeXTSTWnITtlWkGQFFqog_8GLqjObNJ3DM2BG09owam2zIOdTMXxFzYiFJcI_Ji51kzQ/w1814-h1185/28.jpg" width="1814" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stack are crossing Wilcox Playa. It had rained the night before, darkening the salt-encrusted bed. That is not water in the background, but a mirage, which raises the interesting questions: (1) what causes a mirage, and (2) how can a mirage reflect the image of the train?</b></span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The speed of light is a universal constant, per the theory of special relativity. However, when light goes from one medium to another, it can give the appearance of slowing down or speeding up. For example, when light enters water, the individual photons are absorbed by atoms in the water. Those atoms then give off photons, which are absorbed by other atoms, which give off photons absorbed by other atoms, and so on. There is an infinitesimal time delay involved. When multiplied by the millions of water atoms, the light will appear to be slowing down if coming from a less dense medium such as air, where there are fewer atoms and thus fewer atom-photon reactions. Light appearing to slow down or speed up when moving from one medium to another is commonly referred to as refraction, because the light appears to bend.</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>When you place a pencil in a clear glass of water, the pencil appears disjointed at the water line. This happens because the light reflecting off the pencil below the water line goes first through water, then through glass, then through air before reaching your eyes. When the photons have made it through the water and glass, they hit atoms in the air, which are not as numerous and tightly spaced. The photon-atom reaction is thus less frequent, and the photons appear to speed up, which gives the appearance of the light changing direction, or bending toward the air. Thus, the light reflecting off the pencil in the water appears disjointed from the light reflecting off the pencil above the water.</b></span></span></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So what causes the mirage in the above image? The standard (pre-quantum physics) textbook answer goes as follows:</span></b></p><p></p><blockquote><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. Light moves faster through hot air than cold air.</span></b></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>2. In the desert, the ground heats faster, so the air close to the ground is hotter than air above it. </b></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. When light goes from cold to hot air, it speeds up and thus bends.</span></b></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>4.</b> <b>Thus, when light from the sky enters the hot air closest to the ground, it bends upwards, and your eyes see the sky rather than the ground.</b></span> </span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The quantum electrodynamical explanation is that light seeks the fastest path, even if the distance is longer. Thus, light from the sky will seek the hot air, which is what makes light appear to bend. </b></span> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The </b></span><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">above discussion explains only the mirage. It does not explain why the mirage, which is merely an image of the sky, appears to reflect another image -- that of the train. </span></b></p><p><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mirages occur only when photons' "angle of incidence," the angle at which photons approach a medium, such as hot air, produces a less than 90 degrees "angle of refraction," the angle at which the photons change direction when compared to the eyes or camera receiving the photons. When the angle of refraction is 90 degrees or greater, the photons do not refract; instead, they reflect back in the direction from which they came. This is called total internal reflection. Thus, some of the photons in the above image were in total internal reflection, vis-a-vis the camera receiving the photons, reflected back toward the cooler air, then hit the train, then reflected back into the hot air and formed an inverted image in the hot air, the same sort of inverted reflection you see when a train passes a body of water. </span></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXPx2-hE3IVK3bTHyky152bz3l4VJanubMN1C-yeIM-FgOawya9vaJnRDg_upsMkfB2T_aF68U-mPNdSZtIfs1Zh-_P1VIpyRsBNI2o1nXXxmSEuckHy5LpUxI_yPtnLGjXoOvJbmgzw0jvS9f9-aIkOHfCRRVjEPUjqXlFUImNJxgbT6_tBfDXHM6Q/s2989/Col.10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2989" height="1225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXPx2-hE3IVK3bTHyky152bz3l4VJanubMN1C-yeIM-FgOawya9vaJnRDg_upsMkfB2T_aF68U-mPNdSZtIfs1Zh-_P1VIpyRsBNI2o1nXXxmSEuckHy5LpUxI_yPtnLGjXoOvJbmgzw0jvS9f9-aIkOHfCRRVjEPUjqXlFUImNJxgbT6_tBfDXHM6Q/w1823-h1225/Col.10.jpg" width="1823" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A loaded Canadian Pacific coal train crossing Columbia Lake creates the same inverted reflection in the water that the UP stacks created in the hot air at the surface of Wilcox Playa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXSDSQIaZLnI42JV4fjZew_rbyhkO0pRYg3m92rM3PaLWXh8UnGgQPnxDNGUnYyMbV_o99OxOz_DSLQCXSb9DGoH8W73HK4Vke41nFMZ_QTgBDWNw36PYh83ROEjyNqPbLJ4dL8dcEMyQ-Wykaz4QrxpB0kf1tWP10wMgw2j25unwFdrHUY-KeitpbQ/s3028/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3028" height="1187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXSDSQIaZLnI42JV4fjZew_rbyhkO0pRYg3m92rM3PaLWXh8UnGgQPnxDNGUnYyMbV_o99OxOz_DSLQCXSb9DGoH8W73HK4Vke41nFMZ_QTgBDWNw36PYh83ROEjyNqPbLJ4dL8dcEMyQ-Wykaz4QrxpB0kf1tWP10wMgw2j25unwFdrHUY-KeitpbQ/w1818-h1187/32.jpg" width="1818" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The sun has set on the tracks but not yet on the Little Dragoon Mountains as these westbound stacks crest the summit at Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cochise was camping in his winter headquarters and likely was informed by a scout that federal troops were approaching -- not a particularly significant event since soldiers were regularly in the area. Bascom continued across the valley and up the pass to the Butterfield Overland Mail station and sent messengers to the Cochise camp, announcing that the Army wished to parley at a site away from the station.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cochise did not come quickly. Bascom grew impatient and sent a second messenger. Near sundown, Cochise arrived, not anticipating any trouble, bringing only his brother, wife, a couple of his children and two warriors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cochise and the warriors entered Bascom's tent to talk. Bascom began questioning the Chief, who denied any involvement in the raid and said the kidnapped boy was being held in the Black Mountains. If Bascom would wait 10 days, Cochise promised to do all he could to bring the boy back. In his written report, Bascom claimed to have agreed but then told Cochise that his entourage would be held as prisoners until the boy was returned.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bascom's report then stated that Cochise was released. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Every other report from a white man indicated that Cochise was not released; instead, he escaped. Five of the six accounts stated that Cochise cut a hole in Bascom's tent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Apache version of the story was that Cochise was told he would be held as a prisoner. He then cut a slit in the tent and escaped. Cochise himself verified the story, later confirmed by Geronimo.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">An eyewitness to the event, Sargent Daniel Robinson, wrote the following:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Finally it was suggested that the sub-chief [Coyuntura, Cochise's brother] should go and find him [the kidnapped boy] and that Cochise must remain as a hostage. This ended the talk. As quick as lightning both drew forth concealed knives, cut open the tent and darted out, Cochise to the front -- at whom the interpreter fired. The sub-chief (escaping through the rear) tripped and fell and was captured.</span></blockquote><p> </p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvvRSa0LfCI2wK8_500W6RZGXCe_-77lVZBBU6iX5Z0eO1fYuYWy27zV0av3iyAYyvp3XObmZK6OC8mL4P-Z_BYorNWeUhAmAt_7TnFzQ2H7mt7oYkjxd2I4GlPrs_7WmQ5EoLNGJ5KWinPbWT7TGNHOP9Ldyw0DNg0iW4ryeTKNOujJEv-1W9ERBXw/s3017/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvvRSa0LfCI2wK8_500W6RZGXCe_-77lVZBBU6iX5Z0eO1fYuYWy27zV0av3iyAYyvp3XObmZK6OC8mL4P-Z_BYorNWeUhAmAt_7TnFzQ2H7mt7oYkjxd2I4GlPrs_7WmQ5EoLNGJ5KWinPbWT7TGNHOP9Ldyw0DNg0iW4ryeTKNOujJEv-1W9ERBXw/w1813-h1196/39.jpg" width="1813" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound autos approaching the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsY08YOaLqOIMNuUrqG1dNFBvyFwuUAGyBxIbJmx-13vxLPpqr4EOFRzYwuZ_Kqe6u9YkICr8z6BjjXv_r0OHjD7sW-3wPdAUNDwKz1yeP734YM33ZmjnCy-HuLANRLaQm08lliXF6ypLlxwj2pPzgdQI9N4DGZDgi5yyNQ7Zvj8MDPPpnletvg5Y8w/s3016/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3016" height="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsY08YOaLqOIMNuUrqG1dNFBvyFwuUAGyBxIbJmx-13vxLPpqr4EOFRzYwuZ_Kqe6u9YkICr8z6BjjXv_r0OHjD7sW-3wPdAUNDwKz1yeP734YM33ZmjnCy-HuLANRLaQm08lliXF6ypLlxwj2pPzgdQI9N4DGZDgi5yyNQ7Zvj8MDPPpnletvg5Y8w/w1817-h1198/15.jpg" width="1817" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks have crossed Wilcox Playa and are turning into the steepest part of the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PlnXrJKj_ZTSYZKN6Drxmo4B36qcpueIRi6kS7H28fd_QXzP_oG-kHNoVD37fM7V-MRCm5GiypvBwMaEfBMo4hxDPbEi1tWbFGm2RHYSnzirZA6jWYyYtXgoKWbqfJj0rTLT59XCUV4WbrdJnXDRQ6LPDJSyvKDWXY09EqWKsOvLzz_nd_PIXeYBFg/s3036/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PlnXrJKj_ZTSYZKN6Drxmo4B36qcpueIRi6kS7H28fd_QXzP_oG-kHNoVD37fM7V-MRCm5GiypvBwMaEfBMo4hxDPbEi1tWbFGm2RHYSnzirZA6jWYyYtXgoKWbqfJj0rTLT59XCUV4WbrdJnXDRQ6LPDJSyvKDWXY09EqWKsOvLzz_nd_PIXeYBFg/w1812-h1177/16.jpg" width="1812" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound manifest. Little Dragoon Mountains rise in the background. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Shoot him down!" Bascom shouted. Multiple men fired multiple rounds and wounded Cochise in the leg. Still, he escaped to the top of the hill, took one quick look behind, then disappeared. His warriors and relatives were not so fortunate; all were captured and held hostage.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">An hour or so later Cochise appeared at the top of a nearby hill, standing alone like a great tree, and shouted that he wanted to see his sub-chief Coyuntura. Bascom fired at Cochise, who raised his fist and swore vengeance.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">That evening, Bascom broke camp and led his party, including the captives, back to the stage station.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Two mornings later, several Chokonens appeared on a hill south of the station and raised a white flag. A lone warrior approached and said Cochise wished to parley again. Bascom agreed. He and three others met the Cochise party of four in a canyon about 150 yards from the station.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">(It appears that Bascom waited at the stage station, rather than returning to his post, because he was surrounded by what he believed to be as many as 600 Apaches. The actual number appears to have been far fewer, but Bascom had no way of knowing this.) </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cochise again asked for the release of his family and warriors. Bascom replied that the hostages would be freed as soon as the boy was returned. Cochise once again denied having the boy.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This is when three Butterfield employees left the station, riding out to the parley and asking Bascom for permission to mediate with Chochise, whom they had dealt with before and considered a friend. Denying the request, Bascom said that he would not rescue them if they were taken prisoner. The three ignored Bascom, set out toward the main Apache group, where they believed Cochise would join them.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cochise bolted for cover, and the main Apache party opened fire on Bascom's group. The Butterfield employees scattered. One was shot in the back, though he was brought to safety and later recovered. A second employee was killed and a third taken captive.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The two sides fired intermittently at each other; Sargent Robinson believed that some Apache were killed. That night Apache fires blazed from the mountain peaks, and the soldiers heard a war dance.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn8Gmi2wITmOinOWL5_ZXXXCKyRTRD65vM3Zex0ArXaLkKdg0UYiJ973NhlSIpTCwBQCYgVnEqA1iPoTrgQC9qgudAIv9g6U497rgindUcTyYvbFNO2bHzTQn70GxlqdlK1LIGXkfUj47nmzIxXn-Hw2L0IPZX9VlIv0Ca1iLBMlH30NYJiQl3LCySQ/s3049/49.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3049" height="1170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn8Gmi2wITmOinOWL5_ZXXXCKyRTRD65vM3Zex0ArXaLkKdg0UYiJ973NhlSIpTCwBQCYgVnEqA1iPoTrgQC9qgudAIv9g6U497rgindUcTyYvbFNO2bHzTQn70GxlqdlK1LIGXkfUj47nmzIxXn-Hw2L0IPZX9VlIv0Ca1iLBMlH30NYJiQl3LCySQ/w1818-h1170/49.jpg" width="1818" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks. Wilcox playa rests tranquilly in the background, with the Dos Cabezas Mountains rising above.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC36phQvOgTEafU2i_ZlwCZNKZgCvd00ddtXLbKGjnDPRtVGwcHNrs6s0yD6lJpww4stnMy4O5labU6AasgvF-4yPvI2ut32knTJoa-T6oqMlrZXAxNQXishuS8aJab0cPEUnQVe0XNcvHHR0YxtYAOkq5fpngFINKDgvJmo4rC3DmdJuHb1hhDOpH2A/s3027/46a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3027" height="1188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC36phQvOgTEafU2i_ZlwCZNKZgCvd00ddtXLbKGjnDPRtVGwcHNrs6s0yD6lJpww4stnMy4O5labU6AasgvF-4yPvI2ut32knTJoa-T6oqMlrZXAxNQXishuS8aJab0cPEUnQVe0XNcvHHR0YxtYAOkq5fpngFINKDgvJmo4rC3DmdJuHb1hhDOpH2A/w1818-h1188/46a.jpg" width="1818" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Amtrak No. 1.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p></div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The next day near noon, Cochise appeared on a hill above the station with the Overland Mail captive, named Wallace, whose arms were tied behind his back, with a rope around his neck. Cochise offered to exchange Wallace and 16 government mules for the Apache captives held by the soldiers. Bascom again refused, reiterating that he would not release his captives until the boy was returned. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">That evening, Cochise and his band attacked a wagon train led by Jose Antonio Montoya, headed to Las Cruces with flour. Nine Mexicans and three Americans were captured, plus all the mules. Cochise ordered the Mexicans tied to the wagons, where they were tortured, then killed, and the wagons burned. The Apaches took the Americans to camp.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cochise then instructed Wallace to write a message to Bascom, stating that the four Americans now held captive would be traded for the Apache hostages. The Apaches left the note on a bush near the stage station, but no one retrieved it for two days.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When Cochise did not receive a response, he likely felt insulted and thus determined to take more hostages. At Apache Pass, his war party intercepted the eastbound stagecoach from Tucson, descending upon the unsuspecting crew and passengers in the night like a tsunami of dust and sand, swirling in all directions, blinding, choking. The stage driver was shot, so another Overland Mail employee took the reins and miraculously guided the stage safely to the station without the loss of life or hostage.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX3V4iTFUEg7isoPlscChB1toJHMw2FCb40ToBm5okIEYT9q2hxsPwBXqPNW3V2cnwSCAB71PgaotiS9yXWgnqJp3Jh73nYA0unucCANOkn52_1meWYytT4jr2blUjlsvFPV9THBkFSLtVf57wwrQsH0UtAE5MgxbzqKzNGSsYtqtBRarxsQ0ReBIPA/s3024/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUX3V4iTFUEg7isoPlscChB1toJHMw2FCb40ToBm5okIEYT9q2hxsPwBXqPNW3V2cnwSCAB71PgaotiS9yXWgnqJp3Jh73nYA0unucCANOkn52_1meWYytT4jr2blUjlsvFPV9THBkFSLtVf57wwrQsH0UtAE5MgxbzqKzNGSsYtqtBRarxsQ0ReBIPA/w1825-h1197/1.jpg" width="1825" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks leaving Wilcox Playa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbK2_lFih2WYQR8JyFHnMyGBEkc6RCLKq1bc6Y0lRhrnuCTEROVXCBvA4mN2K30V-i83ui-3E-bvR8IDtWziEosFuadi_tfafKSzPD8H7bo5AoKMq72JhVg_hTLY6KLYN1YU1T3YUk2DbWD-ZlGM2Y5eZx6RjoZ5pD3tPa2VfgevReTy3e4DS4nJHk-Q/s3018/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3018" height="1195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbK2_lFih2WYQR8JyFHnMyGBEkc6RCLKq1bc6Y0lRhrnuCTEROVXCBvA4mN2K30V-i83ui-3E-bvR8IDtWziEosFuadi_tfafKSzPD8H7bo5AoKMq72JhVg_hTLY6KLYN1YU1T3YUk2DbWD-ZlGM2Y5eZx6RjoZ5pD3tPa2VfgevReTy3e4DS4nJHk-Q/w1814-h1195/2.jpg" width="1814" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mid-trains on the playa, passing a manifest.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpiRJne3Fe4fy1cHKlopiacv2vb_Duy8PuEvnr24ZL3vdMF9rQ71Dq6CH99ddr6YWeQw_huevowJkFYbw7fvf7s7iAKo3KVXBfkDAuulO3qxmcCvL_0ywXZF-AikcwejaD0Gz0T9erSORQdx_cmik8Zwd8mxE3NViAFBMUGml3F3Y-A0unVoi-AdoGg/s3013/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpiRJne3Fe4fy1cHKlopiacv2vb_Duy8PuEvnr24ZL3vdMF9rQ71Dq6CH99ddr6YWeQw_huevowJkFYbw7fvf7s7iAKo3KVXBfkDAuulO3qxmcCvL_0ywXZF-AikcwejaD0Gz0T9erSORQdx_cmik8Zwd8mxE3NViAFBMUGml3F3Y-A0unVoi-AdoGg/w1819-h1200/3.jpg" width="1819" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound at the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The next day there was no fighting, as when the wind dies. Cochise and his warriors used the respite for special prayers and a war dance. Bascom needed reinforcements and a doctor for the wounded and so, after dark, sent a small party through the night to Fort Buchanan, Bascom's post. (Bascom likely did not attempt to transport his entire party through the darkness because so many soldiers, horses and mules would have attracted considerable attention.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At dawn, the storm broke. Cochise sent warriors to Apache Springs where the soldiers watered their stock each morning. After the last animal had drunk its fill and the soldiers had begun the return trip to the stage station, the Apaches appeared from the hills above, moving to block the soldiers' route back to safety.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Fighting was short and fierce. Firing almost continuously, the soldiers drove the Apaches back, with wounded on both sides. The animals fled into the mountains, leaving the soldiers on foot, still firing. Sensing that victory was not at hand, the Apaches vanished into the hills.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At the same time, Cochise led a second group to the stage station, hoping to catch Bascom unaware. The lieutenant reacted quickly, however, fortifying his defenses, and Cochise decided not to attack, retreating with his warriors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Bascom lost 42 mules; the Overland Mail 14. One mail employee was killed, and Sargent Robinson was wounded. The Apaches later stated that three warriors had died.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fJk-lK5fLiXoiT24PD2dZRs50Kzt-zOlM1KWoqru1845pwWp7OjUTJ7NcWEJW51iJKn2nmwY4wwUi1DOvU7nEaTd8hWm14aLIPJbPKLTuyvGHm6aPbwY3G21LgrAmQ4DcVHXyIxasBbC8hyrLE8A-3K_cToSgmtXHMpXO4HFu5NgA47ICAtixe783Q/s3010/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fJk-lK5fLiXoiT24PD2dZRs50Kzt-zOlM1KWoqru1845pwWp7OjUTJ7NcWEJW51iJKn2nmwY4wwUi1DOvU7nEaTd8hWm14aLIPJbPKLTuyvGHm6aPbwY3G21LgrAmQ4DcVHXyIxasBbC8hyrLE8A-3K_cToSgmtXHMpXO4HFu5NgA47ICAtixe783Q/w1814-h1202/4.jpg" width="1814" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Near the edges of Wilcox Playa, scattered vegetation has begun to take root.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdatUca6gitZkUK2tTsP-o-3cdRTxsgfFNHhML1xBaNV5XXOaUG2dIOe92PsCL6h7-OerpNgtzheBxh8N2ul1bVdgMy9d3Vc4zfpk1p2ymNBJRMKkQyAm2eKJpfcwS67Mu6QIKr0T0wiN0hujj_-HW0wDe4qtAQwISHJscf33I6hCQlhm4Ut-mq8PPcQ/s2937/11%20(2).jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="2937" height="1235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdatUca6gitZkUK2tTsP-o-3cdRTxsgfFNHhML1xBaNV5XXOaUG2dIOe92PsCL6h7-OerpNgtzheBxh8N2ul1bVdgMy9d3Vc4zfpk1p2ymNBJRMKkQyAm2eKJpfcwS67Mu6QIKr0T0wiN0hujj_-HW0wDe4qtAQwISHJscf33I6hCQlhm4Ut-mq8PPcQ/w1821-h1235/11%20(2).jpg" width="1821" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The beginning of the grade off the dry lake bed.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">For the next several days, Bascom remained inactive at the stage station. For reasons known only to himself, he sent out no scouting parties. If he had, he would have discovered that Cochise and his warriors were long gone to the south. Eventually, reinforcements arrived, and Bascom led over 100 men to search the mountains for Apaches. None were found.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The scouting party did find bodies of the four Americans taken captive by the Apaches -- horribly mutilated, pock-marked with lance holes. The corpses were buried in shallow graves, easily identified, almost a quarter mile from the charred remains of the Mexican wagon train. Cochise clearly intended for the bodies to be found, which sealed the fate of the Apaches being held by Bascom. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The three male captives (including Chochise's brother) requested that they be shot instead of hanged. They also requested whiskey. Bascom denied both requests.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The men were hanged on the boughs of the oak trees under which the Americans were buried. Ropes were pulled high so that wolves would not mutilate the corpses. Bascom ordered Cochise's wife and two children released.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEEsFbMuvxcKMNmMmTFarELcedBGQtV_mUGNtauLs5u2r76NI_m8rwbMGAoDJmVB5Z8cfgRvKyx1w_wk3C48TWN1W-uW5c5hU506JtiEVVvjW_F_vGYwARjd9lNSAoxd-_D1ij_t4HcHOXAxnNC6XetfTBEOakakg_J9VeOdM1kHT3h7KazOI6pFaKg/s3017/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEEsFbMuvxcKMNmMmTFarELcedBGQtV_mUGNtauLs5u2r76NI_m8rwbMGAoDJmVB5Z8cfgRvKyx1w_wk3C48TWN1W-uW5c5hU506JtiEVVvjW_F_vGYwARjd9lNSAoxd-_D1ij_t4HcHOXAxnNC6XetfTBEOakakg_J9VeOdM1kHT3h7KazOI6pFaKg/w1822-h1202/22.jpg" width="1822" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wilcox Playa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3K71-0j8A_sSyMnOpUftS7XVrWEokoWj-3LvF4Gqh798hp57KIrNznQWvsIOHNVGf8YgDXjvxoZLSGWWwkW-iR-3kpn8hjlThj150z3TNcgsfJzaRgZrNWACU24M1447COxWbRZOzrSoe0ztpE7_0_JHN30NZDT1bqnm40wryrc8143Jjy5Axiuk9Vw/s3053/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3053" height="1184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3K71-0j8A_sSyMnOpUftS7XVrWEokoWj-3LvF4Gqh798hp57KIrNznQWvsIOHNVGf8YgDXjvxoZLSGWWwkW-iR-3kpn8hjlThj150z3TNcgsfJzaRgZrNWACU24M1447COxWbRZOzrSoe0ztpE7_0_JHN30NZDT1bqnm40wryrc8143Jjy5Axiuk9Vw/w1839-h1184/23.jpg" width="1839" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Again.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8d5lZoD_0R9biK_AqSGSSGxIKliSZAqfzlELlihFixbDezzmh7aUAHP70GS0NeMaxawIrpVXAmZGglFpfDarNu7Vzlmg6pLnm9KDMpBlEqghG10nnuGnUVAN0lDY0r-P8OFOJpkl7fPEIdFLgv_One7BuqoD65bUB2aZn-AVoOlfHIsVXFhWkBTOsQ/s3052/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3052" height="1177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8d5lZoD_0R9biK_AqSGSSGxIKliSZAqfzlELlihFixbDezzmh7aUAHP70GS0NeMaxawIrpVXAmZGglFpfDarNu7Vzlmg6pLnm9KDMpBlEqghG10nnuGnUVAN0lDY0r-P8OFOJpkl7fPEIdFLgv_One7BuqoD65bUB2aZn-AVoOlfHIsVXFhWkBTOsQ/w1829-h1177/24.jpg" width="1829" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wilcox Playa after a heavy winter's rain. The astute reader may notice that there is only the hint of a mirage in this image, and none at all in the two above. This is because the angle of refraction between the angle of incidence and the camera is greater than 90 degrees (the first two) and less than 90 degrees only in the thin sliver of reflection in the third.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Thus began Cochise's hatred of everything American. His hatred was an open wound growing steadily larger, deeper, an unrelenting pain in his soul. "I tried the Americans once," he said late in life, "and they broke the treaty first."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Throughout the 1860's he waged gorilla war on all whites in Arizona, an implacable foe that the Army could not subdue. Eventually, in old age, Cochise agreed to a peace treaty -- an old man by then who only wanted his remaining years to be calm. But the hatred never left his heart. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">[My discussion of the parley that led to the treaty can be found at </span><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/09/west-of-dragoon.html" style="font-family: arial;">https://www.waltersrail.com/2022/09/west-of-dragoon.html</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. A great resource for the history of Cochise and his people is </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Cochise: Chiricahua Apache Chief, </i><span style="font-family: arial;">Edwin R. Sweeney, University of Oklahoma Press (1991).]</span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC3BB2nZtgFutgWsvZWSw73sPNUyjnSW8z9SBDdx2TabwOXOoPhzWrnEwNe9yGOJ3xfD6DdQGcRHRX3Tb6JR_K57WFH7QEgjbir6W1L_Axo5KL3yhXR0QxJqjoOA-Fz67EGeu5KiCHDoubs6HRNK5yx3w5fzjvMAFTMUpy0zUhr9tmstOg8AWMlnbvw/s3057/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="3057" height="1174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC3BB2nZtgFutgWsvZWSw73sPNUyjnSW8z9SBDdx2TabwOXOoPhzWrnEwNe9yGOJ3xfD6DdQGcRHRX3Tb6JR_K57WFH7QEgjbir6W1L_Axo5KL3yhXR0QxJqjoOA-Fz67EGeu5KiCHDoubs6HRNK5yx3w5fzjvMAFTMUpy0zUhr9tmstOg8AWMlnbvw/w1833-h1174/28.jpg" width="1833" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Amtrak No. 2 on the northern edge of Wilcox Playa, where desert saltgrass is firmly established.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJvfrANVsFaonCKY26QxR7XuQNswk-owTz6HdhEoRlyOAGcHFwqseNQ-Mb84Yd5_jvUiocuFp96gMIRRc67_9frhuP5s-rjPslg_9nrLNl-q1OWYvXfBrzCqse0hObCbwkWBIfsUsYrMn3LZKuab4BAkNZbLzM-QGEhgcs4v1Ub-uz3Y5AOwklAKAZA/s3006/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3006" height="1213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJvfrANVsFaonCKY26QxR7XuQNswk-owTz6HdhEoRlyOAGcHFwqseNQ-Mb84Yd5_jvUiocuFp96gMIRRc67_9frhuP5s-rjPslg_9nrLNl-q1OWYvXfBrzCqse0hObCbwkWBIfsUsYrMn3LZKuab4BAkNZbLzM-QGEhgcs4v1Ub-uz3Y5AOwklAKAZA/w1830-h1213/21.jpg" width="1830" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>On a chilly January morning, UP 8103 West has crossed the summit at Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv9GE14QXwAsQj-MtAzlUplDyNZYIFMggNMtZeij91DdaMbnK88xLCvjkQWx9WjOo78srCtDJ1eKaIW2WKr47m5PdFIxalmGo8oRwp4VPiTabOnwE25kXnlilyxP8sLSpWVvVMVCiHaOyQ_VTg45OxowC62RAcMrOXJzw-L2wfYkyNswyW6QGHWTeIQ/s3024/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjv9GE14QXwAsQj-MtAzlUplDyNZYIFMggNMtZeij91DdaMbnK88xLCvjkQWx9WjOo78srCtDJ1eKaIW2WKr47m5PdFIxalmGo8oRwp4VPiTabOnwE25kXnlilyxP8sLSpWVvVMVCiHaOyQ_VTg45OxowC62RAcMrOXJzw-L2wfYkyNswyW6QGHWTeIQ/w1833-h1203/6.jpg" width="1833" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The playa after rain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNSTbB8Auy2YUTwFYJEb1VZeFd8e5LTdXaQ551yjkYPxTV48lIeLRAP1Imfvt9B75LzMOZRIRLUYDskWVZdXSCiL--6N9LgPDOUSPQ4spMyKwDikshA3RQswj89rfxiEVeai_1AQFl5C23gaOMUc5IAufDPlAQtGgs2GVa2SRTXGymj4asUodAFvziA/s3540/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-15%20at%2012.07.25%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3540" height="1032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNSTbB8Auy2YUTwFYJEb1VZeFd8e5LTdXaQ551yjkYPxTV48lIeLRAP1Imfvt9B75LzMOZRIRLUYDskWVZdXSCiL--6N9LgPDOUSPQ4spMyKwDikshA3RQswj89rfxiEVeai_1AQFl5C23gaOMUc5IAufDPlAQtGgs2GVa2SRTXGymj4asUodAFvziA/w1845-h1032/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-15%20at%2012.07.25%20PM.png" width="1845" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The map above shows the route of the Butterfield Overland Mail from Dragoon east across Apache Pass (the location of the fight between Bascom and Chochise that precipitated the Apache Wars in Arizona). [The map is modified from one that can be found at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?msa=0&mid=1xxrAjluMkU989Ffkd6SsI8_V7YM&ll=32.20421114856243%2C-109.49275959849471&z=13">https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?msa=0&mid=1xxrAjluMkU989Ffkd6SsI8_V7YM&ll=32.20421114856243%2C-109.49275959849471&z=13</a>.] <br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The map also shows the route of the Southern Pacific constructed in the late 19th century. The railroad takes a much more circuitous route around the northern edge of the Dos Cabezas Mountains, thereby avoiding the steep grades. This raises the question: why did the stage line cross the rugged pass instead of staying in the flat desert to the north?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Before construction of the railroad, travel across Arizona was the province of horses, mules and oxen, all of which needed grass, potable water and shade (in the summer). The route of the Southern Pacific crossed the worst of the desert, providing no grass or shade. The only water available came from alkaline wells; animals would not drink it. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Apache Pass, on the other hand, was the location of a fresh water spring. The mountains generated sufficient rain to support fertile grass and oak trees. The trail through Apache Pass had been used for centuries by Native Americans, and Cochise often made his winter camp there. Since the stage coaches were pulled by horses, Apache Pass was a necessary station stop, as it provided the only water and grass for many miles in either direction. Needing neither, the railroad stayed in the flatlands.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQAb8lmhPFMdwJ8b39yVlgnL55z0AyxdlLTeboPhG-xSn58oHcOYUIf3gXXn9LgiBKj35fNyzzr6i17ojbZZ7K_zpltAJzkiDxW-UXC-GTSFj9Yebo2IMtnvtOsM7qp4R1mEPj1cXzoRMaIed_AUIcilzOgMoQBZmci5eekqsG9Zpr4ODz__RdWn55g/s3025/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3025" height="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQAb8lmhPFMdwJ8b39yVlgnL55z0AyxdlLTeboPhG-xSn58oHcOYUIf3gXXn9LgiBKj35fNyzzr6i17ojbZZ7K_zpltAJzkiDxW-UXC-GTSFj9Yebo2IMtnvtOsM7qp4R1mEPj1cXzoRMaIed_AUIcilzOgMoQBZmci5eekqsG9Zpr4ODz__RdWn55g/w1836-h1205/14.jpg" width="1836" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mid-trains beginning westbound climb to the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkv6vX4bJJSpWDTDrAdFzolW_a7fm8r8LVlTg5nluUhoN0b8aJO0oOab5TbseXUz-TMAh6KmQarLGGOYHAG2u6mqui-xV2cW-9Sq2rQTG4Bp-_DtrefN8nBZAsdpzdK4yHgHP5KYbwShX94bbYEsRkLusNWQp9AgtnbcNZxXke5jcdqdiV1onCdR24A/s2998/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2998" height="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkv6vX4bJJSpWDTDrAdFzolW_a7fm8r8LVlTg5nluUhoN0b8aJO0oOab5TbseXUz-TMAh6KmQarLGGOYHAG2u6mqui-xV2cW-9Sq2rQTG4Bp-_DtrefN8nBZAsdpzdK4yHgHP5KYbwShX94bbYEsRkLusNWQp9AgtnbcNZxXke5jcdqdiV1onCdR24A/w1839-h1230/17.jpg" width="1839" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More mid-trains -- overlooked by Little Dragoon Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1857, the Postal Service awarded a contract to the Butterfield Overland Mail Company for service from St. Louis and Memphis to Los Angeles and San Francisco. The contract paid $600,000.00 per year for twice weekly mail service taking 25 days each way. Butterfield had to man and stock the route at its own expense.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the 21st century, it is almost impossible to visualize the ruggedness of this service. The trails from St. Louis and Memphis joined at Fort Smith, then ran together through what is now southeastern Oklahoma but was in those days the Choctaw Nation, populated by the Native American tribe that had been forcibly removed from its home in the Southeast. This country was mountainous and untamed, almost aboriginal -- inhabited mostly by bears, wildcats, water moccasins and even alligators in its southernmost reaches.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And once the Red River was crossed, the wilds of Texas lay ahead, including the fearsome Comanches, who had brought the Spanish Empire to its knees in a series of battles across the High Plains. Then on through the desert of New Mexico and Arizona, home of the equally fearsome Apaches.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The map below shows the route [see <a href="https://www.westerncoversociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/pg161_9-6_Map_Butterfield_Overland_Mail_Route-1024x519.jpg">https://www.westerncoversociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/pg161_9-6_Map_Butterfield_Overland_Mail_Route-1024x519.jpg</a>]:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQL-3qk3IrXaexmrmqQfti0PpZLdhl6LtCJRXg16EOWdYblh096Frkb-jQRQ_hLh6s7OLiZVfoTGZJPyK2jvDZMAGsAnTZPDF36iQareAzRD-nXyo6Qn8gfit8g5UId6Ju6I85LRVM9l0zwXpPmbqIwqIdkseCc4XdD9LwfvVUgKgOgTUNhr40391lGQ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1775" height="804" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQL-3qk3IrXaexmrmqQfti0PpZLdhl6LtCJRXg16EOWdYblh096Frkb-jQRQ_hLh6s7OLiZVfoTGZJPyK2jvDZMAGsAnTZPDF36iQareAzRD-nXyo6Qn8gfit8g5UId6Ju6I85LRVM9l0zwXpPmbqIwqIdkseCc4XdD9LwfvVUgKgOgTUNhr40391lGQ=w1588-h804" width="1588" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The first trip left St. Louis on Thursday, September 16, 1858, and arrived in San Francisco on October 10 -- just under 24 days. The first eastbound left San Francisco September 15 and arrived in St. Louis October 9 -- just under 25 days. For comparison, it took American astronauts about three days to reach the moon. Today (November 2022), I can drive from St. Louis to San Francisco in about 24 hours and fly in three. (Captain Kirk can teleport instantly.)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On February 1, 1861, Texas seceded from the Union. On February 18, the state took possession of all U.S. army forts and equipment. There followed the seizure of some Butterfield rolling stock and horses, on the theory that the company was an arm of the federal government. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Although not a state, the Choctaw Nation sided with the Confederacy (many Choctaw were slave owners), and the Butterfield Company feared for its operations in what became southeastern Oklahoma.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On March 2, 1861, Congress discontinued the southern mail route and moved all shipments onto the central route through Wyoming and Nevada, where the Union Pacific would soon construct the first transcontinental railroad. The last westbound Butterfield stagecoach left St. Louis March 21 and arrived in San Francisco April 13. The final eastbound left San Francisco April 1, reaching St. Louis 30 days later on May 1. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1R6jROFd1g4AYud7W45WZcdmYFGL2iLyNSBN0wUm0BC0Y7YIUkADDo9yhloxKhrQJuBf14eiPxiQy06gY9NKQkM9NfPbTGZMeQayDuunj3QhnCvghkyLSDfBj3qyG0xN7503S0Zq3KujfC3rlYvAvnrPzGhZPWIdLCkUhBBYJhh_X1XlSUm8pcygmw/s2986/41.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2986" height="1233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1R6jROFd1g4AYud7W45WZcdmYFGL2iLyNSBN0wUm0BC0Y7YIUkADDo9yhloxKhrQJuBf14eiPxiQy06gY9NKQkM9NfPbTGZMeQayDuunj3QhnCvghkyLSDfBj3qyG0xN7503S0Zq3KujfC3rlYvAvnrPzGhZPWIdLCkUhBBYJhh_X1XlSUm8pcygmw/w1833-h1233/41.jpg" width="1833" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound manifest passes the Apache Generating Station on the southwestern shore of Wilcox Playa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Southern Pacific was constructed from west to east and reached Dragoon in 1880. Unlike Benson to the southeast and Wilcox to the north, Dragoon never grew into a community of any size. Originally, a few small clapboard structures were built along the tracks, plus two railroad section houses where the SP stored equipment. As nearly as your author can determine, no station was ever constructed.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even though there was substantial mining in the area, people did not congregate to this passage between the Dragoon and Little Dragoon Mountains, which is most odd, because at 4613 feet, Dragoon is by far the highest point on the railroad in Arizona. In the worst of summer, which in Arizona is saying a lot, Dragoon often receives a fresh</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> breeze that seems like paradise compared to the valley of the San Pedro River to the southwest and the sinkhole of Wilcox Playa to the north. Yet the place is empty. A handful of people live here and seem quite content that the inhabitants of Phoenix and Tucson have no desire to relocate.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">East of Dragoon, the railroad paralleled the Big Draw Canyon, down the steep grade before entering the flat Sulphur Springs Valley and crossing Wilcox Playa. Interstate 10 runs west of the playa, but the tracks did not take that route because it required crossing the summit at Texas Canyon on a prohibitive grade.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The tracks then ran northeasterly in a straight line for over 20 miles, passing Cochise and Wilcox, before turning east around the northern end of the Dos Cabezas Mountains and heading for the the last significant grade, at Steins, New Mexico, on the way to El Paso.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxsblVP318iYXr_MBHlEjfOhEo_FcQ0_Y-4KuPx6jlxRHAf5ieLIxJBnT9Z2oSy8O36wW6c_qad4VgTY7Kcug6P2dsQnnnzrKK7s3XrTxkafZApwXkMT_MPrboQZ3wLgpE4LC5sCpS7oPLAfvGgXaMchbjD7Lq3qh8YCbLYneUZVzSQKKUlOE0BRiww/s3045/30.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3045" height="1194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxsblVP318iYXr_MBHlEjfOhEo_FcQ0_Y-4KuPx6jlxRHAf5ieLIxJBnT9Z2oSy8O36wW6c_qad4VgTY7Kcug6P2dsQnnnzrKK7s3XrTxkafZApwXkMT_MPrboQZ3wLgpE4LC5sCpS7oPLAfvGgXaMchbjD7Lq3qh8YCbLYneUZVzSQKKUlOE0BRiww/w1846-h1194/30.jpg" width="1846" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP 5986 has crested the grade out of the Sulphur Springs Valley and is preparing to engage its dynamic brakes..</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWio3J79QvTK6j7v6eHxB5GhikzbhnULDFpt1juYAtgyLxrUM6cHHu2XxPl4y1cNp6LpxGnWyNqD8825j4gTRosNbzDvJEX-ex8lPe4KjVVfo-aP8Mn0GQi1jdoq-krVFM8dDOhil7R8ppHnEXQaG1QapB6NN17yLpml8u2MGR_NJpe5jT1yumXUK_g/s2897/31.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2897" data-original-width="2071" height="1223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWio3J79QvTK6j7v6eHxB5GhikzbhnULDFpt1juYAtgyLxrUM6cHHu2XxPl4y1cNp6LpxGnWyNqD8825j4gTRosNbzDvJEX-ex8lPe4KjVVfo-aP8Mn0GQi1jdoq-krVFM8dDOhil7R8ppHnEXQaG1QapB6NN17yLpml8u2MGR_NJpe5jT1yumXUK_g/w875-h1223/31.jpg" width="875" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Red board at Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If you visit this place, marvel at the railroad, the interstate and the few hardy souls that scratch a living from the unforgiving desert. But remember also those who came before, what they suffered and lost, and ponder the great mystery of the unrepentant earth and those who dwell upon it.</span></span></p></div><div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></p></div><br />Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-65733477582564237662022-09-27T21:59:00.001-05:002022-11-03T22:51:09.691-05:00West of Dragoon<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zTwRvYBwSaEy7jul6ZV7zi2_KUfc2pjxnGB3m9giuZeW_q8Vd9tzEDXAOHG1uVHgXutSe0Ztjvf7ZLxFYW6xtx4UNktcvL_tWr4sz_87s2dbpPnqzn-oFJIpLYc381uno_0WWVRa_S7O-JO_SUybH_TaO3P8YeEramcIdp0zduFaUOds6Vzik1b2Zg/s3024/48%20copy%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3024" height="1206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zTwRvYBwSaEy7jul6ZV7zi2_KUfc2pjxnGB3m9giuZeW_q8Vd9tzEDXAOHG1uVHgXutSe0Ztjvf7ZLxFYW6xtx4UNktcvL_tWr4sz_87s2dbpPnqzn-oFJIpLYc381uno_0WWVRa_S7O-JO_SUybH_TaO3P8YeEramcIdp0zduFaUOds6Vzik1b2Zg/w1838-h1206/48%20copy%202.jpg" width="1838" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Amtrak Number 1 to Los Angeles glides downgrade beneath Adams Peak. The train has crested the summit at Dragoon and will soon reach the bottom of the hill at Benson.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Anything one writes about Arizona will not do it justice. Big, broad, bucolic, bountiful, breathtaking -- each word comes close, but not close enough. Any state containing the Grand Canyon is beyond compare, but the Grand Canyon is only the beginning of this state, not the end. Deserts, mountains, canyons, ancient cliff dwellings -- Arizona has it all. Everything.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Let's start with mountains. Your author cannot accurately determine the number of different ranges in this state. Some lists include 193. Others as many as 222. One thing is certain. It is difficult if not impossible to find a location in Arizona where you cannot see a mountain. Even the Colorado Plateau in the northeast, a geographic formation generally bereft of mountains, is dominated by San Francisco Peak, a gigantic, still active, stratovolcano over 12,000 feet.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Climate? If you don't like winter, you can live in the Sonoran Desert. If you don't like summer, you can live in the San Francisco Volcano Field. You can commute between both, as many do, and never be cold or hot. You can pitch your tent beside a majestic Saguaro, or you can ski across the deep snow near Flagstaff. Take your pick. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDkrG0OT0P8h2mTMOtrGlx_SC_H8Pn21u3M1fv6dG0ls9nD5itsmqijB5FkanGz_ot8DQkFceam_HhPJ-BE_aZk11UWUpk06raBfBKyGSyWkOE3qtq5vGtMnIXJTHUnuqMz-scqiejnbufuNhawVm-3TADrSjSYYMn_Vx44XugEoDbmvL2BCfjqv7Dw/s3036/15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDkrG0OT0P8h2mTMOtrGlx_SC_H8Pn21u3M1fv6dG0ls9nD5itsmqijB5FkanGz_ot8DQkFceam_HhPJ-BE_aZk11UWUpk06raBfBKyGSyWkOE3qtq5vGtMnIXJTHUnuqMz-scqiejnbufuNhawVm-3TADrSjSYYMn_Vx44XugEoDbmvL2BCfjqv7Dw/w1842-h1198/15.jpg" width="1842" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At dusk, eastbound stacks climb the grade toward Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Arizona flowered with the invention of air conditioning. Your author knows this firsthand, this miracle wrought by air conditioning, because he grew up in Oklahoma before the advent of that magic elixir. In the dead of summer -- and "dead" is the appropriate word -- nothing happened in the afternoon. Nothing. Schools were closed. Court was not in session. Dogs did not bark. Baptists left the church. Everything was motionless, like a dragonfly suspended in amber, until the sun went down and the first hint of cooler air arrived.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As a child, I lay in my bed, positioned directly in front of the open window, luxuriating in the breeze pulled into my parents' small house by the attic fan in the hallway ceiling. That breeze was a gift from God. The temperature was 85, but after an afternoon of 105, it felt like heaven.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Air conditioning changed everything. Air conditioning allowed schools to teach in July. Air conditioning allowed</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> court to remain in session in August. It allowed dogs to bark and Baptists to pray. Air conditioning allowed Phoenix, Arizona's population to grow from 65,414 in 1940 to 1,640,641 in 2021.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtST6YH89UPiObtVLgNndw5fKhuKlQceSOS0f4ry3jCXel-y22YuyPIXLrgFhqaFmNxGsW1StbpuokLHw5sLOxtW6Ur9xuqFNt-kGvenGkTJfiC2sALiLyHs7tpjgzWLHDbh-u6M86tQqXac9f6l90UaQGkZ12Kh1w21VmH-zqP1Iv8DC5hiRYPQiihg/s3023/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtST6YH89UPiObtVLgNndw5fKhuKlQceSOS0f4ry3jCXel-y22YuyPIXLrgFhqaFmNxGsW1StbpuokLHw5sLOxtW6Ur9xuqFNt-kGvenGkTJfiC2sALiLyHs7tpjgzWLHDbh-u6M86tQqXac9f6l90UaQGkZ12Kh1w21VmH-zqP1Iv8DC5hiRYPQiihg/w1836-h1205/1.jpg" width="1836" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound UP stacks have left Benson, Arizona, and are climbing out of the valley of the San Pedro River toward the summit at Dragoon. Adams Peak is in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaAfD5yCU--cmJ_iMf1YnnnUQHHWv5LwvuaOKTxuHdhRhf9RYMZQiRs2ol0qXm5LBkZ1Y6uqpj7hYpmPTIpIndinH0bm0TyhOymZU41mX2hyXw1lr_xMysLJLMkXguXJ9dYqRNcr7PaTTBM20eoX2Y5gfWaibfBSyNzidofyNuGNTVqXKS6QmYqUQvg/s3046/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3046" height="1190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaAfD5yCU--cmJ_iMf1YnnnUQHHWv5LwvuaOKTxuHdhRhf9RYMZQiRs2ol0qXm5LBkZ1Y6uqpj7hYpmPTIpIndinH0bm0TyhOymZU41mX2hyXw1lr_xMysLJLMkXguXJ9dYqRNcr7PaTTBM20eoX2Y5gfWaibfBSyNzidofyNuGNTVqXKS6QmYqUQvg/w1838-h1190/2.jpg" width="1838" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound Amtrak Number 1 rounds the big curve toward Benson, Arizona, with the Dragoon Mountains in the backgrouind.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Today we are interested in the southeastern corner of Arizona, Cochise County, named after the famous Apache Chief, a Western Robert E. Lee, fighting a hopeless war against a massively superior foe, yet prevailing in skirmish after skirmish, as though a higher power were guiding his strategy. Before the building of the railroad, before the appearance of the stage coach, this land (along with southwestern New Mexico) was the northern range of the Apache, who also moved at will like a desert breeze through northern Sonora and Chihuahua. </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6K2JClm6bjNSL5TUrXBxpK_53V_eo0V8vnGi14WNCRiQ5EdkgC1tKFwaDXk-A8L7hLDsOX0f5v0q4vwNxlDy4joSNkrI-Q1gtg40Ebzx5uKIrjiFvwaBNEowlQXiuf8AYb_ZQfpOZvPcMCMlFEhNp7pl2eFNguaZyUmaCESwrIuOXcpu58JD1pX3oRQ" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="700" height="1060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6K2JClm6bjNSL5TUrXBxpK_53V_eo0V8vnGi14WNCRiQ5EdkgC1tKFwaDXk-A8L7hLDsOX0f5v0q4vwNxlDy4joSNkrI-Q1gtg40Ebzx5uKIrjiFvwaBNEowlQXiuf8AYb_ZQfpOZvPcMCMlFEhNp7pl2eFNguaZyUmaCESwrIuOXcpu58JD1pX3oRQ=w699-h1060" width="699" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cochise</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Before the Civil War, and before Cochise began his own personal war with the white invaders, Congress authorized surveys to determine the best railroad route to the Pacific Ocean. A portion of the survey along the 32nd parallel -- from Yuma, Arizona, across the recently acquired territory of the Gadsden purchase in Arizona and New Mexico to the Rio Grande -- was led by Lieutenant John G. Parke, whose report described the territory discussed here, specifically the climb from Benson to the summit at Dragoon:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><i>"February 27 [1854] -- </i>From the river bottom to the base of this ridge extends a foot-slope, appearing as if once smooth and of uniform ascent, but now cut up into a perfect labyrinth of washes and gullies, ramifying and branching into a multitude of arms as we ascend. Returning to camp, I determined to take the gap through which we passed last night. Packing up, we followed the river until striking the wagon trails, then turned eastward up a large sand ravine, and camped at sundown without water, but a sufficiency of grass.</span></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><i>"February 28 -- </i>Left the ravine near the mountains, the road leading over a smooth, rolling, prairie-like surface through the pass, the summit of which we reached at 11 o'clock. Before us lay an extended plain, in the middle of which is the Salt lake, Playa de los Pimas [today called Wilcox Playa] and beyond this the Chiricahui [sic] ridge, with its lofty Dos Cabezas; to the north the massive Mount Graham, with an apparently continuous ridge extending northwestward till lost below the horizon." </span> </p></blockquote><p> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Union Pacific line from Los Angeles to New Orleans (the old Southern Pacific Sunset Route) runs through this territory and crosses the summit described by Lieutenant Parke. From Benson on the west, the tracks climb out of the valley of the San Pedro River, crossing the "</span><span style="font-family: arial;">perfect labyrinth of washes and gullies" </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to the summit at Dragoon. At 4,632 feet, this tiny settlement is the second highest point on the Sunset Route, the highest being Paisano Pass in southwest Texas at 5,074 feet.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dragoon is located in the seat of a saddle between the Little Dragoon Mountains and the Dragoon Mountains. Interstate 10 passes through Texas Canyon about three miles to the east. The name </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">originates from the 3rd U.S. Cavalry Dragoons, who battled Cochise during the Apache Wars.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The village is tiny -- a church, post office, a few ramshackle houses scattered among prolific mesquite. The eastern grade is short, only a few miles, and trains rarely struggle. The western grade, on the other hand, twists and turns for miles before finally obtaining the wide grass lands between the opposing mountain ridges. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When you stand along the county road in Dragoon, you do not feel at the top of a mountain grade. Instead, surrounded by peaks of various shapes and sizes, you seem to be in a valley. Yet trains roar for miles. Lying in bed, you hear the low-pitched rumble, like a movement deep underground, reverberant, not at all incongruous in the loneliness of the Sonoran Desert. You have the sense that consequential events occurred here, that this place is worth examining if one wants to understand the Southwest. </span></p><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3U8u_F8u8LwAs1D50JENGg_XlSU3iEaO3guh6XtU921x68o5wTJqnfySrv8ZrY9eXoYaKMZ6H3rfFMRqIIagfYXM1SY7UTUGWRZq0UyNdqEUZlYdWFzWQsRwUW_koIpntnz26TwUOlb0ze7oLc53T95EzbilusU7BENpdvhu7U5ckW-WrYqrsS1xA8w/s3632/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-22%20at%203.03.45%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="3632" height="754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3U8u_F8u8LwAs1D50JENGg_XlSU3iEaO3guh6XtU921x68o5wTJqnfySrv8ZrY9eXoYaKMZ6H3rfFMRqIIagfYXM1SY7UTUGWRZq0UyNdqEUZlYdWFzWQsRwUW_koIpntnz26TwUOlb0ze7oLc53T95EzbilusU7BENpdvhu7U5ckW-WrYqrsS1xA8w/w1843-h754/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-22%20at%203.03.45%20PM.png" width="1843" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This map shows the area covered in this article -- Benson to Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iJ7UFe4vv3fOu7ZT6ntb8B7m5Wku4rcxb1eMGkTKEjS3UXT_hj6-_pwUnP0g4FkYa97GHBoKYOl2Qg6Rd5tNbtSHUhBk0r61r88XR-jhKrgafqE70eyja3AivaV5NwClI9iQMRnBP8hyehLomOzPjOgdrcypz9d5NF7VeuD9LMwgtKN2Ml_MC2u2IQ/s2468/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-22%20at%203.21.49%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2468" data-original-width="2160" height="759" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iJ7UFe4vv3fOu7ZT6ntb8B7m5Wku4rcxb1eMGkTKEjS3UXT_hj6-_pwUnP0g4FkYa97GHBoKYOl2Qg6Rd5tNbtSHUhBk0r61r88XR-jhKrgafqE70eyja3AivaV5NwClI9iQMRnBP8hyehLomOzPjOgdrcypz9d5NF7VeuD9LMwgtKN2Ml_MC2u2IQ/w664-h759/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-22%20at%203.21.49%20PM.png" width="664" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In 1862, the Confederacy claimed Arizona as a territory. That same year, a group of Confederate soldiers, transporting Union prisoners to Texas, was ambushed near Dragoon by Chiricahua Apache warriors (led by Chochise) who killed three soldiers and captured most of the livestock and horses -- the First Battle of Dragoon Springs. The Southerners retaliated in the Second Battle of Dragoon Springs and took back the animals.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Butterfield Overland Mail climbed the pass at Dragoon and was constantly harassed by the Apache. South of the summit is Cochise Stronghold, the canyon where the Chief and his band took refuge when pursued. This deep defile in dark granite is entered by a narrow mouth that the Apache successfully defended against every attack. General O.O. Howard traveled there for the conference that produced the famous treaty of 1872, beginning the end of the Apache Wars in Arizona. Cochise is buried near the canyon's mouth, but no white man has ever known the exact location.<br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC87lNABBOa50B7wCRXBsRerJf-YgS-jCJpgOOgvMrLHhuc-4Xnlyg0CtkO9ECDS7_mHnXoSMe_a0USYHUIkkvxCK5dB6DwWUjX_u34pbj1iAlAv-iZInCVJyDAujTLZwSQZfEUxM5NsfrAbmxGGl8azPcw8LRjAKDTE-bdNVK_cJwQxj6IGnyBzAMqQ/s2976/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2976" height="1247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC87lNABBOa50B7wCRXBsRerJf-YgS-jCJpgOOgvMrLHhuc-4Xnlyg0CtkO9ECDS7_mHnXoSMe_a0USYHUIkkvxCK5dB6DwWUjX_u34pbj1iAlAv-iZInCVJyDAujTLZwSQZfEUxM5NsfrAbmxGGl8azPcw8LRjAKDTE-bdNVK_cJwQxj6IGnyBzAMqQ/w1839-h1247/3.jpg" width="1839" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks climbing toward the Dragoon summit. The Little Dragoon Mountains rise in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oWVandz82MfjS0jLV7D7qQdUKQMsWIu3jpGZHZ4vSY_xtZrlTFcJlmkBalOVzR7MFBA2OOOJo_1DxhJwAJhDjApz4SF-unl6oJooP-4Y3xh6MxbAJpUQPyeZa1pQIuvsQ8FkMkHonvrn6dsqgdgCAveEn-Uzf8XrvV8xh_XO5MZxITzjd4NKTdZw7g/s2954/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2031" data-original-width="2954" height="1267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oWVandz82MfjS0jLV7D7qQdUKQMsWIu3jpGZHZ4vSY_xtZrlTFcJlmkBalOVzR7MFBA2OOOJo_1DxhJwAJhDjApz4SF-unl6oJooP-4Y3xh6MxbAJpUQPyeZa1pQIuvsQ8FkMkHonvrn6dsqgdgCAveEn-Uzf8XrvV8xh_XO5MZxITzjd4NKTdZw7g/w1843-h1267/4.jpg" width="1843" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks in full dynamics beneath the Little Dragoon Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One-armed General Oliver Otis Howard was called the "Christian General" during the Civil War, though the sobriquet was often employed sarcastically. He was wounded in the right arm at the Battle of Seven Pines and subsequently underwent amputation. A rare man of principal, he meant exactly what he said and could be trusted without reserve. Every ounce of his faith and integrity was both needed and tested during negotiations with Cochise, who had been betrayed by American troops during previous peace negotiations, and whose distrust and hatred of white men in and out of uniform was deep, abiding and justified. Taken prisoner under what he had been told was a flag of truce, Cochise had barely escaped with his life and for the next 12 years had fought a constant and incredibly successful battle against the Americans, given his relative lack of resources and the size of the opposing forces. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But by 1872, Cochise was growing old and infirm; he realized that he was fighting a war of attrition that he could not possibly win.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">President Grant also realized that continual war with the Apache in Arizona and New Mexico was not in the country's best interest and so drafted General Howard to travel to the Southwest with full authority to settle the dispute by whatever terms Howard felt appropriate. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Traveling with his assistant, Lieutenant Joseph Alton Sladen, who kept a diary of the trip, Howard spent almost two months searching for the illusive Cochise. Howard and Sladen journeyed from Fort Apache, Arizona, to Fort Tularosa, New Mexico, riding through deserts and the brutal heat of August, crossing rugged mountain summits requiring them to dismount and lead their horses by hand, before finally finding someone who could help them locate the Chief of the Chokonen band of Chiricahua Apaches. </span></span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsChdjInoA6ks8SvXl8IU8ne-BY3WSe0PDiEZjjIKi1u5PHCOPpbyGqLCINncsFm4KdbOHne-SszIewCeO_2yv1m159xeCo3kTUxbvvI2SchPsaCXuP5aa7E5vB6uLIWHGmQzPlOy72YvqRLRNdQvorhIHbmE_9tUDJua54T1ALKwmw7MHYjTp687Ow/s3041/33.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3041" height="1199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsChdjInoA6ks8SvXl8IU8ne-BY3WSe0PDiEZjjIKi1u5PHCOPpbyGqLCINncsFm4KdbOHne-SszIewCeO_2yv1m159xeCo3kTUxbvvI2SchPsaCXuP5aa7E5vB6uLIWHGmQzPlOy72YvqRLRNdQvorhIHbmE_9tUDJua54T1ALKwmw7MHYjTp687Ow/w1843-h1199/33.jpg" width="1843" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mid-trains grinding upgrade toward the summit at Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zbVf5IMldP1agL4Wqgwfjbg3h4EOiwnLvlBnMGg6M9heHfZ2JN1MHTBR3Xj2TbUOWoqDXcf2J2dJznfV3vAIt55IOEQi7NuM5TGT1-ZwYWPZAidK6T12BS-VGO7R6jt3GsOxuOgJl12hZyxdQGsq1Qizz6VyBUJShU6wTpi2VcehmwK_nckd3sr-SA/s3006/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3006" height="1214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zbVf5IMldP1agL4Wqgwfjbg3h4EOiwnLvlBnMGg6M9heHfZ2JN1MHTBR3Xj2TbUOWoqDXcf2J2dJznfV3vAIt55IOEQi7NuM5TGT1-ZwYWPZAidK6T12BS-VGO7R6jt3GsOxuOgJl12hZyxdQGsq1Qizz6VyBUJShU6wTpi2VcehmwK_nckd3sr-SA/w1833-h1214/34.jpg" width="1833" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rolling downgrade beside mature agave plants, which are fermented to make mescal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">That man was Thomas Jonathan Jeffords, thin and tall with deeply set eyes and a general expression of distrust, as though he had seen enough in life to realize that anyone is capable of anything, given the proper circumstances. During the Civil War, Jeffords was a dispatch rider for Union General Edward R.S. Canby. Later, he worked as a stage coach driver and prospector. In 1869, he began trading with the Apache and met Cochise in 1870 when the Chief brought his people to New Mexico. It was said that Jeffords was the only white man Cochise trusted.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Howard wanted Jeffords to find Cochise and bring him to New Mexico for peace talks. Jeffords was likely laughing, or at least chuckling, when he replied that Cochise would never travel to New Mexico to meet the General. Instead, Jeffords proposed to lead Howard to Cochise's stronghold in Arizona. But the trip, Jeffords insisted, must be made without soldiers. Cochise would never meet again with soldiers, not after the attempt on his life. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">General Howard agreed. </span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwsmTo29X9vf7LfCqAxEwoOAmM3cQw2j7ngvZOXv2r-ne5dopVb4fsw10qaxnJRwaCpa1JH3PIOElxHEyrqNpaIHt4LIbZwWbCdWv9eLLBUzwZlCSkJSV1UtqLfsIMXrLHaPR3_ImozCQEGIScvNX8b2vXkuPpqX2O36UE9Utie0ORL1bMMY0f468LTA" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="616" height="957" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwsmTo29X9vf7LfCqAxEwoOAmM3cQw2j7ngvZOXv2r-ne5dopVb4fsw10qaxnJRwaCpa1JH3PIOElxHEyrqNpaIHt4LIbZwWbCdWv9eLLBUzwZlCSkJSV1UtqLfsIMXrLHaPR3_ImozCQEGIScvNX8b2vXkuPpqX2O36UE9Utie0ORL1bMMY0f468LTA=w694-h957" width="694" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>General Oliver Otis Howard</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">To facilitate the meeting with Cochise, Jeffords recruited two Chiricahua men -- Chie and Ponce -- both nephews of Cochise, one by blood, the other by marriage. They were also brothers-in-law. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chie had been raised by Cochise after federal soldiers had executed the boy's father. He knew southeastern Arizona like the back of his hand. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Ponce, who had married Chie's sister, knew southwestern New Mexico equally well. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">General Howard's instructions from President Grant, through Secretary of the Interior Columbus Delano, were:</span></span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"The Department invests you with full powers and a general discretion, to be exercised, as your good judgement may dictate in carrying into effect its views in relation to these Indians. . . . The great object of the government is: First: to preserve peace between the U.S. and those as well as all other tribes of Indians. Second: to induce them to abandon their present habits of life and go upon permanent reservations."</span></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This points to the fulcrum of the dispute between the U.S. Government and Native Americans generally -- the concept of private property, a bedrock of English Common Law imported to the New World and rooted in the psyche of European immigrants as firmly as an ancient redwood. Virtually all of American law and commerce is based on this concept. When we think of private property, we think of real estate, a piece of ground, a lake front, a house, a condominium, something that we call "<b>mine</b>." But the concept extends further. Trademarks, patents and copyrights are all forms of <i>intellectual</i> private property. A popular song, a popular movie, a novel -- all belong to some <i><b>one</b> </i>or some <i><b>entity</b></i>, or both. Commerce depends on private ownership.</span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi242nFNH1LD9h9Ysw5M__i-4XwC9lgfPyGYsiXM8SA0G3CksRAku-qbC41hw5RaSAidbn-PolSfl1Riz6VhXkLuOxEd8_LTZ7XHJ2KUAVNopKK-ryzp0swIPhvDXLtm8fcWxLuage5ZVdxFKAIXhbtvHv5QmNlYy9RJeGOR_TEW95h8AUgjwkvddUMIg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1000" height="987" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi242nFNH1LD9h9Ysw5M__i-4XwC9lgfPyGYsiXM8SA0G3CksRAku-qbC41hw5RaSAidbn-PolSfl1Riz6VhXkLuOxEd8_LTZ7XHJ2KUAVNopKK-ryzp0swIPhvDXLtm8fcWxLuage5ZVdxFKAIXhbtvHv5QmNlYy9RJeGOR_TEW95h8AUgjwkvddUMIg=w715-h987" width="715" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Thomas Jonathan Jeffords</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But this is not the only way to organize a society. </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Communal </i><span style="font-family: arial;">ownership is the idea that a piece of ground, a song, an institution, is not owned by an individual but rather by the community. Indeed, communal ownership is common today in the United States -- national parks, public highways, public libraries, state universities, community swimming pools. After so many years, works of music and literature migrate to the public domain and are available for use by anyone at anytime.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For Native Americans, and specifically the Apache, the concept of private property did not exist. Everything was communal. Cochise may have inhabited his stronghold for a generation, but he did not own it. His family did not own it. The land was available for all, and all were free to move about as they saw fit. Thus, the Apache freely roamed through Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora and Chihuahua.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As European descendants moved in, however, conflict was inevitable, because these new immigrants wanted to<b> own </b>land, to fence it, to protect it against trespassers. Under such conditions, how could the Apache move freely? That is why the President of the United States wanted General Howard to convince Cochise and his band to move to a reservation, a specific piece of private property, and stop roaming.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElGr6imWAXsHhKqyMAEV3eEbD1gBZ5ikUc7B_WshDD2f07TK-nUjHI-dDNNnxKTrsf72LFtIGt0Uc45NUR6cfzTsHITV7qNj0nmXA4XxNL_JMyuqu76mPozg1KEYHj6lQqCPZLjgS-uBpMlHezDWQXv7mMa1E3HUWsW_nL7YDMJVuwIr3OV11LIA7Pw/s2998/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2998" height="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElGr6imWAXsHhKqyMAEV3eEbD1gBZ5ikUc7B_WshDD2f07TK-nUjHI-dDNNnxKTrsf72LFtIGt0Uc45NUR6cfzTsHITV7qNj0nmXA4XxNL_JMyuqu76mPozg1KEYHj6lQqCPZLjgS-uBpMlHezDWQXv7mMa1E3HUWsW_nL7YDMJVuwIr3OV11LIA7Pw/w1840-h1230/35.jpg" width="1840" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>These westbound stacks have crested the Dragoon summit and are beginning the descent to the valley of the San Pedro River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span></span><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoL_iCS08nCtW66pJ5uAKhSRjKEmMcijohOluRDzf4clRxx-iYMK2M9SJ-45vEs8JakValK2G3VF4vQTPUMPKbdq2Nufn1QQfApXMqByBGF6d0t67ZSYIFGnAr0r-P2D-Ld0Q0bAwY5l9BpfffSN67YKUT5kmq5w0Mpj3i69psmQVPhTtqTvMWG18-Q/s3046/36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3046" height="1190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoL_iCS08nCtW66pJ5uAKhSRjKEmMcijohOluRDzf4clRxx-iYMK2M9SJ-45vEs8JakValK2G3VF4vQTPUMPKbdq2Nufn1QQfApXMqByBGF6d0t67ZSYIFGnAr0r-P2D-Ld0Q0bAwY5l9BpfffSN67YKUT5kmq5w0Mpj3i69psmQVPhTtqTvMWG18-Q/w1839-h1190/36.jpg" width="1839" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More downgrade stacks. The trees in the background are the small settlement of Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We know the intimate details of General Howard's meeting with Cochise because of the journal kept by his aid, Lieutenant Sladen, a veteran of the Civil War who received the Medal of Honor for heroism at the Battle of Resaca, Georgia. He was of average height for the time, about five feet six inches, had joined General Howard's staff during the War and had remained with the general after Appomattox when Howard was placed in charge of the Freedman's Bureau. During this time, Sladen attended medical school and received an M.D. from Bellevue Medical College in New York City. </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sladen's journal, though written in 1872, was not published until 1997 by the University of Oklahoma Press, edited by Edwin R. Sweeney. The volume is still in print and well worth reading by anyone interested in the history of the American Southwest.</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: arial;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRdotmEjwTfqBMKiSNo2HwiJGWtIpVNNbBpIdkHgcDF52Nr4TT6DF6bMk8ua2zTJ8bIXbj5k4fxHHz1RoPNHpB9aY8np-EAJfo7cSQya920j_b8dyo2Y1N3WkVW37NXDTpcjKVwurSo4oWepzGJrhi7ogLSEU87eLUHh-ZOGivV2CoREqnR64YjG8dSQ" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="440" height="1005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgRdotmEjwTfqBMKiSNo2HwiJGWtIpVNNbBpIdkHgcDF52Nr4TT6DF6bMk8ua2zTJ8bIXbj5k4fxHHz1RoPNHpB9aY8np-EAJfo7cSQya920j_b8dyo2Y1N3WkVW37NXDTpcjKVwurSo4oWepzGJrhi7ogLSEU87eLUHh-ZOGivV2CoREqnR64YjG8dSQ=w712-h1005" width="712" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Slayden in 1872.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sladen's journal, written in strikingly vivid and beautiful prose, narrates the long (six weeks) and dangerous trip from Fort Tularosa, New Mexico, to Cochise's stronghold and describes in detail the two weeks the Lieutenant spent with Cochise and his band in the Dragoon Mountains. Although Cochise was by then in his twilight, Sladen portrays him as able, wise and revered by those around him. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The most remarkable thing about the journal, for this author, at least, is the character arc undergone by Sladen himself, who went from, at the beginning of the journey, viewing the Apache as untrustworthy and murderous savages, to at the end realizing that they were people with the same hopes and fears as his own family, people whose lives had been shattered, never to be repaired.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cochise's younger men had all grown up during the constant fighting with the Americans, and most had grown weary of it and wished now to remain at home with their families. This made the negotiations much easier. Although all the Apache distrusted whites, particularly soldiers, the honest and unassuming character of both Howard and Sladen also facilitated negotiation, for as Cochise himself stated, the two had risked death in riding to the stronghold, an honorable act, and Cochise prized honor.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFUkJ9rWKZPnu0WtkSMX2kz6BdFo9rdTOpxWFhUSCKrsMEYTg5ZfZeRLAurB5C0KoNNDGqFm6Am3N_a8AwPHSkM8KanWvEX9gV98rJfU6Ny2yIvs1ojpMYK7n5GyrZNpH_p_2nGHKBIUJWqhnpt_bOaafxcvBd-WVvs-3WVUhpJWVY-rlSFXLAwuE8A/s3025/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3025" height="1208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFUkJ9rWKZPnu0WtkSMX2kz6BdFo9rdTOpxWFhUSCKrsMEYTg5ZfZeRLAurB5C0KoNNDGqFm6Am3N_a8AwPHSkM8KanWvEX9gV98rJfU6Ny2yIvs1ojpMYK7n5GyrZNpH_p_2nGHKBIUJWqhnpt_bOaafxcvBd-WVvs-3WVUhpJWVY-rlSFXLAwuE8A/w1841-h1208/20.jpg" width="1841" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The power of this westbound manifest has just crested the summit at Dragoon. The signals and road crossing are literally at the very top of the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6RAdDF1rFkE1eD2ouKA_AZcZvxhAmFsxRH_ai17WiBRrTJQPWS6b1dmj2meftO6SffLkTzjGdqo07CtnjcS2t8SbdG4yS9T-l1dFHCqGWO3jy3CqGAGjDrsF79Frm2KOp-Di9f5cChms3X1KYV_K9TuCk10LXitI9Bg2Qj-pjXHdS-uxdkSHKmbNhQ/s2987/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2987" height="1240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6RAdDF1rFkE1eD2ouKA_AZcZvxhAmFsxRH_ai17WiBRrTJQPWS6b1dmj2meftO6SffLkTzjGdqo07CtnjcS2t8SbdG4yS9T-l1dFHCqGWO3jy3CqGAGjDrsF79Frm2KOp-Di9f5cChms3X1KYV_K9TuCk10LXitI9Bg2Qj-pjXHdS-uxdkSHKmbNhQ/w1845-h1240/21.jpg" width="1845" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound autos approach the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL7E5tIuQYWumtWXyhH7Q_zMwPjEvg7KfE0CnxXj0wc6tGKitHQk912k9CbYv-P7gZeAHVg2um2JOGiOi1Oj1Wm5FhBWydNvPPEyNQj5X8vtIgkMRMY3-o56vBbuQd8-l2O572zZz9L_nK8m9yp4hscJgNvZV_0ruJ5to0Pe-5udrnoHSJdbNPWwtlQ/s2985/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2985" height="1234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqL7E5tIuQYWumtWXyhH7Q_zMwPjEvg7KfE0CnxXj0wc6tGKitHQk912k9CbYv-P7gZeAHVg2um2JOGiOi1Oj1Wm5FhBWydNvPPEyNQj5X8vtIgkMRMY3-o56vBbuQd8-l2O572zZz9L_nK8m9yp4hscJgNvZV_0ruJ5to0Pe-5udrnoHSJdbNPWwtlQ/w1838-h1234/22.jpg" width="1838" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound grain passes westbound stacks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u2BQdeu_VHiMm6Lvo8pAcaqFJtiI2VxB15KAvxL6JDnUCduVRblMgM6sKr2FId2AzdmlY5EQ_UQMw3JxFtl-eDu1F2ItneulblrefjMOuDTyWwjBsXsaYM4c3CTzCnHRMuGIG2s1Ig9jM9q8Vq7s25-RAWonOoJY9pv97crzkX3Hl-BIp9huBiEBHg/s3018/29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3018" height="1199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u2BQdeu_VHiMm6Lvo8pAcaqFJtiI2VxB15KAvxL6JDnUCduVRblMgM6sKr2FId2AzdmlY5EQ_UQMw3JxFtl-eDu1F2ItneulblrefjMOuDTyWwjBsXsaYM4c3CTzCnHRMuGIG2s1Ig9jM9q8Vq7s25-RAWonOoJY9pv97crzkX3Hl-BIp9huBiEBHg/w1818-h1199/29.jpg" width="1818" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sladen never intended his journal for publication, which makes the quality of the prose even more remarkable. What we find is the language of someone talking to himself, attempting to make no impression on the greater world, like a man's smiling in the mirror at his receding hairline. Here is Sladen's description of the view from Chochise's stronghold:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"From this elevated point the Sulphur Springs Plains on the East, and the San Pedro Valley on the West, were both plainly visible, and from where they were lost in the peaks and ranges in the far North, to the mountain chains of old Mexico on the South, all lay in gorgeous panorama before us."</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cochise and General Howard first met October 1, 1872. After a short discussion, Cochise asked the General to travel to Fort Bowie to issue orders that American soldiers would not fire upon Apache warriors riding to counsel at the stronghold. The General agreed, leaving Jeffords and Sladen in camp with Cochise. The order was given, the General returned and the last of the warriors arrived October 10 to discuss peace.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sladen's first inkling of the humanity and prowess of the Apache came while General Howard was away. Evening was drawing down, and Sladen proposed to light his pipe.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"I had left my flint and steel at the Camp below, and as I saw no fire, I indicated to the Indians that I had no means of lighting my pipe. One of them got a little piece of dry wood, and placing one end of a blunt arrow in a little depression in it, took his bow and making a twist once around the arrow with his bow string, worked it back and forth rapidly for a few seconds, causing the friction to ignite the soft wood, and then dropping the few live coals into my pipe, the fire was obtained, and the others obtained their lights from my pipe. The whole operation did not take as long as it does to tell it, and I wondered at the resources of these people who could command all the necessities of nature in a region so poorly supplied that a white man would have perished from want."</span></blockquote><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybqMWrvDYojDJjDmefaM_Y4ZPzTecvgPqhvBX04J3ts1vVicF5bAwoyDPFYk81SULCu_Ov5BmMkodQLCViVtSfMgKTpaKgCk2xZHW_iV1EVsAtzotUcfAvR0zJIduqmBHBQQHW3KU8zMLO2KSSKFdHqRK2dZc7K6eA9FId7FlrHUcfcNOIdQjeXrwbg/s2967/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="2967" height="1256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybqMWrvDYojDJjDmefaM_Y4ZPzTecvgPqhvBX04J3ts1vVicF5bAwoyDPFYk81SULCu_Ov5BmMkodQLCViVtSfMgKTpaKgCk2xZHW_iV1EVsAtzotUcfAvR0zJIduqmBHBQQHW3KU8zMLO2KSSKFdHqRK2dZc7K6eA9FId7FlrHUcfcNOIdQjeXrwbg/w1843-h1256/6.jpg" width="1843" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rolling downgrade toward Benson, a ballast train is framed beneath the Dragon Mountains, the location of the Cochise Stronghold.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMvvCmxQqz07OKEKC1Jfnm-1H0o9ImZ3mGcFkPHPZo1dmaJVIGsiZ3wWkvQQPBtlVDeHtdx-XbznpZF6A_B-YnNwxvgd9DWMYJJWw0p02Eif4Uun8BX8p3G0ESpsVgb_GuRL_o96wSICb4IOkRPenQkwk2jDwRWJDheMjvqSz_xVkPiz8N4A_nBpr6Q/s2998/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2998" height="1231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMvvCmxQqz07OKEKC1Jfnm-1H0o9ImZ3mGcFkPHPZo1dmaJVIGsiZ3wWkvQQPBtlVDeHtdx-XbznpZF6A_B-YnNwxvgd9DWMYJJWw0p02Eif4Uun8BX8p3G0ESpsVgb_GuRL_o96wSICb4IOkRPenQkwk2jDwRWJDheMjvqSz_xVkPiz8N4A_nBpr6Q/w1840-h1231/7.jpg" width="1840" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks beneath the Little Dragoon Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx7LOJuJBOEHMzNdP-sE8t7Ceq0EmeKbXoytbr6xCaGFh6grAIYDRHGjMDwjoopVP3bpTgbprcUKxgSrPonmtvuCi_c4MOPlWfR2JLvJVd9_vgv113PxAIyg1dOBlAnDFi3bcSHsSZg8DQ0qIARlBYyxBck2qFMzRxxBkh55wRgKNgk9lskQD1q7AGQ/s3031/31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx7LOJuJBOEHMzNdP-sE8t7Ceq0EmeKbXoytbr6xCaGFh6grAIYDRHGjMDwjoopVP3bpTgbprcUKxgSrPonmtvuCi_c4MOPlWfR2JLvJVd9_vgv113PxAIyg1dOBlAnDFi3bcSHsSZg8DQ0qIARlBYyxBck2qFMzRxxBkh55wRgKNgk9lskQD1q7AGQ/w1845-h1205/31.jpg" width="1845" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More westbound stacks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sladen discussed his first experience with tiswin, a fermented drink "sweet and pleasant to the taste." The Apache soaked corn kernels until they sprouted, then removed them from the water and ground them into mash, which was then boiled for several hours and strained. The mash was then sweetened with saguaro syrup and fermented in an earthenware brewing jar. Accordingly to Sladen, the drink was low in alcoholic content, so before drinking, the Apache would "go without food for a day and then drink the liquor in large quantities."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One evening, the young men and women began to dance to the tom-tom, the only musical instrument Sladen saw. Holding hands, they danced in a circle, some moving to the center, then back again, then others, and so repeating endlessly, all accompanied by singing the same songs over and over. The dancing continued throughout the evening. When one would stop to rest, another would take his or her place. Jeffords and Sladen joined, and "the peals of laughter . . . were loud and hearty." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Some of the old women produced jars of tiswin; everyone drank repeatedly. The singing grew louder, the dancing more animated. Sladen moved away from the celebration, lay down beside a tree and fell asleep, only to be awakened by two old women who insisted that he return to the dance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sometime after midnight, the young men and women looked into the sky, "pointed to the Pleiades and scampered away to their sleeping places." </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The old men and women continued the celebration, and Slayden again fell asleep to the sound of laughter. </span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxctHKZBq4AhG1sTB8Yk6sVMKB0P6t-H8AJ8RvZqAEDqY26_T-pAe6Hb0r9gOKzpvp4awwDEGPmjx6a8GJnammyQpnuOZ9kd0uTMCFkmqXeFttAVCbqb62LC8sHTUlg2x9LF4z55ZXK-c9QPOZdnCrYnrhOJhlNIXmIXeMuVyKUf0UIC5mhrZfW4pDA/s2990/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2990" height="1235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxctHKZBq4AhG1sTB8Yk6sVMKB0P6t-H8AJ8RvZqAEDqY26_T-pAe6Hb0r9gOKzpvp4awwDEGPmjx6a8GJnammyQpnuOZ9kd0uTMCFkmqXeFttAVCbqb62LC8sHTUlg2x9LF4z55ZXK-c9QPOZdnCrYnrhOJhlNIXmIXeMuVyKUf0UIC5mhrZfW4pDA/w1840-h1235/18.jpg" width="1840" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbbound stacks are climbing into the same darkness in which Sladen fell asleep.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-3G0Rflg5EdTBSeMascu6fE5wRIcdTlR2_JsizjoPhclYZ5eFBIbEzIBJq8KgkkbCkPByYnOFYx-fuuLcZSfbeeUe6XrPqzsl_GizYlJ3sN6V-u8CrbTIfMxGAWEHAvhxlMvoiDnKrg7CPZaua-e1E6TMQxu99xjNubpuve-w3Pa0niIKBHoEkeK3g/s3025/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3025" height="1207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-3G0Rflg5EdTBSeMascu6fE5wRIcdTlR2_JsizjoPhclYZ5eFBIbEzIBJq8KgkkbCkPByYnOFYx-fuuLcZSfbeeUe6XrPqzsl_GizYlJ3sN6V-u8CrbTIfMxGAWEHAvhxlMvoiDnKrg7CPZaua-e1E6TMQxu99xjNubpuve-w3Pa0niIKBHoEkeK3g/w1839-h1207/17.jpg" width="1839" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sladen was again awakened by someone tugging at his blanket. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the Chief's son, Na-Chise, trying to crawl beneath the blanket to escape the rapidly cooling night.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Mucho frio, Captain," he said. "Mucho frio."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Sladen spread the blanket wide, the boy crept beneath and they both fell asleep.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"This boy, Na-Chise, became a favorite of mine during the two weeks we remained with this people, and he evidently conceived a fondness for me, for he became my ever present companion, never leaving me for scarcely a moment alone, and following me about where I went. Every article of dress I wore, and the content of my saddle-bags, all were of the greatest interest to him, and he examined them over and over again. He would feel of my hands, handle my hair and beard, and paw me all over. At first it was very annoying, but I soon found that it was only curiosity, and that not the slightest article was taken away, and so I grew accustomed to it."</span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When all of Cochise's warriors had arrived, peace negotiations commenced, and it quickly became apparent that everyone wanted the fighting to cease. Cochise was old and tired and did not want to spend his final years in dubious battle. General Howard was also feeling the effects of advancing years. As men age, combat loses its honor and glory and begins to look as pointless as bailing water from a sinking boat with a tea cup. As surely as the boat will sink, the old men will perish. So why keep bailing? Why not sit in peace, perhaps drink some tiswin, smoke a pipe?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">It was agreed that the </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Chokonen band of the Chiricahua</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> Apache would be granted territory in eastern Arizona, to be known as the Chiricahua Reservation, that Jeffords would be appointed agent to the federal government, and that the boundaries would be large enough to allow hunting.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And that was the end of it. Just like that, the war with Cochise and the Chokonen band was over. (</span><span style="font-family: arial;">Fighting with the other Apache bands did not end until 1886,14 years later, with the surrender of Geronimo. Nonetheless, attacks in the region discussed in this article abated, making possible railroad construction to the Dragoon summit.) </span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fJUyW-1y3xRr_ZFrsmSk8GzpUlg2gJyIqnK9neT5P7qtufQ_m1A58AI64YSjLnAfQQ2tsqUmARsBRt4OtpMxYs6x9Kyqu_cd__LRYnY1loKWPooWSoqK1aWcuBx_w0v42NIgY5O2bHwD3VdTXgvnRAMchVK1SPG8dgGkPVtuqcurO01RtO3WNm4l2A/s3034/38.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3034" height="1206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fJUyW-1y3xRr_ZFrsmSk8GzpUlg2gJyIqnK9neT5P7qtufQ_m1A58AI64YSjLnAfQQ2tsqUmARsBRt4OtpMxYs6x9Kyqu_cd__LRYnY1loKWPooWSoqK1aWcuBx_w0v42NIgY5O2bHwD3VdTXgvnRAMchVK1SPG8dgGkPVtuqcurO01RtO3WNm4l2A/w1847-h1206/38.jpg" width="1847" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound toward the summit, beneath the Little Dragoon Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNqLXSRirmS9zC70GrGRukfdhgQL592RKX887snlGgxe6laMKkk8rI814DJPamUNAn1L3Jv2co0j0Ekx_Ht1rcr4AZ0xkR-2UsiF9F0arC2ng4-cwftA_d9MtLUozOrvyd2KVENAedPSQslyoxnv206aXnEtEqWMK6ltVbRoNaD0YVn-dGpTr6bFA1Q/s3018/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3018" height="1210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNqLXSRirmS9zC70GrGRukfdhgQL592RKX887snlGgxe6laMKkk8rI814DJPamUNAn1L3Jv2co0j0Ekx_Ht1rcr4AZ0xkR-2UsiF9F0arC2ng4-cwftA_d9MtLUozOrvyd2KVENAedPSQslyoxnv206aXnEtEqWMK6ltVbRoNaD0YVn-dGpTr6bFA1Q/w1835-h1210/32.jpg" width="1835" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3qo4eMYjucRStdvMzEjIdKMVA0Xjuit_TmKJH7wpl2CoUa28M_gxNxTM-kvskMoGfU9DkLNkxpPy_saMHgA_fS2SXPpT0BpOTDc1CWAmshvBaB6sw97Ti-1UjilI7p0C4i2f6pF4NDsDXjeor0S3qaRTovwkf0ongtWT_pknQHGgg4BGEeBOkr2_0Q/s3043/26.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3043" height="1188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3qo4eMYjucRStdvMzEjIdKMVA0Xjuit_TmKJH7wpl2CoUa28M_gxNxTM-kvskMoGfU9DkLNkxpPy_saMHgA_fS2SXPpT0BpOTDc1CWAmshvBaB6sw97Ti-1UjilI7p0C4i2f6pF4NDsDXjeor0S3qaRTovwkf0ongtWT_pknQHGgg4BGEeBOkr2_0Q/w1836-h1188/26.jpg" width="1836" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kansas City Southern leads the way to Benson.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznkAxkMbbPQGE3nY5IZlwyeJZqHV-iggKU3GhuzJp7wGab_1VOP8CxBQye94aAz8EqCAXttqANpi4b_yqWgObjMaoYWEVucrao8edbgw6Rfm8QelFkv08gCEcrJfg-RGqJUH6eMNE9P4Pxaqs-xS1Bvg5vPHWLVbuoWoQsfm_srUkmob0Jpgxtvbo8Q/s3017/29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3017" height="1213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznkAxkMbbPQGE3nY5IZlwyeJZqHV-iggKU3GhuzJp7wGab_1VOP8CxBQye94aAz8EqCAXttqANpi4b_yqWgObjMaoYWEVucrao8edbgw6Rfm8QelFkv08gCEcrJfg-RGqJUH6eMNE9P4Pxaqs-xS1Bvg5vPHWLVbuoWoQsfm_srUkmob0Jpgxtvbo8Q/w1840-h1213/29.jpg" width="1840" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Approaching the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Southern Pacific created the town of Benson, Arizona, the terminus of its eastward expansion in 1880. The city grew rapidly. In six months there were several stores and small shops, the two-story Benson Hotel, and the usual compliment of saloons and bordellos. Three stage lines operated to the new mining communities of Tombstone and Bisbee. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Surveying proceeded apace out of town, following the 19th century practice of the path of least resistance along available water courses. The San Pedro River was bridged and stakes were driven east across its wide valley, but the surveyors soon were forced to leave the river behind and begin a treacherous climb through deep clay and sand hills, with some cuts over 50 feet deep, the grade over one percent in places, The locating engineer plotted a series of curves bending the track north, then south, then north again, then south, then east, finally turning northeast into a wide valley, away from the hills and between mountains, climbing a moderate though still taxing grade along Dragoon Wash to the summit. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Construction crews followed with horse-drawn Fresno scrapers, leveling the ground for ties and rails. The laborers were mostly abused and un</span><span style="font-family: arial;">appreciated Chinese, and it took over a thousand to construct what today would be accomplished with three or four giant yellow earth movers and one or two road graders.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-1XTMlV0gTVh2zR0PckxKfN7zTVAz8EDF2zc_6LGE3zCH4TjF790ZLeWDHOWMyEhvDUgXuRYQfK98FFAnbK-V_l-kxOhxNECO23wasiCPXjgPvHQNVgDtjiFTR_hvllljO2mNCYf24BehWzeoKd5GuSACGoBTQqn_kX9uvmSwItHWXJl_khum7oUhQ/s3016/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3016" height="1211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-1XTMlV0gTVh2zR0PckxKfN7zTVAz8EDF2zc_6LGE3zCH4TjF790ZLeWDHOWMyEhvDUgXuRYQfK98FFAnbK-V_l-kxOhxNECO23wasiCPXjgPvHQNVgDtjiFTR_hvllljO2mNCYf24BehWzeoKd5GuSACGoBTQqn_kX9uvmSwItHWXJl_khum7oUhQ/w1837-h1211/12.jpg" width="1837" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The tracks have turned south and entered the hills. In the foreground is a remnant of the original grade, realigned several years ago to remove sharp curves.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoP101m-E30qsExVRd64PDeCZGYWNqqi24DZTbPm-nAZi89sTfjmrCJ7kt72T3T7VFb6JZgHQ6SuvnHWCB0RYX8XElgn7g2PHvLx3Ty7lKIvuvHt9ifvj-9h10ITisVbTsLtVlny6q5q65mqXXl-T-KC40cTOvRU9W8cJ9RHKDB2bQRb0xxRNoY7OVA/s3031/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoP101m-E30qsExVRd64PDeCZGYWNqqi24DZTbPm-nAZi89sTfjmrCJ7kt72T3T7VFb6JZgHQ6SuvnHWCB0RYX8XElgn7g2PHvLx3Ty7lKIvuvHt9ifvj-9h10ITisVbTsLtVlny6q5q65mqXXl-T-KC40cTOvRU9W8cJ9RHKDB2bQRb0xxRNoY7OVA/w1840-h1201/10.jpg" width="1840" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound through the hills, approaching the San Pedro Valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4TTF4Oo87G5KCpJ4tVnECfManfqpNFldrM0GFsdikPE1lO64MaSfvrZgbr3DHpl6JYCDKG4B1RqIf_LHbbGjDEdy4xxxMgJljjuZBXTe4iCPsE0xHLFkWCMcnlyKJec3yn2y5SA3DLFw6aPa__G9DSs48ckgPkv1rScJvml7YbEx_9c77AG7ar_I3g/s2873/9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2089" data-original-width="2873" height="1338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4TTF4Oo87G5KCpJ4tVnECfManfqpNFldrM0GFsdikPE1lO64MaSfvrZgbr3DHpl6JYCDKG4B1RqIf_LHbbGjDEdy4xxxMgJljjuZBXTe4iCPsE0xHLFkWCMcnlyKJec3yn2y5SA3DLFw6aPa__G9DSs48ckgPkv1rScJvml7YbEx_9c77AG7ar_I3g/w1837-h1338/9.jpg" width="1837" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the deep cuts.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQnKonOaDwyrJSsI3ctmibjxeDKuVq6lxbFewxSy93yijT60WXwXiDJLAMv3ZpZB6fQk8QHSUmiK3bqbNbhQHegzvgi2QGqVEkYuUrKlcBBCa-W_gl7x-SyrfHXs5WqIoysSM70J9OWmiROhfEGpL7rxyJWy44DTLZy47IoF9bvuInpoaZvHanP-CrQ/s3006/25.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3006" height="1221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQnKonOaDwyrJSsI3ctmibjxeDKuVq6lxbFewxSy93yijT60WXwXiDJLAMv3ZpZB6fQk8QHSUmiK3bqbNbhQHegzvgi2QGqVEkYuUrKlcBBCa-W_gl7x-SyrfHXs5WqIoysSM70J9OWmiROhfEGpL7rxyJWy44DTLZy47IoF9bvuInpoaZvHanP-CrQ/w1842-h1221/25.jpg" width="1842" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Amtrak Number 2 has left the sand and clay hills and is climbing between mountain ridges toward Dragoon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">There are no direct roads from Benson to Dragoon -- nothing save the railroad. The mountains, valleys, canyons and streams are all quiet, bearing no evidence of 19th century struggle and strife. The Cochise Stronghold is a public park where families travel for picnics. The silence is broken by the occasional Union Pacific freight, one or two per hour, but they pass and the silence returns. Amtrak's Sunset Limited is more like a ghost than a train, so quickly does it flit into and out of existence. In the heart of the desert, in this place, the struggle and turmoil of so long ago are lost, prose written in a language no one now alive can decipher.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But when the sun sets, the silence grows even more profound, if that is possible, and you stand alone in the desert, and if you listen closely, eyes closed, more closely than you have ever listened in your life, you may hear what sounds like the laughter of a small boy running his hands through the beard of Lieutenant Joseph Alton Sladen, and then you realize that in the end, after the struggle and fighting and grief have stopped, in the end, only the desert prevails.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6n0FnqlqlZqPirXuU7Ht4cjMnq3-Hb_V0PQDVAdN7lOvvOSkIE-JdMM_7H4phloWgnUwJD8uvOycQhEwPE_UTQp2rWtZrKX_puB6gekS6G4wsU6xVI5Gx-3LD7xSS4m21HaLyp4MpMc8QDfZwBj2jgpQvymVGLd_tCFUA5mFdtW2u5_XKYrUkHGno4A/s2989/14a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2989" height="1241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6n0FnqlqlZqPirXuU7Ht4cjMnq3-Hb_V0PQDVAdN7lOvvOSkIE-JdMM_7H4phloWgnUwJD8uvOycQhEwPE_UTQp2rWtZrKX_puB6gekS6G4wsU6xVI5Gx-3LD7xSS4m21HaLyp4MpMc8QDfZwBj2jgpQvymVGLd_tCFUA5mFdtW2u5_XKYrUkHGno4A/w1847-h1241/14a.jpg" width="1847" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></p><div><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-37788231391629991812022-09-18T16:01:00.000-05:002022-09-18T16:01:13.974-05:00Mescal Summit and the El Paso and Southwestern<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6621cAtHJoSnpqdleFhCzPf6_IVMZbW4hmHbIPOzuhAiVP32Eqm2E0fvhuUD3_jRZuxedFawVbMD-YMNUKARkNy0_DuhtR3MpBUhT_uFQKvt8E37DMqypehh-bWfGibESzEz37IujnbBTsJdJhW9xVyCF-pIk152gDf_i8H4PNU6FdSMNraQPDsDSrw/s3144/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="3144" height="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6621cAtHJoSnpqdleFhCzPf6_IVMZbW4hmHbIPOzuhAiVP32Eqm2E0fvhuUD3_jRZuxedFawVbMD-YMNUKARkNy0_DuhtR3MpBUhT_uFQKvt8E37DMqypehh-bWfGibESzEz37IujnbBTsJdJhW9xVyCF-pIk152gDf_i8H4PNU6FdSMNraQPDsDSrw/w1874-h1230/22.jpg" width="1874" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The El Paso and Southwestern Bridge Across Cienega Creek</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This article includes photographs of Union Pacific freights climbing the grade to the summit at Mescal, Arizona, from Benson on the east and the Cienega Creek Flyover on the west. The tracks diverge significantly on the western side, constructed many years apart by two entirely different railroads. Most everyone is familiar with the Southern Pacific, which built one line. Less well known, perhaps, is the El Paso and Southwestern, the company that constructed the second route.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A Short History of the El Paso and Southwestern</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In southeastern Arizona, the city of Bisbee sits in a photogenic Western canyon, surrounded by rocky conical peaks, annually attracting thousands of visitors, most of whom take the tour through the long-closed Copper Queen Mine. Today almost no one is aware that Bisbee was “ground zero” for what was planned to be a second transcontinental mainline across far southern New Mexico and Arizona, paralleling and competing with Southern Pacific’s Sunset Route. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Copper Queen transformed a New York importing firm into the Phelps Dodge Corporation, at one time the world’s leading copper producer. In 2007, the company was purchased by Freeport-McMoRan for $25.9 billion in cash and stock, creating the world’s largest publicly traded copper company, with over 25,000 employees.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Copper Queen also financed the construction of the Arizona and South Eastern Rail Road, which eventually grew into the El Paso and Southwestern stretching into Mexico and three states with over 1200 miles of track.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the 21st century, it is difficult to imagine the mining fever that overwhelmed the 19th. Thousands upon thousands of Easterners bet their families and fortunes on finding the vein of ore somewhere in the desolate West that would transport them to wealth beyond imagining. In 1877, a canyon in the Mule Mountains only a few miles north of the Mexican border was discovered by members of the 10th U.S. Cavalry, scouting for Apaches and looking for water. In a small stream they found ore that caused them to stake a claim in what became the Copper Queen Mine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">News of the discovery spread rapidly. Financiers from San Francisco moved in like vultures. The initial mine played out, but a second vein was discovered, the properties were combined and a new company formed to merge the two claims -- the Copper Queen Consolidated Mining Company, which produced copper rapidly and gleefully, like sausage. It soon became apparent that a railroad was needed to transport the company’s product to industrial centers. The Southern Pacific had reached the San Pedro River and had established Benson, Arizona, which could provide a natural connection to the mines in Bisbee. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Phelps Dodge initially experimented with an enormous steam traction engine to run on dirt roads to Benson, but the behemoth was ill-suited to the desert. It plowed through sand at the pace of a tired mule. After the lightest rain, its wheels would spin futilely and sink deeper and deeper into the muck.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1888, the Arizona and South Eastern Rail Road Company was incorporated to build north to Benson. The biggest construction obstacles involved the rocky terrain around Bisbee. Once out of the Sulphur Springs Valley (where Bisbee is located), the line ran through prime grazing land along the east bank of the San Pedro River. Local ranchers were not inclined to sell a portion of their property to a railroad, so the new company was often forced to file condemnation actions, which usually involved a sort of “frontier justice” – the lawyers, judge, railroad personnel and land owners spending a day examining the land in dispute, after which the judge would tell the parties that “it would be in your best interests to settle this case; otherwise, someone will get hurt.” Thereafter, the railroad would offer a reasonable amount for the condemned property, the rancher would accept, then everyone would go about his business. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Once the land had been acquired, initial construction proceeded apace, reaching completion in January 1889. The original line was 36.2 miles long, with no tunnels and almost 30 miles of tangent track across the mostly flat desert outside of the Sulphur Springs Valley to Fairbank, Arizona. 31 bridges were constructed in the 36 miles. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Construction of the extension to Benson began soon thereafter, when the general contractor began excavation and grading. The new line was over mostly level desert valley; work proceeded smoothly. In early August, southeastern Arizona was hit by a monsoonal downpour that deposited over a foot of water across the Sonoran Desert, halting construction. During the lull, a local sheriff got into a fight with and killed a Mexican worker, evoking anger and frustration in the construction camp, composed primarily of Mexicans, who nonetheless remained on the job and began work anew when the rains had subsided.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In late August another downpour inundated the construction zone. The San Pedro River was filled to overflowing and dislodged the newly constructed bridge at St. David downriver to Benson, where it collided with the Southern Pacific bridge. Heroic efforts saved the SP bridge, but the St. David structure was lost and required rebuilding.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The 19.1 mile extension from Fairbank to Benson extended the length of the Arizona and South Eastern to 55.3 miles and allowed Phelps Dodge to begin shipping the product of its mines to the Southern Pacific, which then carried the traffic on its mainline.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Still, traffic on the new railroad was light. Mixed trains were the rule, with one coach and one first-class car (the company’s entire passenger fleet), plus an average of nine freight cars, five of which were loaded. The average train carried 13 passengers; the average freight load was 100 tons, almost completely copper and coke. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As the Copper Queen increased production, the original smelter grew inadequate to process the ore. A larger smelter was needed, but the rugged terrain surrounding Bisbee precluded construction. Surveyors located an appropriate site about 30 miles west of town, but a railroad extension would be required -- a considerable distance from the connection with the Southern Pacific at Benson.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Phelps Dodge requested that the larger railroad construct a branch line from Lordsburg, New Mexico, to the new smelter, but the SP refused. Why should the railroad spend millions to construct track for a single customer when a connection already existed at Benson? So the Arizona and South Eastern Rail Road Company decided to build its own line east toward the new smelter and the SP.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Construction reached Douglas, Arizona (a short distance from the new smelter) in February 1901. A potential riot between local ranchers and the railroad graders was averted when a judge from Phoenix sent a posse to Silver Creek with instructions to restore order. Such was life in the West at the beginning of the 20th century. Come to think of it, not much has changed in the 21st. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Construction continued east of Douglass, even though Phelps Dodge had not decided exactly where it intended its new line to terminate. The road left the Sulphur Springs Valley and followed Silver Creek between College Peak and the Pedregosa Mountains.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In June of 1901, Phelps Dodge announced that the railroad would connect with the SP at Deming, New Mexico. Construction commenced from Deming soon thereafter, with crews now building both southwest from Deming and northeast from Douglas. Then the name of the railroad was changed to the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad Company, indicating the railroad’s ultimate destination.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In New Mexico, grading and track work proceeded briskly over ground often as flat as a lake bed. On February 13, 1902, the first train ran on the 155 mile railroad, linking the new Phelps Dodge smelter with the Southern Pacific mainline at Deming. Four months later, tracks from Hermanas, New Mexico, to El Paso, Texas, were completed. The railroad began advertising itself as the “Sunshine Line.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At about the same time, the last spike was driven on the El Paso and North Eastern in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, completing the dream of Charles B. Eddy to reach the coal mines and timber of eastern New Mexico and form a new transcontinental link with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific. Eddy sold his railroad to the El Paso and Southwestern in 1905, the same year that Phelps Dodge purchased the coal mines. With this acquisition, about 75 percent of the EP&SW’s mileage was located outside Arizona – mostly in New Mexico.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Nevertheless, this was a railroad that both began and ended in the middle of the desert. At Santa Rosa, the EP&SW connected with the Rock Island, with through service to Kansas City, Chicago and Memphis. At Deming, the railroad connected to the Santa Fe, with tracks heading north to Albuquerque and ultimately Kansas City. And at Benson, connection was made with the Southern Pacific and points west to Tucson and Los Angeles. But the EP&SW did not itself serve any significant population base other than El Paso. Absent the Phelps Dodge mines, the railroad was without traffic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The EP&SW therefore decided to build west to Tucson. The locating engineer, R.H. Jones, chose a route that avoided Cienega Creek, where flooding had caused repeated problems for the SP. He also decided to avoid the 1.4% ruling grade followed by the SP from Benson to the Mescal summit, adopting a route beginning near Fairbank and winding leisurely over 24 miles, with a ruling grade of 0.3 per cent as the tracks navigated around the Whetstone Mountains. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Tucson route was intended to be part of a new transcontinental mainline, so engineering and construction standards were state-of-the-art for the early 20th century. To avoid Cienega Canyon, the new line crossed the Southern Pacific near Mescal on a 200 foot steel bridge, then ran parallel to the SP for a few miles, then along the edge of the mountains 14 more miles until crossing the SP again on a 536 foot steel bridge that also spanned Cienega Creek. Construction to Tucson was completed October 31, 1912.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yd-OlsimGhWA_8-MGIB7N7SaI-2FW44QJMPLEVdcPy975lMl1HF1zHWa9qkzFsRnkdCboGTiJYnLykSPjuRZhpWSG-Y_6Kef5CS0cUx5YKgK4h1ahl4xh1QpsB5GdjtgNOJyTaBzI-Pt8dZNpIrYZXtNqDiEMZbzq5MafgNcH8Fy2F75cLS-KwpEZA/s1139/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-14%20at%207.03.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1139" height="873" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yd-OlsimGhWA_8-MGIB7N7SaI-2FW44QJMPLEVdcPy975lMl1HF1zHWa9qkzFsRnkdCboGTiJYnLykSPjuRZhpWSG-Y_6Kef5CS0cUx5YKgK4h1ahl4xh1QpsB5GdjtgNOJyTaBzI-Pt8dZNpIrYZXtNqDiEMZbzq5MafgNcH8Fy2F75cLS-KwpEZA/w1569-h873/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-14%20at%207.03.jpg" width="1569" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This was the EP&SW's crossing of the SP near Mescal. After the companies' merger, the line from Fairbank was abandoned, while the line downgrade to Tucson was maintained. The bridge and embankment were removed. This image comes from <i>Railroads of Arizona </i>by David F. Myrick, long out of print. Old copies are available, however, on Amazon. Also, a digital version can be found at <a href="https://archive.org/details/railroadsofarizo01myri/page/n7/mode/2up">https://archive.org/details/railroadsofarizo01myri/page/n7/mode/2up</a>. This book gives a much more detailed account of the El Paso and Southwestern and was relied upon heavily by this author. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The El Paso and Southwestern now stretched from Santa Rosa to Tucson and thought of itself as one of three transcontinental routes from Chicago to Southern California, along with Santa Fe and Southern Pacific. To secure the Chicago terminus, the EP&SW purchased a significant interest in the Rock Island. Then it negotiated an agreement with the SP, opening the Tucson gateway to freight and passenger traffic. In November 1913, the Golden State Limited (Rock Island’s passenger train from Chicago to Los Angeles) was routed west out of El Paso on the EP&SW to Tucson, where it then transferred back to the SP for the run to the Pacific.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNU55z59YGNLRGya6wKH0jVXz8S0r1aqGXOFf7eaZ4RICRrAE0ayAo-wEmynAyv8dMvx7H53iC4HRzzlZfhCnJoIkBIsaDprIFwIs2WNQgaAX_3Kc4lXqmY0GVrA5ivBqehbSZPTYMoh88tNHO2dwkCmw3O0PVUOZ2Gk5HUlkbTWuZGcygd5ijN6LtQ/s2500/Map2.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1740" data-original-width="2500" height="1297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNU55z59YGNLRGya6wKH0jVXz8S0r1aqGXOFf7eaZ4RICRrAE0ayAo-wEmynAyv8dMvx7H53iC4HRzzlZfhCnJoIkBIsaDprIFwIs2WNQgaAX_3Kc4lXqmY0GVrA5ivBqehbSZPTYMoh88tNHO2dwkCmw3O0PVUOZ2Gk5HUlkbTWuZGcygd5ijN6LtQ/w1861-h1297/Map2.jpeg" width="1861" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Map of the El Paso and Southwestern from the <i>Official Guide of the Railways.</i></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But the good times did not last. Many forget, and many may not even know, that during America's participation in the First World War, from December 28, 1917, through March 1920, the federal government operated the nation’s railroads. Not surprisingly, the industry suffered. The government may be good at some things, but running railroads is not one of them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Copper producers, on the other hand, prospered during the war. Demand was great and prices high. The EP&SW’s struggles were offset by the prosperity of Phelps Dodge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Everything changed at the end of the Great War. Rail traffic dropped precipitously. The El Paso and Southwestern’s was down 60 percent, because its primary revenue source, copper mines, either curtailed or stopped production altogether -- because the end of the war knee-capped the demand for copper. Both the railroad and Phelps Dodge soon realized that they could not survive the new status quo. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In January 1921, officials of the EP&SW met with the Southern Pacific to discuss a potential partnership. The smaller road proposed double-tracking the SP line from Tucson to Yuma and Los Angeles, one track to be owned by each railroad. SP called the proposal “ridiculous.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At the same time, Congress removed most railroad regulation from the states, transferring control to the Interstate Commerce Commission, which was required to prepare a nationwide plan assigning the many independent American railroads into simplified regional systems. The ICC published a tentative schedule of consolidation in 1921, combing the Rock Island, Southern Pacific, El Paso and Southwestern, and several short lines into “System No. 17.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Although the ICC never enforced consolidation, the Southern Pacific thereafter expressed interest in the EP&SW. Both roads were certain, however, that the Commission would not approve a merger unless the combined companies agreed to construct a mainline through Phoenix.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1924, the SP agreed to acquire the EP&SW for 280,000 shares of Southern Pacific stock (worth 89 dollars per share), plus $29,400,000 of SP bonds. The acquiring company also agreed to assume the responsibility for $9,100,000 of EP&SW bonds held by the public. Finally, Southern Pacific committed to building a line through Phoenix, connecting with the existing Sunset Route at Red Rock, Arizona, on the east and Indio, California, on the west.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On July 1, the railroads filed a joint application with the ICC for approval of the merger. The Commission, not afflicted in those days with regulatory arthritis, held brief hearings and approved the request on October 1, with the condition that construction of the line to Phoenix begin before January 1, 1925, and be completed in two years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When the Great Depression hit, traffic from copper mines evaporated. At the Copper Queen in Bisbee, mining ceased October 1931. And when a natural gas pipeline was constructed into Bisbee and Douglas in June 1931, Southern Pacific lost the fuel oil business. Thereafter followed the abandonment of most of the former EP&SW branch lines: Hermanas-Deming; Hachita-Oil Siding; and Douglass-Courtland.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The former EP&SW’s mainline to El Paso saw fewer and fewer trains, especially after the installation of centralized traffic control on the original SP mainline. And as Southern Pacific ruthlessly cut passenger trains, like a butcher slicing sirloin, the need for a second, parallel mainline disappeared. Thus, almost predictably, the SP filed with the ICC to abandon the EP&SW mainline to El Paso, claiming that elimination would save the company half a million dollars per year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The ICC ultimately granted the request, but the day before the scheduled abandonment, a federal court issued a temporary injunction forbidding the SP from removing the tracks, though operations had already ceased. This litigation drug on for a while, as litigation always does, while the lawyers earned their fees. Eventually, however, the U.S. District Court for Arizona affirmed the ICC’s decision, and the 208.9 miles of rails to El Paso were removed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The EP&SW mainline to Tucson was another matter – a route constructed many years after the SP line and to the highest standards of the time, avoiding both the grades and the frequent flooding of Cienega Creek. Because it would have added about 50 miles to the journey, Southern Pacific chose not to keep the EP&SW’s route from Fairbank to Mescal, though the grade was much less severe. Also abandoned was the steel girder bridge across the SP at Mescal. From that location at the summit, however, the SP maintained the EP&SW line almost all the way to Tucson as a second main which, because of its better engineering standards, thereafter became the route of choice for SP dispatchers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Today, the 18 mile eastward climb from Cienega Creek to Mescal and the 10 mile westward climb from Benson, constitute one of the three summits that trains must surmount between Tucson and the New Mexico border – the others being Dragoon and Steins. On the Tucson side of the grade, eastbounds favor the original SP line through the creek bottom, while westbounds race down the EP&SW route along the edge of the mountains. But when the tracks are clear, dispatchers will often route eastbounds over the newer line, and if you close your eyes, you can almost believe that the El Paso and Southwestern still blazes proudly through the desert.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Maps</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9wCL1o9YUbT2liGfbh7XVESF04xppUJBL-J0HV6phLGlBZnfX4EBnyRN8fFPEhoN--R5qszi2Or20qXV2w0v8fhlYw1se19-wwmJNBVa3X984A6Yvsy_1LWZ4u1CWXvOJ3NP54VEXf2h2M0aPK5uRSMXwizdGLho_ipZK9FyWJ3J2-7fJqwtcil8HA/s4576/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-13%20at%205.41.35%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdZDcbozV1Yy5RaQIM3a6jmgsEYpsXeJs7M2vgN0ymbK8fc_v8w6kokfv0fVNUR4mAFRaHnE3WNJOQU0pY9Bdq3GdFyyrln0TNIMjfi9A5gKlcVh9JUAKkndrYGi2yW3WYK8DdfTTnx8KBKk6Q4UIzv-IB9gt3kDZeMS3nK-_sZCeCDOJUFJo0UKErw/s4576/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-13%20at%205.41.35%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="4576" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdZDcbozV1Yy5RaQIM3a6jmgsEYpsXeJs7M2vgN0ymbK8fc_v8w6kokfv0fVNUR4mAFRaHnE3WNJOQU0pY9Bdq3GdFyyrln0TNIMjfi9A5gKlcVh9JUAKkndrYGi2yW3WYK8DdfTTnx8KBKk6Q4UIzv-IB9gt3kDZeMS3nK-_sZCeCDOJUFJo0UKErw/w1878-h428/Screen%20Shot%202022-09-13%20at%205.41.35%20PM.png" width="1878" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtIONkKCZVnsJ63HfmqCtAT7j6TyOde0LCRtCLDsQ0fxBIUe-9XdqYtMkV6HmTuL7BvjmoQ80rUr8tcpgP_yVKtngrc4Iq8RIKixJ7f_m1gO7g2OOxnXeiXlrZpRSakgehlRk6TkiqWyu_FwT3vswtGxR-R0qe6qFnXd2SyNaYDARkLD5rLrBInQQ0A/s2380/Location.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="2380" height="916" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtIONkKCZVnsJ63HfmqCtAT7j6TyOde0LCRtCLDsQ0fxBIUe-9XdqYtMkV6HmTuL7BvjmoQ80rUr8tcpgP_yVKtngrc4Iq8RIKixJ7f_m1gO7g2OOxnXeiXlrZpRSakgehlRk6TkiqWyu_FwT3vswtGxR-R0qe6qFnXd2SyNaYDARkLD5rLrBInQQ0A/w1867-h916/Location.jpg" width="1867" /></a></div><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The above maps show the area photographed. The San Pedro River, on the right in the first map, flows north into the Gila River east of Phoenix. Cienega Creek originates in the Canelo Hills and flows northwest about 50 miles to near Tucson, where it is called Pantano Wash, then continues through Tucson, eventually connecting with the Rillito River.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The original Southern Pacific line to California is shown, along with a section in the bottom center of the first map (including an impressive horseshoe curve) that was bypassed several years ago by a line relocation (the "Ogee Cut-off") and is now used as a parking track.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span>West of Mescal and north of the original SP line run the tracks constructed by the El Paso and Southwestern as a competing transcontinental route and still used today by Union Pacific. </span>In the lower right of the first map is the portion of the EP&SW mainline abandoned when the two roads merged.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the upper left is the Cienega Creek Flyover, a huge steel girder bridge constructed by the EP&SW to cross the SP tracks.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Photographs</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The images that follow were all taken of Union Pacific power in the 21st century, climbing both the eastbound and westbound grades to Mescal. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">We start on the grade west of Benson, climb to the summit, then follow the tracks to the steel girder bridge across the original SP line at Cienega Creek, one of the more spectacular photographic locations for Western rail photography. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjy99Q8VeVkA5Kw_GdDmZS3onAdV3RAXoReID2Qm5wL8QRwvwgInHLgJHusswXvtaj4uCl2uXwBFt8krZHqhTGdv5K2PbTNugH_XgHiaMDwG7xVmJiiUnMLORMWYu34k6eTp9oHoAm5G7lTSAm7FgwqmwQ_FjRrx1VZVDWKmQdK6j-qYLPU_0Ve_R2rw/s3056/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3056" height="1204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjy99Q8VeVkA5Kw_GdDmZS3onAdV3RAXoReID2Qm5wL8QRwvwgInHLgJHusswXvtaj4uCl2uXwBFt8krZHqhTGdv5K2PbTNugH_XgHiaMDwG7xVmJiiUnMLORMWYu34k6eTp9oHoAm5G7lTSAm7FgwqmwQ_FjRrx1VZVDWKmQdK6j-qYLPU_0Ve_R2rw/w1869-h1204/21.jpg" width="1869" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Westbound autos are climbing the grade out of the San Pedro Valley on their way from Benson to the summit as Mescal. This is the original route constructed by the Southern Pacific. The original El Paso and Southwestern line to Mescal crossed the SP line several miles to the west.</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdzs8iEE_Av5VbL_J3MnUU7KJ-N-zgWMb7jJqtVLPiZEQH3E1ctEzjAlKsZFRzD0DhQv0Rw3nO6kB2nfA_ejzAJpspfUJ4Rk44WKME_kjtAfDoCa63ALCACA9ljbxxBGnJuHZLt0WuZJYOINIugL465_1ETpdakagZklcIO0ECr_U8r9KuAk8rD0wEQ/s3031/19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3031" height="1220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdzs8iEE_Av5VbL_J3MnUU7KJ-N-zgWMb7jJqtVLPiZEQH3E1ctEzjAlKsZFRzD0DhQv0Rw3nO6kB2nfA_ejzAJpspfUJ4Rk44WKME_kjtAfDoCa63ALCACA9ljbxxBGnJuHZLt0WuZJYOINIugL465_1ETpdakagZklcIO0ECr_U8r9KuAk8rD0wEQ/w1867-h1220/19.jpg" width="1867" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound rolling downgrade -- about four miles from Mescal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01k53-qMz66xpa0dbTFCkK6QOEIxfqacjz2xBqMKqwKVQfOZfHSQI1TMy5UVCp_PwCIiN1D__QOL9WmoGt2ybuutpbcQZXJWpp5ITKtbWEjAu4sdSCf4LrGoRK2WiM-pNaKTrardV5TPz7wRnOdMABSAcC3b_HrpXBEjPriKRmCc53tpye_YXLUpY8A/s2939/7%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2042" data-original-width="2939" height="1291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01k53-qMz66xpa0dbTFCkK6QOEIxfqacjz2xBqMKqwKVQfOZfHSQI1TMy5UVCp_PwCIiN1D__QOL9WmoGt2ybuutpbcQZXJWpp5ITKtbWEjAu4sdSCf4LrGoRK2WiM-pNaKTrardV5TPz7wRnOdMABSAcC3b_HrpXBEjPriKRmCc53tpye_YXLUpY8A/w1860-h1291/7%20copy.jpg" width="1860" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks led by the Kansas City Southern.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUPe9MqRWXBf1REx6CDgrmPWoUYAJ-wxFmwzNNPMDvw_cjeOMJeWBM2jVsn899P6B4z9EQck9JLvwnJ1V0-Tug36OXngCiokW4xAL3vTYGpOLv47E5n0UPB8PwJfVRDSAdy-K88jlg4PaMxlljNOsbDHClcIp0MtH874os3zKArtnf462xMi_oYyWqQ/s3001/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUPe9MqRWXBf1REx6CDgrmPWoUYAJ-wxFmwzNNPMDvw_cjeOMJeWBM2jVsn899P6B4z9EQck9JLvwnJ1V0-Tug36OXngCiokW4xAL3vTYGpOLv47E5n0UPB8PwJfVRDSAdy-K88jlg4PaMxlljNOsbDHClcIp0MtH874os3zKArtnf462xMi_oYyWqQ/w1868-h1244/18.jpg" width="1868" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound at the top of the Mescal grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoM5T2uMlWdqHUu5zJTBtjgUTmg93czuhmlbxFkMrzg9DyMtWKsWHZ3IX54UHTBbuFV_Wgq10WTh7s4BOp-4m8aGaOfMmcaryp2ObhGcFWviQzYOmQBqHUcDQqpBPXlIfkZPnmF4HZVx3Uyyn9RJSK5d98V5BcdcEa-NxOZM21SB1OvyHokJ-MG0-Wg/s3037/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3037" height="1219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoM5T2uMlWdqHUu5zJTBtjgUTmg93czuhmlbxFkMrzg9DyMtWKsWHZ3IX54UHTBbuFV_Wgq10WTh7s4BOp-4m8aGaOfMmcaryp2ObhGcFWviQzYOmQBqHUcDQqpBPXlIfkZPnmF4HZVx3Uyyn9RJSK5d98V5BcdcEa-NxOZM21SB1OvyHokJ-MG0-Wg/w1876-h1219/10.jpg" width="1876" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound light engine at Mescal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03yqu3k2Q1c4xKtKlG4_zaYq5R398IMK68mewDfI-H5le0h91LXFxY6TsrdS5-qZqcF9Y8TtJ_9k5e-FELaAvUi5gaZSEhS_KHCuFE5F40tVwowAIS88sceHQZ1TofLWMs_FZFu6AvcWfw6nrDx0eeQUkcf2q05Su7SwFz8rJrW_JV_vc3ZtfrZdPdA/s3001/1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03yqu3k2Q1c4xKtKlG4_zaYq5R398IMK68mewDfI-H5le0h91LXFxY6TsrdS5-qZqcF9Y8TtJ_9k5e-FELaAvUi5gaZSEhS_KHCuFE5F40tVwowAIS88sceHQZ1TofLWMs_FZFu6AvcWfw6nrDx0eeQUkcf2q05Su7SwFz8rJrW_JV_vc3ZtfrZdPdA/w1872-h1246/1.jpg" width="1872" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks have diverged from the original Southern Pacific mainline and are rolling downgrade on the old El Paso and Southwestern main.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH71DAyF2KXmR9N62pknVYdGUEsceEyn-gvhIcHZ1H0zJiF7fbizCRyzleuIdh85jeMuwo7sIJp_rwJu8T6P-yJexW2L2JE_4Il6H4rR8sb3AQuyI23vGK1mDnvFtp24N5XSrxMbNiiks93mu3ClYrsZlkqFD1pboghLybJZ54FZj6YzP3LuKKVK0TpQ/s3083/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="3083" height="1181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH71DAyF2KXmR9N62pknVYdGUEsceEyn-gvhIcHZ1H0zJiF7fbizCRyzleuIdh85jeMuwo7sIJp_rwJu8T6P-yJexW2L2JE_4Il6H4rR8sb3AQuyI23vGK1mDnvFtp24N5XSrxMbNiiks93mu3ClYrsZlkqFD1pboghLybJZ54FZj6YzP3LuKKVK0TpQ/w1870-h1181/8.jpg" width="1870" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound on the EP&SW.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi15cnVnT2p6eGu4F42RKjj7czFp7Rbygk7MasTa2OIR3L8zka6tpR_ihgiZDKmHPNEchUMIsRSLo3vA8g6gr-I56--Mc7a3Izs09YKRMtvfKis5yrYi_xsQI7Dztis6p4mlzapREK989xPaLTrRAm5iYt50EugO2UF2g06w7cVTw0YDMxiJNie0sFIw/s3030/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3030" height="1220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi15cnVnT2p6eGu4F42RKjj7czFp7Rbygk7MasTa2OIR3L8zka6tpR_ihgiZDKmHPNEchUMIsRSLo3vA8g6gr-I56--Mc7a3Izs09YKRMtvfKis5yrYi_xsQI7Dztis6p4mlzapREK989xPaLTrRAm5iYt50EugO2UF2g06w7cVTw0YDMxiJNie0sFIw/w1868-h1220/7.jpg" width="1868" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPUs on same train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BcQzTwfyCXzm6puzPEradRYQxJkEt453H2w59n0cAFGgxnMaL4ugsyNABx2LDBeRIoQUN3qkyomLg8bvB4NTxx-rQpagUQ34h5PrPSbALAvV6crOBUfx6dqCzVJtF77QtTtwVLbBfoNuyfTEELUgrH6lhTXadCZ_qOoiNn34GLJFzowW9xvyO1hr0g/s2975/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2975" height="1267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BcQzTwfyCXzm6puzPEradRYQxJkEt453H2w59n0cAFGgxnMaL4ugsyNABx2LDBeRIoQUN3qkyomLg8bvB4NTxx-rQpagUQ34h5PrPSbALAvV6crOBUfx6dqCzVJtF77QtTtwVLbBfoNuyfTEELUgrH6lhTXadCZ_qOoiNn34GLJFzowW9xvyO1hr0g/w1868-h1267/12.jpg" width="1868" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound grinding upgrade on original Southern Pacific main.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlsTr0zz5-F-2YHREjQEja-un3LxTL_ySir_vNO7-D0f_KUaq8kChjBIk-lhbOQck6cE60lTcECJn1NaXbIxAM9_Jf4Xxf7zAnt5LqgPvP0vLF4XeDP2sovAOlcXSxdC_O1t0ZqmwZcyR5wGRE2i88G6cvesqwOFHXI6hlK8heRqGWgyixhCbrMa-kw/s2993/15.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2993" height="1248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlsTr0zz5-F-2YHREjQEja-un3LxTL_ySir_vNO7-D0f_KUaq8kChjBIk-lhbOQck6cE60lTcECJn1NaXbIxAM9_Jf4Xxf7zAnt5LqgPvP0vLF4XeDP2sovAOlcXSxdC_O1t0ZqmwZcyR5wGRE2i88G6cvesqwOFHXI6hlK8heRqGWgyixhCbrMa-kw/w1867-h1248/15.jpg" width="1867" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks on the Ogee Cut-off, a realignment of the original SP main. The original line (leading to a horseshoe curve now used as a parking track) is in the foreground. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdNpzIxmFRlCkzYjhkmrtLz4MZfIOz5HkBbkdRvvBRNlCudI3Tzn18NMSb_Zbwckp5pmHsILhziscIMwGkJy9Kqd7mQ0-sMv4CAXGC-PBxsFF29sVH08OXIHetf-jwyQCF7-koQC7_vwYebD5gCYPjYjYNf30q2qs4737cS3RoIUHJgXY1s0AuGQnoQ/s2982/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2012" data-original-width="2982" height="1261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdNpzIxmFRlCkzYjhkmrtLz4MZfIOz5HkBbkdRvvBRNlCudI3Tzn18NMSb_Zbwckp5pmHsILhziscIMwGkJy9Kqd7mQ0-sMv4CAXGC-PBxsFF29sVH08OXIHetf-jwyQCF7-koQC7_vwYebD5gCYPjYjYNf30q2qs4737cS3RoIUHJgXY1s0AuGQnoQ/w1868-h1261/17.jpg" width="1868" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ogee Cut-off Junction.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojhfS81EsYizL1ViBs9KNcX2hHujr3XKiDZGvNq_ThOrGj2gnE5kY__zOPLAm0NVPMRy7Cdods-OUACcKkhoFtpAxmry8IFIWkugInEc_0HsMzCjBCCOjqCPy1NkaRcEcsmG18rj2GXsF92nILSDXd5YvDUWlipKhw4Yus33RLrbBbGjlXKxykMjhBw/s3044/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3044" height="1210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojhfS81EsYizL1ViBs9KNcX2hHujr3XKiDZGvNq_ThOrGj2gnE5kY__zOPLAm0NVPMRy7Cdods-OUACcKkhoFtpAxmry8IFIWkugInEc_0HsMzCjBCCOjqCPy1NkaRcEcsmG18rj2GXsF92nILSDXd5YvDUWlipKhw4Yus33RLrbBbGjlXKxykMjhBw/w1870-h1210/13.jpg" width="1870" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound mixed freight is climbing the grade on the realignment of the original SP main.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ9bj6bqTBUD-0hiMsWPfnBM_0RU0ZbkiC7RndfG6XbuwACUrN0GI6IJGebaE3dPm_WxwKomlICByG5vh5hLwjpmGlDSil_62J9IafQ6_XsfJBqu-EBklAzOradGbGmUOhRa7tkomjKiZxQrnlbLuhbgL3WuR8EeZOmE6KgneAG1lanLOv-cjREMxoA/s2981/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2981" height="1261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ9bj6bqTBUD-0hiMsWPfnBM_0RU0ZbkiC7RndfG6XbuwACUrN0GI6IJGebaE3dPm_WxwKomlICByG5vh5hLwjpmGlDSil_62J9IafQ6_XsfJBqu-EBklAzOradGbGmUOhRa7tkomjKiZxQrnlbLuhbgL3WuR8EeZOmE6KgneAG1lanLOv-cjREMxoA/w1867-h1261/5.jpg" width="1867" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The UP dispatcher has routed this high-priority eastbound over the EP&SW.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJ4dsfGZWDAyf4mH7YgzZUHim8jI3AiPnllDGP7AlH7K3waqtfr7PPJDZMmwhPqCUX2pF4Qk2hVajXWekE4f2Mk7A4hC_v8iBbvQV08BkjF3MKZIgZB30Ehn3YqMcduuqql9Aq0wsjUJJVvXioXETviSevNVWPc7KBzz0h1SbRHiJf_SH2J4pJ2OHcQ/s3037/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3037" height="1215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJ4dsfGZWDAyf4mH7YgzZUHim8jI3AiPnllDGP7AlH7K3waqtfr7PPJDZMmwhPqCUX2pF4Qk2hVajXWekE4f2Mk7A4hC_v8iBbvQV08BkjF3MKZIgZB30Ehn3YqMcduuqql9Aq0wsjUJJVvXioXETviSevNVWPc7KBzz0h1SbRHiJf_SH2J4pJ2OHcQ/w1869-h1215/6.jpg" width="1869" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A small window of sunlight illuminates these westbound stacks on the EP&SW main.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAI8B-4rPrPBRFIb1gzMlgK3PHCRV8drMKP_rkG-tNwj17nUSIL4VkxS1-P2_wYev6hYAgg_2BJfN2xliCwKegMfr058YRBy4Gd0PASHwCmjqv9z-gyzIhh2qeOpNLpxWMz39H6wT5ADEv3QYJ4uzH-ZMWRSxSbAMJX-Cn_CKgpHKPKiRkPx90e4oHw/s3021/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3021" height="1230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAI8B-4rPrPBRFIb1gzMlgK3PHCRV8drMKP_rkG-tNwj17nUSIL4VkxS1-P2_wYev6hYAgg_2BJfN2xliCwKegMfr058YRBy4Gd0PASHwCmjqv9z-gyzIhh2qeOpNLpxWMz39H6wT5ADEv3QYJ4uzH-ZMWRSxSbAMJX-Cn_CKgpHKPKiRkPx90e4oHw/w1874-h1230/14.jpg" width="1874" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound autos on the EP&SW main are approaching the Cienega Creek Flyover.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKV_QenbRDjV0vZUNpFMplXcoBKc8iOBz-4EwTjBPFu9wQbh51nIkFRjCtGKS2fLX1YUHISanMp9SWnXTuA9jv7s_ynTdyCMDTX4x9RhOARm5PipnDuyd4AulxPbzjZFzMqUytrQC89v7qUg0k0mY1FRMwhSzpNTfvhcq-K0DLMPCEPTjZwstAdD-uQ/s3004/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="3004" height="1247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKV_QenbRDjV0vZUNpFMplXcoBKc8iOBz-4EwTjBPFu9wQbh51nIkFRjCtGKS2fLX1YUHISanMp9SWnXTuA9jv7s_ynTdyCMDTX4x9RhOARm5PipnDuyd4AulxPbzjZFzMqUytrQC89v7qUg0k0mY1FRMwhSzpNTfvhcq-K0DLMPCEPTjZwstAdD-uQ/w1873-h1247/2.jpg" width="1873" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Cienega Creek Flyover. Below the bridge are the creek and the original Southern Pacific mainline.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JMMlYwliAfQEjzoon5W1TpOLW9H3ixqCal0NUBURYUNXWS7BwuM3OEE0ecDcdUgO-4uIJu3m26vPt-VROJt9nL5YXsnEl3fDX4WhYr6G_W4NtNmcYcbMWCyug-RmMwvJnk72U3sx9nTiRqCpG00MHSDmCV1RIWZozPF5Jdd9MPNToTVt6_gjgNDcrw/s3006/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3006" height="1246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JMMlYwliAfQEjzoon5W1TpOLW9H3ixqCal0NUBURYUNXWS7BwuM3OEE0ecDcdUgO-4uIJu3m26vPt-VROJt9nL5YXsnEl3fDX4WhYr6G_W4NtNmcYcbMWCyug-RmMwvJnk72U3sx9nTiRqCpG00MHSDmCV1RIWZozPF5Jdd9MPNToTVt6_gjgNDcrw/w1879-h1246/3.jpg" width="1879" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM7_s5dh14udSwZmeM558NvYHgdCaaXJ0HWj-Ru8vCoqiQ821Juw8k6-xUdniG6iugyr1b9BJ1F-fFmJ9lStDTD4bfh8CCgANHjxs_K2QwwL6tLReOf2ul5pA6zr34--eOw7cYW1ikfQIRnw9phC3vMemDnbxX3qd7oLmdZk75R62yHQQBjfI9WmL4Q/s3023/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM7_s5dh14udSwZmeM558NvYHgdCaaXJ0HWj-Ru8vCoqiQ821Juw8k6-xUdniG6iugyr1b9BJ1F-fFmJ9lStDTD4bfh8CCgANHjxs_K2QwwL6tLReOf2ul5pA6zr34--eOw7cYW1ikfQIRnw9phC3vMemDnbxX3qd7oLmdZk75R62yHQQBjfI9WmL4Q/w1871-h1228/4.jpg" width="1871" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same -- before photographer is caught in the downpour.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ10zJOmLwmzul9TYJGXSeGjmD2pTlXFWP_lL2pE-K_RxMUf904EKG5_Sshs4UzKGCa-pxgGza2uh0gwQrfS-ryQKVKYljCWUgX_whIopBgAZ2pXvn5-G7BXLByPs1I2HMYMTwwl3WIUk8sXxkjIqyap6OUhRneIsxkBT7OtYj3DtK4mzGeAYqKnzcw/s2993/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2993" height="1250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQ10zJOmLwmzul9TYJGXSeGjmD2pTlXFWP_lL2pE-K_RxMUf904EKG5_Sshs4UzKGCa-pxgGza2uh0gwQrfS-ryQKVKYljCWUgX_whIopBgAZ2pXvn5-G7BXLByPs1I2HMYMTwwl3WIUk8sXxkjIqyap6OUhRneIsxkBT7OtYj3DtK4mzGeAYqKnzcw/w1869-h1250/16.jpg" width="1869" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Cienega Creek Flyover in the rain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dmd7D6TLqJKUTGsQbRb-F8Dyj-Bg0Fhqe1YHPF-jKZTGMvKWjqeVB574GKsktY2c6EUJqqi_4zWcUOncGZJ_M6ur2jdrtRLArnyPR2iBNKXWnGH88EQjUBaLk5Hrc8JkTS_9dSBNmJzNtzmfubArNSfdj2cdt4sM9erm8JAEaaLEJOxhH4qDwr326A/s3010/50.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dmd7D6TLqJKUTGsQbRb-F8Dyj-Bg0Fhqe1YHPF-jKZTGMvKWjqeVB574GKsktY2c6EUJqqi_4zWcUOncGZJ_M6ur2jdrtRLArnyPR2iBNKXWnGH88EQjUBaLk5Hrc8JkTS_9dSBNmJzNtzmfubArNSfdj2cdt4sM9erm8JAEaaLEJOxhH4qDwr326A/w1877-h1243/50.jpg" width="1877" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Flyover at dusk.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EY2OMINSQA18W9VYH10E-rcQSRsgFBhEKrA7KMaTz0_dk_jte-L7NUJgb3mp5HLkCvFCYAN-ddgEhTm4ixvbko676s85YU5y-p8Axgog9UAC2QpenS1vkn4r7JOHvB0fJrfleBidxnoin4oRUxJ6oenVFS5c9Ga7MeEfaLjLD4-dw5AwQ0Ug8C6euQ/s2998/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2998" height="1255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EY2OMINSQA18W9VYH10E-rcQSRsgFBhEKrA7KMaTz0_dk_jte-L7NUJgb3mp5HLkCvFCYAN-ddgEhTm4ixvbko676s85YU5y-p8Axgog9UAC2QpenS1vkn4r7JOHvB0fJrfleBidxnoin4oRUxJ6oenVFS5c9Ga7MeEfaLjLD4-dw5AwQ0Ug8C6euQ/w1877-h1255/20.jpg" width="1877" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Easbound UP grainer along Cienega Creek, approaching the Flyover.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-6960105095265468032022-08-30T11:02:00.000-05:002022-08-30T11:02:10.312-05:00West of Gillette<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtfsr6xbpEif_U0uLpk6MykIx0JnKe9ncQ3QELnbgzxunKLOPiQ8EqVqs1RGao4TaqTANH2oAA1Rexij6oMrQG981fZWpe2c3Ok58wxan5GeVFhaCzvGBNwh43yr3OBrTK0bimj47ghbyMSWd2WBGyIss3kLIdbYzyPuooRHKhrCm-TKOwXpS-4MD2A/s7150/1.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5525" data-original-width="7150" height="1275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtfsr6xbpEif_U0uLpk6MykIx0JnKe9ncQ3QELnbgzxunKLOPiQ8EqVqs1RGao4TaqTANH2oAA1Rexij6oMrQG981fZWpe2c3Ok58wxan5GeVFhaCzvGBNwh43yr3OBrTK0bimj47ghbyMSWd2WBGyIss3kLIdbYzyPuooRHKhrCm-TKOwXpS-4MD2A/w1653-h1275/1.png" width="1653" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNVIp4H2rXQh677tY7PHvKiBZa0X13eO-mF6gzCKkSruB-Pvag_EOJ3EZLflvQ_x6Doze9RGDsn-UY-rsF3nhEGhnUFYJRtQV8dvn1pG-B--7ChO2EXDBFqzR9m-EeFcR4Abqk7WuR1G-7fmM_HBjR2LQO5heOMxMJSOt39HJKWwNS9a167zGDfRGyA/s7150/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5525" data-original-width="7150" height="1276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNVIp4H2rXQh677tY7PHvKiBZa0X13eO-mF6gzCKkSruB-Pvag_EOJ3EZLflvQ_x6Doze9RGDsn-UY-rsF3nhEGhnUFYJRtQV8dvn1pG-B--7ChO2EXDBFqzR9m-EeFcR4Abqk7WuR1G-7fmM_HBjR2LQO5heOMxMJSOt39HJKWwNS9a167zGDfRGyA/w1652-h1276/2.png" width="1652" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnjssqJG9GRgf2nDLZndFuZTggKoAJ3OkRMm1-cOH5wb7sl0HcxU-3WQRI79JL3sCwmtqxCWL_f_AVoegnCEuByBcO7LzrdAvNypF3jd2nJcloS42YtLSTX-7IOXAM1MYRwQUCqVvsE4j_GN9tbKK_ghmXZttHN9e2Bw9oRI-rheSGXeNA2U02KlFdA/s7150/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5525" data-original-width="7150" height="1276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnjssqJG9GRgf2nDLZndFuZTggKoAJ3OkRMm1-cOH5wb7sl0HcxU-3WQRI79JL3sCwmtqxCWL_f_AVoegnCEuByBcO7LzrdAvNypF3jd2nJcloS42YtLSTX-7IOXAM1MYRwQUCqVvsE4j_GN9tbKK_ghmXZttHN9e2Bw9oRI-rheSGXeNA2U02KlFdA/w1651-h1276/3.png" width="1651" /></a></div></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrah5wFAx-U7VdcbkayYtkh8LLMuP1pFMO-hGtb3bt7jdTYNmrtWZMrwG2nqSTXZVLT8rGsmWCN-D1AeLoFjaX0MZSzIvQf9Jgoh3MidNbwHZdlEL2hyxOXwEiUW5hBJzeooCU4O72vfQm5qloJThS5QG1Dfe9XZBsOlVdUfmBxHgILnno-HKF8cRKLA/s7150/10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5525" data-original-width="7150" height="1271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrah5wFAx-U7VdcbkayYtkh8LLMuP1pFMO-hGtb3bt7jdTYNmrtWZMrwG2nqSTXZVLT8rGsmWCN-D1AeLoFjaX0MZSzIvQf9Jgoh3MidNbwHZdlEL2hyxOXwEiUW5hBJzeooCU4O72vfQm5qloJThS5QG1Dfe9XZBsOlVdUfmBxHgILnno-HKF8cRKLA/w1646-h1271/10.png" width="1646" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-13413000559121466112022-08-21T11:12:00.002-05:002023-06-13T22:20:12.055-05:00Union Pacific: Maricopa Mountains<p> </p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cLmewAI9eWgn3UYL2nXX2gm5oyuWc6iAJkDt9a5K9ql8WpwTdDuFg0m9HC1vvgG-zAEf9WhWCmAlzlT8pgxoD82jpXknemeTYqJfvFBUFWLS7lME7r2xsK0SfeEwvCJww7uSpNto318ZndzC7XIkoHO68k3fnP7OtzOhWF204G92cq3s7ZX9VTjI3Q/s2997/64%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1073" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cLmewAI9eWgn3UYL2nXX2gm5oyuWc6iAJkDt9a5K9ql8WpwTdDuFg0m9HC1vvgG-zAEf9WhWCmAlzlT8pgxoD82jpXknemeTYqJfvFBUFWLS7lME7r2xsK0SfeEwvCJww7uSpNto318ZndzC7XIkoHO68k3fnP7OtzOhWF204G92cq3s7ZX9VTjI3Q/w1605-h1073/64%20copy.jpg" width="1605" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound UP stacks have crested the summit at Shawmut and are headed downgrade to the Gila River and Yuma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfiJEwGltfOeXhnDAXioEezeRWjYwH-Bk3F62TEkG21ccsddsdpgyPa7Zq_SxuRoDhzg3gPk2j7v6zTlksizsXzmT2uq1IBFW5rBdZT4-7wyrWkZj9vevCTxEYRU6WulZtFJAc0cF52TucxAFvVtR82HqxnielhDkPmZduxZgBaJQnmouEnA46W11EQ/s3062/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="3062" height="1030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfiJEwGltfOeXhnDAXioEezeRWjYwH-Bk3F62TEkG21ccsddsdpgyPa7Zq_SxuRoDhzg3gPk2j7v6zTlksizsXzmT2uq1IBFW5rBdZT4-7wyrWkZj9vevCTxEYRU6WulZtFJAc0cF52TucxAFvVtR82HqxnielhDkPmZduxZgBaJQnmouEnA46W11EQ/w1609-h1030/17.jpg" width="1609" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Deep in the Maricopa Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The Maricopa Mountains of south central Arizona remind me of the Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma. Both are remnants of much larger chains worn down over eons to small protuberances from otherwise rocky soil, pimples on the face of an old man. Your author himself falls into the "senior citizen" category, and even he can hike to the top of these "peaks" without distress. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG18X_Hr_FkShzI-_CrQVoABYTy957K2IwxtVdyImSVWm7qAvk_xeybKnaS7mitzbCDeT-pf6d-u6KRkYntzQhH5suKHAOqFeoOP36GcQOrWW0hT2U1T_JeSJ9F7Ll1bIsD8zpTsf89eQ7D9e7PEgjucDTPCqOhztN3hwsVZLejxfqx86sQvu-uAgZbg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="742" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG18X_Hr_FkShzI-_CrQVoABYTy957K2IwxtVdyImSVWm7qAvk_xeybKnaS7mitzbCDeT-pf6d-u6KRkYntzQhH5suKHAOqFeoOP36GcQOrWW0hT2U1T_JeSJ9F7Ll1bIsD8zpTsf89eQ7D9e7PEgjucDTPCqOhztN3hwsVZLejxfqx86sQvu-uAgZbg=w1114-h742" width="1114" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wichita Mountains</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja_AFj6Ph3IxwNnRKzzIpouZc1lJWC0d-YxHDOSFyuv4Wdy7-FjJDuvGNSY5sqdpGagEBsD6ty_Is2kfCJPf_iEvz4HJmIOo66fn0T76Y3zwXkcGEOFdU6lTvMQyzsBhU1JOuT1QR-m9ubQICfojPgP5LVyKfCeX2zV0avaEkEbMZ_79IVzhfKA-5UEA" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1288" height="836" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja_AFj6Ph3IxwNnRKzzIpouZc1lJWC0d-YxHDOSFyuv4Wdy7-FjJDuvGNSY5sqdpGagEBsD6ty_Is2kfCJPf_iEvz4HJmIOo66fn0T76Y3zwXkcGEOFdU6lTvMQyzsBhU1JOuT1QR-m9ubQICfojPgP5LVyKfCeX2zV0avaEkEbMZ_79IVzhfKA-5UEA=w1114-h836" width="1114" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Maricopa Mountains</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">But there is at least one huge difference. The Maricopa Mountains rise in the midst of the Sonoran Desert and are watched over in silence by majestic Saguaro cacti.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk4cn6rPP1PYKawWz-YhmaArpCNEHupZDc9PJxNDWEXgRgzhgr8Z_Vn945wiEKFERj7c303ognduPaeLsjnTufspvy3TfSUHkiuR8Kq_yGH1FdED-0Mqpcvs_lNhSh9NbOeaUKzXyEhgaOA7ySwRNxO2rwYdb9edSNAx6AceWhwHqdEhWxRa4QuZHWhg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="833" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk4cn6rPP1PYKawWz-YhmaArpCNEHupZDc9PJxNDWEXgRgzhgr8Z_Vn945wiEKFERj7c303ognduPaeLsjnTufspvy3TfSUHkiuR8Kq_yGH1FdED-0Mqpcvs_lNhSh9NbOeaUKzXyEhgaOA7ySwRNxO2rwYdb9edSNAx6AceWhwHqdEhWxRa4QuZHWhg=w1111-h833" width="1111" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Saguaro</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Your first view of a Saguaro should leave you awestruck. Photographs do not do justice to these giants. Young Saguaro sprout single stalks rising from the desert like light houses. Older specimens grow arms. The Saguaro is to Arizona as the Redwood is to California. </span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">This is harsh country -- dry, cloudless, radiating heat like a parking lot. Yet the sand is filled with vegetation, a seeming impossibility, mile upon mile of cacti, palo verde, mesquite, catclaw, creosote, desert willow, yucca and agave. There is just enough rain here to support this abundance -- an abundance which seeks yearly to consume the Union Pacific tracks climbing the grade to the Pacific or Texas, depending on direction.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The railroad through these mountains roughly follows one of the four routes selected by the federal government as potentials for the first transcontinental railroad. The political and commercial rivalries involved in merely choosing the routes were Sisyphean. Like feed lot cattle struggling at the trough, every state and territory west of the Mississippi River vied for consideration. So did various construction companies, each with visions of monumental wealth. Nothing like it would rise again until one hundred years later -- the construction of the interstate highway system. </span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">In 1854, Congress included in the budget of the War Department a line item allowing Jefferson Davis (the Secretary of War and soon to be President of the Confederacy) to send survey parties across the West, searching for the perfect railroad route to the Pacific. When the dust settled, four routes were chosen:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">1. A far northern route along the 47th to 49th parallels, following the Missouri River into Montana, then across the Rockies and Cascades to Puget Sound (more or less followed by the Northern Pacific, Great Northern and Milwaukee Road);</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">2. A north central route along the 37th to 39th parallels, across Kansas, the Rockies and Wasatch to Salt Lake City, then across the Great Salt Desert and Nevada to the Sierra Nevada, then to the Pacific (sort of followed by the Union Pacific, Denver and Rio Grande Western and Western Pacific);</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">3. A south central route along the 35th parallel, from Fort Smith, Arkansas, across Indian Country to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and the Mojave Desert (eventually partially followed by the Santa Fe but only from central New Mexico westward);</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">4. A far southern route along the 32nd parallel from Texas to the very southern reaches of California (kind of followed by the Southern Pacific).</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprHUek7aSOCyPSwrZSbbhu2Sp-_ACj24_ULZ8HMQE64efrxlR49zP70oFm9diU3Enn8k2u-qSBvCrfG5YsSpYOvBxNSlvidy4B2kTuNhBPpNDpNjcYv6E0z0d_oTD7LolgMXR-yvUkCM59FcsXs03EmFtM2HhPvthrS-HKRgMc_o-ro3AmFj01SEZ_w/s3804/Maricopa%201.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="3804" height="983" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprHUek7aSOCyPSwrZSbbhu2Sp-_ACj24_ULZ8HMQE64efrxlR49zP70oFm9diU3Enn8k2u-qSBvCrfG5YsSpYOvBxNSlvidy4B2kTuNhBPpNDpNjcYv6E0z0d_oTD7LolgMXR-yvUkCM59FcsXs03EmFtM2HhPvthrS-HKRgMc_o-ro3AmFj01SEZ_w/w1599-h983/Maricopa%201.jpg" width="1599" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>This aerial view shows the territory of the 32nd parallel route south of Phoenix. The railroad line runs from Maricopa to Shawmut to Gila Bend.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9itLHvMDovADSxEMPIptbzWSAN3qYuNR2Uttx9Uiuto97IX4bNxWjxppWZpbld-RiiliJJPqCmk1J1fOoutDBS7slmC9kcHFvF858jkqpr30Nj5H7eizRu7-pIiBBj4o9QrnqwDiwsXT2VTKxRk43fBnVVVcFwMOvwSRZ60VV2H1n37CXp89raGQ4lQ/s3372/Maricopa%202.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2234" data-original-width="3372" height="1063" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9itLHvMDovADSxEMPIptbzWSAN3qYuNR2Uttx9Uiuto97IX4bNxWjxppWZpbld-RiiliJJPqCmk1J1fOoutDBS7slmC9kcHFvF858jkqpr30Nj5H7eizRu7-pIiBBj4o9QrnqwDiwsXT2VTKxRk43fBnVVVcFwMOvwSRZ60VV2H1n37CXp89raGQ4lQ/w1605-h1063/Maricopa%202.png" width="1605" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>A close-up of the summit of the Maricopa Mountains at Shawmut. Also shown is Butterfield Pass, where the stage route crossed, plus the portions of the railroad relocated since the original construction.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">We are here concerned with geography along the 32nd parallel, what SP came to call the Sunset Route. A portion of the survey -- from Yuma, Arizona, across the recently acquired territory of the Gadsden purchase in Arizona and New Mexico to the Rio Grande -- was led by John G. Parke.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1849 and commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the Corps of Topographical Engineers, Parke was chief surveyor determining the boundary between the northwest United States and British Columbia. </span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNIOSA0FSMJcuT0r4bcxaZl1Au1-XOyWGm7cEiMg_z-HxE4j_pdkhe_t2HDKysgcdd98jnbumvqcFq15B4g1TGRyNjFm_uDVESXYpJaiV-37uSb8yPJA13BJ-Tflmt4b0a_yzDM041irSC1OQ1GyuOS1W_AP1sG4Gf5gcbxYvQ7FWxMR6MtuV08IwSEw" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="485" height="881" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNIOSA0FSMJcuT0r4bcxaZl1Au1-XOyWGm7cEiMg_z-HxE4j_pdkhe_t2HDKysgcdd98jnbumvqcFq15B4g1TGRyNjFm_uDVESXYpJaiV-37uSb8yPJA13BJ-Tflmt4b0a_yzDM041irSC1OQ1GyuOS1W_AP1sG4Gf5gcbxYvQ7FWxMR6MtuV08IwSEw=w742-h881" width="742" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>John Grubb Parke</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">In the War Between the States, he served as Chief of Staff to Ambrose E. Burnside at Antietam, Fredericksburg and the Overland Campaign. He also held significant field commands during Burnside's North Carolina Expedition, Vicksburg and the battle of Fort Stedman, plus brief stints in command of the Army of the Potomac.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">He filed a detailed report to Congress concerning the 32nd Parallel survey, which today can be found at: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moa&idno=AFK4383.0002.006">https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moa&idno=AFK4383.0002.006</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">From Yuma, Arizona, the survey party followed the Gila River northwest to Gila Bend, where the river turned north, while the survey team turned east and began its climb to the summit of the Maricopa Mountains at Shawmut. Given the mountains' diminutive size, it is not surprising that Parke's report only mentions them in passing:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"February 16, 1854 -- On turning from the river we have to encounter a long stretch of about seventy miles where the finding of water is very uncertain, it being dependent upon the rains and seasons. . . . We started from camp, on the left bank of the Gila, about six miles above the Pimas, at 1 p.m., and after traveling 3.5 miles in the river-bottom, took a course tangent to the eastern base of the ridge on our right, and skirting a mesquite growth, interspersed with small patches of bunch-grass, extending southeastward from the Gila. As we progressed the road became hard and firm, leading over a gradually ascending plain of red gravelly surface, destitute of all vegetation except the grease-wood and occasional mesquite. In the distance, on the right were low mountains, and on the left a low ridge, increasing in </span><span><span style="font-size: x-large;">altitude towards the south."</span></span></span></blockquote><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-7ysGRLh2QQAvNcZ5nR07IhqBl61HsBlDTtNeOFgD9DOwdK1-I32MUqhsUTDz1BVvFSvvmEAteSuEnqwqsEfWTALoxfNhSCfR29dOedGZknXl2JQPRQvkC9V8fRKgPAn0vO_pncnbyeuhBH7mg59UhIIWFpQM7pfhRFqK-Sn6wR7vmBGHCOAHZcs7Q/s3060/37.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3060" height="1010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-7ysGRLh2QQAvNcZ5nR07IhqBl61HsBlDTtNeOFgD9DOwdK1-I32MUqhsUTDz1BVvFSvvmEAteSuEnqwqsEfWTALoxfNhSCfR29dOedGZknXl2JQPRQvkC9V8fRKgPAn0vO_pncnbyeuhBH7mg59UhIIWFpQM7pfhRFqK-Sn6wR7vmBGHCOAHZcs7Q/w1576-h1010/37.jpg" width="1576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound UP stacks are climbing the "gradually ascending plain" out of the valley of the Gila River -- as described by Parke. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3li3Ay48GsYpefZyFeVMXhnUxySj-a6dZlN2n5AzD6TiCRSwo-Qs1jELrb-IEdcEHC7tGxSc5Jos93Rn4gZnGicu-Dh3pO0EpToS8Idp8BvXgh332xNfbu3QK1FPwrqQ1-rzFTo_Am49ID4VE9ZJAbYY23vHe2blRPumCT8nCWM3rOsgm35iEYfF7Q/s3035/45.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3035" height="1043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3li3Ay48GsYpefZyFeVMXhnUxySj-a6dZlN2n5AzD6TiCRSwo-Qs1jELrb-IEdcEHC7tGxSc5Jos93Rn4gZnGicu-Dh3pO0EpToS8Idp8BvXgh332xNfbu3QK1FPwrqQ1-rzFTo_Am49ID4VE9ZJAbYY23vHe2blRPumCT8nCWM3rOsgm35iEYfF7Q/w1604-h1043/45.jpg" width="1604" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>More UP stacks ascending between "low mountains and . . . a low ridge."</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwaHOBbNJPsnZOCoODQ5tN5caLBJv2ttxYK71Qhv5QL4xYg7uDjasTLYrDf26KtQGGkw5Hr0J85K_jjmDZ1UpoeX7N5X3m28HbdPgl76k-N0pAQbbZKXPbFaMZ_U8HJO15jxyF9gk1xQI1LxV8is-pdpd6cD4z2I8hC-ScyPyZ4DL6ElBLt2-qJowtQ/s3028/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3028" height="1053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwaHOBbNJPsnZOCoODQ5tN5caLBJv2ttxYK71Qhv5QL4xYg7uDjasTLYrDf26KtQGGkw5Hr0J85K_jjmDZ1UpoeX7N5X3m28HbdPgl76k-N0pAQbbZKXPbFaMZ_U8HJO15jxyF9gk1xQI1LxV8is-pdpd6cD4z2I8hC-ScyPyZ4DL6ElBLt2-qJowtQ/w1613-h1053/6.jpg" width="1613" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Looking west toward Gila Bend at the "gradually ascending plain."</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><span>Comparing these images to Parke's description, one is immediately struck by the claim that the area was "</span><span>destitute of all vegetation except the grease-wood and occasional mesquite." The photos show massive plant life. Most surprising, Parke makes no mention of the Saguaro. These majestic cacti can live 150-200 years. It seems unlikely that none were growing when the survey team came through. </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">In another section of his report, however, Parke gives a general description of the terrain and vegetation, bearing closer resemblance to images taken by your author:</span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">"The soil of this plain changes from a dry, ashen loam at the Gila, through a reddish argillaceous sand, to a gravel as we approached the ridges and peaks; and yields a growth of stinted artemisia and larrea, with mesquite in the low portions, and cereus giganteus, midst other varieties of the cacti, upon the uplands." </span></span></blockquote><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">"These mountains are of peculiar form and shape," wrote Clarke. "Their serrated crests and faces, often vertical and cliff-like, surmounting the slopes of the debris, gives the whole, particularly when aided by mirage, a semblance to the crumbling towers of a fallen castle."</span></span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafbKT0TYehNKfk0FfHU2W5RggdMifsft580vcEmAbleK6PC3-VZP7_OOrev_sfZ4ejtH7WPx0V6aZudwvmKSHjD4vVvvdJbCg0cAVIdTQyM4npBd6XebIvqzQmhlxq7oJviC4_iyT2pQDieEhMG6Y8O_Ol2IRAoFQJ9o6Yo-lNNy77Fy-mJOHSSdqpw/s3061/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3061" height="1022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafbKT0TYehNKfk0FfHU2W5RggdMifsft580vcEmAbleK6PC3-VZP7_OOrev_sfZ4ejtH7WPx0V6aZudwvmKSHjD4vVvvdJbCg0cAVIdTQyM4npBd6XebIvqzQmhlxq7oJviC4_iyT2pQDieEhMG6Y8O_Ol2IRAoFQJ9o6Yo-lNNy77Fy-mJOHSSdqpw/w1596-h1022/3.jpg" width="1596" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>With a lash-up including the Olympic Torch Relay Unit, westbound stacks pass "the crumbling towers of a fallen castle."</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l1LZ5xRvztPLvaXm9xgc-tohWhFEevuUSUEx7sc7guTdfc525fAP4Vj4KJ3G4dtGWBnWZdSSk1xCvXi1GlcbjNMmrQRi24kt-_R3DytEi52xUl7gaTmv9Mpv9WJavtSxrcG3qKNQggErKyPb9k64LZTy0oPPhbg7yvocNKw4IaJa_rcoMXJgOVKgAA/s2977/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2977" height="1090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l1LZ5xRvztPLvaXm9xgc-tohWhFEevuUSUEx7sc7guTdfc525fAP4Vj4KJ3G4dtGWBnWZdSSk1xCvXi1GlcbjNMmrQRi24kt-_R3DytEi52xUl7gaTmv9Mpv9WJavtSxrcG3qKNQggErKyPb9k64LZTy0oPPhbg7yvocNKw4IaJa_rcoMXJgOVKgAA/w1606-h1090/12.jpg" width="1606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound grain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght8IenbMHrVkP25eaVLiC0Zt8RKc6ASH7pO0CIoGeyQnQ3vp3YLPPn_Uc21y8zRLf_KUPIowPCvid0_hWp3D9sFNLL6ehBilgHIdmyS-JMbFCV8xA2NxWLY1y5ZxW7edoHMSjUwDoVzVleXkt8cAhMYFILjZqJTEG_JVZ1lQG0dLKjNjY1QK4Pr5jVA/s2990/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2990" height="1079" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght8IenbMHrVkP25eaVLiC0Zt8RKc6ASH7pO0CIoGeyQnQ3vp3YLPPn_Uc21y8zRLf_KUPIowPCvid0_hWp3D9sFNLL6ehBilgHIdmyS-JMbFCV8xA2NxWLY1y5ZxW7edoHMSjUwDoVzVleXkt8cAhMYFILjZqJTEG_JVZ1lQG0dLKjNjY1QK4Pr5jVA/w1605-h1079/27.jpg" width="1605" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound nearing the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMgZHDS9WGNmlWVlNEljBTv1_TH_cY4dzb3aPV_Ma4nYuR8zXlpRoTYiaZdfJ5cdX5hhg2xHaISYKFuEkRVtvQshHwAhuY8Ld7W20PD4pbw0wUTWyhA6Iser3rXI1svwROi4KKyGAwlmKmNalvZyAFw_RbCRLnRFT9db5f3zEDl65vEGpFnClsr6e3Tw" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="250" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMgZHDS9WGNmlWVlNEljBTv1_TH_cY4dzb3aPV_Ma4nYuR8zXlpRoTYiaZdfJ5cdX5hhg2xHaISYKFuEkRVtvQshHwAhuY8Ld7W20PD4pbw0wUTWyhA6Iser3rXI1svwROi4KKyGAwlmKmNalvZyAFw_RbCRLnRFT9db5f3zEDl65vEGpFnClsr6e3Tw=w487-h618" width="487" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Andrew B. Gray</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">A second survey along the 32nd parallel was carried out privately by Andrew B. Gray on behalf of the Texas Western Railroad. Gray was born in Norfolk, Virginia, began surveying as a teenager and participated in the survey of the Mississippi River delta. After a short stint in the Texas Navy, when Texas considered itself an independent republic (an attitude little changed in the 21st century), he surveyed the boundary between the United States and the Republic of Texas. (Your author, who was born and has lived almost his whole life in Oklahoma, knows exactly how Canadians feel, because Oklahoma is to Texas as Canada is to the United States. Both Canada and Oklahoma are constantly vexed to grief by a lumbering giant to the south.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Gray spent the Mexican War in North Texas and was appointed the principal surveyor of the United States-Mexican border after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. In 1853 he was hired by the Texas Western Railroad to locate the most propitious route from the Rio Grande to southern California. In places, he deviated significantly from Parke's earlier survey; however, he chose the identical route through the Maricopa Mountains.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Gray entered the Confederate Army in 1861 as a captain. On April 16, 1862, while conducting a survey for Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard, Gray was killed at Fort Pillow.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOOBnh5loEDt_ccQ6jePzS4O8rRRC8IvTNNb5RZmqR0kpOUlGP7fJ2VSsKnNWqBkv_z3cFRFIE3mwW_n0waMY5DSX3AGym2zuSH3SCB9OdOAaM_kW3AEp4ev-Vtv-VQHbtcxnsGwzzK_a/s3014/90.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3014" height="1057" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOOBnh5loEDt_ccQ6jePzS4O8rRRC8IvTNNb5RZmqR0kpOUlGP7fJ2VSsKnNWqBkv_z3cFRFIE3mwW_n0waMY5DSX3AGym2zuSH3SCB9OdOAaM_kW3AEp4ev-Vtv-VQHbtcxnsGwzzK_a/w1602-h1057/90.jpg" width="1602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound UP stacks through the route surveyed by both Parke and Gray.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaStC1zKMh24-pON3Lt2qb3XNr5XTi4JcxG7_UnqRCoorsz0q1gmh03J5fyuYhQ3F0MexCL5nLn5qZIDzT7QGnhY-oG0P13bMkO4QCyNeeULlA2n7EA1sL3vA9yEt7YfiXeP6J1q4LYy3kn0SwnlbST7vuuMjhtOXgsIHN0XEtEsGujiEVqYzCMfSLg/s3015/85.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3015" height="1056" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaStC1zKMh24-pON3Lt2qb3XNr5XTi4JcxG7_UnqRCoorsz0q1gmh03J5fyuYhQ3F0MexCL5nLn5qZIDzT7QGnhY-oG0P13bMkO4QCyNeeULlA2n7EA1sL3vA9yEt7YfiXeP6J1q4LYy3kn0SwnlbST7vuuMjhtOXgsIHN0XEtEsGujiEVqYzCMfSLg/w1601-h1056/85.jpg" width="1601" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The Texas Western Railroad never built west to California; however, the 32nd parallel route quickly became a major gateway. Stage coach lines appeared like locusts. The first began in 1857. Called the "Jackass Mail," the San Antonio and San Diego Stage Company carried passengers and correspondence sporadically for about a year. Then followed the Butterfield Overland Mail, the first dependable transcontinental stage line. Beginning September 18, 1858, the Overland Mail ran from Tipton, Missouri, to San Francisco, following the 32nd parallel route through Tucson, the Maricopa Mountains, Gila Bend and Yuma. For reasons unknown to this author, the stage route did not pass the summit of the Maricopas at Shawmut, instead crossing the mountains to the north at Butterfield Pass. Besides Butterfield Pass and a few other exceptions, the stage coaches followed the route later constructed by the Southern Pacific. Many SP stations, in fact, were originally stage stops. Outbreak of the War Between the States forced Butterfield to move north; it never reopened the southern route.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">That chore belonged to the Southern Pacific, a company operated by the Central Pacific to protect its monopoly in California. The "Big Four" of Collis Huntington, Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins and Leland Stanford had controlled the Central Pacific's portion of the first transcontinental railroad, establishing a California empire. If you don't believe your author -- a graduate of Stanford University -- take a cable car to the top of Knob Hill in San Francisco and eat a scrumptious meal in the Big Four Restaurant in the Huntington Hotel, then spend the night at the Top of the Mark in the Mark Hopkins Hotel. Until the mid-1980's, you could have deposited your money in the Crocker Bank, now owned by Wells Fargo. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The Southern Pacific was originally created to build a railroad from San Francisco to Los Angeles, then east to the Colorado River on the border with Arizona. Realizing the value of such a route, the Big Four acquired a controlling interest. When the Texas and Pacific Railroad was chartered in 1871, Congress gave it land grants and authority to connect with the Southern Pacific at Yuma, Arizona. The SP was not to cross the Colorado River.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The rail link from San Francisco to Los Angeles, including the famous Tehachapi Loop, was completed when track layers met at Goshen Junction in September 1876. Then the SP began construction east out of Los Angeles, down the Imperial Valley toward Yuma. As the line neared the Colorado River, the Texas and Pacific had not yet reached Fort Worth. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYOAXCOmMqlxDZdPXG3bMFV0rww4-FKFKt3J6cPfjDGJU6a59VWcPxRuoERRVshufyHbrTYXDPrsH49_xwD5PmMsRihybtKEdudoPonjmMjf0Lg1ddVkyRj0MyBwsfRjMd42iq0lxohjmaq-KRBXBRx3Vo1FSOhV4VCHajdxPZ8cq11I06W5c7zeKyA/s2975/63.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2975" height="1086" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYOAXCOmMqlxDZdPXG3bMFV0rww4-FKFKt3J6cPfjDGJU6a59VWcPxRuoERRVshufyHbrTYXDPrsH49_xwD5PmMsRihybtKEdudoPonjmMjf0Lg1ddVkyRj0MyBwsfRjMd42iq0lxohjmaq-KRBXBRx3Vo1FSOhV4VCHajdxPZ8cq11I06W5c7zeKyA/w1601-h1086/63.jpg" width="1601" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound autos.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5BAFHHE4EMkUvc0oqLPHLtIJQ-G_fYKUr96lJfk7oNVd_F_k6-1qdfHKsOc4GzO4igZX0SvR2TLMSe82VBx5H8mbjhRJlhr63NtL_XFMa4kR527IvtDZz2VQ099tib8TxKPGgb1YzB5K7QgaUK0Aa0PLmm2PZQDwrrGTELDrUuXxWUTUfINWUHZW3g/s2978/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2978" height="1086" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5BAFHHE4EMkUvc0oqLPHLtIJQ-G_fYKUr96lJfk7oNVd_F_k6-1qdfHKsOc4GzO4igZX0SvR2TLMSe82VBx5H8mbjhRJlhr63NtL_XFMa4kR527IvtDZz2VQ099tib8TxKPGgb1YzB5K7QgaUK0Aa0PLmm2PZQDwrrGTELDrUuXxWUTUfINWUHZW3g/w1603-h1086/40.jpg" width="1603" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound to Yuma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVCYRe-sKOaEj88qJ9smybEmihPlfA_Z7pjlk_WjxoX7tVxAp2BA3ZPP3yL_2qmB1TImgeuvF2GaPp_SDE4yDXSUQPip0fKDd1QHGib6YjZSCJwaU9-Pkpj4lj3EuYdkzRePkD73pctQNoHXRSe9pxGqA381-BIWHu5KobeT718PSWEbNu5LTtnrvPQ/s3031/65.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3031" height="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVCYRe-sKOaEj88qJ9smybEmihPlfA_Z7pjlk_WjxoX7tVxAp2BA3ZPP3yL_2qmB1TImgeuvF2GaPp_SDE4yDXSUQPip0fKDd1QHGib6YjZSCJwaU9-Pkpj4lj3EuYdkzRePkD73pctQNoHXRSe9pxGqA381-BIWHu5KobeT718PSWEbNu5LTtnrvPQ/w1614-h1054/65.jpg" width="1614" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>More westbound stacks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Goods began rolling from San Francisco to Arizona and were ferried across the water. Bridge work commenced in 1877, and the Texas and Pacific quickly complained to Congress, which ordered the SP to stop construction. The railroad ignored the order, completed the bridge and entered Yuma September 30, 1877.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The Southern Pacific continued building eastward while seeking Congressional approval, not forthcoming, so the railroad turned to the territorial legislature of Arizona, which quickly consented. A new entity was formed -- Southern Pacific Railroad Company of Arizona -- with directors Charles F. Crocker, David D. Colton, A.P.K. Safford, Charles Hudson and David Neahr, all closely tied either to the Central Pacific or the Arizona legislature.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">East from Yuma, the desert presented few obstacles. The land here is mostly flat, radiates heat like a magnifying glass and encouraged the railroad to push the Chinese labor force beyond human endurance. At Gila City a small dome of rocks required blasting a deep cut. Thereafter, track was laid at about one mile per day. By December 1878, the line had reached Adonde Wells, which for a brief moment became a bustling terminus settlement. Once the railroad moved on, however, Adonde Wells withered into the sand.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">By April 1879, the tracks had reached Gila Bend, where construction followed the earlier surveys of Parke and Gray, climbing upgrade to Maricopa Summit, later called Shawmut, where the small mountain range was crossed.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67SgwPAy8cDgcKCeyMOoCkukBpkZEv0Q34xn8lZnVUck4fpn9jH0jlEIvHkx-zWpEvL2FgaMJNNkKxZglaPyTGin3MgB_L87cNDGK5DVm8LwuWpeTgQCI2aKwiAKbCDecMkV7v-fx_qQeWIMIbgtEkifVleSriznxmn-MciU2_yu26L7aiOcmqKFD7Q/s3024/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1047" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67SgwPAy8cDgcKCeyMOoCkukBpkZEv0Q34xn8lZnVUck4fpn9jH0jlEIvHkx-zWpEvL2FgaMJNNkKxZglaPyTGin3MgB_L87cNDGK5DVm8LwuWpeTgQCI2aKwiAKbCDecMkV7v-fx_qQeWIMIbgtEkifVleSriznxmn-MciU2_yu26L7aiOcmqKFD7Q/w1596-h1047/7.jpg" width="1596" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound BNSF power has crossed the summit, while silent Saguaro watch impassively.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYe7Kd5r_YKEGwk2I6bwCMKdAYKgELfcJiZc3mNDfFjppL6aU-ELVFcp2eJMqSc3Rwoij2ojmn1j_dXPenemB2NJ1nU0RSDeaXbeR__WeeISOy3nEaeWIkS6MhUZU_E4nrBldcxpjmdd2VgiOVDZOAxfBxXRcERZrh-ekaT9jSAPdxeuqF6p-TqZP8g/s3061/9.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3061" height="1033" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYe7Kd5r_YKEGwk2I6bwCMKdAYKgELfcJiZc3mNDfFjppL6aU-ELVFcp2eJMqSc3Rwoij2ojmn1j_dXPenemB2NJ1nU0RSDeaXbeR__WeeISOy3nEaeWIkS6MhUZU_E4nrBldcxpjmdd2VgiOVDZOAxfBxXRcERZrh-ekaT9jSAPdxeuqF6p-TqZP8g/w1612-h1033/9.jpg" width="1612" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>When UP acquired the SP in 1996, less than 25 percent of the Sunset Route was double-tracked. Since then, UP has double-tracked extensive stretches, though the one percent grade in both directions to Shawmut remains single track (as of the date of this article: August 2022). In steam days, the summit required pushers, and Shawmut developed a small settlement to handle the extra engines. All traces of those facilities are long gone, though one can still see evidence of the "Y" in the sand. As this image shows, the mainline was realigned around 1960. The old grade is in the foreground. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjqHQlddY0aZNpkFkMTAuc0nH_bjLOTXw8A5K2fM8DP6cBu2Rn85ux3jlyBQnQO4OeKdUfMJMyPzwmJFd4aALMnfZb3FziNAiWyyZVPR_p5quZnLrnNwmYC5bDOlGYlFKBPhHMlH58sGII4_nnGOcV4YEqnyRFgZd6PYZp0uUISBdrAzMyL3wjAus5A/s3032/14.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3032" height="1049" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjqHQlddY0aZNpkFkMTAuc0nH_bjLOTXw8A5K2fM8DP6cBu2Rn85ux3jlyBQnQO4OeKdUfMJMyPzwmJFd4aALMnfZb3FziNAiWyyZVPR_p5quZnLrnNwmYC5bDOlGYlFKBPhHMlH58sGII4_nnGOcV4YEqnyRFgZd6PYZp0uUISBdrAzMyL3wjAus5A/w1606-h1049/14.jpg" width="1606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train, showing more of the old alignment. The new mainline was designed to lessen the curves.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuEzzUVSbRxYb8KD19oHf1Mmre3ta8dBVEKrOAyZhaT-7tX-ehJ7-1CtH-0IQLIzhOJuYLbxVOp9Z-ojWBf-U327eEZSvv-7zkF1towduVMEnWBBhMHgftSq6LiU6S1DAh3pqeph5yL0cNIPEe99Okj88m6Ttag1fGW9zpHlasnT0tUHgsUokDG9Rzw/s3019/44.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1059" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuEzzUVSbRxYb8KD19oHf1Mmre3ta8dBVEKrOAyZhaT-7tX-ehJ7-1CtH-0IQLIzhOJuYLbxVOp9Z-ojWBf-U327eEZSvv-7zkF1towduVMEnWBBhMHgftSq6LiU6S1DAh3pqeph5yL0cNIPEe99Okj88m6Ttag1fGW9zpHlasnT0tUHgsUokDG9Rzw/w1607-h1059/44.jpg" width="1607" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>More of the old grade, which is still in good enough condition that one can drive a Jeep on it.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">All four of the proposed routes authorized by Congress were surveyed carefully, but the intervention of the War Between the States postponed actual construction. Eventually, as we know, the government selected the north central route between the 37th and 39th parallels, and the rest, as they say, is history.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">But when the surveys were completed, Jefferson Davis recommended to Congress that construction proceed along the 32nd. His report can be found here: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/reportsofexplora11855unit">https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/reportsofexplora11855unit</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Over the years, the general consensus has been that Davis favored the southern route because he was a born and bred Southerner. The 32nd parallel, so the logic goes, would have provided a direct pipeline from the slave fields of the southeast to the wide open country of the southwest. Slave owners, so goes the narrative, grew dizzy with delight at the thought of growing cotton in the New Mexico and Arizona deserts, places with climates almost identical to Egypt, where the plant was first domesticated.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The standard narrative may, or may not, be true, but consider this. Political considerations aside, the best route for railroad construction <i>was</i> the 32nd. Across New Mexico, the terrain is as flat as a lake bed almost all the way to the Arizona border. The western continental divide is impossible to detect without elaborate equipment. The first obstacle is the short mountain pass at Steins. In Arizona the most difficult grade on the entire route is crossed at Dragoon. There is a small summit at Mescale, then Shawmut. In California, Beaumont Hill is the last obstacle to Los Angeles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Although this list may sound imposing, it is minuscule compared to the barriers faced by the construction crews along the other three routes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The 35th parallel across northern Arizona alone was a roller coster ride, one long grade after another in both directions. The climbs in both directions leading to the Arizona divide near Flagstaff were long and tortuous, and the tracks down the escarpment from Williams to Ash Fork were so difficult that the Santa Fe replaced them in the mid-twentieth century with the Crookton Cut-off. Plus, there were Raton, Glorietta and Cajon Passes, to say nothing of Ash and Goffs Hills and the other gradients in the Mojave.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The travails of the Overland Route are well known, particularly the ordeal of crossing the Sierra Nevada. And one need only read the journals of Lewis and Clark to appreciate the obstacles faced along the northern route in Montana and Washington. Also, both these routes were and are subject to massive winter snows, thus the need for sheds to protect the tracks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Another way to put it is that there was no equivalent to the Donner Party along the 32nd parallel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Here are Davis's words to Congress:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Among the considerations which determine the general position of the route near the 32d parallel, are the low elevation of the mountain passes in this latitude, and their favorable topographical features, as well as those of the table-lands, extending over more than 1,000 miles of the route; the favorable character of the surface generally, on the route, by which the most costly item of construction in railroads, the formation of the road-bed, is, in a great measure, avoided; the shortness of the line, 1,600 miles, from the navigable waters of the Mississippi to the Pacific, and the temperate climate on the elevated portions in this southern latitude.</span></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihAvXZ2GCH0vBcRW_PxYfADx81pRcZli3wPMNmF9WQL-DdM7-uauqoe5Z_yU4mmucKa-Q9yS_kceT6c4aP7ZJdkHG_vxfrW66Y8xgFugeM0jndUzZk9-zyiFS1zkI2IrY2JQ8PYQ8INiEeN6suCxU5UbhjoR3Lk_x3kxFROjEO95Gk3rdN-V60I_TIw/s2989/88.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2989" height="1089" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihAvXZ2GCH0vBcRW_PxYfADx81pRcZli3wPMNmF9WQL-DdM7-uauqoe5Z_yU4mmucKa-Q9yS_kceT6c4aP7ZJdkHG_vxfrW66Y8xgFugeM0jndUzZk9-zyiFS1zkI2IrY2JQ8PYQ8INiEeN6suCxU5UbhjoR3Lk_x3kxFROjEO95Gk3rdN-V60I_TIw/w1621-h1089/88.jpg" width="1621" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the 21st century, Union Pacific loves to run outlandishly long consists, generally two full lengths spliced together by mid-trains. Here are two in Run 8, grinding eastward toward the summit at Shawmut.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAUeaz7oNQR-MbhVpWwIfKm9uiEuzulF9kdt4UQun10kHxxC8HIszb4v_PfnFAY0kXNlFcceBoxjn88SdlsRRDw22O3rpWKZ7g2yDJAkE-8FWU7xYI4yDNbUZINMAeNzcd1J8_65AR05PUf8uJ9dZ-SDvlZRzRhZW8LvMybYjU-7k-yYKw__5APLmHg/s3050/82.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3050" height="1044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAUeaz7oNQR-MbhVpWwIfKm9uiEuzulF9kdt4UQun10kHxxC8HIszb4v_PfnFAY0kXNlFcceBoxjn88SdlsRRDw22O3rpWKZ7g2yDJAkE-8FWU7xYI4yDNbUZINMAeNzcd1J8_65AR05PUf8uJ9dZ-SDvlZRzRhZW8LvMybYjU-7k-yYKw__5APLmHg/w1622-h1044/82.jpg" width="1622" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>CSX in the desert -- a long way from home.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g8MLahrK0XEHqX7NwJOrkg3-_US2vJOR0OdzzisOG_puTV9CbufrH-3bCJeXUWW0ptOKllxTlpIvQnL30wDtL79jIhUOvG6RalGZ4ONVffxzoBEWLx6Y_h1HYmQAdcflmWBEaK9fALJrpwLfNTNqtpKiuzxzIRKH3WdCnxzb1q8qPFBZEIYc8HXHUg/s3030/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3030" height="1068" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g8MLahrK0XEHqX7NwJOrkg3-_US2vJOR0OdzzisOG_puTV9CbufrH-3bCJeXUWW0ptOKllxTlpIvQnL30wDtL79jIhUOvG6RalGZ4ONVffxzoBEWLx6Y_h1HYmQAdcflmWBEaK9fALJrpwLfNTNqtpKiuzxzIRKH3WdCnxzb1q8qPFBZEIYc8HXHUg/w1634-h1068/5.jpg" width="1634" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP-CSX Combo</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqFsCx8DSFBKGWjSO_24FhvY7nn1QltdgPQWLo_wqbT-rKXtKXNaOd612dpBUORcCuEKiw1ULazh9sj8LURO64_7BjZSTDkf2TD3W6IfA1imTuiFqI0Ry9bNFg3TdC81cisGk_8LLSzDN7cmIyxvhcisWjZv9p543Sol1cZeKXJ9qMhOHf4-MOhJXDQ/s3024/86.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1062" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqFsCx8DSFBKGWjSO_24FhvY7nn1QltdgPQWLo_wqbT-rKXtKXNaOd612dpBUORcCuEKiw1ULazh9sj8LURO64_7BjZSTDkf2TD3W6IfA1imTuiFqI0Ry9bNFg3TdC81cisGk_8LLSzDN7cmIyxvhcisWjZv9p543Sol1cZeKXJ9qMhOHf4-MOhJXDQ/w1619-h1062/86.jpg" width="1619" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound to Tucson.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADoO7B0PIQKxxRuuEqeS1yk7Uf_-1uc7pYSc1PShj3X3UlPdgvb6SFMR2taTw864xWpI_wxkUHXE54L498PksyYL2XmxIawZNKf_YuaV9euyxU_HwVCCDf4Ym1v22gu8l4wexQA4VGYgnUopLmyG4QxLRg9hcuqUd3VymhTuMvxALbxydZXiWNQw4zA/s3008/47.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1076" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADoO7B0PIQKxxRuuEqeS1yk7Uf_-1uc7pYSc1PShj3X3UlPdgvb6SFMR2taTw864xWpI_wxkUHXE54L498PksyYL2XmxIawZNKf_YuaV9euyxU_HwVCCDf4Ym1v22gu8l4wexQA4VGYgnUopLmyG4QxLRg9hcuqUd3VymhTuMvxALbxydZXiWNQw4zA/w1624-h1076/47.jpg" width="1624" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Also eastbound. The original alignment is just barely visible in the foreground.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Davis's report to Congress very accurately, and objectively, described the difficulties of each of the four surveyed routes:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">32nd Parallel -- [Discussing the crossing of New Mexico and eastern Arizona] "The great difficulty experienced in crossing this district is in the long distances over which no water is found at certain seasons. The survey by Lieut. Parke was made during the dryest [sic] season of the year, and, irrespective of the springs found at intermediate points, the whole distance tween the two rivers, Rio Grande and Gila, may be divided into five spaces, varying from 80 to 53 miles in length, at the termination of which large permanent supplies of water are found at the most unfavorable season of the year."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">35th Parallel -- [Discussing the roller-coaster ride through northern Arizona] "The sum of the ascents from San Pedro to Fort Smith is 24,641 feet; of descents, 21,171 feet; equivalent, in the cost of work on the road, to an increased horizontal distance of 924.5 [miles], which added to the length of the line of location, 1,892 miles, gives for length of equated distance 2,816 miles."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">37th to 39th Parallels -- [Discussing the crossing of the Continental Divide in Colorado] "The approach to the summit of the pass, 10,032 feet above the sea, 816 miles from Westport, is not favorable, the pass in this part having a defile character, overhung occasionally by walls of igneous rock. To cross the summit, a grade of 124 feet per mile for several miles, and a tunnel nearly two miles long, are required."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">47th to 49th Parallels -- [Discussing political considerations of the day] "The severely-cold character of the climate throughout the whole route, except the portion west of the Cascade mountains, is one of its unfavorable features; and, for national considerations, its proximity to the dominions of a powerful foreign sovereignty [British Columbia and England] must be a serious objection to it as a military road."</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsU9QEsUuBlNtEAvYgiLpY6wueOgO3daOPGattrQ1FMYXsEbw7ddFpkaxOuBIxaPCeiHvux4n6w9gLiKGGfd13ZnUy8ah5jeRElkVNMfIarNz9RWcYglqUfTizD06N2Nc2IOvhMAmq_FS0o8RREfqFJhKooBvNviUpmB9PWlzGEaAMvMHJOp4c1lW6Q/s2964/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="2964" height="1105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsU9QEsUuBlNtEAvYgiLpY6wueOgO3daOPGattrQ1FMYXsEbw7ddFpkaxOuBIxaPCeiHvux4n6w9gLiKGGfd13ZnUy8ah5jeRElkVNMfIarNz9RWcYglqUfTizD06N2Nc2IOvhMAmq_FS0o8RREfqFJhKooBvNviUpmB9PWlzGEaAMvMHJOp4c1lW6Q/w1623-h1105/23.jpg" width="1623" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound manifest has just crested the summit at Shawmut. Immediately behind the train is Arizona Highway 238 -- West Maricopa Road.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrYtp5_gkjwno3JOmOMZz0-nbm-cEOvrOIOu7XLklIdWUZN_jVYLVkl4oOWg7Ujo1E9bz0NzsjV6rEDw7l-m_kDKeTHoPpFBHyjvFyPndvYgbfccFjrC69ezaU_47dCgh-MKmd2FdUyJuE1YB6iccdLvkndsUrSDvoHFnJB73wUfhxLbNBtXa19ebcw/s3025/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3025" height="1065" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrYtp5_gkjwno3JOmOMZz0-nbm-cEOvrOIOu7XLklIdWUZN_jVYLVkl4oOWg7Ujo1E9bz0NzsjV6rEDw7l-m_kDKeTHoPpFBHyjvFyPndvYgbfccFjrC69ezaU_47dCgh-MKmd2FdUyJuE1YB6iccdLvkndsUrSDvoHFnJB73wUfhxLbNBtXa19ebcw/w1622-h1065/24.jpg" width="1622" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks curve through the Maricopa Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIBMvAulXiEbU16IOQji5RdFnTFtjSCL0PrxeQhhFNsd8mkMrIitA_aX-9XvI3_qGp1JigJRHDLG8e20ss-yTHyvEEHs4k7qJXuTAkxnouWiS1DII-OhNJ8AvaNpdys0FNRsC3MGYammuPbohEdHZcRsjqp-LgtB-i0Rksu0p1oguI6zzM08Amtbf1g/s3015/60.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1068" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIBMvAulXiEbU16IOQji5RdFnTFtjSCL0PrxeQhhFNsd8mkMrIitA_aX-9XvI3_qGp1JigJRHDLG8e20ss-yTHyvEEHs4k7qJXuTAkxnouWiS1DII-OhNJ8AvaNpdys0FNRsC3MGYammuPbohEdHZcRsjqp-LgtB-i0Rksu0p1oguI6zzM08Amtbf1g/w1620-h1068/60.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="1620" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>After clearing the Shawmut summit, this train is headed to Yuma and California.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIBMvAulXiEbU16IOQji5RdFnTFtjSCL0PrxeQhhFNsd8mkMrIitA_aX-9XvI3_qGp1JigJRHDLG8e20ss-yTHyvEEHs4k7qJXuTAkxnouWiS1DII-OhNJ8AvaNpdys0FNRsC3MGYammuPbohEdHZcRsjqp-LgtB-i0Rksu0p1oguI6zzM08Amtbf1g/s3015/60.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9WgBN-YYLSfsMwexmeQEHekQ4xhtzU7qvRb73iuD8FIa7_QFBLdeE3ftD6T-BbSaPUXEHrOC3tlAz00VtReSndTsgHxmuXuq3uXcLEEMIIx7kOyzbMT_03xALC2ns6Pzy3Uy1hJ7jSXSa7q7tLGzIgYuxzd4YR_qV_BNHSrs-nqYMw772Ju5UJEPGQ/s2996/28.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2996" height="1081" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9WgBN-YYLSfsMwexmeQEHekQ4xhtzU7qvRb73iuD8FIa7_QFBLdeE3ftD6T-BbSaPUXEHrOC3tlAz00VtReSndTsgHxmuXuq3uXcLEEMIIx7kOyzbMT_03xALC2ns6Pzy3Uy1hJ7jSXSa7q7tLGzIgYuxzd4YR_qV_BNHSrs-nqYMw772Ju5UJEPGQ/w1616-h1081/28.jpg" width="1616" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>The hottest train on the railroad.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFZwehmfj-KYirE5L59zlS-hPSqX3SyHp-D2Uym0O5LvykwzecmI3cHsWICmfU_mIW-2ORp1SVrCTWB3luE1K7GYMFQlvnWrD3WqIWLq6E9FaX1ei5GOC8SIh_VeZAHVESVHy3CT9BIfXM-JmYOhAum8cOBmq5eqxzF6Wn1sP9bklisVEfuv7yUgA1Q/s3023/69.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1057" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFZwehmfj-KYirE5L59zlS-hPSqX3SyHp-D2Uym0O5LvykwzecmI3cHsWICmfU_mIW-2ORp1SVrCTWB3luE1K7GYMFQlvnWrD3WqIWLq6E9FaX1ei5GOC8SIh_VeZAHVESVHy3CT9BIfXM-JmYOhAum8cOBmq5eqxzF6Wn1sP9bklisVEfuv7yUgA1Q/w1611-h1057/69.jpg" width="1611" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Approaching the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXwZmBxwblk01cSrEgCqGGipp6DB8fPtK33YSY8r6KdBtr1syorjwmdk-67q9DWur322x0Al-7Un967kBkwrS9atb7ATJeDOlvcd2D5mGnt9emoBJwuPU7fXRG2-H1h_llQZe677B8zMwwVYupo2QaRxl6XXGnja7BbXhTiCjBpjE6mMBo174kWJTmQ/s3051/70.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3051" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXwZmBxwblk01cSrEgCqGGipp6DB8fPtK33YSY8r6KdBtr1syorjwmdk-67q9DWur322x0Al-7Un967kBkwrS9atb7ATJeDOlvcd2D5mGnt9emoBJwuPU7fXRG2-H1h_llQZe677B8zMwwVYupo2QaRxl6XXGnja7BbXhTiCjBpjE6mMBo174kWJTmQ/w731-h471/70.jpg" width="731" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eclectic eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Arizona Highway 238 runs from Gila Bend to Shawmut, slowly climbing an almost imperceptible grade that nonetheless slows every eastbound to a crawl. If you are adventurous, you can follow two wheel ruts through the desert on the south side of the tracks, not a UP maintenance road, but a trail through the Sonoran Desert National Monument. The railroad runs in a straight line from southwest to northeast, climbing slowly, and you would think that the desert would reveal multiple locations for train photography, but you would be wrong. The desert plants are so thick that you can barely see the tracks.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The palo verde is abundant in the Sonoran Desert. Its trunk and branches are green and, unlike any other tree known to your author, can produce photosynthesis without leaves, which drop during long dry spells. Along the tracks, the palo verde is short, at most 20 feet tall, but abundant enough to obscure views of nearby trains. I have spent my entire adult life looking for railroad photography locations not blocked by trees, which is why almost everything I shoot is in the West. I never thought that foliage would be an issue in the desert.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMhGdgJMVGnlBYOdpQf3nDgXxNb42udcvjjNl6n_KS4DknGdr1uLsuBCajVTwC5LXDgrjoIuQX3b5Z9grxn1K2LJeIpVIjyh2-tgSwUE2NMwl7x5wIDiH4CbZEXnfExbdLV_SxRmpft7IQ4Pq-2_J_SNJ1zrCxpVc9t3UdlH8G_Epcq3wuYnrghUxOA/s3057/Untitled%20(26)%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3057" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMhGdgJMVGnlBYOdpQf3nDgXxNb42udcvjjNl6n_KS4DknGdr1uLsuBCajVTwC5LXDgrjoIuQX3b5Z9grxn1K2LJeIpVIjyh2-tgSwUE2NMwl7x5wIDiH4CbZEXnfExbdLV_SxRmpft7IQ4Pq-2_J_SNJ1zrCxpVc9t3UdlH8G_Epcq3wuYnrghUxOA/w1619-h1037/Untitled%20(26)%20copy.jpg" width="1619" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks have made the turn off the tangent track from Gila Bend are climbing the grade to Shawmut. This image shows the mile upon mile of palo verde lining the tracks, making ground level photography impossible.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The Sonoran is different than the Mojave. In the latter, life feels tenuous, hanging by a thread, like an automobile teetering on the edge of a cliff. One second it might fall; another it might not. But sooner or later, you feel, it will meet its doom. It's just a matter of when.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">In the Sonoran, by contrast, life seems ready to explode, like a colt standing up for the first time. The miles and miles of sand cannot obscure the miles and miles of plants. They fight a constant battle, sand and plant, but unlike the car on the cliff, you feel that the plants will somehow triumph in the end, that the sand will disappear and a new reality take its place.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">This feeling is strongest in the 15 minutes or so before the sun sets. Then the light is warm; color returns to the desert after the bleaching of the day. You might even make a home here. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEVCyfHjDPnrOujNTZQ-LN9InQ2fXm2f52vzWmXQdtXOMRttVQEYI6mVVU2WYg8GBRcdjDksDKeIo1-c0VtX0E5vMpGkQJkGLkRS7jztMUDA2LPjULeUB-RWt41MtyP9WeuddNAJ_8TTqfvWxqBxT4L9Ssz63auv5xYVeFIpv4mqgu4HoJ-d9XMF5mQ/s2967/61.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2967" height="1115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEVCyfHjDPnrOujNTZQ-LN9InQ2fXm2f52vzWmXQdtXOMRttVQEYI6mVVU2WYg8GBRcdjDksDKeIo1-c0VtX0E5vMpGkQJkGLkRS7jztMUDA2LPjULeUB-RWt41MtyP9WeuddNAJ_8TTqfvWxqBxT4L9Ssz63auv5xYVeFIpv4mqgu4HoJ-d9XMF5mQ/w1637-h1115/61.jpg" width="1637" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Reflection of late afternoon sunlight.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqnxjob5ghTm9XBPY31Nu7De3bY5UfIjHqiKZntVgMJ1c4ed0ZASWLKRDRH9LAT2Zo4B5KDLC0hjeVnYSJsPs0fdAvl2XouniBd34xTd-Rp6rntKY_aMW9oDmKYIRHLpfWr1NsEeNnKfxaaZgMVhP5-0RRU-gvBtgiJPDc1LW6Fi4c22TnKdxnML8-w/s3010/87.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqnxjob5ghTm9XBPY31Nu7De3bY5UfIjHqiKZntVgMJ1c4ed0ZASWLKRDRH9LAT2Zo4B5KDLC0hjeVnYSJsPs0fdAvl2XouniBd34xTd-Rp6rntKY_aMW9oDmKYIRHLpfWr1NsEeNnKfxaaZgMVhP5-0RRU-gvBtgiJPDc1LW6Fi4c22TnKdxnML8-w/w1633-h1082/87.jpg" width="1633" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Color returns to the desert . . .</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBQwvn-bWyQdGHbZSj39rDQZrOmkynQuuh-L2b7QijsntFizIRxNMGD_MNpuoIwihYzoB_AsCaCF494nu4wYwQkYNKO7N9A2lH5X-ooeoH4Kya8OCDPhjLqXVWPeLXOBE5eqcs_9sU5lAmpPqDQTLBPyONVIghXt0yUUr-HgW4aZ1hy6FdWuShZEBvw/s3017/68.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBQwvn-bWyQdGHbZSj39rDQZrOmkynQuuh-L2b7QijsntFizIRxNMGD_MNpuoIwihYzoB_AsCaCF494nu4wYwQkYNKO7N9A2lH5X-ooeoH4Kya8OCDPhjLqXVWPeLXOBE5eqcs_9sU5lAmpPqDQTLBPyONVIghXt0yUUr-HgW4aZ1hy6FdWuShZEBvw/w1630-h1074/68.jpg" width="1630" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>. . . as the sun sets.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3KLeM44Imr65f_xRc3kicDKtM76eSmbjnvay9FxTt0at28l8ujKLQxN4ttetsYXp3XwPEP3W9rr43gYWF-6wA51_HMFhLYrFHrGsfmoiZwDfL6lcMpGvYXSWHc8jAVNphjDrg3HISS-d2hK0lDblpAixr-ucB0Uq3iiXNbIi2V7DWV565_yf6XaJAw/s2963/67.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="2963" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3KLeM44Imr65f_xRc3kicDKtM76eSmbjnvay9FxTt0at28l8ujKLQxN4ttetsYXp3XwPEP3W9rr43gYWF-6wA51_HMFhLYrFHrGsfmoiZwDfL6lcMpGvYXSWHc8jAVNphjDrg3HISS-d2hK0lDblpAixr-ucB0Uq3iiXNbIi2V7DWV565_yf6XaJAw/w776-h531/67.jpg" width="776" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Last sunlight of the day.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As mentioned, the line through Shawmut is single track, though on the east side of the summit, part of the old grade has been retained as a passing siding. When two trains meet, it appears that one has run aground and is following the nearby highway through the desert. Because the line is single track and trains struggle in both directions, the summit is a bottleneck; the passing siding is used often.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The following images show two "meets" that occurred within 30 minutes while your author and his faithful companion, Bear the Mighty Dog, were standing atop one of the small peaks, peering across the desert like two of Parke's original survey group. A westbound manifest held the siding while first an eastbound grainer and then eastbound stacks passed on the mainline.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLPmeG5s9Gw6fCvVF5snjJ4KO0XbvzLSH0BoF63uUJVfMiTQl4BJe4ytl_PRMG5eopBcb3YkiqiagnDtmxw0EnCh8vYU7JqYyLSHQRwPsjOmWk5KsmiLf6KlZUgKi6mCLqJWJFh5J-zUAfLauhebfERyQ26-fEtPAn9IpuVKhBHVUJnjfnL9ybKEM7g/s3045/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="3045" height="1059" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLPmeG5s9Gw6fCvVF5snjJ4KO0XbvzLSH0BoF63uUJVfMiTQl4BJe4ytl_PRMG5eopBcb3YkiqiagnDtmxw0EnCh8vYU7JqYyLSHQRwPsjOmWk5KsmiLf6KlZUgKi6mCLqJWJFh5J-zUAfLauhebfERyQ26-fEtPAn9IpuVKhBHVUJnjfnL9ybKEM7g/w1637-h1059/21.jpg" width="1637" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound grain meets the westbound manifest. The westbound is on the passing siding, the original grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7Ms_DiyUP_Bdv9DFeH0xF0si5dga7ZaeqNIpX5eKLiRq9jY8x5mppA4Bcq2EVuuZ5ogKS0d6cw4XEZbj6wRieItnV-Kvvif5bCorhyah3YCtsO6dEwlALYy7zn9VCAcsTFXRJkkhwOx0bmt9SwTPzNRl_CTNCLi8mcX1B_Am64esPtAU_Z04qxsZ1w/s3051/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3051" height="1051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7Ms_DiyUP_Bdv9DFeH0xF0si5dga7ZaeqNIpX5eKLiRq9jY8x5mppA4Bcq2EVuuZ5ogKS0d6cw4XEZbj6wRieItnV-Kvvif5bCorhyah3YCtsO6dEwlALYy7zn9VCAcsTFXRJkkhwOx0bmt9SwTPzNRl_CTNCLi8mcX1B_Am64esPtAU_Z04qxsZ1w/w1634-h1051/22.jpg" width="1634" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>The rear of the grainer has cleared the power of the manifest. The grainer is on the relocated mainline.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHE6WuOyvT00m8DJhkib1yV4Vql11kU-_AaCBzIRdxfyE4bk0kJX92kp4PfNZ5RAXBoFQVJv5UXzNoymaTVpBnfERMGz1CTI3RIelJXvxo30jyBxDpe2F1fVO1Y00vObWjb-TOHXT4Ou2NNnHHuu6o2hhL9i2IGvm44gPFkxPQxah4P8z7L-KofIlMoQ/s3034/31.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3034" height="1071" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHE6WuOyvT00m8DJhkib1yV4Vql11kU-_AaCBzIRdxfyE4bk0kJX92kp4PfNZ5RAXBoFQVJv5UXzNoymaTVpBnfERMGz1CTI3RIelJXvxo30jyBxDpe2F1fVO1Y00vObWjb-TOHXT4Ou2NNnHHuu6o2hhL9i2IGvm44gPFkxPQxah4P8z7L-KofIlMoQ/w1639-h1071/31.jpg" width="1639" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>The westbound manifest holds in the siding to meet eastbound stacks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsuXYGOrCOr9Ztb6QTrK_TJkwuJVwiAAGjuARONXbAyfVYaUoFel8kREqKBGVBcUnWBfPd6wvSWg2KViCCuVXXl0p4LwqxM4NXYl5Y4OjZSjIhu5ua0ULoIpcH8CncUChuDyhNPEJpbW64-yO8qQFRiaHUamzs5MJ3PU6KTiQJVCPCKQHIHhYwZVPOA/s3015/32.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3015" height="1083" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsuXYGOrCOr9Ztb6QTrK_TJkwuJVwiAAGjuARONXbAyfVYaUoFel8kREqKBGVBcUnWBfPd6wvSWg2KViCCuVXXl0p4LwqxM4NXYl5Y4OjZSjIhu5ua0ULoIpcH8CncUChuDyhNPEJpbW64-yO8qQFRiaHUamzs5MJ3PU6KTiQJVCPCKQHIHhYwZVPOA/w1641-h1083/32.jpg" width="1641" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>The stacks have cleared, and the westbound begins to roll.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">East of Shawmut, the mountains open to a wide valley that slowly descends toward Maricopa, a town named after the Native American tribe that lives along the Gila River. For centuries, the Maricopa formed small groups by the Colorado River, but in the 16th century, they migrated to the Gila after attacks by the Quechan and Mojave. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">In the 19th century, the Maricopa joined with the Pima and defeated the Quechan and Mojave at the Battle of Pima Butte near Maricopa Wells. In the 20th century, the Bureau of Indian Affairs forced the tribe to distribute communal land into individual allotments, along the lines of the infamous Dawes Act that was applied to the Five Civilized Tribes in Oklahoma. Individual tract farming, however, was wholly unsuited to the desert, and crop production withered. According to the most recent census, the tribe's population is approximately 800. Water flow in the Gila has been reduced to almost nothing. Today the Maricopa farm with well water -- with mixed results.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">This dry recitation does not do justice to the tribe, which today somehow manages to keep to itself despite the vast urban Phoenix sprawl. One advantage is that tribal land is off limits to development and still retains its natural character. As one drives south out of Phoenix, urban America stops suddenly at the border with tribal lands. Your author is uncertain which lands belong to which tribe, but the transition is as sudden as walking from the shade into the sunlight. All one can say it, "Thank God for tribal lands." </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpNvqzJsehUCQuJSLqdYEmtMjx4qQW5iLea2ZNduzSGM0NITxOMP_4nG1jwbZJovbyYAnA9S4v3NIf7KdNhOKREcxDXcSyW8uqdBw5hHeYJnBt8dsWgyH3iqnbG3RYkrZR-VRyiceOTvB2tnMkx7K2MMv3QDUQ2DfZ5TDleCfzcQBTc0YHzARlydyQg/s3063/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="3063" height="1045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpNvqzJsehUCQuJSLqdYEmtMjx4qQW5iLea2ZNduzSGM0NITxOMP_4nG1jwbZJovbyYAnA9S4v3NIf7KdNhOKREcxDXcSyW8uqdBw5hHeYJnBt8dsWgyH3iqnbG3RYkrZR-VRyiceOTvB2tnMkx7K2MMv3QDUQ2DfZ5TDleCfzcQBTc0YHzARlydyQg/w1631-h1045/13.jpg" width="1631" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks are crossing the valley between Maricopa and Shawmut.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI6rzr70NPNk_VHCc4WGuO4sm_l6HjLyEbXdATfkzyTaTCVUa19i8in2qsCeGDo-ZfY5Kdo0RbKhzKi3IfYe5f7RVfL4P-H0I73M6zG3h-jbaUO6S8faGuinaW-vJQlTSrM4xGqXLEm9YPGHCF3RGc3LXDS5Psp8wqPdjXSE1TY_Xjr0NLt6gIGbDHw/s3014/19.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3014" height="1074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI6rzr70NPNk_VHCc4WGuO4sm_l6HjLyEbXdATfkzyTaTCVUa19i8in2qsCeGDo-ZfY5Kdo0RbKhzKi3IfYe5f7RVfL4P-H0I73M6zG3h-jbaUO6S8faGuinaW-vJQlTSrM4xGqXLEm9YPGHCF3RGc3LXDS5Psp8wqPdjXSE1TY_Xjr0NLt6gIGbDHw/w1628-h1074/19.jpg" width="1628" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>More westbound stacks. This valley is part of the Sonoran Desert National Monument and also off-limits to development.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Jduohm4q_bv5iOvpBppZhtAzfqO2bdZ2O2GlNjVkof4rN8nI-r2YND1P5kTw5fVnyjuHUXbAWDUU1IGzmXAdM6-Dg28uwDbAhsINljSUkXX69WLiELKJGLK9CFPGhem-ypE7hxiSjdYtjIamR0pBhFTovAHjwcdFzVvgLe1GGuDEbIDe6R-y8IFyMg/s3036/55.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3036" height="1058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Jduohm4q_bv5iOvpBppZhtAzfqO2bdZ2O2GlNjVkof4rN8nI-r2YND1P5kTw5fVnyjuHUXbAWDUU1IGzmXAdM6-Dg28uwDbAhsINljSUkXX69WLiELKJGLK9CFPGhem-ypE7hxiSjdYtjIamR0pBhFTovAHjwcdFzVvgLe1GGuDEbIDe6R-y8IFyMg/w1628-h1058/55.jpg" width="1628" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another westbound stack train in the valley.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The town of Maricopa has had three different locations over the years. The first was Maricopa Wells on the south bank of the Gila, an oasis for 19th century immigrants traversing Arizona to reach the California gold fields. Both the San Antonio and San Diego and Butterfield Overland Mail stage coach lines stopped there. </span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">In 1879, the railroad came through, and the town moved the telegraph office and post office eight miles south to the tracks. This location soon became known as Maricopaville and was filled with hotels, saloons, brothels and warehouses.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">A few years later came the construction of the Maricopa and Phoenix railroad, and the town moved three miles east. After 40 years of flooding on the Gila River, the Southern Pacific built a new line from Picacho to Phoenix, and Maricopa lost its status as a junction.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">First incorporated in 2003 with a population of 1040, Maricopa's population by 2010 was 15,934. In 2020 the population was estimated at over 60,000. In that same year, the Census Bureau pegged the population of metropolitan Phoenix at over 4,800,000. </span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Your author is amazed that the desert can support such numbers and wonders if there is a limit. Over a century ago, John Wesley Powell warned about the fickleness of the American West: "Years of drought and famine come and years of flood and famine come, and the climate is not changed with dance, libation or prayer."</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG5ge0x_iiywErFQWx8Ln22y8XqeuFfYxu8RAEPx7U-GA5512pc-WtJ5U-A2Ho8e-fAJPLZx_XFmOQwskjohXTlPHSBbHDtL__3bl-OMxCHYeT-qVHIDmSl_3iLukwapjij0bBYLP0LUNoyUnCwOQDi-Uj-GDaCkDa3S5dS6xjlBpyTdDW5X5j4N2cA/s3021/78.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3021" height="1072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG5ge0x_iiywErFQWx8Ln22y8XqeuFfYxu8RAEPx7U-GA5512pc-WtJ5U-A2Ho8e-fAJPLZx_XFmOQwskjohXTlPHSBbHDtL__3bl-OMxCHYeT-qVHIDmSl_3iLukwapjij0bBYLP0LUNoyUnCwOQDi-Uj-GDaCkDa3S5dS6xjlBpyTdDW5X5j4N2cA/w1633-h1072/78.jpg" width="1633" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sometimes the intermodal trains have rear DPUs. Here one is pushing west after clearing the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="clear: both;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElG7llkMNNCQCe4Ea5ICLL-qU9sqKJawzm8EhD_gdZlYp4wC4PWpYIcz7ilpm-o1Jji85DRHa5LjbxfMDeqNTB3dvNWFtLgsIBguMSKSiHL-3cQMNmvrbMc97bRNlKKmsPiiXIdN4ruUuCG_HnFYvk6qUDRMt2zrErm_InSiCKilrwRYaj2SpHvoONw/s3008/41.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElG7llkMNNCQCe4Ea5ICLL-qU9sqKJawzm8EhD_gdZlYp4wC4PWpYIcz7ilpm-o1Jji85DRHa5LjbxfMDeqNTB3dvNWFtLgsIBguMSKSiHL-3cQMNmvrbMc97bRNlKKmsPiiXIdN4ruUuCG_HnFYvk6qUDRMt2zrErm_InSiCKilrwRYaj2SpHvoONw/w1629-h1080/41.jpg" width="1629" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another westbound pusher.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="clear: both;"><br /></p><p style="clear: both;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictC2KQyHs7ldCSBua-FWyLT18p_gVPktw_qqnliZgcj_OaRXGkgo82nJrTwF2ETT_J8s_Pi58wCChqMhhU-m6qXjqsSvONC_wN76qcDDuyD_KFEawS2j3ebpLXDaDgAMtMPb4641hL08DyJUoyuyzfVK1fsgoukHFmSaNNqsBFTy6LvR72gHC1nJiXg/s3015/85.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3015" height="1072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictC2KQyHs7ldCSBua-FWyLT18p_gVPktw_qqnliZgcj_OaRXGkgo82nJrTwF2ETT_J8s_Pi58wCChqMhhU-m6qXjqsSvONC_wN76qcDDuyD_KFEawS2j3ebpLXDaDgAMtMPb4641hL08DyJUoyuyzfVK1fsgoukHFmSaNNqsBFTy6LvR72gHC1nJiXg/w1626-h1072/85.jpg" width="1626" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>With leafless palo verde in the foreground, Kansas City Southern assists a westbound manifest.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="clear: both;"><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfGFI6nQJvTqIEekVlGgexwmMtdba99fbxss91OJm2TkBlOFLLFa4fUvhffbZXcsMQNpLS-4E_w9iTI-D-6aWfFZIyaJLj-ttgFSkVQ9_2eiezAZ1EymEsOaaLnTTl-0HGF5RqpsTx56h/s3012/76.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1078" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfGFI6nQJvTqIEekVlGgexwmMtdba99fbxss91OJm2TkBlOFLLFa4fUvhffbZXcsMQNpLS-4E_w9iTI-D-6aWfFZIyaJLj-ttgFSkVQ9_2eiezAZ1EymEsOaaLnTTl-0HGF5RqpsTx56h/w1628-h1078/76.jpg" width="1628" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Traveling west.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: "Noto Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 1em;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxPiqX0c45fj-F49DAh7CLuuMEWw0a2ErXKFd6eZfR1Hgac8cDpMpRcKE2Z_rweNPryoXvt0nqfn9ZQ07tWxHpa0x3OEmS3xMmAPqAQcIhsCimIVjN7AM3WQNKaDNqcXyZbiB5TKevWwJIsOseWowI6MPdK1zhLM_tTlWQNyT8Fy4byWpKBwa3Hheog/s3072/56.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1953" data-original-width="3072" height="1038" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxPiqX0c45fj-F49DAh7CLuuMEWw0a2ErXKFd6eZfR1Hgac8cDpMpRcKE2Z_rweNPryoXvt0nqfn9ZQ07tWxHpa0x3OEmS3xMmAPqAQcIhsCimIVjN7AM3WQNKaDNqcXyZbiB5TKevWwJIsOseWowI6MPdK1zhLM_tTlWQNyT8Fy4byWpKBwa3Hheog/w1636-h1038/56.jpg" width="1636" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the broad valley, climbing the grade west to the summit at Shawmut.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KxHbbs-SiSG6aDLX8XvkVl23gjZuY860Bl9gb_eGokmWF9k5Be48zML2cVhOul2BCbzXRTvT4lAaPKVWfxUAtLNePHjaUD5QRY9ijtgAz2-_6LNTOHUsLK2rXqs8lGOpvrBGZuWLY6YpgaJlWS20ooe46e3skL3eNx0FkpKqFwH9lMOCW20gxBrDOA/s3025/57.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3025" height="1075" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KxHbbs-SiSG6aDLX8XvkVl23gjZuY860Bl9gb_eGokmWF9k5Be48zML2cVhOul2BCbzXRTvT4lAaPKVWfxUAtLNePHjaUD5QRY9ijtgAz2-_6LNTOHUsLK2rXqs8lGOpvrBGZuWLY6YpgaJlWS20ooe46e3skL3eNx0FkpKqFwH9lMOCW20gxBrDOA/w1637-h1075/57.jpg" width="1637" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Trains passing east of Shawmut.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The report of Jefferson Davis to Congress concludes with a last argument in favor of the 32nd parallel route:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">"A comparison of the results stated above, and of those exhibited in the tables referred to, conclusively shows that the route of the 32nd parallel is, of those surveyed, the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean.</span></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">This is the shortest route; and not only is its estimated cost less by a third than that of any other of the lines, but the character of the work required is such that it could be executed in a vastly shorter period. It is obvious that a road on any of these routes, with the exception perhaps of the 47th parallel, must be built continuously from the two extremities, and an obstacle that arrests its progress at any point defers the commencement of all the work in advance. The tunnels and much of the other work on the more northerly routes in the most desolate regions are such as could not be commenced until a road was constructed up to those points, and would then require a long period for their completion.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">On the southernmost route, on the contrary, the progress of the work will be regulated chiefly by the speed with which cross-ties and rails can be delivered and laid, the nature of the country being such that throughout the whole line the road-bed can easily be prepared in advance of the superstructure. The few difficult points, such as the Pass of the Guadalupe and Hucco mountains [in far west Texas], and the passes between the Rio Grande and Gila [including Shawmut], would delay the work by an inconsiderable period.</span> </span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Of course, at the conclusion of the War Between the States, Congress chose the Overland Route, along the 35th to 37th parallels, which bypassed the Rocky Mountains of Colorado by climbing the relatively benign "gangplank" of southern Wyoming -- across Sherman Hill onto the Laramie Plains. Although this line was no picnic in the winter, and although the Wasatch and Sierra Nevada lay ahead to the west, the Overland Route was probably a better choice than the paths later followed by the Northern Pacific, Great Northern and Milwaukee road, because the snows along the 47th to 49th parallels were as bad or worse than anything along the Overland Route, plus the territory in the far north was even more isolated and also significantly closer to the remaining British Empire in North America -- a significant political concern in the 19th century.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Although the 32nd and 35th parallel routes both received significantly less snowfall (the 32nd receiving virtually none, while snow on the 35th was a serious concern only around Flagstaff), and although both routes did not involve crossing the Rockies, Cascades or Sierras, neither was ever seriously in the running, because after the War, the South, never an industrial powerhouse, was devastated. A railroad line from Arkansas and Indian Country to the Pacific would have served no purpose. The same was true for a line from Texas to Los Angeles. After the War, the largest city in Texas was Galveston, with a population of less than 10,000. Congress would not have selected the first transcontinental railroad to connect the defeated South with anywhere. </span></p><p> </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSHqjK-KslGKQuEQeXPAIkaEwWpfUjfxXSApvopTez19BDFa0uVHFMGTS7Hb8GIsHt1RdTWTxZgyH6_dfETKICkrlbd_s2-CIv6AczONPy_eqgBNDVMmkZlfClHVhAzP_fD93FLlcjLAyS-nmQ2c_HpjYZhhZPkqo-CjvpUrBgvm9tREuFWvvSl0XMg/s2994/36.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2994" height="1085" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSHqjK-KslGKQuEQeXPAIkaEwWpfUjfxXSApvopTez19BDFa0uVHFMGTS7Hb8GIsHt1RdTWTxZgyH6_dfETKICkrlbd_s2-CIv6AczONPy_eqgBNDVMmkZlfClHVhAzP_fD93FLlcjLAyS-nmQ2c_HpjYZhhZPkqo-CjvpUrBgvm9tREuFWvvSl0XMg/w1621-h1085/36.jpg" width="1621" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>The heart of the Sonoran Desert.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><blockquote><p><br /></p></blockquote><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIiPE8RecZh8RLes7-cDx2py5cYOt_2rK9rrJ9x5Uzyi5JFKZYUk2tS9SsSlBxpcvVXB-q5v1C8XK_pOQabFyEBsc1XDCxl8Il1va80sWEJC5gtngmE2lPTHuhbxyhD_3hqfl026fVeZ9ct_LQ0xqllRC4zQqx8nAbeNxz25xKBGVoPr35dPDZ-WAXA/s3060/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3060" height="1036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIiPE8RecZh8RLes7-cDx2py5cYOt_2rK9rrJ9x5Uzyi5JFKZYUk2tS9SsSlBxpcvVXB-q5v1C8XK_pOQabFyEBsc1XDCxl8Il1va80sWEJC5gtngmE2lPTHuhbxyhD_3hqfl026fVeZ9ct_LQ0xqllRC4zQqx8nAbeNxz25xKBGVoPr35dPDZ-WAXA/w1617-h1036/39.jpg" width="1617" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Downgrade to Yuma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPox83wFAd__dGnlAV_VmyNtQn-U7jRy-stLqSOj_DjojaIEOLkTWc0LmtC9ChaJjGWJy5seYLpM4svelj2n0xypgLr5Vg1HOYXUhXZoP5O8PUr6K3JEHGcPTfn2Rdla-E75D3UgFn3-YIKi90F5F8ttDHI7FYKa8B_yUSL_G1_Vu5Kc4mc_gbQH-Fw/s3023/53.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPox83wFAd__dGnlAV_VmyNtQn-U7jRy-stLqSOj_DjojaIEOLkTWc0LmtC9ChaJjGWJy5seYLpM4svelj2n0xypgLr5Vg1HOYXUhXZoP5O8PUr6K3JEHGcPTfn2Rdla-E75D3UgFn3-YIKi90F5F8ttDHI7FYKa8B_yUSL_G1_Vu5Kc4mc_gbQH-Fw/w1611-h1058/53.jpg" width="1611" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>Led by Heritage unit 1111, the SD70ACe "Employee Pride," westbound stacks are at the Shawmut summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zaJVpXMBdSxecBZLkTzw9GjfucmWHX8eYhJML4kr0hSZR8OOd-9ruWK61G7U6IUUrHP6RZmh-oghJh-JlpNmEbh93eGOX6quLFUMKZOmdF6VEWp7VYdKxtD-bVvkL637kiWsKvCVWk3TG8J_OVXgNf7qwy-S0sMDeRkjGW93zPEaqtGX_NA2nUutnA/s3021/58.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3021" height="1061" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zaJVpXMBdSxecBZLkTzw9GjfucmWHX8eYhJML4kr0hSZR8OOd-9ruWK61G7U6IUUrHP6RZmh-oghJh-JlpNmEbh93eGOX6quLFUMKZOmdF6VEWp7VYdKxtD-bVvkL637kiWsKvCVWk3TG8J_OVXgNf7qwy-S0sMDeRkjGW93zPEaqtGX_NA2nUutnA/w1616-h1061/58.jpg" width="1616" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><b>East to Maricopa.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">“He'd always had a quickening of the heart when he crossed into Arizona and beheld the cactus country. This was as the desert should be, this was the desert of the picture books, with the land unrolled to the farthest distant horizon hills, with saguaro standing sentinel in their strange chessboard pattern, towering supinely above the fans of ocotillo and brushy mesquite.” Dorothy B. Hughes, <i>The Expendable Man.</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Once in your blood, the desert is yours forever. Take good care of it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-44035291449475072862022-07-11T12:35:00.003-05:002022-07-21T10:14:05.114-05:00Union Pacific: The Law of Unintended Consequences<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPEAouGMCuinTHxGkcNaZvbszOlmctBDQB_45usznOwh3MvOdv791uH1aOyvLwA7Q7hu9Y14Xd4jS3n68t5-JPjrryG8AbL6NLUCf_HfEB_Us9l44z4WCUK22eQKD_o-U1PmtOL30ToJ7do556nsDXUMaR8AdP0qH8AZT8QZk6U4ZoSL--Heac8dguw/s3032/39%20copy3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3032" height="1028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPEAouGMCuinTHxGkcNaZvbszOlmctBDQB_45usznOwh3MvOdv791uH1aOyvLwA7Q7hu9Y14Xd4jS3n68t5-JPjrryG8AbL6NLUCf_HfEB_Us9l44z4WCUK22eQKD_o-U1PmtOL30ToJ7do556nsDXUMaR8AdP0qH8AZT8QZk6U4ZoSL--Heac8dguw/w1574-h1028/39%20copy3.jpg" width="1574" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Newton's Third Law of Motion states: "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." Thus, if </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">object A exerts a force on object B, then object B exerts an equal force back on object A. Forces, in other words, occur in pairs. One body cannot exert a force on another without experiencing an identical force upon itself.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A classic example is a jet engine, which expels high temperature gas into the atmosphere and receives back a comparable force that pushes an airplane in a direction opposite the initial force.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Although this principle is now taught in the primary grades, its application can still cause confusion. For example: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">if I push a pen, it will push back with an equal force. Don't the forces cancel out? Shouldn't the net displacement be zero? How does the pen move?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In this scenario, the pen experiences a force of given amount, and you experience the same force pushing back. The force is strong enough to move the pen, but it is not strong enough to move you. The two forces do not cancel. They act in opposite directions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Think of what happens when a rifle is fired. The force pushing back against you is called recoil and is strong enough to move your arm and shoulder. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Newton was speaking of mechanical action, but the same principle seems to apply to human conduct. Every human action producing a perceived good result seems to produce an equal and opposite perceived bad result. And two corollaries: (1) the bad result occurs sometime after the good; (2) </span><span style="font-family: arial;">those producing the good rarely anticipate the bad.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This is sometimes referred to as "The Law of Unintended Consequences."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Examples are endless. Deploy antibiotics; stimulate drug-resistant bacteria. Build housing projects for the poor; create crime-infested slums. Build larger highways to handle traffic jams; create more traffic and worse congestion. Create word processors to ease the correction of typographical errors; increase the number and size of useless and unreadable documents. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When we attempt good, in other words, we often ignore the inevitable opposite reaction. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This principle applies equally to railroads, including the Union Pacific, the grandfather of them all. Unlike its Class 1 brethren in North America, Union Pacific has claimed the same corporate name since its inception in 1862 when President Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act. To those few unreconstituted Southerners (are there any left?) who believe that the South might have prevailed with different tactics, your author would point out that the North built the first transcontinental railroad across the unsettled West, a portion of which had been part of Mexico only 14 years previously. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Lest we praise the North too highly, however, bear in mind that the construction of the Union Pacific across the High Plains of western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming heralded the beginning of the end for the gigantic Bison herds of North America. Thus, Unintended Consequences.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The following paragraphs discuss contemporary instances in which the Union Pacific, despite the best of intentions, or perhaps not, who knows, concentrated on the action and ignored the equal and opposite reaction. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Swallowing the Espee<br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At the time, it seemed like a marvelous idea. Union Pacific had already taken control of the Missouri Pacific and the Katy -- with no real problems. Now its sights were set on the Southern Pacific, a railroad equally as large and amorphous as the UP. To the corporate strategists in Omaha, this was a "no brainer." They could handle anything. They were invincible.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">To the rest of the world, caution seemed appropriate. The Espee would not be easy to swallow and, even if eventually swallowable, would not taste good. To quote Laura Nyro, its "troubles were many;" they were "as deep as a well." </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On a map, the acquisition looked brilliant. Instead of routing through Wyoming, Union Pacific trains from Texas to Southern California would follow SP's Sunset Route through El Paso and southern New Mexico and Arizona, saving over 1000 miles. And on routes where UP and SP tracks ran parallel a few miles apart, such as the old MoP and Cotton Belt routes through Arkansas, the combined company could route northbound trains on one line and southbounds on the other, avoiding time-consuming meets. Same for the old MoP and Katy lines in southeastern Kansas. The take-over, which UP claimed would save $800 million a year, was finalized in September 1996.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">What followed was grid-lock. Union Pacific soon looked like a freeway paralyzed by road carnage. Trains simply stopped rolling. Your author lived in Dallas at that time and remembers driving east along the old MoP mainline toward Big Sandy. Every siding along the route was filled with a westbound train whose crew had gone dead on the hours of service. Every siding! I saw nothing on the mainline.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Following are two of the many dead trains I saw that afternoon.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yZfu0m4WDB0xVf5c7PK8JRsU66-6HXMgyS3QPV45oR2ufsbau3N5wCXyVk_Tq5Qc-ZO7uIQxkbr-nSgS9-UawJ9-i7lYdBkebp6JpP2VbcXwDwRmjViu0iXJoXebkIPCgb1KI9LwS08E-RZLK0kDfC5mFTECF2GU_xK-nE59gKtjgbpCjtz3T4itSQ/s3006/71.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3006" height="1036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yZfu0m4WDB0xVf5c7PK8JRsU66-6HXMgyS3QPV45oR2ufsbau3N5wCXyVk_Tq5Qc-ZO7uIQxkbr-nSgS9-UawJ9-i7lYdBkebp6JpP2VbcXwDwRmjViu0iXJoXebkIPCgb1KI9LwS08E-RZLK0kDfC5mFTECF2GU_xK-nE59gKtjgbpCjtz3T4itSQ/w1564-h1036/71.jpg" width="1564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound manifest, with crew, sits silently east of Dallas.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVt89rlIHl3YPC0RDRyurHvaDyBpxFgQpGjLjuNdpAKKnDzdE5jd8ebsPbzIv_VVt-pw1s_ltwVz_8aZu45J1CXwpYIk-m8G6kjRnW7_d88VUG6f25ZP5VPAz4t6ZsLkIKOQP-M1ehmC8Rbak-Hjpi9H0p7aeX95S2zW2ekwPvDe6-ZuAOCQ3dpfWoGg/s3015/72.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVt89rlIHl3YPC0RDRyurHvaDyBpxFgQpGjLjuNdpAKKnDzdE5jd8ebsPbzIv_VVt-pw1s_ltwVz_8aZu45J1CXwpYIk-m8G6kjRnW7_d88VUG6f25ZP5VPAz4t6ZsLkIKOQP-M1ehmC8Rbak-Hjpi9H0p7aeX95S2zW2ekwPvDe6-ZuAOCQ3dpfWoGg/w1560-h1029/72.jpg" width="1560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The crew has already departed this train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On my scanner, I listened to the dispatcher talking to crews far enough away that I could not hear the response. The dispatcher sounded frantic, like a man hanging from a limb over the Grand Canyon.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"It's just a complete meltdown!" he said, almost shouting. "Complete meltdown! I've never seen anything like it!"</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">How could wealthy and powerful Union Pacific fail? It was as if the United States had lost a war to a tiny country in southeast Asia. (Another example of the Law of Unintended Consequences.) The UP was not like other roads. It operated on a different scale. It did not switch a few cars to and from factories, then assemble this "dog's breakfast" of rolling stock into a manifest. Instead, it picked up trains already assembled in the East and West and pulled them across the Rocky and Wasatch Mountains. The trains UP did assemble came out of the yard in North Platte, Nebraska, arguably the most efficient switching center in North America. And then those trains rolled all the way to the Atlantic or Pacific. No short hauls for UP.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Southern Pacific was another matter -- a sorry mess of a formerly great railroad, like a once wealthy family living in a house they can no longer afford (the Compsons in <i>The Sound and the Fury</i>). Weakened by furious competition from truckers in its home state of California, the Espee had no connection to the Powder River Basin and the immensely profitable coal trains that ran there day and night. In 1988, the railroad was purchased by the Denver and Rio Grand Western, wholly owned by one Philip Anschutz, who had made his money in the oil patch and who promptly sold most of SP's California real estate and refused to invest in new rolling stock or facilities. When Union Pacific took over, SP's Englewood Yard in Houston was a disaster, with worn track too short to handle most trains, a severe locomotive shortage and an aged and unreliable computer system.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In other words, Union Pacific thought it was purchasing a Cadillac but wound up with a Yugo.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Even so, a Yugo can still run. But this one didn't, and so, as is the case in all bureaucracies, the blame game started -- and blame was placed everywhere: computer snafus, labor rules, federal regulators, weather, surging grain and petrochemical traffic. Mostly, however, the problem was simple arrogance. UP simply refused to listen to SP employees who knew how to run their decrepit railroad. Instead, managers insisted that the combined railroad be run the "Union Pacific way." Chaos immediately followed. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ground zero was Englewood.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">SP's managers knew how to compensate for the yard's deficiencies, particularly its short tracks and lack of capacity. When Englewood was full, which was most always, they routed low priority loads to Dallas or Shreveport or even El Paso, to be picked up in due course by slow-moving manifests. Operating from years of experience rather than the rule book, dispatchers switched high priority cars in small satellite yards in Houston's surrounding metro, then ordered fast intermodal trains to pick them up on the way to New Orleans or California -- anything and everything to keep Englewood from overflowing, because a clogged freight yard is like a blocked septic tank; everything piles up, and the piles are not fragrant. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Union Pacific had other ideas. Its motto was "Efficiency." No switching in satellite yards. No routing of loads to El Paso. Without a thought given to consequences, management ordered all loads to be switched at Englewood, believing that the extra traffic could be handled by more engines, not realizing that SP had neither extra engines nor crews to run them. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Petrochemical loads increased, as did NAFTA traffic with Mexico. Houston's satellite yards were jammed. Englewood ground to a halt, which forced UP to stop trains headed to Houston and park them on mainline sidings. When the sidings were full, trains were stopped on the mainline. With mainlines blocked, the sewage spread outward quickly. Soon trains were parked all over Texas, then across the Red River into Oklahoma. Then Arkansas. Then Louisiana and New Mexico. Although most of America was unaware, Texas constituted the world's largest traffic jam. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The crews on these stopped trains "died" on the hours of service. But because there were so many stranded crews, there were not enough road ferries to pick them up. Many crewmen abandoned their trains and walked to the nearest motel. Others had their wives or other family members pick them up.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Eventually, the contagion spread throughout the system. At the worst, Union Pacific had trains backed up into Arizona and New Mexico, waiting for clearance into southern California.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Your author's other direct experience of this meltdown occurred during a day trip to southeastern Oklahoma along the old Katy mainline. Every passing siding was filled with a dead train. A few, a very few trains still ran on the mainline, but they were all coal loads bound for generating plants and could bypass the clogged switching yards. The following images document the chaos.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2BxHfpv4e-k8iVVe0ykdWi9doIaW3kc9TkM_2KzUjGXkqv3i5oLhLL-iiBZkYcV5VfaE9oCH0O2_KvIrDiuGdSYZl2nkD635bcn-Hhj_x1_ug3zStH8z8b0HuFI8LGDpWy8SVzeCldzaUWOEkvNH4z_YhnqeHuuWkRqu4ndDOC7xIWyT24JKUHEjqQ/s2993/11.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2993" height="1047" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2BxHfpv4e-k8iVVe0ykdWi9doIaW3kc9TkM_2KzUjGXkqv3i5oLhLL-iiBZkYcV5VfaE9oCH0O2_KvIrDiuGdSYZl2nkD635bcn-Hhj_x1_ug3zStH8z8b0HuFI8LGDpWy8SVzeCldzaUWOEkvNH4z_YhnqeHuuWkRqu4ndDOC7xIWyT24JKUHEjqQ/w1565-h1047/11.jpg" width="1565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A southbound manifest stalled in the siding at Stringtown, Oklahoma. Note the engineer's boots in the cab window. I asked the engineer what was going on. He said the conductor's wife was driving out to pick them up. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IdGngX7K4_KWm8W6fCIg0Ee-rBiFeWmrMuV-j2DU0JEVjDZY1FiKfJYlJUH3ive6BJxHhwEFLrk-vdSRoqlCrJksArRdD9L58d08tdzXSTKlm0nd7M9km6YnccLuCqTxEQLEgHQKqcohF1GEFWDmkwo8vPjaNzKhnNM5fyTOzsODeukJEPdYlAR71Q/s3014/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3014" height="1029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IdGngX7K4_KWm8W6fCIg0Ee-rBiFeWmrMuV-j2DU0JEVjDZY1FiKfJYlJUH3ive6BJxHhwEFLrk-vdSRoqlCrJksArRdD9L58d08tdzXSTKlm0nd7M9km6YnccLuCqTxEQLEgHQKqcohF1GEFWDmkwo8vPjaNzKhnNM5fyTOzsODeukJEPdYlAR71Q/w1561-h1029/6.jpg" width="1561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A dead empty coal train in the siding south of McAlester, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8xEMYXJnqoGHcqIbTJZNNG_ABm8tWoQerQMIOhpvNtO-rMcY5XjeykKum9brKeYs8p_1E419D1p_oLXuPmKJiZx38K5UP8epkHNWT7lvZKOWPbfLkwiJqUi1KaY0qxqhUfJyQ2_c8d6wb1B-lXAb-JzZoquETMaEyVduIqq9r-noT0hEHi86rVaYvg/s3011/10.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3011" height="1034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8xEMYXJnqoGHcqIbTJZNNG_ABm8tWoQerQMIOhpvNtO-rMcY5XjeykKum9brKeYs8p_1E419D1p_oLXuPmKJiZx38K5UP8epkHNWT7lvZKOWPbfLkwiJqUi1KaY0qxqhUfJyQ2_c8d6wb1B-lXAb-JzZoquETMaEyVduIqq9r-noT0hEHi86rVaYvg/w1561-h1034/10.jpg" width="1561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A southbound coal load running through Limestone Gap, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1rWUCWpL59cu9PyfpJtMm0lZ5T75oEA-HcnjR_mwa3OQ9QUR1JG1HyKSO-3EFwZchi30FSWnWyMNxi5mrtqpCl0EHuSESqwW4QVziiMXyBPKBYoqGy8Bn4g5w_1DjQG2v9YBVdYYTDTkyIslGb6WuDTS5wl2EG5QD7AWun1PGbqHf-5TL1X8VPaWuw/s3018/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3018" height="1033" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1rWUCWpL59cu9PyfpJtMm0lZ5T75oEA-HcnjR_mwa3OQ9QUR1JG1HyKSO-3EFwZchi30FSWnWyMNxi5mrtqpCl0EHuSESqwW4QVziiMXyBPKBYoqGy8Bn4g5w_1DjQG2v9YBVdYYTDTkyIslGb6WuDTS5wl2EG5QD7AWun1PGbqHf-5TL1X8VPaWuw/w1567-h1033/7.jpg" width="1567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another coal load in Limestone Gap.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Eventually, Union Pacific cleared the blockage, and the railroad began running smoothly again. But to those who witnessed the chaos, the lasting memory remains dead trains parked in sidings, while dispatchers bemoaned their fate into cloudless skies.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Swallowing the Rock Island</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Before the Union Pacific absorbed half the railroads in the western United States, it proposed in 1964 a merger with the Rock Island. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The company used the term "merger," but this would not have been the combination of equals. The Union Pacific was strong, mighty; the Rock Island weak, decrepit. The joinder would have been like the British Empire "merging" with Liberia. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">At that time, the Interstate Commerce Commission favored end-to-end combinations; therefore, a UP-Rock Island connection seemed likely to gain approval, since such would give the railroad trackage from Chicago to Portland, Seattle and Ogden, Utah.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every western railroad vigorously objected to the proposal, as though UP had suggested taking over the Pacific Ocean. This created a vein of pure gold for regulatory lawyers, lasting long enough for fortunes to be made. The ICC finally granted approval in 1974, with two conditions: (1) the Rock Island's Memphis-Amarillo line must be sold to the Santa Fe; (2) the Rock's Kansas City-Colorado Springs route must be sold to the Rio Grande.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This was to be part of the ICC's master plan for four "super railroads" in the West built around the Santa Fe, UP, SP and Burlington Northern. UP would get parts of the Rock Island, Chicago and North Western and the SP line across the Sierra Nevada. SP would get the KCS, MKT, the Rock Island line from Kansas City to Tucumcari and the Texas and Pacific. Santa Fe would get the Missouri Pacific, Rio Grande, Western Pacific and the Rock Island line from Amarillo to Memphis. Burlington Northern, already a super road, would get crumbs from the Rock Island.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The best laid plans came to naught, however, because by 1974 the Rock Island was a shell of a railroad, losing money by the car load. To maintain operations, the company had deferred maintenance of rolling stock, motive power and roadbed for years, waiting for the UP to take over and deliver salvation. Like a man who suddenly realizes that the oil well he had planned to purchase has not produced a drop in years, the Union Pacific walked away from the deal. The next year, the Rock Island filed for bankruptcy, and the company was subsequently liquidated, its best lines sold to other railroads. Ironically, after swallowing the Katy and the SP, the Union Pacific ended up with most of the trackage it would have obtained in the ill-fated merger, and the West ended up with two mega-roads rather than four. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Choctaw Route</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad (CO&G), known informally as the "Choctaw Route," completed its main line between West Memphis, Arkansas, and western Oklahoma by 1900. In 1901 the CO&G chartered a subsidiary company, the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Texas Railroad, to continue construction west into the Texas panhandle. (The subsidiary was required because in those days railroads operating in Texas had to be incorporated in Texas.) In 1902 the railroad reached Amarillo. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The CO&G came under the control of the Rock Island in 1902, and the two companies formally merged on January 1, 1948. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Although walking away from the proposed takeover of the Rock Island, Union Pacific eventually came to control a portion of the Choctaw Route. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The Interstate Commerce Commission wanted the Santa Fe to take over this line in what would have been a natural extension of the Transcon into the Southeast, but Santa Fe looked at the track and realized that the cost of bringing the route up to Transcon standards would not have been worth the potential reward. Consequently, w</span><span style="font-family: arial;">hen the Rock collapsed, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the State of Oklahoma purchased the line from McAlester to Howe, Oklahoma (the junction with the Kansas City Southern) and entered a lease purchase agreement with the MKT, which operated the track until the UP swallowed the Katy in 1991. Union Pacific operated the line a short time but wanted nothing to do with such a backwater property and sold it to the first available purchaser -- the Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad (A-OK), a family-owned business headquartered in Wilburton, Oklahoma. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In the brief window that UP ran the show, your author was fortunate enough to obtain a few images. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yuxLvlHaLzt7mh8UMHKXiOCvvUGMC2Qd7YqJAmvnG48CETOsxHFuOx1kOWR1x5Y_SGP1uX8TXNkKTu1EDCJfdYzho2kdxgFabXhbl8CpWuBRCefg0Kil_Stzwema8cZXgvGm6sVNIJzb48Fhxn1dzG22YNwME0OTNPlQfCt50XgGiRBBEWbqy8Hpww/s3025/4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3025" height="1022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yuxLvlHaLzt7mh8UMHKXiOCvvUGMC2Qd7YqJAmvnG48CETOsxHFuOx1kOWR1x5Y_SGP1uX8TXNkKTu1EDCJfdYzho2kdxgFabXhbl8CpWuBRCefg0Kil_Stzwema8cZXgvGm6sVNIJzb48Fhxn1dzG22YNwME0OTNPlQfCt50XgGiRBBEWbqy8Hpww/w1557-h1022/4.jpg" width="1557" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The thrice-weekly westbound headed to McAlester.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9mCE9fwbYj4fnwg__MPpC80MmwoQwdRiMc2jBhvqFcvyhFljWC8f_6Fu6KEjR2EIwUycMYAg-gClFP3Vl73l0oJiIWkUdt8_CKYzWbjH9v2ZHtzYnMcdtJH8nF_v6Q2PNeB1XElUAoxXX7Bc2V0QZqItUkIFdj0brQaxQvodFPBZKnKjI8R-WGoCVA/s3011/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3011" height="1033" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9mCE9fwbYj4fnwg__MPpC80MmwoQwdRiMc2jBhvqFcvyhFljWC8f_6Fu6KEjR2EIwUycMYAg-gClFP3Vl73l0oJiIWkUdt8_CKYzWbjH9v2ZHtzYnMcdtJH8nF_v6Q2PNeB1XElUAoxXX7Bc2V0QZqItUkIFdj0brQaxQvodFPBZKnKjI8R-WGoCVA/w1558-h1033/5.jpg" width="1558" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A coal load from one the mines in eastern Oklahoma, headed to the old MKT mainline in McAlester.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Your author has also obtained images of the A-OK, though the railroad is reclusive. Finding traffic on the A-OK is like finding gold at the bottom of a river.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhk10hcQl5kQ30XNmWmLSaEvjFFcZwwCntwGbntZhrcxzosBwCTQJvYzhY44MzI8sOxrs_st5_MEoYX6iZ8C0ynPGDg5PP1eVg_kS02KeM1mm4A5rUHWO1kprmyLVLwXwJSx_17nL143UFzdUCjgzpIlV5QhgEhATvJYGVFrJk8ZRHXZjduvJvPI2fcA/s3060/74.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3060" height="997" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhk10hcQl5kQ30XNmWmLSaEvjFFcZwwCntwGbntZhrcxzosBwCTQJvYzhY44MzI8sOxrs_st5_MEoYX6iZ8C0ynPGDg5PP1eVg_kS02KeM1mm4A5rUHWO1kprmyLVLwXwJSx_17nL143UFzdUCjgzpIlV5QhgEhATvJYGVFrJk8ZRHXZjduvJvPI2fcA/w1556-h997/74.jpg" width="1556" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Howe, Oklahoma. Southbound loaded KCS coal is passing the end of the line for the Arkansas-Oklahoma. The tracks once ran to Memphis, but the segment east of Howe was abandoned when the Rock Island was liquidated. Notice the old Rock Island signals, long out of service but still in place.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzS3LOIcQY7KCT5mM9icoZV-6y-MkDyRybZ8ppUAsKcLHAqReDT7fiqfzH3KtORwbGIYjbzAYo2ZZiRknQzgxE8LE2h3hJLRdESkGWyyGskV56RzPpvCp-B_TV7WD7GPWI8i-4Xze4qtjBA_HymZ_Ibczx8gsuAfTWL9UEiKlK7PvNlZp95bbeBb0JA/s3008/73.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzS3LOIcQY7KCT5mM9icoZV-6y-MkDyRybZ8ppUAsKcLHAqReDT7fiqfzH3KtORwbGIYjbzAYo2ZZiRknQzgxE8LE2h3hJLRdESkGWyyGskV56RzPpvCp-B_TV7WD7GPWI8i-4Xze4qtjBA_HymZ_Ibczx8gsuAfTWL9UEiKlK7PvNlZp95bbeBb0JA/w1550-h1026/73.jpg" width="1550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A-OK power parked at Howe (former AT&SF GP30u).</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vGa3MetxSpPF-rPbitJQQX-4qOFsZmNK-HVZna0SRZ7LrMBaJJGQYX7Ot_-iJavN9K9tpeIZ0OHMmH7wdVht1HRjUSjdC9qC2nr0TVcDVyBK2Tf_65qL5kd1LOP2Yxf0BQoCLYuNnbIRrpN91psfp5lR1n0SABnW9asiucSde_mFHK0OIGUQhlQoEA/s2886/75.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2079" data-original-width="2886" height="1129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vGa3MetxSpPF-rPbitJQQX-4qOFsZmNK-HVZna0SRZ7LrMBaJJGQYX7Ot_-iJavN9K9tpeIZ0OHMmH7wdVht1HRjUSjdC9qC2nr0TVcDVyBK2Tf_65qL5kd1LOP2Yxf0BQoCLYuNnbIRrpN91psfp5lR1n0SABnW9asiucSde_mFHK0OIGUQhlQoEA/w1563-h1129/75.jpg" width="1563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An A-OK freight (with former AT&SF GP30 on point) headed west from Howe, with Sugar Loaf Mountain in the background.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;">Along the Chisholm Trail</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">After the Rock Island's demise, local shippers along the Herington, Kansas, to Fort Worth route (which through Oklahoma follows the old Chisholm Trail) banded together with the MKT to form the Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, leasing trackage rights from the bankruptcy trustee. In addition to the Herrington route, the new company provided service over several Rock Island branch lines: Herington to Salina; Ponca City to Enid; Chickasha to Lawton; Waurika to Walters. The new railroad also operated the portion of the Choctaw Route from El Reno to Oklahoma City. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This arrangement, though an admirable example of self-help, was like a band-aid over a bullet wound, neither useful nor long-lived. Within a year, the company sought reduced rents from the trustee, who refused. The company then ceased operations.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">For the next year, small shortlines serviced shippers: North Central Texas Railway between Dallas and Chico, Texas; Enid Central Railway between Enid and El Reno and between Enid and Ponca City; and North Central Oklahoma Railway between Chickasha and El Reno, plus the branch line from Chickasha to Lawton.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1982, after lengthy negotiations among the trustee, the State of Oklahoma and shippers' organizations in Oklahoma and Kansas, the Bankruptcy Court approved sale of most of the properties to the Katy -- for fifty-five million dollars. The Enid to Ponca City branch line was not included in the sale and was abandoned.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The MKT then ran the properties (as the OKT) until they disappeared under the expanding shadow of the Union Pacific.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7h2bIJGCmhb1t9EBqbbVki_QcCnl35GEYN94-RzYB5T4FFGdx-H9SHuX29TwnISmTCJ6-AR6mbOfUD7LU0NHajAXdF5TNw_OnY-vidBpumiMLm1M6CqKQMuYM6WCRgt4fwEzeWv9bQjUlK6iZzxM_pYE4U3k65eCTDz5bthFCkJygzOd38oyfNtllQ/s3012/76.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1035" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7h2bIJGCmhb1t9EBqbbVki_QcCnl35GEYN94-RzYB5T4FFGdx-H9SHuX29TwnISmTCJ6-AR6mbOfUD7LU0NHajAXdF5TNw_OnY-vidBpumiMLm1M6CqKQMuYM6WCRgt4fwEzeWv9bQjUlK6iZzxM_pYE4U3k65eCTDz5bthFCkJygzOd38oyfNtllQ/w1561-h1035/76.jpg" width="1561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound OKT freight passing Vance Air Force Base (just south of Enid, Oklahoma) in 1982. The MKT had purchased the blue and white units after Conrail chose not to renew the lease.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b></span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the Rock Island days, the mainline north of El Reno </span><span style="font-family: arial;">(junction of the Choctaw Route and the north-south mainline and thus a major yard in the CRI&P system) was operated by</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Centralized Traffic Control, while tracks south were controlled by Automatic Block Signal. Today the entire line is dark and operates by radio-controlled track warrants. In the early 21st century, Union Pacific significantly upgraded the tracks, today limited to 49 mph running only because of the lack of signaling.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Union Pacific thus gained control of a route that would have been part of the Rock Island "merger" without having to provide assistance to the CRI&P, leading directly to that decrepit railroad's downfall. The carnage was, in your author's opinion, neither necessary nor efficient. The whole process was like a violent thunderstorm's providing needed moisture by flooding an entire town. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Following are images showing what the line looks like in the 21st century.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSxMoSjErxJTlh0IReC7cDXD5Xu44BYVQp1olsRmuEd54_nmo78CBSgNIdkptlo1KVDa9rnPNTTKtOrkso3fndhBf3AIa-zNlPHt8ERBXvitjV7OTcb7TBQlHDGW-9xCFtaT3tW9I-xrOGD8LoNl25FNWwWPXQRlxuy2DyYIuBBgcFQZ9fg4CwLCLuw/s3010/65.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3010" height="1039" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSxMoSjErxJTlh0IReC7cDXD5Xu44BYVQp1olsRmuEd54_nmo78CBSgNIdkptlo1KVDa9rnPNTTKtOrkso3fndhBf3AIa-zNlPHt8ERBXvitjV7OTcb7TBQlHDGW-9xCFtaT3tW9I-xrOGD8LoNl25FNWwWPXQRlxuy2DyYIuBBgcFQZ9fg4CwLCLuw/w1567-h1039/65.jpg" width="1567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Difficult to tell that this is a southbound Union Pacific manifest approaching Okarche, Oklahoma.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iEkRdWoUcEX1Vvkj1ijuBefLRtKYsalgBIirqn0XdkCGMlg_qWAXolnKxw5d5f6XFE69LDNHMX_SjaGv5eYan8pGx0ydFWEgplLNiULtI562oL3ZzPTqDP94IjVt_IERnkzYO5WTLuMlPcGrAqGb5EeQMBmE51onhcdtAXvLDvXwErpxQAjcgx9-jw/s3058/66.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="3058" height="1001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iEkRdWoUcEX1Vvkj1ijuBefLRtKYsalgBIirqn0XdkCGMlg_qWAXolnKxw5d5f6XFE69LDNHMX_SjaGv5eYan8pGx0ydFWEgplLNiULtI562oL3ZzPTqDP94IjVt_IERnkzYO5WTLuMlPcGrAqGb5EeQMBmE51onhcdtAXvLDvXwErpxQAjcgx9-jw/w1562-h1001/66.jpg" width="1562" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Frac sand north of El Reno.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNfYjY_yzHZsjc2yjr664YLj0km7q2f2JKumshNdGhqZOb0-8Iuefr6YJFfAzbv9a0PHjGzeEw2_YDMY0Hoiu_7Vm-80JW5S3C_du5h7ZK4URiWmh64rowsSz2QPeAlHBPTJlngvYjJ2K4CeSDBstaV8CdalodDY8K4cOobP3UCqb_bjPSWvaEMpvgg/s2874/67.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1923" data-original-width="2874" height="1047" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNfYjY_yzHZsjc2yjr664YLj0km7q2f2JKumshNdGhqZOb0-8Iuefr6YJFfAzbv9a0PHjGzeEw2_YDMY0Hoiu_7Vm-80JW5S3C_du5h7ZK4URiWmh64rowsSz2QPeAlHBPTJlngvYjJ2K4CeSDBstaV8CdalodDY8K4cOobP3UCqb_bjPSWvaEMpvgg/w1565-h1047/67.jpg" width="1565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Grain north of Chickasha.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTvK5d1kmRu1Sjatrwg_33n4GEn76qa02tpc1BGbAkGRncvf7J-me1iG-oPp45WGPQgq53n_T7NIEEOH-OZSTocyT7rEuqGkyYIB3DPoVCvlIH2lNj8EjUIDPiOaZNTAud8mIG1ORRVQdLB7aEBbkxYNPxboEO4G4t8yXR5Fp5FOJpilI6Kk2gscIuA/s2990/68.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2990" height="1049" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTvK5d1kmRu1Sjatrwg_33n4GEn76qa02tpc1BGbAkGRncvf7J-me1iG-oPp45WGPQgq53n_T7NIEEOH-OZSTocyT7rEuqGkyYIB3DPoVCvlIH2lNj8EjUIDPiOaZNTAud8mIG1ORRVQdLB7aEBbkxYNPxboEO4G4t8yXR5Fp5FOJpilI6Kk2gscIuA/w1561-h1049/68.jpg" width="1561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Northbound manifest approaching El Reno.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Knee-deep in the Big Muddy</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I have heard the phrase "knee-keep in the Big Muddy" since I was a child -- a reference to someone caught in an impossible situation due to an incompetent decision by a high-placed official who will not suffer the consequences of his foolishness. Example: a telephone company employee sent out to repair downed lines during a thunderstorm that turns into a tornado. That poor soul is "knee-deep in the Big Muddy."</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">During the Viet Nam War, Pete Seeger, a contemporary of Woody Guthrie, penned a song titled "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy" that ended most every chorus with: "The big fool said to push on." Your author saw Seeger perform this song on television, and the reference to the war and Lyndon Johnson was unmistakable. American soldiers were "knee-deep in the Big Muddy." Then "waist deep." Then "neck deep." And "the big fool said to push on."</span></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I always assumed that the "Big Muddy" was a general reference to any deep river regardless of geographic location, an archetype, if you will, and thus was much surprised to learn that in southwestern Illinois, there is indeed a Big Muddy River that flows into the mighty Mississippi. Not only that, but one of the busiest, double-track mainlines in North America crosses the Big Muddy on a single track bridge, which for years has constituted a significant bottleneck.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaL1pbXsO5EpJFKT4atxW0Cftu5Zeb06RAz2NH86p0hwPTODb-8n53_bYH1N1dwdylbja040EI9nRjWxxJSI8Y2JJVNDd6YEqIHnO0rkksSvoL3sShMm_2uBe4tlr9tIqTXGnFc82Tcfgbf9aIEEZ3UWancvj3HjCBF75l7N3s_5KJYo_wWlkgqR3HA/s3005/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaL1pbXsO5EpJFKT4atxW0Cftu5Zeb06RAz2NH86p0hwPTODb-8n53_bYH1N1dwdylbja040EI9nRjWxxJSI8Y2JJVNDd6YEqIHnO0rkksSvoL3sShMm_2uBe4tlr9tIqTXGnFc82Tcfgbf9aIEEZ3UWancvj3HjCBF75l7N3s_5KJYo_wWlkgqR3HA/w1564-h1041/18.jpg" width="1564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific's bridge across the Big Muddy River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Like so many of life's problems, the bottleneck is a product of historical forces coalescing without prior thought or planning.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad (C&EI) arrived in Thebes, Illinois, in 1899, slightly downriver from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, coming in from the south along the banks of the Mississippi River after looping down from the north, the terminus of a line originating in Chicago. In 1902, the Missouri Pacific reached the bluffs above Thebes, having built south from East St. Louis, and the Cotton Belt arrived a short time later after gaining trackage rights over the MoP. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">All three railroads were stymied by the Mississippi. Cars had to be ferried across, and Thebes quickly became a choke point for trains to and from Chicago and St. Louis. The railroads thus proposed a bridge between Thebes and Missouri, and the Southern Illinois & Missouri Bridge Company was incorporated to construct the bridge.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Construction began in 1902 and was completed in three years. The first train crossed on March 27, 1905 -- multiple locomotives running to the middle of the bridge and then stopping under an emergency brake application. The test was successful, though your author wonders how the crew of the test train were selected and how they felt about applying the brakes.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The new Thebes Bridge opened to mainline traffic on April 18, 1905, the only railroad bridge across the Mississippi between St. Louis and Memphis, a distinction it holds to this day.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLNWUdhu1kRRICxpbvhtSnMECtiKG-Fi3AmPB0p2N-8IQJB35OhenkbSaiHVZttORisSWGI7MISF9M9TXPBN2Nf9N96YVIBnC4-QwaHAMYERu44uPsgn6MNJl0bmgLeVmTeGo_rJhyo1lp2RZ5_wJVdIBYosVUa3FMasDkbq1PvIAbai46WukqDdV_Zg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="797" height="1041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLNWUdhu1kRRICxpbvhtSnMECtiKG-Fi3AmPB0p2N-8IQJB35OhenkbSaiHVZttORisSWGI7MISF9M9TXPBN2Nf9N96YVIBnC4-QwaHAMYERu44uPsgn6MNJl0bmgLeVmTeGo_rJhyo1lp2RZ5_wJVdIBYosVUa3FMasDkbq1PvIAbai46WukqDdV_Zg=w1564-h1041" width="1564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Thebes Bridge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Thereafter, Missouri Pacific and the Cotton Belt shared a line running south from Dupo, Illinois (immediately south of East St. Louis), crossing the big waters at Thebes, continuing southwest to Dexter, Missouri, where the tracks divided, the Cotton Belt taking a more easterly approach, bypassing Little Rock, while the MoP ran directly to the Arkansas capital, then on for both railroads to Texas. At the same time, the Chicago and Eastern Illinois ran south from the Windy City to Thebes, crossing at the same Mississippi bridge, while a Missouri Pacific branch, upriver from the bridge about 20 miles, connected Gorham, Illinois, to the C&EI's Chicago line at Benton.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The joint MoP-Cotton Belt line crossed the Big Muddy River on a single track bridge. Because the bridge is located in a lowland swamp, approachable in both directions only on several miles of fill, no second bridge was constructed when the line was double-tracked. Instead, trains would stop both north and south, waiting for the bridge to clear. Although inconvenient, this arrangement allowed the railroads to remain fluid (just barely).</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">During this time, trains on the C&EI also crossed the Mississippi on the Thebes bridge. Those trains, however, crossed the Big Muddy on a different bridge than the Mop and Cotton Belt. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">It appears that sometime either before or after the MoP took control of the C&EI in 1967 (your author has been unable to determine exactly when), the section of the C&EI line to Thebes was abandoned between Benton and Thebes (the section where the line crossed the Big Muddy on its own bridge), while the MoP line from Benton to Gorham was upgraded to mainline status. Thus, Gorham, Illinois, became the junction where MoP traffic from Chicago joined both MoP and Cotton Belt traffic from St. Louis. South of Gorham, trains were frequent, and they now crossed the Big Muddy on the original MoP-Cotton Belt single track bridge, which had been just barely adequate for St. Louis traffic. The addition of traffic from Chicago, however, created a serious bottleneck.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When the UP took over the MoP, no plans were made to enlarge the bridge. Instead, traffic kept expanding, and the bottleneck grew worse. UP believed that its acquisition of the Missouri Pacific would create new economies of scale, and in places it did. But not across the Big Muddy. Today (July 2022) the bridge is still single track.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWli6w9KpCXBGwsOWa8yDr2EH9k0T9qHDoHWxYzo2-JR5Eeb63GWakexnczz8AO-ZzM01omg7DqIHe545_lxevc9zWgMECk83KPmWXUXDrwC77xlepDYRN_8lLNnuk4RDxUvrixY4R4hc5hSgxi_CeJzxfhJnE1BoSy5ZUI0HVINeXS5M_TYT2RijVSg/s3016/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3016" height="1031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWli6w9KpCXBGwsOWa8yDr2EH9k0T9qHDoHWxYzo2-JR5Eeb63GWakexnczz8AO-ZzM01omg7DqIHe545_lxevc9zWgMECk83KPmWXUXDrwC77xlepDYRN_8lLNnuk4RDxUvrixY4R4hc5hSgxi_CeJzxfhJnE1BoSy5ZUI0HVINeXS5M_TYT2RijVSg/w1564-h1031/17.jpg" width="1564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At dusk on a frigid January evening, southbound UP trailers approach the Big Muddy bridge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD5U29FG58PS3yurw37UZQwq5TV_uHXfvEYT_Js7onSif1y02kbuqP5pdodA63aPlI2PTncvvRNFVIcWm6178d9jk-HKQPFSxmvOYk9FLFIVjbudHVDKqnro6tp8xR6AOXmSd99Nrn94Qo1d5TLKKWkQXj7lVVVDmzwK_FnXKe2GfpHeXa9ppRf_hYw/s2950/16%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2034" data-original-width="2950" height="1082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD5U29FG58PS3yurw37UZQwq5TV_uHXfvEYT_Js7onSif1y02kbuqP5pdodA63aPlI2PTncvvRNFVIcWm6178d9jk-HKQPFSxmvOYk9FLFIVjbudHVDKqnro6tp8xR6AOXmSd99Nrn94Qo1d5TLKKWkQXj7lVVVDmzwK_FnXKe2GfpHeXa9ppRf_hYw/w1563-h1082/16%20copy.jpg" width="1563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A southbound Union Pacific freight waits at sundown for traffic to clear on the Big Muddy bridge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTo_-w56sJ5agCJq0jnIMoDv0RzQNy2LQZUfrUk-3Bg0uRCc_egPtQqodCXtjLPfmfnHR4YF2wpRobdygoHpJ8_gu8tBRJROiLjvxf1nZkj_5UowJMSP4FrXCtfl9A9gK53iJsBdySRPReoL7ExKlzZVRj2vKc8PM-dZhqI_thKEKdjjphKEhcEGY8lg/s3005/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1049" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTo_-w56sJ5agCJq0jnIMoDv0RzQNy2LQZUfrUk-3Bg0uRCc_egPtQqodCXtjLPfmfnHR4YF2wpRobdygoHpJ8_gu8tBRJROiLjvxf1nZkj_5UowJMSP4FrXCtfl9A9gK53iJsBdySRPReoL7ExKlzZVRj2vKc8PM-dZhqI_thKEKdjjphKEhcEGY8lg/w1577-h1049/23.jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP stacks south of Gorham, Illinois.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>When Coal was King</b></span></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The above sections discuss the application of the Law of Unintended Consequences to the Union Pacific's acquisition of lines formerly belonging to the Southern Pacific, Rock Island and Missouri Pacific. This section discusses similar problems that have befallen UP after its absorption of the Chicago and Northwestern.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The story begins with Congress's passage of the Clean Air Act in 1963. I am not well versed in environmental law, but I do know that this statute (and amendments) prohibited the use of so-called "dirty" (high sulphur) coal, commonly found in the eastern United States, leaving coal burning, electric generating stations with only one option -- low sulphur coal commonly found in the West. Such coal is buried deep underground throughout Colorado and Utah. In the Powder River Basin of Wyoming, however, low sulphur coal resides near the surface, the product of eons of erosion's exposing the residue of plants once covered by the detritus of disintegrating mountains and subject to fantastic geothermal pressure. In the Powder River Basin, coal can be mined relatively cheaply, and so the Clean Air Act created a 20th century gold rush to Wyoming, except this gold was black. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Burlington Northern operated two secondary mains near the coal fields, one to the north and the other to the south, and quickly exploited this advantage by constructing a new line between the two from Orin Junction and Shawnee Junction in the south to Donkey Creek Junction in the north. Soon the BN was crawling with coal trains; the company's bottom line expanded exponentially. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIre-dcslzrFM4wiQQHZVAZOoGgTHKL5VMSyJnqcBsQVq3WpM2pS7aoeGLo0Y4gCbqWSBmqlTyMBajmPwYLi3b5m6_mzfskbkoA0EZ6ywqPe5BVqnDFqnj0-MEp-00vvTTiYwrftSrPj88HugxNJ7yurM5Rkg3JSg2GeI795ZAEzEOlHimSDx5dlrYw/s3029/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3029" height="1013" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIre-dcslzrFM4wiQQHZVAZOoGgTHKL5VMSyJnqcBsQVq3WpM2pS7aoeGLo0Y4gCbqWSBmqlTyMBajmPwYLi3b5m6_mzfskbkoA0EZ6ywqPe5BVqnDFqnj0-MEp-00vvTTiYwrftSrPj88HugxNJ7yurM5Rkg3JSg2GeI795ZAEzEOlHimSDx5dlrYw/w1552-h1013/39.jpg" width="1552" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Shawnee Junction, south of the coal fields.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5GBHFtlZqsYz_OOdd0et9qzTE11PeNmr8ocxIYNpaWPA86mkruPOm_lJ4sL29duleCWQzaWDmDGVZjnUNhmp97B3cYzkJe5pU_eNp2nGRphh4sLCLtEN8ao92z6DKNzkm2XAAVlDui_qamkc7Wx9nIXkvncaqbDiFjCA7ukcrWq-8_1PritpETGgdA/s3068/117.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="3068" height="988" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5GBHFtlZqsYz_OOdd0et9qzTE11PeNmr8ocxIYNpaWPA86mkruPOm_lJ4sL29duleCWQzaWDmDGVZjnUNhmp97B3cYzkJe5pU_eNp2nGRphh4sLCLtEN8ao92z6DKNzkm2XAAVlDui_qamkc7Wx9nIXkvncaqbDiFjCA7ukcrWq-8_1PritpETGgdA/w1549-h988/117.jpg" width="1549" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Approaching Donkey Creek Junction on the new line constructed originally by Burlington Northern to tap the Powder River Basin coal fields.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Other railroads noticed. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">But only one other company operated a line in the general vicinity - the Chicago and Northwestern's route from Nebraska, to Lander, Wyoming, at the base of the Wind River Mountains. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Marvin Hughlitt, president of the Chicago and Northwestern in the late 19th and early 20th century, was initially opposed to the idea of a Pacific extension. After all, the highly profitable C&NW provided the eastern link to Chicago for the Union Pacific's Overland Route, which had already found in Sherman Hill the most agreeable path across the Rockies.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But Hughlitt also recognized the paucity of rail lines west of the 100th parallel, also realized that the Pacific Northwest was a golden land filled with enough lumber to construct a bridge across the Pacific Ocean. Wyoming eventually became the center of the C&NW's expansion plans, with thoughts of perhaps extending into Oregon and California, all the way to the blue sea. Ranching and mining were flourishing throughout the West, both of which would provide substantial car loadings, to say nothing of all that timber.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1897 the C&NW incorporated the Wyoming and Northwestern Railway to run from Casper along the Wind River to the western border of Wyoming. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Construction </span><span style="font-family: arial;">from Casper to Lander -- across the undulating high plateau of central Wyoming -- began May 2, 1905 and proceed rapidly, without the need to cross mountains. The line was completed October 17, 1906, a distance of 148.1 miles in slightly over one year. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The C&NW then considered two potential expansions to the Pacific coast. One would have run westward from Lander along the Idaho, Utah and Nevada state lines into northern California, terminating at Eureka, a coastal city that some believed might become a major port. The second would have extended across the southern boundary of Yellowstone National Park through central Idaho and Oregon to Coos Bay, another potential port city.</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYeE5dSxz0iiHOa-sgVI2bg_45Vu5rB86E2dbYXmr9QA_jI35A7zpop_1RxlmpRTUD0GuOZPw0UXHi59AjHpATe7M_orb6MvdrJb1VYdB0JZ9mg7Aj5ICY4AMp-eM5W9geGRkZ-QmW3t_IQMC_otA--l2DCeRZqdplyWYSKDRRNa1uKY8-iQqiwbQCQ/s654/C&NW%20Expansion%20Map.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="654" height="1138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYeE5dSxz0iiHOa-sgVI2bg_45Vu5rB86E2dbYXmr9QA_jI35A7zpop_1RxlmpRTUD0GuOZPw0UXHi59AjHpATe7M_orb6MvdrJb1VYdB0JZ9mg7Aj5ICY4AMp-eM5W9geGRkZ-QmW3t_IQMC_otA--l2DCeRZqdplyWYSKDRRNa1uKY8-iQqiwbQCQ/w1550-h1138/C&NW%20Expansion%20Map.jpg" width="1550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>This map shows the approximate routes of the C&NW's two proposed Pacific extensions.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Both routes would have involved major construction problems. The Eureka line would have built due west out of Lander, where it would have encountered the Wind River Range, part of the larger Rockies. Those mountains would have presented as formidable a challenge as the Front Range west of Denver, which eventually bankrupted David Moffat. The C&NW could have built south of Lander to South Pass, a benign crossing, but more mountains would have then stood in the way unless the railroad had continued further south, at which point it would have discovered Union Pacific's original transcontinental mainline traversing the only viable route through this rugged territory.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So the Eureka route was a headache piled on top of another headache piled on top of another. And on and on.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Coos Bay proposal might have been an even bigger challenge. That line would had followed the line of the mountains northwest before descending into the canyon of the Wind River, the route followed today by U.S. Highway 26. The scenery would have been spectacular, but construction would have been as taxing and expensive as anything along the Moffat Route, with the possible exception of Gore Canyon. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Farther west the tracks would have left the river and begun the ascent of mountains in the Teton Wilderness, skirting the edge of Grand Teton Nation Park. Then on to the southern border of Yellowstone. And all of this still in Wyoming!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Coos Bay line might have been the most spectacular in the world, had it been constructed -- also the most expensive. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But neither extension was ever pursued, a good decision by the C&NW. The Panic of 1907 dashed the flame of railroad expansion. Had C&NW continued west, it likely would have suffered the same fate as the Milwaukee Road, without ever reaching the Pacific.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The line to Lander became a branch line to nowhere, serving mostly agricultural interests. Traffic was never heavy, and as the United States' highway network expanded, the tracks saw fewer and fewer trains. By the time of the rush to the Powder River Basin, the line to Lander was down to one train each way per week, with major stretches of 10 mph running.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The lure of the Powder River Basin was overwhelming, but the cost of upgrading what came to be called the "Cowboy Line" to the standard necessary for coal trains would have been monumental, hundreds of millions, well beyond the C&NW's borrowing capability. However, the federal government was pushing the building of additional lines to the Wyoming coal fields to combat the "energy crisis" of the 1970's. Meetings were held in Washington, and a proposal emerged that Union Pacific construct a new 55 mile connector line from a lonely branch line in southwestern Nebraska, north along the Nebraska-Wyoming border, to a short segment of the Cowboy Line (about 30 miles) in far eastern Wyoming. East of Douglas, Wyoming, additional track of about five miles would be constructed off the Cowboy Line to join the Burlington Northern's new line at Shawnee Junction, running north to the coal fields. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Union Pacific had the borrowing capability to construct this new track and upgrade the 30 miles of the Cowboy Line, plus about 50 miles of its own branch, and so with the blessing of Washington, construction began in the early 1980's and was completed in 1984. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Although the new line used only about 30 miles of its trackage, about the distance from downtown Dallas to downtown Fort Worth, the C&NW now had entry to the coveted coal fields. Over time, the remainder of the Cowboy Line was abandoned. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAHA9jMD2YxkFMs5oJ5hP4Loz-zZCMmewvyEz6gJVP803hdMlZzTODKRVbet5K5Q6mmI6vYcUfJZyahOSOWhOheeP06vvUHiWkn4kaN6bj0y7GxJHwF0eEpaL0pu8eY0ZPX21amXZ6GChSZtg5ch8iXdAc0Vy2jVVMQSf-8ywb97NAatKrFSEEVG8Vw/s3008/77.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAHA9jMD2YxkFMs5oJ5hP4Loz-zZCMmewvyEz6gJVP803hdMlZzTODKRVbet5K5Q6mmI6vYcUfJZyahOSOWhOheeP06vvUHiWkn4kaN6bj0y7GxJHwF0eEpaL0pu8eY0ZPX21amXZ6GChSZtg5ch8iXdAc0Vy2jVVMQSf-8ywb97NAatKrFSEEVG8Vw/w1553-h1029/77.jpg" width="1553" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Two C&NW coal trains meet on the upgraded portion of the Cowboy Line near Lusk, Wyoming. At the time of this image (1987), the line was single track with passing sidings. It was subsequently upgraded to double track. The C&NW power is shiny and new, as is the rail.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwlxDHhJ4A0tBBwfEIBSqrZJ9-olbMcQUbHS4zqs4LSe26rvaoO83KXt7ehw1oh_8702rnKXjTEzKK3WZMYP6zvhWduCjtkIibV2ShomL78jR3kcuS0swVYAryYZ6ZfRLfAO5A63CLaAuUMFGxrRAtHOrDKrixjSl-H-LCQ5ePuXHBveMF0e5gjxVeQ/s3015/78.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwlxDHhJ4A0tBBwfEIBSqrZJ9-olbMcQUbHS4zqs4LSe26rvaoO83KXt7ehw1oh_8702rnKXjTEzKK3WZMYP6zvhWduCjtkIibV2ShomL78jR3kcuS0swVYAryYZ6ZfRLfAO5A63CLaAuUMFGxrRAtHOrDKrixjSl-H-LCQ5ePuXHBveMF0e5gjxVeQ/w1549-h1022/78.jpg" width="1549" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train at Shawnee Junction. The new BN line comes in from the south, also single track. A second track was added later.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The original UP branch line ran northwest out of North Platte and stopped at South Torrington, Wyoming, with a connecting line running south of Torrington back to the original transcontinental mainline. This branch is still in place today, still operated by Union Pacific. Short of Torrington, just east of the Nebraska border, the new tracks headed due north, running almost directly on the border, eventually swinging slightly northwest into Wyoming, intersecting the Cowboy Line a few miles east of Lusk. In addition to constructing these new tracks, Union Pacific also upgraded the branch line back to North Platte to handle heavy coal trains.</span></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpxFDUSeFwfpZIztkftbyhmG-uh1LjAJ4F5mXjWapqekxj0yZnMOTGYnHSNTRDJ6gY43FabNpBAz82cLWh08EE45o5-tq3j7JO97oy0OVFf707Mb07HtZn11DxWR8xDWFAyLY4WMpKRYbCWhgU0Ra3C6uZUdJ67VlvdFBvOYscM_D3QjEDaRoVUd8Wg/s3021/62.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3021" height="1025" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpxFDUSeFwfpZIztkftbyhmG-uh1LjAJ4F5mXjWapqekxj0yZnMOTGYnHSNTRDJ6gY43FabNpBAz82cLWh08EE45o5-tq3j7JO97oy0OVFf707Mb07HtZn11DxWR8xDWFAyLY4WMpKRYbCWhgU0Ra3C6uZUdJ67VlvdFBvOYscM_D3QjEDaRoVUd8Wg/w1561-h1025/62.jpg" width="1561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The branch line out of North Platte ran north of the C.W. McConaughy Reservoir. After the line was upgraded, a loaded coal train heads east.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj8Fx_NqlbTZID2ie2tDc79LYPt4YNvPywAUrt3uMFBwlg42LHjL3xNXhxLvMlN77SezG5xPyiP-oSR_pAzVu3U_0aT7RnEx5W77DEhXE2srOdx6UpSKNcV50osQlK2ZN8nB7VM5kXfVZhI23pqAQQp4ME62dOYYIzF3qXx1IzNKY7fw38uzSbB21VA/s3018/63.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3018" height="1032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj8Fx_NqlbTZID2ie2tDc79LYPt4YNvPywAUrt3uMFBwlg42LHjL3xNXhxLvMlN77SezG5xPyiP-oSR_pAzVu3U_0aT7RnEx5W77DEhXE2srOdx6UpSKNcV50osQlK2ZN8nB7VM5kXfVZhI23pqAQQp4ME62dOYYIzF3qXx1IzNKY7fw38uzSbB21VA/w1564-h1032/63.jpg" width="1564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another load.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6tw_6eeADxyd4DC5SK8zafcUJlMeZK9wajKyQIcRECniwtC15hgTO-WyPRb5_8B90ZXxkfqbMkDfpqxs6Chtpup7FWPlNSj6sGiM08WKR6LENHhSkp5_AGPfNW4bLiGT_c-f3VR6ToxR5pXcuALlqk56DJ0O3DgH7K_LABmcWSFo9EcjkeaOh4_uig/s3074/64.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1952" data-original-width="3074" height="992" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6tw_6eeADxyd4DC5SK8zafcUJlMeZK9wajKyQIcRECniwtC15hgTO-WyPRb5_8B90ZXxkfqbMkDfpqxs6Chtpup7FWPlNSj6sGiM08WKR6LENHhSkp5_AGPfNW4bLiGT_c-f3VR6ToxR5pXcuALlqk56DJ0O3DgH7K_LABmcWSFo9EcjkeaOh4_uig/w1564-h992/64.jpg" width="1564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Empties. When this image was taken in 1990, the line had been double-tracked. The original line was single track.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming are part of the High Plains, a land of little rain, clear skies, strong winds -- hot in summer, cold in winter. Those who have not seen the High Plains think they are flat, but they are not. They are an elongated landscape stretching mile upon mile. Gradients are almost imperceptible, but they are gradients nonetheless. If you took an Eastern landscape, removed all the trees and stretched it like pizza dough until the crust was paper thin, you would have the High Plains.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The new Union Pacific line was built through territory so isolated, so bereft of civilization, that a person could die there and not be found until the sun explodes and destroys the earth. In the few moments when the wind does not blow, trains can be heard for what seems like hours before they appear as shadows on the horizon.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_xFQWeS0LLzYj4m4hzL8_i8pDz4hzW013aYn0FvYDtXsOIbYS-gsvAdOB6_Fvdj6OgxVMSdYCDukzJ559jBQeJ6UYwxedafnsjwtMjTQudJf4bDvDHpQyVEK24_z-pEk0FMmnqGI_gvObsAF5rp6ae-s0yZ6x8EV2EZ4J0ov801qY9rBt8zZGfE7Cw/s3031/43.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_xFQWeS0LLzYj4m4hzL8_i8pDz4hzW013aYn0FvYDtXsOIbYS-gsvAdOB6_Fvdj6OgxVMSdYCDukzJ559jBQeJ6UYwxedafnsjwtMjTQudJf4bDvDHpQyVEK24_z-pEk0FMmnqGI_gvObsAF5rp6ae-s0yZ6x8EV2EZ4J0ov801qY9rBt8zZGfE7Cw/w1568-h1024/43.jpg" width="1568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>On the new line constructed by Union Pacific, two empty coal trains are running side-by-side along the Nebraska-Wyoming border.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZxXqQm98gdzAw9906y85inrkVe6UvLEvWxvQHkRDwBvhZ8HSQpRcpFPoVg6RvKqztUPs_VI-KqsrBoFUqgVTzJjznMEogSHbqFuIDu1uEJDPqAZ0sENzwDaYi0CQtFE-84F8CihCZKLczdnoEWVal4F98yE_djWMR3bkSvjIikX4Xq81431Sp-Zsew/s3013/44.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="1030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZxXqQm98gdzAw9906y85inrkVe6UvLEvWxvQHkRDwBvhZ8HSQpRcpFPoVg6RvKqztUPs_VI-KqsrBoFUqgVTzJjznMEogSHbqFuIDu1uEJDPqAZ0sENzwDaYi0CQtFE-84F8CihCZKLczdnoEWVal4F98yE_djWMR3bkSvjIikX4Xq81431Sp-Zsew/w1563-h1030/44.jpg" width="1563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The High Plains of Eastern Wyoming.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GsF79KL7AvSrhYG7geJhDuStdXrwowpsB8KQzv_92PT45I4LCsaHtv4IxO8XBDM-ixvA3pfTZ1O4DTciZqhooDzQtjl0lECtydPOJNHI9jX8IHKicFEu1OD7zm5_4XXMKYt_ya21N-rFTLTN4smi1Hj4fWFuJx29G3Yyh5L3GyMAJSydF4Xilvf7pA/s3007/45.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3007" height="1040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GsF79KL7AvSrhYG7geJhDuStdXrwowpsB8KQzv_92PT45I4LCsaHtv4IxO8XBDM-ixvA3pfTZ1O4DTciZqhooDzQtjl0lECtydPOJNHI9jX8IHKicFEu1OD7zm5_4XXMKYt_ya21N-rFTLTN4smi1Hj4fWFuJx29G3Yyh5L3GyMAJSydF4Xilvf7pA/w1569-h1040/45.jpg" width="1569" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushing toward the Powder River Basin.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1QEyYjHU-sM_RvG84dw9wM0zq9BaBTTKze08Z0clbZv6TpdVwNPNpXu7iMNcKsx7QlgDqQYgj_WrY43lZMPGaHMZbRelL4SQ8GMuU_gvamsq8FLdoQAOdIm8_FbLJTj3mdNqTp7tLxy9vRR5PhOweW6sfQw43AbtYwIJxz940TOYsh32fhvRDA1IfQ/s3012/49.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3012" height="1042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1QEyYjHU-sM_RvG84dw9wM0zq9BaBTTKze08Z0clbZv6TpdVwNPNpXu7iMNcKsx7QlgDqQYgj_WrY43lZMPGaHMZbRelL4SQ8GMuU_gvamsq8FLdoQAOdIm8_FbLJTj3mdNqTp7tLxy9vRR5PhOweW6sfQw43AbtYwIJxz940TOYsh32fhvRDA1IfQ/w1572-h1042/49.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Coal loads passing empties on UP's new coal line.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Those not old enough to collect </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Social Security have no memory of the 1970's, of the Arab Oil Embargo, of the national 55 mph speed limit, of mile-long lines at gasoline stations, of thermostats set at 68 degrees in a Wisconsin winter, of Jimmy Carter's appearing on television in a heavy sweater, warning Americans to adapt to a reduced standard of living. Washington wanted Union Pacific in the coal fields, because Washington wanted to reduce dependance on foreign oil.</span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And what Washington wanted, Washington got. The demand for clean coal skyrocketed. Single track lines quickly became double track, then triple track. In the early 21st century, newspapers bemoaned the railroad industry's inability to keep up with demand.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And then everything changed.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Washington decided that coal was "bad." Washington decided to put the coal industry out of business. Politicians were not even subtle about their intentions. Politicians as high on the food chain as the President stated publicly that they planned to close the mines.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">What Washington can give, Washington can take. Today (July 2022), Union Pacific has begun pulling out tracks on its coal line. Traffic is down about 50 percent from its peak, steadily dropping, with no end in sight.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Let the good times roll!" the revelers shouted, and roll they did. But now comes the equal and opposite reaction. It appears that the party is over. </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHneFDLhKyUm4BAvMvr4-KJTw4hQU3jZTMFFV3LD4JBQ_UDBA-wgvkGBp83RIkS3A18gxc5MfADNZTXy8nNcF7KuTFxOG6V__bupf7CSYRaXodhb3KDh1tsGh7hl9iFOtm9a81mckzvL_pCAjrYSSGjAkVEDdpZkI9gtx6aPPwQukUtlHEpv0RSXwlw/s3051/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3051" height="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHneFDLhKyUm4BAvMvr4-KJTw4hQU3jZTMFFV3LD4JBQ_UDBA-wgvkGBp83RIkS3A18gxc5MfADNZTXy8nNcF7KuTFxOG6V__bupf7CSYRaXodhb3KDh1tsGh7hl9iFOtm9a81mckzvL_pCAjrYSSGjAkVEDdpZkI9gtx6aPPwQukUtlHEpv0RSXwlw/w1565-h1008/40.jpg" width="1565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The sun sets on the coal fields.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Conclusion</b></span></p><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone makes <i>big </i>mistakes. We often fail to realize (another mistake) that errors occur in two ways: (1) mistakes of omission and (2) mistakes of commission.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A mistake of omission occurs when you fail to do something you should have done. Example: failure to roll up the windows in your car before a thunderstorm.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A mistake of commission occurs when you do something you should not have done: rolling up your car windows on a hot summer day when your dog is inside.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Which type of mistake you fear generally depends on your disposition. If you are generally optimistic, if you believe that life and people are generally good, then you likely believe that good intentions produce good results. You thus don't fear mistakes of commission, because you are not worried that doing good will produce a bad result. You do, however, worry about mistakes of omission. You worry that you might fail to take some action that would help someone.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On the other hand, if your life view is tragic, if you believe that failure is the ultimate result of our strivings, then you dread errors of commission, because you see how our best intentions breed unintended consequences. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Every action involves an equal and opposite reaction. On the other hand, if you take no action, there is no opposite reaction. That, at least, is worth thinking about. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></p><p><br /></p>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-23480816553200459792022-05-30T22:03:00.003-05:002022-05-31T20:35:29.800-05:00Lawrence: U-boats to Ditch Lights<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RMr8XIkEgfzpt0OMA7oWIUqrr0HlASG4Ml1On3Y8lYd2xlGP7-JYiInH6hINw2h6yDXBL8LuF1HvCb0Hf-aS-SN0mSoPgPxU2TvHJfqtodQpXa1f9Ruz-Zb09loZDGNsqig9FNbRX4fSdCwdTO595UwbV86JKkUQYAWi5YYZIG3A3gWZ_YC5Q_5A_g/s2978/Cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2978" height="1071" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RMr8XIkEgfzpt0OMA7oWIUqrr0HlASG4Ml1On3Y8lYd2xlGP7-JYiInH6hINw2h6yDXBL8LuF1HvCb0Hf-aS-SN0mSoPgPxU2TvHJfqtodQpXa1f9Ruz-Zb09loZDGNsqig9FNbRX4fSdCwdTO595UwbV86JKkUQYAWi5YYZIG3A3gWZ_YC5Q_5A_g/w1579-h1071/Cover.jpg" width="1579" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When my friend Carl Graves was an active railfan, I would from time-to-time drive from my home in Oklahoma to his in Lawrence, Kansas, where we would spend a few days drinking beer, looking at slides and taking photos along a short section of Union Pacific's Marysville Subdivision in and around town. Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas and was, during the "Bleeding Kansas" era, a bastion of anti-slavery. A free state, Kansas was the center of many violent confrontations, including perhaps the best-known raid in 1863 of Confederate guerrilla William Quantrill, who burned Lawrence to the ground. Anti-slavery Kansans called "Jayhawkers" soon retaliated, and the rest, as they say, is history.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Like a train whistle's echoing between mountain ridges, the actions of long-ago still ring today in Lawrence through Free State High School (where my wife's niece teaches Art) and the Free State Brewing Company (where Carl and I once spent way too much time). The university's sports teams are called the Jayhawks, and even residents whose knowledge of the Great American Conflict is as shallow as a child's wading pool seem somehow to realize that Lawrence was and is a special place. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">What follows are images taken along the Marysville Subdivision in and around Lawrence, Kansas, from 1973 through Carl's retirement from railfanning in the early 21st century, during which (1) the double-track line went from Automatic Block Signal to Centralized Traffic Control, (2) the Rock Island, which shared the line from Kansas City to Topeka, disappeared like smoke from a distant automobile accident and (3) motive power evolved from monstrous General Electric U-boats spewing oil to equally monstrous alternating current engines with ditch lights. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>1973</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Some of my earliest images were taken in Lawrence in the summer of 1973, shortly after college graduation. To put it mildly, I knew little about cameras and film, like a tenor who cannot read music. The following photographs were taken with GAF slide film rated ASA 400! The grain looks as big as pea gravel. Today, GAF manufactures shingles and other roofing materials. For a brief and completely unsuccessful moment, as brief as the instant between the traffic light's turning green and the vehicle honking behind you, the company challenged Kodak in the slide film market. I may have the only GAF slides still existing in the world.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YejyK8C-8BlaAo0Li8cRj3lAZtf-HNQXSyjs-z-8WotHx7AE-nVcKr3SBTTnBwAXBGKoCClNTq28SsZqnsdcd8gm4uVShyoeCX8EM6yYgVM8zoA07NlqTP4A3nGVtiSWOqJW5sGqZflqdH21BTr4ifSJ-M_dwm54FjyXeiQekAjE9JD2bifXbtdH9A/s2927/Rock%2073%20copy%202.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="2927" height="1094" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YejyK8C-8BlaAo0Li8cRj3lAZtf-HNQXSyjs-z-8WotHx7AE-nVcKr3SBTTnBwAXBGKoCClNTq28SsZqnsdcd8gm4uVShyoeCX8EM6yYgVM8zoA07NlqTP4A3nGVtiSWOqJW5sGqZflqdH21BTr4ifSJ-M_dwm54FjyXeiQekAjE9JD2bifXbtdH9A/w1564-h1094/Rock%2073%20copy%202.jpg" width="1564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rock Island U28B 281 leads a parade of eastbound power and trailers towards Lawrence in July 1973.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXW-T3o1tV5LEVeyzYP4DkBpTNbyCLtrgAetfo68RZ8lMEAaMgtM3bqrVraHRmR_iC240hRnJ8QoEQAoFO3Bo1MOguAnXr3DMkEVbcfg1P9b8sc-pFJVDxo7vbZZSix_ZRnNeC6kv0X0uM9Ye7eba2CL0vWI41Z4fcFgkuEvjB8otk3lszKVsBpKJkA/s2920/Rock%2073-2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2054" data-original-width="2920" height="1098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXW-T3o1tV5LEVeyzYP4DkBpTNbyCLtrgAetfo68RZ8lMEAaMgtM3bqrVraHRmR_iC240hRnJ8QoEQAoFO3Bo1MOguAnXr3DMkEVbcfg1P9b8sc-pFJVDxo7vbZZSix_ZRnNeC6kv0X0uM9Ye7eba2CL0vWI41Z4fcFgkuEvjB8otk3lszKVsBpKJkA/w1562-h1098/Rock%2073-2.jpg" width="1562" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another U28B, westbound Rock Island 261 is framed beneath an eastbound thunderstorm. July 1973.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwfKdM58wzqsRh-_815_WJ5AYyZUxZiUCk0w64qAnrb6YXx0uvEwdo3uwk4_TiFs-2kG34MUWbwqnOh_VfAt2bhmI8INjkMYzPcHDVfHmMmTTYD7es6Qu2L3n6e_5idD4e3MhT93jt3BWak-SI23UZsSG5Ig9aypGhCqVcfLLILodx-nux2AW81kOXQ/s2988/Rock%2073-3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2988" height="1048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwfKdM58wzqsRh-_815_WJ5AYyZUxZiUCk0w64qAnrb6YXx0uvEwdo3uwk4_TiFs-2kG34MUWbwqnOh_VfAt2bhmI8INjkMYzPcHDVfHmMmTTYD7es6Qu2L3n6e_5idD4e3MhT93jt3BWak-SI23UZsSG5Ig9aypGhCqVcfLLILodx-nux2AW81kOXQ/w1559-h1048/Rock%2073-3.jpg" width="1559" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rock Island GP40 348 is running westbound beside the Kansas River in July 1973. By 1990, as the succeeding images from that year will demonstrate, the cottonwoods had grown enough to completely obscure the water from this location.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTs-kr8NqV83kXi5MiL6heqRsYlk2KabY3w560dr-PUAoZDmZedZT56xjyXMdApaD3rmED4V8J6WrT4Pd1s-nKqEY_ll2zlXUwwXZxUaJORKvFpUfIQv3oKoUi7R3K16N7rAstncUTk60Jti0bxg71y5xf83Xw6wOjwkNQ7XoCmQw37Rw9JmSp8NLIog/s3015/20-1973.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTs-kr8NqV83kXi5MiL6heqRsYlk2KabY3w560dr-PUAoZDmZedZT56xjyXMdApaD3rmED4V8J6WrT4Pd1s-nKqEY_ll2zlXUwwXZxUaJORKvFpUfIQv3oKoUi7R3K16N7rAstncUTk60Jti0bxg71y5xf83Xw6wOjwkNQ7XoCmQw37Rw9JmSp8NLIog/w1561-h1030/20-1973.jpg" width="1561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>July 1973 -- Union Pacific U50C 5023 heads eastbound to Kansas City in another location that in 20 years would be completely overgrown with trees. The U50C was a twin-engine 5000 horsepower model produced by General Electric, with two three-axle trucks salvaged from UP's turbine locomotives, and was prone to electrical fires and oil leaks. The unit in this image is relatively clean. Others were not so fortunate. Forty were delivered to UP between 1969 and 1971. By 1976, all had been removed from service. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gv0GHtRHaZcBnvdrtPJPccTyLQz-xMjEVWGb70dT2Txzkji9q9A2Vqsueg_iF7s562As5T5E2vvOc8LGNDIjIrnA2rwoSHTWc3Pw8yFZ8Yp57TVmIq8Nq2ggXIcaoL8ldYAsYQaPS7KnHui2Vv4WOgZBfZseEZwLqhAyX3NZz19jVRyC51qwMKteLQ/s2963/15-1973.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="2963" height="1066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gv0GHtRHaZcBnvdrtPJPccTyLQz-xMjEVWGb70dT2Txzkji9q9A2Vqsueg_iF7s562As5T5E2vvOc8LGNDIjIrnA2rwoSHTWc3Pw8yFZ8Yp57TVmIq8Nq2ggXIcaoL8ldYAsYQaPS7KnHui2Vv4WOgZBfZseEZwLqhAyX3NZz19jVRyC51qwMKteLQ/w1559-h1066/15-1973.jpg" width="1559" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This is the predecessor to the U50C, the U50 (sometimes incorrectly called the U50D), also a twin engine 5000 horsepower unit riding on eight axles rather than six. Here a single engine pulls a manifest westbound in 1973. The design was effectively two U25B's on a single frame. Union Pacific took delivery of 23 units in 1964 and 1965. Twenty were withdrawn from service in 1973 and 1974. The last three remained on the roster until 1977.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIMLA9xydUrTD2vR-5dLyRqsGOQLfITZaYDpAu_SVFTN_iqPRm5mePOxpFIzFtCNILaIEtRK7LHxYMEhes1ti9E7X0jJ9XyXCnIyclg3xb4ykJHzJP4MasEV59CtRKXx_FsCqJHxdcXbjr-ZzRYmXLw539e9pWMa2mTh476btXw2QVTIXaEum7qXrWg/s3034/17-1973.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3034" height="1020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIMLA9xydUrTD2vR-5dLyRqsGOQLfITZaYDpAu_SVFTN_iqPRm5mePOxpFIzFtCNILaIEtRK7LHxYMEhes1ti9E7X0jJ9XyXCnIyclg3xb4ykJHzJP4MasEV59CtRKXx_FsCqJHxdcXbjr-ZzRYmXLw539e9pWMa2mTh476btXw2QVTIXaEum7qXrWg/w1562-h1020/17-1973.jpg" width="1562" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A U50C at sunset, eastbound to Kansas City. In 1973, both tracks were controlled by Automatic Block Signals. There were only a handful of cross-overs between KC and Topeka, all hand-thrown and used only in emergencies. Thus, traffic in one direction could easily bottleneck. I remember more than once when ten trains came through in less than an hour, all running on yellow boards.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13kNZNR38AMQ2gBcM9Z-_ejRpMSDCt0Uawozw-ZpQyhkgoOXfLEzr_AMiTexMnId4GKF9am3rus-bVFYrJQOkmoxSIOFXK31hN9Ma_ADfllDto_IwzZePlih2a9vbJjUkRMgCR4LPOcQ8khYE80IyLwxyd8zmyVtIZSuhCyEiksbburF3GJPBtqw1Pg/s2984/19-1973.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2984" height="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13kNZNR38AMQ2gBcM9Z-_ejRpMSDCt0Uawozw-ZpQyhkgoOXfLEzr_AMiTexMnId4GKF9am3rus-bVFYrJQOkmoxSIOFXK31hN9Ma_ADfllDto_IwzZePlih2a9vbJjUkRMgCR4LPOcQ8khYE80IyLwxyd8zmyVtIZSuhCyEiksbburF3GJPBtqw1Pg/w1562-h1054/19-1973.jpg" width="1562" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Led by U30C 2889, this eastbound manifest is seen between Topeka and Lawrence in the summer of 1973.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_6z3jGBY2KA8IoB4_w3tvVulCXW_x9LHPAGsIE2rMfs5oESkZ0iNz2fdHXKnNYn9jV1XbGg3YU16bMPwdzxTVL9eGUbqfqI_rxdCSnVcp9heqma8ZI3UewcR9b-OnVRZliSF7773RcXEPEnc9-VdC0rxWCqes_zIFUzXAFpSgiwuanVrfGz6-IhEgw/s3021/18-1973.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3021" height="1027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_6z3jGBY2KA8IoB4_w3tvVulCXW_x9LHPAGsIE2rMfs5oESkZ0iNz2fdHXKnNYn9jV1XbGg3YU16bMPwdzxTVL9eGUbqfqI_rxdCSnVcp9heqma8ZI3UewcR9b-OnVRZliSF7773RcXEPEnc9-VdC0rxWCqes_zIFUzXAFpSgiwuanVrfGz6-IhEgw/w1566-h1027/18-1973.jpg" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>With the grain elevators of Topeka towering in the background, Union Pacific U28C 2801 is heading east. Frisco power would occasionally show up on the Marysville Sub, providing an interesting contrast to Armour Yellow. In 1973, this location in the hills above the tracks made for nice photography. Alas, trees consumed the spot many years ago.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPiuFlfXoVXXZ1Frt027QmFqxwIbUgm1eQs-c7yv5fZsf9TyaeOYsTNqcfQ0CnaUsWCaJ5eW5CNE_-J_C9Xbwm7lxPGD3A-mMI41_C-gJ30BeG2kUwgZtAgQN4DW6EEsEHgbSQKHfpHFdqBGxOiQU83713mMGNLP44lmFxNNQ8h4wQ2W0M098kuaxYw/s3043/16-1973.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3043" height="1018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPiuFlfXoVXXZ1Frt027QmFqxwIbUgm1eQs-c7yv5fZsf9TyaeOYsTNqcfQ0CnaUsWCaJ5eW5CNE_-J_C9Xbwm7lxPGD3A-mMI41_C-gJ30BeG2kUwgZtAgQN4DW6EEsEHgbSQKHfpHFdqBGxOiQU83713mMGNLP44lmFxNNQ8h4wQ2W0M098kuaxYw/w1573-h1018/16-1973.jpg" width="1573" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound UP 2837, a U30C, has passed Topeka and is headed to Lawrence. Both U-boats and manifests were ubiquitous at this time on the Marysville Sub, but coal trains and intermodals were on the way.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>1974</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One year later, I had deserted GAF slide film, or perhaps the film had deserted me. I no longer remember if the film was still sold that year. In any event, like someone changing brands of whiskey, I had switched to Kodak, both Kodachrome and Ecktachrome. My friends told me not to shoot Ecktachrome because, "the dye will fade in about ten years." Well, these slides are now about 50 years old and haven't faded yet, though I have. I challenge you to distinguish Kodachrome from Ecktachrome in the following images.</span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH4rhgQjKmnS4MnhIt0sPLKiHd6qjuQMBAnJs7vB7fYJwclUW8CW0Dbl8ZHnfRUARr7nzGMub4Wx1TnBG8yOckK68qW_9mLqURyITrc5elUkus2iXnWKL9ZKypAgwMN5uDZnt0BUVGpNQlazYeS9M6j-2Xg3Rc3dA6NYiwZVtrbccI7WuZGFyK25eYQ/s3024/Rock%2074-2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH4rhgQjKmnS4MnhIt0sPLKiHd6qjuQMBAnJs7vB7fYJwclUW8CW0Dbl8ZHnfRUARr7nzGMub4Wx1TnBG8yOckK68qW_9mLqURyITrc5elUkus2iXnWKL9ZKypAgwMN5uDZnt0BUVGpNQlazYeS9M6j-2Xg3Rc3dA6NYiwZVtrbccI7WuZGFyK25eYQ/w1568-h1028/Rock%2074-2.jpg" width="1568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rock Island GP35 313 hauls a manifest west out of Kansas City along the Kansas River -- 1974.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3fuqhxaCqz1GD9Ezji1reHWikZOp6r64UxyRiJU_eHk9XTpz_cRXPS2_WWb2xAd_VecsugA2NOOzHMkMrXKsKa23YlWXYdA-GZEAl0EujkGSbZZLoer1VPN2tO1hZ7ClJapF7k5bGw1da_EjS-e-5_PDvJhwGEpzRG5iluFfNIyl1rbFSP8nga2ftA/s2988/Rock%2074-3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2988" height="1052" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3fuqhxaCqz1GD9Ezji1reHWikZOp6r64UxyRiJU_eHk9XTpz_cRXPS2_WWb2xAd_VecsugA2NOOzHMkMrXKsKa23YlWXYdA-GZEAl0EujkGSbZZLoer1VPN2tO1hZ7ClJapF7k5bGw1da_EjS-e-5_PDvJhwGEpzRG5iluFfNIyl1rbFSP8nga2ftA/w1566-h1052/Rock%2074-3.jpg" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rock Island in 1974 -- U25B 219 rolls eastbound. This train most likely came off the Golden State Route.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnm4QGmrB1sqfubolyFjB9X0YQuzf6pSM_xYytSRY02X7b6uP_1eBsIqep41mOkgPg0C4qQ64yYAfrtlyRK_B1Ev39Ksih-rMaXCYW-KjeSTVQOVNTdubCiJfps1cSoqwPDT3ZtIbJCCiIk5SxPrPFVdSoegKimUJMb21zvm0THMwnf9MPRgHPiyVPjw/s3005/Rock%2074-4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1039" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnm4QGmrB1sqfubolyFjB9X0YQuzf6pSM_xYytSRY02X7b6uP_1eBsIqep41mOkgPg0C4qQ64yYAfrtlyRK_B1Ev39Ksih-rMaXCYW-KjeSTVQOVNTdubCiJfps1cSoqwPDT3ZtIbJCCiIk5SxPrPFVdSoegKimUJMb21zvm0THMwnf9MPRgHPiyVPjw/w1560-h1039/Rock%2074-4.jpg" width="1560" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>1974 -- Led by U30C 4584 in your author's favorite Rock Island paint scheme, this westbound hotshot has passed Lawrence with a clear board to Topeka.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuyxJX6_E7fvKitt5SpimWAHz6IxXb-M6bRdlTNUhOiLz2ETv8pP33FcXGp1RiOE9_-WsyMPOMATdw55p0D1QmqFpVjsVQLYERGUvqEK2r2iuWb24s10s0QibrMwWeMRdsukHDWTqCkwnSF1njYNZE1Wn2mkGjn5u4j6sW7R5KlvSnUbiBA-3tG8Xhw/s2997/Rock%2074-6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuyxJX6_E7fvKitt5SpimWAHz6IxXb-M6bRdlTNUhOiLz2ETv8pP33FcXGp1RiOE9_-WsyMPOMATdw55p0D1QmqFpVjsVQLYERGUvqEK2r2iuWb24s10s0QibrMwWeMRdsukHDWTqCkwnSF1njYNZE1Wn2mkGjn5u4j6sW7R5KlvSnUbiBA-3tG8Xhw/w1554-h1040/Rock%2074-6.jpg" width="1554" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In 1972, Rock Island purchased this GP7 from the Rio Grande, repainting the herald on the nose and the lettering on the side. Here it leads boxcars toward Lawrence on a very cold day in January 1974.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgqhW5FUC7ba6_82Kyit1ilC1yLtklXie4803iD8golIulzVpbTzMroDEOX6dQT82XG7wfvZ07Yabu1d-6_QD4i5TqSMaD-YbOAJdvNWpZpgwSOQMVUR7u66_pHWwaM17QU9PFvc5OZVc3OTB92oyHeutqKMQSwJ_mehbCxXawW-UjNgNmZOTlh2ziA/s3003/Rock%2074.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3003" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHgqhW5FUC7ba6_82Kyit1ilC1yLtklXie4803iD8golIulzVpbTzMroDEOX6dQT82XG7wfvZ07Yabu1d-6_QD4i5TqSMaD-YbOAJdvNWpZpgwSOQMVUR7u66_pHWwaM17QU9PFvc5OZVc3OTB92oyHeutqKMQSwJ_mehbCxXawW-UjNgNmZOTlh2ziA/w1558-h1037/Rock%2074.jpg" width="1558" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>U30C 4583 rolls west beside the Kansas River on a very hot day in July 1974.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8guembePGY1-n3JHF11XJEgsDNBSleSbdfbItiN6bPo9Bq9Av_GUDw7Xbthv84wc_GxXRy8UZZgXxUMrBZ0NKpjOFWY1_M_ZGhd88zs4edEWfbamw8fRCY7cOhwpqMv5Itywa44d1g2yMmpMB0RHR-U9_2A2m9LaCUAr_3xYFVXJPdUEedVUZ5KPkw/s3080/7-1974.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1947" data-original-width="3080" height="986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8guembePGY1-n3JHF11XJEgsDNBSleSbdfbItiN6bPo9Bq9Av_GUDw7Xbthv84wc_GxXRy8UZZgXxUMrBZ0NKpjOFWY1_M_ZGhd88zs4edEWfbamw8fRCY7cOhwpqMv5Itywa44d1g2yMmpMB0RHR-U9_2A2m9LaCUAr_3xYFVXJPdUEedVUZ5KPkw/w1563-h986/7-1974.jpg" width="1563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Two U50's rolling west beside the Kansas River -- 1974 -- two of the cleanest units of this model I ever saw on the Marysville Sub.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJb9quvVBU21I0_9l0380W-a8Xwj1NrtkHfQWp9arinBAHlwKpXBdwTD8Au9HZYJu6Ri-KjZg3GhxYo1K22atfs9Be87qiUEbjO3Gg1u110llR9_a3mNqHfxp42pcI0Esc1bqPn7y6d0FaSeNmcTswbnyDhvSFZykpsYznh_qHgXYO8ITFINaePhIxEg/s2979/4-1974.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2979" height="1058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJb9quvVBU21I0_9l0380W-a8Xwj1NrtkHfQWp9arinBAHlwKpXBdwTD8Au9HZYJu6Ri-KjZg3GhxYo1K22atfs9Be87qiUEbjO3Gg1u110llR9_a3mNqHfxp42pcI0Esc1bqPn7y6d0FaSeNmcTswbnyDhvSFZykpsYznh_qHgXYO8ITFINaePhIxEg/w1567-h1058/4-1974.jpg" width="1567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>U50C 5003 leads a manifest east in 1974. The second engine is a GP-9 B-unit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBdmwWz0Z1TKRm0aFiZg71iOZxd2xdxsc4hX3iU78DzKVVwVugC5fBvxwK7lQXSoRMZHeEmy2zikMFiAH69RSpJpmkdjT0NzuVIkJeMNvHeUN5MpQbZ_9hDdI1tDvGANCMrL3YsvqzObeAjH1aJduaXrKxl_k8l2GS1hFn1DOSlw1wawuih7zjptPAA/s3019/5-1974.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBdmwWz0Z1TKRm0aFiZg71iOZxd2xdxsc4hX3iU78DzKVVwVugC5fBvxwK7lQXSoRMZHeEmy2zikMFiAH69RSpJpmkdjT0NzuVIkJeMNvHeUN5MpQbZ_9hDdI1tDvGANCMrL3YsvqzObeAjH1aJduaXrKxl_k8l2GS1hFn1DOSlw1wawuih7zjptPAA/w1572-h1037/5-1974.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another U50C is on the point of three Norfolk and Western units headed westbound. Norfolk and Western power was common on the Marysville Sub in 1974 as trains ran through Kansas City off the old Wabash.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb4nHTCsMz2ntkjjl8m3m2N5GHZxo_Z8VfET_maVg68jjx2BuZt1_0wzpp2pnOEKREysBxIR04Z6hrI-AZ2dTZlEZdN9cv3DfDV5tR5SL3wADi9_8A1nK8Ii5QObiGH8nxTZ1dTqVTNY8ru4qNfazo6xT2c1T1COctXP6m6D8nDU6ygorB6oAZ8dH2w/s3027/14=1974.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3027" height="1029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb4nHTCsMz2ntkjjl8m3m2N5GHZxo_Z8VfET_maVg68jjx2BuZt1_0wzpp2pnOEKREysBxIR04Z6hrI-AZ2dTZlEZdN9cv3DfDV5tR5SL3wADi9_8A1nK8Ii5QObiGH8nxTZ1dTqVTNY8ru4qNfazo6xT2c1T1COctXP6m6D8nDU6ygorB6oAZ8dH2w/w1567-h1029/14=1974.jpg" width="1567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A lashup of all Norfolk and Western power heads eastbound, led by GP30 538 running long hood forward, as was the N&W's custom.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd50_1vUF5yYbdRl0KgSjF9Y7eCzFSj-GA0TDrc2be_hQ2pGoYb-Y33eCRfLkY0pbpQxIw-b84rzIr3CMM4F73ThRS2_lI3f90TI_6z3auOLPrckYhRzG54TlmAIbSzWpC2tuBrZ9WHPQibzQYSIzuuPavY50bYyWxYpJV0s5XICVrDz4G8-IEV72BDg/s3005/6-1974.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3005" height="1047" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd50_1vUF5yYbdRl0KgSjF9Y7eCzFSj-GA0TDrc2be_hQ2pGoYb-Y33eCRfLkY0pbpQxIw-b84rzIr3CMM4F73ThRS2_lI3f90TI_6z3auOLPrckYhRzG54TlmAIbSzWpC2tuBrZ9WHPQibzQYSIzuuPavY50bYyWxYpJV0s5XICVrDz4G8-IEV72BDg/w1572-h1047/6-1974.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>GP30 717 beside the Kansas River -- 1974. You may have noticed in earlier images, but during this time, UP power contained the engine number on the nose.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K4xAO5xRgB6eYJaSGWYp7oZDwDZqX9CjE2C2MXKVN-_-cSvMRoH6iuRU2QbJm1cmi7sgSZyEsVQRQ3l1CoeyuTzaLNc98bJIxc_9tLWr-uMaEcqcKF9kUIqGDEzTElYguHi0mL75UHgb0PUPLjSbiwugfLkezDHx3Uw89AXkro2estg5Ygn9XgHo4g/s3048/8-1974.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3048" height="1019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2K4xAO5xRgB6eYJaSGWYp7oZDwDZqX9CjE2C2MXKVN-_-cSvMRoH6iuRU2QbJm1cmi7sgSZyEsVQRQ3l1CoeyuTzaLNc98bJIxc_9tLWr-uMaEcqcKF9kUIqGDEzTElYguHi0mL75UHgb0PUPLjSbiwugfLkezDHx3Uw89AXkro2estg5Ygn9XgHo4g/w1575-h1019/8-1974.jpg" width="1575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A single U50C east of Topeka.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYTKrGOSTR8jDI5VbV9MuBu6UI6MoClnuOmxRU2NdH4a07tX03dcN--o4fgTr0LLTigF4u-rrOwmJl3ivntrkNqM7-bjkJ7jaNzFgOoZyFDQlpYEWv0AZutSuHqVp6g5WFurXQmHJ0cGwltpfUbYz-vuvvOUxK111buVbpj7PS1lHCzvW_1nTG1iVpg/s3045/21-1974.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3045" height="1020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYTKrGOSTR8jDI5VbV9MuBu6UI6MoClnuOmxRU2NdH4a07tX03dcN--o4fgTr0LLTigF4u-rrOwmJl3ivntrkNqM7-bjkJ7jaNzFgOoZyFDQlpYEWv0AZutSuHqVp6g5WFurXQmHJ0cGwltpfUbYz-vuvvOUxK111buVbpj7PS1lHCzvW_1nTG1iVpg/w1577-h1020/21-1974.jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b> Union Pacific SD24 417 leads a trio of Missouri Pacific power. The SD24 was the first turbo-charged unit produced by EMD. This image was taken in the summer of 1974 after recent heavy rains had filled the Kansas River from bank to bank.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOzXExVLFCYOOpYqFbdvEZp7AOKKgzFkh-LoU_IbPtXWxztc2lP5k4v9uugX2mVFoI0kE4Jw4fRBGMsaRignXkEduRSMygBXU5q_DdnHjiSvdTuCr7_LEEzPhNUM4f7id-YymDHF73tMehot5csmMG4DVsDdmuCCrsv4vP5Q1kSAXix523mBUIGPdOg/s3000/13-1974.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3000" height="1047" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOzXExVLFCYOOpYqFbdvEZp7AOKKgzFkh-LoU_IbPtXWxztc2lP5k4v9uugX2mVFoI0kE4Jw4fRBGMsaRignXkEduRSMygBXU5q_DdnHjiSvdTuCr7_LEEzPhNUM4f7id-YymDHF73tMehot5csmMG4DVsDdmuCCrsv4vP5Q1kSAXix523mBUIGPdOg/w1574-h1047/13-1974.jpg" width="1574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Union Pacific line runs into Lawrence from the east on the north side of the Kansas River, while the bulk of the town is on the south side. At the old passenger station, the tracks turn north for several miles before turning west again. Here a westbound U50C is making the turn to the north. To the right of the engine is Mount Oread, a hill in Lawrence upon which is located the University of Kansas and which separates the floodplains of the Kansas and Wakarusa Rivers.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrEemOQFdO877qwftqCNvUArFk2HFbytR8mAEKGkcb67NTKBcdXfS7iu051SMdAa8_O2tyvWY_-RzzdWG5X-wJ0IIofWvQFb4Ow9Zlk5FUypTW9VnXzRHVGMAbkoeX2O8x5hQjE41tS25-h-xf51NS_5lHlzo4UkDUvnPMpVUXuagO1mOhrzxiLLwTg/s3019/12-1975.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrEemOQFdO877qwftqCNvUArFk2HFbytR8mAEKGkcb67NTKBcdXfS7iu051SMdAa8_O2tyvWY_-RzzdWG5X-wJ0IIofWvQFb4Ow9Zlk5FUypTW9VnXzRHVGMAbkoeX2O8x5hQjE41tS25-h-xf51NS_5lHlzo4UkDUvnPMpVUXuagO1mOhrzxiLLwTg/w1574-h1037/12-1975.jpg" width="1574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A cold day along the Kansas River in March 1974. The two U50Cs show the result of oil leaks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKENqUGJYPs5IpLspD8d_FmJ1C_6h5fi_KUCQ-8tbWkmq7_k7HylkmmDWpDR949BIqNaOWECE22VP57mY8Li8z-EGhs4CgjeQs3MnPTOGADL_LKnaNKyMn8VrHCqym7u3ElEJ5lPmxy4vGCEX-uuDNbTv9uNnRhSgJCXte7y6HKgMCcGct8I-Qk-muw/s3031/10-1975.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3031" height="1027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKENqUGJYPs5IpLspD8d_FmJ1C_6h5fi_KUCQ-8tbWkmq7_k7HylkmmDWpDR949BIqNaOWECE22VP57mY8Li8z-EGhs4CgjeQs3MnPTOGADL_LKnaNKyMn8VrHCqym7u3ElEJ5lPmxy4vGCEX-uuDNbTv9uNnRhSgJCXte7y6HKgMCcGct8I-Qk-muw/w1572-h1027/10-1975.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific 748, a GP35, leads a merchandise freight west during a March 1974 snowstorm.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISlwiZSQFtz-AQsSAV_vuISuV8BOfVEEwUM55exEqH3jSQ-c_GsA0zvfhsC4vBdhC-_xkX1IdAcDpxuFMz69HU8cG30e9-WiWXGMfuaSIs9GErB-JVCEufRgfsCDy_x4Dkh-22cjWHnpwS_yIhBUAa_UafPQbLlJUSXH1vks2533TXquuPsveZiqAAg/s3050/9-1975.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="3050" height="1019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISlwiZSQFtz-AQsSAV_vuISuV8BOfVEEwUM55exEqH3jSQ-c_GsA0zvfhsC4vBdhC-_xkX1IdAcDpxuFMz69HU8cG30e9-WiWXGMfuaSIs9GErB-JVCEufRgfsCDy_x4Dkh-22cjWHnpwS_yIhBUAa_UafPQbLlJUSXH1vks2533TXquuPsveZiqAAg/w1583-h1019/9-1975.jpg" width="1583" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific 746, another GP35, rolls east along the Kansas River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyU7pAjeKKbrJPHruGSHBrUJt6hu3ZBhlYGyxTcAbGasI-y82ReKQSerEF6Q4RG6zI0l2IW6Bg83e77DwyPaFdkxmfmRK4cdPT30gG3cMPB3kOvS4M7OqMcx9GfeYVlkSY5x4r7NV4DVUqOLOf2uOG_GhiCwP5iWdJJrDKhkloTw8IRM54Fg-Vd-EeQ/s3028/3-1974.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3028" height="1031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyU7pAjeKKbrJPHruGSHBrUJt6hu3ZBhlYGyxTcAbGasI-y82ReKQSerEF6Q4RG6zI0l2IW6Bg83e77DwyPaFdkxmfmRK4cdPT30gG3cMPB3kOvS4M7OqMcx9GfeYVlkSY5x4r7NV4DVUqOLOf2uOG_GhiCwP5iWdJJrDKhkloTw8IRM54Fg-Vd-EeQ/w1579-h1031/3-1974.jpg" width="1579" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>SD40-2 3196 rolls west toward Topeka with two Frisco units trailing -- summer 1974.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>1981</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1976, your author began law school -- a long slog through knee-keep mud that seemed to end back where it had started, as though I had spent the prime of my life going nowhere, like a dog's chasing its tail or a model train on a circular track. There were no visits to Lawrence, and virtually no railfanning until after I had passed the Bar Exam and completed a few years' work. Only then did I feel confident enough to take time off. (You may think that I'm exaggerating, but I'm not.)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Also, during that period, Carl was out of state obtaining a Ph.D. in Labor History from Harvard. So there was no one to visit in Lawrence anyway. By 1981 he and his wife had returned. (At least he had spent those years doing something useful.)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the seven years since my last visit, the Marysville Sub was both the same and different. Both tracks were still controlled by automatic block signals, but the U50's and U50C's were gone. Traffic was as heavy as ever, perhaps even heavier, but the Rock Island was also gone, having shut down for good on March 31, 1980. I spent only a couple of afternoons along the tracks in 1981 and present here a few of the better images.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iPa-wvPbsfn18ysc-RHssY_ZUnDw9SUJZU-0UhbqprH1vcbRlSiXWNFOmAA3YtTkBQtS8jpUToZTg5YTNna1TIoAYHLZDM2zUg-MMeoffQkM7Jqcpfh3mVPoiy5lAuwR1ssIyd1eHkF7iWl-PmVtgbn3fHm_Rm3RB8a355-bJWcLzsTpTMQ5iWevdA/s2960/23-1979.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2026" data-original-width="2960" height="1078" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iPa-wvPbsfn18ysc-RHssY_ZUnDw9SUJZU-0UhbqprH1vcbRlSiXWNFOmAA3YtTkBQtS8jpUToZTg5YTNna1TIoAYHLZDM2zUg-MMeoffQkM7Jqcpfh3mVPoiy5lAuwR1ssIyd1eHkF7iWl-PmVtgbn3fHm_Rm3RB8a355-bJWcLzsTpTMQ5iWevdA/w1576-h1078/23-1979.jpg" width="1576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP 8089, an SD40-2, is eastbound to Kansas City. Built in 1979, this unit was geared for 80 MPH. EMD delivered 100 to Union Pacific, which called them "Fast Forties." The unit was later renumbered 3598.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ExqGM1zEpC8lkqrEMSA66AMxP89RcbZ4maFUNwGNS3aye7dgqzjzUv9YSqIMTHqcoJMzP_cSshfcrsuB7VjfP-TUfEAKqGM1t8h9V5TDZ9pJMpwcLzrbYWmWG0NZ1iMpDGeWdSiqL32mvkWFLoiyPl-P6af2BZJydWx9iFQpOsSn3S8_c1GGX09kfA/s3012/24-1981.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ExqGM1zEpC8lkqrEMSA66AMxP89RcbZ4maFUNwGNS3aye7dgqzjzUv9YSqIMTHqcoJMzP_cSshfcrsuB7VjfP-TUfEAKqGM1t8h9V5TDZ9pJMpwcLzrbYWmWG0NZ1iMpDGeWdSiqL32mvkWFLoiyPl-P6af2BZJydWx9iFQpOsSn3S8_c1GGX09kfA/w1571-h1041/24-1981.jpg" width="1571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In1980, the Burlington Northern purchased the Frisco. Here in 1981, two BN units (one still in Frisco red and white) follow UP 2485 (a C30-7) west out of Lawrence.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXz1Va--DA_T_UUwEXHI-5OxWQoeeMZmh1VQoK0qCPDusfQOvbOhyC9nZ_pdGF3rfeYKIlrSvxsZRSveWXGt9HbnVcyfQDHnRv_c9SickFTBxneXZS5G2fCWgcnJMceB9qxaufKH3WdruSjfofdiCeocO47jgiVn9zXeMxxw2g34aYJE3Lj0KaeEBEg/s3126/25-1981.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1918" data-original-width="3126" height="958" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXz1Va--DA_T_UUwEXHI-5OxWQoeeMZmh1VQoK0qCPDusfQOvbOhyC9nZ_pdGF3rfeYKIlrSvxsZRSveWXGt9HbnVcyfQDHnRv_c9SickFTBxneXZS5G2fCWgcnJMceB9qxaufKH3WdruSjfofdiCeocO47jgiVn9zXeMxxw2g34aYJE3Lj0KaeEBEg/w1566-h958/25-1981.jpg" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>U30C 2954 leads autoracks and two Conrail units east (compass south) toward Lawrence in July 1981.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GC-6F7_BQQq6sFnuH9PngqRz6CCX3pzGgMJSPyj-ZAK5wwCLCnB0CziXtEnDBtvST_NheoXpxE0UwP1An2paXxda-q7ic2Sw40zRpjL_WzkUwkWWEsNHq6uxXQqu7aH_jJuMUdj-NFmsem2BXC9capf9XzlDcknLxWLXv9aDSjRyq_T6ewAPz2B7og/s2998/26-1981.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2998" height="1053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GC-6F7_BQQq6sFnuH9PngqRz6CCX3pzGgMJSPyj-ZAK5wwCLCnB0CziXtEnDBtvST_NheoXpxE0UwP1An2paXxda-q7ic2Sw40zRpjL_WzkUwkWWEsNHq6uxXQqu7aH_jJuMUdj-NFmsem2BXC9capf9XzlDcknLxWLXv9aDSjRyq_T6ewAPz2B7og/w1573-h1053/26-1981.jpg" width="1573" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP 2950 (another U30C) leads two Missouri Pacific units west. To the lead unit's right is a train indicator, vital link in the ABS chain. Before radio communication was common, maintenance of way crews and others on the tracks could check the indicators to see if trains were approaching. There were indicators for each track. Since trains ran in only one direction on each track, if an indicator showed a train in the block, one knew from which direction it was approaching.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>1990</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The calendar moves forward to 1990. Your author will turn 40 in November and has been practicing law 11 years. His son is six years old and alternately unintentionally humorous and intentionally infuriating. Ditch lights are almost a decade away, but the first "safety cabs" appeared in 1989. Although coal traffic has increased dramatically, the railroad is still dominated by manifests. The flood of intermodal traffic, well underway on AT&SF's Transcon, is still a trickle in northeastern Kansas.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Probably the biggest change on this section of the Union Pacific is the age of the photographer. He is no longer enthusiastic about waking before dawn and reaching the tracks as the summer sun rises. He no longer bothers with summer photographs taken during the middle of the day. He has begun the occasional use of a tripod for any lens longer than 50 millimeters, though he still prefers to "hand hold" his 135. The consistent use of zoom lenses must wait until the 21st century. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In all of the images above, the westbound track through Lawrence was jointed rail. This vestige of 19th century railroading has now disappeared. The railroad industry, almost against its will, is starting to modernize, though the process is as slow and painful as the removal of a wisdom tooth. </span></p><br /><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX-seDMgxZJ-lqe0EPvMNqYHF1S5up6Z5Gu36Cx7eLTBIeX16US9ltP81OkPxrCp2i8zgpOcQCTq1hdHo0R9uZQPoAcC0SstV-i0-Iz6RL4iNesi79fO067LF-b41wnsmzDRJq-LzUBrAuMnVK3wX1crb-_oOcjNbGJKOR9d-MhjkdDDtuBgu2tQ8ww/s3042/27-1988.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3042" height="1019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX-seDMgxZJ-lqe0EPvMNqYHF1S5up6Z5Gu36Cx7eLTBIeX16US9ltP81OkPxrCp2i8zgpOcQCTq1hdHo0R9uZQPoAcC0SstV-i0-Iz6RL4iNesi79fO067LF-b41wnsmzDRJq-LzUBrAuMnVK3wX1crb-_oOcjNbGJKOR9d-MhjkdDDtuBgu2tQ8ww/w1576-h1019/27-1988.jpg" width="1576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: arial;">Union Pacific took control of Missouri Pacific in 1982, but the MOP retained its identity on locomotives until January 1, 1986, the consolidation date of the two roads' operating departments. </b><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Missouri Pacific's 5000 class SD50s were delivered new by EMD in yellow and gray, with Missouri Pacific lettering. Here 5003 and 5029 roll west with an empty coal train. Your author is uncertain what the first load behind the power might be. Both 5003 and 5029 were previous numbers of the retired and scrapped U50C's.</b></span></span></span></div></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr60b1z9PAzYD3RHzWGExGMIPJK8Unyi-K-GYmGBTZ8_nu26aL9RGIiAnnQOCR248AVZEblCrciPmbuSvrp6f-vpsrEgXAjiCQzVqShZv8vLNMebf12mtxOT4BvZhffCNZMi3a6tE1h37KbS4odbD5L-oH0S_vr_-K32ZX0EjSLFLM0KpA9bzMjq7LJg/s3089/29-1990.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1943" data-original-width="3089" height="991" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr60b1z9PAzYD3RHzWGExGMIPJK8Unyi-K-GYmGBTZ8_nu26aL9RGIiAnnQOCR248AVZEblCrciPmbuSvrp6f-vpsrEgXAjiCQzVqShZv8vLNMebf12mtxOT4BvZhffCNZMi3a6tE1h37KbS4odbD5L-oH0S_vr_-K32ZX0EjSLFLM0KpA9bzMjq7LJg/w1577-h991/29-1990.jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>SD40-2 3467 powers west out of Lawrence in the summer of 1990.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDPD1Nc9nu8bmI4HwXoUimeH9BQg9S1XsqPtF3kcTy3HQ-F7OeSrkKTmnYB2kZEPS3Rg4HXrpluPQxsAQ-mv3PYvZlYIXGAIQyNbGf9I-ftdvulUxkrwsjeMX2FP_IsiXqQXBQJPHoG-JotkDIBa4E6T2nvBM9BCkj2RTSjkMv0Wy8N8-zzh8BF2OIw/s2988/30-1990.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2988" height="1057" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDPD1Nc9nu8bmI4HwXoUimeH9BQg9S1XsqPtF3kcTy3HQ-F7OeSrkKTmnYB2kZEPS3Rg4HXrpluPQxsAQ-mv3PYvZlYIXGAIQyNbGf9I-ftdvulUxkrwsjeMX2FP_IsiXqQXBQJPHoG-JotkDIBa4E6T2nvBM9BCkj2RTSjkMv0Wy8N8-zzh8BF2OIw/w1573-h1057/30-1990.jpg" width="1573" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another SD40-2, two trailers and a long string of autoracks. Your author has no idea what the second unit might be.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vGGWowDkbrZIMzCGU2CBlyww65jKajk2VCHyuH543tXph7fhcQasl9Upndwew3IyHPAKtwqnpeXAq8O8OBMIgJQlB6oNpeWTKMeECGR_-L6_-oBrrPr0lugiEADgXCSjYWuutJOMO1TszshGLEGZIlnNvAkOn-8bgCz8bDLJLZJWlhVab5HOo45yRQ/s3216/31-1990.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1866" data-original-width="3216" height="912" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vGGWowDkbrZIMzCGU2CBlyww65jKajk2VCHyuH543tXph7fhcQasl9Upndwew3IyHPAKtwqnpeXAq8O8OBMIgJQlB6oNpeWTKMeECGR_-L6_-oBrrPr0lugiEADgXCSjYWuutJOMO1TszshGLEGZIlnNvAkOn-8bgCz8bDLJLZJWlhVab5HOo45yRQ/w1569-h912/31-1990.jpg" width="1569" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Union Pacific absorbed the Katy in 1988. Here SD40-2 3395 leads MKT 634 (another SD40-2 in the last Katy paint scheme) across the farmland east of Lawrence. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFqKohbq-Klv8DhivmAgyCC7_x7P1ACrj0HHoZLEYAwXYuWKldK8dgZMBg-XWmCxN5ILQBcsQ9Ru8eMSLSSwhPVnNvE3GSNeEElrdharqZXphi3HDcp5RMPKIIeM8AcRzhH3xRKaaNjzcBNruIp_6cGjbfB5Yg78UpVL1ZGmqrTzwGJ1WVnMzFM_EbA/s3108/32-1990.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1931" data-original-width="3108" height="980" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFqKohbq-Klv8DhivmAgyCC7_x7P1ACrj0HHoZLEYAwXYuWKldK8dgZMBg-XWmCxN5ILQBcsQ9Ru8eMSLSSwhPVnNvE3GSNeEElrdharqZXphi3HDcp5RMPKIIeM8AcRzhH3xRKaaNjzcBNruIp_6cGjbfB5Yg78UpVL1ZGmqrTzwGJ1WVnMzFM_EbA/w1576-h980/32-1990.jpg" width="1576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More farmland in 1990. GP38-2 2307 (formerly MP 2307) leads this train east.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlDvI4KC-BbiHGDZvgz4ebOFCUPr7yeL5YBhPcBUQ0xXGUusrW2-VP6WNPq4fALsVJV3UWDRvS5BRZUHhV0XOBrgXfuBl-XVOeZH4MBEBORpToXyG3GykVNACtz5a1IsbUd6iG2WkE-4xAuDzC005DYdUCsyIpAzSK8-EIkcow4YiTkuGpXHqvuspfA/s3101/33-1990.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1934" data-original-width="3101" height="990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlDvI4KC-BbiHGDZvgz4ebOFCUPr7yeL5YBhPcBUQ0xXGUusrW2-VP6WNPq4fALsVJV3UWDRvS5BRZUHhV0XOBrgXfuBl-XVOeZH4MBEBORpToXyG3GykVNACtz5a1IsbUd6iG2WkE-4xAuDzC005DYdUCsyIpAzSK8-EIkcow4YiTkuGpXHqvuspfA/w1583-h990/33-1990.jpg" width="1583" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The first safety cabs I saw on the Marysville Sub. SD60M's 6188 and 6212 are on the point of an eastbound loaded coal train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnk9RZzaE1StppLpfP2k5TkhFFevVRgwh7qqJ5dUzUO7pEw9a3GfYFvzq0UWqklmhIpeK9E8UQgb6UqPJAhp1XVAgl4qkwl_k0Cs3HwIwHNxnK4x-NGxJN9cwaZCKuh3meUqVKXZAy5ajCVxPgx2VbVFNRV9dIgiUEG-2amWfeNu65b21QXPrTnCEEQ/s2962/34-1990.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="2962" height="1060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnk9RZzaE1StppLpfP2k5TkhFFevVRgwh7qqJ5dUzUO7pEw9a3GfYFvzq0UWqklmhIpeK9E8UQgb6UqPJAhp1XVAgl4qkwl_k0Cs3HwIwHNxnK4x-NGxJN9cwaZCKuh3meUqVKXZAy5ajCVxPgx2VbVFNRV9dIgiUEG-2amWfeNu65b21QXPrTnCEEQ/w1578-h1060/34-1990.jpg" width="1578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP C40-8 leads its sister and an empty coal train west in a location that once gave a broad view of the Kansas River. (See earlier images from 1973 and 1974). Here in 1990, cottonwoods have won the battle.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9J0AXuI1-qSZW4mXfnIQaVF_ANoohsNyNqXJRrQQeUVBVtQZrXAbBDmrfzSh4vPE9Af79CZXBQVBrpKTGAWdOSqMFFZY9HDlh-JkhMb8ggKdUn7ii3Pg1ajRbAqn_Hx7C9r5oISJMo_23Hv7h-kw0GhFjXzAZ6iQctClbsLLeQE9OelqeM2cOQe0RA/s3001/35-1990.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9J0AXuI1-qSZW4mXfnIQaVF_ANoohsNyNqXJRrQQeUVBVtQZrXAbBDmrfzSh4vPE9Af79CZXBQVBrpKTGAWdOSqMFFZY9HDlh-JkhMb8ggKdUn7ii3Pg1ajRbAqn_Hx7C9r5oISJMo_23Hv7h-kw0GhFjXzAZ6iQctClbsLLeQE9OelqeM2cOQe0RA/w1579-h1051/35-1990.jpg" width="1579" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another pair of Missouri Pacific SD50's headed east to Kansas City. To the lead unit's right is another train indicator, demonstrating that in 1990, the Marysville Sub through Lawrence was still controlled by Automatic Block Signal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMMQ0mCCiGi22371-SobuujdQ1JsrIgLpfnyHD1grIT_tu6dnDwl_6rZRP9QhL0Bm48IS4Dss96svwhnJTGVL-eghBWML331EbPsK5SODchLYNjFVS0KzkoqZbJHjGB_pl8cbwhy_2xxvSkRzKbuzDXN7FiZ11auWHcCBFICibNVgWvZDZxISxkatXQ/s2913/36-1990.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2059" data-original-width="2913" height="1113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMMQ0mCCiGi22371-SobuujdQ1JsrIgLpfnyHD1grIT_tu6dnDwl_6rZRP9QhL0Bm48IS4Dss96svwhnJTGVL-eghBWML331EbPsK5SODchLYNjFVS0KzkoqZbJHjGB_pl8cbwhy_2xxvSkRzKbuzDXN7FiZ11auWHcCBFICibNVgWvZDZxISxkatXQ/w1575-h1113/36-1990.jpg" width="1575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>SD60 6034 leads a westbound manifest past the only visible portion of the Kansas River in 1990.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3ROpduqEYMSd9weuq2pY5DBASReC6xAU1z5O-1OrHjz1hhaE3huc452_r6kDvQlMRX38XfaD6WEKMNfHjOEZZl1nZYagH_-3MxU3qHv7jOVK8NP8SmzVWrUffXCvcfwWhdVP7io_6t0I_BxOzzbNHSB8hxSSqpEUNJ71fQXCkR-Ut5cAJfp_b734GA/s3075/36b-1990.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="3075" height="994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3ROpduqEYMSd9weuq2pY5DBASReC6xAU1z5O-1OrHjz1hhaE3huc452_r6kDvQlMRX38XfaD6WEKMNfHjOEZZl1nZYagH_-3MxU3qHv7jOVK8NP8SmzVWrUffXCvcfwWhdVP7io_6t0I_BxOzzbNHSB8hxSSqpEUNJ71fQXCkR-Ut5cAJfp_b734GA/w1567-h994/36b-1990.jpg" width="1567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A trio of SD60M safety cabs.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdmhfAzoic_ZUvPB3U9pyTgc2IQJn4jFQVQkaIA6B_pShpkbAXQQaa2YEUtdk9DY5IK91Uzj45P9nJmJswSOvHZTx82Iw-R_b1Ste5JyEEcB9xsRY5Inl3DzRHj2Yi7EG5se1XlOs9OLsznnr7rNC_NyOl8ZbeoMwyuSx5E77y3Zyrzsf4Jh53_6grw/s2969/36a-1990.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2969" height="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdmhfAzoic_ZUvPB3U9pyTgc2IQJn4jFQVQkaIA6B_pShpkbAXQQaa2YEUtdk9DY5IK91Uzj45P9nJmJswSOvHZTx82Iw-R_b1Ste5JyEEcB9xsRY5Inl3DzRHj2Yi7EG5se1XlOs9OLsznnr7rNC_NyOl8ZbeoMwyuSx5E77y3Zyrzsf4Jh53_6grw/w1566-h1067/36a-1990.jpg" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Into the sunset of 1990. (I believe the lead unit is Southern Pacific.)</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>1995</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1995, the Marysville Sub in and around Lawrence was still controlled by Automatic Block Signals. Everything west of Topeka had long been Centralized Traffic Control; the same for the area closer to Kansas City. But in Lawrence, trains were still limited to right-hand running with no centrally controlled cross-overs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The images in this section were taken on a single afternoon in 1995, when eastbound traffic was stopped because of a traffic accident on the eastbound track in Lawrence. The opposite track was still open, but there was no way to route the trains for left-hand running, so everything eastbound just sat there, quietly, as though each engine had run out of fuel at the same time. Some crews went dead on the law, turned their headlights off and went home.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I doubt that this single event caused the UP to convert the line through Lawrence to CTC, but it may have been the last straw.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegnVTocsJIxjflDIyTKhDgOpWeForVQF8k5TLCiKY_nuyepu0xRb-yXg0SjL75PLxQNlJUFlxlvc6uONBoaN0pXaqVVKeavWNJemXVWt9m5BwukJMS1R7LeVHTqBAbxEXwdzwZLMU2n-lvexaQQqGvaxtaV-ZJeKekkUvMfpGEtPXbaH4ZxdRV7e_dA/s2977/44-1995.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2977" height="1061" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegnVTocsJIxjflDIyTKhDgOpWeForVQF8k5TLCiKY_nuyepu0xRb-yXg0SjL75PLxQNlJUFlxlvc6uONBoaN0pXaqVVKeavWNJemXVWt9m5BwukJMS1R7LeVHTqBAbxEXwdzwZLMU2n-lvexaQQqGvaxtaV-ZJeKekkUvMfpGEtPXbaH4ZxdRV7e_dA/w1564-h1061/44-1995.jpg" width="1564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound SD40-2 3328 is dead on the mainline.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgS9F650uEiP2MjP7aF9NmVDWvSBGrJBVfTi3AL-WBmDqRrnUpbgJvDnaKlaQJrfCwOT2fKBLCu59VbUlVTxYtYG-80_uWv4N93dbX_KXKtc6Qyi40bSqBOvXqmAeYKalcNnFYXsvMruw41RGWtb8cBZzgLxnkLuirJtD2gS920iwLKdTBspGu5t8iQ/s2948/45-1995.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2034" data-original-width="2948" height="1077" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgS9F650uEiP2MjP7aF9NmVDWvSBGrJBVfTi3AL-WBmDqRrnUpbgJvDnaKlaQJrfCwOT2fKBLCu59VbUlVTxYtYG-80_uWv4N93dbX_KXKtc6Qyi40bSqBOvXqmAeYKalcNnFYXsvMruw41RGWtb8cBZzgLxnkLuirJtD2gS920iwLKdTBspGu5t8iQ/w1561-h1077/45-1995.jpg" width="1561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>C41-8W 9443 and C40-8 9334 wait silently on the eastbound main for approaching traffic.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ENtZY9NNXrP9uHaQk5nQEiBb_za7ePMe_h5WslPa5X5QjJueJJUPlMfGEBOJBTh5-Scr4aN45JGUnM2aFia_fZ-WUsUtNfLigo59UJyXY67XGLrmOrHEJsLE3f8UGQLqbAAMRai2uf4ocOv3I5fnnqbpmspoLivoNX2AB7k4DvkQn-7yckq7ORQeLQ/s2892/46-1995.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2075" data-original-width="2892" height="1117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ENtZY9NNXrP9uHaQk5nQEiBb_za7ePMe_h5WslPa5X5QjJueJJUPlMfGEBOJBTh5-Scr4aN45JGUnM2aFia_fZ-WUsUtNfLigo59UJyXY67XGLrmOrHEJsLE3f8UGQLqbAAMRai2uf4ocOv3I5fnnqbpmspoLivoNX2AB7k4DvkQn-7yckq7ORQeLQ/w1555-h1117/46-1995.jpg" width="1555" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>GP38-2 2263, originally CRI&P 4325, waits quietly without a crew.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ1ZpxCPgwm82NtlQGL3HiOc9ZBgK6JRvfSKVbQTY9rwRVy98DjuE_Cly4t2Kg4hG3db8BFmWehZUmyqOvNOPNXPTY3lKYWVBGHEojgXfMj1VwJ4pm5hoaRjL7zypCYmKXU1Mv1r5jH5OIGawnZby55fIGS0PMqc3O5-CjNmZ76t2c_1EwCQF8wbUFQ/s2956/47-1995.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2030" data-original-width="2956" height="1070" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ1ZpxCPgwm82NtlQGL3HiOc9ZBgK6JRvfSKVbQTY9rwRVy98DjuE_Cly4t2Kg4hG3db8BFmWehZUmyqOvNOPNXPTY3lKYWVBGHEojgXfMj1VwJ4pm5hoaRjL7zypCYmKXU1Mv1r5jH5OIGawnZby55fIGS0PMqc3O5-CjNmZ76t2c_1EwCQF8wbUFQ/w1557-h1070/47-1995.jpg" width="1557" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>UP 3751 (SD40-2) sits on the mainline with a load of autoracks, waiting for the tracks ahead to clear.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxC4znIzkfIGoGf3eLBNxW7eqtg9dDp4JEhEXQAWpPKNHCEv05J7vwEtbjpASTWSV3MW-nlQ2UeVroN9KTvMExVdEzx425tYO-XhwNBinrRGMf5_BTXBZ8tspejhaJkegdajOCCjK0sh3smOAVDbCbDA-bZRzgcZxaSev07icDTNtiLKXtKLCkNLU7NA/s3012/43-1995.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxC4znIzkfIGoGf3eLBNxW7eqtg9dDp4JEhEXQAWpPKNHCEv05J7vwEtbjpASTWSV3MW-nlQ2UeVroN9KTvMExVdEzx425tYO-XhwNBinrRGMf5_BTXBZ8tspejhaJkegdajOCCjK0sh3smOAVDbCbDA-bZRzgcZxaSev07icDTNtiLKXtKLCkNLU7NA/w1556-h1031/43-1995.jpg" width="1556" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>While eastbounds were motionless, westbounds continued to roll. Here C40-8 9190 is headed to <br />Topeka without a worry in the world.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>2000</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Ditch lights appeared courtesy of federal regulations. Since I favor limited government (i.e., none where none is needed), I was initially non-plussed. After a few photographs, I quickly changed by mind. When shot head-on, ditch lights dramatized my images, especially those taken with long lenses. In some cases, the effect was subtle; in others, startling. My overall impression was that ditch lights, like bacon, made everything better. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I am quite certain that the government was not thinking of me when it mandated ditch lights. Still, you take your pleasures where you find them. So a tip of the hat to those federal bureaucrats who inadvertently injected a highlight into an otherwise gray world.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In addition to ditch lights, UP power in this era began to sport eagle wings on the nose. This touch, combined with ditch lights, made these engines quite photogenic, in no small measure because they were clean. No road grime in those days. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At the beginning of the 21st century, the Marysville Sub through Lawrence also converted to Centralized Traffic Control. Your author does not know the exact date, so for enlightenment, he queried his friend Carl, who responded by email:</span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the late 1990s the last remnants of ABS and center sidings were replaced with CTC and high-speed crossovers in the Kansas City-Topeka territory. The line west of Topeka to Marysville had been CTC for some years. The last ABS was a 28-mile stretch between Grantville (MP 61.5) and East Lawrence. I don't have an exact date but I am guessing it was all CTC by 2000. </span></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></blockquote><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqrEfN0mEFQbI70zB4UwfyNAkY_eJIw3IAnN_I86yKdY5AWSOhqK0fhyBSMJh0Ql4tyju5rORly9fwO9TTXfTBO3zHSr5hY4dVo5vuqhSm2NDmKXY7y213ilrZy4Ikj0uziWTq8G2C70QyQts01wXUYfpmCoByPIkfT2_cxESUvWQnP1jUqyQbLNL7A/s3083/38%20--%20Ditch%20Lights.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="3083" height="991" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqrEfN0mEFQbI70zB4UwfyNAkY_eJIw3IAnN_I86yKdY5AWSOhqK0fhyBSMJh0Ql4tyju5rORly9fwO9TTXfTBO3zHSr5hY4dVo5vuqhSm2NDmKXY7y213ilrZy4Ikj0uziWTq8G2C70QyQts01wXUYfpmCoByPIkfT2_cxESUvWQnP1jUqyQbLNL7A/w1570-h991/38%20--%20Ditch%20Lights.jpg" width="1570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The Marysville Sub begins to see eagle wings and intermodal traffic. Also, alternating current locomotives have appeared, like this AC60CW leading trailers westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtVi1fbNiPQUb_9DoDFH7uqHTzKAFDyJmaSlGbtKp8yIHIBlZhtq6V4VtaKiks5mLrCFZ1acby50_-x3pM_bUQ3zO1h0Grulnyviag_AlBVAeQYN7-jSJ1mnkbcz3mY5HqtuvW0-WhCPzDAEZC8kPIPg2_V8gn3_Tc-wBKInYJcPL7dqAS8ouLddy2Q/s2976/41-Ditch%20Lights.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2976" height="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtVi1fbNiPQUb_9DoDFH7uqHTzKAFDyJmaSlGbtKp8yIHIBlZhtq6V4VtaKiks5mLrCFZ1acby50_-x3pM_bUQ3zO1h0Grulnyviag_AlBVAeQYN7-jSJ1mnkbcz3mY5HqtuvW0-WhCPzDAEZC8kPIPg2_V8gn3_Tc-wBKInYJcPL7dqAS8ouLddy2Q/w1575-h1069/41-Ditch%20Lights.jpg" width="1575" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More intermodal traffic, led by SD70M 4125. Union Pacific ordered 1000 of these units (numbers 4000 through 4999). In 2019, 4014 was renumbered 4479 to accommodate Big Boy 4014. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TGQU9b8ZoNEw_vr7LiKd42cyl2SHauQyf3j0aLvCxNCIATDT1s8V5YXyzpn0T3GjcG-OZXowwVUzjxCOzfdRpyda07p6IjusRBKGFSSteBJPYXyKM6A0LmTxnZCSXeps1ipDtH7FTqhZ8yUH_k5xHg-LB2FIU_tFl3mdk03DoH28eOI6O6c1gqKytQ/s3058/40-Ditch%20Lights.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="3058" height="1002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TGQU9b8ZoNEw_vr7LiKd42cyl2SHauQyf3j0aLvCxNCIATDT1s8V5YXyzpn0T3GjcG-OZXowwVUzjxCOzfdRpyda07p6IjusRBKGFSSteBJPYXyKM6A0LmTxnZCSXeps1ipDtH7FTqhZ8yUH_k5xHg-LB2FIU_tFl3mdk03DoH28eOI6O6c1gqKytQ/w1561-h1002/40-Ditch%20Lights.jpg" width="1561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In a maneuver not possible in ABS days, AC44CW 6815 (pulling a loaded coal train) waits on the main (notice the conductor's boots on the dash) while SD60M 6203 races around with an intermodal hotshot.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYuP6Pzb7ZMjv4Whnp6_xg-r0SIFvh_C62ohWUbOTcf1hqZZ3WVDC-mHXCY6hBdI_1WNcr0v1Vpwng1Rqe0kl1FWppQG947iLZAsDFXvVLFmBWgmLu9SqBOPTzP7ki5ZwRxfjQ_x87vpg7Xu9ozyjvM9dgUeKMqdbo1d3cnMD_U3y-lp1MEHLaCWzjg/s3031/37-Ditch%20Lights.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYuP6Pzb7ZMjv4Whnp6_xg-r0SIFvh_C62ohWUbOTcf1hqZZ3WVDC-mHXCY6hBdI_1WNcr0v1Vpwng1Rqe0kl1FWppQG947iLZAsDFXvVLFmBWgmLu9SqBOPTzP7ki5ZwRxfjQ_x87vpg7Xu9ozyjvM9dgUeKMqdbo1d3cnMD_U3y-lp1MEHLaCWzjg/w1557-h1017/37-Ditch%20Lights.jpg" width="1557" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>AC44CW 7236 meets SD40-2's 3463 and 3620.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJeNAasqUyv36KQGhNJ4WBvuEIN4nb4Zw_S8qUebYwiePGRv5f9vD6w4-eI391QXjxlg3J6nyIdMCp1V9CLwOE9bFqEB4hgSzuBZVKQdR8pmhnD3HVXT60tXLxmRYCq_ILDHKcMOfBFi9XMe8ZZXSGI5Y6Q1pXK5W8AoN7aDu5CFLf6xlJA3a3edDqA/s3023/39-Ditch%20Lights.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3023" height="1020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJeNAasqUyv36KQGhNJ4WBvuEIN4nb4Zw_S8qUebYwiePGRv5f9vD6w4-eI391QXjxlg3J6nyIdMCp1V9CLwOE9bFqEB4hgSzuBZVKQdR8pmhnD3HVXT60tXLxmRYCq_ILDHKcMOfBFi9XMe8ZZXSGI5Y6Q1pXK5W8AoN7aDu5CFLf6xlJA3a3edDqA/w1555-h1020/39-Ditch%20Lights.jpg" width="1555" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Coal traffic is beginning to dominate the Marysville Sub. Here AC44CW 7208 leads coal loads through the farmland west of Kansas City.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>2008 </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And so we arrive at your author's most recent images from Lawrence -- taken 14 years before this post of May 2022. I have no idea what the railroad looks like now, nor do I have a good idea of what it looked like then, save for the images below. At certain moments, my life seems compressed into a single point, an undifferentiated singularly, if you will, and I cannot distinguish one date from another, 1974 from 2008 from 2022, as though I have lived them all simultaneously. The images contained herein tell me differently, because they are date-stamped, and date stamps don't lie, do they? </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">These images tell me that in 2008 the Marysville Sub through Lawrence, Kansas, is crawling with coal trains, day and night, round the clock, 24/7, with no pause, no respite, no moment to clear one's thoughts. The endless parade grows monotonous, like Irish folk music. The Union Pacific has made the transformation to the 21st century; the old railroad indices are gone, as are the old railroad men, as progress charges forward.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFrbbg9eby5IUK_gHCuxa-X6H17htAkCvNPoY2B8xqAwuzERqMZ3RZoxqx2I3DcI3OwkHO1im9zmxPbs6EFB0UXRQn_EMR_dZhucYnQ-RE1RO1zsc7W7PFqIfrNkOuhUwhvr9-pKJoMseippbkYjQsjFSQBHyWwDyyuyXwd1UcHoIOkW85LfANcYhAA/s3006/49-2006.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3006" height="1034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFrbbg9eby5IUK_gHCuxa-X6H17htAkCvNPoY2B8xqAwuzERqMZ3RZoxqx2I3DcI3OwkHO1im9zmxPbs6EFB0UXRQn_EMR_dZhucYnQ-RE1RO1zsc7W7PFqIfrNkOuhUwhvr9-pKJoMseippbkYjQsjFSQBHyWwDyyuyXwd1UcHoIOkW85LfANcYhAA/w1561-h1034/49-2006.jpg" width="1561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Coal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCAg7OgpUm7nes8PgWn9_iR3APy8MCVLiY3GgmRrIOxNe0Vkd5n_CL-1cHVwCIOWJ5QPE9334VHzO4_i0TvJ36RjhBVQtCnZbWHeYjMaCAI0Rd-B190CchYOexoV9_uNHJv_9OdpcPXtbUWH9dJ-_IOTJK5HgrpjJHBvcxOEyXBUgQ2HLoDTsqfkBpA/s3033/50-2006.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="3033" height="1014" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCAg7OgpUm7nes8PgWn9_iR3APy8MCVLiY3GgmRrIOxNe0Vkd5n_CL-1cHVwCIOWJ5QPE9334VHzO4_i0TvJ36RjhBVQtCnZbWHeYjMaCAI0Rd-B190CchYOexoV9_uNHJv_9OdpcPXtbUWH9dJ-_IOTJK5HgrpjJHBvcxOEyXBUgQ2HLoDTsqfkBpA/w1552-h1014/50-2006.jpg" width="1552" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Coal.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86DFRyEbaxNZy_58f2mMEHjTnT7Dad6Sw-szQ6vKqJM5LT2VmykKEsnLBVZpjMaq7tsrjtZvTCbaF5Ka9Pi8njOmqRvjMvQsDM2ZGypGXCiFlaXKM5UCk1ut-q7sWY-SCtW_jV-o6rtQj9ywGCsk31_ZmHoipOZEz3kQqQe3X2cHG7C30F8h1Ob1Nng/s2998/52-2007.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2998" height="1040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86DFRyEbaxNZy_58f2mMEHjTnT7Dad6Sw-szQ6vKqJM5LT2VmykKEsnLBVZpjMaq7tsrjtZvTCbaF5Ka9Pi8njOmqRvjMvQsDM2ZGypGXCiFlaXKM5UCk1ut-q7sWY-SCtW_jV-o6rtQj9ywGCsk31_ZmHoipOZEz3kQqQe3X2cHG7C30F8h1Ob1Nng/w1555-h1040/52-2007.jpg" width="1555" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86LdggLnD6xDTzySIJbQru4yAwc2MhS5rgZTNVQ97wyiX0SAuX6V9G86jqJpdDNxvmHuBhEhF_knwZ_-OjySrFuFMNn-AQTZ_pby2whhr0mak04p0oRxfMJJNi89Xlw3vVgyXXsTgT_OayqZ8EN1VFVa6Ah49oIzRoifCCwZsNgBUqndRlVkFgueFdA/s2962/55-2008.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="2962" height="1061" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86LdggLnD6xDTzySIJbQru4yAwc2MhS5rgZTNVQ97wyiX0SAuX6V9G86jqJpdDNxvmHuBhEhF_knwZ_-OjySrFuFMNn-AQTZ_pby2whhr0mak04p0oRxfMJJNi89Xlw3vVgyXXsTgT_OayqZ8EN1VFVa6Ah49oIzRoifCCwZsNgBUqndRlVkFgueFdA/w1550-h1061/55-2008.jpg" width="1550" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>And more.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1Sil1yz2aunQyHA9hf9F51uyxMQ4ksGi2dc4MWRAVErnxjvKwvRoAxSqzdVexJvSdM585aBKK_UtE88TQfl6ywdR-KrXTvWmnCUnP1L-VCC3vZTs_1YQHpGXRdaPqcNoMHkmLhakg6YI8FBM5Cw4hiNl1PB5re4-75EKu5VkIZpAoDsXlhftRNJhig/s3022/58-2007.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="3022" height="1020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1Sil1yz2aunQyHA9hf9F51uyxMQ4ksGi2dc4MWRAVErnxjvKwvRoAxSqzdVexJvSdM585aBKK_UtE88TQfl6ywdR-KrXTvWmnCUnP1L-VCC3vZTs_1YQHpGXRdaPqcNoMHkmLhakg6YI8FBM5Cw4hiNl1PB5re4-75EKu5VkIZpAoDsXlhftRNJhig/w1555-h1020/58-2007.jpg" width="1555" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Etc.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyKyuhtqYDRQkDyW9L0pVUtwdg6SQYLqgmWQc1FLG5DY3wZQCwwp7xhi6AkM6vEfpivcoURwHUkt5Yugar4RUxDBxL3EPUYf_C-TE1jkM7MhmwU3fJVQOl7UDDRwv6Grvk5TcdYFoCPDD0HErkPvziahWdjXcsRhuugqGeH8Uc8H7_0F2TJeeJKMPUw/s3033/59-2007.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3033" height="1022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyKyuhtqYDRQkDyW9L0pVUtwdg6SQYLqgmWQc1FLG5DY3wZQCwwp7xhi6AkM6vEfpivcoURwHUkt5Yugar4RUxDBxL3EPUYf_C-TE1jkM7MhmwU3fJVQOl7UDDRwv6Grvk5TcdYFoCPDD0HErkPvziahWdjXcsRhuugqGeH8Uc8H7_0F2TJeeJKMPUw/w1566-h1022/59-2007.jpg" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Etc. Etc.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84rsYCe_ePf5sWHEVLE4E5be28Cvd90Ib20xjmRLSE2CFp5bhM8U-_pxBGDYyGwcqAhzH4M_V3HXTpf_DbYyz-8ke2xyR4rqCL1waS_PCjUdhc6v19j_1itHrGSzopF1VAUY5zpnLf0ts7LK2H1NrZRZjP6lQm91Sg_BeGpBX3letfUfQ6F0a12i2wA/s3026/54-2007.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3026" height="1031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84rsYCe_ePf5sWHEVLE4E5be28Cvd90Ib20xjmRLSE2CFp5bhM8U-_pxBGDYyGwcqAhzH4M_V3HXTpf_DbYyz-8ke2xyR4rqCL1waS_PCjUdhc6v19j_1itHrGSzopF1VAUY5zpnLf0ts7LK2H1NrZRZjP6lQm91Sg_BeGpBX3letfUfQ6F0a12i2wA/w1570-h1031/54-2007.jpg" width="1570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Not every movement was coal. Here AC4400CW leads westbound grain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NakHtsLcn24lF2W7GGZoRdxXzbqqWIeuYORN9DLHBvMVjppfvzv0cgnv7FfihFsEVvgbWuQr8UfsHSnNLfPzeuuW0LNrG9D7hQa5A3OxBvesAr2gYV261h0jDttPuk1P7cQuf8RM5dpzvndnVfNZGeZdfcbjEnQlE1pNCUyD2RgMVXLaP0stOXYJPg/s3007/56-2007.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3007" height="1041" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NakHtsLcn24lF2W7GGZoRdxXzbqqWIeuYORN9DLHBvMVjppfvzv0cgnv7FfihFsEVvgbWuQr8UfsHSnNLfPzeuuW0LNrG9D7hQa5A3OxBvesAr2gYV261h0jDttPuk1P7cQuf8RM5dpzvndnVfNZGeZdfcbjEnQlE1pNCUyD2RgMVXLaP0stOXYJPg/w1572-h1041/56-2007.jpg" width="1572" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>C40-8 9347 and Oakway EMD SD60 9043 pull autoracks east. This may be the most recent image your author has of Oakway power. (Since I have about 20,000 slides, I'm not going to verify this conjecture.)</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g8VbSsZiYIxEAZpMZOV9Ap-e0ujVEX0GnRs_A5G5_WwR6f6w668BwPanOlqENUKl6smQkJbsIBrNeMF0rglCuKOhDG5F3NlnQ5MCQSXWUnsyeNzPq5PhNEJgZe7eOmH3hWNB_6-wXeQOoDho1VZNUvaiaCGQG__bRroU-OhoY1ZCZM1wbUznGcN72A/s3015/56-2008.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g8VbSsZiYIxEAZpMZOV9Ap-e0ujVEX0GnRs_A5G5_WwR6f6w668BwPanOlqENUKl6smQkJbsIBrNeMF0rglCuKOhDG5F3NlnQ5MCQSXWUnsyeNzPq5PhNEJgZe7eOmH3hWNB_6-wXeQOoDho1VZNUvaiaCGQG__bRroU-OhoY1ZCZM1wbUznGcN72A/w1573-h1037/56-2008.jpg" width="1573" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Beneath a new signal tower, AC45CCTE 7797 flies west into the sun.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Off the Rails</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I end with something not even remotely connected to railroads. Unless you enjoy speculating about things that don't effect your life at all, you may want to stop here.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But I do enjoy pointless speculation. And if my hallucinations turn out to be accurate, if my life really is compressed into a single point, if </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the universe really is an undifferentiated singularly, then everything that will happen has already happened. It happened in the same instant that everything in the past happened -- a single point containing everything that ever was and ever will be.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At the speed of light, time stops and distance ahead shrinks to zero -- an undifferentiated point where there is no past, no future, no distance, no duration, all of which we experience because we are subluminal. We do not move at the speed of light. If we did, mass would increase infinitely, an impossibility. We are trapped in a world of past and future and feel that time flows past us. But it does not. Our existence is like a book. We read it page after page, but the book is already complete. We cannot experience it all at once. Nor, alas, can we go back and read it again. That is not the book's fault. It is ours.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br />Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-65607506904446808232022-04-26T20:14:00.004-05:002022-06-05T19:15:07.548-05:00BNSF: Truxton Flyover to the Sacramento Wash (With Thoughts about the Desert, W.B. Yeats and the End of Life)<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpcIzFord5mO8lW0vkzEkQvdSDBN1cdyBdPBNIMGOclOojRvbxv8j1I5zx7CgBrfdfkOSC5RDMIbHsX_xSDKu46NU-Jt_STnVzspCHzTT39ebk83K2viIRwlEOdrwx3fgCdtQHS_NSsZjSMeBnMxjxVzoZymP-gLn_s7tTAwtIHnAfLJARmjvRo0ThA/s3041/39a.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="1017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpcIzFord5mO8lW0vkzEkQvdSDBN1cdyBdPBNIMGOclOojRvbxv8j1I5zx7CgBrfdfkOSC5RDMIbHsX_xSDKu46NU-Jt_STnVzspCHzTT39ebk83K2viIRwlEOdrwx3fgCdtQHS_NSsZjSMeBnMxjxVzoZymP-gLn_s7tTAwtIHnAfLJARmjvRo0ThA/w1565-h1017/39a.jpg" width="1565" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One of my favorite sections of railroad is the BNSF Transcon in northeastern Arizona -- from the Truxton Flyover to the Sacramento Wash -- a segment including Crozier, Truxton and Kingman Canyons, plus long stretches of desert-running between dark basalt and granite mountains. Fall and winter are the preferred seasons, because of both the relatively mild temperatures and the angle of the sun in the southern sky. Crozier Canyon in summer, for example, is almost hot enough to fire pottery. Also, the sun angle precludes images from the south plateau, the desired location for photography.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Still, on occasion I have ventured to this corner of the world in July, when the path of the sun presents many unique photo opportunities -- even in Crozier Canyon. Summer is also an excellent time to photograph the Truxton Flyover. The following summer images follow the Transcon through this fascinating territory.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Along the way, I will have some thoughts about W.B. Yeats, the Irish Revolution and the end of life, odd topics for a railroad discussion, to be sure, but when you are riding a train, you must follow the tracks.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1. Truxton Flyover</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We start with the Truxton Flyover, which began operations in late 2020 and was constructed because of increased conflicts among trains routed to the opposite main. BNSF</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> estimates that the flyover will eliminate 35,000 crossover moves a year, over 17,000 hours of delays.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From Barstow to the flyover, the right-hand track for westbound traffic has shallower grades at Ash Hill and Ibis, while the right-hand track for eastbound traffic has shallower grades at Kingman Canyon. Thus, in this long segment, right-hand running is the norm.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From Belen to the flyover, however, the left-hand track for westbound traffic has the shallower grade at Rio Puerco and the Continental Divide. Thus, left-hand running is the norm. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Truxton Flyover allows trains to cross from left-hand to right-hand running, and vice-versa, without slowing traffic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The following images show these locations.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A. Right-hand Running</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrMsEvaNchohd7goFAb0TStfclJdxld3mbb-bybN3aA5u9hB37Lh0c0i16Abepd5r9m-2KWS4yvGObWrBXw9dL-fbSsptWJUvi97h-dQDLB3M-CE-r59XJM5pgNJQ_YNSABzZ_LsU2MSLuVcEAkWs6Ct0nM0M-QECquIYgh1zWvkq2k65zhV3OkDQSQ/s3069/203.%20%20Ash%20Hill.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1955" data-original-width="3069" height="996" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrMsEvaNchohd7goFAb0TStfclJdxld3mbb-bybN3aA5u9hB37Lh0c0i16Abepd5r9m-2KWS4yvGObWrBXw9dL-fbSsptWJUvi97h-dQDLB3M-CE-r59XJM5pgNJQ_YNSABzZ_LsU2MSLuVcEAkWs6Ct0nM0M-QECquIYgh1zWvkq2k65zhV3OkDQSQ/w1563-h996/203.%20%20Ash%20Hill.jpg" width="1563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ash Hill. The shallower grade for westbound traffic (such as these stacks) is the right-hand track. The steeper grade, used mostly by eastbounds coasting downhill, is in the foreground.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wMFFIZNaK5RJevAwjcDg18DHZQCJ2WJzLkD3D9DXVJEaOJtiD76kPenBHKIGHHuFzhbrgIIEnUwf0EookPFbfskaCwtBpc4AWZbbjSWTTZKWDZhAQUQL3wEQn9605LjzbpUzy2IRtzvoZ2hx-WvOp2p0ddNSyDScu3wjWPsIkPonqL5IPLmSj0lzAA/s3018/199.%20%20Highway%20Crossing.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3018" height="1018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wMFFIZNaK5RJevAwjcDg18DHZQCJ2WJzLkD3D9DXVJEaOJtiD76kPenBHKIGHHuFzhbrgIIEnUwf0EookPFbfskaCwtBpc4AWZbbjSWTTZKWDZhAQUQL3wEQn9605LjzbpUzy2IRtzvoZ2hx-WvOp2p0ddNSyDScu3wjWPsIkPonqL5IPLmSj0lzAA/w1544-h1018/199.%20%20Highway%20Crossing.jpg" width="1544" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ibis. These westbound stacks are climbing the shallower right-hand main. The steeper main diverges to the right at the signals.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbwCYvyUEE0b9fz4TDEIqqvPHXzBomnxlU0H2CnMWO-OE_-Nw383OonSMxY7oVzFV2Uea8r_4Pkky3323pvmsB-qzILvpgNHzbtWVgtnbwZPaJJGbEUdEGVmg0nHVC0_MIN6LKydIGUScqvEiwSVxWeOwxfVdxp3MWRzFkqCf06OpH929lqI5U31CjA/s3027/179.%20%20Kingman%20Canyon.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3027" height="1012" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbwCYvyUEE0b9fz4TDEIqqvPHXzBomnxlU0H2CnMWO-OE_-Nw383OonSMxY7oVzFV2Uea8r_4Pkky3323pvmsB-qzILvpgNHzbtWVgtnbwZPaJJGbEUdEGVmg0nHVC0_MIN6LKydIGUScqvEiwSVxWeOwxfVdxp3MWRzFkqCf06OpH929lqI5U31CjA/w1542-h1012/179.%20%20Kingman%20Canyon.jpg" width="1542" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Kingman Canyon. The westbound train in the foreground is coasting downgrade on the steeper grade. Eastbound autos in the background climb the shallower, right-hand grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>B. Left-hand Running</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNr_EjZhMwcMLm4dbYKAnRQsV2Nh7fJ29oH5EgdzAwXOYw2VPcRJFZW3kL991UCMW5mlMHmObon8OWQpn9MbZCaltzTVe_GZbZze2tCxy_P1a3Hkc5AOa3d6Nn6u3snNAu-oEAArVKrXVrGb_7F_wjMs2xRE9y2vVxOxx5aPlGfMcFhh9M2URTFS3Ag/s4500/Puerco%205%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="4500" height="1111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNr_EjZhMwcMLm4dbYKAnRQsV2Nh7fJ29oH5EgdzAwXOYw2VPcRJFZW3kL991UCMW5mlMHmObon8OWQpn9MbZCaltzTVe_GZbZze2tCxy_P1a3Hkc5AOa3d6Nn6u3snNAu-oEAArVKrXVrGb_7F_wjMs2xRE9y2vVxOxx5aPlGfMcFhh9M2URTFS3Ag/w1580-h1111/Puerco%205%20copy.jpg" width="1580" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Rio Puerco. The train in the foreground, and the one immediately behind it, are stopped on the steeper downhill grade, waiting for clearance east into the Belen yard. In the distance is a westbound manifest, left-hand running uphill on the shallower grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1_WcfnoOAXGqm7IR7roT4QCO6hFQ876neWukN_4evqkNE3-7AuW6bpu4qXWlTKkZ00KKrS5gfAGHxqAyNElKNY643HbzkiMZs0_grv80FX3TS0jf88xrecCxUg3ytVwBDcN6pkZph2YZSLHEP57S6MzjX1zaDbXCkMX7_c_fhsosVk0-LX-7kwpr2A/s3008/127%20West%20of%20Grants.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1_WcfnoOAXGqm7IR7roT4QCO6hFQ876neWukN_4evqkNE3-7AuW6bpu4qXWlTKkZ00KKrS5gfAGHxqAyNElKNY643HbzkiMZs0_grv80FX3TS0jf88xrecCxUg3ytVwBDcN6pkZph2YZSLHEP57S6MzjX1zaDbXCkMX7_c_fhsosVk0-LX-7kwpr2A/w1561-h1034/127%20West%20of%20Grants.jpg" width="1561" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Continental Divide. Westbound stacks are left-hand running toward the summit. Eastbound tracks on the steeper but downhill grade can be seen to the left of the motive power.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The distance from the left-hand running territory to the right-hand territory is several hundred miles. The flyover could have been built anywhere between, including in or near the division point of Winslow. I am guessing that Truxton was chosen because it sits in a long, relatively flat valley in the middle of an isolated cattle ranch. Land acquisition costs were likely relatively cheap, as were construction costs in the flatland. But this is just a guess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTtsGdw3SzTwMoPq7JW7hJQSQYff3ku9Pnwcito7xfdFmrDGzaRH4BU8kmTOB9XpMxSJy_2z2IqxCGBcwAJsIdrGgsp3G91GB7yqZdvLqjiKywiq51MZ0eJYTAB4V2lF79am1JbWY3yByV2gQYpWf8KblitaFoZD54FlI7KYGLKlbKbQhwfCBFEKK2A/s3027/74.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3027" height="1020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTtsGdw3SzTwMoPq7JW7hJQSQYff3ku9Pnwcito7xfdFmrDGzaRH4BU8kmTOB9XpMxSJy_2z2IqxCGBcwAJsIdrGgsp3G91GB7yqZdvLqjiKywiq51MZ0eJYTAB4V2lF79am1JbWY3yByV2gQYpWf8KblitaFoZD54FlI7KYGLKlbKbQhwfCBFEKK2A/w1555-h1020/74.jpg" width="1555" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>A westbound manifest has left Peach Springs and is headed toward the Truxton Flyover.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8fInCNhttgWhKb3uP-XHbGP_f2EEavFYOTZQls-KGVTmAkbsEYeqJZpNVzznWsGc4BjpCry36BCa6qSo12JiIQTUg7aDf8Zyy6g9K0yCq2MlkV0w9qBL3z-ECwZfjKIZbghA9MDSY3ULdXieJQWqoJrJ_V3Yqov146zjDQG6YYwo0Xdwy2OzL2eA9Q/s3038/Untitled.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="3038" height="1017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8fInCNhttgWhKb3uP-XHbGP_f2EEavFYOTZQls-KGVTmAkbsEYeqJZpNVzznWsGc4BjpCry36BCa6qSo12JiIQTUg7aDf8Zyy6g9K0yCq2MlkV0w9qBL3z-ECwZfjKIZbghA9MDSY3ULdXieJQWqoJrJ_V3Yqov146zjDQG6YYwo0Xdwy2OzL2eA9Q/w1564-h1017/Untitled.jpg" width="1564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The flyover is dead ahead.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNIC1Do6wp2h06kjMfns8a22LnNTi1tMzJnZZTlmNjAnbDBeW-_714WYHgb-59LXHaPA5iW0rq2mjiN-1ppXTVlkW1AmN2Ws7UET69s7ptElqIEHZcGSiUOiGVNH8OK7YnrPAIqKtWSMrttMMpvHYA7edzjtZll4PWjxZ7zEqDNBFhU3O0QwBb7f1SQ/s3015/18.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3015" height="1025" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNIC1Do6wp2h06kjMfns8a22LnNTi1tMzJnZZTlmNjAnbDBeW-_714WYHgb-59LXHaPA5iW0rq2mjiN-1ppXTVlkW1AmN2Ws7UET69s7ptElqIEHZcGSiUOiGVNH8OK7YnrPAIqKtWSMrttMMpvHYA7edzjtZll4PWjxZ7zEqDNBFhU3O0QwBb7f1SQ/w1554-h1025/18.jpg" width="1554" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks are rolling under the Truxton Flyover, thus changing from left-hand to right-hand running.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6zId3Huw5GnQbRSeVuDyXo-1Mmg9XMv5I2CUpa5LC0kJK3rFV2QtBYqxS-2ADr9ZIZxrHgOkEcv2wtaFERUANl3JIVWvv3oo_OpjaD5SVqxMkka6tXeiXOHGbDBba519cmP1C4T2rUrAotlsKF4FJmiPD9CBoNMsZWklDwJt2eMmZRB3tG9qJ5DW-w/s3059/19.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3059" height="1001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6zId3Huw5GnQbRSeVuDyXo-1Mmg9XMv5I2CUpa5LC0kJK3rFV2QtBYqxS-2ADr9ZIZxrHgOkEcv2wtaFERUANl3JIVWvv3oo_OpjaD5SVqxMkka6tXeiXOHGbDBba519cmP1C4T2rUrAotlsKF4FJmiPD9CBoNMsZWklDwJt2eMmZRB3tG9qJ5DW-w/w1562-h1001/19.jpg" width="1562" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound manifest is climbing the flyover, preparing to cross over to left-hand running, while westbound stacks have come under the overpass.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkm-sVmq82gzR7AQMWLVTCyQ0gqydjCB8WiKVQQd5AZXY0cdFyqVVDeKjLQqwU8puDs1GyhpLE8W2sA5kVI_gcLL-S_RRNUxJrxkQGD_-RisrM8V85yVC8dhW-_7UIo1wtS6N-4P-CNWw1K-993jMDWWeMqcjyHnqTVOFXaOH4lkZYbjETHL-eWqVOw/s3056/20.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="3056" height="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkm-sVmq82gzR7AQMWLVTCyQ0gqydjCB8WiKVQQd5AZXY0cdFyqVVDeKjLQqwU8puDs1GyhpLE8W2sA5kVI_gcLL-S_RRNUxJrxkQGD_-RisrM8V85yVC8dhW-_7UIo1wtS6N-4P-CNWw1K-993jMDWWeMqcjyHnqTVOFXaOH4lkZYbjETHL-eWqVOw/w1566-h1008/20.jpg" width="1566" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The eastbound manifest crosses over the westbound stacks and trailers.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As these images demonstrate, this country is just a few inches of rain per year away from the desert. Grass is sparse; cattle graze it into the dirt. While I was waiting for the trains above, several dust devils formed, rising from the ground like wraiths, obscuring the tracks, dispersing as rapidly as they had formed, reminding me that humans do not control this country. We simply live upon it with the consent of a higher authority.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Portions of this ground are public property. There is at least one unlocked gate off the highway that allows access. A narrow dusty trail leads to the mainline, and the flyover can then be reached from the railroad maintenance road, if one is inclined. I was not and took the above images from the highway, old U.S. Route 66.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The flyover sits near the border of the Haulapai Nation. A short drive east takes you to Peach Springs, the tribal headquarters. Tribal property extends north to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, some of the most breathtaking and spectacular country in North America. The tribe operates a visitors' center and resort called Grand Canyon West, with a small landing strip and a glass-floored "skywalk" that extends over a steep canyon ledge -- not for the faint of heart.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>2. Crozier Canyon</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Crozier Canyon can only be accessed on foot, although some very primitive dirt trails will place you within about a half mile of the western mouth, provided your vehicle has sufficient ground clearance. And, as mentioned above, the depths of the canyon in summer are like a kiln.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This place feels like the end of the earth. If you fall and break a leg, you will die here. A cell phone will do you no good; there is no coverage. Even if you have a satellite phone, as I do, no one will rescue you, because you won't be able to give adequate directions. Even if you can, no one will be foolish enough to venture into this abyss.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">That said, a certain tranquility pervades this small corner of Creation, even though you are standing beside arguably the busiest mainline in North America. The world must have been something like this after the multiple extinctions identified by paleontologists. The world will surely be something like this after the last great extinction, when the last living creature reaches what physicists call maximum entropy. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_u-bsxbjziJQH5U3uGlE4Giwh_n_fswFNGCTGYqzD6HsS0VtAurtOvx3QkVxTX2n7V3bMlhXhP6GpfpTPS7N5Wtx6vgdwql9E4IRJW6jhCYRrXSmkrokFnThf_6Sl0X6rFukluv9nncZkkPgjuL-KGE2aEL3qalj6VUurjuy7tIF6UEP8VDM69_0KBA/s3008/17.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_u-bsxbjziJQH5U3uGlE4Giwh_n_fswFNGCTGYqzD6HsS0VtAurtOvx3QkVxTX2n7V3bMlhXhP6GpfpTPS7N5Wtx6vgdwql9E4IRJW6jhCYRrXSmkrokFnThf_6Sl0X6rFukluv9nncZkkPgjuL-KGE2aEL3qalj6VUurjuy7tIF6UEP8VDM69_0KBA/w1565-h1036/17.jpg" width="1565" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>West of the Truxton Flyover is the mouth of Crozier Canyon. In this image, eastbound stacks are exiting the canyon beneath a huge basalt cap.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrN6zeUbIhrSo87rv4OGm30iCE885jM1m9QtsxOjS8IGxZ1GZrGfNMm1tRxipDEp0lSbaYluyz90YcJ6VECKtBKxs4Kis7fRi_bnhcf5Zve4K_8eobTyA6Ah5MKl6uzorhxUoyLS4IJ_zJWdlz1yreigwC-UKwWuDYrtUuTHhrKKTAVeFVOZvYHKm-g/s3088/64980006%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrN6zeUbIhrSo87rv4OGm30iCE885jM1m9QtsxOjS8IGxZ1GZrGfNMm1tRxipDEp0lSbaYluyz90YcJ6VECKtBKxs4Kis7fRi_bnhcf5Zve4K_8eobTyA6Ah5MKl6uzorhxUoyLS4IJ_zJWdlz1yreigwC-UKwWuDYrtUuTHhrKKTAVeFVOZvYHKm-g/w1576-h1044/64980006%20copy.jpg" width="1576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks have entered Crozier Canyon. This angle is available only in high summer. In the distance, an eastbound is crossing what will become the Truxton Flyover.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0P2dHFGuIQL7yOF3QRJo6Ovjn2VEpUjE3EbWlb5705mXc2_saEqMK-mGhJf8OZA8vZRnSjc78YNWaXCPlZbnyPJtDw0GzOda6U30SvzWofsrhG8Lxvl0eWluVhLBImlILr_LC3vvN6RBkdJ_8YThRZofpdT9TGyc6gdE6e_DTjT8JucDwC8E9oJSC2Q/s3088/64980007%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1047" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0P2dHFGuIQL7yOF3QRJo6Ovjn2VEpUjE3EbWlb5705mXc2_saEqMK-mGhJf8OZA8vZRnSjc78YNWaXCPlZbnyPJtDw0GzOda6U30SvzWofsrhG8Lxvl0eWluVhLBImlILr_LC3vvN6RBkdJ_8YThRZofpdT9TGyc6gdE6e_DTjT8JucDwC8E9oJSC2Q/w1581-h1047/64980007%20copy.jpg" width="1581" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound prepares to exit Crozier Canyon -- summer 2014.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisffQKBaeeSxSR2bMzaIHrEupTRK0Z8jW2Qp3Rs-KxZV9121IK10UxOuk52E18XVf22-8GOt3AdVkNqToB3FAr5LWpAvcA3jgpiL60FfibDo1DuyXQE_xBEGqBEGhrJVxYJjPyH4Y6DMqbV4zTo9Co1vFvnI7ikQEDfAxtDdjg3d8Lv7ecZ5YPkkaUZA/s3088/64980011..jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisffQKBaeeSxSR2bMzaIHrEupTRK0Z8jW2Qp3Rs-KxZV9121IK10UxOuk52E18XVf22-8GOt3AdVkNqToB3FAr5LWpAvcA3jgpiL60FfibDo1DuyXQE_xBEGqBEGhrJVxYJjPyH4Y6DMqbV4zTo9Co1vFvnI7ikQEDfAxtDdjg3d8Lv7ecZ5YPkkaUZA/w1579-h1046/64980011..jpg" width="1579" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPUs on Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf9xq9DsacdxVmxZWaKQRmyeq8qMC6V65GQIKTvQaytKvEM521I5clkWSPOK_ilfRc_Na7KSvd6M9b8xUBisySHVJqiVdpzJlTikPTfUyFin3T9PTgb2d6CT5bMDVr2QjrJomlZqpR2n20uWGOnW-hKGF-yI-G2Nz6oee0lkFE20SctkC9siAuQ1f5A/s3088/64980013%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1049" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf9xq9DsacdxVmxZWaKQRmyeq8qMC6V65GQIKTvQaytKvEM521I5clkWSPOK_ilfRc_Na7KSvd6M9b8xUBisySHVJqiVdpzJlTikPTfUyFin3T9PTgb2d6CT5bMDVr2QjrJomlZqpR2n20uWGOnW-hKGF-yI-G2Nz6oee0lkFE20SctkC9siAuQ1f5A/w1584-h1049/64980013%20copy.jpg" width="1584" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound in the canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12Kg2dXiWWBMhyJarUxMFeVuep4vouuLzvDLadQtKWo7alOik06tSqSlJpuC_tldfnRJT3k94svQ3pqOdZUGLljQ-H2kek099Z9yfETp5-YDGLTWuXLRifWX4c0gHWOE9SFe0cZwBcTiVoJlcyqXzaK6aqWbxUd33BV_szD9OjTZfDW0oRsVEJORRgA/s3088/64980023%20copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12Kg2dXiWWBMhyJarUxMFeVuep4vouuLzvDLadQtKWo7alOik06tSqSlJpuC_tldfnRJT3k94svQ3pqOdZUGLljQ-H2kek099Z9yfETp5-YDGLTWuXLRifWX4c0gHWOE9SFe0cZwBcTiVoJlcyqXzaK6aqWbxUd33BV_szD9OjTZfDW0oRsVEJORRgA/w1577-h1045/64980023%20copy.jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZrJ2ZoHg7ECSLgNmgAEeIN0xQ5xxjjN9w1jiyG_54MG_2H5dwNmQW9qTAr00FDF1F-G9MdSu5HcUZnqHna8J26oHNj2-CtZfcI1RirTSTOWH8D769tq1kg6bV9HDOoOeVQDB0wb9oUlSfFKC5vIuI3W79UMzRoTJHWS3MAfcYpTxta4mNZWaKLhVGg/s3088/64970030..jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3088" height="1045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZrJ2ZoHg7ECSLgNmgAEeIN0xQ5xxjjN9w1jiyG_54MG_2H5dwNmQW9qTAr00FDF1F-G9MdSu5HcUZnqHna8J26oHNj2-CtZfcI1RirTSTOWH8D769tq1kg6bV9HDOoOeVQDB0wb9oUlSfFKC5vIuI3W79UMzRoTJHWS3MAfcYpTxta4mNZWaKLhVGg/w1577-h1045/64970030..jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound approaches the canyon's entrance.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHw2YS0xwhWkYAs7pjhtjzDK3j5fQXbmHW4U21cBRmXk4Jg6MU_n_1Y1NX8SeCnzDXz_-y6atIhNbYQrremz0lkIju8blVc-Bn0jWGstNVvYF9wwciaWg6tDpDE1wW6xQrz0TMiKW6TAO8GR97--nlliBWfobnj_doUnVoYXKBhQ8uIU8wF9C_HQJH8w/s3025/53.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3025" height="1021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHw2YS0xwhWkYAs7pjhtjzDK3j5fQXbmHW4U21cBRmXk4Jg6MU_n_1Y1NX8SeCnzDXz_-y6atIhNbYQrremz0lkIju8blVc-Bn0jWGstNVvYF9wwciaWg6tDpDE1wW6xQrz0TMiKW6TAO8GR97--nlliBWfobnj_doUnVoYXKBhQ8uIU8wF9C_HQJH8w/w1555-h1021/53.jpg" width="1555" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks and a westbound manifest pass at the western entrance to Crozier Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRopZovG8xWFpI8hujl9mg3vTuWmmGG0qzJqSKWhWN79uasusTqgyizU4o-Z6QMMKuQkVjOPkOaU-FXQXRBVDHRasZSlx9qQZu4ER--aNa4_SPab8tLSVLp6aQxdkM6J0p7DkMxxbpTrCu1-EEWjINE3_s6gObPbiGPPfN4Eah4BYQOzJhzcsGkkCwQ/s3019/60.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3019" height="1022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRopZovG8xWFpI8hujl9mg3vTuWmmGG0qzJqSKWhWN79uasusTqgyizU4o-Z6QMMKuQkVjOPkOaU-FXQXRBVDHRasZSlx9qQZu4ER--aNa4_SPab8tLSVLp6aQxdkM6J0p7DkMxxbpTrCu1-EEWjINE3_s6gObPbiGPPfN4Eah4BYQOzJhzcsGkkCwQ/w1551-h1022/60.jpg" width="1551" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks entering Crozier Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>3. Truxton Canyon</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As the tracks exit Crozier Canyon to the west, they immediately turn southwest into Truxton Canyon and run downgrade side-by-side with old U.S. 66, which Arizona maintains all the way to Kingman, a favorite route of motorcyclists and retirees. Traffic is light, with almost no heavy trucks. There is plenty of room between highway and tracks for railroad photography.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">During fall, winter and spring, with the sun lower in the southern sky, there is unfortunately no sunlight on the highway side of the tracks. In summer, however, the sun moves far to the north in the afternoon, and photography beside the highway is marvelous, unless you are unlucky enough to catch the stray summer cloud.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxZDUwGgpofiUcLXAE9i7Vwo2z2pJaZTVt37A5seOGW5gSuTwkPwKWofeLA3kqhzc4781V1yk1XGewMK4_6FtWa4amRD2aZxUR3mETUzjV4SNe1qcW0AWcOFjku1u9GSJDrUP2_hvpwGx-n8uGOcvevXKk1PDsNKBgnYhK8nUR459_6nRadc3V9yqlg/s2990/86.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2990" height="1057" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxZDUwGgpofiUcLXAE9i7Vwo2z2pJaZTVt37A5seOGW5gSuTwkPwKWofeLA3kqhzc4781V1yk1XGewMK4_6FtWa4amRD2aZxUR3mETUzjV4SNe1qcW0AWcOFjku1u9GSJDrUP2_hvpwGx-n8uGOcvevXKk1PDsNKBgnYhK8nUR459_6nRadc3V9yqlg/w1573-h1057/86.jpg" width="1573" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Truxton Canyon as seen from old U.S. 66.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCO7_9T-KygNDrgYqS6UH0DGGaaIX4xgvs3QoeO7sg5vc8zwzy-3BReR0KbrTBgbQJ5uQEzxLG2gyYWmq4tfPZGDh_QAoblqaOACQXGne6XjZ2pajYERPmZFFwde9--knmPEu2S5V0ZWZNngUajkaS2VvwopWb9avu-Kb_R5w7E59uiyZYcS3InntxuQ/s3001/21.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCO7_9T-KygNDrgYqS6UH0DGGaaIX4xgvs3QoeO7sg5vc8zwzy-3BReR0KbrTBgbQJ5uQEzxLG2gyYWmq4tfPZGDh_QAoblqaOACQXGne6XjZ2pajYERPmZFFwde9--knmPEu2S5V0ZWZNngUajkaS2VvwopWb9avu-Kb_R5w7E59uiyZYcS3InntxuQ/w1570-h1045/21.jpg" width="1570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks in Truxton Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviYAFdIGtgZFgquYnxVx0ZG5MvRBUqqQgAeZfeoINN3o2dpxr4nkNLQAcZJfqAEzL-mjzNaJbUQBNmpRzsvtclOCHZhsW0Q0wKaHgMc3aFfvNnIbApE_0rd__fzpnBpb38LJruWcVHIPK3BA81eviqyGrcuhmZYQa7zCAJKwEGuYy__SAgje-YLLF1A/s3032/22.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3032" height="1030" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviYAFdIGtgZFgquYnxVx0ZG5MvRBUqqQgAeZfeoINN3o2dpxr4nkNLQAcZJfqAEzL-mjzNaJbUQBNmpRzsvtclOCHZhsW0Q0wKaHgMc3aFfvNnIbApE_0rd__fzpnBpb38LJruWcVHIPK3BA81eviqyGrcuhmZYQa7zCAJKwEGuYy__SAgje-YLLF1A/w1577-h1030/22.jpg" width="1577" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound in Truxton Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hLtEHNHxK4-KiRjipWhAkjJ9ZjfRSNPvCTj3Aks4xBCfrQMNlk2cdzh8NoulfkPIdIZ6aeucV_yBHMWBDLnYEpBlj2LpSlumy2KsMuHtcHHGp9mxOrTJePNBpglEDIZnMQoueDX2MSdQMJ-FJaDzrn_Q13hmDLbAxvHk5tS-Vk6B9lXZ1bWXhPgvPg/s2860/45.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1827" data-original-width="2860" height="1006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hLtEHNHxK4-KiRjipWhAkjJ9ZjfRSNPvCTj3Aks4xBCfrQMNlk2cdzh8NoulfkPIdIZ6aeucV_yBHMWBDLnYEpBlj2LpSlumy2KsMuHtcHHGp9mxOrTJePNBpglEDIZnMQoueDX2MSdQMJ-FJaDzrn_Q13hmDLbAxvHk5tS-Vk6B9lXZ1bWXhPgvPg/w1579-h1006/45.jpg" width="1579" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>These westbound stacks are rolling downgrade in Truxton Canyon as the sun prepares to descend behind the cliffs to the west.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1YNwGsSQWQps2gaLhIFgA1DCmX-F8KmdWdNjA2VXcgTCeoFvxN52l3hbSYBPg9Cz9-bkTQZZKF_NMYs7qCqND7_rQTbYDknn8i2d6k5ZU8mX5eClRIpWwAW-xv-e8ewxkRdWQpWtB77NzlvPQ6Db48c8B0-Eby2FaYIWj6UVvp-_FUeXlgiaIZ647A/s3060/71.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3060" height="1011" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1YNwGsSQWQps2gaLhIFgA1DCmX-F8KmdWdNjA2VXcgTCeoFvxN52l3hbSYBPg9Cz9-bkTQZZKF_NMYs7qCqND7_rQTbYDknn8i2d6k5ZU8mX5eClRIpWwAW-xv-e8ewxkRdWQpWtB77NzlvPQ6Db48c8B0-Eby2FaYIWj6UVvp-_FUeXlgiaIZ647A/w1578-h1011/71.jpg" width="1578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Autos meet trailers in Truxton Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSSNfo9wxmj2GX2sPEs6fLBnH8IaL90EbcxTF__fifhXX_lWBgbsiQ4vtP_LnGeQsfEnjYp5iyqPJJJV8nsj5nU66aGoUqN9GcilRb-UstBRtJBHPNces5JOBTL_eXUxxoZb3SgQle_Z4WraR0lnsWhNe2S5_g8re4Me6vfqwuAhS1yaOfd-nE4bzeA/s3007/64.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1677" data-original-width="3007" height="872" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSSNfo9wxmj2GX2sPEs6fLBnH8IaL90EbcxTF__fifhXX_lWBgbsiQ4vtP_LnGeQsfEnjYp5iyqPJJJV8nsj5nU66aGoUqN9GcilRb-UstBRtJBHPNces5JOBTL_eXUxxoZb3SgQle_Z4WraR0lnsWhNe2S5_g8re4Me6vfqwuAhS1yaOfd-nE4bzeA/w1567-h872/64.jpg" width="1567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another meet in Truxton Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4V1ymgDLObNb8E16EXb77C4IYIoFZio6GCONvOwivjTpgSg5Z5McirW9n6s9d34JIcvS3U-g3fkSgRMHsKFLQE1M3Wne0F9abcGal80PkXT-d6exlIu4tEkU1xU8dbHIiSj6OcjqXuRhGrZqr8XL6uMdTcr5nB3V9FJMKXtZigO2-CG5FgQ6KdSQ4g/s2990/50.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2006" data-original-width="2990" height="1060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4V1ymgDLObNb8E16EXb77C4IYIoFZio6GCONvOwivjTpgSg5Z5McirW9n6s9d34JIcvS3U-g3fkSgRMHsKFLQE1M3Wne0F9abcGal80PkXT-d6exlIu4tEkU1xU8dbHIiSj6OcjqXuRhGrZqr8XL6uMdTcr5nB3V9FJMKXtZigO2-CG5FgQ6KdSQ4g/w1578-h1060/50.jpg" width="1578" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>This coal train is parked on a long siding in the middle of Truxton Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu2TGT1fvnPtU59k1JMDa6DF0krvU55FSXUoDhsPFDRAaFnuF_O9WkSCGjHizO8oigH9gNc3ytLl_WXbDGCO1VIZU4dn4anIQamUfOoxSSGrngcXeODGGwsTIF6lTRQsSe01PZRttNQaRg1f63bCrmd6OTZQ5bv-xKALw3ORCZjrhILihyn9v49Nrrw/s3060/59.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="3060" height="1019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu2TGT1fvnPtU59k1JMDa6DF0krvU55FSXUoDhsPFDRAaFnuF_O9WkSCGjHizO8oigH9gNc3ytLl_WXbDGCO1VIZU4dn4anIQamUfOoxSSGrngcXeODGGwsTIF6lTRQsSe01PZRttNQaRg1f63bCrmd6OTZQ5bv-xKALw3ORCZjrhILihyn9v49Nrrw/w1591-h1019/59.jpg" width="1591" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>An eastbound meets the parked coal train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIZSTgvtJQZdRg9vaZtSc42XGTjRyZGqmO27ls2_WFPas8czeJ1jk6nrG7MEQWiQWDgmqp4L324UD3xEcobjcXxjXGBQr_EfsPr1LfkFSq7xp81ElRqQYMa87ii7W5jhIbp_53KenAsxHSyFsJJyMugE9LPn6x16VITQpOXEV-bKVpcRjxW_9IOLm9g/s2999/68.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2999" height="1067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIZSTgvtJQZdRg9vaZtSc42XGTjRyZGqmO27ls2_WFPas8czeJ1jk6nrG7MEQWiQWDgmqp4L324UD3xEcobjcXxjXGBQr_EfsPr1LfkFSq7xp81ElRqQYMa87ii7W5jhIbp_53KenAsxHSyFsJJyMugE9LPn6x16VITQpOXEV-bKVpcRjxW_9IOLm9g/w1603-h1067/68.jpg" width="1603" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound autos.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>4. Valentine</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Located in the middle of Truxton Canyon is Valentine, Arizona. T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he Santa Fe constructed a siding here in 1883 and called it Truxton. The village of the same name, about 40 miles northeast on old 66, now mostly uninhabited, wasn’t established until 1951. A small settlement was established along the siding in 1898, when the federal government set aside 660 acres for a Native American school, constructed in 1901, opened in 1903, closed in 1937, still standing to this day, now on the National Register of Historic Places. A post office followed, also named Truxton. In 1910, the names of both village and post office were changed to Valentine, after Robert G. Valentine, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs from 1909 to 1912. The National Old Trails Road came through about this time, becoming Route 66 in 1926.</span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXcYAwK4R0Ng5L9wQoq8u55vm6BzsvWcQ6W5febC1d6yFj_uG6X0nW0WgDc0WU7mOZAFNs4sgzhg8KTQVZEApN714MRU30aHigB0fuoDCeNk_EM-kpVfmW9p36pGtYpS5yvcfJKZ9ZwKnfsJ9fHUbpnKf_RGVXedSmJuKIi89vJGyAWcGLrA84QSlGQ/s3044/54.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3044" height="1022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXcYAwK4R0Ng5L9wQoq8u55vm6BzsvWcQ6W5febC1d6yFj_uG6X0nW0WgDc0WU7mOZAFNs4sgzhg8KTQVZEApN714MRU30aHigB0fuoDCeNk_EM-kpVfmW9p36pGtYpS5yvcfJKZ9ZwKnfsJ9fHUbpnKf_RGVXedSmJuKIi89vJGyAWcGLrA84QSlGQ/w1581-h1022/54.jpg" width="1581" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound grain at Valentine, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This was the Mother Road, the road to the Promised Land, the road traveled by Tom Joad and his family and thousands more like them. I am old enough to have traveled this route before the construction of I-40, and I remember a long line of vehicles stretched across Arizona like a fantastic desert worm, moving slowly, hesitantly, uncertain where it might be going, but going somewhere nevertheless. Travel on Route 66 was truly an adventure, because you never knew when something would break down -- a truck, station wagon, motorcycle, your own vehicle, several simultaneously. If you've read <i>The Grapes of Wrath</i> (and I wonder how many have in the 21st century), then you recall that the Joads were plagued by flat tires, broken tie rods and uncooperative engines. When I was very small, probably about five, my father's Ford broke down somewhere in Arizona in the middle of summer. Our family was driving to California. I remember intense heat, like a hot hand squeezing the back of my neck, and my father's cursing the old car, using words I had not heard before, and my mother's saying that if Dad wasn't so cheap, we would have a better vehicle.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Once I-40 was finished, almost all traffic left Route 66 and everything changed, as when a boy reaches puberty and his voice alters. One day he is a soprano, the next a baritone. Places like Valentine withered under the assault. Bert's Country Dancing once attracted revelers from hundreds of miles. After the interstate, the dancers disappeared. The old building and neon sign still stand beside the highway, remnants of Valentine and an era long departed. When I drive past, I sometimes think I can hear music -- but the music stopped long ago. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCIL17n4_LJgFD8CWlxzj1lXZT1KzVdUfSeNEpjB-hVcJBE6kwhUA_OX15QJEI6UFZlLC7ocdtAM4qjLt-hs1yUPUD1zI2kbSUKI4Wo3cSa3Nt5fPR5w9g5ADrpdRP-_zBTkTnLvRWZez7GJFAEqcOCY5M6_n7mSuwJ2LAWY3fOP34_6efFuPn2OunA/s1024/Bert's%20Country%20Dancing.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1024" height="821" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCIL17n4_LJgFD8CWlxzj1lXZT1KzVdUfSeNEpjB-hVcJBE6kwhUA_OX15QJEI6UFZlLC7ocdtAM4qjLt-hs1yUPUD1zI2kbSUKI4Wo3cSa3Nt5fPR5w9g5ADrpdRP-_zBTkTnLvRWZez7GJFAEqcOCY5M6_n7mSuwJ2LAWY3fOP34_6efFuPn2OunA/w1216-h821/Bert's%20Country%20Dancing.jpeg" width="1216" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br />When the music still played, people would mail cards and letters from the tiny post office to obtain its heart-shaped postmark. That ended when the office was robbed and the employee on duty, Jacqueline Ann Grigg, was shot and killed. The operation was privately owned, surviving off a government subsidy. When Jacqueline's husband bulldozed the building and left town, the Postal Service could not find a replacement. A gasoline station was built on the site but has been closed for years. </span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A few people still live in the area -- faint embers of a once glowing fire. Everything is gone, deserted, decaying, dying or dead, except BNSF, which on a busy day can see close to 100 trains. The railroad was first through the canyon and apparently will be last. </span><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7flJDsIFKw_2gB_dR5kk03LZ3ihsTTQ4VxOgc8FKqpm1oTlgTIrSrQ2jiJ-HRwxcm5Hy3MtU09OA8JPgLxp7hIUBSEUuwD9iovO6U4Ak-bQ70j5rOfaILq7MFKfT4cfadzNo9MvUJlqFe0ps1zlVyi7IPP8jIWjqP5LZ6BZ5mg1SjBBK_WgAaCBhGLg/s3009/23.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3009" height="1043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7flJDsIFKw_2gB_dR5kk03LZ3ihsTTQ4VxOgc8FKqpm1oTlgTIrSrQ2jiJ-HRwxcm5Hy3MtU09OA8JPgLxp7hIUBSEUuwD9iovO6U4Ak-bQ70j5rOfaILq7MFKfT4cfadzNo9MvUJlqFe0ps1zlVyi7IPP8jIWjqP5LZ6BZ5mg1SjBBK_WgAaCBhGLg/w1574-h1043/23.jpg" width="1574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>BNSF meets BNSF in Valentine, Arizona.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>5. Hackberry</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Past Valentine, the tracks make a wide loop from southwest to northwest as the canyon opens to a valley now truly desert, the beginning of the Mojave, dotted with once inhabited structures now abandoned, like a failed attempt to colonize a distant planet. Mountains to the south are dark and somber. When the wind blows, which is most of the time, dust rises in long curtains across this forlorn stage.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">At the bottom of the valley sits Hackberry, once a station at mile 489 on the Santa Fe, named for a nearby mine that played out years ago. In its time, Hackberry was like Valentine, small but lively, with a wooden depot, employee housing, sidings off both mains and water towers to replenish steam locomotives.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A dilapidated general store still operated along the highway in the summer of 2021, but when I stopped, no one was inside. I looked around, waited for several minutes but no one showed up. I could have lifted anything I wanted off the shelves, but what would I do with a Jeep full of toilet paper, motor oil and Spam, so I left and drove off down the old road, trying to image what the place looked like when the Joads passed through.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdQkj3sTJubscUn0DuD-f2tpSvLWoeMDh8Uj8iAXTZuZ2nJGZ5QCzEZpzzn0EQcq8WgO2lmaQYDpZRhT2JrNW3MrszalCoEzO8-TLrBWu1wzbbuP5UX0f6Bnx67qEw3tDXkXzOCO0wegerUNVm6Mh3HPvjwgc_jZbjTpcBSrTzNgQuzpqswiPAa8z6Q/s2972/49.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="2972" height="1070" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdQkj3sTJubscUn0DuD-f2tpSvLWoeMDh8Uj8iAXTZuZ2nJGZ5QCzEZpzzn0EQcq8WgO2lmaQYDpZRhT2JrNW3MrszalCoEzO8-TLrBWu1wzbbuP5UX0f6Bnx67qEw3tDXkXzOCO0wegerUNVm6Mh3HPvjwgc_jZbjTpcBSrTzNgQuzpqswiPAa8z6Q/w1580-h1070/49.jpg" width="1580" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound leaving Hackberry -- July 2021.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The summer sun was blazing. I saw neither person nor automobile, as though I were the only survivor of the Apocalypse</span><span style="font-family: arial;">. Ahead, the mountains fell away to the south, opening to the kind of broad, treeless plateau ubiquitous in the American West, like the steppe country of Russia, I have been told. Highway and tracks ran side-by-side. I was driving west, while the triple headlights of eastbound stacks grew steadily larger. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are occasions when I lose all sense of past and future -- no regrets, no planning, no concerns, just the perpetual present, frozen like a stopped film. I think this is what dogs experience endlessly, which is why I generally am not as happy as a dog, except in those few moments when everything stops. For some reason, the only place I experience this is the desert. Perhaps the Irishman W. B. Yeats experienced something similar when he wrote his most quoted poem, "The Second Coming":</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"></span><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Turning and turning in the widening gyre</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The falcon cannot hear the falconer;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The ceremony of innocence is drowned;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The best lack all conviction, while the worst</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Are full of passionate intensity.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"></span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Surely some revelation is at hand;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Surely the Second Coming is at hand.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">A shape with lion body and the head of a man,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The darkness drops again; but now I know</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">That twenty centuries of stony sleep</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?</span></div></blockquote><p> </p><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhni5XbUxOltyvj93tg39oB8UI3FG8O_OGVM2IO-H_wq3f4bg9Cu_GupPwcfFZYObs_CfDWG_8f130dbEyk3STKnusskQpQXnoqWFDMsUTp1fKzDReomf8XdGP8jDBSB0cFSVbKpQ9L920W8ybvQtnbFdkhlb0ypR384h0H_S5mT9S7d_cceysaAPZ7cQ/s2992/88.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="2992" height="1046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhni5XbUxOltyvj93tg39oB8UI3FG8O_OGVM2IO-H_wq3f4bg9Cu_GupPwcfFZYObs_CfDWG_8f130dbEyk3STKnusskQpQXnoqWFDMsUTp1fKzDReomf8XdGP8jDBSB0cFSVbKpQ9L920W8ybvQtnbFdkhlb0ypR384h0H_S5mT9S7d_cceysaAPZ7cQ/w1563-h1046/88.jpg" width="1563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The pusher on a westbound manifest is beginning the wide turn into the valley toward Hackberry.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-Uk2QCcr8TlIGfu5eGUW8h13g49Jfcogi5F3P9_JfXgPAJXI_m_ypgwGqf2Ix0kQ9x2bAiRARZTuvDHiOSrXk7ssgwPADEr6WZcGQlpgpC6isxVh4_0sTV4hY-C5NrWA7uxoFZZ--foiCAe-zeN8p3VgDcYqR4vvQeHnZLYwfKV0-F1LUXWtxYhIxQ/s3001/69.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="3001" height="899" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-Uk2QCcr8TlIGfu5eGUW8h13g49Jfcogi5F3P9_JfXgPAJXI_m_ypgwGqf2Ix0kQ9x2bAiRARZTuvDHiOSrXk7ssgwPADEr6WZcGQlpgpC6isxVh4_0sTV4hY-C5NrWA7uxoFZZ--foiCAe-zeN8p3VgDcYqR4vvQeHnZLYwfKV0-F1LUXWtxYhIxQ/w1571-h899/69.jpg" width="1571" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks are climbing out of the valley. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I was reminded of that poem as I drove through the stark Arizona desert. Was Yeats' dark view fashioned from his life as an Irishman? One of his most famous quotations is: "The Irishman sustains himself during brief periods of joy by the knowledge that tragedy is just around the corner."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I know nothing of Ireland, except that it has produced extraordinary writers and exerted extraordinary blood, sweat, toil and tears to escape England's diabolical grip. Something told me to turn around back to Hackberry. Why? Did thinking about Ireland have something to do with it? What could one possibly find in Hackberry? If the tiny general store was deserted, so would be the town. What town? There was no town left. As Gertrude Stein noted of Oakland: there was no there there. I nonetheless turned around, yielding to the will of the unyielding desert.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From the old highway, one can drive down a steep, black-top road, worn away to dirt in many places, to where the Hackberry station once stood. Remnants of the place still exist -- random tools, buckets, railroad ties, rusted tin cans, empty plastic water bottles -- but all traces of the wooden depot have vanished. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The American West is filled with places like this, places that grew like crab grass along railroad lines and highways, places that shriveled like crab grass and died in the winter when the railroad or highway was bypassed. Hackberry did not last even one hundred years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_CRg_LCClc-KqYDlKW-2m-djeteT911_RrYwCqeVe1-6w1PxcDCAJvdg7PMJrjJzAzzhmtk4dzJvzBjF7LKzqDSrw6YcnLh2u2GrXndWTFeuMTMdlT6dTRiP7-rQwLQfb45YxUCoZSrRHYJ5lcLAON2twMsAVlrlwF5CcvZis2Pl_mR9J4G01wUlZw/s3042/46.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="3042" height="1011" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_CRg_LCClc-KqYDlKW-2m-djeteT911_RrYwCqeVe1-6w1PxcDCAJvdg7PMJrjJzAzzhmtk4dzJvzBjF7LKzqDSrw6YcnLh2u2GrXndWTFeuMTMdlT6dTRiP7-rQwLQfb45YxUCoZSrRHYJ5lcLAON2twMsAVlrlwF5CcvZis2Pl_mR9J4G01wUlZw/w1563-h1011/46.jpg" width="1563" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More eastbound stacks climbing the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I could not get Yeats' poem out of my head. It reminded me of deceased towns in the desert, and deceased towns in the desert remind me of the Second Law of Thermodynamics: a closed system will eventually reach maximum entropy. All wheels will stop spinning. All engines will cease running. All living creatures will die.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> "The Second Coming" was published in 1919 shortly after the end of the Great War, the "War to End all Wars," a cataclysm that annihilated over 17,000,000. Consider that number. If I murdered 100 people each day, it would take about 466 years to kill 17,000,000. The Great War did it in approximately 4.3 years, an average of almost 4,000,000 per year. Although the slaughter ceased more than a century ago, it still seems incredible. Were man to devise an ultimate killing machine, it would be difficult to improve upon the First World War.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Except man did improve. The Second World War killed approximately 73,000,000 in about five years -- 14,600,000 per year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Yeats died shortly before the start of World War II and thus did not live to see the fruition of his poem. But he clearly perceived that the Christian vision of Jesus's return to earth might be less pleasant than believed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The first stanza describes a world in chaos and contains my personal favorite couplet, one as applicable in the 21st century as the 20th:</span></p><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"></span></span><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">The best lack all conviction, while the worst</span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Are full of passionate intensity.</span> </div></span></blockquote><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></h3><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We have all seen those misbegotten souls full of passionate intensity. At times we have fit the description ourselves. And there have also been times when we have lacked all conviction. In fact, the older I grow, the farther conviction recedes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The poem foresees not the heroic return of Jesus but rather the arrival of a grotesque monster moving its slow thighs across the desert, circled by indignant birds.</span></p><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;">And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,</span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Slouches toward Bethlehem to be born?</span> </div></span></blockquote></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It seems to me that Yeats foresaw, quite clearly, that there is no moral arc to history, that human nature is not changing, that tribalism and hatred are passed from generation to generation like eye color -- witness the murder in the now demolished Valentine post office.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And for some reason, this vision of "a shape with lion body and the head of a man" is seen in the desert.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>6. Antares</b></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj413mIjStqRcrEflO1nr3MM-RCJQ8uuwsu1s9fqcY83aTEUZGQ1nPqqjOhLnbF8uqk_KVxeWAWfJaHEqCapPVWWNIq88N0jnL3MaFJBgmZPq3lpQZ81Uv6-VMb2EIXUQul8HxEcagvWKiLyeSfy1Af5zZbSigygy2FwiSQMoe2s5ZEaOKLhNGJuxXq_Q/s2972/67.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1724" data-original-width="2972" height="919" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj413mIjStqRcrEflO1nr3MM-RCJQ8uuwsu1s9fqcY83aTEUZGQ1nPqqjOhLnbF8uqk_KVxeWAWfJaHEqCapPVWWNIq88N0jnL3MaFJBgmZPq3lpQZ81Uv6-VMb2EIXUQul8HxEcagvWKiLyeSfy1Af5zZbSigygy2FwiSQMoe2s5ZEaOKLhNGJuxXq_Q/w1580-h919/67.jpg" width="1580" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Pushers on westbound stacks at Antares. This curve is where the plateau that begins at Hackberry ends and westbounds turn 70 degrees from northwest to southwest and again roll downhill. When I think of the desert, I think of this image.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcDDDQTRpjqxXtvOzjKW6VVpWdtd7mbDu3BN-XViA12mQnMpg31EFa2SC6gSOpK9pyYMZKMQhAwRDjZdvNA9ceEQZ3Mg5vwE2P4erbI2NmaU8kboiTOOQws7LU_42hGH7lXNjkKLGfwkYVC0OZ0o6aECrNiivWZUQaEajwjOcZPVitMzsN1PP1rywzg/s3029/42.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3029" height="1044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcDDDQTRpjqxXtvOzjKW6VVpWdtd7mbDu3BN-XViA12mQnMpg31EFa2SC6gSOpK9pyYMZKMQhAwRDjZdvNA9ceEQZ3Mg5vwE2P4erbI2NmaU8kboiTOOQws7LU_42hGH7lXNjkKLGfwkYVC0OZ0o6aECrNiivWZUQaEajwjOcZPVitMzsN1PP1rywzg/w1598-h1044/42.jpg" width="1598" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound at Antares, making the turn toward Hackberry.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuD5sadPffwSJZrI2PYH7yi3mkhWZRPLmmi3sSIzB_UOLOkCrOVDEA8qIOcJBdBXrlXM1eiVMOKeHBJ4_Fgu4-rLhYcXoBjizWIp6hxIEV4C8CIJg-CHan3x8CA7S-88Os7-LxhG1T-qBiwQAOrcVz0l26jCbX4Jzwu53cEKn75aACp7tR61OaQahTQ/s3001/29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuD5sadPffwSJZrI2PYH7yi3mkhWZRPLmmi3sSIzB_UOLOkCrOVDEA8qIOcJBdBXrlXM1eiVMOKeHBJ4_Fgu4-rLhYcXoBjizWIp6hxIEV4C8CIJg-CHan3x8CA7S-88Os7-LxhG1T-qBiwQAOrcVz0l26jCbX4Jzwu53cEKn75aACp7tR61OaQahTQ/w1601-h1066/29.jpg" width="1601" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Antares had a crossover switch in the Santa Fe days. Here westbound stacks make the curve beneath the Music Mountains. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuvld37H3BfozY5Pc8PHUQYKXwxEhg5KcFww2BSsh8YyZ76WITSWIRWncUxnSDs-y7DT5C8ro0-bFlk5z88xmp5HrExGrUcuEgR3cnDYAB0V2EMTV8tZ3cwnLAzcQLstMi5W-6a-OsYPb5PUIBeCsPPAXYenUeIqVkRPMOYDyzwYreIC4jMHz2klr7g/s3011/37.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3011" height="1056" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuvld37H3BfozY5Pc8PHUQYKXwxEhg5KcFww2BSsh8YyZ76WITSWIRWncUxnSDs-y7DT5C8ro0-bFlk5z88xmp5HrExGrUcuEgR3cnDYAB0V2EMTV8tZ3cwnLAzcQLstMi5W-6a-OsYPb5PUIBeCsPPAXYenUeIqVkRPMOYDyzwYreIC4jMHz2klr7g/w1595-h1056/37.jpg" width="1595" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks have made the big turn at Antares and are heading downgrade to Kingman.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSYjO3gMttH66Ewtzvm6-0y-U7UCeMXj3Ea2eBv2KzPEGjsL5mzBS-cFTEfjnMc92322wh56ZmAiHq7bkN8tOPYXTt8YclmdMDW4nMdz67l2YWQgF50_gTBNsn7ckMMBnc8guDUjqNHM2iUdy_s4FgXi3FX51NXY89i2rV-6YUPtaZtzsi5TUPOcHuA/s3041/39.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSYjO3gMttH66Ewtzvm6-0y-U7UCeMXj3Ea2eBv2KzPEGjsL5mzBS-cFTEfjnMc92322wh56ZmAiHq7bkN8tOPYXTt8YclmdMDW4nMdz67l2YWQgF50_gTBNsn7ckMMBnc8guDUjqNHM2iUdy_s4FgXi3FX51NXY89i2rV-6YUPtaZtzsi5TUPOcHuA/w1595-h1037/39.jpg" width="1595" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound loaded coal has passed the Antares' curve. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKWhoZd9AP41ywtIHYj6f7J3Z8jy1qyIwUR-MFjbUkkOfJQhk-Ji5Cxy8E1swD59ZOJnNIV1dPB1batoGM54xaYyfzosz1oPl-hmaTY4X5dA7DHEcaFOFfz7iFKJKLuoJDojNroCLAElxQEf109oOWfdeOuxuv8S3ogyyosv-hrUrL5TfyDVvfjrySw/s3081/38.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1948" data-original-width="3081" height="1011" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKWhoZd9AP41ywtIHYj6f7J3Z8jy1qyIwUR-MFjbUkkOfJQhk-Ji5Cxy8E1swD59ZOJnNIV1dPB1batoGM54xaYyfzosz1oPl-hmaTY4X5dA7DHEcaFOFfz7iFKJKLuoJDojNroCLAElxQEf109oOWfdeOuxuv8S3ogyyosv-hrUrL5TfyDVvfjrySw/w1602-h1011/38.jpg" width="1602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A meet at Antares</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVAwYaZT7wo4fgWBnUYsUv9N-B4xO_gDDgY0mWBPn2zzVMybBMvbjiuD8m8xu-UT60_u8bqGk8UQj4sylBFAOsmh59Ln_fYkyHdk9DXv-WuXYvdUep88ff6G0tLGdFlPyE4u7P4BZlDORBVrIJMKQ-RJkG8xcfK05Act8q2kQsSFyKWA9_J9roG1C_A/s3070/40.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1955" data-original-width="3070" height="1017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVAwYaZT7wo4fgWBnUYsUv9N-B4xO_gDDgY0mWBPn2zzVMybBMvbjiuD8m8xu-UT60_u8bqGk8UQj4sylBFAOsmh59Ln_fYkyHdk9DXv-WuXYvdUep88ff6G0tLGdFlPyE4u7P4BZlDORBVrIJMKQ-RJkG8xcfK05Act8q2kQsSFyKWA9_J9roG1C_A/w1596-h1017/40.jpg" width="1596" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another meet.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>7. Kingman</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From Antares to Kingman, the tracks run southwest through a wide valley. After miles of canyons, this stretch almost feels like the High Plains of eastern Colorado, but we are still in the desert. Kingman averages about eight inches and 28 days of rain per year. The sun shines about 290 days per year. May, June, July, August and September are <b>hot</b>, though the locals claim that it is "dry heat" and therefore bearable, as opposed to my home in central Oklahoma, where summer temperatures are comparable and humidity is usually north of 60 percent. Personally, I think Kingman is hotter, because there is little vegetation to absorb the sun's rays. Sand and rocks reflect the sun like a concrete parking lot. But arguing whether Arizona or Oklahoma is hotter in the summer is a little like arguing whether the Pacific or Atlantic is deeper. Both are deep enough to swallow you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Kingman, Arizona, was named for Lewis Kingman, one of the original railroad locating engineers. The tracks and old 66 run side-by-side into town beneath I-40, then past a park that is, to my eyes at least, indistinguishable from the surrounding desert. The highway then climbs a ridge, while the tracks snake through a narrow canyon before turning west, at which point the number one and number two mains separate, the number two making a broad loop to provide a shallower grade for eastbound traffic. The highway comes down from the ridge, and tracks and highway run together again as they pass the old depot, which sits in a narrow depression between basalt-capped ridges. The original settlement is located in this valley, where one can see the usual remnants of Route 66 -- the old tourist courts, restaurants and filling stations. Most of Kingman is now located north along I-40. Like so many western towns that have not been abandoned, Kingman along the tracks looks like a poorly maintained museum. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVibib1ZBro6Tuy0VsbxQMHMvqmxWY5HVXgjh0WN9v-1EXjLhV0BfRRvUxbHA5fb3drKuYjDxPm3v2HNS26WrA16gBRIGC_0lQtd-hZzhwDzsqCa4zA9Y5IraL3HkZBZEjA_bDp2zTJO1hkI_3VsGnEUgrxcw2J3460qctGIGWwaL-KZTOd9Af_Ap0Mw/s2977/89.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2977" height="1087" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVibib1ZBro6Tuy0VsbxQMHMvqmxWY5HVXgjh0WN9v-1EXjLhV0BfRRvUxbHA5fb3drKuYjDxPm3v2HNS26WrA16gBRIGC_0lQtd-hZzhwDzsqCa4zA9Y5IraL3HkZBZEjA_bDp2zTJO1hkI_3VsGnEUgrxcw2J3460qctGIGWwaL-KZTOd9Af_Ap0Mw/w1603-h1087/89.jpg" width="1603" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This is the small canyon through which the tracks run in the middle of town. The photographer is standing in the parking lot of a commercial trash hauler, looking east toward Hualapai Mountain.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am drawn back to Yeats like a moth to a candle flame, a moth alone in the desert heat, circling endlessly above the rocks and sand, trying to make sense of chaos. Here is what I mean.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Easter week 1916, Irish revolutionaries seized government buildings, factories and other important buildings in Dublin. About 400 under the command of James Connolly and Patrick Pearse occupied Dublin's main post office, which became the rebellion's headquarters, and raised two republican flags. Pearse stood on the steps and read aloud the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. Rebels also took over a wireless telegraph station and declared, in Morse code, the creation of an Irish republic. They took control of bridges and highways, cut telegraph and telephone wires, occupied a railway station and destroyed track.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The rebels, however, failed to take either of Dublin's two main railway stations or its ports, which allowed the British Army, once it fully understood the nature of the uprising, to bring in over 16,000 troops. On Wednesday, April 26, British artillery began shelling rebel positions. Heavy fighting continued for days, resulting in almost 500 deaths. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The post office garrison eventually evacuated. Incapacitated by a wounded ankle, Connolly passed command to Pearse. They tunneled through the walls of neighboring buildings and established a new position at 16 Moore Street. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">On April 29, Pearse ordered all companies to surrender: </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">In order to prevent the further slaughter of Dublin citizens, and in the hope of saving the lives of our followers now surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered, the members of the Provisional Government present at headquarters have agreed to an unconditional surrender, and the commandants of the various districts in the City and County will order their commands to lay down arms.</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The British arrested almost 3,500 men and 79 women and conducted secret trials in which the accused were not allowed to defend themselves. F</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">ourteen were executed by firing squad between May 3 and 12, including Connolly, shot while tied to a chair because of his shattered ankle, and Pearse, the first to be executed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Several of those shot did not kill anyone, including Irish Volunter Thomas MacDonagh and John MacBride, who was not even aware of the uprising until it began but had fought against the British in the Boer War. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Y</span><span style="font-family: arial;">eats' lengthy poem "Easter 1916" discusses the rebellion and closes with the following:</span></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"></span><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">We know their dream; enough</span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">To know they dreamed and are dead; </div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">And what if excess of love </div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Bewildered them till they died? </div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I write it out in a verse—</div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">MacDonagh and MacBride </div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">And Connolly and Pearse</div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Now and in time to be,</div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Wherever green is worn,</div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Are changed, changed utterly: </div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">A terrible beauty is born.</div></span></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></h3><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In both "The Second Coming" and "Easter 1916," something terrible, something bestial, but also something beautiful is born. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">One might reasonably conclude that Yeats possessed no faith in politics. He himself said:</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">A statesman is an easy man, he tells his lies by rote.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">A journalist invents his lies, and rams them down your throat.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">So stay at home and drink your beer and let the neighbors vote.</span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">His last poem, titled "Politics," written in his 73rd and final year, beginning with a quotation from Thomas Mann,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> indicates that if he ever found value in that word, it mattered little at the end of life.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><span>"In our time the destiny of man presents its meanings in </span><span>political terms" - Thomas Mann</span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">How can I, that girl standing there,</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">My attention fix</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">On Roman or on Russian</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Or on Spanish politics?</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Yet here's a travelled man that knows</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">What he talks about,</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">And there's a politician</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">That has read and thought,</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">And maybe what they say is true</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Of war and war's alarms,</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">But O that I were young again</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">And held her in my arms! </span></div></div></blockquote><div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As I write, I am 71 years old. I think I understand this poem completely.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>8. Kingman Canyon</b></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EuwZgG4F0C2njwk-4ZFlNs30FQ1gvIUy-QCAJ8w5OSyewPfhaA-YU_CHTiLWBLCFivj14ev2km0GGFDxYXjcUFHfPJ85ylNw-CSY2IVQfQ7sbpc8DTWevFdxye0KNIHn4qQjEIvZQP6Ubgjn9snfkM4y6nGV9o3OZk_OhEvqGT2b847f9d9ulO_NWQ/s3074/76a.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1952" data-original-width="3074" height="1015" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EuwZgG4F0C2njwk-4ZFlNs30FQ1gvIUy-QCAJ8w5OSyewPfhaA-YU_CHTiLWBLCFivj14ev2km0GGFDxYXjcUFHfPJ85ylNw-CSY2IVQfQ7sbpc8DTWevFdxye0KNIHn4qQjEIvZQP6Ubgjn9snfkM4y6nGV9o3OZk_OhEvqGT2b847f9d9ulO_NWQ/w1599-h1015/76a.jpg" width="1599" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Past the old depot, the tracks turn south and run through Kingman Canyon, a narrow conduit between dark basalt mountains, connecting the Haulapai Plateau to the northeast and the Sacramento Valley to the southwest. This image is taken from the top of the canyon. The two tracks here are separated. The eastbound stacks are operating over the second main constructed in 1923 on a shallower grade. The original 1883 main, built by the Atlantic and Pacific, runs near the bottom of the canyon. Between the two tracks is a short segment of the National Old Trails Road. Imagine trying to drive across country on that! In 1939, a new highway through the canyon was constructed.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxIaPHT-INMNGoxP-t91mjzzQXWB3qruo5OteozCBgtTrWTM1bJPRG5Jzgp5WR7GzPOps9vL5AKq4a-3_zd_4ipt7HKQCFv-bCMvJ2nlnPktjfJ8_yYmCcm6c0rV6fqFlJAMpeQzfCwpOvEAevSoZkoYX8ErOwZm6gix7HjuJUGIGLJo2ZavuTiSEwA/s3008/24.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3008" height="1055" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxIaPHT-INMNGoxP-t91mjzzQXWB3qruo5OteozCBgtTrWTM1bJPRG5Jzgp5WR7GzPOps9vL5AKq4a-3_zd_4ipt7HKQCFv-bCMvJ2nlnPktjfJ8_yYmCcm6c0rV6fqFlJAMpeQzfCwpOvEAevSoZkoYX8ErOwZm6gix7HjuJUGIGLJo2ZavuTiSEwA/w1592-h1055/24.jpg" width="1592" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Two trains in Kingman Canyon. The new grade of US 66 can be seen on the right. I-40 is west is the canyon and out of sight.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwuka5UBondgnAvNYzfiHK3KHHV2RRP3IlggIQqHqOnhv54J5EF9WouaJ0cHq7_gVaeJHZEGDt-rGUHyzwPni2cQn97ZuNCik_8pP-VJitfuRyYchzdJ6-yjVdwsq4HFB7hkYrNMOO9__dAVAT8PGeFrLpIUcVRnFBTDpfhTcSmHs2f2JtSPL_-mjjw/s2456/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-12%20at%207.25.48%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="2456" height="1002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwuka5UBondgnAvNYzfiHK3KHHV2RRP3IlggIQqHqOnhv54J5EF9WouaJ0cHq7_gVaeJHZEGDt-rGUHyzwPni2cQn97ZuNCik_8pP-VJitfuRyYchzdJ6-yjVdwsq4HFB7hkYrNMOO9__dAVAT8PGeFrLpIUcVRnFBTDpfhTcSmHs2f2JtSPL_-mjjw/w1596-h1002/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-12%20at%207.25.48%20PM.png" width="1596" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Kingman Canyon is like a tunnel through the mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr22OvRjBHioL-XLQ-6GAfll9OvFld9u3cWOrvvSyud_EKW_V0HNUM3xwiMpvAB8Qg_QkEMsxKHEC99GSYZNi7ieLWkqTRL5--Md5Ih6gvQIWjl1xvT_y2e57pkSfbhvm69sI2Zt4NExuRX-atPCAQDIV3oRAfg0Fte3VXQJw2LY9cfOHpnDqjVobJw/s3114/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-12%20at%2010.06.18%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2326" data-original-width="3114" height="1190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfr22OvRjBHioL-XLQ-6GAfll9OvFld9u3cWOrvvSyud_EKW_V0HNUM3xwiMpvAB8Qg_QkEMsxKHEC99GSYZNi7ieLWkqTRL5--Md5Ih6gvQIWjl1xvT_y2e57pkSfbhvm69sI2Zt4NExuRX-atPCAQDIV3oRAfg0Fte3VXQJw2LY9cfOHpnDqjVobJw/w1593-h1190/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-12%20at%2010.06.18%20PM.png" width="1593" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This image shows Kingman Canyon, the original settlement of Kingman and the small canyon to the east. The majority of town is now north of this image along I-40. The area immediately north of the old settlement is a rugged escarpment. The area south is another escarpment that appears to have roads carved into it. These are actually just ruts in the basalt, mostly unsuitable for travel by anything except a Jeep or four-wheel-drive pick-up. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfnBmJzYdhm_M6EblahVU5ZZU4pU4Po50nfHIB4tvKipYdI4CJaGh5R6_0ExFxI8R_oRQZ4txnCakfTj-nBKBwoLGth6NwYDQ8zzWStCdHsNXqQagz9Ixr0X-A0x6MXeFZYoZthIdwYbH2c6JMKjALfV_GHQZfHCvfYdcdPoBZCf956z6Nx0ZGAlaDQ/s3042/47.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3042" height="1037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfnBmJzYdhm_M6EblahVU5ZZU4pU4Po50nfHIB4tvKipYdI4CJaGh5R6_0ExFxI8R_oRQZ4txnCakfTj-nBKBwoLGth6NwYDQ8zzWStCdHsNXqQagz9Ixr0X-A0x6MXeFZYoZthIdwYbH2c6JMKjALfV_GHQZfHCvfYdcdPoBZCf956z6Nx0ZGAlaDQ/w1602-h1037/47.jpg" width="1602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound on the original 1883 main.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeFeS03hSBIyat77F5daYI3_NSpWbNYy2UZjLFv2_ejFNXWpGXSca-K6zmr8o3vrLydwMaz4Nn7ubAMv9P66ns7Ny6yStk9ESX3XeSUh3KPlwvye0XCy8SA1G-c6z_QfC1k97KQsUTl_dPQFi8VTL6Y-K8LH8iVrwnFWrTbp2ZSHOpAgyPUbYG7ua3w/s3017/33.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3017" height="1055" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeFeS03hSBIyat77F5daYI3_NSpWbNYy2UZjLFv2_ejFNXWpGXSca-K6zmr8o3vrLydwMaz4Nn7ubAMv9P66ns7Ny6yStk9ESX3XeSUh3KPlwvye0XCy8SA1G-c6z_QfC1k97KQsUTl_dPQFi8VTL6Y-K8LH8iVrwnFWrTbp2ZSHOpAgyPUbYG7ua3w/w1600-h1055/33.jpg" width="1600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound on the 1923 main.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkGSmev18TIrhyyEEjfFT_7FvFi1_V_glmehE39GWc5HugalWRACPav-Z762h6g35q26VYDPf8YXZU91JkSh--PtFGVW_F9agzMrBtKzbqW2YBtICl-AZ0aMFGSSmjP1X1Yj_QXzJNr0y0zl_dW62dof2XHzozAl_8obQCDrJKEm0HIfXvq3sOQXoSg/s3016/34.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3016" height="1050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkGSmev18TIrhyyEEjfFT_7FvFi1_V_glmehE39GWc5HugalWRACPav-Z762h6g35q26VYDPf8YXZU91JkSh--PtFGVW_F9agzMrBtKzbqW2YBtICl-AZ0aMFGSSmjP1X1Yj_QXzJNr0y0zl_dW62dof2XHzozAl_8obQCDrJKEm0HIfXvq3sOQXoSg/w1592-h1050/34.jpg" width="1592" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8HZ1ayXcdZAbm1hlFDwSXy6EqPpyrbAZvRtNZvAixsEwbyIwrki4q25klIeB38Nb90FGYOTJLRqqxs_ZUDqdNNoXpqyaKWoJEuZ6hf-UvGcH1TpivKxsN1Yg5ydQ0SW5qMoGC7y6jtCG2RkNP4LkThSl7cqcU8rkF1DYZ1zrXFaVzmiaJxxyLjVr-w/s3018/35.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="3018" height="1055" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8HZ1ayXcdZAbm1hlFDwSXy6EqPpyrbAZvRtNZvAixsEwbyIwrki4q25klIeB38Nb90FGYOTJLRqqxs_ZUDqdNNoXpqyaKWoJEuZ6hf-UvGcH1TpivKxsN1Yg5ydQ0SW5qMoGC7y6jtCG2RkNP4LkThSl7cqcU8rkF1DYZ1zrXFaVzmiaJxxyLjVr-w/w1601-h1055/35.jpg" width="1601" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Like many men, Yeats suffered early in life from unrequited love -- in his case the actress, suffragette and Irish revolutionary Maud Gonne, to whom Yeats unsuccessfully proposed at least four times. Many of his poems were inspired by her, but the one that most touches my heart is called "When You Are Old," written from the point of view of the young man rejected, imagining how the woman who spurned him will feel late in life when looking back on what she gave up. I especially admire this poem because it is written in iambic pentameter (as is "The Second Coming"), which I think is the penultimate meter for English verse: </span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></h1><blockquote><h1 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">When you are old and grey and full of sleep,</span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">And nodding by the fire, take down this book,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And slowly read, and dream of the soft look</div><div style="text-align: center;">Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></span></span></h1></blockquote><blockquote><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">How many loved your moments of glad grace,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And loved your beauty with love false or true,</div><div style="text-align: center;">But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And loved the sorrows of your changing face;</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div></span></span></h1></blockquote><blockquote><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">And bending down beside the glowing bars,</div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled</div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">And paced upon the mountains overhead</div></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.</div></span></span></span></h1><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"></span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Is it just me, or is there something unbearably wistful about life, unbearably wistful about constant birth, death, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">regeneration, depletion? Or is it simply that this cycle shows itself most clearly in the desert, where life's hold is tenuous, constantly fluctuating? Even the railroad seems transitory, like a tourist who does not speak the language. The tectonic forces that created Kingman Canyon have been at work for millions of years. Our unrequited loves, and I include my own, seem so trivial, so ephemeral. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Could this be why so many different cultures across so many different ages have created images of life after death -- to soothe the everlasting wistfulness, longing, loneliness, that knowledge of death brings? But is "eternal life" a solace? Does the thought bring peace?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To me, the idea of living "forever" as some sort of spirit does not produce pleasure. Instead, if I give it any thought, "eternal life" brings a sort of terror, the same dread I feel when I imagine being forced to spend eternity locked in a windowless room with a life insurance salesman babbling on and on about mortality tables. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Forever" is a very long time. What would one do "forever"? I guess you get to see again those relatives and friends who predeceased you. But how long would that take? A month? A year? And by the way, there are some relatives whom I do not wish to see again.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then what? Do you get to see again all the people who hated you? Another month or so? A year if you were a really nasty individual?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then you talk to famous historical figures, who are probably very tired of talking to all those recently dead. And then you just go on and on and on and on, and this procession does not stop. A person can only play so many rounds of golf, or listen to so many symphonies, or see so many movies, or read so many books.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You bask in God's glow. And you bask and bask and bask and bask. And more basking. And more of the same. And more. More. More. Not stopping.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I think you get my point.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The idea of a resurrection of the dead also gives me pause. In what body are you resurrected? Your body when you expired? That would not be desirable to anyone living to a ripe old age. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do you get to choose your new body? How do you choose it? Is there a "halfway house" where such choice is made? Or does God, or some Heavenly Committee, make the choice for you, ordaining the new body that will make you most comfortable? What if a mistake is made? What if you want your resurrected body to have blonde hair, but The Committee prefers brown?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">God never makes a mistake, you say? Let us hope that is so. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"> </span></p></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvp85I_9ew-I9elY64JBJA_naKSsP_vv1lkVO6cmDQkND5eEhfwZVICEdU8I6tEgKEEPp9AbjouffjfVyeXa2yeoLDbUFt5QweAIO_vZLA_V_tgBvCTX1Sy8e9JfI_-7KkJOnsmSFLG-WERXz9gVAaUeG3eNQ6Xkp880zXw4kzaOjW7Y_G6QGpQ4C1A/s2997/27.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1063" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvp85I_9ew-I9elY64JBJA_naKSsP_vv1lkVO6cmDQkND5eEhfwZVICEdU8I6tEgKEEPp9AbjouffjfVyeXa2yeoLDbUFt5QweAIO_vZLA_V_tgBvCTX1Sy8e9JfI_-7KkJOnsmSFLG-WERXz9gVAaUeG3eNQ6Xkp880zXw4kzaOjW7Y_G6QGpQ4C1A/w1591-h1063/27.jpg" width="1591" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks rolling down the 1.8 percent grade of the original 1883 line.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK0I7r6cOlhLeZD18tdvQ_dbtq2bxRaQZXtGKhWmhTjH-DxGlt9XOZfaHEQojOSmP_NG9Xwfc2MLVPs2QIANWJa2ESRb8DKeL-XU9rRV1tcE55LCVf2UBp6ZZSwTc5k14OyTPHxtWn3BF5ZZt68Xipk1i7NmyVfJ3Gv_2lzTfmDS-Yn35yZMsapaKTQ/s3000/16.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="3000" height="997" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK0I7r6cOlhLeZD18tdvQ_dbtq2bxRaQZXtGKhWmhTjH-DxGlt9XOZfaHEQojOSmP_NG9Xwfc2MLVPs2QIANWJa2ESRb8DKeL-XU9rRV1tcE55LCVf2UBp6ZZSwTc5k14OyTPHxtWn3BF5ZZt68Xipk1i7NmyVfJ3Gv_2lzTfmDS-Yn35yZMsapaKTQ/w1596-h997/16.jpg" width="1596" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The western mouth of Kingman Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFDG70-CLhxN94P43XJMBaq0iCYTa_F6qahMGV23QVLgLdHeAPI1vCAkYO9SaWTJ0T3PbSu_EzN2zIcyC7xX-8xpqaIfggw0_fnwA_WwXOF5R3KRipipP0PzcZM57JJEQMRGKAGYx1FRxIstVjWUfvGZqz30P_K6NIWmG_NlHFFwSfSFxsCplhuY0Cw/s3049/13.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3049" height="1034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFDG70-CLhxN94P43XJMBaq0iCYTa_F6qahMGV23QVLgLdHeAPI1vCAkYO9SaWTJ0T3PbSu_EzN2zIcyC7xX-8xpqaIfggw0_fnwA_WwXOF5R3KRipipP0PzcZM57JJEQMRGKAGYx1FRxIstVjWUfvGZqz30P_K6NIWmG_NlHFFwSfSFxsCplhuY0Cw/w1600-h1034/13.jpg" width="1600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Although your author will not live forever, it appears that the Santa Fe logo on this bridge might. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mA1-ka6dxoZiMKrXUOveeRmb3W97I9VUMwvjApZ_c4e8OVHHJ8jjD0hmzJizX9Gr4i7LHIyN8T0352mCYBwWIrFx_BZfOuO9jzgghfrjQTa3Q1bCJ2Yqr0-mwfuAFFChtiicFLgOKoTvhWNNbSKFjje8TkDQ6uMdHafoYf7K83ojnYTO5oUvlBdj4w/s3025/3.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3025" height="1046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mA1-ka6dxoZiMKrXUOveeRmb3W97I9VUMwvjApZ_c4e8OVHHJ8jjD0hmzJizX9Gr4i7LHIyN8T0352mCYBwWIrFx_BZfOuO9jzgghfrjQTa3Q1bCJ2Yqr0-mwfuAFFChtiicFLgOKoTvhWNNbSKFjje8TkDQ6uMdHafoYf7K83ojnYTO5oUvlBdj4w/w1593-h1046/3.jpg" width="1593" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound stacks approach the bridge immediately above.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oQDXuQerdt_fauckTbdUSgNwUU_yuIIWJ5QVVW7dQuEa987PIxgW52Vc1i_dYpq5Y2kdwOukKxkMtMthLVzPzBVkaLCcjIQLICsVSGmoBBBPqIYmZ5ZsWmHSKeTsjlpmHmLUpgjAas4yxIrC7sQWOBnAnE1NQE_ojv9wkiE-7T5CY9s7E5WdT51r_Q/s3025/12.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3025" height="1047" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oQDXuQerdt_fauckTbdUSgNwUU_yuIIWJ5QVVW7dQuEa987PIxgW52Vc1i_dYpq5Y2kdwOukKxkMtMthLVzPzBVkaLCcjIQLICsVSGmoBBBPqIYmZ5ZsWmHSKeTsjlpmHmLUpgjAas4yxIrC7sQWOBnAnE1NQE_ojv9wkiE-7T5CY9s7E5WdT51r_Q/w1595-h1047/12.jpg" width="1595" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMeqgvjfffJdvZpLWJbzeYIIYr7y_2SGRfTPilewNQFbtfg8JXR0r4PRBg42Ux3gRUfHghZ9ucfz7oSGHFUCoQsNlCL4j3MoucAboKUOvhElfc3cztgJQkq9VetB-rJIQOuyqHno26V9zBeYHH7jk0KLgiLlqEDW3kldaRIJAmgEtR4anMSrM4-6cFw/s3031/5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMeqgvjfffJdvZpLWJbzeYIIYr7y_2SGRfTPilewNQFbtfg8JXR0r4PRBg42Ux3gRUfHghZ9ucfz7oSGHFUCoQsNlCL4j3MoucAboKUOvhElfc3cztgJQkq9VetB-rJIQOuyqHno26V9zBeYHH7jk0KLgiLlqEDW3kldaRIJAmgEtR4anMSrM4-6cFw/w1601-h1046/5.jpg" width="1601" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIN5ZHJv-nLgzuNOC7wDdoBeyGAFrpU-8JjO2HCYSHlMenAzUCp85CEu77RCCKZU1CiP2fEYtDRmBLxCnHDIfa4ldQD_E05L840pdxEyg3FcSYHQ9gqES7eUUzqeUpJ5sTrO63iC-5OrQWQlbkxUVAXiG57gIp0ucdnx3Uy0zv2pUIpwdkBDp0ejhhg/s3004/26%20copy..jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3004" height="1069" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIN5ZHJv-nLgzuNOC7wDdoBeyGAFrpU-8JjO2HCYSHlMenAzUCp85CEu77RCCKZU1CiP2fEYtDRmBLxCnHDIfa4ldQD_E05L840pdxEyg3FcSYHQ9gqES7eUUzqeUpJ5sTrO63iC-5OrQWQlbkxUVAXiG57gIp0ucdnx3Uy0zv2pUIpwdkBDp0ejhhg/w1607-h1069/26%20copy..jpg" width="1607" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This eastbound Q-train is climbing out of the Sacramento Valley, which can be seen in the background. Although this is the shallower 1923 grade, the slope is still significant, and trains struggle.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Death is an issue we all must face, not just literally but also figuratively, because we are human and understand the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which applies to us just as certainly as to an automobile or a volcano or a neutron star or the universe. All closed systems will eventually reach maximum entropy, which means disorder, which in the case of humans means death.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">To me, the idea of an afterlife devalues one's life in the here and now, because it focuses on the foggy future and ignores the mindful present, which ultimately is all we have. When there is no present, there is no me. Or you. To say that miserableness in this life is acceptable because the next life will be better is, to my mind, a rationale for accepting injustice. Most people don't believe that and strive to rectify life's misery. Those who do believe are capable of committing horrible atrocities -- thus the Inquisition, thus the World Trade Center. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The concept of an afterlife assumes that living is a means to an end, much as law school is a means to becoming a lawyer. So you suffer through law school, because the end justifies the means. But it seems to me that life is not a means to anything. Life is an end in itself -- to be lived for its own value, not because it will lead to something better.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Yeats' thoughts:</span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nor dread nor hope attend</span></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">A dying animal;</div><div style="text-align: center;">A man awaits his end</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dreading and hoping all;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Many times he died,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Many times rose again,</div><div style="text-align: center;">A great man in his pride</div><div style="text-align: center;">Confronting murderous men</div><div style="text-align: center;">Casts derision upon</div><div style="text-align: center;">Supersession of breath;</div><div style="text-align: center;">He knows death to the bone –</div><div style="text-align: center;">Man has created death.</div></span></span></h1><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">These thoughts dwell in the desert, where life is both precious and precarious.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>9. Sacramento Valley</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The western mouth of Kingman Canyon opens to the wide Sacramento Valley, like the back door of a house opening to a football field.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLjQSsS3ZvAcEQY8v_ooDpFbpl3nutqwT0q6hZdeepSPTURTvF-qNPYRtk23xW05etfii_HTK62aJmXGYBBePG0hd33d-PEiGQjkuqCOkaYRhq0orS9H8KchZtoisQPrRM8p3eRiIJMvtZ2TSlA3Qi-HWH8Vq6AgDiO7MayDhV1NEti8wb580anrvmg/s1328/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-15%20at%202.11.28%20PM.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1328" height="1081" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLjQSsS3ZvAcEQY8v_ooDpFbpl3nutqwT0q6hZdeepSPTURTvF-qNPYRtk23xW05etfii_HTK62aJmXGYBBePG0hd33d-PEiGQjkuqCOkaYRhq0orS9H8KchZtoisQPrRM8p3eRiIJMvtZ2TSlA3Qi-HWH8Vq6AgDiO7MayDhV1NEti8wb580anrvmg/w1602-h1081/Screen%20Shot%202022-04-15%20at%202.11.28%20PM.png" width="1602" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Sacramento Valley is bounded on the west by the Black Mountains and on the east by the Hualapai Mountains. The valley runs north-south and descends in about 50 miles from approximately 3,300 feet at the western mouth of Kingman Canyon to approximately 500 feet at the Colorado River. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In this valley the desert seems almost tame. Though sloping from north to south, the land appears flat. The mountains framing the scene are dark, barren, but not hostile, whatever that may mean. Such tranquility is misleading, however, for just below the surface, the Sacramento Valley is a killer. No one raises cattle here. No one grows anything here. During the cloudless summer, temperatures can climb above 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and there is no relief -- no shade, no water, no breeze, nothing but sand and rocks and creosote and more sand and more rocks. </b></span></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysgCbIBxSzsyw4xUBbT_6TK2yB_ySR4Gfg1I-iimCxxJEgNSTWewEHa2aitY9QGj1iiMLauzBqF1WW-KRMoT8ywYFGrSR6EOBSPZEOn8Jyf2Lji2b2tDZgQ0xSw3j4O_8GpPP3I81nUh3KwSwpjKmFtjt81LkBT-BRc-cRk_Oxbn8AFE4tdyo5kqCCg/s3035/2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3035" height="1044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysgCbIBxSzsyw4xUBbT_6TK2yB_ySR4Gfg1I-iimCxxJEgNSTWewEHa2aitY9QGj1iiMLauzBqF1WW-KRMoT8ywYFGrSR6EOBSPZEOn8Jyf2Lji2b2tDZgQ0xSw3j4O_8GpPP3I81nUh3KwSwpjKmFtjt81LkBT-BRc-cRk_Oxbn8AFE4tdyo5kqCCg/w1606-h1044/2.jpg" width="1606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">An eastbound manifest (compass north) in the Sacramento Valley, south of Kingman Canyon, climbing the grade out of the valley of the Colorado River -- deep in the heart of the Mojave Desert. Nowhere is the tenuousness of existence clearer than here in a land that does not allow second chances. In the Mojave, one stands alone and either profits, growing stronger, or else fades into the background of sand. </span></b></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYev2U-OfbOks6iAp_kDoRef_zZIYDQ9-4UFEdGReSy62YiEU74Lt2c3sXPkUYG4twsd7EytZGqzw-hNkLEjuUAkHGD-r6fo280n4LzEjyJXwvKhXJu0vT83coD29pBb9qsZjJwH6SAMf3tsy8o50cthmGI2vrpvPfktCPxnmymX9qOPFoXZplq1TmVg/s3033/6.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3033" height="1046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYev2U-OfbOks6iAp_kDoRef_zZIYDQ9-4UFEdGReSy62YiEU74Lt2c3sXPkUYG4twsd7EytZGqzw-hNkLEjuUAkHGD-r6fo280n4LzEjyJXwvKhXJu0vT83coD29pBb9qsZjJwH6SAMf3tsy8o50cthmGI2vrpvPfktCPxnmymX9qOPFoXZplq1TmVg/w1601-h1046/6.jpg" width="1601" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Sacramento Valley -- heart of the eastern Mojave.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdwzGoZaKMsiXZIzS_wYzwovLSp7AbMgJrnHYQpkB0uQ4yGZ2jFjB5ggJK7-VS743kx0h0nrXqnlKuXry6pQi4WUcRt-_olVa5EEw0p1L-qN69X-wYv7-dfJ8XaIRPvUBhOJw67TBIWHq8gjjYQs4qSt4i6-jKQ8ksqdh22LCuEfDXy5dxsuS6WCY5w/s3068/7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="3068" height="1020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdwzGoZaKMsiXZIzS_wYzwovLSp7AbMgJrnHYQpkB0uQ4yGZ2jFjB5ggJK7-VS743kx0h0nrXqnlKuXry6pQi4WUcRt-_olVa5EEw0p1L-qN69X-wYv7-dfJ8XaIRPvUBhOJw67TBIWHq8gjjYQs4qSt4i6-jKQ8ksqdh22LCuEfDXy5dxsuS6WCY5w/w1601-h1020/7.jpg" width="1601" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound climbing north in the valley. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh409iJ6k9ZSlwMJG7vi4rJGNHYN9LEKzakDggckk7q9q8CJjT3tIk_C5VDRKsDAnROx8gPim0I5SDyLl50ZfQwGK70O8e1zT53f4rPerSTevztWzfD852KcKrdcf_808c2W26v6NBNFtz07qT1iYsKWB17lMJGj0lloTCgHh2UHe6byD5Wejls-od0ig/s3024/8.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1055" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh409iJ6k9ZSlwMJG7vi4rJGNHYN9LEKzakDggckk7q9q8CJjT3tIk_C5VDRKsDAnROx8gPim0I5SDyLl50ZfQwGK70O8e1zT53f4rPerSTevztWzfD852KcKrdcf_808c2W26v6NBNFtz07qT1iYsKWB17lMJGj0lloTCgHh2UHe6byD5Wejls-od0ig/w1608-h1055/8.jpg" width="1608" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound at dusk.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6X2gJ1A36FxmBd6FY6CmDi2Cm6y0lt21XkkWqSbj2L_SEUrWkVijSlTT8qvJH7g8UpGbAERQLPwQZKy7YcGyqTOjtB-96v-1ru1SGuhEJgPCF2gX52YaiO_g88SNefPZpeR82zQR-NIrrnF1JQIZ7dF5vSa8HyOPlzbsAmCTdonClIW_RT6pcbPOUA/s2998/48.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="2998" height="1074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6X2gJ1A36FxmBd6FY6CmDi2Cm6y0lt21XkkWqSbj2L_SEUrWkVijSlTT8qvJH7g8UpGbAERQLPwQZKy7YcGyqTOjtB-96v-1ru1SGuhEJgPCF2gX52YaiO_g88SNefPZpeR82zQR-NIrrnF1JQIZ7dF5vSa8HyOPlzbsAmCTdonClIW_RT6pcbPOUA/w1607-h1074/48.jpg" width="1607" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPU's beneath the Black Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku1lNVUqYPvWKqyZ-YJpfCk6xmOCvT-pDANXKKxS-QZTfx1ha0REtgySpXB-NUbfOrQXeQJg_oV5DtZiDR0yGR2u9X185_ITG2PdVu0Sebw1efGiJdkWTGc3NRpm_8LbyVCJ4Gyvw9YbM9pWj44rA0jmg_rErD-bGdWAhhmWzkScLOLybBPXXJRq6Uw/s3008/55.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3008" height="1066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku1lNVUqYPvWKqyZ-YJpfCk6xmOCvT-pDANXKKxS-QZTfx1ha0REtgySpXB-NUbfOrQXeQJg_oV5DtZiDR0yGR2u9X185_ITG2PdVu0Sebw1efGiJdkWTGc3NRpm_8LbyVCJ4Gyvw9YbM9pWj44rA0jmg_rErD-bGdWAhhmWzkScLOLybBPXXJRq6Uw/w1609-h1066/55.jpg" width="1609" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound attacking the grade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpPw3TvBzPL4Ov4kkmBC4ODzhaKdqmxqWrvoj1ZZKcX1tb1zQaWM3_PObPhBLVsG3bUgFyLsBSUfCpIFdm2WRwbMkJYZYra-HOlUxanYdE0UKpMeyKMhhcv4OYu8TP4voFyYnhdiq92NQlivfLgFh-A89Mt_bGo70wmE-noH_o2X1Q2LceMgIeJMDYQ/s3063/56.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1959" data-original-width="3063" height="1031" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpPw3TvBzPL4Ov4kkmBC4ODzhaKdqmxqWrvoj1ZZKcX1tb1zQaWM3_PObPhBLVsG3bUgFyLsBSUfCpIFdm2WRwbMkJYZYra-HOlUxanYdE0UKpMeyKMhhcv4OYu8TP4voFyYnhdiq92NQlivfLgFh-A89Mt_bGo70wmE-noH_o2X1Q2LceMgIeJMDYQ/w1609-h1031/56.jpg" width="1609" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Another eastbound. The long thin plants beside the tracks are Ocotillo, a succulent that produces spectacular pink flowers when the desert receives enough rain, with multiple canes covered with sharp spines. Your author has tangled with an Ocotillo before, and the Ocotillo won.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW37ieZIytqCT94zXZmHspER6H47FYg-OuX1G6i9-dg6AA29d-V0mAlacjRb57EikgP_3BuNKEvoUjnp_8SdCLmPTYkXZefKIKyoEJsbdt_d9XelBUyMriL3blkvuDPz_FDCeguPyJV7lCH4nUJk2Jv9nwc8GGPT9r9-UjlvglEuG3DKaw9f61_KcPqg/s2970/77.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2020" data-original-width="2970" height="1091" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW37ieZIytqCT94zXZmHspER6H47FYg-OuX1G6i9-dg6AA29d-V0mAlacjRb57EikgP_3BuNKEvoUjnp_8SdCLmPTYkXZefKIKyoEJsbdt_d9XelBUyMriL3blkvuDPz_FDCeguPyJV7lCH4nUJk2Jv9nwc8GGPT9r9-UjlvglEuG3DKaw9f61_KcPqg/w1603-h1091/77.jpg" width="1603" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This westbound is rolling downhill to the Colorado River. Behind it rise the Hualapai Mountains.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6fFwRGoOuwne7y1y4ZqIncZaZF3KjHxdcsjSICA0giJIoEftKrPYZbUzq0RdKE-YEM3bI9eRQZFJc1TD2b-fnk34rN94GoSWU-WjahHMavhF0XBre6S9L_GIYoK3JMqntkdFLDSLWtQxAiy204uJS9S9ZkCkkaYZwlygcVYBpzsC2fTQUSEl7_RU1g/s3031/78.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3031" height="1043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6fFwRGoOuwne7y1y4ZqIncZaZF3KjHxdcsjSICA0giJIoEftKrPYZbUzq0RdKE-YEM3bI9eRQZFJc1TD2b-fnk34rN94GoSWU-WjahHMavhF0XBre6S9L_GIYoK3JMqntkdFLDSLWtQxAiy204uJS9S9ZkCkkaYZwlygcVYBpzsC2fTQUSEl7_RU1g/w1597-h1043/78.jpg" width="1597" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In the Sacramento Valley, westbounds such as this race downhill, while eastbounds struggle into a significant grade. Although BNSF's Transcon, and Santa Fe's before it, does not cross anything like the Rockies or Sierra Nevada, the tracks across Arizona, in both directions, climb one significant grade after another -- always in the shadow of mountains.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0_DuWscM3DvLF2se9Ge8AZlZ9rUqdKkso549qcdR0YBpk7fH30NSpp2HsnwMVupyDJ5tTes5B-_6WjscKhxAMTTm-M2y_kmo7KhC5yWS1hkxZxfDld5uE1REa-dcJ7E1tEfcoHM1oc7tUVnliWJC4bF1IgriBm74dyxBUGrw5AfEN6YcdShGlFTzaA/s3067/80.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="3067" height="1025" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0_DuWscM3DvLF2se9Ge8AZlZ9rUqdKkso549qcdR0YBpk7fH30NSpp2HsnwMVupyDJ5tTes5B-_6WjscKhxAMTTm-M2y_kmo7KhC5yWS1hkxZxfDld5uE1REa-dcJ7E1tEfcoHM1oc7tUVnliWJC4bF1IgriBm74dyxBUGrw5AfEN6YcdShGlFTzaA/w1607-h1025/80.jpg" width="1607" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound crossing the Sacramento Wash.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInMqtH8LCNF90lVsr5YiLEyrIZ9gDlroGW-zrPlb6yBzBq9-4sNnbmxMjO_s8Os3-OmjBDlX75u-wVvtv5VBQu9sRaHEQ71eAp94i4t7GcIB53sHsm3nso6NrnJ3aKy-cbJck-qyDVjNVu2UBRlFWZfm7f6aaF8GwaWm_hTWIO0aIQOFqQWXZKCCi8w/s3024/81.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3024" height="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInMqtH8LCNF90lVsr5YiLEyrIZ9gDlroGW-zrPlb6yBzBq9-4sNnbmxMjO_s8Os3-OmjBDlX75u-wVvtv5VBQu9sRaHEQ71eAp94i4t7GcIB53sHsm3nso6NrnJ3aKy-cbJck-qyDVjNVu2UBRlFWZfm7f6aaF8GwaWm_hTWIO0aIQOFqQWXZKCCi8w/w1606-h1054/81.jpg" width="1606" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound crossing the Sacramento Wash.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Xnq_tnjg7FrqQkjJfXZfKxSIH6lXAB9ghN4oFBTVvFcZAdj84iPh3nK-guzOSyqHU-YIYsxV9Ynfkg-pGBK_krqwSzfhhp-owHJPAn6tYaN04lrjcaFJ-4S8zSvcx4jz6XJHsAldSFLi9bDdDrp8mvcx5X1k4t51MOxuvyOOHmefKyFayC1pDy-LsA/s3044/83.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3044" height="1034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Xnq_tnjg7FrqQkjJfXZfKxSIH6lXAB9ghN4oFBTVvFcZAdj84iPh3nK-guzOSyqHU-YIYsxV9Ynfkg-pGBK_krqwSzfhhp-owHJPAn6tYaN04lrjcaFJ-4S8zSvcx4jz6XJHsAldSFLi9bDdDrp8mvcx5X1k4t51MOxuvyOOHmefKyFayC1pDy-LsA/w1598-h1034/83.jpg" width="1598" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Ten units chasing the sun.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When I began this article, I had no intention of discussing Yeats or the Irish Revolution or death, but like a flooding river, the process of writing often follows its own course, oblivious to the wants, needs and the intentions of others. Both my parents lived into their nineties, both passed recently, and I now find that their passing is like an ailment that I cannot quite shake -- like a bad cold. If my similes seem overwrought or transparent, I'm sorry but I can't help it. This is who I am at this moment in whatever remains of my own life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When Yeats said that "man has created death," I think he meant that, unlike animals, we know that we are going to die, and because of such knowledge, we are forced, mostly against our will, to confront it. And how we confront death, whenever we start that process, inevitably shapes the rest of our life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I first became aware of death when I was eight years old. I had traveled with my parents for a vacation to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, an old resort in the Ozarks where people once bathed in the hot springs -- when people thought bathing in natural hot water could cure tuberculosis and other afflictions. Our hotel room was on an upper floor, an old building without air conditioning, with huge wide windows opening onto the forest and screens to keep out the bugs but allow the evening breeze. Above the hallway door, the transom was open.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My parents went downstairs for something -- I don't remember what -- and left me alone to contemplate the open windows. In those long ago days, there were no televisions, no internet, no cell phones. Not knowing what else to do, I lay on the bed and looked at the ceiling. Then, for reasons unknown, I looked at the door, and I realized that someday I would die, that existence would flow out of me as quickly and soundlessly as the air flowing out the open transom.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The realization was instantaneous, and I shuddered -- an eight year old not prepared for such thoughts. But once you recognize death, you can't unrecognize it. It's like learning that there is no Santa Clause, except with more severe consequences. So I did what most people do, I think. I flushed it from my mind. At least I tried. I tried to think of happy times with my dog, or with my baseball team, or with my friends, wading in the golf course pond for golf balls.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But none of that worked. I could not banish the thought. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I have no great ideas, no calming platitudes, no insights. All I can do is leave you with another's thoughts which may not exactly reflect my own but which have certainly echoed through the centuries:</span></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,<br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,<br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">To the last syllable of recorded time;<br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">And all our yesterdays have lighted fools<br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!</span></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;">Macbeth, Act V, Sc. V</span></blockquote></span></h1><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-17909476331483264072022-03-29T18:15:00.000-05:002022-03-29T18:15:30.059-05:00Return to Colorado<p> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I have visited Colorado's railroads many times over the years, as several articles in this blog demonstrate:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/colorado.html"></a></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/colorado.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2015/11/colorado.html</a>;<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2017/12/union-pacific-craig-branch-in-its-prime.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2017/12/union-pacific-craig-branch-in-its-prime.html</a>;<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/03/rio-grande-on-moffat-route.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/03/rio-grande-on-moffat-route.html</a>;<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/05/when-arkansas-was-king.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2020/05/when-arkansas-was-king.html</a>;<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.waltersrail.com/2016/09/tennessee-pass-alas.html">https://www.waltersrail.com/2016/09/tennessee-pass-alas.html</a>.</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In the 21st century, however, when I think of Colorado railroads, I turn into an old man complaining that everything has gone to hell. The many lines in my face slowly turn downward like a mudslide. My eyes narrow; my hands clench. My voice rises.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">You see, I remember when the Denver and Rio Grade Western was king, when Tennessee Pass was crawling with trains, when Big Ten Loop was not surrounded by houses and traffic. I remember when Colorado was the quintessential Western state -- lightly populated, semi-arid, mountainous, beautiful. I remember when Denver's airport was close to downtown. I remember when you could follow trains along the Arkansas River for over 100 miles under clear blue skies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So I complain and moan, and then I try to analyze my behavior, and I realize that old men become grouchy not because the world is changing (and it certainly is) but because <i>they </i>are. Aging is a practical joke. One can be either offended or else laugh out loud. I have decided, after minimal thought, to laugh.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">For years, I have steadfastly resisted returning to Colorado, because rail traffic in the state has been reduced to a trickle -- where lines such as Tennessee Pass have not been outright abandoned. It is now possible, in 2022, to explore along the Moffat Route all day and not see anything other than Amtrak. On the Craig Branch, the occasional train often runs at night. All coal mines save one are closed. The coal-fired generating plant at Craig is being shuttered in phases (unless someone somewhere comes to his senses).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">But the world keeps turning, and as Ray Price sang, "There's no need to watch the bridges that we're burning." (Kris Kristofferson wrote the song.) So in November 2021, I made a return trip to Colorado. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I drove north from Oklahoma to York, Nebraska, then turned west on Interstate 80. I generally avoid interstates, preferring the backroads where you can see something other than trucks and exhaust, but I overslept and needed to make time, and you can't make time across Nebraska on the old Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30), though the road closely follows the original transcontinental railroad as it slowly climbs the High Plains toward Sherman Hill. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Highway and railroad -- as well as the interstate -- all navigate along the Platte River, a lush and fertile valley that makes western Nebraska seem as verdant as Ireland, but this is an illusion. The river irrigates the valley and adjoining corn fields much as the Nile irrigates the Egyptian desert, but drive out of the Nebraska flood plain into the surrounding hills, and the world quickly turns brown and barren -- not quite a desert but dry enough to support short grass and nothing more.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I spent the night in Ogallala, which has given its name to the gigantic aquifer that allows portions of the High Plains to grow wheat, corn and soy beans, and I was reminded of Bertrand Russell. This likely seems a non-sequitur, so allow me to explain. A few years ago, I watched a filmed interview (from 1950, the year of my birth) in which he lamented the changes in England after the Great War.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"If you were not alive before," he said, "you have no idea how radically different the world has become." His tone was not sorrowful. He sounded rather perplexed, as though he could not understand the context of his own life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In Ogallala, your author felt the same way. Here was a small town that was a <i>place, </i>not a franchise controlled in California or New York. People lived and worked here, procreated here, raised families, died, buried their dead, repeating the cycles that have defined human existence since, well, humans existed. Nothing was phony, artificial, processed, syndicated, homogenized. This was just a <i>place, </i>with <i>people. </i>Unless you are old enough to have grown up in a place like this (and I am and did), or unless you are fortunate enough to live today in the middle of nowhere (which I do), you have no idea how radically different the world has become. No idea.<i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Of course, every generation suffers this experience. No one is immune. Such repetition, however, generation upon generation, does not make the encounter less traumatic. I know what the world was once. I know what I was once. I know what the world is now. I know what I am now. I know. I know. Things are not the same. They aren't. They aren't. Those sentences are as timeless and as universal as starlight.<i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">So I was prepared for the worst, but I did have a plan. A railfan friend can access the UP Network and search for trains. He was kind enough every morning to send me information about what, if anything, might be running on the Moffat Route. Most days there wasn't much. Most days, there was more BNSF traffic (on trackage rights) than UP. Some days, I saw only a single BNSF freight and the westbound Amtrak No. 5. I therefore relied on the time-honored technique of photographing a line with minimal traffic. I chased trains from point A to point B. Chasing trains in the Rocky Mountains presents many challenges, especially for someone as old as I am, with bad eyes, ears and reflexes. But I am game, if nothing else. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">My first day in Denver, the only thing running besides the morning Amtrak westbound was the daily BNSF manifest from Ogden to Denver. It was east of Bond when my friend's email arrived, and I calculated (correctly) that I would not have time to beat it to Moffat Tunnel, so I photographed Amtrak No. 5 at Big Ten Loop, then waited along Colorado Highway 72 for the manifest to appear beyond Tunnel 1. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">BNSF slowly meandered down the Front Range, while I closed my eyes and tried not to fall asleep. I heard the train whistle at the isolated grade crossing near Tunnel 2. Soon enough came the familiar sound of steel wheels on steel rails, coasting downgrade, like the rush of falling water, and below that the deep growl of traction motors in dynamic braking. Piloting a loaded freight down the Front Range must be an experience that never grows old. At least that is what my friend has told me, leaving me envious.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirPt2acfRWhs6fwD7z_aKXgJkDeXfUhKs9xyNVWN4wxgy_tuRZILgjgO5ztW2Wm7s-pa3O9HIhhsl8bYSoh1EUPWnX6y4rTM8oFLMuMJRJoCP_j2TaxbuZZyXPaA5T4nMQpn5aGXdk42AImpKu5RS77bzNGNpNWBbUqciO_xazmakb32WFqQj5A0jdqg=s3031" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3031" height="983" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirPt2acfRWhs6fwD7z_aKXgJkDeXfUhKs9xyNVWN4wxgy_tuRZILgjgO5ztW2Wm7s-pa3O9HIhhsl8bYSoh1EUPWnX6y4rTM8oFLMuMJRJoCP_j2TaxbuZZyXPaA5T4nMQpn5aGXdk42AImpKu5RS77bzNGNpNWBbUqciO_xazmakb32WFqQj5A0jdqg=w1505-h983" width="1505" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This eastbound BNSF manifest is coasting out of Tunnel 1.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG7Te6YERjGJ79EPwEK_2bnVDd3YSeGDsm8s3tOGpEyWM98H5e09ZcD_9GVTcTKmHyjjQSGC6PYNp5jKHeU7xrAo9S6_mlFrt1BNaIG3bgju2WBdwpRMeYGDMDl3yonBK8azNNFzuuwSCyF8uwzJjiJR75G1wEa7c5RZy8twb11mLW9e-DxK4yjs_7Xg=s3033" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3033" height="981" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG7Te6YERjGJ79EPwEK_2bnVDd3YSeGDsm8s3tOGpEyWM98H5e09ZcD_9GVTcTKmHyjjQSGC6PYNp5jKHeU7xrAo9S6_mlFrt1BNaIG3bgju2WBdwpRMeYGDMDl3yonBK8azNNFzuuwSCyF8uwzJjiJR75G1wEa7c5RZy8twb11mLW9e-DxK4yjs_7Xg=w1502-h981" width="1502" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same Train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdCq8qoQ0omTSPiz0iBHr2uukhDE7guFmDR4rNHqDu_pkyYksDMi412TGMGYI3SRQO-PMua2X-STu8W1okSdr-a-fogxn_2Ia2aKs7ABeZ5h6_CjrcHG4AuAYp1-bHhrgdvIXEVTNLyMrl3MKNRXmFp-sGTVCqkcNSmFCdNrsvmgVuYUOKZMvbGvGHYw=s2976" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2976" height="1026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdCq8qoQ0omTSPiz0iBHr2uukhDE7guFmDR4rNHqDu_pkyYksDMi412TGMGYI3SRQO-PMua2X-STu8W1okSdr-a-fogxn_2Ia2aKs7ABeZ5h6_CjrcHG4AuAYp1-bHhrgdvIXEVTNLyMrl3MKNRXmFp-sGTVCqkcNSmFCdNrsvmgVuYUOKZMvbGvGHYw=w1513-h1026" width="1513" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train in Big Ten Loop. This image shows how Denver's sprawl has almost reached the tracks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZC01bHc_GDbiai4-wCGMuKFJpBa-guz7yQ1wYS28oglS0ZbpRHdMfAhEQfkKDAnDL9XckWG5erimZGoCtqEDscZo02Z2cYll3ZyOkJZK-4pfd0gvU0nOeESgtr5mK2Iv3SptUTi7hr5uTgtzE5Wg72r5QDLlkjna7AKlf_jYku0gkZX5DI5fmbZNHLA=s3130" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="3130" height="930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZC01bHc_GDbiai4-wCGMuKFJpBa-guz7yQ1wYS28oglS0ZbpRHdMfAhEQfkKDAnDL9XckWG5erimZGoCtqEDscZo02Z2cYll3ZyOkJZK-4pfd0gvU0nOeESgtr5mK2Iv3SptUTi7hr5uTgtzE5Wg72r5QDLlkjna7AKlf_jYku0gkZX5DI5fmbZNHLA=w1518-h930" width="1518" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>For comparison, here is Big Ten in 1988.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHlVS-Drjqppm6ZzkIHDkLXmA9chuVN-bQyZry6RP_DBu1gJ2tVqT7d1sINfwI2pJuPxtI32FhHpNEAomr35f0WrLrq_kUc-CzuzB2Fb1m18djUoXTZT1ZHFlOtGL66L7EhpRdX_rw4SJpVhG9UC_sg9oMDBzdoLxcuELq7yq5uOi_oyvvef6JrN6ufg=s3080" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1948" data-original-width="3080" height="958" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHlVS-Drjqppm6ZzkIHDkLXmA9chuVN-bQyZry6RP_DBu1gJ2tVqT7d1sINfwI2pJuPxtI32FhHpNEAomr35f0WrLrq_kUc-CzuzB2Fb1m18djUoXTZT1ZHFlOtGL66L7EhpRdX_rw4SJpVhG9UC_sg9oMDBzdoLxcuELq7yq5uOi_oyvvef6JrN6ufg=w1518-h958" width="1518" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rear of BNSF exiting Little Ten Loop in November 2021.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One of my goals was to catch an eastbound in morning light, exiting Moffat Tunnel. So I was thrilled on the second day when I learned that a BNSF eastbound grainer was scheduled to hit the tunnel mid-morning. The drive from Denver to the Continental Divide at East Portal is slow but spectacular, especially slow in a Jeep Wrangler that handles like a brick on wheels through narrow mountains roads, winding, twisting, up and down. But this was the only freight running in the daylight; I had plenty of time.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The weather was beautiful and warm, no clouds, no breeze. The state has constructed a parking lot within sight of the portal, filled this morning with various four-wheel-drive vehicles and hikers and cyclists. Your humble author was the only railfan, but no one seemed to care. The light on the open bore was warm, perfect, the scene of a lifetime. I set up my tripod and waited.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And waited.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In late November, the sun hangs low in the southern sky, moving lightly across the top of the mountain ridge overlooking the tracks. As the sun moved west, it began to skim the trees at the top of the ridge. Shadows formed on the opposite side of the narrow valley. More vehicles pulled into the parking lot. The sun moved along the ridge. Shadows grew longer. The sun began to dip behind the ridge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I waited.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I sat on the front bumper of the Jeep and watched shadows crawl like vipers across the tunnel's mouth. The shadows grew longer, then longer still until they covered the tracks all the way to the parking lot. When they reached my Jeep, the block signal in front of the bore for westbound traffic turned red.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I drove down the gravel road to the sunlight and caught the grainer at Tolland. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic-DObT5-9dRbn-OOy6JmYEM6iYz0Ia4UBjycF6e8IvTraFRrBwuqzmacvm52V5aXbgyXWxS3JAlXQXIiqETvRutwHgHtMmXggqB67uu1nunWvcx-kbwuC3p5DakPg_NQ5AE6fRnC-Bg-nsCBtODFXVUMhVfGJCwkZR-mmltNy7BdHMNjz0JHL2udoUw=s3013" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="998" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic-DObT5-9dRbn-OOy6JmYEM6iYz0Ia4UBjycF6e8IvTraFRrBwuqzmacvm52V5aXbgyXWxS3JAlXQXIiqETvRutwHgHtMmXggqB67uu1nunWvcx-kbwuC3p5DakPg_NQ5AE6fRnC-Bg-nsCBtODFXVUMhVfGJCwkZR-mmltNy7BdHMNjz0JHL2udoUw=w1513-h998" width="1513" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify; text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The cross section of a valley shows whether it has been carved by running water alone or modified by ice. A few miles east of Toland, the valley is narrow and V-shaped. Toland itself sits in a broad, flat hollow that looks out of place so close to the Continental Divide (snow-covered in this image). The change from V shape to U shape marks the farthest eastward advance of the last ice-age glacier. Notice also the V-shaped water gap above BNSF 8240. This is the western edge of the glacier. From this gap westward to the tunnel's mouth is a narrow chasm cut by water alone. The valley between was filled with ice to a thousand feet. When the ice melted, the glacier's sediment (called "terminal moraine") was swept away, leaving this bucolic setting. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">*** </span></b></div><br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Originally called Mammoth Gulch, Tolland was a mining community and stage coach stop in the late 19th century. In 1893, Charles Hanson Toll purchased the village, and in 1904 his widow renamed it Tolland, after both her husband and her ancestral home in England. Mount Toll, one of the peaks surrounding this tranquil valley, carries the family name.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Near the tracks sits a small clapboard building, painted bright yellow, as stark as a prairie fire, that served as a one-room school until 1959. A few hardy souls still live here in the twenty-first century, and some have lovingly preserved this building, which looks as fresh as the day it opened in 1902.</b></span></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWyW4XI46iXi7CyjrJVQ2MjVVTrrTZkK75CI4ywgqIw7qIbcLqbJxrxaFE9W3siaVXnBfflifmoDDJpQTcapHI-sRechxqwCjFx9_mlExYpeha6WcfwGwdS2p8WlMHYLfvlcWlUmAXuBfDhTxOXoY9l1vZt1o2UIpn83S-5f15aEP2Vad7KQt-brBbIg=s2972" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2019" data-original-width="2972" height="1028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWyW4XI46iXi7CyjrJVQ2MjVVTrrTZkK75CI4ywgqIw7qIbcLqbJxrxaFE9W3siaVXnBfflifmoDDJpQTcapHI-sRechxqwCjFx9_mlExYpeha6WcfwGwdS2p8WlMHYLfvlcWlUmAXuBfDhTxOXoY9l1vZt1o2UIpn83S-5f15aEP2Vad7KQt-brBbIg=w1516-h1028" width="1516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Here is the school house in 1984, paired with a Rio Grande caboose. The school house looks as good in the 21st century as it did then. Unfortunately, the caboose and the Rio Grande are gone.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_ugbNL7QGKTG-2b8Hm9jjhUFmT16XHTg_qkzoDByq0xHnfJz6z2ENQQPzN4lPVSDZbKMw9BpIrcLA4o9sQV4fR1ak5bx685fD6PTUp7n5wKdWEh0czqtHiuVb2Ig9WQ3DylqhMHJtH-PwYytDCFMf6CYudFU_owTX574gO7D4_3Uuby0WSb3KPABa0Q=s3700" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="3700" height="760" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_ugbNL7QGKTG-2b8Hm9jjhUFmT16XHTg_qkzoDByq0xHnfJz6z2ENQQPzN4lPVSDZbKMw9BpIrcLA4o9sQV4fR1ak5bx685fD6PTUp7n5wKdWEh0czqtHiuVb2Ig9WQ3DylqhMHJtH-PwYytDCFMf6CYudFU_owTX574gO7D4_3Uuby0WSb3KPABa0Q=w1500-h760" width="1500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This aerial image shows the glaciated hollow at Tolland bracketed on east and west by narrow V-shaped valleys. Highway 117 follows the original Moffat Route up Rollins Pass but is closed short of the summit.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbY7gjRzcqxd_POlF-E8rcAU7OKaocI-wPmkGPuk1Zv--pMWDNOmGoaD4NdFPCeoxW_bkn_Po0nGiKuL7XglmLEpHU0Se5futiZrdPYdbU6GUSMHhnGBd0msBswfqOiqxaPtNAHcpd7fEanN6da3-9g7b3UJDbwJ6-s0YnJ5FopJHqyso7ma7poDM8Cg=s1287" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="1287" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbY7gjRzcqxd_POlF-E8rcAU7OKaocI-wPmkGPuk1Zv--pMWDNOmGoaD4NdFPCeoxW_bkn_Po0nGiKuL7XglmLEpHU0Se5futiZrdPYdbU6GUSMHhnGBd0msBswfqOiqxaPtNAHcpd7fEanN6da3-9g7b3UJDbwJ6-s0YnJ5FopJHqyso7ma7poDM8Cg=w1489-h507" width="1489" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This map shows the route of the original line across Rollins Pass. The old roadbed is now passable from the east as far as Needle's Eye Tunnel. The ruling grade on this line was four percent!<br /><br />The railroad originally planned to construct a tunnel at Yankee Doodle Lake beneath the Continental Divide. However, after construction began, engineers discovered that the rock was not stable, and drilling stopped after a few hundred feet. The abandoned bore still exists and can be explored by anyone brave enough to drive up the old roadbed.<br /><br />With tunnels no longer an option, a new route across the top of the mountain was surveyed at Corona, Spanish for "crown." Upon completion of the line, the railroad called the location "Top of the World" -- a place of perpetual winter. Supposedly, a tourist once got off the train at Corona and asked a prospector who lived in a nearby cabin how long the winter lasted. "I don't know," the old man said. "I've only been here nine years." <br /><br />Above the timber line sit several frozen lakes. In a huge crevice called "The Devil's Arm Chair," snow lies many feet deep year around -- the remains of a once huge glacier that carved wide valleys around the mountain peaks, including the valley at Tolland. According to records maintained by the station operator before the opening of Moffat Tunnel,, snow fell at the summit every July. <br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQOH9jSUPb4fu3GMoDxgwa8H8YPNjodtWSlE2RJ-Wkz002Jos4miCId1WGOvE8NdTRhb3BX2qOV-RBFjRsRFZrnL36-Yx60e4Tb2tyxiyx2fdezyr7jh9FMvbWK4bCEMs0bDb01Qd5embHtKsjIMLybya0x2sTSQETLhCesKgbRWTuYYT4XqKV3U4F5A=s711" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="711" height="1004" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQOH9jSUPb4fu3GMoDxgwa8H8YPNjodtWSlE2RJ-Wkz002Jos4miCId1WGOvE8NdTRhb3BX2qOV-RBFjRsRFZrnL36-Yx60e4Tb2tyxiyx2fdezyr7jh9FMvbWK4bCEMs0bDb01Qd5embHtKsjIMLybya0x2sTSQETLhCesKgbRWTuYYT4XqKV3U4F5A=w1516-h1004" width="1516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>After abandonment of the Yankee Doodle tunnel, the surveyors plotted a horseshoe around the lake and a climb above the approximately 11,000 feet timber line to another horseshoe leading to Needles Eye Tunnel. This image, from</b></span> <i style="font-family: arial;">The World's Work, Volume XI, November 1905 - April 1906: A History of Our Time (<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=bn8chfRnjScC&pg=PA6859#v=onepage&q&f=false"><span style="color: black;">https://books.google.com/books?id=bn8chfRnjScC&pg=PA6859#v=onepage&q&f=false</span></a>) </i><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>shows a train approaching Needles Eye, with the lake and horseshoe over 1,000 feet below -- one of the most amazing train photos your author has ever seen. The photographer must have been quite the mountaineer to reach this vista.<br /></b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>If you look carefully on the right side of the horseshoe, you can see the tailings from the abandoned tunnel extruding into the lake.</b></span><i style="font-family: arial;"> </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh53XDuk0MPagMk7wcb3tjVzmWgWLvH5qFzr829At3xXXIni5ZGCeFsy6kRIxzsXYRQjIq3j3ZxdnXF0_V0c6OPnpKUnnpHJXC0eKBMBAkfEd5o1iOEMsx57W9kJvbHaEgJWIqsvOvSvNqIH0QhpHJrYtrNLWxyAg_E01QN0J_HspdIcAeHEb7cFcQsww=s3077" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1949" data-original-width="3077" height="962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh53XDuk0MPagMk7wcb3tjVzmWgWLvH5qFzr829At3xXXIni5ZGCeFsy6kRIxzsXYRQjIq3j3ZxdnXF0_V0c6OPnpKUnnpHJXC0eKBMBAkfEd5o1iOEMsx57W9kJvbHaEgJWIqsvOvSvNqIH0QhpHJrYtrNLWxyAg_E01QN0J_HspdIcAeHEb7cFcQsww=w1517-h962" width="1517" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>From Tolland, your intrepid author, not up to climbing above the timber line, drove back down the Front Range just in time to catch the grainer coming out of the Coal Creek horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUJgXPvcc4vpgHIQBvTKFg-qjR-4_9lXjMiQ9AvAgGbQpF7UIIgI5RCutHUhV1c2Xb86xDc8yaRgdXusIfqyPROVvIe00UsT8a0pFa34phrlIDGJtEDpDYvkWsX_nX2cxmVH3c8qfzv4GkgplTVnnSwuqQeXHsiaEvnZLTA_3keS2lDPUsJJL8C5vfuw=s2961" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="2961" height="1034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUJgXPvcc4vpgHIQBvTKFg-qjR-4_9lXjMiQ9AvAgGbQpF7UIIgI5RCutHUhV1c2Xb86xDc8yaRgdXusIfqyPROVvIe00UsT8a0pFa34phrlIDGJtEDpDYvkWsX_nX2cxmVH3c8qfzv4GkgplTVnnSwuqQeXHsiaEvnZLTA_3keS2lDPUsJJL8C5vfuw=w1512-h1034" width="1512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">A short drive up the last ridge above the High Plains presented this image of Big Ten.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Moffat Route (named after David Moffat, who conceived and financed the project) commenced but did not complete a dream held by many -- a railroad west out of Denver to the Pacific. Moffat's line was not the first attempt. The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy had built a route to Denver and thereafter spent approximately one million dollars (the equivalent of $33,775,714.29 in 2022) surveying a potential line across the Rockies. Concluding that such a project would be prohibitively expensive, the Burlington abandoned its dream. When Moffat took up the gauntlet, he purchased all the Burlington's surveys. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Which turned out to be useless, because the Burlington's surveys were all dead ends. Each potential route led to hopelessness. Moffat thus commissioned multiple new inspections of the mountains, looking for some semblance of a path leading to the Continental Divide. Ultimately, two potential routes were plotted. On the western side of Rollins Pass, 55 different routes were explored. In the most difficult terrain (all terrain was <i>difficult</i>), four to seven alternative passages were often mapped.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The engineers stayed in the field until the winter snows made passage impossible. Suspended by ropes over sheer canyon walls, creeping along narrow wooden foot bridges over mountain streams, fighting winds and temperatures far below freezing, snow-shoeing above the timber line -- the engineers trudged onward with the tools of their trade.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgV5htZJ9eGRlPU2Nc7EeAcVjk1xeqT6nrmZ0B5ckm_uAsVLHtcIAPVssPUh8GbjtxYr2UUqTUHEwnR90baaStEwbSXmYNI-IYiNnfCy83nrBGWxMSkHT14gBFfwHpbZT6xdFGrq9kbbpSVZdxq_PXrK-eWub6iuZ0Uzdkti4pNK50jnaZDRHyCKrl63w=s505" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="505" height="1145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgV5htZJ9eGRlPU2Nc7EeAcVjk1xeqT6nrmZ0B5ckm_uAsVLHtcIAPVssPUh8GbjtxYr2UUqTUHEwnR90baaStEwbSXmYNI-IYiNnfCy83nrBGWxMSkHT14gBFfwHpbZT6xdFGrq9kbbpSVZdxq_PXrK-eWub6iuZ0Uzdkti4pNK50jnaZDRHyCKrl63w=w1509-h1145" width="1509" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Another image from<b> </b><i>The World's Work. </i>Surveyors are suspended perilously on log walkways a few feet above the Colorado River in Gore Canyon, perhaps the most perilous portion of the entire Moffat Route. (As crazy as these surveyors appear, the photographer was equally brazen!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Below is a third image from the same volume, looking west through Gore Canyon before railroad construction.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv-8cvxJ6i_73ZKCVqmOOaM8re0XDbJdnAERo0zlzgYv5ZVMjLhWLzM96JtXdNiY6R4WMpo8chsoRe_HOk6BPBO13FLbLrxI3VBY9UUp8YdTkE4txJ4eL6bhc1lnfGQQB4LZTa3VxRzw4QlJ-bnbDI3hfCNAkAhIOhteqsOXpv-S5eUuCmI1DLJZpKAw=s574" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="540" height="1296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiv-8cvxJ6i_73ZKCVqmOOaM8re0XDbJdnAERo0zlzgYv5ZVMjLhWLzM96JtXdNiY6R4WMpo8chsoRe_HOk6BPBO13FLbLrxI3VBY9UUp8YdTkE4txJ4eL6bhc1lnfGQQB4LZTa3VxRzw4QlJ-bnbDI3hfCNAkAhIOhteqsOXpv-S5eUuCmI1DLJZpKAw=w1219-h1296" width="1219" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The rapids here are considered among the most challenging and dangerous in North America, to be traversed only by the skilled. The Forest Service has placed large signs at the eastern mouth of the canyon, warning would-be kayakers and rafters of the dangers ahead, similar to the signs placed at the trailhead leading down into the Grand Canyon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When one looks into Gore Canyon, one is astounded that anyone thought a railroad could be constructed through the narrow defile. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcj87uPu8htM_zh4qw6F9lTx9SrwgPCiTrQC1MrRT-FM8cEc5fOO9kc8NeH3EDkgOPiPFO4OHos_iOoDEk04rnUYZY6OSsclWKVFjxuU4FHgwDTm1uaw3Oamkd1Ycjg-0kAxHGb7XJRTQ2rmeYLHKd3XggkSH-4zAfkiBQg_xzB-qPHhrJSKFA4bBMqA=s2965" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2024" data-original-width="2965" height="1033" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcj87uPu8htM_zh4qw6F9lTx9SrwgPCiTrQC1MrRT-FM8cEc5fOO9kc8NeH3EDkgOPiPFO4OHos_iOoDEk04rnUYZY6OSsclWKVFjxuU4FHgwDTm1uaw3Oamkd1Ycjg-0kAxHGb7XJRTQ2rmeYLHKd3XggkSH-4zAfkiBQg_xzB-qPHhrJSKFA4bBMqA=w1516-h1033" width="1516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Another BNSF manifest is approaching Gore Canyon. As was often the case during your author's visit, this was the only non-Amtrak movement during the day. The photographer is looking west from the western mouth of the canyon, the same direction as in the image above which was taken from the eastern mouth.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi2V2ErC2xgR23v2CCqW3sF3IsK2gQ5yzZB00iDLtMmy-2RB4dPVN_-1gW8rNOuy06dxjaaG5uNOZwtXkUWMlTj5ax9SIli1soLJKq0zJkcHAKS4VV2UGn1C4WxCi-qMLPpdu-fWkK2W9duHl202-Ntoji-rwC1kFR5qDWENQEx07TflGN0H3f9JDCyw=s2975" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2975" height="1025" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgi2V2ErC2xgR23v2CCqW3sF3IsK2gQ5yzZB00iDLtMmy-2RB4dPVN_-1gW8rNOuy06dxjaaG5uNOZwtXkUWMlTj5ax9SIli1soLJKq0zJkcHAKS4VV2UGn1C4WxCi-qMLPpdu-fWkK2W9duHl202-Ntoji-rwC1kFR5qDWENQEx07TflGN0H3f9JDCyw=w1511-h1025" width="1511" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>In Gore Canyon -- DPU's of same train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzJvz_Nq1e6m4HrYD-S7WccIL2vTf2F1TaSyqKH4hNw4__nflfUDnzldOkxMMBATtNvilrkc2B3gJ0tmnQKzVjSfE49EaXUiCt8H8pWM7ieOQbcSVqYJJe1rdCB56jrLu-l-JfMfZZMXzNkS7La4imeEm4TIJSGTtz83EqxGLzAw6zbNmOmd_IGBD2rA=s3012" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1004" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzJvz_Nq1e6m4HrYD-S7WccIL2vTf2F1TaSyqKH4hNw4__nflfUDnzldOkxMMBATtNvilrkc2B3gJ0tmnQKzVjSfE49EaXUiCt8H8pWM7ieOQbcSVqYJJe1rdCB56jrLu-l-JfMfZZMXzNkS7La4imeEm4TIJSGTtz83EqxGLzAw6zbNmOmd_IGBD2rA=w1515-h1004" width="1515" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train at State Bridge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBTcZI9A4TbE00vofezh3xDLKsv-bJbunQHHISVmMajXI6pBO_bjtMQPrF4QeM_jeUBI3fuMQlaOcBMQ2XMucKPi3HYSvd-NcGWYVFhwr2eVBrwRrr6UbkxxoSPh-XWrhT0hlWRBhQdcYqCGlArl6-v8VIqukjBBOaosr8VTiujS9Q694bbYE-YaqHkA=s3013" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3013" height="996" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBTcZI9A4TbE00vofezh3xDLKsv-bJbunQHHISVmMajXI6pBO_bjtMQPrF4QeM_jeUBI3fuMQlaOcBMQ2XMucKPi3HYSvd-NcGWYVFhwr2eVBrwRrr6UbkxxoSPh-XWrhT0hlWRBhQdcYqCGlArl6-v8VIqukjBBOaosr8VTiujS9Q694bbYE-YaqHkA=w1511-h996" width="1511" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same DPU's.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPxAw7IERxqwf7XackiBSg5dUf-Quf7tOBiSi61QXNjpYVuyMO3NAwo97AGUvbFWGkIlyrYWIgBgwPDfusKaQQiNXZ_cLQpUbxxgPPH_gmg-ZNuW1YkzQ3bR_yo8yz0a_UQUgtts9ooY8232GYLAZN6ES2t2K9BkV_aA-NkiKX8KB2kj339LD3GwV6vQ=s2939" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2041" data-original-width="2939" height="1053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPxAw7IERxqwf7XackiBSg5dUf-Quf7tOBiSi61QXNjpYVuyMO3NAwo97AGUvbFWGkIlyrYWIgBgwPDfusKaQQiNXZ_cLQpUbxxgPPH_gmg-ZNuW1YkzQ3bR_yo8yz0a_UQUgtts9ooY8232GYLAZN6ES2t2K9BkV_aA-NkiKX8KB2kj339LD3GwV6vQ=w1518-h1053" width="1518" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Same train approaching State Bridge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The one reliable train on the Moffat Route in the daylight during November 2021 was westbound Amtrak No. 5, which left Denver Union Station in the morning, always reaching Bond, significantly west of Moffat Tunnel, before noon. The ride from Denver to Bond is the most spectacular stretch of railroad that your author has ever seen, surpassing anything else in the United States or Canada. Kickinghorse Pass and the twin spiral tunnels on the Canadian Pacific are certainly impressive, but you cannot see the tunnels anymore from the highway, and that line contains nothing close to Big Ten Loop or Moffat Tunnel or Gore Canyon or Little Gore Canyon -- at least in your author's opinion. Tehachapi Loop comes close, but the mountains aren't as spectacular. If you include the Craig Branch as part of the Moffat Route (as it was originally), with Crater Loops, Oak Creek Canyon and Egeria Canyon, David Moffat's railroad stands alone, which is why no one else tried to build it.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">That other railroads did not want to build west out of Denver, however, did not stop them from interfering with Moffat's dream, a strong indication that they were worried Moffat might succeed. Before construction even began, representatives of the Union Pacific began a publicity campaign, claiming that while a UP engine could haul 650 tons across the Continental Divide, that same locomotive could not pull even half that tonnage across Moffat's line. The Union Pacific also claimed (incorrectly) that the Wasatch Range in Utah would present as much of a construction challenge as the Front Range.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The UP also refused to grant Moffat trackage rights into Denver's Union Station. Eventually, the new railroad was able to lease four miles of track from the CB&Q into the passenger terminal. Competing railroads also filed an unsuccessful federal lawsuit, claiming that Moffat should be prohibited from building through Gore Canyon, because it might be needed someday for a water reservoir.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Today (March 2022) Amtrak's California Zephyr arrives and departs from Denver's newly remodeled Union Station. The trials and tribulations of David Moffat are the dim echo of an ancient explosion, like the cosmic background radiation, remnant of the Big Bang. Chances are good that the percentage of people in the United States familiar with David Moffat rounds to zero.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGa5V53GTnIMvD_ueA-iIyFnL2BmKE50DePz6Et_pCWvrcoRWAbEujDZgbA2DuODLwsDBqJTLjkgkTsvYTJ10OyOVetl4nYIWSL2BO5NkgAo01mHis32dQ_uYzMEgweVh36LHIqSF6A2anOka_b-pphDKKSfwnnvVp0gZ3OKV2Hobjk1kFVLIY6SRn8g=s2979" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2979" height="1027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGa5V53GTnIMvD_ueA-iIyFnL2BmKE50DePz6Et_pCWvrcoRWAbEujDZgbA2DuODLwsDBqJTLjkgkTsvYTJ10OyOVetl4nYIWSL2BO5NkgAo01mHis32dQ_uYzMEgweVh36LHIqSF6A2anOka_b-pphDKKSfwnnvVp0gZ3OKV2Hobjk1kFVLIY6SRn8g=w1522-h1027" width="1522" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Amtrak No. 5 has just rounded Big Ten Loop and is climbing toward the Coal Creek horseshoe.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4BXpoG0DmXYuuhrO93HajKVDy5GFH8odYcakDSSZ0UyGX_H30S87QCZYtL6lLazf3UozFUHs0DQJ0lU1gMhrcIXxCsAHu9AsdJzHWFwl0w7HhMX5wzNVTosb8GT3DMUd7TTH68MCe60XfRv_HPVsb1ON3CNrXYgTHRkD30HNZWiKEMFZfxaregpDL5Q=s3037" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="3037" height="985" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4BXpoG0DmXYuuhrO93HajKVDy5GFH8odYcakDSSZ0UyGX_H30S87QCZYtL6lLazf3UozFUHs0DQJ0lU1gMhrcIXxCsAHu9AsdJzHWFwl0w7HhMX5wzNVTosb8GT3DMUd7TTH68MCe60XfRv_HPVsb1ON3CNrXYgTHRkD30HNZWiKEMFZfxaregpDL5Q=w1516-h985" width="1516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 5 approaches Tunnel 1.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_mNuqSOivLYE-zA53oAyI_MZxX8OkGBX8jNrgKQZZW192FtkQ_o8D-85jN7DdlwzW0TlhOEKEzyIfzSJO8zpuekuJyyajLkeMX9Ke8l6G3JEica7P5U3DuD76JELMaFevt7sUnVGKPjfwB2UxOxUhLGkbj4C074gIK1Mq5jcAC6HyGEeuZiKJcUQLrg=s2975" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="2975" height="1028" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_mNuqSOivLYE-zA53oAyI_MZxX8OkGBX8jNrgKQZZW192FtkQ_o8D-85jN7DdlwzW0TlhOEKEzyIfzSJO8zpuekuJyyajLkeMX9Ke8l6G3JEica7P5U3DuD76JELMaFevt7sUnVGKPjfwB2UxOxUhLGkbj4C074gIK1Mq5jcAC6HyGEeuZiKJcUQLrg=w1516-h1028" width="1516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 5 in Big Ten Loop.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJPtDyn67jIqC8b1AcV7zwmLgWRjzvLsYMalawbStHmyaxoFEi4twYM7kx5Bj-e5X4BJvrB3b8hzuqO0nMo0uNbwv9V_Ksu_wJoISAsv3x1imykXn5er_tI8FYhH1JYPdHMtQqmnbqYnWeM7wKOs5Nvk7gohp9Pzf8tpGTLxSjRqPP_vj2-OBQoqRF0g=s2997" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2997" height="1011" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJPtDyn67jIqC8b1AcV7zwmLgWRjzvLsYMalawbStHmyaxoFEi4twYM7kx5Bj-e5X4BJvrB3b8hzuqO0nMo0uNbwv9V_Ksu_wJoISAsv3x1imykXn5er_tI8FYhH1JYPdHMtQqmnbqYnWeM7wKOs5Nvk7gohp9Pzf8tpGTLxSjRqPP_vj2-OBQoqRF0g=w1512-h1011" width="1512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Climbing the Front Range. (Your author would love to own one of the houses on the ridge. He would also like to be Emperor of the Known Universe.)</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfTfGxJJbehTSe3gOeoHDCBJhbf9D3sEg1cDVm0wnu4_J6ETRbwfm2LV70BO0qq3q0Zy559zG8qOG7PvdoXA9wnVo-qWDOeTGKzYokG06KZ7NQooreKTZMZUrIJesSugdaxaunKCF7Tk79dA9U2uw5GEtSeyaVIoyoW-ZCSAwsOi7YruZa2W5EyOd1SA=s2978" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2978" height="1029" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfTfGxJJbehTSe3gOeoHDCBJhbf9D3sEg1cDVm0wnu4_J6ETRbwfm2LV70BO0qq3q0Zy559zG8qOG7PvdoXA9wnVo-qWDOeTGKzYokG06KZ7NQooreKTZMZUrIJesSugdaxaunKCF7Tk79dA9U2uw5GEtSeyaVIoyoW-ZCSAwsOi7YruZa2W5EyOd1SA=w1517-h1029" width="1517" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Rounding the horseshoe to State Bridge.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKCLr3Lapp2u_Y6znJhbN3Lxdva_hCtHfIwyxz4B9Du-7S41MF26TxWuR4LWQ6Nx6am1rcpUxJg1TOxIKBO7kqkN0ZD55qJpOuuHahUEdCUg9I_30dBYqrh30MqZCFhs2fOjrl-YnevWPJzJSluvrgcEjxZ6lGFiu3UENPKKMgyCTScfsicTNnMC7rkw=s3010" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3010" height="1004" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKCLr3Lapp2u_Y6znJhbN3Lxdva_hCtHfIwyxz4B9Du-7S41MF26TxWuR4LWQ6Nx6am1rcpUxJg1TOxIKBO7kqkN0ZD55qJpOuuHahUEdCUg9I_30dBYqrh30MqZCFhs2fOjrl-YnevWPJzJSluvrgcEjxZ6lGFiu3UENPKKMgyCTScfsicTNnMC7rkw=w1515-h1004" width="1515" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Approaching Yarmony.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAEJ4ZFkQUsnaNEBYoXvy7okenMtHAKIhYsrs5_hOF6xze5SBkRODxKLiO5iJq9fvM3USGng2qOOZo_2Iw4bMq4yvq9OZouW4kao2vN8J17yWis0OAMW85vrPT4EQGc8IyfAO4BDFkI1RoYQ8bHQXMEU1Sr6nzi_4Dbvv6XEcvAhuC5tVCuv2qxMIL5Q=s3016" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1989" data-original-width="3016" height="1002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAEJ4ZFkQUsnaNEBYoXvy7okenMtHAKIhYsrs5_hOF6xze5SBkRODxKLiO5iJq9fvM3USGng2qOOZo_2Iw4bMq4yvq9OZouW4kao2vN8J17yWis0OAMW85vrPT4EQGc8IyfAO4BDFkI1RoYQ8bHQXMEU1Sr6nzi_4Dbvv6XEcvAhuC5tVCuv2qxMIL5Q=w1520-h1002" width="1520" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Gore Canyon. Image taken from Inspiration Point.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The reliability of Amtrak (insofar as it will almost always run on the scheduled day, if not the scheduled hour) is a small delight in a world of deteriorating pleasures. Imagine my amazement and further delight when one afternoon, while waiting for an eastbound at Toland, the train below snuck up on me from Rollinsville.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRs1VG9sm9Rglzehr8w03MhQ4HQkX27_cF-MbMpJtlc9-XJxyvXAndkfwSfQQaFtgQMM3LcCgimnWSCDyz0L-nELZ24ApT9DPT5EzBuEEZgetSgtAQ4YvinFKfzpaSxVAWQnSk_jlZpBhnKOzMTmpcRa53OWoycdTC5zR7Kcsff9-ytrhQR6K6fAi8CA=s3051" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="3051" height="975" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRs1VG9sm9Rglzehr8w03MhQ4HQkX27_cF-MbMpJtlc9-XJxyvXAndkfwSfQQaFtgQMM3LcCgimnWSCDyz0L-nELZ24ApT9DPT5EzBuEEZgetSgtAQ4YvinFKfzpaSxVAWQnSk_jlZpBhnKOzMTmpcRa53OWoycdTC5zR7Kcsff9-ytrhQR6K6fAi8CA=w1514-h975" width="1514" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When this image was taken, your author was not aware that the Rocky Mountaineer was running trains out of Denver -- over the old Rio Grande mainline, plus a branch currently serving a potash mine -- to Moab, Utah. I had photographed the Rocky Mountaineer in British Columbia, but nothing like this had ever before graced my Nikon F5's viewfinder in the United States. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The units were obviously obtained from Union Pacific; the outline of eagle wings is still visible on the lead unit's nose. The train was racing upgrade to Moffat Tunnel. The front end crew gave me a quick toot as they rolled past.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Originally begun by VIA Rail on routes from Vancouver to Calgary and Jasper, running over both the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National, the Rocky Mountaineer and its name were sold to a private entity in Vancouver in 1990, which continued running trains on those routes through 2020, when the service was discontinued due to Covid 19. Your author's understanding is that the company did not issue refunds, claiming what in the law is called a <i>force majeure </i>event; i.e., something beyond the company's control. (The French term, along with many others, was introduced into English common law after the Norman invasion in the 11th century. English immigrants to North American brought the common law and its terms with them.) I do not know the outcome, but this maneuver by the company could not possibly have helped business.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In any event, trains were running through Colorado in November 2021. One day along the tracks, I even met a former Norfolk Southern engineer who had been hired to run the new trains. He was taking photographs along the Moffat Route and told me he had been in the cab and honked when I took the above image at Toland! He did not have kind things to say about Norfolk Southern but did seem to enjoy his new employer.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy5dNzub0pJ2d19UlJCvUTlhgqf8CfemPEhe4yAwjr7rX8e7-oM7O8h1jM5MoLREXpenwnRvHauf-qbEwSuTeXaFlv5Jrr5D-c-AQFq25iKk452b0tptvcQoX3ac4xpNTRD2C2bMRDAZ12xX0zIdHRqB19FMNtgxbeVKephUHiyIosMWf8UUc-a7ss2w=s2988" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2988" height="1016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy5dNzub0pJ2d19UlJCvUTlhgqf8CfemPEhe4yAwjr7rX8e7-oM7O8h1jM5MoLREXpenwnRvHauf-qbEwSuTeXaFlv5Jrr5D-c-AQFq25iKk452b0tptvcQoX3ac4xpNTRD2C2bMRDAZ12xX0zIdHRqB19FMNtgxbeVKephUHiyIosMWf8UUc-a7ss2w=w1512-h1016" width="1512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At State Bridge, the Rocky Mountaineer is rolling east to Denver.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSCJ3DMaHUAVOcPrDDCVypLDGlFO8MGr8tua_6ULk7mwv2MZaFGMVr1G_tLtgyxylLkenCJbip-UmHjw47-KtCMbdAA6DnzuShTqNFpmXzkUQGv_MCl80q1ybfphfolOnZq8FBeDprKbbs858TSZmWX3MINvbQKs6UnxQMB5T3qbc_IkHc5c7jt59EXw=s3056" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1963" data-original-width="3056" height="974" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSCJ3DMaHUAVOcPrDDCVypLDGlFO8MGr8tua_6ULk7mwv2MZaFGMVr1G_tLtgyxylLkenCJbip-UmHjw47-KtCMbdAA6DnzuShTqNFpmXzkUQGv_MCl80q1ybfphfolOnZq8FBeDprKbbs858TSZmWX3MINvbQKs6UnxQMB5T3qbc_IkHc5c7jt59EXw=w1513-h974" width="1513" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Along the Colorado River.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Toward the middle of the week, clouds rolled in like bowling balls, thick and dark. The temperature dropped; snow seemed imminent. But as Don Hendley put it: "The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine. It's hard to tell the nighttime from the day." Your author spent several afternoons driving back and forth along the west side of the Continental Divide in a futile effort to find sunlight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The only break in the clouds within reasonable driving distance lay over far western Colorado and far eastern Utah, west of Grand Junction, where traffic on the old Rio Grande is almost non-existent. The alternative to <b>sunlight</b> and little traffic, however, was <b>clouds</b> and little traffic, so your intrepid author rose early the next morning (at least early for your intrepid author) and headed west on I-70. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">From Denver to Utah, the interstate is as magnificent and breathtaking as the railroad, and for the same reason. The territory traversed seems impassible to the casual observer. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The highway takes a different route than the railroad, mostly because the ruling grades on I-70 are seven percent, as opposed to two percent on the Moffat Route. The Continental Divide is crossed at the Eisenhower Tunnels, named in honor of the President whose vision of a national system of military roads ignited the construction frenzy in the mid-twentieth century that created the world in which we live today (March 2022).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The construction of I-70 also instituted the current age of opposition to highways and railroads. In the twenty-first century, it is unlikely that the interstate highway system could be constructed. The same is true for the railroads that link the country.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The E. Lionel Pavlo Engineering Company of New York surveyed I-70's route </span><span style="font-family: arial;">across the Continental Divide and concluded that any road usable year-round and containing no grades greater than seven percent would require tunnels. The company's report identified seven potential routes, assessing only two in detail: </span><span style="font-family: arial;">one along US 40 (with a tunnel under the Continental Divide at Berthoud Pass) and another along US 6 with a tunnel under the Divide at Loveland Pass. (U.S. 40 and 6 crossed the Divide at grades over 11,000 feet and were often closed during winter.) </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Because of lower costs due mostly to a straighter route, the Colorado Division of Highways eventually selected the proposed alignment following U.S. 6.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West of Silverthorne, however, state engineers decided to </span><span style="font-family: arial;">diverge from US 6 across a new route through the</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Eagles Nest Primitive Area, requiring a major tunnel under Red Buffalo Pass. (U.S. 6 ran well to the south, then made a huge horseshoe back to the north.) Below is a map showing the proposed "Red Buffalo" route and the path of I-70 as eventually constructed (which followed the route of U.S. 6.)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRHQuWcAt0Bat94YgZpiUlhgrfn-eRF9Q_gnH9OOouNlRo-DJWqP6z15SA8nbWzVxdYUUHpHgaGn4YTM4YF2F7quq6P3EwF_YSASeBWeSVeDs32XlXxuWn7op8oKge1LVG2LCXW5a4Wn7rN-izDHsA0_y5MuRJdyFxdLI-lt41x3Ix-BMowSV1SpvLQ/s2822/Screen%20Shot%202022-03-23%20at%2010.51.13%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="2822" height="1153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRHQuWcAt0Bat94YgZpiUlhgrfn-eRF9Q_gnH9OOouNlRo-DJWqP6z15SA8nbWzVxdYUUHpHgaGn4YTM4YF2F7quq6P3EwF_YSASeBWeSVeDs32XlXxuWn7op8oKge1LVG2LCXW5a4Wn7rN-izDHsA0_y5MuRJdyFxdLI-lt41x3Ix-BMowSV1SpvLQ/w1513-h1153/Screen%20Shot%202022-03-23%20at%2010.51.13%20PM.png" width="1513" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he highway’s potential impact upon this </span><span style="font-family: arial;">wilderness produced an outcry like none heard before, like the shriek of a wild beast in agony, but the Colorado Division of Highways held firm on the Red Buffalo plan, which was many miles shorter than the alternative route. In the "old days," the shorter route would have won the day.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Prior to the 1960s, the Bureau of Public Roads (BPR) and state highway departments gave little if any consideration </span><span style="font-family: arial;">to the impact of highway locations and designs. Roads were built in the cheapest distance possible. If the state already owned a park, highway engineers would route construction through the park to save the cost of acquiring private property. A lake would be drained because that was cheaper than building a bridge. In the case of I-70 west of Silverthorne, the cheapest route would have been due west across Red Buffaloe Pass. At one time, engineers even considered blasting mountains away in the Mojave Desert with atomic bombs. Seriously. If you don't believe me, see <a href="https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/california-almost-used-nukes-to-bypass-route-66/">https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/california-almost-used-nukes-to-bypass-route-66/</a>. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The interstate highway system, and particularly I-70 in Colorado, changed everything. Multi-lane freeways generally provide rapid transit, except during accidents or maintenance, which demonstrates the principle that the more complicated the system, the easier it is to jam it. Those same roads, however, unlike the narrow, two-lane highways that preceded them, confiscate acres upon acres that, no matter the efforts of road builders, will never look like anything other than rivers of concrete and asphalt, radiating heat like kilns.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once people realized the destruction involved with multi-lane highways, realized that in many cases the harm outweighed the benefit, they complained. And although our government moves with the rapidity of a banana slug, it does occasionally move. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1963, the BPR </span><span style="font-family: arial;">required states to consider impacts of highways on fish and wildlife. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1966, Congress </span><span style="font-family: arial;">created the U.S. Department of Transportation, transferring </span><span style="font-family: arial;">responsibilities from the BPR, including </span><span style="font-family: arial;">a landmark </span><span style="font-family: arial;">environmental regulation, Section 4(f), requiring state highway departments to avoid construction in </span><span style="font-family: arial;">public parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges and </span><span style="font-family: arial;">historic sites unless there was </span><span style="font-family: arial;">“no feasible and prudent alternative.” </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In response, environmentalists and other concerned citizens voiced </span><span style="font-family: arial;">opposition to the Red Buffalo route, eventually forming the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Colorado Open Space Coordinating Council, which ultimately prevailed when </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman denied the Colorado Highway Department </span><span style="font-family: arial;">an easement through the Eagles Nest Primitive Area</span><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So the proposed route was changed to follow US 6 to the south, the road I followed to </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Glenwood Canyon. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad was the first passage through the canyon other than water. After building across Tennessee Pass, the company (by means of Mexican and Chinese laborers) blasted sections of the canyon’s south walls to make room for the tracks, plus t</span><span style="font-family: arial;">hree tunnels totaling 1,700 feet. The roadbed was formed with </span><span style="font-family: arial;">crushed rock from the blasting, laid along the south side of the river. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Italian stonemasons built multiple retaining walls under and adjacent to the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">tracks throughout the canyon, and the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">first train arrived in Glenwood Springs October 5, 1887.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When I-70 was constructed one hundred years later, environmental concerns were tantamount, and the road through Glenwood Canyon was designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, assuming that an interstate highway can be unobtrusive. The result was a road that has to be seen to be believed. Westbound lanes are often stacked on top of eastbound lanes. Portions of the road are actually suspended from canyon walls. Driving across this engineering marvel is something like walking into a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, in which is it sometimes difficult to determine where the house ends and nature begins. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikUNa1wMmukN37MNHSKWr_lOrWAp9HRZfjOTVUjJ-2C2VkZtcqRSIqNkrElj3SoWGgUJJ5JSuhz5G4LK6Gw0JaO5BvTNqbfGtt6kNbNhAWWulKsOPb960OevJ28QRPMPv6vDOgHuzX0SUXqRctV9R-_TyztlZ1pe29O3r4LJYMmnTVlOZpz3Hc5_BDEQ=s1020" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1020" height="1117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikUNa1wMmukN37MNHSKWr_lOrWAp9HRZfjOTVUjJ-2C2VkZtcqRSIqNkrElj3SoWGgUJJ5JSuhz5G4LK6Gw0JaO5BvTNqbfGtt6kNbNhAWWulKsOPb960OevJ28QRPMPv6vDOgHuzX0SUXqRctV9R-_TyztlZ1pe29O3r4LJYMmnTVlOZpz3Hc5_BDEQ=w1476-h1117" width="1476" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. Although the road is a marvel, nothing beats the railroad for unobtrusiveness. Look closely, and you may be able to see it.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Past Glenwood Canyon, clouds began to thin, and by the time I reached Grand Junction, at least half the sky was bright blue. My friend's email that morning did not indicate anything running this far west, but at least the sun was out -- and you never know -- so I continued into barren and yet spectacularly beautiful escarpments and canyons, like an old piece of wood traced by termite trails.</span></span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">West of town the interstate and tracks run parallel for several miles, until the railroad ducks under the highway into the narrow valley of Salt Creek and enters the canyon of the Colorado River. There are no roads into the canyon, but Jeep trails on the north and south rims provide excellent vistas on public land. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These locations require some effort to enter, however, and since I did not know if I would see any trains, I decided to continue driving west along the interstate into Utah and eventually took the exit to state highway 128 leading back east to the ghost town of Cisco, once a water stop on the Rio Grande and a loading point for sheep raised in the area. In the 1920's, there was a brief oil boom, though it quickly played out. When I-70 bypassed the little village, all tourist traffic disappeared, as did the few remaining residents.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">When your author drove through, "Buzzards Belly General Store" appeared to be the only inhabited structure, though I did not stop to find out if anyone actually lived or worked there. The few other structures in town had all collapsed and lay in ruble lining the highway.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was late in the day; the sun was low in the southwest. I stopped the Jeep off the road at the top of a small hill, set up my tripod and waited, fully expecting to be disappointed. Since I would rather be disappointed in sunlight than shadows, I did not feel too despondent.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then, to my amazement, in the next 30 minutes the following two eastbound trains appeared:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM_gfTVL6OlrJbaJ2dTlJZDRjXG9RCa6sSLFNQK7A3On-AgZPK-zxX4GVn2-PClQbWKTjf5temYN4E0KJYTMWn6pik056Z1k9Eo97AgS3ts_QmZ8P8Y9RsliibZjfFHnbJXzU6WXTcaUKsUcJ397vPrqgorRqp-Tleg_-A6kNbycEyofFx6irxB41uJg=s2927" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="2927" height="1068" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM_gfTVL6OlrJbaJ2dTlJZDRjXG9RCa6sSLFNQK7A3On-AgZPK-zxX4GVn2-PClQbWKTjf5temYN4E0KJYTMWn6pik056Z1k9Eo97AgS3ts_QmZ8P8Y9RsliibZjfFHnbJXzU6WXTcaUKsUcJ397vPrqgorRqp-Tleg_-A6kNbycEyofFx6irxB41uJg=w1525-h1068" width="1525" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This first train consisted of about 30 empty coal cars -- not a mainline train -- apparently being towed somewhere. Whole strings of empty coal trains are stored on sidings throughout the Utah Desert, so it is possible that these cars were being taken off one of the sidings.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><br /></div><div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKoAz7hDPvo_wJdA6OKWfMY6FAGvY03kWaAQ0CrZbgY3KrZ2g1QtjRsUWNi8fdTdyVb0Qx60LZ3923od4a2c6AfAvkRCzIKKIQHljjF6Unuysob7A9-_cmLBp3zuq8C-w76I39eJpU8N63BUrGPQ2pm1MKeWkmdIw1h3AACxe3dXvoMAvlZ5uPo6Vo3Q=s3001" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKoAz7hDPvo_wJdA6OKWfMY6FAGvY03kWaAQ0CrZbgY3KrZ2g1QtjRsUWNi8fdTdyVb0Qx60LZ3923od4a2c6AfAvkRCzIKKIQHljjF6Unuysob7A9-_cmLBp3zuq8C-w76I39eJpU8N63BUrGPQ2pm1MKeWkmdIw1h3AACxe3dXvoMAvlZ5uPo6Vo3Q=s3001" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="3001" height="1015" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKoAz7hDPvo_wJdA6OKWfMY6FAGvY03kWaAQ0CrZbgY3KrZ2g1QtjRsUWNi8fdTdyVb0Qx60LZ3923od4a2c6AfAvkRCzIKKIQHljjF6Unuysob7A9-_cmLBp3zuq8C-w76I39eJpU8N63BUrGPQ2pm1MKeWkmdIw1h3AACxe3dXvoMAvlZ5uPo6Vo3Q=w1526-h1015" width="1526" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Not sure what this is -- a local, perhaps?</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKoAz7hDPvo_wJdA6OKWfMY6FAGvY03kWaAQ0CrZbgY3KrZ2g1QtjRsUWNi8fdTdyVb0Qx60LZ3923od4a2c6AfAvkRCzIKKIQHljjF6Unuysob7A9-_cmLBp3zuq8C-w76I39eJpU8N63BUrGPQ2pm1MKeWkmdIw1h3AACxe3dXvoMAvlZ5uPo6Vo3Q=s3001" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><p></p><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">As the sun was setting, I headed back to Colorado and pulled off I-70 at Palisade to catch Amtrak No. 5, demonstrating to your author once again, if to no one else, that heading to the tracks is never a bad idea.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6d9cACi4evfRN-04NJMwBV0c5PCEfVdjSENEHAuF-joA9WyL5G0WkuqNDSheRjEh00IEX_gyj3ALMZPuAIcvoKTGRFVNgdHFFRgIr5xboAro_Sz3LWZmv9DMX3Rl7qdvw4Kin6MVkb-vSRf5LfxdOATiky8duoepRvnUWCPhqkjoP5b4KsO0FDZAHCA=s2961" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2026" data-original-width="2961" height="1043" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6d9cACi4evfRN-04NJMwBV0c5PCEfVdjSENEHAuF-joA9WyL5G0WkuqNDSheRjEh00IEX_gyj3ALMZPuAIcvoKTGRFVNgdHFFRgIr5xboAro_Sz3LWZmv9DMX3Rl7qdvw4Kin6MVkb-vSRf5LfxdOATiky8duoepRvnUWCPhqkjoP5b4KsO0FDZAHCA=w1520-h1043" width="1520" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>No. 5.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The next day, clouds once more congregated along the Continental Divide. The wind was light, the temperature cold. Not wanting to drive to Utah a second time, your author decided to visit Bond, where the Craig Branch diverges from the mainline and runs through the Crater Loops and Oak Creek and Egeria Canyons to Steamboat Springs and points west. This was the original route that David Moffat planned to build to Salt Lake City before he ran out of money. By tapping the local coal fields, however, he did insure his railroad's survival.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Colorado Highway 131 runs north off I-70 at Wolcott and climbs a narrow valley to the summit of one of the several ridges serrating this country like the folds of an accordion. The road then turns east down the side of an escarpment before winding north again into the valley of the Colorado River. Near the summit stand a small barn and large pen that your author (who has driven this route many times) has always assumed were constructed to hold cattle. Imagine my surprise then when I crested the hill and saw two cowboys on horses in the middle of the road, holding hands skyward, palms facing me, an obvious request to "please, stop now before something bad happens!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Seeing the cowboys was not the surprise. I've seen cattle on that highway before. The surprise was behind the cowboys, a surging, writhing, wiggling, tumbling mass of sheep, white fleece darkened by the ferris oxide in that country's soil, herded across the highway by several dogs as intent on their task as Secret Service agents surrounding a presidential limousine. Your author is no canine expert, but I believe these were Australian Shepherds, clearly born and bred to funnel sheep into the pen across the highway. Each time a sheep would try to separate from the pack, a dog would immediately give chase and run him back. The sheep were as compliant as single-issue voters, though slightly more intelligent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlKLqeQhL6bbIfAhgq2ZcyI0sx5BrF3zkpI27L7CLW_TxbgAnjyIiO3-wAZhrr17VLrKJgy4bqAQBbADwkz-6oUdQ-ixXrgo959ARrvqQu4bPpIWe74gmMIoAme5BVr1w__9wWva6vZFH7X2fyviLQGwWtshicpJWyqD55pf7P2Fffc8K57Hq0-GAHqA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlKLqeQhL6bbIfAhgq2ZcyI0sx5BrF3zkpI27L7CLW_TxbgAnjyIiO3-wAZhrr17VLrKJgy4bqAQBbADwkz-6oUdQ-ixXrgo959ARrvqQu4bPpIWe74gmMIoAme5BVr1w__9wWva6vZFH7X2fyviLQGwWtshicpJWyqD55pf7P2Fffc8K57Hq0-GAHqA=w510-h510" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Austrialian Shepherds.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br />The surging throng took about ten minutes to cross the road. In that time, no other vehicle appeared either behind or in front of me. When the route was clear, the cowboys waved me forward. I waved back, and one tipped his hat as I began the downward trek to the river valley where, to my astonishment, the sun appeared briefly at Bond just as the Craig local rolled onto the mainline.</span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLnAixdriKo0h9mYEd9rUWvdK2Pj5IyHGvMylEOppbv8yZcujddjjEF8SUnw2G3A-tB6DFT6vHtnOMK1dQwAhySIAqPcX3hHCPWdwrZRFqQSMpUey2Ddz2vsVvNDxoCCWPyKhoAY61NBT348Yr0gPjuSyY79DqLPDcChG5fAt-boSfKt47v5XUIf2jDQ=s2976" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="2976" height="1026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLnAixdriKo0h9mYEd9rUWvdK2Pj5IyHGvMylEOppbv8yZcujddjjEF8SUnw2G3A-tB6DFT6vHtnOMK1dQwAhySIAqPcX3hHCPWdwrZRFqQSMpUey2Ddz2vsVvNDxoCCWPyKhoAY61NBT348Yr0gPjuSyY79DqLPDcChG5fAt-boSfKt47v5XUIf2jDQ=w1512-h1026" width="1512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound Craig local at Bond.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">From my friend's morning email, I knew that an empty coal train had crested the Continental Divide and was rolling downgrade. I drove to Inspiration Point, hoping to catch the movement in this most majestic of locations, but the tiny window in the clouds closed. The sky darkened. For the second time that week, snow seemed imminent. (Once again, it did not snow.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The sky grew so dark that, although I was fortunate enough to catch the train in the canyon, I did not bother to take a photograph. Instead, I followed it slowly down the hill toward Bond when, again to my astonishment, the sun momentarily peeked through the purple clouds, allowing the following two images: </span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhW2cHhxSfDTmQnnYtI1JZf5v52s6ZR2LiD7mRIBN9v_ZszARgcoPR1FTfWwuyDLX6ZAG6xgJtg8s-w8c_EeQc6uNX09Asb0z7pMg9-rxS6yKDXwZLFWutHymx90KJk52ZHbMSw8QUh35LH59GKJqU2Zk0GXDFZYoqNHtiIGsNLmype0_q6IU6GIqlwvw=s2976" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2976" height="1026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhW2cHhxSfDTmQnnYtI1JZf5v52s6ZR2LiD7mRIBN9v_ZszARgcoPR1FTfWwuyDLX6ZAG6xgJtg8s-w8c_EeQc6uNX09Asb0z7pMg9-rxS6yKDXwZLFWutHymx90KJk52ZHbMSw8QUh35LH59GKJqU2Zk0GXDFZYoqNHtiIGsNLmype0_q6IU6GIqlwvw=w1512-h1026" width="1512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound empty coal approaching Bond.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSVJu82MGyySqHUVscHrD1slkVRj7vFDPDRSvcCXRsLALMgdh8ho_NTLNmL4Jo36EEvslBpuL8pvj0_y_W816RVdhTaI3aEI4YeDCyOSyIqV_-NOVJNNPKOm8ge2oCZg2WucvIz7xCb-koy0YTZIW87nO47gwabwgyNmoxm9yZUocj7drBVXx-VCpy6g=s3026" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="3026" height="994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSVJu82MGyySqHUVscHrD1slkVRj7vFDPDRSvcCXRsLALMgdh8ho_NTLNmL4Jo36EEvslBpuL8pvj0_y_W816RVdhTaI3aEI4YeDCyOSyIqV_-NOVJNNPKOm8ge2oCZg2WucvIz7xCb-koy0YTZIW87nO47gwabwgyNmoxm9yZUocj7drBVXx-VCpy6g=w1515-h994" width="1515" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>KCS DPU on same train.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The clouds then closed for good like a door, as though a higher authority were saying, "That's enough!" Your humble author drove back to his hotel in Avon and spent the remainder of the day searching vainly for a promising weather forecast, not realizing that deer season opened the next morning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Your author's railfan experiences during deer season have not all been positive. He once inadvertently wandered onto land leased to several avid hunters who tracked him down and turned him over to a bemused game warden who allowed them to drive away, then said, "Now what am I supposed to do?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Don't worry," your humble author replied, "I won't bother them again."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">On another occasion, I parked my Tahoe on the side of the road and hiked a few miles into the Little Canyon of the Arbuckles along the Washita River south of Davis, Oklahoma. I took my last photograph at sundown and walked back in growing darkness. As I approached my vehicle, I saw someone walking along the fence with a flashlight, hurriedly, as though greatly agitated. Before I could take another step, he said, "You're supposed to wear orange!" -- the required color for deer hunters in Oklahoma.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"I'm not a hunter," I said.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Then what were you doing on my property."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"I was on the tracks," I said. "I'm a railroad photographer."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Then why do you have a gun?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"It's not a gun. It's a tripod." I took it off my shoulder and handed it to him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">He looked at the tripod as though it might be alive, then handed it back. I opened my backpack, laid it on the ground, and he shined his flashlight on my cameras.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">"Get out of here," he said.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I did.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">None of that slows me down, in part because I do not have much else to do. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I arose the next morning, expecting clouds, and was pleased to see significant, though not total, blue sky out my bedroom window. The morning email indicated that a loaded coal train would be running from Phippsburg, once a common occurrence, now because of the war on coal reduced almost to a novelty. Though I think of myself as mature, my heart did beat faster. I dressed quickly and headed for the tracks.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY9SsG3VSQ775GG-k5UpdLWrNjUhSsp87tpeu_il54B93SjggsyQg6ec11LF1sIslDL5q-PmMp7ornIN0O_NxRLjzZ7gZ4jGS5JOlI_RQCo0vstTLZ6em6w44_FNa4lZUx-WafXe8SjObv2nIsOr_ywrkC_Y4Ibf6G1w1BCyvJPv5iXZ9RYe-kxyh3jw=s3029" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="3029" height="990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiY9SsG3VSQ775GG-k5UpdLWrNjUhSsp87tpeu_il54B93SjggsyQg6ec11LF1sIslDL5q-PmMp7ornIN0O_NxRLjzZ7gZ4jGS5JOlI_RQCo0vstTLZ6em6w44_FNa4lZUx-WafXe8SjObv2nIsOr_ywrkC_Y4Ibf6G1w1BCyvJPv5iXZ9RYe-kxyh3jw=w1516-h990" width="1516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>I looked above and saw a mixture of clear sky like blue curtains; high, almost-motionless cirrus clouds like stringy cotton; and low, fast-moving cumulus clouds like cotton bolls. I crossed the summit on 131 as fast as I thought prudent in a Jeep, then roared downgrade to the Colorado River, arriving just in time to photograph the UP manifest above, a train I had not expected to see.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6r_plTIIu6ZdIVzW7Juj8iAHH7RMf-M7-HrO3F9nkiaKyV1WR37_Brg-QaqC7ZUXmxWEftrDZnP2z0b8xwHE_8eClZ0qF_cg0HDATTIq5WjeAU_k8jDyuTLZZI8RzLzuMEM7ABMrNg5dBrooQJH7oM1swbI-Dbh9OPIb_8FsOPKNoWLQUh0uZfGlvqQ=s2981" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2981" height="1023" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6r_plTIIu6ZdIVzW7Juj8iAHH7RMf-M7-HrO3F9nkiaKyV1WR37_Brg-QaqC7ZUXmxWEftrDZnP2z0b8xwHE_8eClZ0qF_cg0HDATTIq5WjeAU_k8jDyuTLZZI8RzLzuMEM7ABMrNg5dBrooQJH7oM1swbI-Dbh9OPIb_8FsOPKNoWLQUh0uZfGlvqQ=w1515-h1023" width="1515" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Driving into Bond, I found two trains awaiting crews -- an eastbound grainer and westbound coal empty. Again, this was once a common sight, but the days of heavy traffic on the Moffat Route are long gone. I took the above image immediately before dark clouds descended over the valley.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkrMEXzH6WeGFOzJzggp-KcOEPRGQmdCaV0sGFBbDnZeZWKhrwT-Y5sngLbswZCVopX4S1s6jnqByDmiqDhu458tWnKWdBrjPE1St_gNmUOuEawE_wdSnKfa6rLB9hyrt_4Azgx9XhFI5Qp-cxBOg2MOIfutvLwoU4zjwfavUjl_i0c39_yZG6LSgPsg=s2985" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkrMEXzH6WeGFOzJzggp-KcOEPRGQmdCaV0sGFBbDnZeZWKhrwT-Y5sngLbswZCVopX4S1s6jnqByDmiqDhu458tWnKWdBrjPE1St_gNmUOuEawE_wdSnKfa6rLB9hyrt_4Azgx9XhFI5Qp-cxBOg2MOIfutvLwoU4zjwfavUjl_i0c39_yZG6LSgPsg=s2985" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkrMEXzH6WeGFOzJzggp-KcOEPRGQmdCaV0sGFBbDnZeZWKhrwT-Y5sngLbswZCVopX4S1s6jnqByDmiqDhu458tWnKWdBrjPE1St_gNmUOuEawE_wdSnKfa6rLB9hyrt_4Azgx9XhFI5Qp-cxBOg2MOIfutvLwoU4zjwfavUjl_i0c39_yZG6LSgPsg=s2985" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2009" data-original-width="2985" height="1019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkrMEXzH6WeGFOzJzggp-KcOEPRGQmdCaV0sGFBbDnZeZWKhrwT-Y5sngLbswZCVopX4S1s6jnqByDmiqDhu458tWnKWdBrjPE1St_gNmUOuEawE_wdSnKfa6rLB9hyrt_4Azgx9XhFI5Qp-cxBOg2MOIfutvLwoU4zjwfavUjl_i0c39_yZG6LSgPsg=w1516-h1019" width="1516" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Before heading up the Craig Branch toward Phippsburg, I heard a whistle along the river. Another train? I hadn't seen this much action in Colorado in 30 years. I jumped in the Jeep, drove around the corner of the river and, as the sun appeared, photographed these light engines heading west to Utah.<br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkrMEXzH6WeGFOzJzggp-KcOEPRGQmdCaV0sGFBbDnZeZWKhrwT-Y5sngLbswZCVopX4S1s6jnqByDmiqDhu458tWnKWdBrjPE1St_gNmUOuEawE_wdSnKfa6rLB9hyrt_4Azgx9XhFI5Qp-cxBOg2MOIfutvLwoU4zjwfavUjl_i0c39_yZG6LSgPsg=s2985" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">It was now time to head up the Craig Branch, which from the Crater Loops through Egeria Canyon is, at least in your author's opinion, the most spectacular railroad in North America. When the Rio Grande still ran this route, this incredible terrain was unoccupied except for an tourist ranch up the mountain. Today, however, several houses and barns cover the plateau, and the once open land is now fenced. The residents are mostly friendly to photographers and often, if you ask nicely, will allow you to hike up the hills to prime locations.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This day was different. I saw it the moment I came in sight of the Crater Loops; several men in orange vests were riding ATVs up and down the gravel road. Then it hit me: deer season! I stopped my Jeep and chatted with an older gentleman. I say "older"; he was probably younger than my 71 years. Already knowing the answer, I asked if I could hike above the Crater Loops for a photograph. He shook his head and said, "Not today. We had a fellow out this morning trying to shoot deer from the window of his pick-up. We've got cattle out here. These fools drive up from Denver and don't know 'sit down' from 'stand up.' If they don't shoot my cattle, they're liable to shoot you."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I asked if I could drive up the hill and wait for the loaded coal train. He said it was OK as long as I did not pull too far off the road.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I drove to a spot overlooking the remains of a long dormant cinder cone. Over the last 100 years, the red lava has been so throughly mined that, without some knowledge of the area's geology, one probably would not realize that a volcano had once stood on this plateau.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Cumulus clouds were moving rapidly. One moment the sun would shine brightly. Then the sky would darken, dropping the exposure on my F5 by about three f-stops. Then more sun. Then clouds.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the far distance from the north came the sound of a loaded coal train rolling downgrade, like rushing water, growing louder, then softer, then louder again, more or less in time with the passing clouds. After about five minutes, the sound disappeared, and I knew the train had entered Egeria Canyon, located on private property and today virtually inaccessible, because the owner patrols his ground with closed circuit television cameras watched by a private security team. If you so much as put a foot on the property, someone will soon be out to apprehend you -- much like Sherman Hill. The odds of your author's ever obtaining an image in Egeria Canyon are thus apparently reduced to zero -- a tragedy. But I am old enough now that I don't much care about anything. On my next return, if I can verify a coal train on the Craig Branch, then by hook or crook, I'm going to find a way into the canyon. But not this day. Not during deer season. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhOhF8uXCTiFYl45T-u05IfMbiP7saTh_efNueGrZ8imflQeIuINbwy5JOF_pkg6ctSzQJLqW9cRuztWRa0Aks4gbJa2j-Qy3O2LIUloBRB8g81CohHUWkAlVvtr5zO7zT8Tp2BtVU94n7MFWNANohGUFJNMkYR9TILNi1_oSuYj2SdOsUaHcQm2VWNg=s3040" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1687" data-original-width="3040" height="848" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhOhF8uXCTiFYl45T-u05IfMbiP7saTh_efNueGrZ8imflQeIuINbwy5JOF_pkg6ctSzQJLqW9cRuztWRa0Aks4gbJa2j-Qy3O2LIUloBRB8g81CohHUWkAlVvtr5zO7zT8Tp2BtVU94n7MFWNANohGUFJNMkYR9TILNi1_oSuYj2SdOsUaHcQm2VWNg=w1525-h848" width="1525" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>The loaded coal train is exiting Egeria Canyon by making a 180 degrees curve along the side of the ancient volcano. The passing siding on this ridge bears the same name -- Volcano. </b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivCogK633ASLPH1CIljb3sk8z_cnGddPH7HEUbIDqn-8Zrc-fNsJgFeEjuAbp_X1Ng2MMTainLJS0uCT94wY0wYo9nlp1iAiHu5yUZJm_G1sFa4VNzRUVpmyZaDif4d00GxVSQDMd5qqyPA5AQ17qxHFPuJ1hf24sSUvA7HVCCiCt3tuaLVu7_XfBTZw=s2990" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2990" height="1027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivCogK633ASLPH1CIljb3sk8z_cnGddPH7HEUbIDqn-8Zrc-fNsJgFeEjuAbp_X1Ng2MMTainLJS0uCT94wY0wYo9nlp1iAiHu5yUZJm_G1sFa4VNzRUVpmyZaDif4d00GxVSQDMd5qqyPA5AQ17qxHFPuJ1hf24sSUvA7HVCCiCt3tuaLVu7_XfBTZw=w1528-h1027" width="1528" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The tracks run along the side of the volcano, turning slowly east, then head into the narrow confines of Oak Creek Canyon, where they make another horseshoe, then curve slowly downgrade to the south. Here the coal train is running beside what is left of the cinder cone. Above the mined terraces are the tracks where the above image was taken. </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPoQftP0aArK1_rlxPPVjiPBR3MaqOig7O9H0C3_ZUrx6zvGLkrdWUmEP51D8jlhKLBPTIlLH80-hB5gFnX3meHBs9hlEikKTeXzDq0vgCnV3v94WvMO47ovYuBG1Z5W7hLLFr_wBaakFqMRCueYD4IiWI1LwgHnMqKq0kEJWf3ze9miKEWEjiZJsfEQ=s3041" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="996" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPoQftP0aArK1_rlxPPVjiPBR3MaqOig7O9H0C3_ZUrx6zvGLkrdWUmEP51D8jlhKLBPTIlLH80-hB5gFnX3meHBs9hlEikKTeXzDq0vgCnV3v94WvMO47ovYuBG1Z5W7hLLFr_wBaakFqMRCueYD4IiWI1LwgHnMqKq0kEJWf3ze9miKEWEjiZJsfEQ=w1532-h996" width="1532" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The coal train is rolling in dynamic brakes off the plateau toward Bond and the valley of the Colorado River. This image clearly shows the two percent grade.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY8GK9rU-nqYpaX34s7jCQHBDGZnoEKg30sDqWkuQr1pa8DVs9Sg-qc1leGI8cjJrepI8_s9hXJRU-3kesCieY4L76JNBQjFBclI0FXPBuvIG3rI6flh8qa7gbMTHuGOI4og8jL1lCbwcrXTAKHvwwq7kELNLz1UK320ggh_g1jZMl8bZWqTAvfvHP2Q=s3044" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="3044" height="978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY8GK9rU-nqYpaX34s7jCQHBDGZnoEKg30sDqWkuQr1pa8DVs9Sg-qc1leGI8cjJrepI8_s9hXJRU-3kesCieY4L76JNBQjFBclI0FXPBuvIG3rI6flh8qa7gbMTHuGOI4og8jL1lCbwcrXTAKHvwwq7kELNLz1UK320ggh_g1jZMl8bZWqTAvfvHP2Q=w1512-h978" width="1512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Behind and below the lead units are the mainline and the Colorado River. The rear DPUs are visible in the cut on the mountainside.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiiFSR_X1xoS-vbtOyuu1nw1hYZWco7YuJIYvZa5EQff2K4IOuZ828w1l4Znbscvjvdye9q2UeZyVRCk1cASCljeAYzyrN7g81oZL5Fi12cVJWnUiwxRGl0pYDYfevNXKXoFsy0QMMsXnYs7A_pN-lwdbAz5_Sf_LTE4Mr7Y3AcyTQ_OD1AdQtLOJQ-A=s3006" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3006" height="1009" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiiFSR_X1xoS-vbtOyuu1nw1hYZWco7YuJIYvZa5EQff2K4IOuZ828w1l4Znbscvjvdye9q2UeZyVRCk1cASCljeAYzyrN7g81oZL5Fi12cVJWnUiwxRGl0pYDYfevNXKXoFsy0QMMsXnYs7A_pN-lwdbAz5_Sf_LTE4Mr7Y3AcyTQ_OD1AdQtLOJQ-A=w1515-h1009" width="1515" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Bond.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Clouds were thickening rapidly, and as I followed the train east, the sky was soon overcast. I checked the satellite photo and saw nothing but low clouds as far west as Utah. I searched along the tracks the remainder of that day, but saw no more sunlight and no more trains.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Before leaving for home the next morning, I caught another loaded coal train at Big Ten Loop, the images of which conclude this article, showing the train coming down the mountain.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My trip to Colorado was surprisingly rewarding. I think I'll go back.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1lThmh3b8eAC7YCXUy8p5pIjni31RGWU961nt4Xkhw9b_9v3x4FppMW5cxmW6gq5XxTjRoV3r8IdwOdKHbo4N4wywzjrVoH5Sw9dEYNvoKiDs-Kr34gXETC92znRpiA3g6g6VJNfcokHJx-TNQXgMlCscCBZMTnTmfqKrWilfY3O0_Dt0-HwtZh0TgQ=s3020" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1987" data-original-width="3020" height="1002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1lThmh3b8eAC7YCXUy8p5pIjni31RGWU961nt4Xkhw9b_9v3x4FppMW5cxmW6gq5XxTjRoV3r8IdwOdKHbo4N4wywzjrVoH5Sw9dEYNvoKiDs-Kr34gXETC92znRpiA3g6g6VJNfcokHJx-TNQXgMlCscCBZMTnTmfqKrWilfY3O0_Dt0-HwtZh0TgQ=w1521-h1002" width="1521" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitdLuBtcXLevb05k88TYuPh2rJUHF7V-cCLsm1KAJE5W701MY95iRz-ky8JtkxbMkPDu3jfrwSCrschKc6TvMBS6ercCsw_46cfop974PT6vXFD1hvj9XFi8c214eMwCAUbS0xcbBkVqIKRzKm57CpVt64kxT7YXMtXXFwlwBS-qecF31i_wJm92L_-g=s2917" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2056" data-original-width="2917" height="1072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitdLuBtcXLevb05k88TYuPh2rJUHF7V-cCLsm1KAJE5W701MY95iRz-ky8JtkxbMkPDu3jfrwSCrschKc6TvMBS6ercCsw_46cfop974PT6vXFD1hvj9XFi8c214eMwCAUbS0xcbBkVqIKRzKm57CpVt64kxT7YXMtXXFwlwBS-qecF31i_wJm92L_-g=w1518-h1072" width="1518" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black; font-size: xx-large;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6755597970222077671.post-81645616088725538352022-02-20T13:27:00.001-06:002022-02-22T19:14:16.366-06:00Union Pacific: Palisade Canyon <p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcFbmIgHaUeAMshhxxqYbwPnqqjMf5KWiXVcw6oumMCfmn_DhBMYTO7PAZ_0zhSlEjImEpQCQSdbEzOxsFQw6sseWbZY3ld2a8vB5qbmovEe62lZC1RbfZ06BPVKQDgfNpYoWX8XC3c6AyB6uqqiRtjAOAcjoSkmlz1v4Hhrieqi1U1azMiqRO2jiy9A=s2972" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2018" data-original-width="2972" height="1334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcFbmIgHaUeAMshhxxqYbwPnqqjMf5KWiXVcw6oumMCfmn_DhBMYTO7PAZ_0zhSlEjImEpQCQSdbEzOxsFQw6sseWbZY3ld2a8vB5qbmovEe62lZC1RbfZ06BPVKQDgfNpYoWX8XC3c6AyB6uqqiRtjAOAcjoSkmlz1v4Hhrieqi1U1azMiqRO2jiy9A=w1967-h1334" width="1967" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">If you grow up where rainfall is plentiful, if you live where there is enough humidity to keep your lips from pealing and your eyes from itching, if it never occurs to you that you might not have enough water to take a shower, then the Basin and Range Province in northeastern Nevada, should you visit, will seem like an out-of-focus picture, or an out-of-tune piano. You will look at the wide sky, the mile after mile of sage, the endless ridges standing like fences, and you will feel disoriented, as though trying to find the door in a dark room. This cannot really be a place, you will think. This can only be the product of an imagination bereft of moorings, floating endlessly in the abyss.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">And you will be correct. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The Basin and Range Province is like nothing you have ever seen before, or ever will see again; a gigantic washboard on a grand almost unimaginable scale. One sculpted depression (basin) leads to an equally sculpted ridge (range), towering thousands of feet, followed by another depression, then another ridge, and on and on and on – a cycle that seems to the weary earthbound traveler endless, like an Irish folk tune repeating itself over and over until swallowed by monotony or death, which in the case of Irish folk music may be the same thing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The first transcontinental railroad plowed eastward through the middle of this geography, the Central Pacific, racing against time and finances to lay as much track as possible before meeting the Union Pacific building west. If one wonders why the Union Pacific traversed twice as much ground, one need only look at a topographical map of the Sierra Nevada and the Basin and Range of northern Nevada to recognize the obstacles to be overcome by the exploited Chinese laborers who, to this day, are not given just due for uniting North America. This, of course, led to the slaughter of the bison and Native Americans, but the Chinese were not responsible for that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">We are talking about a territory that even by the standards of the isolated American West is remote and desolate, virtually uninhabited. One can drive Nevada 225 south out of Idaho and not see a living soul for a hundred miles. You will pass through the valley of the Owyhee River, winding and turning mile and after mile through a narrow canyon, past Mountain City, not really a place at all, just a few derelict buildings lining the deserted highway, past the village of Owyhee, which contains the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Food Distribution Center, a Mormon Church and a tiny consolidated school, a village that gives new meaning to “forlorn,” past Wildhorse Dam, a small, concave, concrete wall wedged between narrow cliffs that impounds Wild Horse Reservoir, an isolated lake in the middle of a desert, surrounded by a few mobile homes and mile after mile of sage. Eventually, if you persevere, you will reach Elko, Nevada, and the tracks of America’s first transcontinental railroad.</span></div><div><br /></div></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgBNldx6ShCV-Jh96XyA9rSg_96robytbWAZSy0gthuoLfCF-t3ow2GTa1YGfhDnyRSHBucnQWQS5BTyFTYulgs9_EWvlkGUcKVSPHpywsLKSumGdfkfXELnqptDeJ2jlCCE8jDYM02dPhUSKPwiaBAXOE8hHgLJM5rEMj-HEyVSiHAM5ryJP7tuvJww=s3756" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1665" data-original-width="3756" height="871" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgBNldx6ShCV-Jh96XyA9rSg_96robytbWAZSy0gthuoLfCF-t3ow2GTa1YGfhDnyRSHBucnQWQS5BTyFTYulgs9_EWvlkGUcKVSPHpywsLKSumGdfkfXELnqptDeJ2jlCCE8jDYM02dPhUSKPwiaBAXOE8hHgLJM5rEMj-HEyVSiHAM5ryJP7tuvJww=w1963-h871" width="1963" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: arial;">This aerial image shows the Basin and Range Country of northeastern Nevada. The ranges are the dark areas trending north-south. The basins are the cream-colored areas between. The light color is the result of ancient lakes now dried to alkaline residue that resists all plant life. The far right of the image shows the western edge of the Great Salt Flats of Utah, once filled with water stretching eastward to Salt Lake City.<br /></b><br /><b style="font-family: arial;">The black line is the original Overland Route, which found passage through this rugged geography by following Palisade Canyon along the Humboldt River, with headwaters slightly east of Wells. The river is over 300 miles long, is contained entirely within Nevada and drains into the Humboldt Sink southwest of Lovelock -- one of the few major rivers in North America that does not drain to the sea. In his letter to the Senate of 1846, John Frémont described the river: "It is a very peculiar stream, and has many characteristics of an Asiatic river — the Jordan, for example, though twice as long — rising in mountains and losing itself in a lake of its own, after a long and solitary course." As the above image shows, the Humboldt is the only level passage across northeastern Nevada. Any other route would cross ridge after ridge after ridge, all thousands of feet high. Interstate 80, constructed in the 20th century, also follows the river through this country.</b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Western Pacific, constructed early in the 20th century, crossed the middle</b></span><b style="font-family: arial;"> of the Great Salt Flats. (The Overland Route had crossed the northern edge.) Upon entering Nevada, the railroad (shown in red above) stared the Basin and Range Country squarely in the face, so the tracks turned due north, running sideways up one ridge to Arnold Loop, then turning back to the south before heading east across Silver Zone Pass, then running southwest across the Goshute Valley and entering the Pequops Mountains tunnel, then northwest across more alkaline flats to intersect with the Overland Route at Wells. From there to Winnemuca, the Western Pacific followed the Overland Route down the valley of the Humboldt River before diverging again toward northern California and the Feather River Canyon.<br /><br />When the Overland Route was operated by Southern Pacific and the Western Pacific was an independent railroad, the two lines shared traffic on the paired tracks. Today, both roads are operated by Union Pacific. </b><b style="font-family: arial;"> </b><b style="font-family: arial;"><br /></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAjL_qlVWBL0kETLvgzMIsYdqQw4oJ3Ll7zP7g7JxGVoGcjXWIBlRvOIaojRfm58iIQGgxqiS_jICgPiwOtCfRapzlu64wGPmqdE2b4gJ7-ZyaP6vajqcXnZP8uOkTGK_Jm_9O7Fe71IbRqlESDIGEL0hUpnKhtCM7RLnFfBwWbtCG9vtdojpL_jfu-A=s2176" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1378" data-original-width="2176" height="1248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAjL_qlVWBL0kETLvgzMIsYdqQw4oJ3Ll7zP7g7JxGVoGcjXWIBlRvOIaojRfm58iIQGgxqiS_jICgPiwOtCfRapzlu64wGPmqdE2b4gJ7-ZyaP6vajqcXnZP8uOkTGK_Jm_9O7Fe71IbRqlESDIGEL0hUpnKhtCM7RLnFfBwWbtCG9vtdojpL_jfu-A=w1967-h1248" width="1967" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Arnold Loop, Nevada. Behind the train is the next basin. Behind the basin is the next range. This pattern is repeated over and over across northeast Nevada.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Southwest of Elko, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">between the south end of the Tuscarorar Mountains and the north end of the Shoshone Range, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">the river and the tracks plunge deep into Palisade Canyon, carved through ancient basalt and andesite, the residue of multiple volcanic eruptions that occurred over a time period dwarfing, indeed obliterating, the minuscule</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> years that </span><i style="font-family: arial;">homo sapiens </i><span style="font-family: arial;">has walked the earth. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">The first American to report on the Humboldt River and Palisade Canyon was John </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont, whose life seems too incredible to be true, like a character out of Mark Twain. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont was a</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> noted and notorious explorer of the 19th century, the son of Charles </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémon</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> a French-Canadian school teacher, and Anne Whiting, the youngest daughter of a Virginia planter. At 17, she married 62-years-old John Pryor, who hired </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémon </span><span style="font-family: arial;">as her tutor. Tutor and pupil eventually ran away together when Pryor discovered their affair, settling in Norfolk, where John </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont </span><span style="font-family: arial;">was born.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After the death of Charles Frémon, Anne moved her family to Charleston, South Carolina. John W. Mitchell, attorney and family friend, provided for Frémont's education at Charleston College, where Frémont was expelled in 1831.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">From this time forward, </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> was like a pinball bouncing from one high score to another. He became friends with prominent South Carolina politician Joel Poinsett and obtained an appointment as a second lieutenant in the United States Topographical Corps, where he participated in surveying a route for the Charleston, Louisville and Cincinnati railroad. When Poinsett became Secretary of War, he arranged for </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont to assist French scientist Joseph Nicollet in exploring the lands between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggzCFxKkhcDphWz9PiVuX24NFcutxshrxEndq0Ri6YhSKnNhpauG69lMqId1BuRt5rK3zrUrrugwB8TJWxPmF5tTeT2U_Qr9RdCMa1usHQDP-_rx4sZnNnQaQgFBsIQkgTZhxx6SepN9wvpIHA7Fd-Bv6fPru4Eo6-fl4gm8khczS-eOAxjA_3VjSOfw=s3020" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="3020" height="1290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggzCFxKkhcDphWz9PiVuX24NFcutxshrxEndq0Ri6YhSKnNhpauG69lMqId1BuRt5rK3zrUrrugwB8TJWxPmF5tTeT2U_Qr9RdCMa1usHQDP-_rx4sZnNnQaQgFBsIQkgTZhxx6SepN9wvpIHA7Fd-Bv6fPru4Eo6-fl4gm8khczS-eOAxjA_3VjSOfw=w1966-h1290" width="1966" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>At the eastern edge of Palisade Canyon, an eastbound grainer rolls on the old Western Pacific line towards the small yard in Elko. The old Southern Pacific line is about a half mile behind the photographer.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguC3r-Z31zkxvXPcwHlGddQsEURGwahzzJvUECiJxUeOMX__xlqHjHVhJalaYqsf0wzU_QWWkrQxyJCwOfwU4jeJNPmXe5s4OlZo6m6-fZsvzVGf4PdZ3Klf9JY90SdwqD9Ouqbx5nhrHTND7e7d41GV3Nh68OGrKApzAO6663qyPPkD3CZdkHC7g8jw=s3034" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1978" data-original-width="3034" height="1283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguC3r-Z31zkxvXPcwHlGddQsEURGwahzzJvUECiJxUeOMX__xlqHjHVhJalaYqsf0wzU_QWWkrQxyJCwOfwU4jeJNPmXe5s4OlZo6m6-fZsvzVGf4PdZ3Klf9JY90SdwqD9Ouqbx5nhrHTND7e7d41GV3Nh68OGrKApzAO6663qyPPkD3CZdkHC7g8jw=w1964-h1283" width="1964" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>A very late westbound Amtrak No. 5, running on the original Overland Route, is preparing to enter Nevada's Palisade Canyon. The old Western Pacific line is in the foreground. The Humboldt River flows between the tracks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;">The pinball kept bouncing. Frémont's work with Nicollet led him to Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri, chairman of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs. At Benton's Washington home, </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> met Benton's 16-year-old daughter Jessie and quickly fell for her. Benton opposed the romance, so in 1841, Frémont and Jessie eloped. Eventually </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont's political skills, or simply blind luck, perhaps both, if they are not the same thing, carried the day. Benton not only accepted the marriage, he became </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont's patron -- a neat trick in anyone's book.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Benton pursued with religious fervor the political cause known as Manifest Destiny, the idea that North America from Atlantic to Pacific should belong to the United States, and successfully shepherded appropriations through Congress for national surveys of the Oregon Trail, the Oregon Country, the Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Congress authorized three expeditions, with Frémont as leader.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">His first expedition explored the Wind River in Wyoming, where </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont climbed a mountain over 13,000 feet high, named it after himself, planted an American flag and claimed the ground for the United States. Upon his return to Washington, he and his wife wrote </span><span style="font-family: arial;">a <i>Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains (1843)</i>, printed in newspapers across the country, making them celebrities.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The second expedition scouted the Oregon Trail and the Columbia River, stopping along the way to explore the north side of the Great Salt Lake. Traveling west along the Columbia, the scouting party mapped Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood, reaching the Dalles on November 5. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont and his party then headed south to explore the Sierra Nevada, becoming the first Americans to look upon Lake Tahoe. Continuing south through what we now call the Central Valley of California, they ascended Tehachapi Pass. It is unknown if they thought a railroad could be constructed through such rugged terrain. They followed the Mormon Trail to Las Vegas, then on to Utah, then west into the Great Basin, where </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont discovered that the land between Salt Lake City and Reno was endorheic, meaning that no water in that area drained to the sea.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In August 1844, Frémont arrived in St. Louis, ending a journey that lasted over one year. He and Jessie returned to Washington and wrote a second report. The Senate printed 10,000 copies, distributed to support westward expansion. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ_4lpxxs5AKvIh-thOjUkqwCTeHght6_k78W3JqAd3iY_QKSF1fmYaMWJh6k0okrDaKACwY1kGU20sjRjfdKOwYQhXRT98dLwiHhtzF4adrhjosr3glbCCageAkuMUEMKm5b26y7M_fZ8mIEHCilR78HTrcvMPuzIX2vSW4ucclt1H6QFly-MfUkpfA=s3007" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3007" height="1304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ_4lpxxs5AKvIh-thOjUkqwCTeHght6_k78W3JqAd3iY_QKSF1fmYaMWJh6k0okrDaKACwY1kGU20sjRjfdKOwYQhXRT98dLwiHhtzF4adrhjosr3glbCCageAkuMUEMKm5b26y7M_fZ8mIEHCilR78HTrcvMPuzIX2vSW4ucclt1H6QFly-MfUkpfA=w1968-h1304" width="1968" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound local.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRKBGsr4G8KbaGHpaf3jUXcx_fH_GRWMUMw3Tu11aYSUyK1Jmf9zypTEB7zI2ay91zZ_qnizof4wFB7Q9xpPjq3FzPhbA66MERc_SlXKjU3iNCLTKWZWuVhpvJTd2Zj66HnBblOTeQEzWI6oP9RqGLtFsjQ2XH-Q14Cw7eFSiVsuRbY9jIDvaKtZjOmg=s2986" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2008" data-original-width="2986" height="1324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRKBGsr4G8KbaGHpaf3jUXcx_fH_GRWMUMw3Tu11aYSUyK1Jmf9zypTEB7zI2ay91zZ_qnizof4wFB7Q9xpPjq3FzPhbA66MERc_SlXKjU3iNCLTKWZWuVhpvJTd2Zj66HnBblOTeQEzWI6oP9RqGLtFsjQ2XH-Q14Cw7eFSiVsuRbY9jIDvaKtZjOmg=w1971-h1324" width="1971" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>DPU on westbound manifest.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In 1845, the third </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont expedition embarked from Saint Louis, intending to find the headwaters of the Arkansas River. The party eventually reached the Great Salt Lake, then the Humboldt River. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont filed a report to the Senate in 1846, published later in a book available nationwide, which stated:</span></span></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">This river possesses qualities which, in the progress of events, may give it both value and fame. It lies on the line of travel to California and Oregon, and is the best route now known through the Great Basin. . . . It furnishes a level unobstructed way for nearly three hundred miles, and a continuous supply of the indispensable articles of water, wood, and grass. Its head is towards the Great Salt Lake, and consequently towards the Mormon settlement, which must become a point in the line of emigration to California and the lower Columbia. Its termination is within fifty miles of the base of the Sierra Nevada, and opposite the Salmon Trout River pass [now called the Truckee River and Donner Pass] — a pass only seven thousand two hundred feet above the level of the sea, and less than half that above the level of the Basin, and leading into the valley of the Sacramento, some forty miles north of Nueva Helvetia [John Sutter's trading colony located at present day Sacramento]. These properties give to this river prospective value in future communications with the Pacific Ocean.</span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this passage, </span> <span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> describes the exact route chosen by the Central Pacific.</span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLT5epxBUvL9bIdfoxk3GLcEJboIdvlse2QfSm_IQU-JsXeBrpeSQrxGBLZYb00sI_YRAOeqe6XnwrGyuzF8SPHE6fPIei9dT_sp2n0iqcLfTEvuynh9lVAnVJ1mFl6HzBJv6yyGriD-CbOn0puP23D9OEM9ApFNjUzvrHRsde7xL8CW-PJsC_xenxaA=s3026" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="3026" height="1292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLT5epxBUvL9bIdfoxk3GLcEJboIdvlse2QfSm_IQU-JsXeBrpeSQrxGBLZYb00sI_YRAOeqe6XnwrGyuzF8SPHE6fPIei9dT_sp2n0iqcLfTEvuynh9lVAnVJ1mFl6HzBJv6yyGriD-CbOn0puP23D9OEM9ApFNjUzvrHRsde7xL8CW-PJsC_xenxaA=w1969-h1292" width="1969" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound in Palisade Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH86DbibpwXaic4_ZMxHZW5CDqXnkFTbku0p1x8qAs79lHi7EsETzGlKcdCuxuXUNEkS4t8Hvv1sTuhpqKLHv_535bwOWFRtto2y_PSaBjDkqMXN1p9ina3GgNTDDnwUxUeflulfbBv__-FQIJt8HqfaX-JTRrfCUZi9vPu0RNL_zvblCRttNMyrEzYw=s2981" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2981" height="1332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH86DbibpwXaic4_ZMxHZW5CDqXnkFTbku0p1x8qAs79lHi7EsETzGlKcdCuxuXUNEkS4t8Hvv1sTuhpqKLHv_535bwOWFRtto2y_PSaBjDkqMXN1p9ina3GgNTDDnwUxUeflulfbBv__-FQIJt8HqfaX-JTRrfCUZi9vPu0RNL_zvblCRttNMyrEzYw=w1973-h1332" width="1973" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound in Palisade Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Those unfamiliar with the West often assume it to be one large desert punctuated by mountains, like a patch of weeds pock-marked with mole hills. This misses incredible diversity. Each mountain ridge receives ample rainfall and supports its own eco-system of pinon, juniper, pine, bear, beaver, deer and other assorted creatures, while the deserts below are as varied as ice cream flavors. For example, southern Arizona is part of the Sonoran Desert, which contains many endemic plants and animals, such as the saguaro and organ pipe cacti, and is clearly distinct from the Great Basin (which includes northeastern Nevada). The Sonoran </span><span style="font-family: arial;">provides subtropical warmth in winter. By contrast, Elko, Nevada, the eastern terminus of the paired trackage, sits over 5,000 feet above sea level, even though located in one of the parallel basins serrating the state. Its winters are brutally cold, inhospitable to saguaro and organ pipes. The only cacti your author has seen in this area are prickly pear, and these are almost dwarf-like, low to the ground to avoid the harsh winds of December and January. Elko receives about 10 inches of rain per year, just enough to support some semi-arid grasses. Cattle ranching is common in these parts, usually in bottom land close to water, though even there it takes several acres to support a single cow.</span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqQ8o5Nk8MmY3j-FO6ezezyNhmh9zA4_3xQizGajF817RiT0mkBFZiCfGnbHBqThdEXRxwd9rR1f7a1sB9Q52N3DPfiqom5gEFcxLWeQshSDCixWliCRKRfvOWFmbb834oZhKkObU7dN4gZInpaV502WeQ2O0w8nBuGs7VOjW6HBqJ7Ikady6Lc5ugCQ=s3037" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="3037" height="1278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqQ8o5Nk8MmY3j-FO6ezezyNhmh9zA4_3xQizGajF817RiT0mkBFZiCfGnbHBqThdEXRxwd9rR1f7a1sB9Q52N3DPfiqom5gEFcxLWeQshSDCixWliCRKRfvOWFmbb834oZhKkObU7dN4gZInpaV502WeQ2O0w8nBuGs7VOjW6HBqJ7Ikady6Lc5ugCQ=w1966-h1278" width="1966" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cattle grazing in the valley of the Humboldt River (located between the two tracks).</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Near its headwaters, the Humboldt River is shallow, clear-running, cold -- perfect for trout. As the river circumnavigates across the Great Basin, however, it picks up silt and heat, becoming distinctly muddy in its lower sections, today home only to some warm water species that state authorities began stocking in the mid-twentieth century. In Palisade Canyon, close to the source, though, the water is clear enough to see the bottom of the channel, at least when your author has visited.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The two railroads hug opposite banks like opposing armies. Because the Overland Route came first, it chose the easier passage, preferring wide shelves of dry ground wherever possible. The Western Pacific was left with one headache after another as it twisted and turned along narrow ledges, drilling tunnels where the Overland Route was "high and dry." In one location deep in the canyon, the Western Pacific actually crossed above the Southern Pacific tracks on a steel girder bridge that led to a narrow basalt ledge blasted from a sheer canyon wall. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In the depths of the canyon, far from Interstate 80 and any other trace of civilization, the only sound is wind through grass and the faint rumble of the occasional approaching train. Traffic is not heavy here, which seems anomalous since this was the first road across the continent, but the Overland Route faces multiple mountain grades and twisting canyons, while most high-speed, high-priority trains cross the BNSF Transcon along the 35th parallel, a relatively direct route from Chicago to Los Angeles on significantly milder gradients. One will see intermodals here, but the rails are also home to manifests, grain, oil and coal. Amtrak runs daily trains 5 and 6, but if they are on time, which they often are not, they come through in the dark.</span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIDQrgoHOQRPWcfsqkc_Gxi2sPJSR2HhXrRXggptedGDf5yeYW799r7TWtEgZSpXbIBUH6_wNRx5YCkzcqGhCSZwvpS4y-2rUZxuW2Cm_yCtEBVxMlvKLpLPNDdxshkOtE-ztAEazGAXJ9KXPM_0OCTGmjTKEOAal-O_07bjsVzEcSkBkBHClPLBznFw=s3005" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3005" height="1314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjIDQrgoHOQRPWcfsqkc_Gxi2sPJSR2HhXrRXggptedGDf5yeYW799r7TWtEgZSpXbIBUH6_wNRx5YCkzcqGhCSZwvpS4y-2rUZxuW2Cm_yCtEBVxMlvKLpLPNDdxshkOtE-ztAEazGAXJ9KXPM_0OCTGmjTKEOAal-O_07bjsVzEcSkBkBHClPLBznFw=w1973-h1314" width="1973" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Late.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO_gUv_i74bX7XBrisgC3sxnsv_DuBKG4UhqKqMnPu1lnxP713reMhfaT1hKpyt9eGCYtkJDzAR-XXvkOqH2ZdfuiSq6YxcajZdpp_kFytmyJoCN_MHqH1UvZs_yXQcIECZa_Z38K2mgH3zF0aRqCJxliacmlCJh0iJXZ_KtjoNoHA7EbeIk_hLMpnGw=s3041" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="3041" height="1277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO_gUv_i74bX7XBrisgC3sxnsv_DuBKG4UhqKqMnPu1lnxP713reMhfaT1hKpyt9eGCYtkJDzAR-XXvkOqH2ZdfuiSq6YxcajZdpp_kFytmyJoCN_MHqH1UvZs_yXQcIECZa_Z38K2mgH3zF0aRqCJxliacmlCJh0iJXZ_KtjoNoHA7EbeIk_hLMpnGw=w1965-h1277" width="1965" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mid-train on an eastbound manifest loaded with wood products, a common commodity on this railroad. Virtually all trains have distributed power either in the middle or on the rear, or both. Some trains are incredibly long, approaching two miles, and travel very sedately along the river.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja43KbIe4pOHiMvXF_kUi2ojGt1w64Vi_b3vpLOdcpRh_TN5gWe38a2Z7U2CE06PUJoBFbOICOtlodUACiYGoeZbfJZQF0bduIAAFCrDZKBckCR0cHloqBfq7zaVxaiXsyZisux7y-fWQyQUwT04NmbrLHZcOMg51KcVvO5IH1gyKiQ_JE_V30CJ0HdA=s3073" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="3073" height="1249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEja43KbIe4pOHiMvXF_kUi2ojGt1w64Vi_b3vpLOdcpRh_TN5gWe38a2Z7U2CE06PUJoBFbOICOtlodUACiYGoeZbfJZQF0bduIAAFCrDZKBckCR0cHloqBfq7zaVxaiXsyZisux7y-fWQyQUwT04NmbrLHZcOMg51KcVvO5IH1gyKiQ_JE_V30CJ0HdA=w1969-h1249" width="1969" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks on the Overland Route are crossing under the old Western Pacific line.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The eastern mouth of the canyon is framed by gently sloping hills and a valley of grass and sage nourished by the river -- maybe fifteen feet wide at this location in summer and a few feet deep. The water is cold, even on hot days. The stones in the river's bed are smooth and polished, as smooth and polished as marbles, as though water has washed over them for a very long time. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One imagines the engineers and construction workers on the Western Pacific, building around and over and under the Overland Route, watching trains roar past each day as the new road continued slowly west to the Feather River Canyon, wondering if their efforts made any sense -- building a railroad in the immense shadow of the original transcontinental mainline, and not just in the shadow, in some cases on top of it, in others underneath.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">I suppose, honestly, that they did not care, as long as they were paid. In my own legal work, I spend much time drafting contractual language dry as dust, boring as a sermon. I wonder if anyone will ever read it, if anyone will ever understand it. Does anyone even care? In the long run, I suppose I do not, as long as I am paid. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUo_W0i0WtSZuIcaNRQJFBqAT-I8l12GjexswtXB9pAzJ5R0q_n57xuUqS4nAX4z6Avyh4Dpo6rSJKgFWF0c0y4b7eIkkSv6qrFajyZtvr_i1e1av99lJRxL4rrSqFms78elgB_WZBWxId3kOeiKLZZyPPAj7zIl46fRAEsWr0g5EwDcTQEPFM4fQfXw=s3006" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3006" height="1302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUo_W0i0WtSZuIcaNRQJFBqAT-I8l12GjexswtXB9pAzJ5R0q_n57xuUqS4nAX4z6Avyh4Dpo6rSJKgFWF0c0y4b7eIkkSv6qrFajyZtvr_i1e1av99lJRxL4rrSqFms78elgB_WZBWxId3kOeiKLZZyPPAj7zIl46fRAEsWr0g5EwDcTQEPFM4fQfXw=w1965-h1302" width="1965" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound manifest entering Palisade Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /> </span><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1yFK0N2Y1DAlAzmcrgMPYpuDt_F0HMyuxisKRAL2kp4QI-Imn44K67iMnXnXlVwhtRr5dsrlCnQGKbXbwTwWcCr6-nXSNrVe8-NG-93xxvbeVz1W5YgGg31LXlNoQrenGLNWI_ZXcdPEqW7_w-igJ6Ybe3meMEJJEl7pz7GYHxHvWARNzxcLwf1IBrg=s3030" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1979" data-original-width="3030" height="1281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1yFK0N2Y1DAlAzmcrgMPYpuDt_F0HMyuxisKRAL2kp4QI-Imn44K67iMnXnXlVwhtRr5dsrlCnQGKbXbwTwWcCr6-nXSNrVe8-NG-93xxvbeVz1W5YgGg31LXlNoQrenGLNWI_ZXcdPEqW7_w-igJ6Ybe3meMEJJEl7pz7GYHxHvWARNzxcLwf1IBrg=w1963-h1281" width="1963" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks doing same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtARnYgLg8PMCrOkrTdbppjWLAOIbPwOnq9KpyCPoLVPUdX7ZFiTfLBoraWoVV5rHzKewDXcELP-7qAsGzReUVy_ZklP7iNomJAxlqaYPiFpYnvOGeH5pd9vZhW0ZEz25sR8IaNClF0iDFjF4T0Um8RR4J_VCqYKfiWHgkzWRWlVUFZ8Uyj9ad8eGFlA=s2992" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2005" data-original-width="2992" height="1311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtARnYgLg8PMCrOkrTdbppjWLAOIbPwOnq9KpyCPoLVPUdX7ZFiTfLBoraWoVV5rHzKewDXcELP-7qAsGzReUVy_ZklP7iNomJAxlqaYPiFpYnvOGeH5pd9vZhW0ZEz25sR8IaNClF0iDFjF4T0Um8RR4J_VCqYKfiWHgkzWRWlVUFZ8Uyj9ad8eGFlA=w1959-h1311" width="1959" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound autos exiting canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7jL9FyAKw8N3SJrd3qjJeTEeyOSs3MZD0x5W6O6c4aNYfPCHE93zsqzlVlNAynM51SihdTDX5blIKiA-jXb6qzltOb3MjyJx-D5uFwgSfFeik1cRLtf9X5ZRfbti9zm-2ewoFQO4UUYo8vvK4cWH1dHlKpPSUpcsNzx8NINtt-DkrQHa_dWebSdjh1Q=s3012" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="3012" height="1305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7jL9FyAKw8N3SJrd3qjJeTEeyOSs3MZD0x5W6O6c4aNYfPCHE93zsqzlVlNAynM51SihdTDX5blIKiA-jXb6qzltOb3MjyJx-D5uFwgSfFeik1cRLtf9X5ZRfbti9zm-2ewoFQO4UUYo8vvK4cWH1dHlKpPSUpcsNzx8NINtt-DkrQHa_dWebSdjh1Q=w1968-h1305" width="1968" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound empty coal doing same.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Nevada statehood arrived October 31, 1864, when officials telegraphed the new constitution to Washington nine days before the November 8 presidential election -- the largest ever transmission by telegraph, providing three electoral votes for Abraham Lincoln's reelection. One of two states added to the Union during the Civil War (the other was West Virginia), Nevada quickly acquired the nickname "The Battle Born State."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Prior to the European invasion, the area was occupied by the Paiute, Shoshone and Washoe. The first Europeans were Spanish, naming the place Nevada ("snow"), likely because the Spaniards saw the mountains on the border of California. If you have ever been there in winter, you understand why.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The region was part of the Spanish Empire until Mexican independence in 1821, becoming American territory with the Mexican-American War of 1848, incorporated as part of Utah Territory in 1850. The discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859, beneath Mount Davidson near Virginia City, generated a population boom leading to the creation of a separate Nevada Territory.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Boom towns sprang up like whack-a-moles, creating both fantastic wealth and fantastic poverty, with poverty leading about fifty-to-one. Virginia City's population exploded from 2,345 in 1860 to 7,048 in 1870 and 10,917 in 1880. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But booms fade. By 1890, Virginia City's population dropped to 6,433. By 1900, it had settled back to about 2,500. Today the town is a small tourist attraction, kind of like a wild west amusement park, and gives little hint of the fortune extracted from the ground. From 1860 to 1880, according to the United States Geological Survey, 6,971,641 tons, 640 pounds were taken from the ground and milled. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Peak production occurred in 1877, with the mines producing over $14,000,000 of gold and $21,000,000 of silver (about $300,000,000 and $500,000,00 today, February 2020).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">By 1930, Nevada's population had declined by 75%. Those remaining decided to take drastic action -- drastic at least for the time (early 20th century) and place (United States of America). Imagine a convent's selling liquor or an Oklahoman's praising Texas. In 1931 the state legalized gambling. Good rail lines and highways (from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and from Reno to San Francisco) transformed the state from desert and destitution to glitz and glamour.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Although the state's western regions have long held the allure for Californians intent on losing money, the last fifty years or so have seen a remarkable birth along the eastern border with Utah. From about 1970 on, either Latter Day Saints lost their scruples or else non-Mormons invaded Salt Lake City. Perhaps both. In any event, if you stand along Interstate 80 in the Great Salt Flats on a Friday evening at sundown, westbound traffic forms a broad white line of headlights as far as the curvature of the earth allows sight. Wendover, Nevada, on the Utah border, one of the most desolate places on earth, where training took place for the crews who dropped the atomic bombs on Japan, has without fanfare or notice or even publicity grown into a mini-Las Vegas. Casinos have sprouted like wild flowers. On Sunday evening, the traffic flood reverses back to Salt Lake City, a movement as regular as the tides. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy6sC5Eyj9mHO0Z2AlpjE0vtEksEyLCKlsuX_8RGGqHDRSxJdGtDDFL71H-5RJuFpByoVHEyYoONbbLy6T6q6hiYLowL9JbDv51U4muHDYKhH5hsL15TEODE90mWJAJau-uZRaCkHxlTeBkXpJI4ypmRpqXjvvmEPI016GUy0UxeWzxRrsNTOqYEinjQ=s2955" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2031" data-original-width="2955" height="1353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy6sC5Eyj9mHO0Z2AlpjE0vtEksEyLCKlsuX_8RGGqHDRSxJdGtDDFL71H-5RJuFpByoVHEyYoONbbLy6T6q6hiYLowL9JbDv51U4muHDYKhH5hsL15TEODE90mWJAJau-uZRaCkHxlTeBkXpJI4ypmRpqXjvvmEPI016GUy0UxeWzxRrsNTOqYEinjQ=w1968-h1353" width="1968" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mid-train on westbound stacks.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrOsy3cgAesDcXKP-U_0UI5yS3v2gIWvgeYta_lKI6-VBa0jEoWkm_fsn09p2ehmn0hfn7hN4zkHUeGpCcfUt1Cu96xlno9N1n_zpVXclA9hkfXURR7iKjRkqwG5V7ZK1PHgKeTHe6Ka663CXYhYX32cmtk-9CIrILCL83UkDm_8Ywwd9dDIP-UsKavA=s2994" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2004" data-original-width="2994" height="1313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhrOsy3cgAesDcXKP-U_0UI5yS3v2gIWvgeYta_lKI6-VBa0jEoWkm_fsn09p2ehmn0hfn7hN4zkHUeGpCcfUt1Cu96xlno9N1n_zpVXclA9hkfXURR7iKjRkqwG5V7ZK1PHgKeTHe6Ka663CXYhYX32cmtk-9CIrILCL83UkDm_8Ywwd9dDIP-UsKavA=w1963-h1313" width="1963" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound merchandise freight on the original Western Pacific line.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMs97uREByIEkcZxb2Lq9wNa1WqCdSBcoY8QbXpSKSJSq8DCT5H8boc_Lpj4j3SYohKccEFbDW-FqAZcXSB8n4btSL3V0NA5idm04wtpPbexO5hPfJJaLguB82-119v7gDcODDstNkQ8QsU3qkFnC1S5Sk2px3GPRRJgCiDAaZpnuXgoXqBvnK0L27EA=s3009" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1994" data-original-width="3009" height="1302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMs97uREByIEkcZxb2Lq9wNa1WqCdSBcoY8QbXpSKSJSq8DCT5H8boc_Lpj4j3SYohKccEFbDW-FqAZcXSB8n4btSL3V0NA5idm04wtpPbexO5hPfJJaLguB82-119v7gDcODDstNkQ8QsU3qkFnC1S5Sk2px3GPRRJgCiDAaZpnuXgoXqBvnK0L27EA=w1966-h1302" width="1966" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound merchandise freight reverse-running on the original Overland Route. At this location, the bridges of the two railroads are side-by-side.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After exploring the Great Basin as part of his third expedition, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont crossed the Sierra Nevada to New Helvetia where he stayed for some time with John Sutter. He and his party then traveled to Monterrey, where </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont engaged and enraged Mexican officials who correctly feared that the American wanted California for his own. (At this time, California was still part of Mexico.) </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont was eventually ordered to leave, and his party traveled north, slaughtering Native Americans along the way. The worst massacre was at the Sacramento River, where </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont's crew ambushed natives without resistance. Casualty estimates vary from 120 to over 700.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Kit Carson, a member of the party, called it "perfect butchery."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Frémont's slaughters were in keeping with his belief, and the belief of his patron Benton, that the American West, and most specifically California, should be occupied solely by Americans. He saw himself fostering Manifest Destiny.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He continued fostering as he traveled into Oregon Territory, killing Native Americans on sight. The Natives responded with a raid that killed three of </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont's men. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont then replied with the Klamath Lake Massacre, killing the inhabitants of a small village and burning it to the ground.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc108GeepcGh_ZRSZxTUTXWdvmsdWaz1oU0s-pkPf4nxu2JXpvIm2kR4xHr3z1cq3OhNJXBMCEG40cmcJKJukceIm-zyQjNKYBoX-Rai7RGUhTQPJqWsuJct957OFXmta-UPD5ZLIcBQ7AzEYUDjmY5KrVN0Q3vuh8nH5Y4Iegl0WS9odxS_ct6KA4Jg=s3006" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1996" data-original-width="3006" height="1307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjc108GeepcGh_ZRSZxTUTXWdvmsdWaz1oU0s-pkPf4nxu2JXpvIm2kR4xHr3z1cq3OhNJXBMCEG40cmcJKJukceIm-zyQjNKYBoX-Rai7RGUhTQPJqWsuJct957OFXmta-UPD5ZLIcBQ7AzEYUDjmY5KrVN0Q3vuh8nH5Y4Iegl0WS9odxS_ct6KA4Jg=w1973-h1307" width="1973" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>This view of a westbound manifest in the valley makes the country look almost verdant. Away from the river, however, the land is dry and brown as shown on the hillside.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVwGn5AyWEprK_gUme8uuZgYNH2zvHHK2kveC5vV9Co6dfJbMuhLLLY489q2V0VqCqfheNUDrlak4sH0DBY-0BRVU3UM2VRj3pLEnuC_m6DEMqGxxyYt5cayUxpBq3a_laAm9dbTvNAhXtH8da-vMiTHxVqpmQLjIRe7njrIAmP8Tzn0akDbLqcGnVLQ=s2960" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2027" data-original-width="2960" height="1347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVwGn5AyWEprK_gUme8uuZgYNH2zvHHK2kveC5vV9Co6dfJbMuhLLLY489q2V0VqCqfheNUDrlak4sH0DBY-0BRVU3UM2VRj3pLEnuC_m6DEMqGxxyYt5cayUxpBq3a_laAm9dbTvNAhXtH8da-vMiTHxVqpmQLjIRe7njrIAmP8Tzn0akDbLqcGnVLQ=w1970-h1347" width="1970" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound local that runs daily from Elko.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiePdt8q11h-hER8IZlvRSVN1Vs6qotCLubA-CrfUBVOl3WWcdxPAJ9iWt-7U8W1MDeUxkhUXbHjZ6KgFperD_H0wY0Bw6VBGhPXosZt4Ow-TcOp96C4kybspM_jqIxHz5XqQ2fsdpcjg5uqsnjRDJW9dRBmclmE-bmsQ0uRJYGLolxJ6S_1Ov5tNJjxg=s3007" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="3007" height="1304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiePdt8q11h-hER8IZlvRSVN1Vs6qotCLubA-CrfUBVOl3WWcdxPAJ9iWt-7U8W1MDeUxkhUXbHjZ6KgFperD_H0wY0Bw6VBGhPXosZt4Ow-TcOp96C4kybspM_jqIxHz5XqQ2fsdpcjg5uqsnjRDJW9dRBmclmE-bmsQ0uRJYGLolxJ6S_1Ov5tNJjxg=w1969-h1304" width="1969" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>High priority stacks. Above the rear of the train is one of the abandoned buildings in the ghost town of Palisade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After the Mexican-American War, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont parlayed his political connections into an appointment as Military Governor of California. He was subsequently ordered to relinquish his post but delayed compliance in hopes that the order might be remanded. For once, the pinball missed the digit-counters. Brigadier General Stephen Kearney had </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont arrested and court-martialed.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Frémont was tried, acquitted of mutiny, convicted of disobedience toward a superior officer and sentenced to a dishonorable discharge. Almost immediately, President James Polk commuted the sentence, without granting a full pardon for the conviction, allowing </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> (by now a popular national figure) to return to active duty -- a favor to Senator Benton. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Protesting the lack of a complete pardon, Fr</span><span style="font-family: arial;">émont</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">resigned his Commission and settled in the new American Eden -- California.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hoping to restore his reputation, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont planned to organize another expedition to scout a potential rail route along the 38th parallel from St. Louis to San Francisco. When his father-in-law was unable to secure government financing, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont raised the money privately. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Upon reaching an outpost in eastern Colorado, where the ground was already covered by a foot of snow, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Frémont was told not to continue into the mountains. Since his goal was to demonstrate that a railroad along the 38th parallel could be operated throughout the year, he ignored the advice and proceeded to Pueblo, planning to follow the Arkansas River into the heart of the Rockies.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Had he held course, he might have succeeded, for that was the route later followed by the Rio Grande across Tennessee Pass. However, for reasons never clearly explained, the party turned south toward the Sangre de Christo Mountains. Unable to find a pass suitable for a railroad, F</span><span style="font-family: arial;">rémont crossed the very top of the peaks (over 12,000 feet) in a blizzard. By the time the party reached Taos, ten men were dead.</span></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJBZYxCsJk_9VIlLE9q7BTvyBeCb6fJNtEu_otSKF_kOMgtTjaSVJ4CX-InlJMEAa4WQL0MXj0kzlqhLEwnZM6xpbqKxirLGLQm1m9uixN7njNcSFvQ2aK-7kvTB7XbC3XLnyq5_TCC9bOQpaB8o5P_VUcBEmWk7YzD2ovkGYBF3_607UJFfL_jx2bkA=s3048" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="3048" height="1277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJBZYxCsJk_9VIlLE9q7BTvyBeCb6fJNtEu_otSKF_kOMgtTjaSVJ4CX-InlJMEAa4WQL0MXj0kzlqhLEwnZM6xpbqKxirLGLQm1m9uixN7njNcSFvQ2aK-7kvTB7XbC3XLnyq5_TCC9bOQpaB8o5P_VUcBEmWk7YzD2ovkGYBF3_607UJFfL_jx2bkA=w1974-h1277" width="1974" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound on the Western Pacific.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">One of the most interesting sites along the Humboldt River is the ghost town of Palisade. Originally named Palisades, the town was created by the Central Pacific in 1870 and rivaled Elko and Carlin as departure points for men and equipment heading south to the silver mines at Eureka. In 1875, a railroad was constructed to connect the Overland Route to those mines -- the Eureka and Palisade. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The new railroad ran eighty-five miles south and carried silver to the Central Pacific and the wider world. Lumber was shipped back to Eureka to provide trusses for the mines. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The Eureka and Palisade operated four locomotives, fifty-eight freight cars, three passenger coaches, a turntable, engine house, boiler room, blacksmith shop and machine shop. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1877, the railroad transported over thirty-one million tons of ore.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">The silver boom ended in 1885. Passenger service was cut to thrice-weekly. In 1893, the railroad posted its first deficit, in 1900 it went into receivership and in 1902 was reorganized under the same name. Three years later saw the beginning of another boom. Silver shipments started again in 1906. By 1909, the railroad was carrying about 200 tons each day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">In 1910, the Humboldt flooded, destroying 11 miles of track, inundating the roundhouse and shop buildings and creating a temporary lake running 30 miles south along Pine Creek. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Both SP and WP halted services until the water receded.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The E&P did not reopen until 1912. The costs of reconstruction forced the railroad to increase rates, which decreased the mines' profits, which led to fewer shipments, which led to higher rates -- the infamous "death spiral." Operations struggled forward like a wounded horse on the desert, but the end was inevitable. The line was abandoned September 21, 1938.</span></span></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaQObc9dUzDrfLjfAisJs6hVmiixUz7W0Yv__0ob6dumR1KeD7Lief1o6bxiJi0_8kIkexGpwxbmQ3Gpz_JshNv_l2uJsA31paWimzibLgsmEY1BKkxLuHBxFn-DO72Gh0P3GjRK04jrXASdEuvwkztWp_BJIqZcLjqIehKoCLAf2PNJBEjMAF84zm7Q=s2995" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2995" height="1315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaQObc9dUzDrfLjfAisJs6hVmiixUz7W0Yv__0ob6dumR1KeD7Lief1o6bxiJi0_8kIkexGpwxbmQ3Gpz_JshNv_l2uJsA31paWimzibLgsmEY1BKkxLuHBxFn-DO72Gh0P3GjRK04jrXASdEuvwkztWp_BJIqZcLjqIehKoCLAf2PNJBEjMAF84zm7Q=w1967-h1315" width="1967" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound lumber on the Overland Route. Western Pacific line is crossing the Humboldt. Photographer is looking south down the valley of Pine Creek, the route followed by the Eureka and Palisade.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzMSJtTA5CvrbCskeYZhselxZ9v6Ne8HxExjRpPl45OITG7At13t4gVUUTZwDsUbbssK_CtdM3x3mJ4D_XgyPiDiHW_O4vBCmf6ML9oYMAypMTiTIUKpV_8PQuu6K8QJm0nj62B3IUCCVRf-vdkDhd2gAJjkcl_XN4G5YFmaq9-KSIk_1hz0mgi0laog=s2970" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2019" data-original-width="2970" height="1341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzMSJtTA5CvrbCskeYZhselxZ9v6Ne8HxExjRpPl45OITG7At13t4gVUUTZwDsUbbssK_CtdM3x3mJ4D_XgyPiDiHW_O4vBCmf6ML9oYMAypMTiTIUKpV_8PQuu6K8QJm0nj62B3IUCCVRf-vdkDhd2gAJjkcl_XN4G5YFmaq9-KSIk_1hz0mgi0laog=w1968-h1341" width="1968" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound manifest in Palisade Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The town of Palisade today (February 2022) consists of a few dilapidated and deserted buildings, all in the process of falling to the ground, a small cemetery, the foundation of an old Masonic Lodge with the cornerstone still standing, several large cottonwood trees that your author believes once provided shade for a small school and one house with a wide deck, the entire structure set back into a hillside, that may or may not have been occupied the last time your author drove through. There was an antenna of some sort on the roof, indicating some link to modernity, but no vehicles were parked nearby. Down the hill and across the river sits a working ranch surrounded by irrigated fields upon which cattle graze and stare lazily at passing trains. Along the water, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">birds, jack rabbits, snakes and other small creatures congregate and don't seem any more perturbed by the railroad than the cows.</span></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlPVvdKJrcNYnaziYLQBxgmj8dbjuy2PX0Vwiu9R7FcJg-xo7JtAf4C_5GNbuLmtxYLbfrMaohpmODVTY5ur_5Fia6cQyF7MzWTBuDN-SWqsYxlW12u28QaJ4LifslJevNzAHbwJ-wKwbUp8CWaghblvfIbzWV6joazeVeLSAm3Ge6STonTnaOELwU0w=s3039" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="3039" height="1281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlPVvdKJrcNYnaziYLQBxgmj8dbjuy2PX0Vwiu9R7FcJg-xo7JtAf4C_5GNbuLmtxYLbfrMaohpmODVTY5ur_5Fia6cQyF7MzWTBuDN-SWqsYxlW12u28QaJ4LifslJevNzAHbwJ-wKwbUp8CWaghblvfIbzWV6joazeVeLSAm3Ge6STonTnaOELwU0w=w1970-h1281" width="1970" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Westbound stacks deep in Palisade Canyon.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlK6Mq7dEap5DU2LLTVkpVf-mznDR72XDdExOqphSp5rVnWhtBjm4RpGj9wHduSA61sW_jcnf-6qLZZOUwv1HdNS9RqcWI4QJ8I27t_mqs48CcB6C0ne1So-_WgPTGVXVDFQQExRyWhqBK0iaQY5oI4eMWIacyWwdyJOx3oJ6uZDLZIumbXCblydjd6w=s2966" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="2966" height="1340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlK6Mq7dEap5DU2LLTVkpVf-mznDR72XDdExOqphSp5rVnWhtBjm4RpGj9wHduSA61sW_jcnf-6qLZZOUwv1HdNS9RqcWI4QJ8I27t_mqs48CcB6C0ne1So-_WgPTGVXVDFQQExRyWhqBK0iaQY5oI4eMWIacyWwdyJOx3oJ6uZDLZIumbXCblydjd6w=w1968-h1340" width="1968" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>More westbound stacks exiting the tunnel and crossing the Humboldt where the Overland Route was realigned in 1900 around the town of Palisade. The Western Pacific followed this route a few years later.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTJndfz-IyYSAX13PjDHNs41Z7VNmCYPMzmCFxEldm734IAagob0RQbLk1d7bXPFxBJp6VRt05DTGgHzlAda_b8iJM9ygD90NKmNJH6c5SpoPYGTpD_L8ervJVsrq7tIbqFB92fidsSWPaLUCnPoo0i5N0YVGNHl4sA8jicki9e81NzIrbe-xPsimyfQ=s2988" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="2988" height="1325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTJndfz-IyYSAX13PjDHNs41Z7VNmCYPMzmCFxEldm734IAagob0RQbLk1d7bXPFxBJp6VRt05DTGgHzlAda_b8iJM9ygD90NKmNJH6c5SpoPYGTpD_L8ervJVsrq7tIbqFB92fidsSWPaLUCnPoo0i5N0YVGNHl4sA8jicki9e81NzIrbe-xPsimyfQ=w1974-h1325" width="1974" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Eastbound at Palisade, Nevada.</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After the completion of the Eureka and Palisade, the town quickly expanded. By 1880, </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Palisade was home to several hotels and saloons, two churches and a school. Population was about 600. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">In 1915, the town still had about 240 residents. By 1920, population had dropped to less than 150. When the E&P ceased operations, Palisade's demise was sealed, though a post office was maintained until 1961. When that closed, so did the town.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Walking through a ghost town produces emotions not commonly felt, much like decorating graves on Memorial Day. One thinks of people once alive, now gone. One imagines one's own demise. One may even picture one's own funeral, a uniquely human talent. The idea that a town can die like a person raises a thought: if a town can die, why not a state? A country? A planet? This line of thinking, totally consistent with the Laws of Thermodynamics, can lead either to hopelessness or liberation, depending upon one's point of view. Whatever the viewpoint, the result is the same. Like passengers on the Eureka and Palisade, like Frémont's journey across the Sangre de Christo, we're all headed to the end of the line. </span></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNnIyjce4lel2xyn61ZQns59uBWdPDWj852tsP2IN_dgtHzaYPvP35F_iX34AV52k2cVCdLG9Svyg72xyaoAeTMJRAwvXADtpGLxdXl63Ui2OtLL_xNOOgGv17JOnzNR3pC96D-03NE_NF0R2rw97BOLSZp6JFXbWtHSyIOl9BMgOeY3YevTGm03OwPQ=s3014" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1990" data-original-width="3014" height="1298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNnIyjce4lel2xyn61ZQns59uBWdPDWj852tsP2IN_dgtHzaYPvP35F_iX34AV52k2cVCdLG9Svyg72xyaoAeTMJRAwvXADtpGLxdXl63Ui2OtLL_xNOOgGv17JOnzNR3pC96D-03NE_NF0R2rw97BOLSZp6JFXbWtHSyIOl9BMgOeY3YevTGm03OwPQ=w1968-h1298" width="1968" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">To see my other posts, go to <span style="background-color: black; color: black;"><a href="http://waltersrail.com/">waltersrail.com</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>To see my photographs on Flickr, go to </span><span style="background-color: black;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpwalters/</a>.</span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>xxxxxx</p>Paul Waltershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02097388103575935028noreply@blogger.com2