OK, so it’s really the Limon Sub of the Union Pacific. Once upon a time it was the KP, though.
I had heard that we were supposed to get snow today in Denver, so that of course meant we’d have a pretty sunny day. Lo and behold, I woke up to just that (and apart from the snow on the pilot of #5850, I never saw a single flake).
I haven’t been out along the KP in quite awhile, so I decided to see what I could scare up there. I caught an eastbound coal drag and worked myself east with him until I got to Limon (where near overcast skies compelled me to quit my chase).
While the Moffat Sub is definately more scenic, the plains have a rugged beauty that I rather like. The golden grasses and blue skies made for nice contrast, and it was a very enjoyable day to be both train chasing and photographing.
I guess that’s enough babbling. Here’s the shots:
and finally, what would a chase along the KP be without some cattle (after all, cattle made the KP):
As always, comments and critiques more than welcome!
I too am more familiar with the east end of the KP. I spent a year at Fort Riley, KS in the '50’s and remember the golden grass and the long Armour yellow UP passenger trains. A sight to behold. That was before UP came to StL.
Quentin - The wavy rail is probably a little exaggerated. I shot that one with my 180mm lens, which has 35mm equivalent field of view as a 270mm lens. Telephoto lenses tend to dramatize every little bump and dip in the rail.
Rustyrex - I’d love to see some shots from the east end if you have any! It’s certainly a line that has a charm all its own.
Ishmael - Thanks for the KP memories! It must’ve been great to see passenger traffic on the line, and I agree that the Armour Yellow passenger cars would look right at home in the golden grass.
Pasadena Sub - Thanks for the kind words!
Brian - I tried to get some very snowy shots on the Moffat Sub last weekend. Alas! Uncle Pete skunked me on that one. Chasing this one train and shooting him at several locations was a lot of fun. And not to start a controversy, but the crew waved to me at every location, despite the fact that they saw me more than a dozen times! BTW, I’d never bet on anything when it comes to TWP. I thought I had a nice interesting shot this week, and you’ll note that it is one of the few pictures that hasn’t received a vote.
Max - Thanks for the nice words. There were several CNW coal gons on the train, and I was actually thinking of you when I saw them. I should have made an effort to shoot a couple of them, especially once I found the cloudy skies by Limon. Cloudy skies give nice, even lighting and are great for catching detail in shots like that. Next time I’m out, I’ll grab a shot or two for you.
East end of the KP has those things otherwise known as trees. (and one big stinkin’ hillside at St Mary’s that I helped get scalped - ugly time surveying that thing)
Chris - notice that the three narrow gage mice are still stting south of I-70 at the Colfax exit?
Tyler - I saw evidence of at least one spot where the grass had burnt. The mountains have had a lot of snow this year, but I think the plains are a little behind again. If we don’t get some snowfall out that way, it could be a long fire season for the plains.
There sure are hills in Kansas! In fact, on the KP alone around Kanopolis, KS, there are sections of 1 to 1 1/2 % grades for about 15 miles up and down, what is known as Kanopolis hill. The entire section from Salina, KS to Sharon Springs, KS is all very hilly, up and down. Now Salina, KS to Kansas City is all river grade and very flat, but really scenic.
anytime, chris. CNW coal hoppers aren’t as common up here. i think i only have 2 of those green ones rostered too. Another reason i gotta make a trip to your area and do some fanning
Telephoto compression or no, I suspect that that track is eminently suitable to lovers of rock and roll!
I suspect that just about all of the non-aluminum hoppers (not gons, Chris!) were CNW in this train. The green ones were obvious, but there are a number of black CNW cars, with and without the rotary ends. The reason I suspect that they were CNW cars: black UP hoppers have yellow rotary ends, D&RGW hoppers had no rotary ends but kept their white lettering, and many CTRN cars have their old BN lettering or UP markings that include the yellow rotary ends. UP hoppers without rotary ends, and all MP cars, are boxcar red. There are some black CTRN cars with white rotary ends, of aluminum construction; those may also be included in this train.
Is this area not a little flat?? seems you can see your dog running away for three days, the one photo of the sky with those beautiful flat bottomed clouds, truly a prairie boys dream, and yes I’ve had my fun with a prairie fire(remember, run INTO the fire) it’s only about 20 feet of flame. Great photos.
You bet Kansas has hills! We are not a flat ironing board with nothing to see. People think we’re a pass-through state and pass through at night but we have our own beauty and fascinating things. Kansas has the Flint Hills in the eastern part of the state and they’re there to take you under their wings and calm you. Get off the turnpike and venture down the dirt roads. And we have the Gypsum Hills in south central Kansas and their purpose is beauty and the surprise of seeing them after driving through rather flat country.
[:I]Ooops…I guess it helps to engage the brain before typing!
CTRN was a reporting mark I remember seeing a lot of, but I don’t remember too much else. I was focusing (sorry for the pun) on getting a shot and then getting ahead of the train, so I didn’t observe reporting marks, nor did I even catch the second unit number or the number of the DPU. Maybe I should slow down and observe a little more next time.
