The low density traffic of the Utah Railway line impressed us so much that we decided to stay just a little bit longer. A good decision, so it seems, because only 10 minutes after we got a Union Pacific train going downhill we got this oil train towards Helper. Notice the bridge behind the train: it consists of an old flat car. This was the … Continue reading Goodbye, Utah Railway
Train traffic in Price River Canyon is impressive. I’m speaking quality wise. This loaded coal train is hauled by 5 engines, and has 6 helpers in the middle of the train. The curvy rails and steep grade assured the audiovisual spectacle. It has a been a very long time since I experienced such a power showdown. Continue reading The road to the top is curvy and steep
Trains and curves are a good combination. From a visual point of view, not from a technical point of view that is. Kyune is a location on Price River Canyon offering lots of curves. We were about to find out if there would be trains as well. It took a while before one came, but oh did we enjoy the sight of it snaking through … Continue reading Like a snake
We spent the night at a shabby motel in Helper, Utah – it’s good location was the selling argument. On the morning of june 2nd, we only needed a short ride up Price River Canyon to Colton to witness the sunrise. We underestimated the temperature at this altitude though: shorts are not the recommended clothing when it’s -literally- freezing outside! We knew a passenger train … Continue reading Standing the cold
In September 2016, the end of summer brought me to the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This region was totally unknown to me. The beautiful photos I have stumbled upon throughout the past months have made me decide to stop waiting any longer and plan the trip. A detailed report will follow in due time. To still hour hunger, I will already give you an idea … Continue reading End of summer trip 2016
Between Needles and Kingman, both Interstate 40 and the BNSF transcontinental line run south and east of the Black Mountains. This mountain range stretches from Lake Mead in the North until the point that is shown here, at a place called Haviland, where a westbound container train runs along the southern part of the range. This zone is also called the Black Mesa. In the … Continue reading Black Mesa
The Dead Mountains provide a view over the Sacramanto Wash, and the wooden trestle over it. The river bed is completely dried up at this time of the year. The roads are treacherous here. That is, if you make a U-turn and get off the asphalt in the sand. We got stuck indeed. Fortunately, a friendly man, who happened to have a chain in his … Continue reading Lots of sand
The international freight corridor to Germany had bitten me. 2 days after my previous visit, I visited the section between Montzen and Aachen. This is one of the spots I still wanted to get here. Saturday mornings can be busy, so I didn’t have to wait long for this train to pass. At a slow speed it passes the Moresnet viaduct, in the last uphill … Continue reading Up in the air
The Needles Subdivision north of Needles was unknwon terrain to us. We had driven through the region twice, but never really explored it. Time to bring some change. Landscape-wise, it is a desert. The railroad line is surrounded by hills, allowing for good views. Here we see the Sacramento Mountains in the background, and a container train heading west in nothing but dry desert. The … Continue reading Desert view
Without knowing it, we chose a greatly located motel the night before. At the Best Western Colorado River Inn you wake up with the sound of train horns, and with a view on the railroad from the balcony. Half awake you can make you first photo of the day. The delicious breakfast at the Juicy River Cafe nextdoor gave us enough energy to last through … Continue reading Room with a view
Railscapes 