Copy of: Moffat Road Trip 

On our first day we stopped in Georgetown to ride the Loop RR. The stop was
well worth it, the ride was great, I don't know who enjoyed it more, me or my
kids. After the ride we went to the West Portal at Winter Park. Was there only
5 minutes when I caught a 10 unit coal haul going East. Also went to Granby to
catch the eastbound CZ, which had the new AMD-103 Genesis engines pulling her,
and as a added treat, two private cars where hooked onto the rear of the CZ,
one car was the "SP California" and the other car was "SP Utah". After leaving
Granby, we made our way back towards Fraser for dinner, and to my surprise the
CZ that I had just photographed was still siting in the Fraser (Winter Park)
station. I was able to park near the lead units and chat with the engineer. The
engineer stated that it took a lot of seniority to get his route, he's got 30
years. When I asked him how he liked the new Genesis engine the only good
feature he could come up with was Cab Comforts for the crew. The reason for the
15 minute stop in Fraser is a mandatory smoke break. The CZ is a non-smoking
train, even for the crew. 

Began my second day at the West Portal, and caught nothing for 2 hours except
for the westbound CZ that poked her nose through the tunnel at 1110. After a
disappointing morning I decided to transverse the Old Moffat Rd. This was a
great trip, the road was fine until after the old RR trestle, then the road
turned to crap all the way to the top. The pass was crowded, and the signs
about Needle Eye Tunnel being closed due to a rock slide where posted on the
road at the top. From the top down to the East Portal the road did not look
passable, (I even saw 4WD vehicles go out a little bit then turn around). After
our 3 hour trip to the Moffat Rd. we visited the Colorado RR Museaum, and spent
about 2 hours there. Once again my kids loved how they could climb on the old
RR equipment. 

The third day was spent mostly up in the Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park taking pictures.
After a 6 hour trip through the park, I stopped by the East Portal. Great area
for photos, the scenery was excellent in the area. Caught a empty westbound
coal haul and the eastbound CZ. I had about 2 minutes to prepare for both
trains as the ventilation curtain raises just before a train passes through.
Before a westbound enters the tunnel, the curtain alarm goes off and the
curtain rises about 2 to 3 minutes before the train gets to the tunnel. After
the westbound enters the tunnel the curtain dropped and the HUGE fans ventilate
the tunnel for about the next 20 minutes. When a eastbound enters the tunnel,
then fans kick on but the curtain does not rise until the eastbound is again
about 2 to 3 minutes from the East Portal. I met no railfans during my entire
visit, but talked to several RR employees and Amtrak employees. While at the
East Portal, I talked with an employee who lives and works at the East Portal,
(there are 4 houses at the East Portal), and he gave me a ton of info on the
tunnel and the train frequency. 

The next day I went to Bryers Canyon, (west of Hot Sulphur Springs), and caught
the CZ#5 going through the canyon, (the RR has completed the installation of
rock slide detector fencing along the canyon wall, so there are telephone lines
and now rock slide detection lines running through the canyon). Went to Fraser
Canyon, got a freight going west and later CZ#6 going east about 1 hour late.
Saw the same CZ sitting in Fraser station for the smoke break.  

Left on Thursday to visit Las Vegas. On my way there, saw several coal and
freight trains in Western Colorado, but nothing great. I took 7 rolls of film
during my trip, all 36 exp slide film, 3 rolls of Fuji Velvia and 4 rolls of
Kodak Elite 400.  

I leave again on Saturday for another cross-country trip to Florida to visit my
mom. I hope to do some railfanning while in FL. I will let you know how it
goes. 
 
John