D&RGW westbound Zephyr arrives the Coal Creek area.

The westbound RGZ applies the horses as it climbs out of Rollinsville towards the Moffat Tunnel in October 1981.

D&RGW's westbound Zephyr idles at Grand Junction for service stop and crew change

A close up of the three Rio Grande Zephyr covered wagons being provisioned during the eastbound stop at Grand Junction in October 1981.

Slowing through Orestod, for a crew change at nearby Bond, the westbound Rio Grande Zephyr passes a frozen Colorado River in March 1982.

D&RGW's westbound Zephyr with F9A 5771 snakes through Coal Creek Canjon

On the way with the D&RGW Zephyr

The westbound Rio Grande Zephyr snakes slowly through Byers Canyon in April 1982.

One last look at the RGZ before the photographer returned to UK - 5771, 5762, 253 and 5763 chant through open country near Troublesome siding, east of Kremmling, in April 1982.

The second visit to Utah didn't produce such good weather as the first trip - in rather overcast conditions, eastbound #18 snakes through the curves at Kyune, on the way down from Soldier Summit t... (more)

Rio Grande Zephyr pauses at Grand Junction for servicing and a crew change on this fine fall day.

D&RGW train 17 the Rio Grande Zephyr awaits departure for Salt Lake City on a cool morning at Denver Union Station. Less than six months later, the train was discontinued and Amtrak took over.

The eastbound Rio Grande Zephyr passes high above some weird silver contraptions at Detour on the way up to Soldier Summit, in October 1981.

D&RGW Zephyr somewhere in the Desert of Utah/Colorado

Playing Rear Admiral in the Silver Sky of the westbound RGZ as it rolls along following the Colorado River between Bond and Dell, on the Dotsero cut-off, in October 1981