Minturn yard—1985
Rio Grande’s Minturn yard at the western base of a three percent climb over Tennessee Pass was an important location on the railroad’s map. It was a crew change ... (more)

Rio Grande's first GP40-2 leads the Railblazer, train No. 102 up the Mapleton Bench in Utah Valley on June 24, 1987.

Four Rio Grande motors pop out of Tunnel 3 which is under the prominent Flat Irons as seen on the Front Range near Boulder, Colo. It is still almost 26 miles on to Denver and some 1600-feet lower... (more)

Rio Grande's first EMD GP40-2 leads the Dirt Train local through Spanish Fork Canyon on a chilly New Year's Eve, 1994.

SP's Dirt Train local kicks up a little snow at Soldier Summit on New Year's Eve, 1994.

Nearly five years after the D&RGW/SP merger it was still possible to see trains led by solid lash-ups of Rio Grande power. With the Denver skyline receding in the distance, a westbound work extra ... (more)

Rio Grande's first GP40-2 leads the Railblazer train 102 east approaching Sutro with eight trailers for Denver. Leprino Foods 48 footers were a colorful addition to the mix of regular 'Blazer pigg... (more)

A clean Rio Grande caboose trails Colorado Fuel & Iron ribbon rail west of Provo on May 21, 1990.

It's 6:05 p.m. and Rio Grande's Railblazer train No. 102 is minutes out of Roper Yard on its journey to Denver. The abandoned structures at right make up the Utah Ore Sampling Company, once a hub ... (more)

Rio Grande's westbound Railblazer train #103 has the full attention of the local equestrian contingent, awaiting the start of the Lehi Roundup Rodeo. A corner of the historic Rio Grande Hotel is v... (more)

A two unit swing helper shoves on a coal train from the Horse Canyon and Sunnyside mines. Note the single track mainline in place between Colton and Soldier Summit. A second main track would be ad... (more)

The first GP40-2 on the D&RGW roster, 3094, switches a short works train in Minturn Yard in November 1981

Six helper units wait for the their train to be split in Minturn Yard before assuming their position in December 1981. Units in question are 3094, 3065, 3048, 3080, 3057 and 3116.

The heat haze from 3094, 3007, 3024 and 3081 blurs the snowy landscape as they work a westbound freight up grade through Kobe, heading towards Tennessee Pass, in March 1982.