An eastbound intermodal is entering the cut that marks the continental divide on BNSF's Transcon. The relatively gentle terrain here contrasts with the railroad's mountainous northern crossing in... (more)

Just a few minutes after sunrise, an eastbound manifest is approaching West Defiance along the scenic Puerco River valley in far western New Mexico. The yard at Gallup is less than 14 miles ahead... (more)

Just as the sun is about to set, a westbound stack train swings around the curve at Lupton. The train has just entered Arizona and has about 100 miles to go before reaching the crew change point ... (more)

Just as the sun is about to set, a westbound stack train is beginning the pull up Yampai Hill. The head end has just passed the landmark water tank at West Pica.

A westbound domestic stack train splits the signals at West Pica and is about to begin the hard pull up Yampai Hill.

Working hard on the climb up Yampai Hill, four units are westbound with a domestic stack train. Red Mesa, with its distinctive radar tower, marks the far side of the Aubrey Valley. Just beyond i... (more)

In lower Truxton Canyon a westbound stack train swings around the curve just west of Valentine. Well into its way down the Arizona Divide, the train is entering the desert country of western Ariz... (more)

A westbound stack train winds its way downgrade through Kingman Canyon. A UP EMD completes the four-unit consist.

In early morning, an eastbound stack train splits the iconic rock formation near the west end of Kingman Canyon.

A long eastbound stack train winds its way upgrade through the west end of Kingman Canyon. The EMD leader was one of only two observed during eight days on the western end of the Transcon.

Shortly before sunset, a westbound domestic stack train is well into its climb up Goffs Hill. In the background, the Dead Mountains of the eastern Mojave Desert.

Part of the way up Goffs Hill, in the Mojave Desert between Bannock and Homer, a westbound stacker is meeting an eastbound TOFC.

In early morning, but running about four hours late, the westbound Southwest Chief is running on the left hand track shortly after its station stop in Barstow. A westbound manifest has stopped sh... (more)

Shortly before sunset, a hot westbound intermodal - the dispatcher called it a "silver Z" - has just crossed into Arizona. The next crew change point, Winslow, is a little over 100 mile... (more)

In a few minutes this westbound coal train will cross from New Mexico into Arizona. Power is three units on the head end and four DPUs.