Racing west along the banks of the frigid Colorado River, BNSF 9080 was on the point of a Provo-bound manifest as it rolled through Dell, Colorado. As the short winter day drew to a close, the cold temperatures and nearby storm clouds led to snow flurries overnight along the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. Rail traffic through the Rockies has become scarce as coal traffic continues to declines and Union Pacific opts to send thru trains via the Overland Route of Southern Wyoming. Unless this trend is reversed, it is difficult to imagine the Moffat Route remaining in operation for the indefinite future.
