Rainbow Cut Threading the needle on the Flatirons

Amtrak engine #10 (P42DC) leads the Winter Park Express Ski Train up to Tunnel #1 on the Moffat Tunnel Sub at Plainview, Colorado.

Amtrak's Winter Park Express Ski Train exits Tunnel #1 at Plainview, Colorado and heads west on the Moffat Tunnel Sub to the famed ski slopes just west of the Continental Divide.

The Amtrak Winter Park Express Ski Train exits tunnel #1 at Plainview, Colorado and heads west on the Moffat Tunnel Sub towards the ski resort on the west side of the Continental Divide.

A Phase VII P42DC leads the California Zephyr #5 train towards Tunnel #1 at Plainview, Colorado as it heads west on the Moffat Tunnel Sub.

The California Zephyr climbs towards Tunnel #1 at Plainview, Colorado as it heads west on the Moffat Tunnel Sub towards the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Snow blankets the tracks of the Moffat Tunnel Sub as the California Zephyr drops down from Tunnel #1 at Plainview, Colorado.

Darkness falls on the Colorado Front Range as the California Zephyr #6 train rounds the corner from Tunnel #1 and drops down into Coal Creek Canyon on its way to Denver.

Amtrak engine #160 in the 'Pepsi Can' 50th anniversary paint scheme leads the California Zephyr towards Tunnel #1 at Plainview, Colorado.

Amtrak engine #160 in the 'Pepsi Can' heritage scheme leads the California Zephyr towards Tunnel #1 at Plainview, Colorado.

The California Zephyr #6 rounds the corner after coming through Tunnel #1 at Plainview, Colorado.

The Wednesday departure out of Denver is climbing up to Tunnel 1 this morning with the matched pair of GP40-3s for power. This train will become the "Canyon Spirit" starting in April of ... (more)

The California Zephyr drops down the 2% grade into Coal Creek Canyon after running through Tunnel #1 at Plainview, Colorado.

UP 7741 (ES44AC) runs through the Rainbow Cut at Plainview, Colorado as it leads a freight east on the Moffat Tunnel Sub towards Denver.

UP 7741 (ES44AC) leads the Grand Junction train through Rainbow Cut at Plainview, Colorado. Notice what appears to be a burned off shield decal on the nose.