A Union Pacific coal train descends the 2.29% grade at the Crater Loops running 2x2x2. This train loaded at Energy Mine on the Craig Branch and is bound for Southern Company's Plant Daniel in Miss... (more)

Engineer John Shine gets a good look at his swing helpers as they descend the 2.29% grade at the Crater Loops

A Union Pacific coal train descends the stiff 2.29% grade from Rock Creek Canyon passing by 'Crater' preparing to navigate the Crater Loops just ahead

Finally through the Crater Loops, UP 5983 brings its local back up to speed as it passes another set of Rio Grande searchlights.

UP 5983 navigates the curves and grades of the Craig Branch as they prepare to run through the Crater Loops.

An empty coal train climbs through the Crater Loops on its way up the Craig Branch for loading at Energy Mine

Doing the Crater curl
On the morning of July 31, 1996, a Southern Pacific coal train climbs through the Crater Loops at Crater, Colorado, on the former Rio Grande Craig Branch. Five Gen... (more)

Rock Creek Canyon
Right in the gut of rugged Rock Creek Canyon on Rio Grande’s Craig Branch, an eastbound coal train exits Tunnel 45 between Crater and Volcano, Colorado, on September ... (more)

An empty hopper train negotiates the loops at Crater as it ascends to Toponas Summit on the Craig Branch.

After negotiating the loops at Crater, westbound empties pass Crater Siding; Rock Creek Canyon is just ahead.

An empty coal train climbs through the Crater Loops on the former D&RGW Craig Branch.

Two ES44AC's and two SD70ACe/AH's lead coal empties up the 2-percent grade through Crater Loops near Volcano, Colorado along UP's Craig Branch on October 1, 2016.

Southern Pacific CSUX coal empties climb through the “double loops” at Crater, Colorado, on the afternoon of July 30, 1996. The head end has lone SP No. 298, while the mid-train DPUs (out of v... (more)

A Southern Pacific coal train climbs through the Crater Loops at Crater, Colorado, on the Craig Branch on the morning of July 31, 1996. Five General Electric AC4400CWs power the train, with two on... (more)

A Southern Pacific CSUX coal empty climbs through the “S curves” at Crater, Colorado, on the afternoon of July 30, 1996. The head end with lone SP AC4400CW No. 298 has already passed through t... (more)