A heavy FMI train battles the big hill into Morenci with the FMI 59 leading. In the background is the town of Clifton where the AZER interchange is.

The FMI's first train down to Clifton heads south leaving behind the big mine in Morenci behind. The mine is an open pit copper mining complex and has been continuously operating since 1939.

FMI 9 pulls its first train of the day out of Morenci for the Arizona Eastern interchange in Clifton. The 9 is honoring the Morenci 9, a group of nine young men from Morenci that were sent off to ... (more)

One of the more unique operations I've found over the years. It will test your mettle time and again, but reward you in abundance. Especially on the return up the hill from Clifton.

Five Freeport-McMoRan EMD GP38/38-2 locomotives roar loudly through corral cut while climbing the steep three to five percent grade from the Arizona Eastern Railway interchange at Clifton, Arizona... (more)

It’s rainy and cold in the high desert of Arizona as the third run of the day of Freeport McMoRan brings 34 cars down the ramp below Corral Road grade crossing between Morenci and Clifton on Oct... (more)

Freeport McMoRan's #9 at Morenci.

Wearing the "Think Pink" logo, #53 leads the first cut of cars down the hill out of the Morenci mine to Clifton for AZER. This can happen up to three times a day depending on traffic.

On a sunny and bright October 23, 2020, Freeport-McMoRan EMD GP38/38-2 locomotives work hard on a train of loaded acid tank cars curving through corral cut while climbing the steep grade from Clif... (more)

On October 22, 2020, a 16-car (14 loads and 2 empties) Freeport McMoRan freight powered by four EMD GP38/38-2s headed up the steep three to five percent grade on the railroad’s line from Clifton... (more)

Screamin' 51! Former Phelps Dodge 51 built in 1967 screams up the 4-5% grade at Corral Cut. The locomotive has dust filters making for a very unique tribute to the past Phelps Dodge Flee... (more)

A quartet of Freeport McMoRan EMD GP38/38-2 locomotives slowly bring nine tankcars downgrade between Morenci and Clifton, Arizona, on October 28, 2020. The train is delivering interchange traffic ... (more)

On the afternoon of October 28, 2020, Freeport-McMoRan EMD GP38/38-2 locomotives chant loudly curving through corral cut while climbing the steep three to five percent grade from the Arizona Easte... (more)

A Freeport McMoRan train works up the steep grade between Clifton and Morenci, Arizona, approaching Corral Cut on October 28, 2020. Lead locomotives FMI No. 59 is former Rio Grande GP40 No. 3075 t... (more)

A quintet of Freeport McMoRan EMD 4-axle locomotives lug a train up the steep grade of the railroad’s line from the Arizona Eastern’s interchange yard at Clifton to Morenci, Arizona, on Octobe... (more)