Golden. Denver & Rio Grande Western F9A 5771 is seen basking in the sun at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, CO.

Making its final run to Denver, the Rio Grande Zephyr passes through Debeque Canyon, Colorado.

The final eastbound Rio Grande Zephyr waits for departure time at Grand Junction Colorado. All six domes are part of the consist for this momentous occasion.

Crew change at Helper, Utah. Scanned from a color print.

’Scuse Me, While I Kiss the Sky

Seemingly on top of the world, the Rio Grande Zephyr does it best Jimi Hendrix interpretation as it begins its eastbound descent from Soldi... (more)

With its big eastbound climb over, the Rio Grande Zephyr rolls along the one-time yard in Soldier Summit, Utah. Soon it will start to drop toward Helper.

Arriving at Gilluly, Utah, the Rio Grande Zephyr enters the first horseshoe curve and is about to duck under Route 6.

The Rio Grande Zephyr is on time, continuing its ascent of the Wasatch at Narrows, Utah on a brisk March morning.

The eastbound Rio Grande Zephyr has begun its climb over the Wasatch Mountains at Rio, Utah.

The Rio Grande Zephyr sits proudly at Denver's Union Station during 1983, shortly prior to the DRGW discontinuing the Zephyr's passenger service in late April of that same year. I never had the op... (more)

You can feel winters chill, from just looking at this picture of the Zephyr. It's the early morning at Colton, Utah 1978 in the Price River Canyon (Tom Ellis photo)

Winter is in full swing. As the Zephyr collects the early morning light at Soldier Summit. Tom Ellis photo.

The sun is setting both literally and figuratively on the Rio Grande Zephyr in this view on the Dotsero Cutoff at Dell, Colorado. When it gets to Denver, the RGZ will cease to exist,... (more)

With the headlight and mars light lit up and functioning, 5771’s aspen gold provides a nice contrast against the blue Colorado sky.

Riding with dad, chasing the Zephyr, I was six at the time. Time is running out for the Zephyr over the Rio Grande main.