BNSF 4009 (Dash 9) leads a freight towards Palmer Lake, Colorado on the Joint Line.

The first train of the day has BNSF 8157 (ES44C4) leading an oil can train through Palmer Lake, Colorado.

BNSF 4009 (Dash) leads a freight into the S Curve at The Sag just north of Palmer Lake, Colorado.

The Smell of Fresh Paint

I can still smell the paint curing as 6017 the 25th Anniversary BNSF Heritage locomotive passes me south of Spruce.

UP 8897 (SD70AH) leads a freight through the green foothills of Palmer Lake on the Joint Line.

BNSF SD70ACe #9126 leading train E-HAFWTM0-11 at Palmer Lake, CO 9/21/18.

BNSF 6135 (ES44AC) shoves a loaded coal train through Palmer Lake, Colorado, past people taking advantage of the cool water on a hot summer day.

BNSF 9314 leads six other motors, including two CP GEs, south with cement empties on the Colorado Joint Line, as 14,259 ft. Longs Peak looms in the background.

Elephant ACes lead a coal load out of the south end of Littleton, Colorado as the summer foliage starts to show its color.

A southbound coal load approaches the crest of the Palmer Divide on the Colorado Joint Line as a light snow begins to fall.

A BNSF southbound manifest is in full dramatic storm light from a break in between the HPC’s (high precipitation cell). BNSF 8347 is about to roll forward after waiting at Spruce on the Colorado... (more)

As a signal maintainer drives away from his work side for the day, an empty coal train approaches as it climbs the 1.5% grade over Palmer Lake (7,231 ft) which is less than a mile away.

This southbound BNSF coal train is just over 2 miles from the summit of Palmer Divide at the small town of Palmer Lake, Colorado. When it reaches Palmer Lake it will have climbed 2000 feet from De... (more)

After pushing the caboose of a southbound coal train onto the main at Palmer Lake, Colorado, the help... (more)

As soon as a southbound Burlington Northern coal train stopped on the single track at Palmer Lake, Colorado, the helpers... (more)