Long long ago in a world far far away, Rio Grande SD40T-2 5371 was just another 'tunnel motor' working on the D&RGW. The 5371 would become the last originally numbered and painted Rio Grande locom... (more)

The 'all business' control panel of Rio Grande SD40T-2 No. 5371 was on display at Ogden Union Station on Sept. 9, 2009. For those in the know, is this close to a stock EMD control panel new in Aug... (more)

After switching Mounds, Utah, at sunrise, the “dirt train” heads toward East Carbon past low morning light and “John Ford movie-like” desert buttes. Leading the train are three Rio Grande ... (more)

Brakeman Rick Wyers rides the front of Rio Grande Tunnel Motor No. 5371 while switching cars at Wash, Utah, on November 6, 2007.

The eastbound Union Pacific “dirt train” curves through the cut at mile 607.35 on the Green River Subdivision main line east of Wash, Utah, on a pleasant June 22, 2004. This train was the last... (more)

A fish-eye view out the cab window of SD40T-2 Tunnel Motor No. 5371 near Mounds, Utah, while westbound with the dirt train over the Sunnyside Branch on October 25, 2007. This was last “real” R... (more)

It had to happen sooner or later. The last run of the last "pure" unpatched and un renumbered D&RGW unit on the Union Pacific. Fittingly it was on the Dirt Train local out of Helper, Utah. My frie... (more)

On a warm June 24, 2002, Machinist Gordon Olson does some routine mechanical work on Rio Grande Tunnel Motor No. 5371 at Helper, Utah.

While the crew of Union Pacific LJP45 (Dirt Train) does some paperwork at the depot, the power gets some servicing at Helper, Utah’s, one-stall enginehouse on April 6, 2005. Rio Grande Tunnel Mo... (more)

Sunrise through a Tunnel Motor
A brilliant sunrise filters through the lower intake grills of two Rio Grande SD40T-2s at Mounds, Utah, on the morning of October 8, 2004.

Last man standing. Less than 2 months after this photo was taken, DRGW 5371 would leave Cheyenne for Utah to spend the rest of its days on display as a museum piece.

Rio Grande tunnel motors 5371,5398,5366 are about to depart Helper with an eastbound in the summer of 1990. The units were pretty dirty no doubt due to the numerous trips through all the tunnels o... (more)

The crew of Union Pacific's 'dirt train' local negotiates switches at the east end of the lower yard at Helper, Utah. D&RGW 5371 has recently been cosmetically restored, involving a thorough exter... (more)

Thirty one years old and still smokin!!! Rio Grande 5371 and company depart the Helper Yard area with the LJP45 'dirt train'. This location, CP Spring Glen, is significant in a couple of ways. It ... (more)

With the stunning Book Cliffs as a backdrop, the crew of UP's LJP45 'dirt train' have begun their day. The first assignment is to retrieve a flat car of containers parked in the lower yard at Help... (more)