Half way between Crescent, Colorado and the Moffat Tunnel Portal is Pinecliffe, offering a tunnel (29) and a great view of South Boulder Creek.

After leaving Denver the California Zephyr runs around Blue Mountain on its way of the Moffat Tunnel Sub.

The California Zephyr rounds the corner at Pinecliffe, Colorado as it climbs higher into the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Christmas Eve finds the California Zephyr running through the snow to get to Denver, Colorado.

Brutal temperatures of -22 degrees Fahrenheit made chasing the Zephyr a challenge, but the P42's really stood out against the white snow.

The polar vortex had temperatures in Roggen, Colorado at -22 with wind chill of -57. Freezing switches, clogged freight traffic and broken rails had the California Zephyr many hours late as it ra... (more)

Amtrak engine #189 (P42DC) leads the California Zephyr through Tonville at sunrise.

The California Zephyr heads into Coal Creek Canyon and is about ready to cross Blue Mountain Road, where it will stop briefly so that two Arvada policemen can deal with a problem passenger.

Sunrise catches the California Zephyr as it runs through Keenesburg, Colorado.

Low clouds at sunrise gives the California Zephyr a golden glow as it runs through Keenesburg, Colorado.

A frigid 9 degrees greets the morning California Zephyr 5 at Tonville, Colorado. Freezing fog has just rolled out of the area, allowing a bit of light from the golden sunrise to wash over the fro... (more)

The California Zephyr runs through the valley at Tolland, Colorado on the way to the Moffat Tunnel.

The California Zephyr passes over the main road leading to the Moffat Tunnel as blue skies give the passengers a great view of the snowy Colorado Rocky Mountains.

The California Zephyr heads into Coal Creek Canyon during a heavy snowstorm, providing the passengers with a great view of the snowy Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Amtrak engine #7 (P42DC) guides the California Zephyr through Coal Creek Canyon and will soon enter the Moffat Tunnel district where it will pass through 30 tunnels.