FL9

THe UP safety special deadheaded to Sweetwater today from Odessa so we may resume our trips tomorrow.  Traffic was up today with a large number of intermodals on the Toyah Sub running in both directions.  I first caught an eastbound intermodal west of Big Spring as I waited for the special to come past me.

Next up was the special running at 60mph.

I was able to beat the special to Big Spring, and stationed myself atop the overpass west of the yard office for this shot.

The Bush unit is bringing up the rear, and I forgot to mention yesterday the UP 4219 had been added to the consist as protection against any more electrical issues with the 4141.

The special met the UP 8500 West next to the yard office where some operating officials detrained.

I took the opportunity to get ahead for one more shot between Coahoma and Iatan.

Now I had three westbounds coming, so I stationed myself on top of the bluffs just west of Iatan for these four shots.

I made it back to the car in time for this shot of the UP 8495 East showing off the area’s abundant cactus crop.

The 8495 East went in the hole at Dome just west of Colorado City for two westbounds.  I caught the first one passing through a narrrow cut just west of town as he climbed away from the Colorado River.

I made it up to the right side of the cut for this shot of the second westbound.

I was in position at the crossing when the UP 8495 came down the steep winding grade.

From there I followed the train to Loriane where he held the main for a westbound unit cement train in the siding.

I had had enough fun for one day, so I headed on to the motel in Sweetwater to clean up and wait for dinner with the rest of the train staff.