FL9

My “office this week is one of the two wooden platforms built by UP’s excellent staff carpenters that face the rear of UP observation cars “St. Louis” and “Lone Star”.  This where I or one of my assistants visible on the right hand platform stand to photograph VIP’s during their visit to the train.

BNSF has SD70ACe 9145 on display next door, and take note of the two portable “moon light” lighted baloons that illuminate the scene.  The 16 hour days are wearing me down, so now it is off to bed.

Saturday morning early was a busy time at Denver Union Station where my rolling motel room is parked.  Between photo assignments for the UP at the DNC, I took advantage of my full access ID and walked to the north end of the depot area where the Ski Train was waiting patiently to depart for the last run of the summer to Winter Park.

The westbound California Zephyr led by P42 171 was an hour late as it backed into the stub end station, releasing the Ski Train to run ahead of Amtrak to the Wye at Tabernash.

I made it safely from Fort Worth to Denver on Friday, and before bedding down on the UP’s “Whistlestop 08″ train, I walked down to the rear end for this shot of the train next door.

The Ski Train’s cars look beautiful as always, especially with the bright neon sign on top of Denver Union Station as a backdrop.

You may have noticed the old slides from this week were all from Colorado, and that was on purpose.  Today I am Denver bound just like this loaded coal train descending the front range of the Rockies in 1998 at Coal Creek Canyon a few miles to the west.

I am flying in to work for the next two weeks as the Union Pacific’s event photographer at both the Democratic convention in Denver and then the Republican convention in St. Paul.  Riding the campaign special from Denver to St. Paul in between conventions should be a lot of fun.  My contract and security concerns will prevent me from sharing all details, but I will try to post an acceptable photo and brief text to the blog each day if the hectic schedule permits.  Come and ride along!