Amtrak California Zephyr in 1987

The California Zephyr begins it's assault on the Colorado Rocky Mountains about 15 miles west and slightly north (at this location)of Denver Colorado. [Amazing how many people I've encountered that think Denver is in the mountains : )]. On this day we find a couple of surprises. An oscillating Mars light on the lead Rio Grande locomotive and a couple of visitors on the back of the train. Roaring Fork gives the train a more original Zephyr like look! The Rio Grande helper itself is not at all unusual. It is the mountains after all. You can easily see the grade at this point near Plainview, Colorado. The railroad uses a complete half circle around the Coal Creek canyon to gain elevation towards Tunnel One about where the train exits the picture.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Amtrak
• California
• Zephyr
• Denver
• Plainview
• Colorado

[DJGENEX71]

Hey Jerry, what's up with that first F-40 in the lineup? Looks like it got torched or something. 5* video! I love the classics!

[jrmasoh]

Don't know. Too bad whatever it was didn't happen "live" while I was filming it. : )

[vigo894]

I love the Mars Lights. Too bad it's mostly ditch lights these days.

[angelicsnoww]

nice video : )

[CoastStarlight11]

This vid just made my day!!!! I have shot all kinds of vid of this California Zephyr train (Trains 5 & 6) across the states of California & Nevada. I have road this train several times in a first class sleeper round trip between Reno & Chicago. That alomost looks like the "Sierra Hotel" private car on the rear. Last time I road the Zephyr the "Sierra Hotel" private car was on the rear of the train from Chicago all the way to Reno and it stayed on the train when I got off in Reno. 5 star vid!!!

[DJGENEX71]

Jerry, What's up with that first F-40PH there? It looks like it was burned or something. 5* Video, I always love the classics!