In this video, C. Vision Productions takes you back to 1997, to view the final days of mainline operations over Union Pacific’s Tennessee Pass line in Colorado. Although the end was near, the railroad still put on a fantastic show for videographer Dan Hadley as he documented this historic route. We’ll follow trains between Pueblo and Minturn, with all locations identified using onscreen graphics. Classic EMD locomotives from Rio Grande, Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific are seen in this show, as well as many newer SP AC4400CW and UP SD90MAC units. Classic EMD models GP60, SD40, SD402, SD40T2, SD45T2, SD50, SD60, and SD60M were frequently assigned to general freight and autorack trains, along with older GE models C307, B398E, C408, C418, and C418W. Union Pacific’s new 4300 horsepower SD90MAC units (often referred to as model SD9043MAC) were beginning to show up on this line during 1997, and were often found in matched sets. Southern Pacific AC4400CW units were the most common locomotives seen on coal and taconite trains throughout the video, with these powerful GEs being put to good use handling the heaviest trains routed over Tennessee Pass. There was still plenty of jointed rail on this line right up to the end, with many scenes featuring the classic sounds created by this type of track. Highlights include the Royal Gorge, trains running along the beautiful Arkansas River, Tennessee Pass Tunnel, helper operations, and much more.

We hope you enjoy the video. If you’d like to see more, check out our channel, or choose one of the videos offered below:

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