UP 7511 (ES44AC) pulls a loaded coal train past a BNSF helper unit stationed on the siding at Spruce, Colorado.

The wide open space at Spruce, Colorado enables the entire BNSF windmill blade train to be seen, from the single engine BNSF 7006 (ES44C4) at the head end to the single DPU at the rear.

BNSF 7042 (ES44C4) leads a freight up the grade between Greenland and Palmer Lake, running through Spruce, Colorado along the way.

Thick fog blanketed Greenland, Spruce and Palmer Lake, and here we see BNSF 6869 pulling into Speer, Colorado, where it will wait for a slow northbound BNSF freight to run through Palmer Lake.

124 cars loads of black diamonds, pulled by four GE motors, slowly grind up the northern slope of Palmer Divide as they approach the 7,200' high summit on New Years Day 2020.

BNSF 7042 (ES44C4) leads a freight through Spruce, Colorado on the Joint Line. It will next pass through Palmer Lake and Monument on its way to Colorado Springs.

BNSF 9317 (SD70ACe) pulls a loaded coal train past a helper unit staged at Spruce, Colorado.

BNSF 7147 (ES44C4) runs solo lead while pulling a windmill blade train up the grade at Spruce, Colorado.

25th Anniversary

BNSF #6017 is leading the BKMSLP110B through Spruce, CO.

A northbound train of empties with mixed Santa Fe and Burlington Northern power passes through Spruce, Colorado.

Riders on the Storm

In the moments before a violent thunderstorm unleashes its precipitation the clouds take on this dark ominous appearance. Hail stones and large rain dro... (more)

BNSF 9233 is making its way through "the sag" on Main 1 a few miles north of Palmer Lake. Over 100 years ago, tracks of competing railroads (Rio Grande and Santa Fe) crossed here. Specif... (more)

North meets south at "The Sag" a few miles north of Palmer Lake on the Joint line. The coal train to the right on Main 1 is stopped, cooling its traction motors after the long climb up P... (more)

A northbound BNSF manifest freight coasts down Main 2 from Palmer Lake, Colorado, at the site of the old flyover at Spruce on May 25, 2020.

Peaking out of the shadows, a Slaton, TX to Denver, CO manifest train starts to get up to speed down the northern slope of the Palmer Divide after climbing over the 7,200' summit. The train takes ... (more)