BNSF 8025 Colorado Springs 26 Dec 11
And here's how I spent the day after Christmas 3 years ago...waiting for the Pikes Peak Local in Colorado Springs.
This was one of those railfan moments that actually worked out. After looking forward to a "Sunny" forecast, it turned out to be mostly true for the Front Range except for a large chunk of the Joint Line which was cast in shadow from standing mountain wave clouds. And if you've ever spent time near the Front Range, you know those clouds that form on the lee side of the mountains just stay there for hours, stationary. It's blue skies over the mountains and blue skies a few miles east of the mountains, but the shadow cast by these clouds tend to fall right on the tracks. But literally minutes before the PPL arrived, the clouds moved just far enough to the east for a clearing line to allow the sun to bathe down and soak this scene in sunshine. I would have a lot less fond memories of catching this yet-to-be-renumbered SD40-2 had I had to watch it roll by in the shade.
I thought this would be my last SD40-2 I'd shoot in some time as I was about ready to move to Alaska. I also thought this would be my final Pikes Peak Local as I didn't think I'd be back here. Funny how life works out...
BNSF 8025 Colorado Springs 26 Dec 11
And here's how I spent the day after Christmas 3 years ago...waiting for the Pikes Peak Local in Colorado Springs.
This was one of those railfan moments that actually worked out. After looking forward to a "Sunny" forecast, it turned out to be mostly true for the Front Range except for a large chunk of the Joint Line which was cast in shadow from standing mountain wave clouds. And if you've ever spent time near the Front Range, you know those clouds that form on the lee side of the mountains just stay there for hours, stationary. It's blue skies over the mountains and blue skies a few miles east of the mountains, but the shadow cast by these clouds tend to fall right on the tracks. But literally minutes before the PPL arrived, the clouds moved just far enough to the east for a clearing line to allow the sun to bathe down and soak this scene in sunshine. I would have a lot less fond memories of catching this yet-to-be-renumbered SD40-2 had I had to watch it roll by in the shade.
I thought this would be my last SD40-2 I'd shoot in some time as I was about ready to move to Alaska. I also thought this would be my final Pikes Peak Local as I didn't think I'd be back here. Funny how life works out...