Jeff Simley
The Front Range mountains west of Denver are a formidable railroading challenge. The Rio Grande and its predecessor Denver North Western and Pacific overcame them by going over them and then through them via Moffat Tunnel. In this book we witness the final days of Rio Grande-powered trains in the 1990s as they charge up 2% grades, 10-degree curves, and 28 tunnels to the Moffat Tunnel at the Continental Divide. We will also get a look at giant coal trains using three separate power consists holding back their tonnage as they descend from the Divide into Denver. Our coverage extends west through Byers Canyon and Gore Canyon to see the Rio Grande moving freight "Thru the Rockies, not around them"!
Jeff Simley
The Front Range mountains west of Denver are a formidable railroading challenge. The Rio Grande and its predecessor Denver North Western and Pacific overcame them by going over them and then through them via Moffat Tunnel. In this book we witness the final days of Rio Grande-powered trains in the 1990s as they charge up 2% grades, 10-degree curves, and 28 tunnels to the Moffat Tunnel at the Continental Divide. We will also get a look at giant coal trains using three separate power consists holding back their tonnage as they descend from the Divide into Denver. Our coverage extends west through Byers Canyon and Gore Canyon to see the Rio Grande moving freight "Thru the Rockies, not around them"!