Climbing through Deen Tunnel on Tennessee Pass east of Pando, Colorado, on August 1, 1996 is a heavy Southern Pacific coal train. The 242-foot Deen Tunnel, sometimes also called Pando Tunnel, is seen from the former site of the U.S. Army’s Cape Hale in Eagle Park. This view was only made possible because of a February 7, 1989 runaway, in which a car of sulfuric acid derailed and ruptured near milepost 288 just outside Deen Tunnel, causing some environmental damage. This lack of trees where the lead locomotives are located made the shot possible! By the way, the wreck also destroyed D&RGW GP40-2 No. 3108, and D&RGW SD40T-2 Nos. 5402 and 5408. And another side note; Rio Grande’s only three GP60s were acquired as a result of the insurance claim.
