A Union Pacific loaded Intermountain Power coal train tackles the 1.8% grade leading to Toponas, CO
The sun peeks out behind a cloud as coal empties from the Public Service Company of Colorado races through the searchlight signals protecting the siding at Toponas, Colorado along UP's Craig Branc... (more)
A westbound coal empty climbs the 2% grade of the Crater Loops towards the 8283ft. Toponas Summit. The name of the loops comes from the volcanic geology of the area. Nearby is a quarry that has m... (more)
An eastbound coal load drifts off the top of colorful Toponas Summit and down towards Egeria and Rock Creek Canyons. This is the third highest point on the active standard gauge freight railroad s... (more)
In the last light of January 9, 1990, Rio Grande’s 5411 East struggles to crest the Craig Branch summit at Toponas, Colo., headed for Denver. Two SD40-2T tunnel motors lead the way.
On a beautiful cold winter morning the weekly mixed freight from Denver to Craig just passed Toponas summit on about 8280 feet/2525 meter a.s.l. and will run downgrade now to the crew change in Ph... (more)
SP 335 crests Toponas Summit, formerly a helper district on the D&RGW's Craig Branch. Remanence of the wye for Phippsburg, CO based steam helpers is still visible. Flanked by the Flat Tops to the ... (more)
D&RGW's original search lights still protect UP's Craig Branch and our galaxy at 04:00h. I don't believe there was a single train on the entire 130+ miles of this coal branch line, the Milky Way a... (more)
A UP empty hopper train climbs uphill as it approaches the summit at Toponas, CO. on the Craig Branch. The rear two SD90MACs will be cut into the middle of the train at Phippsburg, CO. while the ... (more)
