BNSF 5898 (ES44AC) leads a loaded coal train over a stone bridge in Spruce, Colorado on the Joint Line.

BNSF 6357 (ES44AC) leads a loaded coal train through the open space ranchland of Spruce, Colorado.

BNSF 6829 (ES44C4) leads a freight of gondolas through the curves at Spruce, Colorado.

A BNSF stack train runs through 'The Sag' in Spruce, Colorado as it heads towards Palmer Lake.

BNSF 6357 (ES44AC) leads a loaded coal train through the S curve at Spruce, Colorado.

BNSF ACe 9264 sits on a helper ready track as a loaded coal train rumbles past. From time to time a helper is needed to push the heavy trains over the Palmer Divide.

A Grinstein SD70MAC belches smoke as a coal train gets moving again after waiting for a green signal at Spruce, Colorado.

BNSF 6357 (ES44AC) passes a reflecting puddle created by the heavy rains the day before.

Traffic is starting to get busy on a late spring afternoon at the top Palmer Lake on Colorado's Joint Line. On BNSF Main 1, a loaded coal train slowly grinds towards "The Sag"; the stop ... (more)

A spring snowstorm catches BNSF 9319 (SD70ACe) as it leads a loaded coal train through Spruce, Colorado on the southbound Joint Line.

BNSF 6363 (ES44AC) muscles a loaded coal train towards Palmer Lake on the southbound Joint Line.

BNSF 4061 (ES44AC) leads a stack train through the snowy S curves at Spruce, Colorado.

Heavy snow is falling as BNSF 9319 (SD70ACe) leads a loaded coal train and leans into the elevated S curves between Spruce and Palmer Lake, Colorado.

An empty Comanche coal train is lead by a rebuilt SD70MAC as it heads north towards Denver on UP's Main 2 track along Colorado's BNSF/UP Joint Line. In the foreground, a BNSF locomotive sits in th... (more)

A 17,600 ton coal train from Eagle Butte Mine, WY to NRG (Headwaters Power Plant) Donnie, TX slowly crawls up the 1.4% grade of Spruce before reaching the summit of the Palmer Divide.