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4/19/2024
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Viewing Album:  Union Pacific's Ft. Collins Branch
 
By:Richard Kundert
Dates:7/20/1999 - 3/15/2015
Album Info:The Union Pacific built the La Salle-Fort Collins Colorado branch in 1910-1911. An eight stall roundhouse was built near the intersection of Lemay and Riverside and remained in service through the 1930's. In the late 1990's, there was a Monday - Friday turn that originated at La Salle. 4 axle power was used on the line due to bridge restrictions. In the early 2000's, the UP upgraded the branch to handle an increase in traffic from the Great Western Rly. Welded rail, new ties and bridge improvements allowed 6 axle power to be used and speeds increased from 20 mph to 30 mph. By 2009, unit trains of fracking sand, grain, oil and wind turbine blades were being interchanged with the GWR at Ft. Collins. In 2016, the GWR-UP interchange was reconstructed in Greeley and most trains were sent on this shorter route leaving the Ft. Collins branch a 3 day a week operation.
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UP 2245
Title:  UP 2245
Description:  The Ft. Collins local has finished interchanging with the BNSF in North Yard and leaves the BNSF Front Range Sub mainline for the return trip to La Salle
Photo Date:  7/20/1999  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:29:32 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 2245(GP38-2) UP 2189(GP38-2)
Views:  334   Comments: 0
SP 7677
Title:  SP 7677
Description:  The Ft. Collins local has a few cars to interchange as it approaches the South Siding Switch at the BNSFs North Yard.
Photo Date:  10/30/1999  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:33:18 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  SP 7677(GP40-2) UP 2367(GP39-2)
Views:  555   Comments: 0
UP 2307
Title:  UP 2307
Description:  The local has a few cars of beer from Budweiser in Ft. Collins. This photo was taken from the I25 overpass east of Loveland.
Photo Date:  2/19/2000  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:35:10 PM
Location:  Kelim, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 2307(GP38-2)
Views:  250   Comments: 1
SP 7965
Title:  SP 7965
Description:  The Ft. Collins local has three Geeps as it approaches Ft. Collins at the Trilby Road bridge.
Photo Date:  7/21/2000  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:38:19 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  SP 7965(GP40R) SP 7299(GP40M-2) UP 2147(GP38-2)
Views:  423   Comments: 0
SP 7965
Title:  SP 7965
Description:  This photo was shot from the I25 overpass west of Kelim. In a few years, the field in the background would be redeveloped into the Centerra Shopping Complex.
Photo Date:  8/12/2000  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:46:46 PM
Location:  Kelim, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  SP 7965(GP40R) SP 7299(GP40M-2) UP 2521(GP38-3)
Views:  408   Comments: 0
UP 2245
Title:  UP 2245
Description:  The local is eastbound at Milliken, MP 9.0. The UP interchanges with the Great Western at Milliken
Photo Date:  10/10/2000  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:48:11 PM
Location:  Milliken, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 2245(GP38-2)
Views:  262   Comments: 0
UP 2307
Title:  UP 2307
Description:  Crossing Spring Creek in Ft. Collins
Photo Date:  4/24/2001  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:49:53 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  UP 2307(GP38-2) UP 5518(GP50)
Views:  332   Comments: 0
UP 5518
Title:  UP 5518
Description:  Ex CNW GP50 5061 is on the BNSF mainline as it nears North Yard. Luckily the train is short and the fire department can continue to the emergency.
Photo Date:  5/26/2001  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:52:15 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 5518(GP50)
Views:  244   Comments: 0
UP 5518
Title:  UP 5518
Description:  South of Fort Collins near a location known as Boyd Lake
Photo Date:  6/1/2001  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:54:26 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 5518(GP50) DRGW 3097(GP40-2) UP 2364(GP39-2)
Views:  2418   Comments: 3
DRGW 3109
Title:  DRGW 3109
Description:  Rio Grande power was frequently used on the branch. The westbound local has 4 Central Kansas GP9s in the consist for interchange to the Great Western at Kelim.
Photo Date:  7/29/2001  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:56:08 PM
Location:  Milliken, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  DRGW 3109(GP40-2) UP 5245(GP40-2)
Views:  369   Comments: 1
D&RGW 3109
Title:  D&RGW 3109
Description:  Crossing the Big Thompson River at Milliken
Photo Date:  7/29/2001  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:57:35 PM
Location:  Milliken, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  DRGW 3109(GP40-2) UP 5245(GP40-2)
Views:  336   Comments: 0
SSW 7286
Title:  SSW 7286
Description:  Leaving Ft. Collins with a short train including a few cars of Budwieser.
Photo Date:  8/22/2002  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 3:58:44 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  SSW 7286(GP40M-2)
Views:  202   Comments: 0
D&RGW 3126
Title:  D&RGW 3126
Description:  A Rio Grande GP40-2 leads the local out of BNSFs North Yard.
Photo Date:  2/11/2003  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:00:10 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  DRGW 3126(GP40-2) UP 745(GP38-2)
Views:  306   Comments: 0
D&RGW 3126
Title:  D&RGW 3126
Description:  On Tuesday and Thursday, the local would make the 5 mile trip up to the cement plant at Boettcher. The last 5 miles of track was "excepted track", minimally maintained for 10 mph. In this photo, the local is returning from Boettcher over the Cache la Poudre River as it slows to stop at the BNSF crossing.
Photo Date:  2/26/2003  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:03:38 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Bridge,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  DRGW 3126(GP40-2) UP 745(GP38-2) DRGW 3097(GP40-2)
Views:  260   Comments: 0
D&RGW 3126
Title:  D&RGW 3126
Description:  Shoving cement loads up to the cement plant at Boettcher at MP37.7. A short steep grade required at least 3 units for this sized train.
Photo Date:  2/26/2003  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:06:09 PM
Location:  Boettcher, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  DRGW 3126(GP40-2)
Views:  252   Comments: 0
D&RGW 3097
Title:  D&RGW 3097
Description:  Approaching the US Highway 34 crossing at Kelim with 3 GP40-2's.
Photo Date:  3/3/2003  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:07:28 PM
Location:  Kelim, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  DRGW 3097(GP40-2) UP 5245(GP40-2) SSW 7652(GP40-2)
Views:  319   Comments: 0
D&RGW 3097
Title:  D&RGW 3097
Description:  On the BNSF Front Range Sub mainline at North Yard. Three units, three paint schemes
Photo Date:  3/3/2003  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:08:44 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  DRGW 3097(GP40-2) UP 5245(GP40-2)
Views:  274   Comments: 2
D&RGW 3111
Title:  D&RGW 3111
Description:  Crossing the Cache la Poudre River on the north side of Ft. Collins at MP 32.6. The train has just crossed the BNSF Front Range sub and is running 6 miles up the branch to Boettcher with cars for the cement plant.
Photo Date:  7/3/2003  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:10:16 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  DRGW 3111(GP40-2)
Views:  158   Comments: 0
UP 3205
Title:  UP 3205
Description:  In 2004, the UP began upgrading the Ft. Collins branch to allow 6 axle power to be used. Traffic was increasing on the Great Western and the UP would be handling larger, more frequent trains. Part of this upgrade included building a siding along the UP track eliminating the need to use BNSFs North Yard. In this photo, 5 UP motors are in North Yard to interchange with the BNSF and GWR.
Photo Date:  3/3/2006  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:17:09 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 3205(SD40-2) UP 8607(SD40T-2) UP 3203(SD40-2)
Views:  382   Comments: 0
UP 2001
Title:  UP 2001
Description:  One of the Salt Lake City Olympic units is on the point of a ballast train that has just dumped rock on a new siding. The branch was rehabilitated with welded rail, new ties and a one mile siding.
Photo Date:  3/3/2006  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:19:42 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 2001(SD70M)
Views:  159   Comments: 0
UP 951
Title:  UP 951
Description:  The UP ran an Operation Lifesaver train out of Ft. Collins in June, 2007. This is the "deadhead" move crossing the South Platte River near Milliken.
Photo Date:  6/24/2007  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:23:06 PM
Location:  Milliken, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  UP 951(E9A)
Views:  141   Comments: 0
UP 1989
Title:  UP 1989
Description:  In June, 2008, an Operation Lifesaver train was operated over "Excepted track" from Ft. Collins to Boettcher. The Rio Grande heritage unit was used on the south end of the train and is crossing the Cache la Poudre River at MP 32.6.
Photo Date:  6/24/2007  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:26:01 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Bridge,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  UP 1989(SD70ACe)
Views:  2566   Comments: 5
UP 1989
Title:  UP 1989
Description:  The Rio Grande heritage unit shoves a long train of hoppers to the cement plant at Boettcher. The 4 units barely be enough to make the short steep grade into the facility
Photo Date:  7/17/2008  Upload Date: 8/26/2016 4:28:25 PM
Location:  Boettcher, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 1989(SD70ACe)
Views:  240   Comments: 1
UP 1640
Title:  UP 1640
Description:  Classified as an SD40n, the 1640 looks good after a recent rebuild & new paint. The Fort Collins local power sits while the crew takes a lunch break
Photo Date:  1/23/2012  Upload Date: 1/26/2017 2:04:50 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  UP 1640(SD40N) UP 3341(SD40-2)
Views:  264   Comments: 0
Nine UP units on the Local!!
Title:  Nine UP units on the Local!!
Description:  On 8/29/2012, the UP local came into Fort Collins with 9 units!! 5 of the 9 had been picked up at Kelim after receiving mechanical work at Omnitrax in Loveland.
Photo Date:  8/29/2012  Upload Date: 1/20/2017 1:11:31 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 1640(SD40N)
Views:  186   Comments: 0
UP 4722
Title:  UP 4722
Description:  The FTC local just crossed the Great Western at Kelim on its return trip to La Salle
Photo Date:  11/10/2013  Upload Date: 1/26/2017 1:39:34 PM
Location:  Kelim, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 4722(SD70M) UP 2300(SD60M) UP 2287(SD60M)
Views:  238   Comments: 0
UP 4074
Title:  UP 4074
Description:  Typical operations of the branch included a trip up the 6 mile branch to Boettcher to serve a cement facility. Here, the 4074 is preparing to stop at the BNSF diamond on the north side of FTC
Photo Date:  5/22/2014  Upload Date: 1/26/2017 1:10:05 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 4074(SD70M)
Views:  142   Comments: 1
KCS 3950
Title:  KCS 3950
Description:  This KCS unit was on the FTC local for nearly 3 weeks, adding some variety to the trains.
Photo Date:  9/24/2014  Upload Date: 1/26/2017 1:11:44 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  KCS 3950(SD70MAC)
Views:  175   Comments: 0
UP 4286
Title:  UP 4286
Description:  The FTC local is leaving town for the return trip to La Salle. UP upgraded the branch with welded rail and many new ties to handle the increase in traffic interchanged with the Great Western.
Photo Date:  9/24/2014  Upload Date: 1/26/2017 1:13:56 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 4286(SD70M)
Views:  96   Comments: 1
UP 5081
Title:  UP 5081
Description:  A UP crew slowly pulls this long train off the Great Western at Milliken.
Photo Date:  10/20/2014  Upload Date: 1/26/2017 1:15:06 PM
Location:  Milliken, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 5081(SD70M)
Views:  117   Comments: 0
UP 1932
Title:  UP 1932
Description:  A rebuilt SD40-2 leads the local into FTC.
Photo Date:  12/8/2014  Upload Date: 1/26/2017 1:16:43 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  UP 1932(SD40N)
Views:  265   Comments: 0
UP 1932
Title:  UP 1932
Description:  Five units bring the local into FTC with cars for the Great Western.
Photo Date:  12/8/2014  Upload Date: 1/26/2017 1:17:52 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 1932(SD40N)
Views:  133   Comments: 0
UP 5078
Title:  UP 5078
Description:  The Fort Collins local has 7 units ready to depart FTC with a long train....mostly interchange traffic from the Great Western
Photo Date:  1/16/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:08:38 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 5078(SD70M)
Views:  65   Comments: 0
UP 8795
Title:  UP 8795
Description:  This SD70ACe was the leader of an empty oil train that will be interchanged to the Great Western for loading at Windsor
Photo Date:  1/17/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:09:35 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  UP 8795(SD70ACe)
Views:  256   Comments: 1
UP 8356
Title:  UP 8356
Description:  The 8356 has some hard miles on her and is looking kind of rough....some rust, tattered flag and faded paint.
Photo Date:  1/22/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:10:05 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  UP 8356(SD70ACe)
Views:  149   Comments: 0
UP 8965
Title:  UP 8965
Description:  UP 8965 was on the Fort Collins local for about 5 weeks in early 2015. Kind of cool to see a brand new unit on the local. Here it is south of FTC on the return trip to La Salle. The five units will be needed for a 72 car pickup at Milliken.
Photo Date:  2/2/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:12:45 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 8965(SD70AH)
Views:  142   Comments: 0
UP 8965
Title:  UP 8965
Description:  A new SD70ACe sitting in perfect light
Photo Date:  2/5/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:13:41 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  UP 8965(SD70AH)
Views:  142   Comments: 0
UP 8965
Title:  UP 8965
Description:  The Fort Collins local departing for La Salle
Photo Date:  2/19/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:14:37 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  UP 8965(SD70AH)
Views:  130   Comments: 0
UP 8965
Title:  UP 8965
Description:  Approaching Harmony Road on the southbound trip back to La Salle.
Photo Date:  2/19/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:15:21 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 8965(SD70AH)
Views:  133   Comments: 0
UP 1883
Title:  UP 1883
Description:  An SD40n at the cement plant at Boettcher.
Photo Date:  2/24/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:16:32 PM
Location:  Boettcher, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  UP 1883(B40-8) UP 4849(SD70M)
Views:  195   Comments: 1
UP 5579
Title:  UP 5579
Description:  The Great Western delivered this loaded oil train to the UP at Fort Collins and it's approaching Timberline Road a few miles south of FTC.
Photo Date:  2/24/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:18:17 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  UP 5579(AC44CWCTE)
Views:  120   Comments: 0
UP 5099
Title:  UP 5099
Description:  The Local crosses the Cache La Poudre River on its 6 mile trip to Boettcher
Photo Date:  2/26/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:19:40 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  UP 5099(SD70M)
Views:  154   Comments: 0
UP 1883
Title:  UP 1883
Description:  An SD40N on the local at Fort Collins
Photo Date:  3/2/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:20:16 PM
Location:  Fort Collins, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  UP 1883(SD40N)
Views:  302   Comments: 0
BNSF 4467
Title:  BNSF 4467
Description:  This was the last train I shot on the Fort Collins branch before moving to Alabama. The Great Western delivered this blade train to the UP at Milliken with one BNSF unit! Here it is rounding the curve southeast of Milliken. The Dent branch left the FTC line at this location. In early 2016, the GWR rebuilt the Windsor-Greeley segment of the ex Colorado & Southern line and now most interchange with the UP is handled in a new yard west of Greeley.
Photo Date:  3/15/2015  Upload Date: 1/31/2017 12:25:12 PM
Location:  Milliken, CO
Author:  Richard Kundert
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 4467(C44-9W)
Views:  279   Comments: 0

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