Choo-Choo Content

[Pilgrim]

Hey Mark...I was stopped by a train for 25 minutes today - when the engines finally came past, they looked unfamiliar and I read "HBR" on the side.  Then I saw it read 'Hudson's Bay Railroad".  In 14 years, I have never seen anything from that line in Colorado before.  I had only a moment to snap a pic with my cell phone camera.



We have multiple train tracks in Fort Collins, all of which are active.  I have actually been stopped by the same train twice when heading home one night, since one track goes right through the middle of downtown and then curves east across the main access road to my home.

[TBird1958]

 Ahhh, that whole picture is worth a thousand words thingie.......
Hudson Bay Railway is owned by OmniTrax operates between The Pas and Churchill (on Hudson Bay) ex-Canadian National track in Manitoba Canada. OmniTrax owns and operates shortline railroads and facilities thruout North America. Some of the track in Ft. Collins (could be ex -Colorado and Southern or  Rock Island) is owned by Great Western Railway (operated by Omnitrax) so the HBR locos are were likely sent south from Canada to replace older power or to help with an upturn in business.
Interestingly, both of the locos are Electro Motive Division (EMD) GP-35 models, produced in 1963-64! No doubt rebuilt, a check of the HBR roster reveals that they only have 3 total of that type one of which #2501 is an ex Denver and Rio Grande Western loco, their #3041. So while I can't make out the unit numbers in the pic one of them could very well be near it's home rails which ran between Denver and Salt Lake City with lines south to Pueblo and out to the coalfields of Phippsburg, Co.
I couldn't find a shot of the 3041 but here's it's sister the #3038 wearing a typical coat of Rio Grande filth, generated by the many tunnels and harsh mountain conditions the operated in. Rio Grande took very good care of it's locos with many lasting past their 20 year lease and going on to work for other railroads, this engine and no doubt the 3041 was never repainted during it's service life.

   

[Pilgrim]

I am flabergasted at the depth and detail of Mark's response.  

To you, sir, a tip of the Hatlo hat! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They%27ll_Do_It_Every_Time

[TBird1958]

 

I was trying to keep it at less than a thousand words Al!

I do love trains especially from the '60s -'70s and that old GP-35 is certainly a rare survivor in 2012, I'd say it's quite likely most of her sisters have been cut up as scrap or are toiling away in far off countries.

[Pilgrim]

I was crossing the same intersection today - just missed a train - and sonuvagun, it was the same pair of HBR engines.

[Highlander]

Glitch in the Matrix...

[uwe]

We have the strangest combinations here.