BNSF's Brush Subdivision - Best of National Train Day 2011!

[SD70ACe9370]

Me and my dad decided to head far east on the BNSF Brush Subdivision to see what was happening. Thanks to fellow TO Member Kodachrome9319 (aka Steven Welch) for the heads up, I was able to catch the Lincoln, NE to Denver, CO (H-LINDEN9-06A) that had CN 5750 and CN 2141 for power this morning. Finally getting off of Highway 34 and onto Interstate 76 at Wiggins, CO, we headed East. I noticed a headlight in the distance not know what it was. Pretty soon enough I realized it was the LINDEN making good time heading towards Denver. With quick thinking, we found an exit and chased it back West. We managed to make it to the East End of Roggen. The further west we went the cloudy it got. Due to the location and lighting, I wasn't able to get a front shot of the train but did get a grab shot which I am pleased with considering I just went with it. After they cleared, we heard an BNSF 5962 East call up the Brush Dispatcher. We overheard about flags not being displayed near MP 503.2. After that conversation with the dispatcher, dispatcher SRG informed them about meeting a load at Wiggins. Soon enough we headed east to Wiggins. Waiting about 15 minutes, we heard the empty approach from outside of town. Moments later, the coal load showed up and diverged into the siding making it an almost perfect meet with the two trains. Pretty soon, both trains both went their own separate ways. Moments later, we heard SRG talking to the coal load about meeting the Z-Train somewhere west of here so we shoot for the siding at Bijou. On the interstate we catch up to the coal empty, but soon finding out they are going into the siding at Bijou. According to the dispatcher, 4 - 5 coal loads were called out of Sterling and maybe holding him up there. Soon enough, he changes his mind and keeps him moving east with meeting a track inspector at Fort Morgan. After the track inspector got some more track and time, he decided to put him in the siding at Bijou for the Z. A little while later the Z-Train races through at track speed for Chicago and the track inspector continues west towards Keenesburg. While aware of the coal load parade coming, we race to Fort Morgan by the Amtrak Depot catching the first load. With having thoughts of going to Pawnee first instead of Brush, we decided to go straight to Brush. Over hearing the scanner the other night, the DENGAL made a set out in Brush with BNSF 3035. Upon arriving into Brush, there she was, one a several EMD GP40Xs left on BNSF's roster. It can be seen parked with a EMD GP25 that is used on the Brush Local. Moments later, the second coal load creeps through town and proceeds west. 30 minutes has past and the third empty comes into town with a nice pair of Executive painted SD70MACs leading through Brush Center and crossing mains. After the 3rd empty, we quick and grabbed lunch and head to Pawnee and we waiting for a little while but soon enough the fourth empty comes and races through the farmland between Brush and Fort Morgan. We head back to Brush and yet surprised by another coal load coming through town. We missed the head end but catch the DPUs. We then raced to Hillrose hoping to catch another westbound, but we had to get home. Maybe on another day. Overall, it was a very productive day.

Enjoy!