Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video, C. Vision Productions takes you back to 1997, to view the final days of mainline operations over Union Pacific’s Tennessee Pass line in Colorado. Although the end was near, the railroad still put on a fantastic show for videographer Dan Hadley as he documented this historic route. We’ll follow trains between Pueblo and Minturn, with all locations identified using on-screen graphics. Classic EMD locomotives from Rio Grande, Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific are seen in this show, as well as many newer SP AC4400CW and UP SD90MAC units. Classic EMD models GP60, SD40, SD40-2, SD40T-2, SD45T-2, SD50, SD60, and SD60M were frequently assigned to general freight and autorack trains, along with older GE models C30-7, B39-8E, C40-8, C41-8, and C41-8W. Union Pacific’s new 4300 horsepower SD90MAC units (often referred to as model SD9043MAC) were beginning to show up on this line during 1997, and were often found in matched sets. Southern Pacific AC4400CW units were the most common locomotives seen on coal and taconite trains throughout the video, with these powerful GEs being put to good use handling the heaviest trains routed over Tennessee Pass. There was still plenty of jointed rail on this line right up to the end, with many scenes featuring the classic sounds created by this type of track. Highlights include the Royal Gorge, trains running along the beautiful Arkansas River, Tennessee Pass Tunnel, helper operations, and much more.
We hope you enjoy the video. If you’d like to see more, check out our channel, or choose one of the videos offered below:
Saluda Grade - The Final Months of America’s Steepest Mainline Route
youtu.be/CG0f2ZMEBbY
Smoky U28Bs on Coal Trains! - Transkentucky Transportation Railroad (TTI)
youtu.be/hSICEfHgQec
Kansas City Southern - C. Vision’s Tribute to the Mighty KCS
youtu.be/MDT5O-wbeQU
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad: The Action Road - Vol. 1, D&RGW and Utah Railway (1985-1987)
youtu.be/3XtYBKb4bBM
Denver & Rio Grande Western Vol. 2, Rocky Mountain Railroading - D&RGW, BN, Santa Fe (1989)
youtu.be/u8mzuj-lFec
The Milwaukee Road in Montana - FULL VIDEO
youtu.be/jaVUIuUFk38
Montana Rail Link: Mission Complete - C. Vision’s Tribute to MRL
youtu.be/MdK4nnF3OO8
Burlington Northern’s Hi Line in Montana: Autumn on Marias Pass
youtu.be/uDo1PvSrVGk
Montana Rail Link SD45 Renaissance Vol. 1, The East End - FULL VIDEO (2016)
youtu.be/reRpteUo1D0
Rock & Rail Activity on the Tennessee Pass Line in Colorado
youtu.be/2qJLgdXekFw
In this video, C. Vision Productions takes you back to 1997, to view the final days of mainline operations over Union Pacific’s Tennessee Pass line in Colorado. Although the end was near, the railroad still put on a fantastic show for videographer Dan Hadley as he documented this historic route. We’ll follow trains between Pueblo and Minturn, with all locations identified using on-screen graphics. Classic EMD locomotives from Rio Grande, Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific are seen in this show, as well as many newer SP AC4400CW and UP SD90MAC units. Classic EMD models GP60, SD40, SD40-2, SD40T-2, SD45T-2, SD50, SD60, and SD60M were frequently assigned to general freight and autorack trains, along with older GE models C30-7, B39-8E, C40-8, C41-8, and C41-8W. Union Pacific’s new 4300 horsepower SD90MAC units (often referred to as model SD9043MAC) were beginning to show up on this line during 1997, and were often found in matched sets. Southern Pacific AC4400CW units were the most common locomotives seen on coal and taconite trains throughout the video, with these powerful GEs being put to good use handling the heaviest trains routed over Tennessee Pass. There was still plenty of jointed rail on this line right up to the end, with many scenes featuring the classic sounds created by this type of track. Highlights include the Royal Gorge, trains running along the beautiful Arkansas River, Tennessee Pass Tunnel, helper operations, and much more.
We hope you enjoy the video. If you’d like to see more, check out our channel, or choose one of the videos offered below:
Saluda Grade - The Final Months of America’s Steepest Mainline Route
youtu.be/CG0f2ZMEBbY
Smoky U28Bs on Coal Trains! - Transkentucky Transportation Railroad (TTI)
youtu.be/hSICEfHgQec
Kansas City Southern - C. Vision’s Tribute to the Mighty KCS
youtu.be/MDT5O-wbeQU
Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad: The Action Road - Vol. 1, D&RGW and Utah Railway (1985-1987)
youtu.be/3XtYBKb4bBM
Denver & Rio Grande Western Vol. 2, Rocky Mountain Railroading - D&RGW, BN, Santa Fe (1989)
youtu.be/u8mzuj-lFec
The Milwaukee Road in Montana - FULL VIDEO
youtu.be/jaVUIuUFk38
Montana Rail Link: Mission Complete - C. Vision’s Tribute to MRL
youtu.be/MdK4nnF3OO8
Burlington Northern’s Hi Line in Montana: Autumn on Marias Pass
youtu.be/uDo1PvSrVGk
Montana Rail Link SD45 Renaissance Vol. 1, The East End - FULL VIDEO (2016)
youtu.be/reRpteUo1D0
Rock & Rail Activity on the Tennessee Pass Line in Colorado
youtu.be/2qJLgdXekFw
