Hello All

I had a great time, despite the weather. It was great to meet some of
the on-line gang. We got to chase and photograph a few trains, swap a
few stories, and view each others photographs.

I managed to see an eastbound BN clinging to the front range on my way
in about 9:30. It was approaching a westbound UP coal train at the Plain
siding. The dispatcher was attempting to negotiate the meet of the two
trains along with a work crew also on the tracks. I drove under the
coal train at Coal Creek and met up with Jim along the road on the way
to Pinecliff (Cliff). We met an eastbound UP coal train between
Rollinsville and Tolland. After a few minutes at East Portal we were
joined by Paul and John and watched the Amtrak westbound enter the portal.
Rich and Carolyn arrived in time to see the westbound coal train following
Amtrak. We were all surprised at the speed that the train had attained
by the time the end of train DPU's reached the bore. We did abort the
plans for a cookout due to the weather and headed for the Sundance Cafe
for lunch. Other obligations took Rich, Carolyn, and John away at that
time but we picked up Kevin and Damian and continued on. The next rail
action was to be another two hours away so we enjoyed a leasurely lunch
and admired some great train photos taken by members of the group.

After lunch we relocated to Pinecliff and joined forces in Paul's monster
Suburban, and chased a westbound UP coal train from the Y switch at Cliff
to East Portal, stopping along the way to get appropriate pictures, of
course. We had enough weight in Paul's Suburban that it was relatively
smooth sailing across the potholes and washboard on the road to the
portal. We then headed back to Cliff and said farewell to Kevin and
Damian. Jim, Paul, and I hung around and looked at some more photos
until a westbound passed, then we all headed for home.

Look for photos from the event to start appearing on ARF members' websites
over the next few days and weeks. Hopefully more can make it out for
the next social, whenever that might be. The next one will most likely
take place West of the divide.

Until we meet again...
Happy Foaming

Jason Lee Davis KB5YBP
JLD's RailFan Pages