Tribute to Tennessee Pass (1997)

Esteemed for its scenic beauty and respected for the difficulty of its terrain Tennessee Pass has been a magnet drawing railfans and photographers to Colorados mountains for years When word spread that Union Pacific was closing the pass in 1997 interest climbed to an alltime high Along with visitors from throughout the world Pentrex traveled to this revered line to document its final months of operation Our efforts were rewarded with a high volume of movements and an outstanding mix of trains The grit of heavyhaul railroading is an awesome sight Coal trains slug it out on the 3 percent grade leading to the 10000foot summit Colorados highest snowcapped mountains loom over toiling freights Squealing flanges echo off canyon walls as trains grind through serpentine curves and past the raging waters of the Arkansas River