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I received word last night that UP would be operating a diversion train that normally runs over the Sunset Route from Houston to El Paso and on to West Colton, California through Fort Worth and west over the ex-T&P to El Paso instead.  What made the train especially interesting was the lead unit reported as the UP 2624, a nearly new C45AH built at the local GE plant.  This would be my first opportunity to catch one in service.

This morning I learned the train had made it to Fort Worth around 6:00 am, but I did not know when it would head out on the Baird Sub. Listening to the radio at the house I heard a westbound leave the yard just after sunrise.  I drove to Aledo, and in spite of the commuter and school traffic I made it to the Highway 1187 crossing a few minutes ahead of what turned out to be the UP 8265 West, a “Z” train at 8:16 am.

I lingered in the area and listened to the radio in case the train I was interested in was close behind, but the next train was the UP 6037 East that I caught at Iona at 9:15 am.

It was then I got word the diversion train would leave Davidson at 11:00 am, so I headed back home and took care of a few things before driving to the yard.  As I passed the west end at 10:30 am there were a few older locomotives coupled up to four more brand new, not yet in service C45AH’s.  I passed them by for the moment as I could see the diversion train with the clean and shiny UP 2624 sitting at the west end of Bypass #4.

I parked short of the train, and just as I was about to get out the headlights popped on and the engineer whistled off.  I looked back as I jumped out and saw a green signal beckoning them on west.  I took this quick grab shot of the now moving train.

Good thing I arrived early!  As the train was just starting to roll I had plenty of time to turn around and drive back to where the other new C45AH’s were parked next to the lead to Bypasses #4 and #5.

My quickly formed goal was to get this photo of the two new C45AH’s meeting, the 2624 in service and the 2669 just delivered by GE.

The sun even came out for me, so this is my personal favorite for the day.  I decided since the 2624 West was pulling out of the yard I might have time to beat the train to Boaz Park for a scenic shot.  The traffic lights were with me, and I made it into position with about two minutes to spare.

The lengthy manifest train on its way to West Colton had three locomotives up front and was quickly up to speed with two more shoving hard on the rear as the sun went out of sight again.

With my mission accomplished I went on to have lunch with a good friend before going home to process these photos to share with you.