The local railfan grapevine was alive with information that an eastbound UP autorack train would pass through our area on the morning of Sunday, January 04, 2025. What warranted the special attention was the fact Union Pacific 1989 the Denver and Rio Grande Western heritage locomotive was leading the train. This seemed to be ideal for my first photos taken in 2026.
Sunday morning, I got up before dawn and started monitoring the radio. I overheard the 1989 was going to take Gilbert Siding just east of Brazos around 7:00 am for two intermodals and one manifest train. This was good news as it meant after a 7:33 am sunrise there would be plenty of light when the target train passed through the Aledo area.
Around 9:30 am the UP 1989 got back on the main eastbound out of Gilbert Siding and I alerted the local railfans that I was heading to the east end of Iona siding where the light would be prefect. Several friends met me there and a railfan named Aaron that I had not met before. As we were setting up our photo line the radio came alive to alert us the 1989 would be taking the siding at Iona to meet a westbound “”Z” train leaving Fort Worth.
We heard the 1989’s train pull up and stop just out of sight around the corner before the “Z” train came roaring uphill at 10:36 am. I caught this view with left to right, Wyatt Cook, Dan Cook, Aaron and Dakota Miller.
A few seconds later I caught this close up of the intermodal’s conductor returning the wave.
As soon as the last well car of the intermodal passed by, the switch motor came alive, and the points rolled over to the siding. 1989’s lights came on and it started rolling our way. I captured the following sequence as it grew larger in my viewfinder.
I am glad I have taken photos of it in spotless condition in years past as this day it needs a wash and some touch up.
A single DPU in dynamic braking brought up the rear as the train regained the main track. A UP locomotive and a NS autorack brought up the thought of what the future may look like.
Everyone was pleased with the results of their efforts, and I was pleased with my first photographic catch for this new year!
