UP 844 Sat 7/19 between Denver / Cheyenne / Denver

[glh3751]

Hi All --

Can anyone provide some practical info on chasing the #844 and train between Denver and Cheyenne and back on Sat. 7/19?  How likely is it that one would be able to chase the train up Hwy 85 north of Denver to Greeley, and on up toward Cheyenne?  According to DeLorme, Hwy 85 and the Greeley Sub are close to each other most of the way, but with all of the little towns (and, I assume, traffic lights), along the way, is it feasable, or even possible, to chase and leap-frog?  Any practical suggestions / ideas / tips / speed-trap info would be appreciated!

 Thanks!  --glh3751

[CopCarSS]

It is feasible, provided you accept a couple quirks about the trip:

1. It will be a white knuckle driving experience. Picture a caravan of 30 or so cars full of railfans all trying to get pacing shots (some while driving) of the train. They're all within a few feet of each others' bumpers with their eyes glued to the train. Scary stuff. What's really irksome about the whole thing is that there are 4 lanes on that part of US 85. Unfortunately, the mob mentality dictates that BOTH of the northbound lanes are to be used for pace shots. Personally, I'd really just like to get to my next photo location and be set up and waiting for the train. It would be nice if we could keep the left lane open for passing.
2. The speed limit is 65 for most of US 85 which meets or beats the track speed at most locations. If you can get past the foamer brigade trying to rear end each other, you can usually get ahead of the train. There are some towns along the route though that take the speed limit down a bit. There aren't a lot of stop-lights, but they do exist in a couple of towns (LaSalle, Greeley and Brighton come readily to mind).
3. Because of the foamer brigade, you should only plan on being able to leap-frog the train a couple of times. Your best bet is to take advantage of the times when US 85 and the tracks part ways for a while. There's a good stretch around Ft. Lupton, a short stretch in LaSalle and a US 85 bypass in Greeley that you should be able to do that.
4. I've never seen speed traps during the Frontier Day Train, but I'd never count against it either. There are usually at least a couple speed traps around when I take US 85 up to Cheyenne on regular railfan outings.
5. Once the train is in Cheyenne, you should be able to drive over to the roundhouse. It's marked no trespassing, but I think Uncle Pete is a little lenient during Frontier Days. There are usually at least 20 or so cars parked up by the roundhouse. As long as you stay away from active lines and such, there shouldn't be any problem with being there.
6. If all else fails, the night shot possibilities are pretty neat at Denver Union Station where the train will be spending a couple nights.

Hope this helps a little bit. It's kind of a hassle, and the foamers (a derrogative term I use for annoying, self-centered jerks that are NOT railfans) are truly loathsome. Still, Uncle Pete puts on a good show, and it's worth the time and headaches (at least to me).