Big '10' Curve

[heyrey]

Someone mentioned this part of the old Moffat route in another thread and I just happen to have a few pictures of it.
Here they welded a bunch of hoppers to an adjacent track, filled them with sand to create a windbreak for the trains as the winds supposedly get up to 100 miles an hour up there. Its a good thing because there is some serious exposure on this track!
Incredible views of almost the entire Front Range here in the Denver area.
Enjoy!

Adam

[Anonymous]

I don't mean to preach, but weren't you a long way off the public right of way? Seems like a good spot to get pinched by a UP special agent. Also, with a young one along, that's a spot with a pretty limited view and the trains can approach quietly down grade.

We gotta be safe out there.

[heyrey]

dblstack,

You are absolutely right and it was the first and the last time we went. It was during my rebellious phase.(HAHA) Got some great pics though.
It really is too bad because the railroad has some of the best scenic property I have seen! I wish it was available but I understand why not.
So no worries and thanks for the concern! I am trying to be a good 'railfan' for myself and my son

Adam
www.heyreyguitar.com

[ddechamp71]

Mmhh...If you want a panoramic view of Big 10 Curves you should cross the grade crossing at Plainview a few miles above (I don't remember the road number, but the road proceeds along an industry served by a spur which is a few track miles below the Curves, and passes below the railroad at the most remote location where the railroad makes a one-eighty before heading back in direction of Denver and climbing the hill northbound with Denver on its right hand side).

Then you cross a small village, and head towards the top of the mountain.

I don't remember wether the road is paved until you arrive on the spot, as I've been there already a few years ago, but it's an awesome location.

If it can help....

Dominique

[heyrey]

Dominique,

I have been all over that area and i was struggling to follow your description mentally.
Plainview is an awesome spot for views of the plains and trains.
Maybe you were talking about the Blue Mountain area. Heading west on Hwy 72 this road is the next left past the right turn leading to plainview. This road goes up the west side of the hogback and takes you right to the cliff over looking Rocky Siding and big and little10 curves and if you stick your neck out you can see Clay siding directly below you a few hundred feet!
Here is a picture of 'little' 10 curve leading to 'Big' 10

C-YA!
Adam

[ddechamp71]

Hi Adam!

As far as I remember when looking at your nice picture, it should be that. But I believe I remember I had a direct sight of the Big 10 also.

Nevertheless, to get to the location I tried to describe you've got to cross the railroad on a grade crossing that is just after Clay siding (thanks for reminding me its name).

All the beZt (Z as a Z-scaler[;)])

Dominique

[daveklepper]

Thanks for restoring some wonderful memories!

[heyrey]

Dominique,

If I had of panned to the right we could have seen Big 10 so here is a view from
another angle!



Daveklepper, any relation to Ken a buddy of mine who is a youth pastor here in Denver?

Anyway, these experiences are wonderful memories. Here in the front range up until about 3 years ago i could look at the foothill mountains and not think anything was going on. Now as i take my son to school every day we know where to look off in the distance and and can see if any train action is happening on Big 10, Clay, Tunnels 1,2, and 3, Plainview, and Rainbow Cut. Its all just laid out in front of us. BTW Leyden is right next to my sons school so just about every morning we see the big coal trains either coming or going, and Amtrak usually makes an apperance at some point as well as various mixed consists, MOW's, e.t.c. We watched last year as the spur that takes off north of Rocky pulled all of the remaining junk out of Rocky Flats using a bunch of old Geeps and a bunch of gondolas.
What a great area to live near if you like the train action and this only scratches the surface of the Moffat Route!
Fascinating to be sure, and my son and I should be able to share in the memories forever!

Peace out!
Adam

[Modelcar]

....All interesting photos.

[MP173]

Read it somewhere, but cant remember....what are the Big 10 curves?

Thanks for the thread...I have enjoyed it.

ed

[MP173]

Adam:

CHecked out your website. I have been playing guitar for about 5 years now...took it up at age 45. I usually play everymorning before getting ready for work.

I love playing the blues in the morning and have my scanner on listening to the NS and CN here in Indiana.

ed

[ddechamp71]

QUOTE: Originally posted by heyrey

Dominique,

If I had of panned to the right we could have seen Big 10 so here is a view from
another angle!

Wow! What an awesome pic!

To give MP173 an answer, the Big 10 Curves are the famous curves on the first picture of this post, with the old hoppers (Bettendorf trucks) laid on the inboard side of the curve to protect from heavy downwards winds.

This curve is named Big 10 because they're 10 degrees curves, and as far as I know because they represent something like 240 degrees total curvature.

Dom

[Modelcar]

...The gradient looks rather steep in the first two photos of this thread....For the Big Ten Curve area, does anyone know just how steep it is. Looks to me like it might be approaching 3%....

[ddechamp71]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

...The gradient looks rather steep in the first two photos of this thread....For the Big Ten Curve area, does anyone know just how steep it is. Looks to me like it might be approaching 3%....

I don't think so: I believe I remember no grade on this line is greater than 2.2 %. Before the era of Moffat Tunnel indeed there where greater grades (and switchbacks, but that's another story[;)]) around the continental divide, but all this has gone.

Dom

[Modelcar]

..I agree, I would not think the grade would be as steep as 3% but judging from those photos....that incline is significant. 3% is in the upper edge for class one's for sure. The old Pennsylvania up and around Horseshoe Curve and to the top avg. about 1.8% to conquer the Allegenies.