Tennessee Pass, Part 3, Union Pacific on the Pass

In late May and early June of 1997 Machines of Iron made one more trip to Tennessee Pass to see the some of the final days under Union Pacific control. We follow the line from Dotsero east through the Eagle River Valley passed Wolcott, Avon, Minturn, Belden, Redcliff, Pando, Mitchell to the Tennessee Pass on grades up to 3.3%. From the Tennessee Pass we head down grade along the Arkansas River through Malta, Kobe, Princeton, Buena Vista, Salida Canyon, Texas Creek, Parkdale to the Royal Gorge and finally to Pueblo. While we were in Minturn road foreman Roy Isabell spoke to us about the Union Pacific take over and impending closing. We also visited the famous Turntable Restaurant. This is mountain railroading at it’s best, steep grades, helpers, and beautiful mountain scenery.