After my busy morning at Archer, I decided to explore the Union Pacific mainline west of Cheyenne, and specifically to find "Track 3", the lower crossing of the Rockies usually used by the heavier and slower freights.

My DeLorme atlas guided me through a set of dirt roads, to arrive here at Harriman, presumably named after the famous 19th century entrepreneur and owner of the UP, responsible for the establishment of the railway and its drive west from Omaha Nebraska.

It was only when marking up the map that I remembered that this is very close indeed to the State Line with Colorado.

After a good old wait, by which time I'd located this view, a westbound appeared, lead by SD60 6033 and C41-8W 9453.

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This appeared not long after I arrived whilst still walking to the elevated spot.

It was seen earlier at Archer, and has SD40-2 3497 on the point, with former SP SD70 9803 in support.

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Continuing my morning just east of Cheyenne.

A move along the embankment here gave the classic view from steam days of the "S" bend with the famous pole.

This set of C44-9MAC's were not long out of the box, being 6666, 6663 and 6595, lifting a long rake of empty coal hoppers with ease up the hill.

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Another mixed bag followed with the next drag, being UP SD40-2 3595, Norfolk Southern C36-7 8524, UP GP38-3L 2502 and C&NW C44-9W 8629.

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Whilst waiting for the eastbound view here this turned up, being my first view of SD90MAC's, nos 8125 and 8100. The lead loco does appear quite new looking at the bogies.

I understand these were somewhat troubled, and did not stay long on the Union Pacific.

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