Speed Chase
The first two photos (TOP LEFT, TOP RIGHT) were our initial encounter with the Utah Railway train. We would have shot the Alco mid-train helpers and then continued on to Helper but then we spotted the Rio Grande train corning up Track One and the chase was on. The next two photos (OPPOSITE, ABOVE) are above Lynn as the Rio Grande and Utah Railway helper crews exchange shouted greetings.
seven lead locomotives on two main tracks aimed for the Kyune Tunnels and the end of the heavy grade. The Rio Grande won by a nose but it took 55 minutes and ten miles to do so. I once asked a Utah crew if they ever won one of these races. “Yeah, once,” replied the Coal Route engineer, “One afternoon the Rio Grande train broke in two. We won by a lot that day.” Driving up parallel U.S. 6, one could shoot as much of these races as one dared. This was and is a very danger- ous and busy road with few turnouts where the railroad is not blocked by trees. But still, the chases were often recorded on film. Looking back I re- member thinking about that third load of lump coal behind the Utah helper. It reminded this senior citizen of what was used to heat the houses and cook the meals before stoker fed furnaces and heating oil came along after World War II. Now it has been more than 30 years since those Alcos last worked the Utah. Where does the time go? C
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