Because both the ex-Q and D&RGW lines leave to the north of Union Station, the California Zephyr has always been wyed at Denver. Originally, under the Q, the switcher for the westbound train was attached to the rear of the train after it passed through the trainwash, leaving the inbound Q power to the southwest of the yard to then be moved to the engine facility for servicing. After the train was platformed in the station, a second switcher might couple to the baggage car, pulling it off to retrieve a Rio Grande coach, before coupling both cars back onto the front of the train. The Rio Grande power would then be coupled on, allowing the train to proceed north and then west.
In the 60's, probably to save costs, and because the Q was adding intermediate head end traffic to Denver (shown in the photo), a single front-coupled switcher did the honors of moving the train through the station. Amtrak currently uses the train's road locomotives for this purpose.
On Wednesday, September 24, 2014 1:58 PM, "Hol Wagner holpennywagner@msn.com [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Chuck: Sure, you're welcome to use it. Hol
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 10:30:46 -0700
Subject: [CBQ] Re: California Zephyr in Denver
Thanks, Hol, with your permission, I will re-post your reply with that photo.