John L Mathis

ATSF C44-9W 625 splits the semaphores with an eastbound York Canyon coal train at MP 586 in the rolling hills between Mindeman and Delhi, CO in October 1994. The light colored objects next to the rails are the ATS (Automatic Train Stop) units which allow the Southwestern Chief to run at 90 mph. Since this picture was made, the semaphores have fallen, the warbonnets' paint has faded, York Canyon coal trains are history and most if not all freight traffic on this line has vanished. Having grown up near Santa Fe's upper quadrant semaphores and Southern Pacific's lower quadrant semaphores, I miss their passing...sentinels of a vanishing era who themselves witnessed the demise of steam and Santa Fe's vaunted passenger varnish. Today it's the ubiquitous searchlight signals that are becoming a rarity, as their moving parts really are an enclosed semaphore whereas the tri color signals don't need moving parts.

Nikon F4s - Fujichrome Velvia