A fully loaded train nearly ready to pull out north is idling by the side of Highlight Road at the West loading tower when we arrive. An empty train is on the opposite side waiting to enter the loading loop for the tower. We stop and get out to take photographs waiting to see what may happen. No one seems to be around except the train crews. The loaded train pulls out. A young man stops in his truck to ask if we need help and is a little surprised when we say we have stopped here on purpose and are on vacation. Our explanation gets a big smile. I guess this is an odd thing to do. He explains that the conveyor is running and when there is enough coal in the tower, he will begin loading the waiting train so he had better get going. We stay and watch. It is slow and quiet – even from 100 feet away.

As we move our way north along Highlight, we come to Hoadly Road bridge over the north-south mainline shared by BNSF and Union Pacific. The track is very new and modern looking with concrete ties, continuous welded rail and a very well maintained ballast bed. The triple track mainline looks like a rail equivalent of an interstate. Thinking back, it is again worth noting that there are no signs of spilled coal or coal dust in spite of the 80 or so trains per day loaded in the basin. The subtle colors of the soil, ballast and vegetation are quite apparent. Having one of these trains approach over a distant hill and pass beneath our feet is a thrill – especially for our son, the family ferroequinologist (look it up).

The day continues with surprising and amazing encounters. I even spot one of the automatic car identification scanners from my early career when we visit the Coal Creek mine. The scanner is 30-35 years old. Why is it still there? It is hard for me to imagine it still in use. The red white and blue reflective labels that it read are no longer on any but the oldest cars. Perhaps someone seeing this can tell me – or maybe they were wondering what on earth it was themselves.

Many of us working together back then at Computer Identics stay in touch at least by email. I sent the photograph around to see what information and stories might come back. Joe worked on installing the equipment but was not sure of which mines they were in. He does remember watching the first time the storage and loading silo at one of them was tested on a real train, something went wrong and it could not be stopped. It completely emptied, burying the train - it took a week to dig it out. Debugging pioneering designs on this scale can be a harrowing experience. An opportunity to add to this story if I learn more.