Amtrak’s eastbound California Zephyr descends on the two percent grade of the Moffat Tunnel route after rounding Big 10 Curve between Eisele and Rocky, Colorado, on the afternoon of May 4, 2018. Leading the train is GE P42DC No. 130, freshly-repainted in Phase II colors, replacing wreck-damaged P42DC No. 66 in Amtrak’s 40 year anniversary special heritage locomotive paint schemes. Bringing up the rear of the 10-car train is heavyweight private car Santa Fe No. 33, the “Redwood Empire,” built by Pullman in 1923 for the Santa Fe as business car No. 33.
Two Amtrak routes serve the Centennial State. The California Zephyr's route through Moffat Tunnel and along the Colorado River goes from one end of the state to the other. The Southwest Chief cuts across the southeast corner.