by Matt Hannes

Currently this web site consists of two parts which are accessible via the links below:

Coal Car Data Table - This is a compilation of detailed coal car data and photographs.

Utility Destinations and Mine Sources - For each railcar owner, I've identified the power plant destination(s) and coal mine source(s).

Background - Coal Railroads in Colorado

There are only two major railroads hauling coal in Colorado: BNSF and UP. BNSF's primary coal route through Colorado is a North-South corridor starting in Northport, Nebraska, and ending in Dumas, Texas. All of this coal traffic originates in the Powder River Basin. BNSF does not regularly serve any Colorado mines. Most of the BNSF coal traffic in Colorado is heading for power plants in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

UP's primary coal route in Colorado is an East-West corridor along the Moffat Route originating at mines in western Colorado and then heading east to Denver. At Denver, some UP coal loads continue east on the Kansas Pacific line to serve customers in Kansas and Missouri. Other UP coal trains head south on the Joint Line to destinations in Texas and Arizona. UP does not operate very many coal trains between the Powder River Basin and Denver - most of this traffic heads east out of Wyoming via Northport, Nebraska, eventually meeting the UP transcon mainline west of North Platte.