An eastbound Southern Pacific freight drops downgrade past Crystal Lakes south (railroad east) of Malta, Colorado, on the beautiful summer morning of August 2, 1996. Trout are feeding on the surface of the lake that softly reflects the lofty heights of 14,421-foot Mount Massive that dominates the background. A colorful consist of six-axle EMDs power the train, led by SP SD40-T-2 No. 8559, Cotton Belt SD45T-2 No. 6888, a long way away from America’s Dairyland Wisconsin Central SD45 No. 6609 and lastly, SP SD45T-2 No. 9315. Those Golden West Service boxcars were a nice-looking blue when freshly painted like those leading the freight consist.
