Pulling the grade out of the valley of the Green River in the desolate landscape surrounding the Book Cliffs of Utah, SP 350 leads CTRN coal empties toward Grand Junction, CO and the North Fork Branch for loading. Often loaded and empty coal trains destined for eastern points from Grand Junction, that had used Tennessee Pass and the former MP Hoisington Sub when the route was open, came the long way around from North Platte to Grand Jct. via Salt Lake City account congestion through Moffat Tunnel and the Denver terminal. While adding several crew districts and hundreds of miles to the trip, it was one example of how UP shot itself in the foot on numerous occasions during the 90s merger debacles.
