Gilbert, AZ. The mainline through Gilbert (the current mainline) started as a branchline to link up with the Copper Basin and Magma Arizona Railways in the village of Magma in San Tan Valley. When the railroad rerouted the mainline in 1960, this became the primary route into and out of Phoenix. The famous town center was built alongside a railroad siding at what is now a lumber yard that continues to be served by the Union Pacific until the present day.
The LKT71 Freight Train (Magma Local) thunders through Downtown Gilbert on its way to Tucson with UP SD70M 5179 leading and UP SD70M 4281 trailing.
UP ES44AC 5343 leads an empty grain train through Gilbert, AZ. Two days prior, this train trapped the KK30 at Germann Siding in Queen Creek.
The MPXTU charges past the water tower with four engines: UP ET44AH 2608, KCS AC4400CW 4578, UP SD70M 4509, UP SD70M 4354
The KK30 picks up a string of empty centerbeam flatcars from Foxworth.
As the rain begins to pelt down, the MPXTU Freight Train struggles on, passing through Elliot Crossing, led by UP ET44AH 2710, followed by UP SD70ace 8798, UP AC4400CW 6603, and UP SD70ace 8339.
UP SD70AH-T4 3071 and UP ET44AH 2723 push grain empties through Gilbert Town Center.
The Chandler Local arrives at Foxworth Lumberyard near Gilbert. GP40-2 1494 is leading the train.
The LKK30 leaves for Mesa where it will drop its cars off and tie up for the night.
UP ET44AH 2697, UP SD70M 4204, and UP SD70M 4216 charge towards Recker with a heavy inbound manifest freight train in tow.
A going away shot of the inbound train.
The northbound Chandler Local passes Recker Rd with GP40-2s 1451 (ex-SP) and 1545 (ex-WP) running back to back, towing a short train of centerbeam flatcars.
The LKK30 heads South to Queen Creek and passes Gilbert's famous footbridge.
The LKK30 arrives in Gilbert with several centerbeams and boxcars in tow. They are moving faster than normal as there is a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Inspection Train behind them.
Having switched Foxworth, LKK30 heads North to Mesa to clear the way.
BNSF 3916 leads the inspection train under the footbridge.
UP 7042 leads an outbound manifest through Gilbert.
CN 3047 is trailing second out of two on the inbound.
The inspection train slowly follows behind the Local, the markers of which can be seen in the distance.
UP 8244 thunders through Gilbert with the MHNPX in tow.
UP 8062 charges through Gilbert.
UP 1943, the Military Appreciation Heritage Unit, brings up the rear of the MHNPX.