Follwing the Unitah RR

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Topic author
csuengr
Posts: 1290
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:24 am
Location: Sterling, CO

Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by csuengr »

So one thing I wanted to do this year, after I finished (ha ha) the Cherokee, was to drive this route. It was a small, narrow gauge rail road that went from Mack, CO (still there) to Watson, UT (not there). The rail road was unique in that it had a long 7.5% grade and two curves having a 88' radius. The also ran two articulated locomotives. Due to all the gas wells and gas lines, the road is in pretty good condition, except for a flood earlier this year. Three large buried gas lines follow along most of the road.

This, the machine shop, is all that remains of the main town of Atchee, where there was an engine house, water tower, coal tipple, employee housing and shops.

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Hazy pic, but this is part of the grade going up the south side of Baxter pass.

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More road bed.

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Random pics of Utah.

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Foundation of a water tank near end of the line. It was placed on a rock outcropping on one leg of a Y. The track went past the tank, over a double trestle and down into the wash/creek.

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You can just see some pilings for the trestle.

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Gratuitous Jeep shot.

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The route was 160 miles round trip. Took me 7.5 hours to do it with stopping, taking pictures, walking around. The whole trip was just sort of 800 miles. Had some issues. Both of my front upper shock mounts broke, making me have to remove the shocks. On the way back I got a flat tire, which was easy to deal with. Fortunately in Fruita there was a large ACE where I bought a drill, some bits, and two crescent wrenches. I had to buy the wrenches because the largest one I had with me was 7/8" and I needed 15/16". One good thing, on the whole trip, I never opened the hood.
1977 Cherokee S, Ford 5.0, 5 speed, BW 1356, 33 x 10.50 BFG's. No longer my DD.
2007 Mercury Milan, 2.3L, 5-speed, now my DD. 29 mpg average.
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jsinajeep
Posts: 1850
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:25 pm
Location: Brownsburg Indiana

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by jsinajeep »

Looked like a fun trip. Thanks for sharing.
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Landman_MTX
Posts: 127
Joined: Sat Jul 05, 2014 10:08 pm
Location: west texas

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by Landman_MTX »

Looked like a great time :-bd
1979 Grand Wagoneer, 360, TH400/QT, D44s
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243
Posts: 740
Joined: Sat Mar 16, 2013 7:32 am
Location: Texas

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by 243 »

Very cool and nice pictures!

Now, why did the shock mounts break?
1978 Cherokee NT, 5.3/4L60/NP241 in Progress
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Nutz-n-Bolts
Posts: 313
Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 12:06 pm
Location: Strattanville,PA

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by Nutz-n-Bolts »

Wow what a trip! Very cool combination of hobbies. I'm sure given the facts you stated, that you will enjoy the link below. This guy built 2 Live Steam models of the Unitah in 1:20.3 scale. Not the first or last that he has done, but all very well done. This is another hobby of mine.

http://forums.mylargescale.com/18-live- ... d-log.html

Now back to Jeeps... I'm with 243, How did those mounts break?, where?
Lover of all Old Iron

60-79 CJ5 The best parts from several years combined to make one tough ALL JEEP CJ
81 J10 Pickup My newest acquisition undergoing a complete restoration
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66stepside
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Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2012 9:59 pm
Location: Spokane Valley, WA.

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by 66stepside »

What a great trip, I miss those.

Topic author
csuengr
Posts: 1290
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:24 am
Location: Sterling, CO

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by csuengr »

243 wrote:Very cool and nice pictures!

Now, why did the shock mounts break?
I underestimated the stresses on them. That and I moved my cheap a$$ stiff shocks (they were lying around the garage, and fit) from the rear to the front. The ride is much better, but then the break. I'll post pics when I go the fix them. Hopefully next week.
1977 Cherokee S, Ford 5.0, 5 speed, BW 1356, 33 x 10.50 BFG's. No longer my DD.
2007 Mercury Milan, 2.3L, 5-speed, now my DD. 29 mpg average.
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jsinajeep
Posts: 1850
Joined: Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:25 pm
Location: Brownsburg Indiana

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by jsinajeep »

when you get to make that run again let me know. I"ll drag my Cherokee up and make it with you :D
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rstep
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Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by rstep »

Thanks for posting some great pictures.
1977 Cherokee Sold
I Don't own One
Stuff I Make.
http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=5620

Topic author
csuengr
Posts: 1290
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:24 am
Location: Sterling, CO

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by csuengr »

So, I fixed my upper mounts. The fix is here: http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... 234#p82234 It's at the end of the fourth page.
1977 Cherokee S, Ford 5.0, 5 speed, BW 1356, 33 x 10.50 BFG's. No longer my DD.
2007 Mercury Milan, 2.3L, 5-speed, now my DD. 29 mpg average.

jkchubbes
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2015 3:00 pm
Location: Bakersfield, CA

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by jkchubbes »

Looks like a neat trail, I'd like to check that out sometime. As a railroad conductor out west on a 2.2% grade I can only imagine what 7.5% would be like.

Nikkormat
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Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:45 pm
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by Nikkormat »

I'm taking a roadtrip out that way this summer and wouldn't mind going off pavement for awhile. Do you thik its doable in a stock rig?
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.

Topic author
csuengr
Posts: 1290
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:24 am
Location: Sterling, CO

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by csuengr »

Nikkormat wrote:I'm taking a roadtrip out that way this summer and wouldn't mind going off pavement for awhile. Do you thik its doable in a stock rig?
This is only two months old. Way to pay attention me. It was in 2wd high the whole time. The road is in good shape.
1977 Cherokee S, Ford 5.0, 5 speed, BW 1356, 33 x 10.50 BFG's. No longer my DD.
2007 Mercury Milan, 2.3L, 5-speed, now my DD. 29 mpg average.

Nikkormat
Posts: 3623
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:45 pm
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: Follwing the Unitah RR

Post by Nikkormat »

Cool that's good to hear. I'll add it to the list. I'm taking the Cherokee on a long road trip to see colleges and this will be a welcome detour.
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.
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