January 15 2002 La Junta Colorado
AMTRAK's train The Southwest Chief operates from Chicago to Los Angeles mostly on former Sante Fe trackage.  Through Colorado it avoids the main Burlington Northern Sante Fe freight route for a path through La Junta Colorado.  In La Junta, the servicing stop is long enough to get off and get some pictures.  On this day, I was on my way to Los Angeles.  There I would meet a friend who was there to help his mother with the recent death of his father.  Part of the task was to drive the father's car back to Toronto.  On the way, we would have a wonderful chance to railfan such interesting places as Dallas Texas and St. Louis Missouri.
One hour after this picture was taken, AMTRAK P42 number 180 slammed into a truck laden with manure - killing the driver of the truck.  Although some passengers on the train were hurt and one had to be evacuated in an ambulance, I was tightly wedged into the tiny toilet compartment on my sleeper when the impact occurred and was spared any injury.
The AMTRAK engine was a mess and had to be pushed into a siding.  The resulting delay allowed me to ride over Cajon Pass in daylight - something not normally achieved by the regular schedule.