All trains on the DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN Utah Division between Salt Lake City, Utah and Grand Junction, Colorado share a common goal...to reach SOLDIER SUMMIT. The year is 1988 and this is a last look at the pre-merger RIO GRANDE. D&RGW trains flash across the eastern Utah desert then climb to the summit through rugged and remote canyons. From the west it's a different world as trains weave through the aspen and pine covered Wasatch Mountains of Utah.

As our program opens, golden rays of the late afternoon sun strike the vertical Utah desert cliffs. Amtrak's "California Zephyr" races across the desert toward the setting sun in an unforgettable sequence. Then we get down to business with RIO GRANDE freight and coal trains. Lashed up for high speed and brute climbing power, you'll see varying combinations of the GP40, GP40-2, SD40T-2, SD45 and the SD50 at location such as Thompson, Floy, Desert, Grassy, Price, Helper, Castle Gate, Nolan, Kyune, Guilluly, Thistle and more. Many scenes are ablaze with aspen in glorious fall colors.

We will look at the UTAH RAILWAY with trains powered by ex-SP, UP and BN units. Documented also is the unique PLEASANT VALLEY BRANCH with UNION PACIFIC power and RIO GRANDE crews. We are also fortunate to catch a colorful Circus train speeding through the desert. This historically important program is beautifully photographed by Dave Gross in broadcast video and narrated by Rege Cordic.

60 minutes