The Calif. Zephyr in Ft. Morgan on 14FEB2024 (Valentine's Day & Ash Wednesday)

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. This morning's California Zephyr arrived in Fort Morgan at 0524MST (20 min. late). Power for this 8-car train was provided by P42s #137 & #164 in Phase IV livery. They brought the consist to a stop with car 3 to the station platform for two new patrons boarding the sleeper car. With them safely aboard, the high ball was given and on a clear signal at west Ft. Morgan CP, the Zephyr departed for Union Station in Denver as its next stop on the trek to Emeryville in the San Francisco Bay area of California.
Everyone please stay safe!
Temp. 28 F. Wind chill 14 F.
-3 C. -10 C.

[@marksmith4582]

Good morning Mike! 35 here this morning but feels like 28 yet. Should be 53 degrees here today. Those good folks drove from Cheyenne? Wow that’s a ways to drive to Fort Morgan! However I did hear them address you by name! They may follow your channel too. Good grief that’s over 400 miles alone across Wyoming! I’m sure they had decent reasons for traveling there to board! Have a great Wednesday out your way! I am here! Always respectfully! Mark in Iowa.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Mark; Thank you for dropping by along with the comments today. We will get to about the same temp here today. Cheyenne isn't that far from here. It's located in southeastern Wyoming at the intersections of I-80, I-25, and US Hwy 85. It is only just over 100 miles away which isn't that far out here. Depending on the route traveled it takes just about 2 hours to drive it. There isn't AMTRAK in Wyoming nor in South Dakota and it is not uncommon to find cars in the parking area with plates from those states as well as the panhandle of Nebraska. Beats the hassle of driving into Denver, finding parking and paying for it, worrying if your vehicle will still be there let alone drivable when you return and then fighting the traffic out of the city. That couple have been thru here before. Just neat to chat with them again. Anyway, have a great Wednesday back there. Please take care and stay safe!

[@curtisdavis5556]

Good morning, Mike. Thank you for today’s Valentines Day and Ash Wednesday California Zephyr video. Have a safe and enjoyable day.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good evening, Curtis; Thank you for dialing in as well as the comments. I hope your recovery is going well. It has been a frustrating day but somewhat enjoyable. Tomorrows #5 is having extreme woes in Illinois currently. Still waiting to see it at Galesburg. Have a great Wednesday evening. Please take care and stay safe!

[@kennethjohnsonjr.1004]

Good morning Mike. When todays' Zephyr arrived in Fort Morgan with car 3's door open before stopping close to your position, why didn't pan the camera to your right to show patrons boarding? Inquiring minds want to know.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Please read the reply to mikecarlisle5504. I am not in the habit pannng the cam in that manner. Please take care and stay safe!

[@martinharriman616]

"At least it's warmer today." Oh deary me. I know how that is. "Hey, it's only slightly miserably cold, not like yesterday when breathing hurt." Stay warm, stay safe, and thanks as always.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Martin; Thank you for stopping by along with the comments. I do have to remember we are still in winter in the northern hemisphere. But the daylight hours are growing and temperatures are getting better. Have a great Thursday. Please take care and stay safe!

[@ohiofrogman1374]

Good morning Mike. I like the Phase IV livery paint scheme on #164. Will Amtrak be using it on other engines? I would like to see it on other unites as well. Many days ago, we discussed if Engineer Ollie was involved in the train wreck. Wouldn't you know it but, the very next day he was running #5! So if I understood you correctly, James was on #6 that fateful day. Have you heard anything about his condition. God willing, he made a full recovery. By the way, how is your mom doing? Hopefully, this comment finds her well along with the rest of your family. Well Mike have a great day and above all stay safe and WARM. Conductor Dave.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good afternoon, Conductor Dave; I thank you for dialing in as well as the comments. That livery goes back many years. It is a really decent and clean paint scheme. It was nice to see this unit come thru again. It was James on that fateful #6. There has been no further word as to how he is doing. To my knowledge, he is still at Good Smartian Hospital. The news cycle out here moved beyond that accident rather quickly. As like you, I pray for his recovery to be rapid and complete. Everything here is good. Mom included. Have a great Wednesday back there. Please take care and stay safe!

[@roberthansen2008]

Good morning Mike Good to hear you're talking today. Greeting the passengers and so on. Happy Valentine's Day to you.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good afternoon, Robert; Thanks for dropping by as well as the comments. The cold is mostly gone, and I do feel much better with the nose clearing out. This couple has been thru here before. I hope their journey is a nice one. Have a great Wednesday back there. Please take care and stay safe!

[@SeventhSonStudios]

Nothing like drinking coffee watching the iron horse pull a buggy full of people.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning and thank you for tuning in along with the comments today. I agree and the coffee did help warm as well when I was posting the video. I hope that you have a great Wednesday. Please take care and stay safe!

[@kendufresne]

Good evening Mike. Hope all's well with you. 5(14) is quite late because they had a bad axle on the last car. They set it off in Galesburg tonight. It left just after 21:00. If you already know, sorry about giving the information twice. Have a good night!

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Ken; Thank you for tuning in as well as the comments. At my last check, they were 4.5 hours late working their way to Lincoln for crew change and then the run to Denver. I did watch that circus at Galesburg. That type of event happened here about 2 years ago when the combo car had a bad bearing and was set off on a siding just east of town. I did take them about a week to change out the bad bearing. Not often I will have other videographers on scene as I expect this morning around 0930 MST. Both Marne and Jay Rock should be there. I did see the snowfall back your way. Wow! I was stationed at Davisville, RI for a few months way back when. Also watched the cams at Springfield. Anyway, have a great Thursday. Please take care and stay safe!

[@kendufresne]

@@MikeJensen-jt9yr we were supposed to get the bulk of the snow, but the storm track shifted snow and most southern New England felt the brunt of this storm. Glad to hear you were in my neck of the woods. Thank you for your service! Have a great day!

[@mikecarlisle5504]

When someone is getting on forward can you turn the camera around. Just a suggestion

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good afternoon, Mike; Thanks for stopping by and the suggestion. I don't like swinging the cam on folks getting on so close to the camera. I will pan the cam as I feel comfortable with the folks traveling. This couple has traveled thru here before and know the system very well. Again, I thank you for looking in. Please take care and stay safe!

[@benedmonson3445]

Good morning to you Mike from sunny 39 mid Tenn. If you haven't heard there's a special Reba McIntyre meal at Sonic for Valentine's Day. Today is THE day to love & appreciate that special one in our lives.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Ben; Thanks for dropping by as well as the comments. We have made it to 32 F. under cloudy skies. II did not know about the Reba McIntire thing at Sonic. I do not usually visit them for any meals. It is neat to celebrate the life of a Saint who defied the Pope and helped lovers get together in marriage. Anyway, I hope that you have a great Wednesday. Please take care and stay safe back there.

[@Petemonster62]

@@MikeJensen-jt9yr - Are you sure that St. Valentine defied a Pope and not Roman Emperor Claudius II?

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

You may be right. He was beheaded on the 14th for providing marriages in defiance of one or the other.@@Petemonster62

[@jamesburnside3023]

Great work Mike be safe my friend

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, James; Thanks for dropping by along with the comments. I very much appreciate it. Please take care and stay safe up there!

[@erikthetrainmaster6112]

Good Evening, Mike. Happy Valentine’s Day. I saw on Virtual Railfan at Pepsi Can #160 is leading tomorrow’s Zephyr, but it’s running late because of a bad axle. I bet Ollie will be in the cab of the #160 tomorrow if he does, that would be awesome

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Erik; I thank you for stopping by as well as the comments. I did watch the rodeo at Galesburg last night. At my last check, #5 was just making Lincoln, NE for station stop and crew change. It will be in daylight around 0930 local when the train arrives here. I am unsure if Ollie is operating from Lincoln with this #5. I thought I heard his voice via Marne's scanner taking #6 to Lincoln last night. May be wrong. Anyway, Have a great Thursday. Please take care and stay safe!

[@maisonfatima4966]

فيديو رائع❤❤❤❤

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Thank you for looking in and the comment. Please take care and stay safe!

[@tomulanowski3195]

Good morning Mike and thanks as always for the catch of #5 today. Happy Valentine’s Day and stay safe!

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Tom; Thank you for stopping by as well as the comments. I appreciate it. Hope that you have a great Wednesday. Please take care and stay safe!

[@naomimaxey436]

Good morning. Happy Valentine Day ❤. Stay warm and safe 😊

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Naomi; I thank you for dropping by as well as the comments. I appreciate it. Have a great Wednesday. Please take care and stay safe!

[@jeanmccallum3546]

Hi Mike! Quick stop for # 5 today... 28° here too! Celebrating Valentines Day with the kids and Grandkids tomorrow, since it's family day every Thursday here. On the menu is "Marry Me Chicken"! I think it's appropriate, and good too! 😂 Hope you have a WONDERFUL Wednesday! Jean

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Jean; I thank you for stopping by along with the comments today. That sounds like a great way to spend a Thursday! The "Marry Me Chicken" is a new one on me. Or at least I don't recall that. Sounds good though. I hope that you have a great Wednesday in anticipation of family day tomorrow. Please take care and stay safe!

[@natrajarts6746]

Good morning.

[@geraldjones8032]

Good morning: Happy Valentine Day. Weather pretty good in Albuquerque. Enjoyed the video this morning.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Gerald; I thank you for dialing in and the comments. I think the decent weather pattern will set over the whole region for another day or so. Almost all the snow has disappeared here. Ready for more. LOL Have a great Wednesday down there. Take care and stay safe!

[@carolynsteed3649]

Good morning Mike & Happy Valentines day to you that was short & sweet.Have a blessed day.Hark, is that the rooster I think I heard??👋😉🐓😂

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Carolyn; I thank you for tuning in along with the comments. Yep! There is a rooster making noise today. Almost drowned out a yapping puppy somewhere out there. LOL! Have a wonderful Valentine's Day. Please take care and stay safe! 🤓👋👍👌

[@kenclifford5556]

good morning Mike well we dug out from our 10 inch snowfall the widowmaker kind very wet and heavy. thanks for the catch of #5 today. i hope you have a great day and a safe one.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Ken; Thank you for dialing in as well as the comments. Wow! You did get hit with some really nasty snow back there. Hopefully it won't melt all at once and flood everyone out. Have a great Wednesday. Please take care and stay safe!

[@davidduffy308]

Morning Mike. Nice fancy looking paint on the second engine today. I haven't heard from the roosters around here for sometime, oh well! Everyone have a great day wherever you are out there and stay safe.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, David; I thank you for looking in along with the comments today. It was about time to see a heritage unit again. I would like to see more of them thru here even in the dark. There was a rooster over to the west strutting his stuff this morning. At least crowing about it. LOL! He even out bellered the yapping dog once as the train departed. The closer sunrise comes to train time the more we will hear them. Hope that you have a great Wednesday up there. Please take care and stay safe!

[@kennywiesemann4959]

Good morning Mike good weather in Illinois this morning.

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Kenny; Thanks for tuning in as well as the comments. I think the worst of winter has moved on for most of us. Hope that you have a great Wednesday back there. Please take care and stay safe!

[@Bra463]

Good video buddy happy Valentine’s Day

[@MikeJensen-jt9yr]

Good morning, Brad; I thank you for looking in as well as the comments. Have a great Wednesday. Take care and stay safe!

[@Bra463]

@@MikeJensen-jt9yr thank you buddy I will you keep it up you tell the crew I said hi as well please whenever they’re pulling out or something. I love it when they talk into the radio.