October 8, 2003, on the way home from our Texas trip, we found ourselves staying in Rawlins, Wyoming, early on a Thursday afternoon.  On the way home, I sort of managed to arrange that we'd be in certain locations at the appropriate time to stop, which for me, is in mid-afternoon, as by that time, you get the choice of the motels and you still have daylight to check out the local area, or, in the case, to railfan Rawlins, Wyoming.

In search of fine railfan scenery, I drove east of Rawlins to the small town of Sinclair, which features a large oil refinery.  I positioned myself on top of a bridge, and put myself in place to enjoy the action.

Left:  U.P. #3913 leads a container train west, at the west end of Rawlins.  Right:  Although the light is against the photo, we captue U.P. #4984 east, leading a double-stack container train, just west of Rawlins.

Between trains, I noticed a buck antelope wandering near the tracks and foraging for food. Only in Wyoming! Also, while I was parked on the bridge, I was questioned by no less than 3 cops, asking me what I was doing there.  It's interesting to note that the last one that questioned my was a Wyoming State Trooper, and he started out the conversation by asking "Are you all right?"  By this time, I'd been questioned by two previous officers and I asked him why he was questioning me.  He said it was because I was parked within 1/4 mile of the refinery and they had orders to check out everyone, due to the events of 9/11 and the continued threat of terrorism.  I have to admit that I almost laughed, as I didn't appear to be your typical terrorist; only a camera-toting, railfan nerd.

Left:  U.P. #4984 leads a double-stack container train past the oil refinery at Sinclair, Wyoming.  Right:  U.P. #8527 leads an eastbound manifest past the oil refinery at Sinclair, Wyoming.  Be careful when you railfan Rawlins and Sinclair, in the post 911-era.

After he left, the light was starting to dim, so I felt it best to head to the motel. This was a very interesting, two-hour railfan trip, but it did give me a bit of time to explore the Rawlins, Wyoming area.  Caveat:  Don't railfan near oil refineries.