The view’s the same, but always different

Blue Hour Overhead
A late November thunderstorm passes through as commuters at Denver’s Union Station are waiting for their trains and heading home.
November 17, 2017

I started photographing from the perch at Denver’s Union Station in March of 2015, when Amtrak announced they were going to run a Winter Park ski train to see if there was still interest after the Rio Grande stopped running the ski train a few years earlier.

Boarding
Skiers are boarding the first ski train since the Rio Grande Ski Train ended a few years earlier. This train to Winter Park Ski Area is being operated by Amtrak to get a feel for future trains to Winter Park.
March 14, 2015

When I photographed the ski train, the commuter rail system wasn’t even running yet. It was still a brand-new station, at least in modern terms. The thing I noticed the most was how the cityscape around the station has changed over the years I’ve been photographing from the perch.

Winter Night
It’s 2:20 am and -10 below zero with a wind chill. Braving the cold to get a parked ski train shot from the perch. Can you feel the chill in the air?
February 7, 2019

I photograph sunrises from the perch

Pastel Sunrise
Sunrise glow at Denver’s Union Station making for a perfect sunrise
April 20, 2019

I photograph sunsets from the perch

Colorful Evening
One of my first sunsets from the perch. Notice how the cityscape around the station was a lot different then it is today. Lots of cranes and construction going on.
September 15, 2015

And sometimes I get some nice cloud formations. All from the comfort of my perch.

Color and Clouds
Color and clouds can be very dramatic around sunset when all the pieces come together.
October 27, 2018

I see brilliant colors from the comfort of my perch, but sometimes I must leave to see what pulled in on the ground level. Like the private cars on the back of Amtrak trains. It’s always a surprise when you don’t know a private car is coming until you see it rolling below the perch on Amtrak’s California Zephyr.

Ready to Go
California Zephyr cars Silver Lariat, Silver Rapids and Silver Solarium are being serviced as they get ready to depart for Chicago behind Amtrak’s California Zephyr.
October 8, 2016
Silver Lariat
California Zephyr dome chair car Silver Lariat poses for the camera while being serviced in Denver.
October 8, 2016

Sometimes I go down to the ground level just to see what’s going on

Rise and Shine
A busy morning at Denver’s Union Station as a station bound commuter rail train comes in on track 7 while a couple of tracks over the west-bound Amtrak California Zephyr gets attention before leaving Denver and heading west.
October 29, 2016
Evening Drama
A red sunset is making for dramatic clouds and color as a station worker is getting things ready.
Just another day for him.
October 27, 2018

You’re probably wondering what the view on the other side of the perch is. Well it’s a beautiful view of the city, and buildings that weren’t there when I started photographing on the perch.

On Track One
A commuter rail train is ready to depart for the suburbs on track number 1.
October 29, 2016

It’s always a beautiful view. I’m never bored and it’s always a different view on my perch.

All Decked Out For Christmas
Another dramatic sunrise in the works two days before Christmas.
December 23, 2019
The Red Glow Of Sunrise
A glowing red sunrise settles in over Denver’s Union Station.
September 29, 2018

It’s always the same view, but always different at Denver’s Union Station.

Explosion Of Color
You know it’s going to be a grand sunset when the clouds look like this. Just relax and watch the show.
November 23, 2017

Samuel E. Howard – Photographs and text Copyright 2020

16 thoughts on “From My Perch 
at Denver’s Union Station”

  1. I’ve seen pictures taken from the same spot during the changeover of seasons, never something like this! Nice job.

  4. I enjoyed the fine pictures and reading your descriptions in your posting “From My Perch.” They did a great job modernizing the platform area. The beautiful chromed-out California Zephyr consist was especially a treat. Out of curiosity, I am wondering exactly what your “Perch” was – is it a special place or just the perfect camera location?

    1. Thanks Paul
      The perch it’s both a special place because you can see everything and the perfect place for pictures.
      I’ve seen some great sunrises and sunsets and winter from there. A total surprise when the zephyr cars
      came didn’t expect that or any private car for that matter.

  5. Thank you, Mr. Howard — for great photo essay of the venerable DEN Union Station. I was lucky to have worked at the Station (well, through there) for several years between 1980 and the mid 90s, as an Amtk on board attendant on the Zephyr / Desert Wind “through” coaches and sleepers. Those were seniority based jobs that of course, would come and go. Nice to see your retrospective. My favorite in your Series is the Red/Green Christmas image.

  6. I really love the variety of photos you’ve posted, all from the same place. A great photo study.

  7. Living in the Denver metro area, I’m down there quite often, and have taken commuter trains and Amtrak out of the station frequently. Always a hopping place. The developers did a great job with the station. Great photos! 👍

  8. Thank you Steve
    The only thing i miss are those dark tunnels that went up to the tracks and Grandpas train store in
    the terminal but you can’t beat it for photographs

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