The rock is/was east of the tank and bridge, not far, a couple of 100 yards. Headed eastbound, it was in the first left hand curve after crossing the bridge. Looking at the shot looking east past the bridge and tank, where the ROW disappears in the distance, around that curve was the rock. It came down off the mesa seen to left of the tank.
It was a big sucker. About 20' tall, about 15' wide at the base. Landed square on the track. The engineer plugged it before he hit. Running over smaller rocks before he hit the big one derailed 492. 492 hit it at less than 10mph. The rock didn't move an inch. The impact folded up some empty wooden pipe gons and idlers behind the engine.
It has been suggested that a lightening strike knocked the boulder loose.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/2018 07:15PM by Earl.