Big Ten Curve — Plain CO

Safety: cautionoverlook

Plain, CO

Union PacificAmtrak

Access & safety

Public access

Public Forest Service road pullouts above one of railroading's most famous curves — a 360°+ horseshoe where a long train can be seen wrapping around with the head end nearly touching the rear. The UP Moffat Sub climbs out of the South Platte canyon here on the route to the Moffat Tunnel.

Safety notes

STAY ON PUBLIC FOREST SERVICE LAND ABOVE THE CURVE. The track and immediate ROW are UP property — descending to track level is trespass. Watch for rattlesnakes in summer; the slopes are steep and loose. No cell service in the canyon.

Parking

Limited dirt pullouts on Plainview Road / Forest Service roads above the curve. High-clearance vehicle recommended after wet weather; not 4WD-only in summer.

Best time of day

Morning best for west-facing climbing trains; afternoon for eastbound descending. The curve faces multiple directions so light is workable any time.

Train frequency

Moderate — UP Moffat Sub freight (5-15/day) plus Amtrak California Zephyr (one in each direction daily, late morning EB / mid-afternoon WB approximately).

Nearby

No services at the spot. Closest gas/food in Pinecliffe, Rollinsville, or back down in Golden (~25 miles).

Log a sighting here

Bringing a non-railfan?

For the parent, spouse, or friend along for the ride — restrooms, food, and what to do while your railfan watches trains.

Enjoy a scenic overlook while your railfan marvels at the trains winding through the famous curve.

While your railfan is captivated by the trains, you can take in the beautiful views of the canyon and enjoy the fresh air. If you're feeling adventurous, consider a short hike along the nearby trails to stretch your legs and soak in the scenery.

Basics: There are no restrooms or food services at the spot, so plan accordingly. The nearest options are about 25 miles away in Pinecliffe, Rollinsville, or Golden.
With kids: The area is accessible for strollers, but be cautious of steep slopes. There’s plenty of space for kids to run around, but keep an eye on them as the terrain can be tricky. Bring along some activities to keep their attention while waiting for trains.
Bring: water, sunscreen, snacks, hats
Time budget: Plan on 90 minutes — your railfan will want to catch a few trains as they come around the curve.

Safety: Make sure to keep your child at least 25 feet back from any track and stay on public Forest Service land.

AI-generated · AI-generated, may be incomplete; verify hours/access before driving

Plan your visit

Hotels and rail experiences nearby. Links earn us a small referral — we only surface partners we'd use ourselves.

Rail tours and experiences

Our curated picks on Viator — museums, heritage rides, scenic rail trips, depot tours.

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Gear up

The starter kit serious railfans wish they'd bought day one. Each link earns us a small Amazon Associates referral — we only list gear we'd actually carry.

Wide-brim sun hat

Florida + Texas + Arizona + Southern California railfanning is unforgiving at noon. UPF 50 wide-brim with a chin strap so it doesn't blow off in the train slipstream. ($15-$30)

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Baofeng UV-5R dual-band radio

Budget gateway scanner — under $30. Program the 97 AAR channels yourself (CHIRP software is free) and you have a real working scanner for the price of dinner. Most railfans owned one before they upgraded. ($25-$35)

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Nikon PROSTAFF 3S 10x42 binoculars

Reading a CSX road number off a passing unit at half a mile = magic. 10x42 is the railfan sweet spot — enough power, still light enough to hold steady. Nikon's PROSTAFF 3S is the standard recommendation: under $150 and the optics punch above the price. ($120-$170)

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Recent sightings here (last 24 hours)

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