Photograph of a group of people in front of a railway car on the tracks and around the sides where large rocks and snow lay on the ground. The women wear long coats and the men wear suits. Everyone wears a hat, and some people hold snow in their hands or up to their mouths. A photographer's inscription at the top of the railway car reads, "No. 5 Aug 21, 1911 / On Pikes Peak Alt. 14147FT." The photograph is mounted to a black cardstock, which has an inscription on the back reading, "Miss Annie Belle Emery 1911," and she is denoted on the image with a question mark at the bottom of her jacket. The back of the board also has printed texts about the Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway, and the photographers imprint "J. F. Hiestand, official photographer."

This photograph depicts one of the most eventful days in the history of Fort Collins, Colorado. The date is July 15, 1911 and the time is 7:20 am as the Union Pacific's first passenger train departs from the city. Observe the beautiful old-time steam locomotive, an American, type 4-4-0 locomotive, heading a consist of handcrafted wooden cars, having underbody truss rods and open platforms.