The main subject is a black vintage steam locomotive, numbered 1307, pulling a series of bright red freight cars across a towering steel-truss railway bridge. The train travels from left to right, with thick dark smoke billowing from its chimney against a vibrant blue sky. Text on the side of the train identifies it as belonging to the Santa Fe line.
Beneath the bridge, a tranquil river winds through a deep, rocky canyon. The scene is dominated by massive, stratified rock formations in shades of tan, ochre, and warm orange, which provide a dramatic backdrop for the crossing. The foreground features a stone bridge pier rising from the water, with some scattered driftwood and rocky banks framing the lower portion of the image.
The artwork is rendered in a detailed, painterly style with visible brushwork that gives the scene a textured, nostalgic quality. The colour palette contrasts the cool blue of the sky and river with the warm, earthy tones of the canyon walls and the bold, striking red of the train cars. The lighting appears to be bright and clear, suggesting a sunny day in a rugged, wilderness landscape. In the distance, a small tunnel opening is visible, further emphasizing the expansive scale of the mountain terrain.