A trip back home

Finally after two and a half years I returned to the Donner Pass area for a week vacation in Reno, NV, It was nice to be able to explore the old area again and see what has changed. Unfortunately this was not primarily a railfan vacation so I was only able to spend a few hours on a couple of days to do some train watching.

Monday May 7th, 2012
The first full day of being back in the area allowed me a couple of hours to get reacquainted with Reno and get photos of some buildings that I had not gotten prior to me leaving the area. In the past I was always saying "I'll get it next time" so I wanted to make sure this was that next time.

One of  my goals was the N-C-O/Western Pacific station on the east side of downtown Reno. I was surprised to see it in better shape than what I remembered especially since there is a lot of transient population in this area.

The N-C-O/Western Pacific Reno station

While getting a couple of shots a train horn was heard and soon the UP Stead local started to make its way up the old WP/UP Reno branch off of the UP Roseville Sub.I was surprised to encounter two fresh SD40N's leading this train. These are fairly rare units in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa and were a welcome sight.

UP 1574 leads the Stead local up the old WP/UP Reno branch.

After grabbing a couple of so so shots of the local, I headed east on E. 4th St to search out my other goal; the old Virginia & Truckee engine house in Sparks, NV.While heading east I encountered the MRORV at Sutro St. I was unable to see the head end before it slipped into the trench but did get to see most of the train and UP 8446 which was the lone DPU.

In Sparks I was able to find my way over to Crane Way which gave me a view of the west end of the Sparks yard. Looking into the yard from the west revealed the ZG2LT  making a set out and a Sierra DPU was parked along the main.

UP QSTPV, BNSF trackage rights train rolling into Sparks, NV.

As I was turning around to resume my search for the V&T engine house the BNSF trackage rights train from Stockton, CA to Provo, UT was drifting into the yard. I was not able to get into a good position to get anything more than a grab shot or two.

After this I was finally able to do some more exploring trying to find the V&T engine house. I had been to it a couple of times in the past but couldn't remember the direct road to it. After many drives up and down the streets south of the Sparks yard I finally figured out how to get to the site.

V&T engine house Sparks, NV.

I was pleasently surprised to see the building still standing and in somewhat good shape. The area it is in had also been cleaned up or my memory is bad as I seemed to remember the area being a mess previously. One of the things I found the most interesting of this building is it still has the smoke stack and there are still some ties in the dirt floor of the building.

After getting some shots and looking around the area I noticed the ZG2LT was heading departing so I headed west trying to get ahead of it. In the local traffic it was was soon apparent that I wouldn't be able to catch it in town so I got on I-80 and headed for the Truckee River area west of Verdi, NV.

ZG2LT climbs out of Reno, NV.

This area had given me some good shots during previous trips so, I setup looking south with the mountains visible directly behind my shot. It was getting close to noon so the sun was not being cooperative and I had to work with it to get a couple of shots. If the train hadn't been lead by three brand new ES44AC's I probably would have passed on the shots.

I ended up chasing this train to east of Floriston, CA before I had to head back to Reno.

Wednesday May 9th, 2012
Wednesday was set aside for a day trip over Donner Pass to Roseville, CA. We did as much back road driving as possible to explore the countryside and hopefully get some train action in.

First stop was in Truckee, CA and the railroad museum. The collection hasn't grown since 2010 but the old SP caboose that was in the lumber yard is now on the west side of the depot. I didn't stop to see what its being used for but it appeared to be mounted permanently.

Truckee railroad museum equipment.

After this quick stop a drive up old US 40 and over Donner Pass was next. Every time I pass by the old snow sheds on track one and the Chinese wall, I have to think of what it would have been like to see a train on that line.

The first train we encountered for the day was at Soda Springs when a eastbound stack train passed by us as we headed west. Its strange seeing stack trains on this line now.

The second and last  train  seen until we arrived in Roseville was Amtrak #5 at Gold Run, CA with AMTK 114 leading. Strangely seeing Amtrak is not a common occurance as it passes through during the dark in Nebraska.

We arrived in Roseville, CA around 1430 and had some time before I would meet by sons, so I explored around the Roseville yard. I was really surprised to find the receiving tracks nearly empty. This is a far cry from the early 00's as the yard was always full back then and its a sure sign that the economy in California is still in the tank.

Not much had changed in the last few years except for some new construction noted on the west side of the diesel shop and at the Subway. The long lines of stored power were no longer seen as they had been back in 2010 and there was only two patches SP units spotted. From what my son has said all of the old patched SP and DRGW GP40-2's that are assigned to Roseville have been repainted since 2010.

Fresh UP 9918 SD59X 

One of the sites worth seeing was the new SD59X's that are being used in Roseville. These are really sharp units and are the quietest diesels I have ever heard. While looking over the 9918, I was amazed at how quite it was and didn't realize it was actually running until I heard it rev up for a brief moment.

UP 590 and 602 outside the shop.

After an all too brief visit with my son's, I took one last drive around the yard for old times sake and stopped for some pictures on the east end of the shop. After that it was quick run back over to Reno and the end of my train watching back home.

KCS Haulage Trains

Background
One of the more interesting sights in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area are the KCS haulage trains that are brought in by the BNSF. Though these are only grain trains they do provide a nice break from the monotony of UP yellow and grey. Currently these KCS trains run on the BNSF even though the KCS has a haulage agreement on the UP into Omaha/Council Bluffs for 199 years that was awarded as part of the 1988 UP- MKT merger. The BNSF agreement is also a result of concessions that were awarded for the 1995 ATSF-BN merger. 


Customers Served
There are currently three customers served by these haulage trains. 

• Cargill at 2401 South 37th St., Council Bluffs, IA.
• 108 Car capacity
• Bartlett Grain Co. (North House) at 1030 Ave L, Council Bluffs, IA.
• 81 Car capacity
• Bartlett Grain Co. (South House) at 2600 S. 4th St., Council Bluffs, IA.



KCS Haulage train departing Lincoln, NE east on the BNSF Creston  Sub

• 85 Car capcity

Operations (Area Map)
The haulage trains are not operated on a set schedule. They can and do operate into and out of the area any day of the week.Typically the Bartlett elevators will receive and load at least two trains a week each while the Cargill elevator will load one train a week.A good indication that a train is about to be loaded at one of the Bartlett elevators is an increase in grain truck traffic unloading grain.

While the  BNSF operates these trains with BNSF crews and symbols they are almost always composed of  KCS family locomotives and grain hoppers. If there is a road failure of one of the KCS units BNSF will add a BNSF unit to the consist. A typical train is composed of two AC traction units and around 80 cars. It is rare to see a TFM or KCSdM locomotive but grain hoppers are always a good mix of KCS, TFM, Ferrosur or leaser names.

Routings

A KCS haulage train is taking the Amtrak connector from the BNSF to the UP in Omaha, NE.

Empties grain trains are typically routed on the St Joe sub from KC to Lincoln. The Creston Sub from Lincoln to Ashland, NE and then the Omaha Sub from Ashland to the Amtrak Depot in Omaha, NE. From the Amtrak connector to BN Jct they use UP trackage rights to gain access to the Council Bluffs Sub and South House or continue to the North House on the UP Omaha Sub. Loaded trains ( from all three customers) are routed down the BNSF Council Bluffs sub to Pacific Jct, IA then west on the Creston Sub to Lincoln, NE and then back down the St Joe sub to KC.

Cargill Elevator
Those trains that are destined to the Cargill elevator take the normal routing into the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. At the Amtrak connector they take the UP bridge into the UP yard and then down the western most yard elevator track. About 3/4 of the way down is the connector switch to the Cargill lead (see map). Trains must roll through the yard and out across S 16th St and around the Chrysler auto unloading ramp to clear this switch. Once they have cleared the switch they will back up the mile or so to the Cargill elevator where they will fit the train into the various tracks for loading.

Cargill uses a ex Amtrak GP10 and a SW1 to move cars through the loader. Since this is not a loop or flood loader, it typically takes a couple of days to load an 80 car train. The KCS locomotives are parked in the UP service area while a train is being loaded, though it is possible that the units maybe parked on one of the yard elevator tracks during this time frame.

KCS 3916 passes the 12th st line in Council Bluffs on its way to the North House.

Once a train is loaded it is routed back out the same way it was brought in. When the train has cleared the Cargill lead switch it is backed out of the yard onto the UP mainline and then pulls down the Omaha Sub to BN Jct where a BNSF crew boards and takes the train down the Council Bluffs Sub to Pacific Jct. , IA.

Bartlett - North House
North House trains follow the typical routing into Council Bluffs but continue on the UP Omaha Sub to the north house. Once they have arrived outside the elevator these trains pull north through the north yard cross overs and are shoved back into the elevator tracks from the southbound the main. The north house elevator trains are only 79 cars inbound or 81 cars total with the two locomotives. Its a very tight fit on the elevator leads for these trains.

ex KCS NW2 at the North House

The north house employs a ex KCS NW2 switcher to position cars under the elevator load outs. This unit is still painted in KCS white but is missing the two exhaust stacks giving it a unique look.The unit is keep inside the load building until needed. When a train is being loaded it will work the load outs from the south end pushing cars toward the north end of the complex. 

The KCS power for the north house trains are parked on the north end of the elevator complex and are easily observed form Mynster Springs Rd. They can be photographed in the mornings, but the best lighting is in the evenings. NOTE - They are parked next to an active mainline and you will have to trespass to photograph with the sun. This area is marked as No Trespassing and you will be confronted by BNSF and UP Special Agents if seen trespassing.

Loaded trains are given a inspection and have there air hoses laced by the UP car department. Bad orders are identified and tagged for set out on the materials salvage lead. A UP extra crew is called and they assemble the train from the north end occupying the southbound main during this process.Once assembled they make a reverse move across Council Bluffs until they clear the BN Jct switch. BNSF crews will then board the train and proceed down the Council Bluffs sub to Pacific Jct., IA.

A north house train is curving through Council Bluffs and crossing the IAIS 

Bartlett - South House
South House trains follow the typical routing into Council Bluffs and take the switch at BN Jct to enter the Council Bluffs Sub. This part of the Council Bluffs sub contains a number of railroad crossings with the UP 12th St line being the first. The IAIS crossings are located just south of 16th St near the ex CRIP depot.

South house trains are pulled down to the elevator and then the train is positioned under the two loading shoots for loading. The south house uses two older shuttle wagons to handle the movement of the cars through the load outs. The road power is typically parked with the BNSF Council Bluffs switcher in the old yard south of 16th St. On occasion this power is "borrowed" and is used to pull a train over to the BNSF S. Omaha Gibson yard. The units can  also be parked in the old Milwaukee Road yard on occasion.

Late afternoons and evenings are the best for photographing the units while they are parked in the BNSF yard. NOTE - If you trespass to get close up photos of the units expect a visit from BNSF Special Agents. There is no need to trespass as photos can be taken from a public road.

A south house train being assembled.

Once the elevator has loaded a train the BNSF car department inspects the train and laces the air hoses. A switch crew from Gibson will then perform the process of assembling the train. The cars are pulled from the north end of the elevator and are parked on the new main. Not all cars will fit on the new main and the road crew will double over a short cut of cars once they have boarded the train.

Once assembled the road crew will take it down the Council Bluffs sub to Pacific Jct., IA to travel west on the Creston Sub.

Occasionally the switch crew will take a train down to Pacific Jct., IA and park it north of town. A road crew will then take the train west later as crews become available.

KCS haulage train awaiting a road crew at Pacific Jct. IA.

Oct 1st and 2nd

Fall is definitely here. The fields are being harvested and the days are shorter. The low sun and crisp skies are near perfect for photography.

Saturday Oct 1st.
The day started out with a drive to Council Bluffs and ended up taking me to Kennard, NE for a look at the progress of the second main installation.

Council Bluffs, IA
IAIS BICB
512-505

UP MCBPR
4428-4185-4247

UP Lt Power move
8698-8688

KCS Grain Train
3901-4123

UP MKCVP
5605-7260-6433

Missouri Valley, IA
UP Blair local
2100-2311

AMTK 6 detour
UP 6050-AMTK 160- AMTK 60

UP MOW Train
261-5080

UP eb Stack and Auto
7464-5029 DPU 8616-5207

UP eb Freight
4776-4763

UP wb Stack
7731-3812- DPU 4108-8424

UP eb Grain empty
7132-5023 DPU 7242

Between Blair and Kennard, NE
UP MVPNP
8203-6268 DPU 8002

UP wb empty coaler
UP 6453-6161

UP  wb empty coaler
UP 5730 DPU 6827

Omaha, NE
UP MNPBO
6071-6438-3749-6956-unknown AC4400CW

Sunday Oct 2nd

Sunday was a day to just explore around the Omaha and Council Bluffs area.

Omaha, NE
BNSF Gibson Yard
4565, 2024-3111, 746, 2392

UP Display track
UP 7400 RGC Pink Ribbon Unit

Council Bluffs, IA
IAIS BICB
507-502

KCS grain train power
4108-4603

BNSF switcher
3121

UP MSXCB
9474-2302

UP Engineering Special
8988-8998

KCS grain empty
KCS 4125 - TFM 1658

UP MKCVP
UP 4890 - NS 8424

UP eb coal load
5909-6271 DPU 6592

UP eb ETOH empty
5107-3897-4514

UP MKCCP
UP 7676-2366 DPU 7475

Some video from the weekend.

July 4th Weekend

I havn't been posting much as I really do not like the format of this blog template. I've attempted to import some different temples that have been created for Blogger, but they tend to not work.

The 4th weekend was somewhat productive but limited by high gas prices and being on call.

July 4th, 2008

IG2OA

UP 3907 - UP 8388

wb Auto train

UP 5229 - UP 4652

eb Stack train

UP 4163 - UP 4431

Amtrak #6

AMTK 157 - AMTK 68

MRVSJ

UP 5412 - UP 5420

QPDRV

UP 5445 - UP 5426 - UP 4580 - UP 5186 - UP 8315 / DPU UP 5388 - UP 5361

July 5th, 2008

wb Stack train

UP 3907 - UP 5029

Rocklin Rocket

UP 567 - UP 600

ASJNP

UP 5567 - UP 4896 - UP 5061

QSTDVJ

BNSF 4195 - BNSF 4595 - BNSF 4491

eb Grain train

UP 8123 - UP 6270 SPP* - UP 7107

Amtrak #5

AMTK 179 - Amtk 11

July 6th, 2008

Light power off the MOARV

UP 5363 - UP 5380 - UP 3962 - UP 5383 - UP 8430

MRVRO

UP 1983 - UP 2912 - UP 8187

Amtrak #6

AMTK 179 - AMTK 11

April 12th and 13th, 2008

April 12th and 13th
A very slow weekend around town.

April 12th
We got a late start to the day and didn't get out until the early afternoon.

QRVWC

• UP 5450
• UP 4408
• UP 5449

Light power

• UP 5106
• UP 7789
• UP 5424
• UP 9614
• UP 4885

MRORV

• UP 5581
• UP 4413
• UP 4600
• UP 4399
• UP 5575 - DPU

MRVTR

• UP 3091
• UP 3899

MWCPD

• UP 5410
• UP 4850
• UP 4936

eb Stack train

• UP 4646
• UP 5073

Amtrak #5

• AMTK 4
• AMTK 156

QPDWC

• UP 5440
• UP 4635
• UP 4921
• UP 9677

April 13th.
My sons 18th birthday and it was an extremely slow Sunday.

Light power

• UP 4254
• UP 4807
• UP 9231
• UP 3174
• UP 3941

Light Power

• UP 4562
• UP 8525
• UP 4463

Amtrak #6

• AMTK 4
• AMTK 159

LRD96

• UP 5394
• UP 5414

MNPRV

• UP 5176
• UPY 896
• UP 4079
• UP 5012
• UP 8590

Light power

• UP 4059
• UP 9272
• UP 5437
• UP 5431

April 5th and 6th, 2008

April 5th and 6th.

April 5th and 6th.
A trip to James, CA and some time around home for this weekend.

April 5th
The day started in Roseville and from there we ventured up to the horseshoe curve at James, CA.

wb Grain train - Roseville, CA

• UP 8116
• UP 6343
• UP 7710

sb Baretable - Sunset-Whitney, CA

• UP 8616
• UP 7846

HPASBAR - Craig, CA

• BNSF 4954
• BNSF 4399

eb Stack - Craig, CA

• UP 4954
• UP 4399

QPDRVD - Oroville, CA

• UP 7610
• UP 9796
• UP 3855

IG3OA - James, CA

• UP 7829
• UP 7800

MRORV - James, CA

• UP 3999
• UP 4926
• UP 3334
• UP 2481

Stack train - Roseville, CA

• UP 5541
• UP 9823

Unknown freight - Roseville, CA

• UP 5454
• UP 4640
• UP 3903

Stack train - Roseville, CA

• UP 4739
• UP 7609

April 6th

Sunday was typically quite.

sb Grain train

• UP 5870
• SP 144

eb Auto train

• UP 5582
• UP 5562
• UP 5166
• UP 5004
• UP 4554

QDVSTJ

• BNSF 4064
• NS 9427
• NS 9486

March 29th and 30th, 2008

March 29th and 30th.

The UP had the Cal-P line closed for tunnel repairs with the old WP/UP Altamont line expected to see traffic increases due to Cal-P train detours. Due to this we headed to the bay area and to some new territory. Too bad the weather did not cooperate.

March 29th

We started the day in the Livermore, CA end of the pass and ended back up in Roseville, CA.

MRVWCB ?? east of Livermore

• UP 5441
• UP 5429
• UP 4673

Stack train at Altamont, CA

• UP 7783
• UP 9640

Stack train at Altamont, CA

• UP 4335
• UP 5276
• UP 5045

QRVWC at Lathrop, CA

• UP 5362
• UP 5025
• UP 5505
• UP 4499 - DPU
• UP 4516 - DPU
• UP 5354 - DPU

Stack train at Lathrop, CA

• UP 4329
• UP 4298

Bare table at Stockton, CA

• UP 3811
• UP 4908

MRVFR at Stockton, CA

• UP 5376
• UP 2310

March 30th

A quite morning around Roseville, CA.

Light power

• UP 7795
• UP 3479
• UP 2245

Light Power

• UP 9460
• UP 2826
• UP 3473

Railgrinder train

• RG318

Amtrak #6

• AMTK 10
• AMTK 180

Light power

• UP 5389
• UP 3781
• UP 4108

Stack train

• UP 3950
• UP 4427
• UP 7711

March 22nd and 23rd, 2008

March 22nd and 23rd.

Lots of action around the area.

March 22nd

A very busy day had us running around the various photo spots.

Grain Train

• UP 6826
• UP 5810
• UP 7281

Light Power

• UP 4697
• UP 4857
• UP 2346

MRORV

• UP 8387
• UP 9652
• UP 4185

Light Power

• UP 5472
• UP 5354

Stack train

• UP 4927
• UP 4392

MRVTR

• UP 4168
• UP 5377

MNPRV

• UP 5571
• UP 4861
• UP 4093
• UP 3974

Coal train

• UP 6373 - SPP*
• UP 5929
• UP 5958

Stack train

• UP 4070
• UP 4261

Light Power

• UP 7726
• UP 2386
• UP 8608

MFRNP

• UP 7760
• UP 9503
• UP 3789
• UP 5112
• UP 8324 - DPU

QHKRV

• UP 3829
• UP 4504
• UP 5563
• UP 4875
• UP 5395
• UP 4893

Light Power

• UP 5366
• UP 5384
• UP 9620

March 23

Sunday was a bit slower.

Unknown freight on the rockpile.

• UP 5193
• UP 4242
• UP 4634
• UP 9614

AWSNP

• UP 4770
• UP 5182

Auto train

• UP 5105
• UP 4152
• UP 5225

Amtrak #6

• AMTK 163
• AMTK 125

Stack train

• UP4938
• UP 4556

QDVSTJ

• BNSF 7720
• BNSF 5278
• BNSF 5413
• BNSF 817

SPP* = Southern Pacific Patch

March 15th and 16th, 2008

March 15th and 16th
We where given a rare treat on Saturday in the form of a tour of the old SP Sacramento shops. Lots of interesting material and machines are buried in those buildings.

March 15th
The day started out in Roseville with the afternoon in Sacramento.

Auto Train

• UP 4701


• UP 9818

MNPST

• UP 7781


• UP 8570


• UP 4523

Redding Turn

• UP 1355 - RGP*


• UP 1365


• UP 9989

Amtrak #6

• AMTK 86


• AMTK 15

Stack train

• UP 8575


• UP 8563


• UP 8580

MOARV

• UP 5317


• UP 9810


• UP 5381


• UP 4767


• UP 4144

QRVWC

• UP 9717


• UP 4335


• UP 7793

QRVWCB? at Sacramento

• UP 4304


• UP 5275


• UP 7774

March 16th
A late start to the day yielded some good train watching.

Grain train

• UP 5554


• UP 4587


• UP 8122


• UP 6618


• UP 6389 - SPP*


• UP 8069


• UP 5557 - DPU


• UP 5576 - DPU


• UP 5562 - DPU

Light Power

• UP 3827


• UP 3821

Amtrak Reno Fun Train

• AMTK 116


• AMTK 205

MRVPTX

• UP 5414


• UP 5367


• UP 5278

Light Power

• UP 5380


• UP 9501


• UP 5432

Folsom turn

• UP 1386 - SSWP*


• UP 2528

QRVNPP

• UP 7631


• UP 4319


• UP 4090


• UP 5580

MRORVB

• UP 4045


• UP 4107


• UP 4034

SPP* = Southern Pacific patch
SSWP* = SSW patch
RGP* = DRGW patch

March 8th and 9th, 2008

March 8th and 9th.

Winterail weekend, but I'm cheap so no quality time with the foamers.

March 8th.
I spent a little bit of time hanging out around Roseville, CA.

AWSNP

• UP 9749


• UP 4595


• UP 2358


• UP 2160

MRVROB

• UP 9690


• UP 8608

Light Power

• UP 9319


• UP 5415


• UP 4669


• UP 5976

Redding Turn

• UP 1530 - SPP*


• UP 1355 - RGP*


• UP 2528

Light Power

• UP 4275


• UP 4935


• UP 4936

Amtrak #6

• AMTK 138


• AMTK 156

MMIRV

• UP 8547


• UP 5381

Light Power

• UP 5574


• UP 5577


• UP 5555

Grain Train

• UP 6595


• UP 6457


• UP 6360 - SPP*


• UP 5566 - DPU


• UP 5576 - DPU


• UP 5561 - DPU


• UP 5567 - DPU

Bare table

• UP 4434


• UP 3978

Auto train

• UP 9510


• UP 3182


• UP 3039

March 9th
A little bit quieter.

Light Power

• UP 5427


• UP 5309


• UP 5403

ZNPOA

• UP 4378


• UP 5188


• UP 5073

Light Power

• UP 5415


• UP 4392


• UP 5393

Bare table

• UP 7631


• UP 2399

Amtrak #6

• AMTK 97


• AMTK 15

SPP* = Southern Pacific Patch
RGP* = DRGW Patch

February 16th and 18th, 2008

February 16th and 18th.

A three day weekend, but only two days of train watching.

February 16th
Call has come back around again, so its a stay close to home weekend.

Light Power

• UP 5254
• UP 4132
• UP 526

Light Power

• UP 8339
• UP 4619

Grain Train at Antelope

• UP 5272
• UP 4620
• FMX 4682

Amtrak #6

• AMTK 185
• AMTK 206

MOARV at CP Citrus

• UP 5449
• UP 2186
• UP 3714

QWCRV

• UP 5432
• UP 4380
• UP 4669
• UP 9592
• UP 4348 - DPU
• UP 5382 - DPU

MRVEU

• UP 4452
• UP 4063
• UP 4532

WB Auto Train

• UP 7640
• UP 5103
• UP 5096

wb Auto Train at Sunset-Whitney

• UP 4656
• UP 9337

February 18th.
A busy Monday to keep us occupied.

QDVSTJ at Antelope

• BNSF 4917
• BNSF 858
• BNSF 4730

Cement Train

• UP 4649
• UP 4175
• UP 4757

Amtrak #6

• AMTK 150
• AMTK 182

MRVNW

• UP 5394
• UP 7576
• UP 4438
• UP 2561

MRVTR

• UP 4500
• UP 3828

QRVWC

• UP 5511
• UP 4780
• UP 5444

Ballast Train

• UP 4495
• UP 5172
• UP 5696
• UP 8594

Light Power

• UP 8320
• UP 2162
• UP 5371
• UP 2405
• UP 2416
• UP 5593

February 9th and 10th, 2008

February 9th and 10th

A clear and bright weekend after almost an entire month of rain and clouds. After the previous weekend snows, I was looking forward to getting some action in the snow. Unfortunately we where only able to get Amtrak 6 in the snow.

February 9th.

Started out rather slow with the three lined up on the west end of the yard, but nothing on the east end, so we would have to wait for #6 to begin our chase up the hill.

MRVNW at Antelope

• UP 3870


• UP 4577

Light power at switch 5

• UP 5582


• UP 5579


• UP 8510


• UP 4419

Redding Turn at Sunset-Whitney

• UP 1372 - RGP*


• UP 2528


• UP 1365

MRVML at Antelope

• UP 5387


• UP 4716


• UP 4360

Amtrak 6 at Antelope

• AMTK 99


• AMTK 164

MRVNP at Newcastle

• UP 5554


• UP 5570


• UP 5563


• UP 3829


• UP 4341


• UP 4973

Febuary 10th

Sunday started out really slow. The arrival side of the yard was empty and the receiving service tracks where also empty, but it got busier a little later.

Light Power

• UP 3941


• UP 2186


• UP 9744

QPDRV

• UP 8601


• UP 4616


• UP 4486


• UP 8534

MNPST

• UP 4216


• UP 8350


• UP 9547

Light Power

• UP 4248


• UP 8017


• UP 4590


• UP 4861


• UP 5490

ASJNP

• UP 5567


• UP 5573


• UP 8514


• UP 4431

Light Power

• UP 8543


• UP 5548


• UP 4805


• UP 5449


• UP 4953


• UP 5455

QRVWC at Antelope

• UP 7782


• UP 4821


• UP 4416


• UP 5413 - DPU


• UP 5441 - DPU


• UP 5340 - DPU

RGP = Rio Grande Patch

Feburary 2nd and 3rd, 2008

Feburary 2nd and 3rd.
Well after three weeks or working and rain, I wasn't going to let a predicted rain/snow storm stop me from heading out. Besides it gave me an excuse to break in my new Jeep.

Saturday Feburary 2nd
Reading reports of Amtrak 6 being stuck in Gold Run got me thinking it was time to head up the hill, but first a run around the yard to see if there where any trains lined up to head up that we could follow.

The long line of stored units is slowly making its way to the shop for a looking over. Most of the units where retired in the last weeks of Jan and the lease units where getting preped to be returned to CEFX.

We did get into some snow around Wiemer Crossing and it was really snowing up around Alta and Gold Run. This allowed us to get some shots but after spending a hour 100' from the Alta off ramp. I had had enough of California drivers in the snow.

Light Power movement

• UP 9379
• UP 7612
• UP 4043

Light Power movement

• UP 5424
• UP 4048

Light Power movement

• UP 4826
• UP 5367
• UP 8324
• UP 8395

e/b Grain Train

• UP 6748
• UP 6292 - SPP*
• UP 7094

w/b Auto train off the Valley

• UP 4487
• UP 4607

MRVNP at Colfax

• UP 5572
• UP 5575
• UP 8611
• UP 3817
• UP 4572
• UP 5569 - DPU
• UP 5576 - DPU

QRVPD at Roseville

• UP 5121
• UP 4772
• UP 2080

QNPFRP at Roseville

• UP 4822
• UP 7730
• UP 7726

Sunday Feburary 3rd
Ironically Sunday was the first sunny day is quite some time but there was nothing moving for trains.

e/b Auto Train

• UP 4487
• UP 4607

QPDWC at Antelope

• UP 7699
• UP 3891
• UP 9693
• UP 4398 - DPU
• UP 4048 - DPU
• UP 5454 - DPU

n/b HBARPAS at Sacramento

• BNSF 4767
• BNSF 4513
• BNSF 4153
• BNSF 4909

* SPP - Southern Pacific Patch

December 24th and 25th, 2007

December 24th and 25th.
Christmas Eve and Christmas day action.

Monday December 24th
A surprisingly busy Monday morning, but the action tapered off by the afternoon as the UP was shutting down operations for the holiday.

Stack Train at Roseville, CA.

• UP 3869
• UP 7617
• UP 4934

Amtrak #6 at Roseville, CA.

• AMTK 45
• AMTK 58

Auto Train at Antelope, CA.

• UP 7755
• UP 5305

Stack Train at Brighton, CA.

• UP 5255
• UP 9646
• UP 4938
• UP 7748
• UP 3919
• UP 5536
• UP 9798
• UP 3833
• UP 5040

QDVSTJ at Brighton, CA.

• BNSF 4725
• BNSF 5308
• BNSF 4410

MRVFR at Antelope, CA.

• UP 5444
• UP 5455
• UP 5447
• UP 1451
• UP 813
• UP 3542

Auto Train at Roseville, CA.

• UP 4319
• UP 4441

MRORV at Roseville, CA.

• UP 8336
• UP 2219
• UP 2347

Tuesday December 25th
Nothing to report.

December 22nd and 23rd, 2008

December 22nd and 23rd.
Another weekend of being on call, so it was spent close to home. Saturday started out sunny but by early afternoon was cloudy and looking to rain.

Saturday December 22nd

MRVTR at Antelope, CA

• UP 4594
• UP 5429

Lt Power at Antelope, CA.

• UP 5560
• UP 5568
• UP 5557

QDVSTJ at Antelope, CA.

• BNSF 7590
• BNSF 5246
• BNSF 4761

wb Auto Rack at Roseville, CA.

• UP 3825
• UP 9215

MRORV at Roseville, CA.

• UP 3908
• UP 9781
• UP 3836
• UP 5569

ZLCSE at Roseville, CA.

• UP 7602
• UP 5093
• UP 4974

wb Grain Train at Roseville, CA.

• UP 8235
• UP 7662
• UP 6278
• UP 6655

QWCRV at Roseville, CA.

• UP 5326
• UP 4244
• UP 4627
• UP 4289
• UP 5524 - DPU

Sunday December 23rd
A slow sunny day around Roseville.

wb Auto Train at Roseville, CA.

• UP 4889
• UP 4524

Lt Power at Roseville, CA.

• UP 7708
• UP 5411
• UP 4493

Lt Power at Roseville, CA.

• UP 4629
• UP 4862
• UP 3781
• UP 5426

Lt Power at Roseville, CA.

• UP 4432
• UP 7710
• UP 5582
• UP 5564

Amtrak #6 at Roseville, CA.

• AMTK 129
• AMTK 44

MNPRV at Roseville, CA.

• UP 7787
• UP 9479
• UP 2365
• UP 9357 - DPU
• UP 5485 - DPU

December 15th and 16th, 2007

December 15th and 16th.
Saturday started out with the typical winter fog, but after being on call the week prior I was looking forward to finding an eastbound and following it up the Hill.

Saturday December 15th
The day started out in Roseville with lunch in Truckee and ending back home in Roseville.

MMIRV at Roseville, CA.

• UP 8607
• UP 3192

QWCRV at Antelope, CA.

• UP 7763
• UP 5423
• UP 5289
• UP 5480
• UP 5447
• UP 5422

Lt. power at Roseville, CA.

• UP 4096
• UP 5443
• UP 3868
• UP 5459

Lt power at Roseville, CA.

• UP 8326
• UP 9715
• UP 2752
• UP 5570
• UP 3542
• UP 2850

Lt power at Roseville, CA.

• UP 566
• UP 589

Amtrak # 6 at Roseville, CA.

• AMTK 40
• AMTK 100

wb Auto rack at Truckee, CA.

• UP 3865
• UP 3258
• GECX 8652
• UP 5558
• UP 5563

Sunday December 16th
Another typical Sunday morning around Roseville.

Grain train at Roseville, CA.

• UP 6565
• UP 6465
• UP 8177

Lt. power at Roseville, CA.

• UP 5517
• UP 5281
• UP 7763
• UP 5558
• UP 5581
• UP 5578
• UP 5570
• UP 5573

QFRNPP at Roseville, CA.

• UP 5424
• UP 5451
• UP 5401
• UP 5052
• UP 4891
• UP 5184

Auto rack at Roseville, CA.

• UP 7737
• UP 8550

QWCPD at Roseville, CA.

• UP 6651
• UP 7732
• UP 3970