Not an overly dramatic photo. Darkening, and cropping the lower portion would help. But here are the challenges of a class one railroad. Moving tonnes of freight over miles and miles of the United States of America as quickly as possible. Everyday. Heat, cold, rain, snow. Mountains. Physical breakdown of machinery. Government regulations. Labor union requirements for safety. Environmental restrictions. Public indifference. Past due account receivables... In about 20 minutes there will be another one. And then another... Cajon Pass is always busy.
Union Pacific 3755, a General Motors' Electro-Motive Division SD40-2 capable of 3000 horsepower is heading a mile long intermodal container train going to Chicago and eventually the East Coast. Running hard on the BNSF North track, there is still two miles of mountain before reaching the Summit and the High Desert of California beyond. Behind 3755 is UP 2401, a General Electric C30-7 (3000 hp). Then UP 4948 (ex-Southern Pacific), SD45T-2, (3600 hp). Lastly 3 UP 5000 series SD70Ms, each 4000 hp. 21,600 hp, lashed together, pulling...
Here comes a train.
Photos: UP 3755 • Cajon Pass, California
