Western Railroad Discussion > Winter Is Back -- Truckee Flangers

Union Pacific 602 hustles an eastbound flanger into Truckee, California, just as the sun begins to set across the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Dispatcher 74 took a chance having the flangers follow the MRVRO out of Norden. With only an hour left before the flanger crew would die on the law, any small problem could have tied up the line for hours.

The gamble paid off as the flangers were able to get into Truckee, where a fresh crew would turn the train and head back out. The new crew would work throughout the night, battling the winter weather that makes Donner Pass so infamous. 

Jake Miille
Chico, CA
Jake Miille Photography

---

---

Those are beautiful photos!  Simply beautiful.
And thanks for the story behind those images.
Glad there were no problems and that the crew
was able to get the flanger back to Truckee before
they died on the law.

(Which reminds me of a story.  Long ago, a hoghead
went to work, and when several hours had passed
after the time his wife had expectred him to ge home,
she called the railroad.  The dispatcher said nonchalantly,
"Oh -- he died."  The poor woman just about fainted, and
in a very upset voice asked the dispatcher what happened
to her dear husband, and the dispatcher then told her he
would be very late getting home because he had ben on duty 
for the maximum allowable number of hours, and had to be
picked up and brought back to the yard, which would take
some time.  Then the woman calmed down.  Of course non-
railroaders do not usually know railroad slang, and even families
of long-time railroaders may not understand that slang if their
family member(s) do not use it at home.)

That's crazy since I know one friend who used to really like trains still understand my terminology since she hasn't been into it for quite some time!

But the colors in your photos have way too much yellow! ;)

Your photos are fantastic, but it's still weird to see UP on Donner. Guess that means I'm one of those old geezers know - was better back in my day.

Nathan

Posted from iPhone

atsf121 wrote ---
> But the colors in your photos have way too much yellow! ;)

I agree 100%!  <G>

> Your photos are fantastic, but it's still weird to see UP on Donner.

Yes, it is.  Just does not look right unless the locomotives are
scarlet and grey.

> Guess that means I'm one of those old geezers now - was better back in my day.

Guess I am a "geezerette"!! <G>  And it was better in many ways
back when I was much younger, too. I really miss the SP.

Super nice photos Jake. Love the different lighting on up the mountain side. Burr!

Chris

Really off to a great start with the snowfall.   I can't recall any year in the last ten to fifteen years there was that much snow in November.   
Very nice scenes and great photography as usual.

 

Nice to see such a great start to the 'snow season' up on the mountain. Great shots, Jake.

Ryan