Western Railroad Discussion > Am-Sandwich at Gorge (Donner Pass)

Amtrak ran their Siemens Long Distance test train over The Hill today.  I'd figured they'd be running on the Zephyr's heels but, no,  the UP sandwiched one of their own between #'s 6 and 934 (the number assigned to the test train).
So here's the tucked in freight, a loooong 17mph grinder, rounding the ledge at Gorge, CA.
SR

---

that's one spectacular photo!!

Nice shot! I don't think I've ever seen any shots from the south side of the track on the  point before.... I like that. Pardon my ignorange but what test train was this?

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/02/20 20:20 by mojaveflyer.

Is this where old SP trains stopped, letting passengers out onto a wooden platform to view the canyon, or was that at AMERICAN, further up the line?  If so, is the platform still there?

Or is this spot AMERICAN?

 

mojaveflyer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nice shot! I don't think I've ever seen any shots
> from the south side of the track on the  point
> before.... I like that. Pardon my ignorange but
> what test train was this?

Amtrak is trying out a pair of Siemens locomotives in the Long Distance "environment".  They're pulling a random assembly of cars CHI-SEA-OAK-CHI.   I posted my photos of it on the Passenger Forum, and there's more info on this move from the crowd that follows this stuff.
SR

Gorge is not quite 3mi from my house, so I shoot there often.  It's easy and scenic.  I'm always playing with the light, weather, different angles, etc out there- it's my back yard "lab".

coach Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is this where old SP trains stopped, letting
> passengers out onto a wooden platform to view the
> canyon, or was that at AMERICAN, further up the
> line?  If so, is the platform still there?
>
> Or is this spot AMERICAN?
>
>

The spot you're referring to is called AMERICAN, where the trains stopped to let passengers step off for a look.   AMERICAN was about 2mi East of here, and there is no trace of the platform.  I think it was probably destroyed during double tracking in the 1920's.  The trees have grown to block any view (The CPRR had probably clearcut the place in the 1860's, so the view point was "man made" in the first place)   It's fairly unremarkable today.
SR

Thank you--I hope someday to find the spot!

I did an extensive investigation of American a few years ago- Before & After photo comparison, maps, and the whole bit. But I don’t remember how I titled it (I tend to get too cute for my own good when I title my threads) so I can’t find it using the search thing.
SR

Is this the thread?  (It has comparison photos of both Gorge and Anerican but no maps)

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,4754537,4754537



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/20 14:24 by johnsweetser.

johnsweetser Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is this the thread?  (It has comparison photos of
> both Gorge and Anerican but no maps)
>
> https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11
> ,4754537,4754537

No, it was longer ago- if fact, I referred to it in this post.
I’ll have to find the photos I took and do it over I guess?
SR