Nostalgia & History > SP 7305 East at Rocklin 1995

A common event was to add the helper to eastbound freights at Rocklin CA during the late 1980s til the UP merger. Espee was utilizing 2 sets of helper engines based out of Colfax for trains ascending the West slope of Donner Pass.

SP 7305 East was previously stopped west of the Rocklin x-over so the helper units made a unique move to run down to where the train was stopped. The helpers "pace" the eastbound for a short distance before using the x-over. Over the years, I probably witnessed dozens of helper placements at Rocklin and this was the only time that I saw a helper pace the train before being added to the rear end.

Jan 1995

Thanks for looking
-Lee

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Fascinating!    Could watch clips like that forever and not tire of it.    The SP was the best show!

Excellent!  More mid 90's SP please!   The power, that jointed rail, everything is amazing on this video!

Lee-

That was a great time. We probably crossed paths a time or two, as I was regularly train watching and chasing Roseville to Penryn, Auburn, or Colfax 94-96. Sometimes as far as Emigrant Gap. Those are fun memories. 

Chris Donhost
Vacaville, CA 

 

A bet we did.

If you see yourself or recognize a train, feel free to give a shout out.

-Lee