The summer of 79 was a great time to be out taking railroad photos. There were so many worthy subjects that guy with a job and a little extra cash would have a hard time deciding on where to go and what to shoot. My big idea for that summer was a trip to Washington state to try to photo the BN Alco fleet that worked the Ex SP&S lines based out of Vancouver, WA. I found myself based at The Dalles, OR for about 6 days worth of shooting. Weather and BN Alcos conspired against me by either clouding me out or trailing in consists. After about the 5th day in The Dalles I woke up and came to the conclusion that every morning without fail a couple a UP east bounds blasted past not long after sunrise. Chasing really wasn't an option due to the UP's ability to make time along the Columbia River, but maybe staking out a spot at the passenger platform might not be a bad idea before I had to leave and head home to MI. So here at 7:07AM we have UP 8019,6943,6924 leading 57 cars of mainly TOCF east. 1 of 2