Precision. Precision Railroading is in full effect throughout the Roseville Service Unit. In order to better the company's operating ratio, Union Pacific has elected to run fewer and longer trains. This business model cuts down on costs associated with rail transport, such as crew salary and fuel consumption.
After departing Roseville at over 10,000' in length, the MWCEU of September 6th made good time up the (flat) Valley Subdivision to Redding. At Redding, 22 cars would be set out, causing a nearly hour delay. By the time the train was headed north again, the late summer evening was drawing to a close.
In this shot, the sound of a gentle summer breeze is broken by the echoing rumble of a freight train working northbound through the Sacramento River Canyon. UP 1983, the Western Pacific Heritage Unit, catches the last little bit of daylight as it leads a 111-car manifest at Vollmer's Delta.
