Unified Plan 2020, Union Pacific's version of Precision Scheduled Railroading, has created some challenges for the Valley Sub Dispatcher. With longer trains becoming the normal, Dispatcher 66 has to be strategic on lining up where trains will meet. Most sidings between Redding and Roseville are between 8,100' and 8,500'. These sidings could easily accommodate trains in the past, but with many southbound trains now running closer to 10,000', what do you do? The answer is that the hottest train on the route, the LA to Tacoma Z train (ZLCTM), must take the siding. In this shot, the ZLCTM (left) is stopped in the siding at Fagan while a Portland to Colton junker rumbles by on the main track.
