Heading home to Martell, AMC Baldwin 9 climbs into the Sierra foothills.

After delivering outbound loads for interchange to Southern Pacific, Amador Central Baldwin S-12 No. 9 passes the former SP station at Ione.

Halfway down the hill to Ione, Amador Central regularly stopped to let brakes and wheels cool. The train is captured during this pause.

Amador Central crosses California 88 near Ione. R&R's Jim Boyd graciously ducked down so I could get this shot without him in the foreground.

#10 spots the last cars at the former SP yard in Ione, CA

Union Pacific's Lodi Local traverses the Ione Industrial Lead (aka Ione Branch) between Ranch Seco and Carbonldale. This piece of railroading in one of the last former Southern Pacific "Valley Bra... (more)

The power from the Ione local handing off empties and picking up loads from the Amador Central.

Note the fresh ballast. Someone planned on running this line longer than it lasted.

Arriving at the UP yard in Ione for the last time. Check out the "ripples" in the rail. That's more the norm than the exception on this railroad.