Waiting in sub-freezing temperatures for the beast to wake from its slumber, and power up Donner pass I was rewarded by this amazing showing of smoke in my first main-line steam experience.

UP 844 passes through Yuba Gap where the only way to escape all the railfans was to get up high.

UP 844 passes by Boomtown on its trip to Roseville for the 100th anniversary of the yard.

UP 844W on its way to centennial celebrations for Roseville yard and WP RR as seen from the head-end of Amtrak 6, the California Zephyr.

Working up grade, UP 844, UP 1996, and UP 1983, lead a Special under the old SP signal bridge at Boca. The sun is out on Donner Pass, and so are boatloads of rail fans to see this historic steame... (more)

UP 844 is spread out on a reverse s-curve, rolling downhill against the red rock of Donner Pass. She's just a hint under 4,000 feet right now above sea level and will make a quick drop in elevatio... (more)

After trailing behind UP844, the SP and WP Heritage Locomotives wait for their next assignments which will be Monday, the 20th for a run into Oakland.

UP 844 gently drifts downgrade on the #1 track passing through a cut of rocks at Clipper Gap.

UP 844 storms upgrade at Iceland, while crossing the Truckee River. She was doing about 40MPH and the diesel helpers were in idle going up the 1.6% grade.

UP 844 rounds the S-Curves of Casa Loma leading the Western Tour train.

With my snow boots/pants left at home, I wasn't going to hike away too far into the Donner Winter leftover North face snow. So a simple Yuba-G wedgie shot from a rock 20ft from the tracks was fine... (more)

Steam, and snow! Who'da thunk we'd see steam in California in 2009, over Donner Pass?! UP 844 gently glides down the mountain on her Western Tour.

Also known as Bloomers Cut, this area just West of Auburn was completed by the CPRR in early 1865. Named for the local Bloomer family landowners, this 63 foot near-vertical by 800 foot long cut wa... (more)

Along the Truckee on the bank opposite from Interstate 80