Slipping out of the Tehachapi Valley a lumber heavy QRVWC is held back by a trio of 'mountain motors' led by new tier IV ET45AH 2607. While the QRVWCs head end prepares to enter the Cache Creek narrows its rear end is passing the former station site at Eric, MP 368. At Eric the stiff grade of Tehachapi's eastern slope retracts somewhat and in the steam era both Southern Pacific and Santa Fe cut their Mojave based helpers off westbound trains, turned them on the wye, and dispatched them light back to Mojave. The advent of diesels spelled the end of Mojave based helpers on westbounds which swiftly brought an end to Eric's importance on the Tehachapi. Today the wye is long gone, as is Eric's place in the timetable.
