Pride of the Sierras. The Union Pacific J.R. Davis Yard in Roseville, California is the headquarters for Sierra Rail Operations. Every day, trains coming in and out of Northern California cross the Donner Pass Route, Feather River Route and Shasta Route. Many of these heavy trains require additional power units from Roseville to make it over the hill. The UP 5200 series has long been assigned to this job. Running heavy trains up and down steep 2% grades and through long mountain tunnels is dirty work. Many of these units wear a permanent coat of diesel exhaust crude. In this shot, a conductor slowly guides the UP 5272 down the #2 main track in Roseville. These two locomotives will be added to a heavy eastbound manifest that is scheduled to depart later in the night. Soon, the UP 5272 will be back at home, tackling the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains which loom quietly in the distance.
