Coming out of the siding at James, 22 miles (35 km) from Oroville, is an eastbound Union Pacific ballast train. This train, powered by UP C30-7 2503, C30-7 2419 and SD40-2 3165 (with helpers UP U30C 2891 and SD40-2 3685 shoving on the caboose), is about to cross the through girder bridge over the West Branch of the Feather River, which also has the bridge for California Highway 70 built upon the top of it. And at the far end, the railroad immediately enters a tunnel, as the line follows the Feather River to cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
