The visual cues in the photograph provide no clue that this is a Union Pacific train. In January 1997, a flood detour heads south on the Modoc Line, beginning the climb out of the Madeline Plains.... (more)
Smoke from nearby forest fires dominates the morning as an eastbound Southern Pacific train on the Modoc Line starts the climb out of the Madeline Plains. Once the train reaches the summit at Cre... (more)
Having crossed the Madeline Plains, an EUASM begins the climb to Crest siding. This site is near Ravendale on SP's Modoc Line. It had been less than two months since the SP/Rio Grande merger.
Once upon a time, trains on the Modoc Line added helpers at Ravendale. By 1988, the water tank standing along the tracks was the only remaining structure from those days.
An eastbound lumber drag on the Modoc Line is passing Crest siding in winter 1989. The temperature matched the population - 0F. From here, it will be almost all downhill to the crew change at Wen... (more)