Finally after a year I get an un-patched SP unit in the San Luis Obispo helpers. Sadly it is in the middle of the other two units, and this helper set was replaced after less than a week in SLO. ... (more)

The SLO based helpers help push the coast cans around the horseshoe curve on Cuesta Grade. D70, 70-210mm.

The loaded coast cans make a rare daylight appearance this morning as SD70M number 4495 leads them around the horseshoe curve on Cuesta Grade. D70, 70-210mm.

A southbound bare tables train passes through San Luis Obispo after receiving a new crew at the depot. Nikon D70, 28-70mm.

A freight runs north through Chorro siding on Cuesta Grade. The tail end of the train is still making its way around the horseshoe curve. This train was split in half back in San Luis Obispo and... (more)

UP 5434 leads this northbound MWCPT into the horseshoe curve on Cuesta Grade just north of San Luis Obispo. Nikon D70, 70-210mm.

The San Luis Obispo based helpers take the second half of an northbound MWCPT over Cuesta Grade. Here they pass through Chorro near the Stenner Creek trestle. Nikon D70, 28-70mm.

An Altamont Commuter Express train makes its way north through Alviso. The sun has just poked its way through the clouds that have been hanging around all day. Nikon D70, 75-300mm.

The San Luis Obispo based helpers warm up before heading north to Santa Margarita to help a southbound train over Cuesta. Nikon D70, 28-70mm.

A Union Pacific freight with six engines makes its way north on Cuesta Grade. The rusty thing beneath the engines is an old SPMW dump car that from the looks of it has been derailed there a long ... (more)

This empty rail train has been sitting in SLO all day. Now that the sun has set it should finally get a chance at getting a crew and moving out. Nikon D70, 28-70mm

A late Amtrak 14 makes it way up Cuesta Grade out of San Luis Obispo. Here it passes through Serrano siding, one of two passing tracks on Cuesta Grade. Nikon D70, 28-70mm.

A north bound autos train (AMLMI) pulled by two CSX GEVOs meets a southbound autos train (AOAWF) at South Serrano on Cuesta Grade. Nikon D70, 28-70mm.

A southbound Union Pacific auto train crosses the Stenner Creek trestle as it heads off of Cuesta Grade into San Luis Obispo. Nikon D70, 28-70mm

A Union Pacific south bound auto train has taken siding at Serrano up on Cuesta Grade to let three north bounds pass over the course of an hour and a half. Nikon D70, 28-70mm