Donner Pass (1988)

Donner Pass the name evokes daunting obstacles with good reason Steep grades and seven months a year of winter weather put a railroads resources to the test Yet the need to transport goods over the Sierras produces a nonstop parade of trains over this famous line and that was especially true in 1988 when Video Rails captured incredible Southern Pacific action over Donner Pass Starting at the classification yards in Roseville California youll follow Southern Pacifics trains up and over The Hill SPs 6axle SD40s SD40T2s SD45s and SD45T2 tackle 138 miles of up to 24 percent grades Up to 11 units are needed for the climb The standard arrangement for these 10000ton trains is 4 by 6 with four engines leading and 6 midtrain helpers but youll also see long trains with six units leading six midtrain helpers and an endoftrain helper