On likely the first run to the west coast, brand-new Union Pacific SD70ACe No. 8714 leads a train through Bloomer Cut between Newcastle and Auburn, California, on March 8, 2012. This narrow cut is part of on the original Central Pacific right-of-way over Donner Pass. Too bad the spotless ACe has what’s left of a deer or cow on the right side of the pilot. Carnage!

Tags:   Union Pacific SD70ACe new locomotive Auburn Newcastle California Bloomer Cut Donner Pass train railroad CA UP

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Clean warbonnet BNSF Dash-9 No. 766 leads four former BN SD40-2s on a westbound freight passing through Bealville, California, on March 28, 2001.

Tags:   BNSF Dash-9 warbonnet BN Burlington Northern Bealville California Tehachapi Pass train railroad CA spring SD40-2

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As the flats and spine cars of trailers roll by in the foreground, the locomotives of the same long BNSF train curve around Tehachapi Loop in California on March 8, 2001.

Tags:   BNSF intermodal trailers Tehachapi Loop Woodford Walong California train railroad CA TTX Tehachapi Pass spring

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A Santa Fe westbound passes a Joshua tree west of Jimgrey, California, on March 7, 1996. Even though the railroad is now officially BNSF at this date, it’s hard to tell. Powering the train are six EMDs: lead locomotive SD45-2 No. 5801, a GP39-2r, a GP50, a GP20, and followed up with two SD40-2s.

Tags:   AT&SF Santa Fe Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe BNSF desert Jimgrey California Mojave Desert Joshua tree EMD SD45-2 train railroad CA freight

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A cool night at Mojave, California, on February 28, 1988, finds assorted Southern Pacific locomotives and a caboose resting until called to duty again in the morning. SP SD40-2r No. 7359 seems to have some turbocharger issues, as sparks from the exhaust eddy into the desert sky.

Tags:   SP Southern Pacific SD40-2r caboose night Mojave California Mojave Desert sparks train railroad CA desert

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