Doublestacks Over Donner

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: Roseville to Sparks

Timeframe: 2009 + 2010

Length: 2 hours

Union Pacific is the owner of the famous, former Southern Pacific line. In 2008, the UP revitalized its value by reconstructing to accommodate larger double-stack container trains. This was a mileage and a timesaver compared to the ex: Western Pacific Feather River Canyon route. Pentrex visited during the winter of 2009 – 2010 to film.

A single DVD. Hi-def widescreen image. Excellent camerawork and clear images. Live environmental audio. Fine Pentrex standards.

Main Chapter Menu. Detailed maps. Choose on/ off narration.  Previews. Narrated by Dave Drui. 

This visit includes the various trains that use this mountainous line. Much recent power circa 2010. Plenty of Amtrak moves. Extensive coverage from Roseville, California to Sparks, Nevads.

To the Trains… 👉

Roseville is first. Local train is the Rocklin Rocket. Renumbered ex: Rio Grande GP60 1901 leads a Union Pacific GP60 2052. The behemoth yard sees Amtrak and Union Pacific traffic, as well.

Rocklin Station. Union Pacific 7606 charges past with general freight.

Amtrak California departs Rocklin Station.

Tunnel 18. BNSF was hard to find when using trackage rights.

Amtrak 26 exits a partially daylighted tunnel at Applegate.

Colfax. UP 7412 on a stacker. This is 35 miles from Roseville. A former helper terminal, note the extra tracks here. The pushers have been superceded by the usage of DPU engines.

This scene gives viewers a sense of height. The reason this Donner Pass line needed an upgrade. It is the very first double-stack to traverse the improved route in 2009.

Westbound has UP 7862 on the lead. It exits at Tunnel 35.

UP 5499 fronts a lengthy stack move.

Flanger train led by 604 equipped for Snow Service enters Truckee. Check the roof mounted icebreaker.

UP 5278/ 5532/ 4101 leads a Z-train out of Sparks yard. Another double-stack on its way towards Donner Pass.

Doublestacks Over Donner

Donner Pass is well-known. It’s a very scenic route. Extensive coverage from Roseville Yard to Sparks, Nevada. Distance of 140 miles.

Outstanding videography by the Pentrex cameras. Widescreen picture, as well. The soundtrack is excellent. Usual high-quality Pentrex production.

This is a top shelf show for Donner Pass. While I am not a big fan of container traffic. It did improve the usage of this route, after modernization to accommodate the heights.

Additional trains include Amtrak and assorted freights. Something for most railfans. A must-have for Union Pacific fans and Model Railroaders, if this calls your name.

Rating: 5 Stars