Thunder in the Wasatch

Producer: Highball

Locations: Helper, Colton, Price River Canyon, Soldier Summit, Gilluly Loops

Timeframe: 1995

Length: 2 hours

Here is a Southern Pacific tour in Utah circa 1995. The route is on the ex: Rio Grande line to Soldier Summit. These Wasatch mountains are a scenic area to watch trains. Some convenient highway access and slow trains results in some repeats. Overall, there is a fine assortment to see. This release is predominantly panoramic scenes. Not the best for Railfanning.

Southern Pacific power dominates the program. Rio Grande paint is still in a good percentage. The occasional Cotton Belt can be seen, albeit under heavy road grime. The odd Union Pacific move and a bit of Utah Railway to round things out

A single DVD-R. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Live audio with narration.

No Chapter Menu. There is a chapter advance. Push play. No extras. Narrator is Peter Falconi.

To the Trains… 👉

Starts at Helper, Utah on Southern Pacific. A 5 unit lash-up of Rio Grande painted SD40-T2 locomotives are a single set of Helpers. They are assisting a Southern Pacific Taconite Train. An eight locomotive lash-up.

Here is Amtrak #6. The California Zephyr. It is fronted by two GE B32-8WH units. These are 516 and 511. This train is over 9 hours tardy. The CZ eases to a stop in Helper. Nicknamed as ‘Pepsi Cans’ due to obvious paint scheme similarities at the time.

Mixed Southern Pacific and Rio Grande helper engines.

A pair of AC diesels plus an SD45 thread their way through this canyon hauling mixed freight .

Pair of AC locos pull upgrade at Castle Gate.

SP tunnel motor 6820 and two Burlington Northern 7305/7304 engines are bathed in sunlight.

Three AC4400CW motors haul Taconite at scenic  Price River Canyon. There are 5 DRGW mid-train helpers, as well.

Twin tunnels at Kyune, Utah with mid-train tunnel motor helpers on a Coal Train, winding it’s way along the twisting trackage.

Colton is a hotspot. The confluence of the Price and White Rivers. Several trains appear in a short window of time. Two General Electric AC221/225 engines crawl uphill with an Electro-motive SD45.

SP 5350 , sublettered DRGW leads three more tunnel motors in SP and Rio Grande paint. This Coal Train is upgrade as another Coal Train sits on the other track. This scene at Soldier Summit.

Gilully Loops raise the main 1300 feet. Southern Pacific trains meet here.

Thunder in the Wasatch

Plenty of Southern Pacific trains filmed in a largely panoramic style. This program covers a very scenic route. It seriously needs a map or two.

Although it appears that the cinematography was nicely done originally. The film lacks clarity on modern HiDef TV. Screens. Frequent long distance scenes do include stunning scenery. Just don’t expect modern viewing.

The microphone is efficient. It picks up background auto traffic at times. Live environmental audio. Narration is on a basic script. Clear voiced. Balanced soundtrack with occasional wind noise.

This show is at the Historical Value level. The imagery hasn’t aged well. Although it is fairly interesting, in the end, the visuals don’t standup.

Rating: 3 Stars