Riding the Wave
On the morning of March 4th, 2023, a fierce winter storm impacted the Sierra Nevada Mountains bringing high winds and heavy snow to the region. I ventured up to Truckee, just ahead of the storm and prepared for several days of crazy weather and snow fighting by Union Pacific’s “winter professionals”.
Earlier in the morning, I had snowshoed up Coldstream Canyon and photographed an eastbound Z train and westbound flanger at Andover. With no other trains between Roseville and Sparks, I decided to head back to Truckee.
While the storm intensified, rail traffic took a lull for several hours. The westbound flanger (which I photographed at Andover) was making a slow trek east to Truckee. The crew had to stop several times in order to fuel snowcats, which were working in heavy snow conditions . The flanger the only movement on the hill. With no other traffic, snow had begun to build up over the rails.
Finally, just before dusk, the Union Pacific 569 came racing back into Truckee. The momentum of the train has created a “wave” of snow just ahead of the plow. Due to the amount of work, this flanger crew was only able to complete one “flip” during their operational period. Fortunately, additional winter professionals would be called in order to continue the fight throughout the night.
UP 569 — WTKTKF 04 — Truckee, California
March 4th, 2023
jakemiillephotography.com
Riding the Wave
On the morning of March 4th, 2023, a fierce winter storm impacted the Sierra Nevada Mountains bringing high winds and heavy snow to the region. I ventured up to Truckee, just ahead of the storm and prepared for several days of crazy weather and snow fighting by Union Pacific’s “winter professionals”.
Earlier in the morning, I had snowshoed up Coldstream Canyon and photographed an eastbound Z train and westbound flanger at Andover. With no other trains between Roseville and Sparks, I decided to head back to Truckee.
While the storm intensified, rail traffic took a lull for several hours. The westbound flanger (which I photographed at Andover) was making a slow trek east to Truckee. The crew had to stop several times in order to fuel snowcats, which were working in heavy snow conditions . The flanger the only movement on the hill. With no other traffic, snow had begun to build up over the rails.
Finally, just before dusk, the Union Pacific 569 came racing back into Truckee. The momentum of the train has created a “wave” of snow just ahead of the plow. Due to the amount of work, this flanger crew was only able to complete one “flip” during their operational period. Fortunately, additional winter professionals would be called in order to continue the fight throughout the night.
UP 569 — WTKTKF 04 — Truckee, California
March 4th, 2023
jakemiillephotography.com