The Show is Over

The CIKCA, 7635 East at El Casco, CA on Nov. 8, 1987 with a 4 unit point helper led by SP 7950

On the perfect SoCal morning of Nov. 8, 1987, the CIKCA (City of Industry-Kansas City Auto) charges up San Timoteo Canyon at El Casco.

The point helper set of SP 7950 / DRGW 3078 / SP 8266 / P&L 3044 was added to the road power of SSW 7635 / SSW 7630 / SP 7765 at the bottom of the hill at Loma Linda.

All totaled, 21,600 HP raw, unadulterated diesel-electric motive power blasted by me.  The sensory experience of 7 units in run 8, yet only making 30 mph, was overpowering.

The noise, vibration and smoke was an unforgettable  show.  Sadly, a show that’s over.

Of course trains still battle the grade here, but it really isn’t the same.

Today, the same train can be run with 3 GEVO’s, 2 up front and 1 DPU. Mix in some EPA mandated noise suppression and the passage of this train today is still interesting.

It just doesn’t evoke the same sensory overload that I experienced on that perfect SoCal morning some 23 years ago…