Just two days before Christmas 1978, a hot Santa Fe intermodal train climbs the eastern grade of the Tehachapi Mountain crossing as it approaches Monolith. This train is about four miles from the summit, just outside the town of Tehachapi, and then the heavy grade begins as this westbound drops down into California's Central Valley. From there, it is all flatland running to the Bay Area. A quartet of six-axle EMDs is on the head-end, led by SD45 5604, which is typical for these short Santa Fe hotshots - a lot of power to make sure the the schedule is maintained. Ce-1 class caboose 999196 brings up the rear.
