The morning of June 27th an officer's special for the Union Pacific traveled from Las Vegas, NV through California on its way east to Council Bluffs, IA.
I took advantage of a day off and started my chase in Yermo. As the train traveled down BNSF's Cajon Sub I couldn't think of a more fitting location to photograph this locomotive than the memorial at Stien's Hill. I knew that the sun wouldn't be optimal, and then the real trick... UP trains often leave the BNSF near 'Summit' at CP 'Silverwood.' Well... sometimes things just work out. 😁
UP 1943 leads company officials past the memorial for the fallen 'rails' who lost their lives in a derailment 23 years ago here at Stein's Hill in Cajon Pass. The US flag waving as they pass, the Marine "Eagle, Globe & Anchor" proudly affixed to the light post, and the USMC flag makes a rather fitting tribute to "The Spirit of the Union Pacific" and the "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" message that she wears.
See beautiful diesel locomotives in UP's traditional armour yellow livery and special commemorative paint schemes pulling long trains of yellows cars reminiscent of the days when UP domeliners seemed to go Everywhere West.
