Rolling southward freight (eastbound in Southern Pacific parlance), a trio of EMD SD45s, consisting of SP 8898, 9120 and 9100, is nineteen miles from San Luis Obispo, at which point this crew will be relieved by a fresh crew. But between here, the SP station Cushing, and there lies the summit of the Santa Lucia Mountains’ Cuesta Grade, five miles ahead, and then it is all downhill, and through five tunnels, to get to SLO. The new crew will have a great view of the Pacific Ocean on their right side for much of their journey! (Santa Margarita, California – January 12, 1985)
