The helper units sit in SLO awaiting their next assignment.

The "empty cans" crossing Stenner Creek Trestle, as they begin to tackle the grade and head north for another load of oil.

Union Pacific SD70M number 4019 leads a late southbound Coast Starlight over Cuesta Grade. It has just come out of Tunnel 11, the last tunnel on Cuesta Grade and is passing through Chorro siding.... (more)

An Amtrak F59PHI leads the northbound Coast Starlight up Cuesta Grade through some of the agricultural parts of Cal Poly's campus. Nikon D70, 28-70mm.

A clean SD70ACe leads a north bound manifest north out of San Luis Obispo over Cuesta Grade. One more curve before it enters Serrano Siding. Nikon D70, 28-70mm.

Amtrak 11 exits Tunnel 11 and enters into Chorro Siding. Chorro is one of two passing tracks on Cuesta Grade. Nikon D70, 70-210mm.

The empty Coast Cans makes its through San Luis Obispo to the depot for a crew change before continuing on to Wunpost. Nikon D70, 28-70mm.

Kansas City Southern SD70Ace number 4021 leads a northbound autos train up Cuesta Grade. Here it makes its way across the Stenner Creek Trestle. Nikon D70, 28-70mm.

A northbound rail train lead by a patched CNW Dash 9 rests in SLO for a while. This train is carrying rail that will be used on the Vasona Industrial Lead up in the Bay Area. Nikon D70, 28-70mm.

Finally after a year I get an un-patched SP unit in the San Luis Obispo helpers. Sadly it is in the middle of the other two units, and this helper set was replaced after less than a week in SLO. ... (more)

Having crossed the trestle in the foreground, Amtrak's northbound Coast Starlight climbs up the mountains outside San Luis Obispo.

Cotton Belt SD45T-2 6877 and Southern Pacific SD45T-2 6770 lead a westbound (northbound) freight through Cal Poly University's pastures as the train begins its assault on Cuesta Grade in San Luis ... (more)

Cotton Belt SD45T-2 6877 waits for Amtrak #11, the southbound "Coast Starlight," to clear the main on a beautiful Spring day along California's central coast in San Luis Obispo.

The SLO based helpers help push the coast cans around the horseshoe curve on Cuesta Grade. D70, 70-210mm.

The loaded coast cans make a rare daylight appearance this morning as SD70M number 4495 leads them around the horseshoe curve on Cuesta Grade. D70, 70-210mm.