Train TPLAY (Extra 9272 West) goes by the remains of an old tree blown down by the wind at Sentinel on November 30, 1977. The second unit is 7929. This unit was the last in SP's initial batch of 30 U30Cs purchased in early 1968 for the Tehachapi Freight pool. SP purchased seven more in late 1969. The fourth unit, U33C 8708, was acquired in 1972. A shortage of parts and a lack of maintenance in the late 70s killed the big U Boats. Both of these big GEs were off the roster by the mid80s. It gets hot out on the desert. Sentinel set a record high temperature for the nation at 116 in 1917. Yes it gets hotter in Death Valley, but this record was set in the month of October.

Sunset Route Index

Train WCKCM at Piedra