Soldier Summit Assault

SOLDIER SUMMIT
ASSAULT
At 7,440 feet, the crest of the Wasatch Plateau in Utah is
the fifth highest railroad pass on a US transcontinental mainline. It was the
highest point for the former Denver & Rio Grande in Utah. Assaulting the
steep grades of Soldier Summit takes brute force horsepower. Many trains
require both mid-train and rear end helpers. In 2000, when this show was
recorded, the diesels of the Rio Grande, Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific
worked together to muscle trains over the pass.
Union Pacific runs here now, but the Utah Railway and BNSF
have traffic rights and Amtrak's California
Zephyr runs two trains a day. Classic black and orange Rio Grande SD40T-2s
are seen in daily use as helpers on UP's coal trains, and on the famous "trash
train." During this time, the Utah Railway's fleet of SD40s was joined by six
MK5000s and five Australian-built SD50s. UP's E-units and a C&NW Dash 8
also make an appearance.
Watch as extra power is cut into the trains at Helper for
the push up the hill. The descent sees the line change direction 180 degrees at
the Gilluly Loops, before continuing west to Provo. Coal is a major commodity
here, and you'll visit UR coal loading facilities. The red rocks of Utah and
snow-capped mountains, the famous formations of Castle Gate, the horseshoe
curves at Gilluly, and the slide area at Thistle create a spectacular display.
This detailed look at UP's Provo
Subdivision offers everything to interest and entertain: rare motive power,
challenging terrain, a variety of trains, and fantastic scenery!

[@JonathanTuom]

In some cases, Pentrex buys railroad footage from independent videographers, then edits and sells the footage. Will Holloway of Iron Horse America shot the two Columbia River Gorge volumes for Pentrex, and Howard Ande and Mark Johnson shot the footage for Pentrex's DVD The Ultimate Tehachapi.

[@rolpfeiffermuller935]

Thanks sharing the outstanding.vid.Bliss

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

This is definitely where I want to head sometime in the near future, and this video just inspired me more to get my butt out west again. Definitely awesome footage, the Utah Railway being my present day occupier, but I love the old-time action you got!

[@geomodelrailroader]

the heart of the Rio Grande itself Soldier Summit today joint owned by BNSF and UP it sees 90 trains a day mostly manifest freights, trailers, and coal. Zephyr occasionally shows up taking passengers to and from Denver and Salt Lake. Utah Rail also is present taking locals and coal trains over the summit and helping trains over with their own engines and UP's fleet of ex Rio Grande engines.

[@NS6677]

Great Job Pentrex!

[@BaronvonBavert]

wow stark video!!!!

[@bobpeterson4930]

Sweet!

[@KCR58]

The UP 4167 looks like the Athearn HO UP SD70M ! LOL

[@BudmanPackfan]

the second paragraph in the description: "In 2000, when this show was
recorded,..."

[@ronthecyborg]

mainly internal differences. They look almost identical on the outside.

[@NSHorseheadSD70]

SD90MACs. Conrail was the only road to have SD80MACs.

[@NS6677]

I wonder if Pentrex actually shot this. It looks like there work, but wheres the narration?

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

my favorite*

[@bobbypaluga4346]

I recall seeing somewhere between 8-12 sets of tracks in an old picture of Soldier Summit, I think the image was from the 40's or 50's. That was a time when coal mining was going big guns for the two steel plants in the Provo area, as well as shipments for domestic and foreign buyers. There were s roll of building in the shot, that were identified as quarters for the crews. It would seem then that the operation has been greatly scaled down. I've seen a few BNSF trains in the central Utah train videos. Since BNSF doesn't have much of a footprint in the area who staffs their trains?

[@anderberger]

@mjet401bnsf i have the dvd and i know its september but im not sure whether the video said 2000 or 2001

[@NSHorseheadSD70]

Unless they are SD9043MACs, which have been downrated.

[@Espeelover]

the only differences is on the very rear.

[@DaaYay]

What's the difference?

[@BudmanPackfan]

not really down rated. 90/43s were delievered with 710G prime mover til the new H was ready, with the offer of the upgrade. CP and UP recieved the only true 90s with the H engine (6250 hp). The 90s have all been stored and the UPs have been dismantled. teh 90/43s continue in service....