Donner Pass Thunder

From old Sacramento to Reno, Nevada we present the any challenges of the Sierra crossing. Filmed over three decades in all types of weather and every type of train from 1955 to 1995. Ride a F7 powered passenger train in a raging snow storm. See early diesel power and the history of the line’s building, the snow sheds, tunnels and more. Visit the old pre-merger Roseville humpyard and see a wonderful mix of old SD and GP “high-hood” power.

Donner Pass was America’s first line into California and we cover the politics, engineering and construction of this historic line.

The last years of the SP are also covered with great action with the “Tunnel motors” built to cope with the extensive, long tunnels and snow sheds. Expect long trains, lots of helper units and foreign power mixed in.