Long Sierra Northern Freight Almost Stalls Climbing Hill

This video was shot in July of 2020 and follows the Sierra Northern Railway Hill Job as it travels through the foothills on its westbound Journey. The trains stops at the Sierra Pacific lumber mill in Chinese Camp, picking up additional lumber loads before continuing on. I must say that after picking up the loads at Chinese, the consist was the longest train I’ve ever seen in my 40 years of being around the Sierra. The train climbs the steep “Chinese Hill” grade and nearly stalls mid climb due to the extra lumber loads added at Chinese. Historically heavy trains without helpers would have to double this hill. Take note the lead locomotive #52 is the first generation Genset on the Sierra and it is painted in the full Sierra Northern paint scheme. Sit back and enjoy this train as it rolls through the scenic foothills of western Tuolumne County.