Farewell to Double Stack Trains Over the Feather River Route?

Union Pacific recently opened the Donner Pass route (otherwise known as the Number 1 and Number 2 tracks) from Roseville, California to Sparks, Nevada for double stack container service. This was done because running intermodal trains over Donner saves about 75 miles in distance, as opposed to running the Feather River.

See my prior post here for that opening.

Before November 19th, Donner could never handle double stack traffic due to the height restrictions in most of the tunnels, first holed by Chinese laborers for Central Pacific's portion of the Transcontinental route.

East/west double stack traffic into and out of California historically had to travel through the Feather River Canyon, as the multiple tunnels there could easily accommodate the height of well cars -- roughly 22' tall.


Now, there are those who fear that the removal of intermodal traffic from the Feather River Canyon will doom that route.



Union Pacific, at this point and to my knowledge, is not making any indications that it is even remotely considering the abandonment of Feather River traffic.

There are those, however, who believe that the writing is on the proverbial Union Pacific wall, and the above beautifully-done video laments what the producers believe may be the end of trains through the Feather River Canyon.

I personally do not believe Union Pacific can afford to close the FRC route. Each route, Feather River and Donner, have their weather problems. For example, when snow and drifts occlude or close Donner Pass, the alternative route is the FRC.

And when heavy rains, the rising or flooding Feather River or loose shale closes the FRC, then Donner is the viable alternative now.

Both routes have their own very serious weather issues.

For now, railfans and railroaders alike will have to simply enjoy what exists, while it exists.

MP154