Soldier Summit is the literal high point between the Amtrak stations for Provo and Helper, Utah. When the through Rio Grande line was opened in 1883, it included a 4% grade on the west side of the summit. A photo from the Colorado Railroad Museum library shows five steam engines pulling and pushing a 12-car passenger train up the hill. Later a pair of horseshoe curves was inserted to bring the grade down to a commercially viable 2%. If the California Zephyr is on time, much of the year this segment is in darkness. [A schedule that assured viewing on the climb would improve service at Salt Lake City but miss many connections in Chicago. The pre-Amtrak version had many more connections to choose from in the Windy City.]
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We were running about two hours late due to the freight jam at Elko and extra station time with the post-pandemic / high gas prices load count. This caused diverse phenomena, most positive of which in morning light was the ascent of Soldier Summit (elev. 7465 originally, cut down to 7440 ft [2268 m]).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasatch_Range
A few early risers were in the Sightseer Lounge to witness this confrontation between man and nature. The rock wall after rock wall formed by the Wasatch Range climbs from 4,512 ft (1375 m) at Provo and had seemed to dare the 19th century railroad builders who first attacked with thundering herds of steam engines on a 4% grade. Locked behind its walls were mineral and agricultural regions of great wealth.
Now the 21st century enjoyed the improvements of the 20th century. Cautious Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, Millennials, etc. hoisted burning hot coffee in paper cups and looked up to the cloud-draped peaks. The horseshoe curves offered changing panoramas as well as an easier climb. From below the clouds looked impermeable. Our steady climb on the winding solution worked out by the builders proved otherwise. Amtrak Train 6 pulled through the mist and came out on top. Powerful sunshine rewarded the early birds, turned a girl's hair golden. She sipped more coffee.
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We were running about two hours late due to the freight jam at Elko and extra station time with the post-pandemic / high gas prices load count. This caused diverse phenomena, most positive of which in morning light was the ascent of Soldier Summit (elev. 7465 originally, cut down to 7440 ft [2268 m]).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasatch_Range
A few early risers were in the Sightseer Lounge to witness this confrontation between man and nature. The rock wall after rock wall formed by the Wasatch Range climbs from 4,512 ft (1375 m) at Provo and had seemed to dare the 19th century railroad builders who first attacked with thundering herds of steam engines on a 4% grade. Locked behind its walls were mineral and agricultural regions of great wealth.
Now the 21st century enjoyed the improvements of the 20th century. Cautious Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, Millennials, etc. hoisted burning hot coffee in paper cups and looked up to the cloud-draped peaks. The horseshoe curves offered changing panoramas as well as an easier climb. From below the clouds looked impermeable. Our steady climb on the winding solution worked out by the builders proved otherwise. Amtrak Train 6 pulled through the mist and came out on top. Powerful sunshine rewarded the early birds, turned a girl's hair golden. She sipped more coffee.
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