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routes SP chooses to run its trains on. Some recent examples of Saugus Line, as well as Rio Grande SD45s, SD40T-2s and
changes include the loss of the LABAF /BALAF symbols to the GP40s, making for some colorful motive power consists.
reopened Coast Line and the JRCIP moving to an all-Colton Helpers are well utilized on the Saugus Line as grades
Line routing. Trains remaining on the Saugus Line include east- reach 2.4 percent on the "west" side of Vincent Hill and 2.2
bounds PTLAF, RVLAT, OALAT and BKDOU and westbounds percent on the "east" side. Helper sets range anywhere from
LAPTF, LARVF, LABRF and DOBKU. A new pair of trains were seven units to one. Manifest freights and the loaded oil cans
added in May of this year-the Pacific Coast Express, symboled typically have their helper set cut into the train, while TOFC
PTPCX eastbound and LAPCX westbound. trains usually have a one- or two-unit pusher on the rear end
Two westbound TOFC trains are typically the first trains in if such is required.
the canyon on any given day. The LABRF is first, closely fol- Trains are controlled by Western Region dispatcher 52 (WR
lowed by the LARVF and both are normally past Vincent by 5 52), who handles both the Saugus Line and the Colton Line.
a.m. When enough empty doublestack cars gather in Oakland Movement on the Saugus Line is authorized by Direct Traffic
(usually 20-30), an OALAT is run which hits the canyon Control (DTC), in which trains are given permission to proceed
around dawn. After sunrise, the PTLAF is first to run the into a given number of blocks. Listening to the SP road channel
canyon in daylight. Next in line is the second section of the on a radio scanner provides the greatest information on the
PTLAF, the RVLAT and the BKDOU (loaded Shell tank train, movement of trains on the line. Eight blocks make up today's
better known as the "oil cans") any of which may be seen in Saugus Line: Burbank, San Fernando, Sylmar, Saugus, Lang,
the canyon after 2 p.m. on into the late evening; this is the pa- Ravenna, Vincent and Quartz. The Vincent/Quarts block is dou-
rade to catch. Closing out the day in darkness are the new ble-track territory; the Vincent block is used for eastbounds
Pacific Coast Express trains, the LAPTF and the DOBKU ( emp- and the Quartz block is used for westbounds. Blocks have
ty oil cans). One additional train is seen regularly on the come and gone since the induction of DTC, with the removal of
Saugus Line, but does not go through Soledad Canyon. This the Sun Valley, Humphreys and Paris blocks (the latter corre-
train is the Saugus local, based out of Gemco Yard on the sponding with the removal of the Paris siding) and the more re-
Coast Line. The train works the Saugus Line as far west as cent additions of the Vincent and Quartz blocks in 1990.
Saugus and operates Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Commuting the canyon has given me many great opportuni-
Power on the Saugus Line is almost exclusively Southern ties to photograph Southern Pacific on one of its most historic
Pacific six-axle locomotives: SD40s, SD45s and the same of the and scenic lines, while also providing a distraction from the
tunnel motor variety. Other units rostered by SP do creep in long daily drive. Although many of you may not be able to share
occasionally; GP60s have been making a good showing re- in this commute through the canyon, try taking your camera
cently, particularly on intermodal trains. At times when SP has with you on your next drive into work and see what you come
been power short, lease units have made appearances on the up with. You may even start to enjoy your trip to work!

PACIFIC RAILNews 35