Tough Times on the Southern Pacific

This collection of archival footage documents the trauma that Mother Nature and Murphy’s Law inflicted upon Southern Pacific over several decades, and how the railroad coped with these setbacks. Southern Pacific’s own film crews created most of this material to display its efficiency and resourcefulness in times of stress. Now you can experience these challenges, from an earthquake on the San Joaquin Division in 1952 to the Roseville Yard bomb explosions of 1973.

Flood, fire, derailments, and worse here’s what you’ll see in Tough Times on the Southern Pacific:Eel River Canyon.
“The Christmas Flood of 1964” was a deluge that wiped out entire towns along the South Fork of the Eel River and either swept away nearly 100 miles of rails or left them dangling along the cliffs like giant garlands. It took 177 days to repair what nature did in hours.
Recovery of the 8946. In 1971, a derailed train crashed down the mountainside on Donner Pass. You’ll see how 3 bulldozers and a pair of locomotives hauled the damaged engine uphill and back onto the rails.
Trestle Fire on the Great Salt Lake. In 1956, a fire burned 645 feet of trestle, putting the Lucin Cutoff out of service. SP and Morrison-Knudsen cooperated in rebuilding the trestle, and SP crews laid 650 feet of new track in just one week.
Earthquake on the San Joaquin Division. In 1952, one of the most severe earthquakes in California’s recorded history damaged tunnels and destroyed tracks. Yet 25 days later, the tunnels were daylighted or by-passed and the tracks were restored.
Flooding along the Rio Grande. In 1954, one of the worst floods in Texas history stripped away tracks and soil, trapping the Sunset Limited. But within two days, 559 men and 88 pieces of equipment were at work putting back what nature had washed away.
Explosion in Roseville Yard. In 1973, a train carrying over 7,200 bombs caught fire and soon the bombs began to explode. Shrapnel flew for miles around. The town of Antelope was destroyed. Unexploded bombs were found up to a mile away. Remarkably, no one was killed and six days later SP’s yard was rebuilt enough to resume service. You’ll see the explosions and the remarkable aftermath.