In May 1990, I was following Southern Pacific Railroad’s MERV-M (Medford, Oregon–Roseville, California manifest) along its sinuous path over the Siskiyou Line.

I made this trailing view near Hilt, California featuring both the head end (right) and mid-train helpers (left) as they roared past in Run 8 on the ascent of Bailey Hill—one of several exceptionally steep grades on this rugged route.

This was one of several intensive trips I made to photograph SP’s Siskiyou Line in the early 1990s, before the route was sold to RailTex short line Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad.

Exposed on Kodachrome 25 slide film using a Nikon F3 SLR fitted with a Nikkor f1.8 105mm lens.

Tracking the Light Looks Back!