Our End Of An Era activity add-on is for our popular Donner Pass Route - High Sierra Crossing and the Storm of 1952 products.

In 1949, a major movement away from steam towards diesel power occurred. Between 1949 and 1953, steam was relegated to helper service (In Colfax, helper operations shut down for good by December of 1949). Eventually, extra diesels were added at Roseville, California, or at Sparks, Nevada. Locomotives were maintained at Roseville; crews were changed in Sparks. The Donner Pass steam era finally drew to a close in October of 1958 when a GS6 4-8-4 No. 4460 along with a two unit diesel pulled a special train from Sacramento to Sparks and back. Incidentally, this was the last official steam locomotive run for Southern Pacific.

A MILITARY TRAIN NEAR TRUCKEE CALIFORNIA

AN MOW TRAIN LEAVING MIDAS

With the transition to diesel, major changes took place in the infrastructure as well. The need of fire trains was lessened due to the transition. The Fire train at Emigrant Gap saw its demise by 1950. The fire hazard was reduced further as the sheds were converted to concrete, or torn down completely. There were other changes as well. When a new icehouse was built in Roseville, the icehouse in Truckee was shut down. Also during the early 50’s, lumber production dropped off and very few lumber mills were left.

Steam’s final hours saw the cab-forwards utilized for helper service out of Roseville. Their days now numbered, the steam engines were gradually dismantled as the purchase of diesels took place. Without the steam helpers to support them, the cookhouses at Norden and Emigrant Gap were forced to close.