In the early 1950s, Union Pacific F3 units in A-B-B formation lead freight train 257 west up the nearly 2 percent grade to Reverse, Idaho, on the road’s main line to Portland, Ore.; 107 cars to the rear, two 2-8-8-0s assist the diesels.
Henry R. Griffiths Jr. photo
That was a slow mover if 2-8-8-0 mallets were the assisting power…