In those days, passenger trains used a single-track line from Los Angeles to Pasadena and on to San Bernardino. The Los Angeles-Pasadena section ran generally north on a ruling grade of 1 percent including the station area and a sharp curve.
Eastbound, at Pasadena those big engines would work steam right up until the mid-section of the train was abreast of the station building, then the engineer would use his air to stop the train gently against a partly open throttle. On starting, he’d open his throttle (experience told him how far) and then slowly release his air brakes, giving his train a smooth, no-jerk start.
The bark of those locomotives as they picked up the load and got into that sharp curve—still on the grade—was a sound I have never forgotten. As the curve ended, so did the grade, and then came a flatland run on good roadbed of 80 mph or better to San Bernardino and the foot of Cajon Pass.
First published in Winter 2002 Classic Trains magazine
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