Southern Pacific Railroad’s engine number 4101 leads the first section of the "Gold Coast" on a midnight crossing over the Sierra Nevada mountains. Engine 4101 is a class AC-4 Baldwin built in 1928. These "Cab-Forward" locomotives were designed so the engine crews were not subject to smoke and gas when going through the numerous snow-sheds and tunnels on the crossing of the Sierra Nevada’s. Train Number 23 was named the "Gold Coast". The "Gold Coast" departed from Reno, Nevada at 10:50pm on its trip west. This late evening departure from the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains meant that it would cross the rugged mountains during the midnight hours. Tonight, the path of engine 4101 is well lit by abundant moonlight, and the riders should wake rested after the train’s "Midnight Crossing".

Copyright 2001 – Marc Desobeau