Heading west on the famed Keddie Wye is a Western Pacific freight train pulled by a solid set of Burlington Northern diesels: BN U33C 5719 (ex-Northern Pacific 3304) and three BN C425s (4258 [ex-Spokane Portland & Seattle 320], 4259 [ex-SP&S 321] and 4254 [ex-SP&S 314]. BN pool power was common on the WP at this time, particularly on trains such as this one coming off the Inside Gateway, where the WP interchanged with the BN at Bieber CA. Keddie is where the WP’s original mainline from California to Utah connected to the later Inside Gateway and a connection with the Great Northern (and, later, Burlington Northern). The junction is interesting, as two of the wye’s legs are on trestles, as seen here, and the third leg is in a tunnel. This freight will soon enter Tunnel 31. (Keddie, California – September 2, 1973) Leo J. Munson Photograph, Craig Walker Collection
