Since 2011 each issue of our monthly newsletters has featured an historic photo from our archives. Starting in 2012 a passing scene photo of contemporary equipment spotted along the Donner Route was added to the newsletter. What follows is an abbreviated list of those mystery/archives photos and passing scene images.
If you find a photo in the list that you would like to view, click on the date link to the left of the photo to open that issue of the newsletter. You can then scroll through the newsletter to view the photos.
Further details about a mystery photo can be found in the following month’s newsletter.
Monthly Newsletter Mystery Photos & Passing Scene
March 2011 – Long Ravine Trestle and Bridge
April 2011 – WP Diesels – Auburn – Lincoln Way
May 2011 – Rocklin Depot
June 2011 – Cab-forward off Colfax Wye
July 2011 – Auburn Derailment – Cherry St.
Aug 2011 – Art Sommers photo Cherry St. Auburn
Sep 2011 – Old Auburn Work Train + firehouse
Oct 2011 – Auburn Nevada St. station
Nov 2011 – Long Ravine Trestle portion
Dec 2011 – Holiday Issue Brendan’s rotary snowplow
Mystery Photo Passing Scene
Jan 2012 – Towle (village) TRT-909
Feb 2012 – Cape Horn Mills sawmill TRT-909 Bekiaris
Mar 2012 – Gold Run depot + rotary Concrete ties – Colfax
Apr 2012 – West Applegate station Diesel off the Colfax wye
May 2012 – Clipper Gap depot UPP 140 Stanford Business car
Jun 2012 – no picture UP1988 Katy at Colfax — Haire
July 2012 – Steam Shovel at Colfax Sierra Hotel Private car – Colfax
August 2012 – Roseville Depot UP EC-5 Geometry Car – 2005
Sep 2012 – Andover Snowsheds UP Challenger Dome – Aug 2012
Oct 2012 – Colfax RR Days issue UP 844 at Colfax – Hansell
Nov 2012 – Summit Tunnel 7 daylighted UP 844 Long Ravine — Haire
Dec 2012 – Cab Fwd in Snow – OSH Calendar
Jan 2013 – Summit Tunnels 7 & 6 U/C Flanger set WB at Colfax 2006
Feb 2013 – Summit Station fire UP 1983 WP Heritage, Mar. 2006
Mar 2013 – Dutch Flat Hotel SP Explosion FRA T-16 High Speed Rail Rsch
Apr 2013 – Clipper Gap Trestle BNSF in Colfax, Mar. 2007
May 2013 – Lake Tahoe Pier Multi-Engines-Colfax 2001
June 2013 – Fulda Station AMTRAK Electric – Colfax 2013
July 2013 – Dutch Flat Station Am Rwy Explorer – California
Aug 2013 – Emigrant Gap UP 4014 Big Boy at Pomona
Sep 2013 – Benicia Depot SP 6051 – CSRM
Oct 2013 – None – Colfax RR Days Issue AMTRAK #6 Private Varnish
Nov 2013 – Engine 2 Boiler Texas Hill Chapel Hill Oct. 6
Dec 2013 – AMTRAK +Tamalpais in Snow at Gold Run
Jan 2014 – Krauss-Maffei Locomotives GrandLuxe Express on Cape Horn
Feb 2014 – Mystery Construction photo GrandLuxe New York – Colfax
Mar 2014 – Cisco in Snow GrandLuxe Grand Canyon – Colfax
Apr 2014 – Secret Town Trestle UPP210 Mobile Laboratory Car
May 2014 – Truckee Roundhouse National Train Day Photos
June 2014 – Newcastle Turntable Domes to Reno – WP 806-A
July 2014 – #82+Rocklin Turntable Domes to Reno – Silver Solarium
Aug 2014 – (issue not published)
Sep 2014 – No Newsletter
Oct 2014 – Siding at Smart? Colfax Railroad Days 2014
Nov 2014 – PG&E Spaulding GN 1196 City of Spokane in Colfax 2007
Dec 2014 – AMTRAK 83 at Soda Springs, 2014-Mike Haire
Jan 2015 – Newcastle Trestle (2 views) CN Burrard at Colfax, 2007
Feb 2015 – Farallon Islands railroad Colfax Caboose Restoration Status
Mar 2015 – Snowsheds Near Summit WP & SP Heritage Engines, Colfax, 2006
Apr 2015 – SP Clubhouse Roseville UP Heritage Engines at Cape Horn 2006
May 2015 — Newcastle Train Derailment UP 1996 at Colfax Sept 2006
June 2015 – No Issue Published
July 2015 – Rocklin Roundhouse UP 1989, D&RGW at Troy
Aug 2015 – Bloomer Cut UP 1989, D&RGW at Colfax
Sep 2015 – RR Days Special Issue
Oct 2015 – Tunnel 19 Construction Viewliner II Baggage Car – Colfax
Nov 2015 – Emigrant Gap 1940s Hwy Crossing Colfax Caboose Status
Dec 2015 – UP604+Flanger at Troy
Jan 2016 – Auburn Ravine Trestle U/C Passer American K-355-SSW MOW
Feb 2016 – City of SF snowbound—AP Portola Equipment in Colfax -2002
Mar 2016 – Arcade Station – Sacramento BNSF +UP – Colfax 2005
Apr 2016 – None UP Business Train on Cape Horn, 2016
May 2016 – Horseshoe Curve Post Card Pacific Sunset in Colfax, 2016
Jun 2016 – Glass Plate Loco in Snowshed EMDX 1502 & 1503 T4 Locomotives
July 2016 – Ferry Solano at Benicia Siemens Charger Tier IV AMTRAK Loco
Aug 2016 – Sierra Fire Train Postcard MOW Equipment — Colfax Siding 4/2016
Sep 2016 – Soda Springs station in snowshed MOW Equipment–Brush removal
Oct 2016 – NCNG #9 and Transfer Shed 1939 Colfax Caboose Roof Collage
Nov 2016 – NCNG Transfer Shed 1906 Siemens Plant Tour
Dec 2016 – Snowbound-CPRR-HarpersWeekly1872
Jan 2017 – Hotel near tracks – Art Sommers Washout near Cascade
Feb 2017 – Long Ravine Trestle & Bridge Rotary Display – CSRM
Mar 2017 – Tunnel 7(22) constr. Clipper Gap Rotary in Action – Mike Haire
Apr 2017 – Dutch Flat Depot Boiler Explosion AMTRAK #5, Troy – Mike Haire
May 2017 – Colfax Tracks Realignment-1915 Colfax Caboose Update
Jun 2017 – Colfax Tracks Realignment-NE AMTRAK #42 – Colfax
Jul 2017 – Lander Station Kiosk Colfax Caboose Grand Opening
Aug 2017 – Old Auburn Depot & Hotel Cal Zephyr Domes to Reno
Sep 2017 – NCNG Heisler and Third Rail Silver Iris – Colfax 2007
Oct 2017 – Newcastle from new Tunnel UP Classroom Boxcar MCVX 911119
Nov 2017 – Roseville Depot + Two trains Fall Field Trip photos
Dec 2017 — Mike Haire’s Rotary – Norden
Jan 2018 – Rocklin Roundhouse Crew Pennsy Greenwich Harbor – Colfax
Feb 2018 – PG&E Shay Locomotive Pennsy Greenwich Estate – Colfax
Mar 2018 – Birce & Smart Wooden Trestle CN Burrard Colfax 2015
Apr 2018 – Drum Siding at Forebay(Orel) UP Bus. Train w/ UP 1943 Veterans
May 2018 – Locomotive Move Cisco to Fordyce AMTRAK Winter Park Cars
Jun 2018 – Quarrying Rock at Fordyce FRA DOTX 221 Inspection Car
Jul 2018 – Grading Track 2 – Nevada St Brendan Drone – Colfax Yard WB
Aug 2018 – SP4139 – Colfax 1940 Brendan Drone – Colfax Wye
Sep 2018 – No Issue Published
Oct 2018 – Cab Forward Norden Sheds u/c Colfax Railroad Days Photos
Nov 2018 – Drum Forebay Roadbed San Marino in Colfax Sept 2018
Jan 2019 – Washout Near Midas 1965 UP’s AeroWedge for Double Stacks
Feb 2019 – Horseshoe Curve + Mill Siding Colfax AMTRAK Platform + Rotary
Mar 2019 – Colfax Engine House Foundation Silver Iris/Paul Greenfield in Colfax
Apr 2019 – Colfax Track Realignment 1915 Rotary and Flanger in Colfax 2019
May 2019 – Caboose at Fuller Lake Cape Horn Overlook Plaques
Jun 2019 – Old Car + Donner Snowsheds Siemens Tour Group Photo
Jul 2019 – Colfax Double Track Excavation AMTRAK 90229 Cabbage Car NCPU
Aug 2019 – Midas Station building BNSF on Donner Route 2003
Sep 2019 – Second Summit Turntable Pit Past Donner Summit Field Trip Photos
Oct 2019 – SP Diesels – Long Ravine 1973 Mike Haire – Red Mtn Lookout Today
Nov 2019 – Canyon Creek culvert AMTRAK Heritage Locomotive Pair
Jan 2020 – Newcastle Fruit Shed Canyon Creek Culvert & Tracks
Feb 2020 – Newcastle Fruit Shed view SP Caboose 4669 in Colfax 2007
Mar 2020 – SP 2247 Fire Train at Norden Fire Train Testing in Colfax, 2007
Apr 2020 – Staff Operator at Fulda Fire Train in use at Cape Horn 2004
May 2020 – Glendale Hotel Blue Canyon High Speed Crossovers at Gold Run
Jun 2020 – Newcastle Trestle (Houseworth) First UP Double Stack in Colfax 2009
Jul 2020 – East Portal Tunnel 6 (Houseworth) First UP Double Stack – Cape Horn
Aug 2020 – Long Ravine Bridge andTrestle Double Stack on Long Ravine
Sep 2020 – Horse Ravine Wall/Grizzly Hill CP Coach #12 Calistoga to Sacto
Oct 2020 – West Portal Tunnel 28 construction Cape Horn Aerial View – O’Brien
Nov 2020 – Tea Train Blue Canyon – Reilly Applegate Web Cam Images
Jan 2021 – Auburn Electric Construction AMTRAK #5 on Applegate Web Cam
Feb 2021 – Roseville Depot (no trains) UP Avalauncher
Mar 2021 – Summit Tunnels 8 & 7 + diesels Colfax Caboose Roof Repairs
Apr 2021 – Bill Fisher Model Layout UP Smoky Assist to AMTRAK in Colfax
May 2021 – Long Ravine 2nd Trestle U/C Sheriff Railcar/Cripple Creek in Colfax
Jun 2021 – SP4274 EB at Bowman Nov 1957 Photo Tribute to Tony Hesch
Jul 2021 – Car+Hwy 40 Donner Snowsheds Patron Tequila car at Colfax Jul 3, 2021
Aug 2021 – SP 4001 Mallet pre-cab-fwd New AMTRAK Siemens Locos at Alta
Sep 2021 – Emigrant Gap Tunnel+Shed+Wall Kansas City Southern On Donner Route
Oct 2021 – New England Mills Depot Siemens Brightline Train Set Delivery
Nov 2021 – COSF Wreck Emigrant Gap Patrick Henry Private Varnish – Colfax
Jan 2022 – Colfax Crossing Guard Jana Johnston Flanger in Snow – Colfax
Feb 2022 – Overland Leaving Colfax ca1950 UP MOW Weed Sprayer Train
Mar 2022 – Cal Zephyr Near Auburn Depot UP 1943 at Applegate
Apr 2022 – SP 2252 to Roseville Fairgrounds UP’s Brandt OTM Tracker Power Unit
May 2022 – Crossing Shack in Colfax ca 1940 Siemens Sacramento Field Trip
Jun 2022 – Cape Horn + Tunnel from Colfax Graffiti Art on Railcars
Jul 2022 – Long Ravine Bridge + Filled Trestle UP 1983 in Colfax June 2022
Aug 2022 – NCNG Right of Way – Rollins UP MOW – Web Cam – 5/4/22
Sep 2022 – Long Ravine Low Water Reveal CALTRAIN Delivery by UP 8/22
Oct 2022 – Roseville Depot Area 1950 Siemens Charger Locos Consist
Nov 2022 – Secret Town Trestle -Watkins UP Business Train – Oct 2022
Starting in January 2023 the From the Archives page will feature a single, larger format historic photo from the PSRHS collection
Historic Photo Passing Scene
Jan 2023 — Howe Truss Bridge at Long Ravine Proposed Signal Display for Colfax
Feb 2023 – 1944 Blueprint Lander Curve Realign Rotaries in Colfax and on the Hill – 2/23
Mar 2023 – NCNG #5 Returns Rotary & Spreaders in Colfax 3/23
Apr 2023 — NCNG #5 1921 & 2017 Amtrak Salutes Operation Lifesaver
May 2023 – Rounding Cape Horn w/bridge Via Rail Siemens Venture Delivery 4/23
Jun 2023 – Cape Horn & Cape Horn Mills UP 2760 in Snow – Applegate Webcam
Jul 2023 – Clipper Gap Double Tracking VIA Rail on Donner Route – Schlinger
Aug 2023 – Clipper Gap Trestles American Railway Explorer Eastbound
Sep 2023 – Trains Thru Old Town Auburn Seaboard Hollywood Beach Sun Lounge
Oct 2023 – Antelope & Western RR Brochure Promontory Point Private Rail Car
Nov 2023 — American Observation Platform Suits Me Private Pullman Car
Jan 2024 – Early View of Bowman (postcard) AMTRAK Double-Double in Colfax
Feb 2024 – Lake Tahoe Ry #1 at Truckee AMTRAK Gets Assist from UP – Colfax
Mar 2024 — Colfax Track Alignment ca 1906 ___ UP 1982 in Truckee
Apr 2024 — 2001 Move of Colfax Railcar ___ Private Varnish Images – Colfax Webcam
May 2024 — Double Tracking & New Tunnels ___ UP 1988 – Colfax Webcam
Jun 2024 – Roseville Yard 1916 ___ UP 844 Steam in Colfax in 2012
Jul 2024 – Early Double-Header at Colfax ___ UP 3985 Steam near Gold Run 2002
Aug 2024 – 1932 Derailment – Crystal Lake UP 4014 Big Boy Arriving at Colfax
Sep 2024 – US 40 Underpass – Towle Loram/GREX 6500 MOW in Colfax
Oct 2024 – Pres. T. Roosevelt 1903 Visit Wandering Railroad in a Trailer
Nov 2024 – Newcastle Track Realignment UP 7994 Graffiti Art in Colfax
