FL9

Friday May 2nd found my wife and I in Austin for a few days to help out a family member.  While out picking up supplies I heard a northbound train hit the detector at the south end of town, so I headed for one of my favorite local spots.  The light was perfect as I positioned myself on the 35th Street overpass over the Mopac Freeway.  It was not long before a yellow mass much larger than any of the surrounding cars appeared to be swimming upstream with the rest of the salmon.  18,000 horsepower in the form of three UP AC6000W’s were pulling a loaded rock train of between 70 and 80 cars up the steep grade at a steady 15 mph.

The slow and steady pace of the train made for a good sequence of its approach.

I took one more shot before the head end disappeared around the curve, the battle with the hill still engaged for a few more miles.

As this was a unit train of WRRC cars, I assumed the it probably originated at Dittlinger on the south side of New Braunfels.  Does anyone know what percentage the steepest part of this grade is?