There are two basic reasons trains get stopped at our crossing: operational and emergency/breakdown.  Operationally, trains are stopped on the Summit because there are only single tracks on the grades down to Roseville and Reno.  Because there are two tracks on the Summit, the U.P. uses it as a “siding” to let trains pass each other when coming from opposite directions, or when a fast train needs to pass a slow one.  With this said, there are over two miles of double tracks on both sides of Soda Springs Road.  If U.P. dispatchers do their jobs right, they should be able to stop trains operationally without blocking our crossing in the large majority of situations.  On the other hand, these blockages don’t often last over 30 minutes.

    Relative to emergencies and breakdowns, the trains are stopped due to unsafe track or equipment problems.  Most often, it is because they do a “brake check” at the top of the grade before descending down towards Roseville.  If there is any problem, they stop the train immediately, because a train with any brake problems going down the grade is a real safety risk.  The process the U.P. uses to resolve brake issues can take 1-3 hours to implement.   These are the blockages that infuriate local residents.   It should be noted that they are not due to callous disregard on the part of U.P. employees relative to the problems they are creating for Serene Lakes residents.   They are trying to address a real-time safely issue, which takes priority.

    During the summer there is a second way in and out.  It is the original dirt road through Summit Valley before the current Highway 40 was created.  To find it, coming from Serene Lakes, you cross over the small bridge at the Soda Springs Resort and take a right into the first parking lot before the blue-gray equipment shed.  You’ll see the road at the east end of the lot.   It goes for about five miles (takes 8-10 minutes) and exits at the access road to the Judah lodge at Sugar Bowl.  If you are concerned about emergency situations, you should certainly take a test drive down this road next spring to familiarize yourself with it.

    During the winter, this is not an option, because the dirt road is not plowed.  If the crossing is blocked in an emergency, you have two options.  You will need your cell phone with you (there is generally good reception at the crossing):

 ·         Call 911.  They have a direct connection to the U.P. dispatcher in Omaha, Nebraska and will try to expedite a clearing of the crossing.  Our fire and rescue teams are aware of this as well.

·         Call the U.P. crossing hotline number 800-848-8715 and select option 1 for police/fire emergency.  This will put you in touch with the emergency dispatch center in Omaha. 

    Both parties will need to know the crossing you are at.  The official designation is DOT# 753179K.  Also, “the Soda Springs Road crossing in Soda Springs, CA” should be sufficient.

     If the train cannot be moved because of equipment breakdown problems, 911 can dispatch an evacuation helicopter in the event of a medical emergency.  In fire emergencies, there is a fire truck and crew stationed off Short Road adjacent to the Sierra Lakes Water District building.

  The California PUC has established rules that trains are not to stop for more than 10 minutes in a position that blocks a crossing.  This does not include the time when the train is moving, either before or after the blockage.

  If the train has been stopped at the crossing for more than 10 minutes, this is a reportable incident.  Here’s what to do, if you feel inconvenienced and want to report the incident (once again, having your cell phone with you will be helpful):

  ·         First, call the U.P. crossing hotline (800-848-8715) and select option 4.  This will put you in contact with a 24-hour response person, whose job it is to log the incident in the U.P database, investigate it, and get back to you with an estimate as to when the crossing will be cleared.  The logging part gets the incident on record, and U.P. management reviews the database regularly to analyze and resolve the issues at problem crossings.

·         Second, you can call the U.P. manager of train operations over the Summit:  Mr. Dave Bowler at 916-789-5197.  He has agreed to personally investigate all such incidents that are reported within 8 hours of their occurrence.  He wants to understand what is breaking down in their operating procedures to create such incidents.

·         Third, you need to report the incident to me (Gene Bowles), because I am building a database that documents the magnitude of the problem -- to use in my future discussions with U.P. and government officials.  My email is gene.bowles@stanfordalumni.org, my fax is 530-426-0691 and my address is PO Box 1179, Soda Springs 95728.

  The information we all need is:

1.      The date and time.

2.      The crossing: DOT#753179K or just say Soda Springs Road in Soda Springs CA (remember, the dispatcher is in Omaha).

3.      Train going west (toward Sacramento) or east (toward Truckee).

4.      Two or three car-numbers from the train (allows them to ID the specific train and crew).

5.      A description of the circumstances.  How did it happen and how long did it block the crossing?  Any other information relevant to how big an inconvenience this caused.  Did this create a safety problem in any way?

  I would suggest you make copies of this article to put in the glove compartments of your cars, since all of this information would be useful if you are stopped unexpectedly by a train at the crossing.

                                                                                                                                           Gene Bowles