Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 26 minutes ago
Located about 90 minutes East of San Diego, in the barren desert of the Imperial Valley, lies one of America's most unique railroad operations. The United States Gypsum company operates a 20 mile 3-foot narrow gauge railroad, connecting their gypsum quarry at Split Mountain, to the plant at Plaster City, hauling gypsum rock from the quarry to the plant. This is the last narrow gauge freight operation operating in America.
Powering these trains, are two wide-nosed, narrow-gauge, Alco-designed, Bombardier-built, DL-535E locomotives. These units were built in 1982 for the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, but never delivered. After years in storage, they were picked up by the USG company in the early 1990's.
On a nice day earlier this Summer, I chased the morning run from the quarry to the plant. USG 111 was at the lead of this train, consisting of 22 loaded gypsum hoppers. Managed to also get some switching shots of them once they arrived back into Plaster City. Also included, are two shots of the afternoon run up to the quarry, with USG 112 at the helm.
Thanks for watching! | Video and Content by MichaelLovesTrains 2024 #trains #trainspotting
Located about 90 minutes East of San Diego, in the barren desert of the Imperial Valley, lies one of America's most unique railroad operations. The United States Gypsum company operates a 20 mile 3-foot narrow gauge railroad, connecting their gypsum quarry at Split Mountain, to the plant at Plaster City, hauling gypsum rock from the quarry to the plant. This is the last narrow gauge freight operation operating in America.
Powering these trains, are two wide-nosed, narrow-gauge, Alco-designed, Bombardier-built, DL-535E locomotives. These units were built in 1982 for the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, but never delivered. After years in storage, they were picked up by the USG company in the early 1990's.
On a nice day earlier this Summer, I chased the morning run from the quarry to the plant. USG 111 was at the lead of this train, consisting of 22 loaded gypsum hoppers. Managed to also get some switching shots of them once they arrived back into Plaster City. Also included, are two shots of the afternoon run up to the quarry, with USG 112 at the helm.
Thanks for watching! | Video and Content by MichaelLovesTrains 2024 #trains #trainspotting
