Let's Hear it for the Rainbow Fleet

Although train traffic through Fernley was severely curtailed during the week-long blockade of the Donner Pass route, there was still local traffic, including the BNSF Local and an abbreviated version of "Big BN," the through freight trimmed back to Sparks. BNSF has trackage rights and serves many industries in the Fernley area. One evening, a small version of Big BN turned up in the mini-yard across from our house.

( Three locomotives, three paint schemes )

Now that through traffic has resumed, we expect to be back to a full five-day-a-week BNSF service besides the UP local, known as the "Fernley Flyer."