beginning the climb

After departing the point of no return at Hawkins Gap, we enter the gateway to the high country at Helper.

You could say that the town of Helper has not been blessed with much in the way of civilized amenities, but word on the street is that there is a new hotel coming to town.

watch that clearance!

Deep mountain cuts and twisting switchbacks await us as we add another locomotive to double up on motive power.

And youse bums hangin on the side of da train...forgiddaboutit! You won't stand a chance with the tight side clearances on these narrow passages.

cut approach

We will need all of the expansive energy of live steam we can muster to make an assault on the steep grades to come.

Our construction crews find it rough going as they push further into the heavily wooded interior of the upper reaches to extend the C & H line.

entering the cut

breaking through

construction

cut to helper