The Sierra portrayed in Mid-century at the Zenith of Steam operations. Locomotives 34, 36, and Articulated 48 with freights that stretch to the horizon. And, of course, 3 and 28 in different colors and road names as each served the movie industry. Dozens of Double-headers and two different Triple-headers.

It covers the foundations on which the Sierra was built: Gold, Timber and Hydro-Power and continues through the period when the railroad became holy grail for makers of Hollywood Westerns and the Mecca of railroad enthusiasts world-wide. The final steam run is shown and the arrivals of the three famous S-12 diesels. it closes with the 104 year old Number 3 as she appears in 1995 to celebrates Modesto's 125th Anniversary.

The Yosemite Valley Railroad, the Hetch-Hetchy, and the Yosemite Short Line are presented in archival black and white stills and elaborate 4 color maps. Their relationship to the Sierra and other rivalries are highlighted. Photographed by John F Kirkland, Glenn Beier, Jim Vail,and Mac Owen