Traffic levels are still strong on the SI. The biggest single item has been track and tie upgrades that have allowed speed limits to be raised. Much 25mph territory is now 40mph and very little if any 10 mph is left. The second item has been some siding improvements, making for better meets. Certainly the new siding at Velox has helped significantly. Also, longer train lengths can move more traffic without increasing train density. Most SI trains are quite long. Another factor that the UP uses to their advantage is the "BN meet" where they will have two trains pass between Napa st and Fish Lake. If it isn't a smooth meet the BN Dispatchers will put one of the UP trains in the siding at Empire or Overlook. Sometimes the UP even changes crews at these points as well.

Certainly a big improvement over the original SI-UP connection of 1958 when all SI trains entered and left from the UP East Spokane yard.

I am sure some of the UP guys that run this line can add more details.