TRAINMASTER BY WERNER MEER  US-RAILROAD-SHOP KILCHBERG
HOCHWEIDSTRASSE 3  CH-8802 KILCHBERG (ZÜRICH) SWITZERLAND (founded 1977)
PHONE *41-44-715-3666, FAX *41-44-715-3660, E-MAIL trainmaster@bluewin.ch
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updated: December 16, 2012

Cajon Pass Photo Collection 7/19
2012

I am very pleased to show some exclusive photos of these photographers:
Don E. Toles (DET), Gary G. Gray (GGG), Marc Fournier (MF).

Guest Photographers: Keith Schreiber (KS), Dave Tomeraasen (DT), Ryan Slaton (RS)
A big thank you for sharing these excellent pictures with us.
Note: The copyright belongs to these gentlemen. Do not use any photos without written permission.

Photos are sorted by date (not by location): oldest are on top and newest at the bottom - just scroll down!
Some photos were taken at one of these locations below (we usually mention the place of the photo):
Dagget, Barstow, Victorville/Narrows, Frost/Crossover, Hesperia, Lugo/Martinez, Summit, West Summit Island, Silverwood, Hill 582 Area, Alray/Tunnel Area, CP Walker/Davis Ranch Road, Mormon Rocks/Stein's Hill/Pine Lodge/HWY 138, Sullivan's Curve, Cajon Station/Junction, Graffiti Bridge, Swarthout Canyon Road Crossing, Blue Cut, Lower Canyon, San Bernardino, Colton Yard
+ Bonus Photos (Helendale, Barstow, Daggett, Yermo)

Abbreviations found on this page: EB = East Bound, NB = North Bound, SB = South Bound, WB = West Bound, MT-1 = BNSF Main Track 1, MT-2 = BNSF Main Track 2, MT-3 = BNSF Main Track 3, UPT = UP Colton-Palmdale Cutoff Track, MP = Mile Post, DRR = Davis Ranch Road, DPU = Distributed Power Unit (Helpers), SC = Sullivan's Curve,  SWC = Swarthout Canyon Road Crossing, WSI = West Summit Island, KCR = Kemper Campbell Ranch, JAC-BAR = San Jacinto to Barstow Train

For bigger size photos - please click on the 4-digit number below each photo (the first letters specify the photographer).

We start the year 2012 with a stop at the Kemper Campell Ranch (KCR) on January 2, 2012. This location is called Frost at MP 38.
BNSF 7554 is WB and moves from the # 1 track to the # 2 track ---- which will become the # 1 track at the flyover one mile ahead. (GGG)
GGG 1/02/12 BNSF 7554 WB - 2001 GGG 1/02/12 BNSF WB TOFC w/3 locos - 2002 GGG 1/02/12 WB crossing at Frost - 2003
Thanks to DET, Marc & I were able to photograph the connecting of Main Track # 2 to Shoo-Fly track # 2 today at the Hesperia Ranchero Rd extension project. The job took about 10 hrs. MT # 1 will be connected to its shoo-fly track tomorrow (Monday 1/09/12).
All photos of this project can be seen on our new page - click here.
GGG 1/08/12 Shoo-Fly East end dressing - 2004 GGG 1/08/12 UP 7182 WB at MP 48 - 2005 GGG 1/08/12 UP 4005 lite WB East end - 2006
GGG 1/08/12 Shoo-Fly West end - 2007 GGG 1/08/12 Final dressing of Shoo-Fly 2 - 2008 GGG 1/08/12 UP lite engines pass West end - 2009
On the way to lunch, we heard a RR crew report a brush fire at BNSF CP Lugo. Lugo is just two+ miles from Marc's home (actually between the Shoo-Fly of Ranchero Road Crossing and Martinez East of Summit) and the wind was really blowing. We decided, AFTER lunch, to check it out. We really didn't get all that close when from behind us came the roar of something flying really LOW. I got photos 2010-2012 on his second pass. BTW, the CA Dept of Forestry flies these rebuilt US Navy Sub chasers which are called "S-2T". I'm kinda proud of photo 2012 --- taken while "DUCKING" --- Notice all of fire "CHIEFS" vehicles --- didn't see any indians. GGG
GGG 1/08/12 - 2010 GGG 1/08/12 - 2011 GGG 1/08/12 - 2012
On Sunday, January 8, during the Shoo-Fly tie-in and the required single tracking, there was plenty of traffic in the MP 47-48 area. We then moved RR East to the signal seen in the images 2013-2018. GGG
GGG 1/08/12 BNSF 4936 WB MP 48 Train 1 - 2013 GGG 1/08/12 BNSF 5092 DPU's WB Train 1 - 2014 GGG 1/08/12 UP 7475 WB MP 48 Train 2 - 2015
GGG 1/08/12 UP 7387 DPU WB Train 2 - 2016 GGG 1/08/12 BNSF 7827 WB MP 48 Train 3 - 2017 GGG 1/08/12 UP 7182 WM MP 48 Train 4 - 2018
GGG 1/08/12 BNSF 7387 WB MP 47.4 - 2019 GGG 1/08/12 BNSF 7704 WB MP 47.4 - 2020 GGG 1/08/12 BNSF 6216 EB MP 48 - 2021
Today (January 31), Don Toles & I had a very nice High Desert day. A BNSF track gang has been working West from Barstow and has reached the Victimville area resulting in "single tracking" between Frost and Oro Grande. Upon our arrival, the RR was 'fleeting' trains EB prohibiting decent photography, however we soon enjoyed two WB'S along with the local wildlife. We were surprised to see geese feeding here in January. (GGG/DET)
GGG 1/31/12 BNSF 7501 WB at Frost - 2061 GGG 1/31/12 UP 7045 WB  - 2062 GGG 1/31/12 Cow & Geese at KCR - 2063
Februray 2: Heard from Train Orders.com that five BRAND NEW BNSF ES44C-4'S would be pulling a very heavy and very long train WB on the Cajon Sub. The units were BNSF 6850, 6864, 6858 with 6857 & 6856 as DPU's. The train was "9548 feet and well over 10,000 tons" (Photos 2070-2072).
Just after the above, I was surprised by UP 1995 EB. Because of single tracking in the area, UP 1995 was held at Frost for a WB. Photo 2073 from Gray's Hill.
GGG 2/02/12 BNSF 6850 + + WB MP 39.1 - 2070 GGG 2/02/12 BNSF 3 new ES44C-4 locos - 2071 GGG 2/02/12 BNSF 2 new ES44C-4 DPU's - 2072
GGG 2/02/12 UP 1995 EB MP 39.1 - 2073 GGG 2/02/12 UP 1995 EB MP 38 Frost - 2074 GGG 2/02/12 UP 8528 EB DPU MP 38 - 2075
Today (February 17), we had a great AM on Hill 582 followed by a visit to the Shoo-Fly and lunch at Da Dump. 2112: Interesting UP lash-up NB past Hill 582 on UPT: SD 90/43 # 8205 is followed by CNW 6708 (OLS) and SP 6164 et al. 2113-2114: UP 7505 is SB leading an OLD SP caboose. GGG
NB: The photos of the Shoo-Fly (Ranchero Road Project) can be seen on this page: click here.
GGG 2/17/12 UP 8205, CNW, SP NB - 2112 GGG 2/17/12 UP 7505 SB on UPT Hill 582 - 2113 GGG 2/17/12 Old SP Caboose on same train - 2114
From WSI: West Summit Island by Marc Fournier. 2118: BNSF runs two past the Island while UP 8205 waits for four trains to clear Silverwood. 2119-2120: BNSF 7412 heads into the Summit Curve. 2121-2122: Marc was able to catch BOTH UP Olympic units within a few mimutes ---- on separate train ---- East & West bound ---- WOW. 2123: UP 8205 is finally allowed to transition onto the Silverwood connector for movement East on the BNSF. MF(GGG)
MF 2/17/12 Three trains at WSI - 2118 MF 2/17/12 BNSF 7417 EB on MT-2 - 2119 MF 2/17/12 EB heading for Summit Curve - 2120
MF 2/19/12 UP 7721 WB w/UP 2002 - 2121 MF 2/19/12 UP 6950 EB w/UP 2001 - 2122 MF 2/17/12 UP 8205 EB on Connector - 2123
Greetings from COLD SoCal, ! ! Last Friday (March 16), a group met on Hill 582 to greet good friends Dave & Wendy from Wales. After a very dry and warm winter, we met on the coldest and windiest day of this winter. Most of the time, we could only hear the trains passing the Hill.
2157-2158: The "perfect photographic meet" -- BNSF 6718 WB and UP 8593 EB -- too bad we couldn't see most of the action. 2160: The group under OLD GLORY and the Flag of Wales: DET, Mac, Wendy, Keith, Marc & GGG (right) & Dave (front left). 2161: The Flags proudly fly over Hill 582. 2162: Dave & Wendy at the Shoo-Fly in much better High Desert Weather.  -  Enjoy  -  GGG
GGG 3/16/12 BNSF 6718 WB - 2157 GGG 3/16/12 UP 8593 EB - 2158 GGG 3/16/12 BNSF 6903 EB - 2159
GGG 3/16/12 Dave & Wendy & group - 2160 GGG 3/16/12 Flag of Wales  -  2161 GGG 3/16/12 Dave & Wendy at Ranchero Rd. - 2162
2238: On the way to the Ranchero Rd project this AM, I noticed BRAND NEW BNSF C-4 6968 parked dead on the Hesperia siding. Found that BNSF had sent the unit to help celebrate the completion of the Hesperia Industrial Spur. 2239-42: While photographing the 6968, BNSF 7712 West slowed to a stop, uncoupled from its train, pulled ahead and then backed into the spur to couple onto #6968. 2243: Needless to say, the hour it took to retrieve #6968 caused a backup. UP 7806 follows BNSF 7712 WB. GGG
GGG 4/19/12 BNSF 6968 GE ES44C-4 - 2238 GGG 4/19/12 BNSF 7712 WB pass new C-4 - 2239 GGG 4/19/12 BNSF 7856 EB pass WB train - 2240
GGG 4/19/12 BNSF 7712 pickup new 6968 - 2241 GGG 4/19/12 Face to face - 2242 GGG 4/19/12 UP 7806 WB Hesperia - 2243
There's probably no better way to spend part of a weekend than with friends chasing TRAINS, PLANES and a BRIDGE. Marc and I started Friday morning visiting Don & Jerry on Hill 582. Next, lunch at Molly's #2 in Helendale followed by a visit to Southern CA Logistics Airport (SCLA). Saturday started out with a visit to the Ranchero Rd project and lunch at Molly's #1 in Hesperia.
Plane photos of SCLA are here:  XC-36  -  Ranchero Road - BNSF Bridge photos:  XC-11
From Hill 582: 2254-55: BNSF 7241 is EB to meet UP 7835. 2256-58: UP 7538 and its mid-train DPU's are WB with an 11,000 ft train.
GGG 4/27/12 UP 4630 is WB on MT-3 - 2253 GGG 4/27/12 BNSF 7241 EB on MT-1 - 2254 GGG 4/27/12 BNSF EB meets UP 7835 WB - 2255
GGG 4/27/12 UP 7835 WB on MT-2 - 2256 GGG 4/27/12 1 x GE, 2 x EMD power  - 2257 GGG 4/27/12 UP mid train DPU's WB - 2258
2286-88: A meet at Cajon Station --- UP 8655 leads the BRAND NEW UP 8718 and DPU 7615 WB at Cajon Junction on MT # 3. MF/GGG
MF 5/03/12 UP 8655 WB at Cajon Station - 2286 MF 5/03/12 brand new UP 8718 SD70ACe - 2287 MF 5/03/12 UP 7615 DPU WB - 2288
As most know, ATSF 3751 is pulling 14 cars to the Grand Canyon, Parker AZ and back to LA this week. I was not able to join the crowd but Marc, Dave Tomeraasen, & Keith Schreiber were able to provide some really great coverage of the event. Thanks Guys (GGG)
 http://www.traintrips.biz/grand-canyon-limited.html
2301: Marc started his coverage at Blue Cut (Hwy 66) -- 2302-05: while Dave documented the visitors to Hill 582 including Carol & Bob Westover talking with Don Toles. 2306: Marc did some WARP SPEED driving to position himself at the 4000 foot level of I-15 to image the 3751 passing Hill 582.
2307-09: Keith pictured ATSF 3751 from Hill 582. 2310-11: Marc, again from I-15, shows ATSF 3751 approaching Cajon Summit. In #11, note the railfans lining Hwy 138 above the Summit. 2312-13: Marc then raced to the "rainbow bridge" just as 3751 passed through Victorville.
2314: Obeying all traffic laws, Marc caught the 3751 at Lenwood (South Barstow) and --- 2315-18: ATSF 3751 and train being serviced in and leaving Barstow.
MF 5/14/12 ATSF 3751 at Blue Cut - 2301 DT 5/14/12 Bob & Carol Westover and DET - 2302 DT 5/14/12 Crowd on Hill 582 - 2303
DT 5/14/12 Car invasion on Hill 582 - 2304 DT 5/14/12 UP SB on UP track - 2305 MF 5/14/12 Hill 582 seen from I-15 - 2306
KS 5/14/12 ATSF 3751 EB pass Hill 582 - 2307 KS 5/14/12 Steamer leading Amtrak - 2308 KS 5/14/12 Silverwood seen from Hill 582 - 2309
MF 5/14/12 Silverwood seen from I-15 - 2310 MF 5/14/12 entering Summit Curve from I-15 - 2311 MF 5/14/12 ATSF 3751 pass Victorville - 2312
MF 5/14/12 Whole train at Victorville - 2313 MF 5/14/12 ATSF 3751 at Lenwood - 2314 MF 5/14/12 Arrival at Barstow - 2315
MF 5/14/12 ATSF 3751 at Barstow - 2317 MF 5/14/12 ATSF 3751 being serviced - 2316 MF 5/14/12 ATSF leaving Barstow - 2318
May 19: ATSF 3751 and the Grand Canyon Limited returned to LA from Parker AZ yesterday (5/19).
2319-22: ATSF 3751 is WB under "Gray's Hill" BNSF Cajon Sub MP 39.1. 2323-24: UP 8703 is WB at Frost MP 38. GGG
GGG 5/19/12 ATSF 3751 WB at MP 39.1 - 2319 GGG 5/19/12 Grand Canyon Ltd. WB - 2320 GGG 5/19/12 14-Car train on flyover - 2321
GGG 5/19/12 ATSF 3751 WB - 2322 GGG 5/19/12 UP 8703 WB at Frost MP 38 - 2323 GGG 5/19/12 UP 8703 = EMD SD70ACe - 2324
May 28: Had a very nice few hours on WSI at BNSF Silverwood with Keith, Marc, Bob, Wiley and Jazz (the WONDER DOG).
The weather was great, the train traffic good and we saw a lot of relatively clean power..  Enjoy,  GGG
GGG 5/28/12 BNSF 7601 is EB on MT-3 - 2334 GGG 5/28/12 BNSF 7802 WB on MT-1 - 2335 GGG 5/28/12 BNSF WB w/1890 in between  - 2336
GGG 5/28/12 6608-7567 DPU's WB - 2337 GGG 5/28/12 BNSF 6746 is WB on MT-2 - 2338 GGG 5/28/12 BNSF 6890 WB on MT-3 - 2339
GGG 5/28/12 UP 7929 EB on MT-1 - 2340 GGG 5/28/12 UP 7662 DPU EB (behind) - 2341 GGG 5/28/12 BNSF 7485 heads down the hill - 2342
GGG 5/28/12 The crew at the WSI campsite - 2343 GGG 5/28/12 UP 8362 SB at Hiland - 2344 GGG 5/28/12 UP 5385 DPU SB at Hiland - 2345
June 18: Had a very nice Hill 582 morning with Don, Jerry, Michael Frei (Switzerland) & Neil Vorley (G.B.). We enjoyed great weather and good rail traffic.
2388-90: BNSF 7749 is WB with BNSF 1309 in the consist. BNSF 1309 was ATSF/BNSF SD45-2 #6476 and was rebuilt into a 3GS21C ---Three Generator Set, 2100 HP, six axle, DC, Remote Control yard switcher. 2391: UP SD70ACe manned helpers are returning to Yermo.  GGG
GGG 6/18/12 BNSF 7749 WB - 2388 GGG 6/18/12 Third unit = 3GS21C  - 2389 GGG 6/18/12 BNSF 1309 was former SD45-2 - 2390
GGG 6/18/12 UP 8344-8317 EB DPU's - 2391 GGG 6/18/12 BNSF 6616 (C-4) is WB - 2392 GGG 6/18/12 UP 7696 is WB on Main #3 - 2393
July 4: Several interesting photos taken on different days by Don E. Toles
2415: UP 8205 SB with CNW 6708 & SP 6164 SB @ Hill 582. 2418: BNSF 7763 EB near OLD Tunnel # 2 area. 2422-23: UP 7460 is WB over the Flyover @ MP 39.1 as seen from the insde (usually, photos are taken from the other side). DET/GGG
DET 2/17/12 UP 8205 SB on UPT - 2415 DET 4/15/12 BNSF 7347 EB Pine Lodge - 2416 DET 3/20/12 BNSF 7763 EB Alray - 2418
DET 3/20/12 UP 1988 SB on UPT Hill 582 - 2419 DET 3/20/12 UP "The Katy" Heritage unit - 2420 DET 3/20/12 UP 1988 SB - 2421
DET 1/31/12 BNSF 7745 WB KCR MP 38 - 2417 DET 4/15/12 UP 7460 WB MP 39.1 - 2422 DET 4/15/12 A seldom seen view - 2423
July 25: Some views of / from Hill 582 by Don E Toles between 11/18/11 and 5/22/12
2448-49: America & Cajon the Beautiful. 2453: Jerry Shinar (of West Summit Island fame) decorates the once ugly culvert just RR East of Hill 582. DET/GGG


DET 4/04/12 UP NB on UPT - 2452
DET 3/20/12 BNSF EB on MT1 - 2448 DET 11/18/11 BNSF with US and Swiss Flag - 2455 DET 3/20/12 BNSF WB on MT2 - 2449
DET 5/04/12 Hill 582 memorials - 2456 DET 11/18/11 Dramatic sky over Hill 582 - 2457 DET 3/07/12 Jerry, the painter (read above) - 2453
DET 5/22/12 BNSF EB w/Hill 582 plants - 2451 DET 5/22/12 UP 8546 EB - 2454 DET 5/22/12 Once again a rattle snake - 2450
July 26: Spent a nice morning, last Friday (July 20), with the regulars on Hill 582. On the way to 582 via the USFS/UP road from Oak Hills: 2458: UP 2391 is NB @ Hiland (Cajon Summit). 2459-60: UP 7855 & DPU traverse the Silverwood Connector to travel EB on the BNSF. From Hill 582: 2461: BNSF pulls a solid train of newer UPS containers EB @ Hill 582. From the camera of DET: 2464-66: UP Heritage Unit (SP) 1996 EMD SD70ACe is EB @ Hill 582. 2467: Five newly refurbished SD-40 N's are SB. 2468: A UP/BNSF "Race to the Summit". 2469: BNSF 6808 is WB @ Sullivan's Curve.   GGG/DET
GGG 7/20/12 UP 2391 NB at Hiland UPT - 2458 GGG 7/20/12 UP 7855 NB-EB Silverwood - 2459 GGG 7/20/12 UP 8781 DPU on SW-Connector  2460
GGG 7/20/12 BNSF EB w/UPS Containers - 2461 GGG 7/20/12 BNSF 7499 is EB - 2462 GGG 7/20/12 BNSF 7870 is WB on MT-3 - 2463
DET 7/17/12 UP/SP 1996 EB - 2464 DET 7/17/12 This heritage unit looks great - 2465 DET 7/17/12 UP meet on BNSF tracks - 2466
DET 6/26/12 UP 5 pcs. SD40N rebuilt - 2467 DET 5/14/12 UP NB and BNSF EB - 2468 DET 6/26/12 BNSF WB on Sullivans Curve - 2469
August 1: For those needing a Cajon fix and ESPECIALLY for those sick of that "Ranchero Road - BNSF bridge project", here are a few from WSI.
2509-10: UP 7751 is EB to meet BNSF 7836 West. 2511-12: BNSF 6979 is WB on MT-3. 2513-14: UP 6552 is NB with a wind turbine train. Note the eight axle cars for the nacelles.  GGG
GGG 8/01/12 UP 7751 EB at WSI - 2509 GGG 8/01/12 UP EB and BNSF WB meet - 2510 GGG 8/01/12 BNSF 6979 WB on MT-3 - 2511
GGG 8/01/12 Going downhill on MT-3 - 2512 GGG 8/01/12 UP 6552 NB on UPT - 2513 GGG 8/01/12 UP NB w/Wind Turbine parts - 2514
August 29: Last Sunday (8/26/12), I was able to spend a few hours on WSI with Marc, Bob, Wiley, Paul & Lois. GGG
GGG 8/26/12 UP 8586 WB on MT-3 - 2569 GGG 8/26/12 UP WM on MT-3 from WSI - 2570 GGG 8/26/12 UP 5697 DPU WB same train - 2571
GGG 8/26/12 BNSF 7228 WB MT-3 - 2572 GGG 8/26/12 BNSF 7358 EB on MT-1 - 2573 GGG 8/26/12 BNSF 7719 WB on MT-2 - 2574
October 10: Today, I met with Michael Frei (Switzerland) on Hill 582. After an hour, we moved to West Summit Island to join Marc and Bob (San Diego) where the trains were running nonstop.
2668-2669: UP 7521 with UP 1696 (rebuilt SD-40N) uses the Silverwood Connector to transition from the UP onto the BNSF EB.  GGG
GGG 10/10/12 BNSF 7720 EB Hill 582 - 2664 GGG 10/10/12 BNSF 7575EB meets 7537WB 2665 GGG 10/10/12 UP 4475 WB Hill 582 - 2666
GGG 10/10/12 BNSF 7231 EB on MT-1 WSI - 2667 GGG 10/10/12 UP 7521 EB Silverwood - 2668 GGG 10/10/12 UP 1696 = rebuilt SD40N - 2669
GGG 10/10/12 BNSF 6628 WB MT-3  - 2670 GGG 10/10/12 BNSF 7394 EB MT-3 - 2671 GGG 10/10/12 BNSF 7639 WB MT-2 - 2672
November 16: Went to check on the Ranchero Rd / BNSF bridge progress and was pleasantly surprised by:
2690-91: BNSF 7494 and its DPU's WB @ MP 48. On the way home: 2692-93: BNSF 7826 and its DPU's WB @ Hesperia --- Note the smiley face.
2694-95: Two shots of BNSF 6800 WB @ MP 42. I understand that the new LED signals and the PTC equipment will be activated this month. GGG
GGG 11/16/12 BNSF 7494 WB on new bridge 2690 GGG 11/16/12 BNSF 7079-6961 WB DPU's - 2691 GGG 11/16/12 BNSF 7826 WB Hesperia - 2692
GGG 11/16/12 BNSF 6982-5188 WB DPU's - 2693 GGG 11/16/12 BNSF 6800 WB MP 42 - 2694 GGG 11/16/12 BNSF WB w/new signals - 2695
November 28: Marc & I had a very nice few hours on Hill 582 with Brigitte and Paul (Switzerland) today. We sure put the Swiss flag up. It was cool & windy ahead of a small approaching storm. RR traffic was heavy but routine. GGG
GGG 11/28/12 Marc, Paul, Brigitte, Gary - 2696 GGG 11/28/12 Brigitte & Paul on Hill 582 - 2697 GGG 11/28/12 Always nice to meet on the Hill - 2698
GGG 11/28/12 BNSF 7427 EB on MT-2 - 2699 GGG 11/28/12 BNSF EB growls uphill - 2700 GGG 11/28/12 UP 5336 SB on UPT - 2701
December 10: As you may remember, during 2010, the Hill 582 bunch erected bases for flag poles on Hill 582. Of course, American flags will always be displayed, but we've always wanted to fly BNSF & UP flags below "Old Glory". Jerry, from West Summit Island, found a UP flag and loaned it to 582, but we have been unable to find a BNSF flag. Well, thanks to Ruedi Schai of RS DESIGNS (Switzerland) http://www.rsgraphic.ch/index.php?id=8, we now have a perfectly done BNSF flag.
2729-31: show the displayed flags and the group -- Ruedi is on the far right. Naturally, for our first pictures, the wind was blowing from the "wrong" direction.
2732-33: BNSF 7902 and DPU's are WB with the BOMB (ethanol) train. 2734-36: Views of two "bare table" EB's stopped at Hill 582.
2737: A BNSF sign, again designed and built by Ruedi, for Jerry (WSI). WELL DONE RUEDI and many thanks !!!!  GGG
GGG 12/10/12 New BNSF Flag on Hill 582 - 2729 GGG 12/10/12 BNSF and UP w/US Flags - 2730 GGG 12/10/12 Gary, Don, Marc, Ruedi - 2731
GGG 12/10/12 BNSF 7902 WB ethanol train - 2732 GGG 12/10/12 BNSF DPU's WB - 2733 GGG 12/10/12 BNSF 5903 EB - 2734
GGG 12/10/12 UP 2457 EB - 2735 GGG 12/10/12 UP EMD SD60M - 2736 GGG 12/10/12 Ruedi, Marc, Don, Jerry - 2737

 

UP Heritage Locos passing Alray by Ryan Slaton

The morning of December 15th, 2012 dawned cool but clear in Southern California and the conditions seemed just right for a trip to Cajon Pass, where among other things we were after some pictures of BNSF's annual Southern California division Christmas train. Well checking my email before leaving that morning a heads up from a good friend tipped me off that UP 1983 would be the lead motor on the West Colton, CA to North Platte, NE manifest due to depart West Colton early that morning and as a bonus UP 1996 was to be the rear DPU facing out. Not really having any good action shots of the 1983 leading a train I was very happy to hear it was coming up the pass. The 1983 departed just ahead of the Christmas train and we had our first roll by at Swarthout Canyon road just above Blue Cut. Then we hustled up to a spot just below the former location of Tunnel 2 at Alray and I blazed a trail up hill to a vantage point that I had been wanting to shoot for some time...

RS 12/15/12 UP 1983 EB Alray - 4308 RS 12/15/12 UP 1983 WP SD70ACe - 4309 RS 12/15/12 UP 1996 SP hidden - 4310

# 4308: Just after emerging from under I-15 UP 1983 works the MWCNP-15 up grade with the snow capped San Gabriel's standing tall in the background.
# 4309: UP 1983 guides its train through the curve that would have once led into tunnel 2 just above the old station of Alray on Cajon's western slope. I could not have asked for anything more than this!
# 4310: But soon came a reminder how disappointing shooting pictures along a multi-track main line can be. After shooting the head end I hiked down a little way to get a good roster shot of the UP 1996. As I was hiking down hills I began to think 'do I hear dynamic brakes??' And sure enough a westbound BNSF manifest came into view passing through the old tunnel 2 cut right in front of the MWCNP. Having shot the '96 many times before it was no great lose but it sure made me thankful that the BNSF westbound wasn't 2 minutes faster...or the UP train 2 minutes slower!!  RS

 

New Industrial Spur - City of Hesperia, CA
During Oct 2011, the City of Hesperia broke ground on an industrial Spur in an effort to attract new business. The new track departs the BNSF Cushenbury line just NE of Mollie's Cafe and travels North for a bit over a mile. This project is not connected to the Ranchero Rd (Shoo-fly) extension. (GGG)
GGG 12/06/11 Map of new Hesperia Spur - 1300 GGG 12/06/11 New Switch of industrial spur - 1301 GGG 12/06/11 Spur waiting for track - 1302
Last December, I sent out some pictures of a minor railroad construction project in Hesperia , CA. Just 3/4 mile NE of Molly's Cafe, the city has finished a new one mile+ spur in an effort to attract new light manufacturing to the area. The spur was built North from the Cushenbury branch and as always in the desert, planing and engineering for storm runoff is of utmost importance. It is ironic??? that to use the new spur, trains will leave the HEAVY rail of the BNSF Transcon, traverse (for .5 miles) the very light 10 MPH bolted rail of the Cushenbury branch and move onto the beautiful roadbed of the spur. I'll let you know when the first business is built near the spur.
2145-2146: With the Cushenbury branch in the background, the maze of flood control ditches is pictured. The concrete lined flood control ditch and a 6 ft fence run the entire length of the spur. 2147: Looking North, a bridge and a road crossing were built about half way down the spur. The white area in the hills is the limestone quarry for the Oro Grande TXI cement plant. FROM THE BRIDGE (Spur mid-point). 2148: Looking South at the cushenbury, the spur lead, the two track spur. 2149: Looking North at the spur end 'o track. 2150: Looking West at the best looking and smoothest protected grade crossing around these parts.
GGG 3/09/12 Cushenbury branch behind - 2145 GGG 3/09/12 Flood control ditch - 2146 GGG 3/09/12 Looking North - 2147
GGG 3/09/12 Looking South - 2148 GGG 3/09/12 End of spur (North) - 2149 GGG 3/09/12 RR-Xing looking West - 2150

 

Bonus Photos - non Cajon Pass
Helendale - Barstow - Daggett - Yermo - Tehachapi - Glamis - Ludlow - Afton Canyon - Train Mountain, OR
White Pass & Yukon, Alaska

Helendale, CA

January 6: Marc & I drove north on US Rt 66 to find a new photographic vista. Between Helendale & Indian Trail Rd, Marc went cross country to find a spot well above Toles Towers (BNSF Cajon Sub MP 21 = 21 mls west of Barstow). And so, from the newly named Marc's Madness. GGG
GGG 1/06/12 BNSF 7508 WB MP 19 - 2031 GGG 1/06/12 BNSF WB 3 leading locos - 2032 GGG 1/06/12 BNSF WB DPU's MP 19 - 2033
GGG 1/06/12 BNSF 7767 WB MP 21 - 2034 GGG 1/06/12 BNSF 7490 EB MP 21 - 2035 GGG 1/06/12 UP 6792 EB MP 21 - 2036
February 3: Don, Marc & I drove back to the hills that look down on BNSF Cajon Sub MP's 18-20 near Helendale. From Marc's Mountain:
2076-2077: Both ends of a mile long train, lead by BNSF 7715, are visible. BNSF 129 & 128, probably on their way to local service somewhere, were DIT.
2081: Some crazies will go to the anywhere for a railroad picture. GGG, DET, MF
GGG 2/03/12 BNSF 7715 EB at MP 20 - 2076 GGG 2/03/12 BNSF 129-128 GP60M's - 2077 GGG 2/03/12 UP 8665 EB MP 20 - 2078
GGG 2/03/12 UP 8624 DPU's for 8665 - 2079 GGG 2/03/12 UP 8714 WB intermodal - 2080 MF 2/03/12 DET & GGG taking pictures - 2081

Barstow - Daggett - Yermo, CA

January 27, 2012: Marc & I took off for parts RR East this morning. Despite poor sunlight & very low train traffic, we had a great time exploring the desert.

2049-2051: BNSF Barstow yard notable today only for an extensive "dead line" of mostly GP-30U's ---- numbered in the 24XX series.

Then it was off to the UP yard in Yermo to "inspect" the new DDG transload facility. Wet Distillers Grains (WDG) are what's left when corn or other grains are fermented into alcohol (ethanol). Wet DG's are way too heavy to ship and, of course, drying the product into DDG's costs energy - but the processors have found a market for the resultant cattle/pig feed in Asia. The transload facility will receive the DDG's from the Midwest in hopper cars, transfer the product into containers, reload the "cons" on another train and ship the cons to the LA/Long Beach (LB) ports for loading on container ships. So, there will be, stationed in Yermo, four container chassis and four chassis tugs. Each empty container, obviously, will have one end opened and a wood backed cardboard "80% plug" inserted---leaving a two foot tall lateral space at the top to blow the product into the container. The process of unloading one hopper and loading TWO "CONS" is estimated at seven minutes per hopper. 2052 & 2054: The orange devices will pump air into the hoppers. The air injection makes grains flow like a liquid. The hopper will unload between the rails onto a conveyor. 2053: Above a few of our finest WAR machines (the Abrams M1A1or A2 Main Battle Tank), two discharge chutes will load two containers simultaneously.
If this wasn't enough info, the URL from the UPRR Web Site will explain the UP terms, prices, and why the UP recorded record earnings last quarter.
http://www.upds.com/customers/carload/transload/plant_to_port/index.shtml

After being, somewhat politely, asked to vacate the UP Yermo area, we decided to journey to Newberry Springs for lunch. On the way, in bad light, we were able to photograph: 2055: UP 6828 EB at Daggett - about to head north to Yermo. 2056: BNSF 7477 WB to Barstow. 2057-2058: BNSF 4014 powering up for the slight grade into Newberry Spings. Newberry Springs (20 miles East of Barstow on Rt 66 and just South of I-40) is "famous" for several things:
1. The Spring HEAT http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newberry_Springs,_California  -  2. Pistachio nut farms - 3. The Summer Heat
4. The quarry from which BNSF get its Desert Rose ballast - 5. YUP -- the fall heat - 6. The winter COLD Oh, and the always Wind - 7. THE BAGDAD CAFE

The Bagdad Cafe was the setting for a 1991 Jack Palance movie of the same name. The cafe is another great historical spot, along the "Mother Road" and is visited by tourists from around the World. http://www.moviefone.com/movie/bagdad-cafe/4551/synopsis  -  http://www.bagdadcafe.us/

2059-2060: Two members of the Cajon Mafia invade the Bagdad Cafe for pretty good burger. GGG/MF
GGG 1/27/12 BNSF Barstow Yard - 2049 GGG 1/27/12 - 2050 GGG 1/27/12 old GP30U are stored - 2051

MF 1/27/12 UP Transload Facility - 2052 GGG 1/27/12 Abrams M1A1or A2 Tanks - 2053 MF 1/27/12 UP Transload Facility - 2054
GGG 1/27/12 UP 6828 EB Daggett - 2055 GGG 1/27/12 BNSF 7477 WB Daggett - 2056 GGG 1/27/12 BNSF 4014 EB Minneola Rd. - 2057
GGG 1/27/12 same BNSF at Minneola Rd. - 2058 GGG 1/27/12 Marc at Bagdad Cafe - 2059 GGG 1/27/12 Gary at Bagdad Cafe - 2060

Tehachapi, CA

March 13/14: Marc made two trips in March. The first was to Winter Rail in Stockton, CA. Naturally, he had to traverse Tehachapi pass twice and naturally, he had to do some RR photography. On the return trip, Marc hooked up with Aaron Bentsen of 7Idea productions. You may remember that, a few months ago, we mentioned Aaron's EXCELLENT Cajon Pass video. If his upcoming Tehachapi video even approaches the quality of his Cajon video, it will be extraordinary.
http://7ideaproductions.com/catalog/index.php
2181: From the Westover's home above Cable siding, a BNSF business train is SB. 2182: UP 7909 passes under its train NB at Tunnel # 9 - "the loop". 2183: UP 7428 starts its climb on "the loop" (Loop Ranch). 2184: UP 7769 passes under its train SB. 2187: The ultimate in High Lifts -- http://www.highliftaerial.com/
2189-90: NO KIDDING (Woodpecker's Territory):  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_Woodpecker
2191: UP 5428 passes the remains of Tunnel # 4 -- destroyed in the 1952 earthquake. http://www.scec.org/education/020721kern.html MF/GGG
MF 3/13/12 BNSF SB Business Train - 2181 MF 3/14/12 UP 7909 NB Walong - 2182 MF 3/13/12 UP 7428 uphill on Loop - 2183
MF 3/14/12 UP 7769 SB at Walong - 2184 MF 3/13/12 UP 7729 NB at Rowen - 2185 MF 3/13/12 UP 3971 NB at Rowan - 2186
MF 3/13/12 High Lift at Rowan - 2187 MF 3/13/12 Hardworking Woodpeckers - 2189 MF 3/13/12 Food Storage Post (nuts) - 2190
MF 3/13/12 UP Meet at Rowen - 2188 MF 3/14/12 UP 5428 NB Cliff - 2191 MF 3/14/12 Cliff from above - 2192

Glamis, CA

March 24/25: Marc at Glamis, CA. When you get tired of life in the BIG CITY and own a "FUN MOVER", you might as well head for the Glamis Sand dunes. Glamis is two miles East of NOWHERE, USA. Actually, Glamis is in far Southeastern CA between the Salton Sea and the Colorado River just North of Mexico. The nearest City of any size is Yuma, AZ. Click here: Imperial Sand Dunes - Mammoth Wash - Glamis Dunes - Buttercup sand dunes - DesertUSA

So, once you get to Glamis, CA you can: 2193: Sit in your luxury Fun Mover, watch TV and drink beer -- or -- 2194: Drive a few miles and watch folks race their $50,000 sand rails and drink beer -- or -- 2195: Sit out back, watch the desert sunset and drink beer -- or -- 2196: Sit out front, watch the UP Sunset Route and drink beer -- or -- 2197-98: Chase UP 7732 with DPU UP 1982 EB to Yuma. 2199: UP 1982 crosses the Colorado River. 2200-01: UP 7732 arrives in Yuma.
MF/GGG
MF 3/24/12 Railfan's Fun Mover at Glamis - 2193 MF 3/24/12 Sand Dunes Racers - 2194 MF 3/24/12 Desert Sunset Campground - 2195
MF 3/24/12 UP 7413 (SP/UP 1395) EB - 2196 MF 3/25/12 UP 7732 EB to Yuma - 2197 MF 3/25/12 UP/MoPac 1982 DPU EB - 2198
MF 3/25/12 UP 1982 EB to Yuma - 2199 MF 3/25/12 UP 7732 EB arrives in Yuma, AZ - 2200 MF 3/25/12 UP 7732 EB at Yuma - 2201

Ludlow, CA - Afton Canyon

April 11: Last Wednesday, my good friend & neighbor George and I decided to visit Marc, Bob and Wiley who were camping, chasing trains and off-roading near Ludlow. The plan was to have breakfast and catch a few BNSF trains in Ludlow, drive to Crucero, Ca and then return to Victorville via Afton Canyon.
2229: The Ludlow campsite with George and Marc standing --- Bob and son Wiley (San Diego) and ????. 2230: BNSF 5436 WB passes the campsite.
2231: Marc returns to camp. 2232: From the camp looking North toward Afton Canyon (22 dirt road miles away). 2233: From Crucero Rd, a view of the sand dunes to the NW. 2234-35: Views from within Afton Canyon. 2236: Our only Afton train was actually before we entered the canyon -- UP 7806 SB on the UP Cima Sub. 2237: More proof that a $00.03 RR spike can defeat an oversized and fully armored hi-performance off-road tire. George was able to triple plug the HOLE. The plug lasted until Barstow where we had to change the tire in the COLD rain.
Ya gotta expect a FEW LOSSES but what a GREAT DAY we had!!!!! GGG
GGG 4/11/12 Ludlow Campsite - 2229 GGG 4/11/12 BNSF 5436 WB at Ludlow - 2230 GGG 4/11/12 MF on Quad at Ludlow - 2231
GGG 4/11/12 Crucero Road looking North - 2232 GGG 4/11/12 from Crucero Rd looking NW - 2233 GGG 4/11/12 Afton Canyon - 2234
GGG 4/11/12 Afton Canyon - 2235 GGG 4/11/12 UP 7806 SB Afton Canyon - 2236 GGG 4/11/12 Tire repair Afton Canyon - 2237

Jacumba, CA to Plaster City, CA

May 18: Last month, I received the following from Dave Tomeraasen. Dave and Alex Fiori are members of our Cajon Mafia and volunteers at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, CA. www.psrm.org The museum shares tracks with the Carrizo Gorge RR carrizogorgerailway.com

Last Friday (May 18) I took a train ride from Jacumba, CA to Plaster City, CA and return on a F7 locomotive and cupola caboose. The purpose of the trip was to move 51 box cars from Plaster City to Coyote Wells, thus opening the main line to freight service. Alex Fiori was the Conductor, wearing the yellow safety vest. We went through the Carrizo Gorge and over the Goat Canyon Trestle. It was fun riding in the cupola and open platform of the caboose. Dave

So, with permission, I selected 12 of Dave's pictures. The areas East of San Diego and the Carrizo Gorge are some of the wildest places in the USA. GGG
DT 5/18/12 Dave and the F7A - 2358 DT 5/18/12 Conductor Alex - 2359 DT 5/18/12 Caboose - 2360
DT 5/18/12 - 2361 DT 5/18/12 - 2362 DT 5/18/12 - 2363
DT 5/18/12 - 2364 DT 5/18/12 - 2365 DT 5/18/12 - 2366
DT 5/18/12 - 2367 DT 5/18/12 - 2369 DT 5/18/12 - 2368

Train Mountain, Chiloquin, OR

July 27: All photos taken between June 23 and June 29, 2012. A while back, I sent a YouTube clip of Marc at Train Mountain in Chiloquin, Oregon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBEOMf8smP0&feature=youtu.be
After sorting through his 500+ images, I've selected just eighteen which, I hope, will tell the story. Every third year, Train Mountain (TM), holds a huge "meet" for folks to come run their 1/8 scale trains on the TM 7.5 inch RR. The TM Main Line is about 13 U.S. miles long with another 12 miles of yard track. Folks brought in almost 300 trains from as far away as Australia and New Zealand --- see the following:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_Mountain_Railroad   and   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBEOMf8smP0&feature=youtu.be
I think you'll see that this is a heavy-weight and VERY expensive part of the hobby.
2470: The entrance. 2471-74: What it takes to move and store these huge models. 2475-76: Structures around TM. 2477-78: unloading and transfer tracks.
2479: Turn Table. 2480: Laying track at $25 / foot. 2481: This formation run was staged by Aaron Bentsen of 7 Idea Productions for an upcoming DVD.
2482-86: "Model" R. R. Equipment in action. 2487: OOPs These models CAN weigh up to 3500 lbs -- re-railing can be a chore. MF/GGG
MF 6/24/12 - 2470 MF 6/24/12 - 2471 MF 6/24/12 - 2472
MF 6/23/12 - 2473 MF 6/23/12 - 2474 MF 6/25/12 - 2475
MF 6/25/12 - 2476 MF 6/25/12 - 2477 MF 6/25/12 - 2478
MF 6/25/12 - 2479 MF 6/26/12 - 2480 MF 6/24/12 - 2481
MF 6/25/12 - 2482 MF 6/24/12 - 2483 MF 6/25/12 - 2484
MF 6/26/12 - 2485 MF 6/26/12 - 2486 MF 6/29/12 - 2487

White Pass & Yukon RR, Alaska

August 15: -- FOR THOSE INTERESTED -- The White Pass & Yukon Route
As most know Laura & I, last month, boarded the Norwegian Cruise Line "PEARL" for an Alaska inland passage voyage. It was a perfect trip -- Marc provided local transportation and Southwest Airlines - to Seattle and back - was its normal, basic, safe, and on-time self. On the front end, my Seattle cousin and family provided transportation, great seafood and a pre-season NFL game. Upon our return to Seattle, my cousin again provided the same superb hospitality including a visit to the Boeing / Seattle Museum of Flight. The NCL cruise was GREAT --- Everything was much better than advertised!
The first stop was Juneau, AK where we boarded a 50-60 passenger jet boat and saw more seals and whales than we knew existed. Second was Skagway, AK for a four hour ride on the White Pass & Yukon RR. Pictures attached. Third was Glacier Bay---I didn't know that ice cubes grew / formed that large.
Ketchikan AK and Victoria BC were the last two Ports of Call. Since this group centers on Railroading, I've selected 15 of 85 Skagway pictures which will, I hope, show a bit of our trip on the White Pass & Yukon Road.
The WP & YR has a GREAT website at: http://www.wpyr.com/ Check the Excursions, History & RailFan sections.
2596: WP & YR Hdq and Gift Shop. 2597-98: WP & YR Snow Fleet --- Retired equipment. 2599-2601: Our train heads uphill and passes the RR shops with # 52 awaiting rebuild and the operational # 69. 2602: The RR has an average grade of 2.6% however the climb to the above ledge, bridge and tunnel is 3.9% with a 16 degree curve. 2603: Looking down on the Harbor - at our ship (left) and its sister ship. 2604: Abandoned RR bridge -- Great history on the site.
2605: Three WP & YR 15 car trains met at White Pass Summit. Each train ran its power around its train and headed down-mountain --- all in 30 minutes ---impressive. 2606-10: Our train, the AMAZING (and sometimes THRILLING) roadbed and a little of the magnificent scenery.
Obviously, I have several hundred more pictures. If any of you are REALLY, REALLY interested in seeing close ups of whales, glaciers calving, more RR or the Seattle Aviation Museum, let me know. GGG
GGG 8/15/12 - 2596 GGG 8/15/12 - 2597 GGG 8/15/12 - 2598
GGG 8/15/12 - 2599 GGG 8/15/12 - 2600 GGG 8/15/12 - 2601
GGG 8/15/12 - 2602 GGG 8/15/12 - 2603 GGG 8/15/12 - 2604
GGG 8/15/12 - 2605 GGG 8/15/12 - 2606 GGG 8/15/12 - 2607
GGG 8/15/12 - 2608 GGG 8/15/12 - 2609 GGG 8/15/12 - 2610

 

Cajon 1 with 2006 photos - click here Cajon 2 with 2007 photos - click here Cajon 3 with 2008 photos - click here
Cajon 4 with 2009 photos - click here Cajon 5 with 2010 photos - click here Cajon 6 with 2011 photos - click here
Cajon 7 with 2012 photos - click here Cajon 8 with 2013 photos - click here Cajon 9 with 2014 photos - click here
Cajon 10 with 2015 photos - click here Cajon 11 with 2016 photos - click here Cajon 12 with 2017 photos - click here
Cajon 13 with 2018 photos - click here Cajon 14 with 2019 photos - click here Cajon 15 with 2020 photos - click here
Cajon 16 with 2021 photos - click here Cajon 17 with 2022 photos - click here Cajon 18 with 2023 photos - click here
  Cajon 19 with 2024 photos - click here  
History of Hill 582 photos - click here Ranchero Road Project - click here Colton Flyover Project - click here
Highway 138 East Project - click here Mojave River Bridges - click here Green Tree Blvd. Project - click here

 

Cajon Pass 3rd Main Track Construction by BNSF in 2007 and 2008
BNSF was building a 3rd Main Track thru Cajon Pass. It was built along the # 1 (north) track (2,2 % grade). The only 2 tunnels in Cajon have been daylighted.
This one of a time project was completed on November 07, 2008.

3rd Main Track Project by BNSF
2007/2008

outstanding coverage
on 9 Albums

Photos by Don E. Toles, Gary G. Gray
and Marc Fournier

taken from 6/22/07 to 12/24/08
DET 8/24/07 Summit Curve - 061 See all 9 pages with 896 photos - click here DET 10/25/07 T-2 EP w/BNSF EB train - 197

 

8 different and detailed Maps of Cajon Pass with captions (Mile Posts and Location) by Gary G. Gray - click here
New 8/11: Maps "How to find" Hill 582, Sullivan's Curve, Noisy Point by Gary G. Gray - click here
Accurate Map of Cajon Pass with 3rd Main Track by Michael Amrine - click here

Go back to Cajon Pass Main Page - click here

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