Cajon pass

[William Cowie]

Last Monday I had some time to revisit my old stomping grounds. Unfortunately, during the early morning, the pass was shut down. As far as I could tell, it was for maintenance. When they reopened around noon, it was like a dam bursting loose. I ran into Jay Adams, a railfan/photographer, and as he said, "I'm OK with this!" smile.gif

However, at that time of day, the light was bad - bright and hazy, and it was hard for pictures not to get washed out. For whatever it's worth, I thought I'd post a few of the more salvageable pictures.

The first one sees BNSF 1043 leading a consist that includes an ex-BN SD60M downhill - very gingerly.

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album11/abd.jpg

[William Cowie]

Heading up the hill, this consist came along...

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album11/abe.jpg

...that included this puppy a few miles away from home:

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album11/abf.jpg

By the way, I found it somewhat ironic that the AC unit behind the fireman's door was a Warbonnet relic. Usually it's the "survivors" that are marred with an orange BNSF unit - what a reversal this was smile.gif

[William Cowie]

Another train I found interesting: a rare uniform lashup - all H2 Dash 9's.

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album11/abg.jpg

With some help at the rear:

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album11/abh.jpg

[William Cowie]

The action was so furious that several UP trains used the BNSF tracks, because there are two of those (as opposed to a single UP track).

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album11/abi.jpg

(Yes, that's my rental car in the foreground :D )

[IMG]http://www.railimages.com/albums/album11/abk.jpg[IMG]

[William Cowie]

oops - hit the wrong button:

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album11/abl.jpg

[William Cowie]

And finally, another NS unit wandering around Southern California

http://www.railimages.com/albums/album11/abj.jpg

I don't want to start any rumors, but do you think there's any significance to this? smile.gif

[YoHo]

This would have been a great shot but for the smudge.
Taken 2 weeks ago.

http://www.swmcmmj.com/yoho/spgm-1.3.5/gal/Trains/California/Cajon2web.JPG
http://www.swmcmmj.com/yoho/spgm-1.3.5/gal/Trains/California/Cajon7web.JPG
http://www.swmcmmj.com/yoho/spgm-1.3.5/gal/Trains/California/Cajon5web.JPG

[William Cowie]

Great shots - where is that spot?

[YoHo]

Right near Victorville. I just followed the tracks from Hysperia.

Here's a better one.

http://www.swmcmmj.com/yoho/spgm-1.3.5/gal/Trains/California/cajon4web.JPG

[Alan]

Great to see those pictures, makes me want to get back for another look! Maybe one day.....

Looks like the most interesting units are the pushers, these days :rolleyes:

[Colonel]

Excellent pictures guys, william i particularly like the first one as it shows more than just the locos.

My favorite pics are those that show not just the locos but the trains consist as well. Look forward to seeing more pics.

[Harold R. (aka SD75MAC)]

Next time, try The Narrows

http://www.phcomputing.com/BNSF/bnsf2569.jpg

[Harold R. (aka SD75MAC)]

Or, The River

http://www.phcomputing.com/New/UP4594.jpg

[Alan]

Harold, that shot of 2569 is awesome! Still my favourite paint scheme, and a great "in-yer-face" picture smile.gif

[YoHo]

When I went up Cajon, it was sort of on a lark. I had gotten up a little late, it was my first weekend down here with nothing to do, so I did a searchto see where Tehachapi was. It was a smidge far for starting that late and I noticed that according to mapquest, Cajon pass was significantly closer. I did a little Internet research on where to stop, but I foolishly only printed out data on devore (that's it yeah?) and didn't print out the rest. So I just sorta meandered up 15 looking for a good spot for pictures till I hit Hysperia.

Next time, I'm gonna be more prepared.


Incidentlt, on the mismatached AC. Up in Oregon and Wa I saw Warbonnet ACs on Heritage units all the time. I found it a rare occasion that the paint on the AC matched the paint on the unit.

[William Cowie]

Okay, so you guys are bragging on all your obscure spots, huh! :D :D So, where is the River, and where are the Narrows?

Great shots, Harold! graemlins/notworthy.gif

[Harold R. (aka SD75MAC)]

The (Mojave) River is at East Victorville and The Narrows is known as Frost. Frost is just east of the x-overs.

Thank you for the compliment, William

[ 07. April 2004, 18:26: Message edited by: Harold R. (aka SD75MAC) ]

[William Cowie]

Thanks - new stops on the itenary for next trip! :D

[Harold R. (aka SD75MAC)]

Let me know when you come again and we can search for new locations