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Snow
on Cajon Pass Ruedi Schai, the Swiss who made some of the Hill 582 memorials, was visitting Cajon in early January 2011. He took some great photos with rare snow scenes at Hill 582 and West Summit Island. Marc Fournier was leading him. They started their winter journey at UP-Summit (North Hiland). The first 3 photos were taken the day before the snow fall (1/02/11), plenty snow pictures taken on 1/03/11 and finally the day after the snow (1/04/11). |
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| RUS 1/02/11 UP EB on MT-1 at WSI - 1001 | RUS 1/02/11 All 3 BNSF tracks are busy - 1002 | RUS 1/02/11 BNSF WB on Flyover at Frost - 1003 |
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| RUS 1/03/11 UP w/snow fall at Hiland siding - 1004 | RUS 1/03/11 UP w/Ferromex ES44 unit - 1005 | RUS 1/03/11 UP w/Marc Fournier at Hiland - 1006 |
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| MF 1/03/11 Snow covered Hill 582 - 1007 | MF 1/03/11 Signal bridge near Hill 582 - 1008 | MF 1/03/11 BNSF 7721-7724 WB helpers - 1009 |
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| RUS 1/03/11 BNSF 7710 WB at WSI - 1010 | RUS 1/03/11 Meet BNSF WB & UP EB - 1011 | RUS 1/03/11 BNSF DPU's pass UP (on hold) 1012 |
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| RUS 1/03/11 UP SB on Silverwood Connector - 1013 | RUS 1/03/11 Signal at WSI w/UP SB at WSI - 1014 | RUS 1/03/11 UP SB entering UPT Silverwood 1015 |
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| RUS 1/03/11 UP SB Helpers pass UP EB - 1016 | RUS 1/03/11 Finally, UP EB is moving - 1017 | RUS 1/03/11 UP EB DPU's w/UP pickup - 1018 |
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| RUS 1/04/11 Next day UP SB on UPT - 1019 | RUS 1/04/11 UP SB pass Hill 582 - 1020 | RUS 1/04/11 US & Swiss flags on Hill 582 - 1021 |
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| RUS 1/04/11 BNSF EB round the curve H582 - 1025 | RUS 1/04/11 BNSF EB on MT-1 pass H582 - 1026 | RUS 1/04/11 BNSF EB heading for Silverwood 1027 |
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| RUS 1/04/11 BNSF 7888 EB pass Hill 582 - 1028 | RUS 1/04/11 BNSF EB JB Hunt intermodal - 1029 | RUS 1/04/11 BNSF EB in the distance - 1030 |
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| RUS 1/04/11 BNSF WB on MT-2 toward H582 - 1031 | RUS 1/04/11 BNSF WB pass Hill 582 - 1032 | RUS 1/04/11 BNSF WB downhill - 1033 |
| The result of the recent snow/rain/hail/wind storm of 2/26/11. The day after - LOADS of mud and road ruts but no damage to HILL 582. | ||
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| GGG 2/27/11 UP 5392 WB at MP 38 - 1034 | GGG 2/27/11 Mount Baldy w/fresh snow - 1035 | GGG 2/27/11 BNSF 7516 WB Baldy Mesa Rd 1036 |
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| GGG 2/27/11 San Gabriel Mountains - 1037 | GGG 2/27/11 BNSF 7783 WB at Hill 582 - 1038 | GGG 2/27/11 Cajon Mudmobile w/Marc - 1039 |
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3/04/11: Marc and I joined Don on Hill 582 this morning. There were plenty
of trains early - but nothing remarkable.
Marc and I moved down to the "S" curves just RR West of Hill 582 where we
witnessed a couple of "seldom seen events".
Photo 1040: Hill 582 from the new BNSF MP 58 -- nice and green from
all of our rain. Photos 1041 - 1043: BNSF 7526 is EB and about to
pass Hill 582.
Photo 1044: A deer shot past us -- and by the time I got my camera
up -- well check the middle of the picture. Photo 1045: The new
Boeing 747-8F (Freighter), still in testing, was on final to the San
Bernardino Airport -- the old Norton AFB. GGG
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| GGG 3/04/11 Hill 582 seen from MP 58 - 1040 | GGG 3/04/11 BNSF 7526 EB at MP 58 - 1041 | GGG 3/04/11 same train at same location - 1042 |
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| GGG 3/04/11 Same train pass signal bridge - 1043 | GGG 3/04/11 Can you see the DEER ? - 1044 | GGG 3/04/11 Boeing 747-8F over Hill 582 - 1045 |
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| DET 2/07/11 AMT 817 WB on # 3 Hill 582 - 1046 | GGG 3/11/11 UP 2002 Olympic EB Hill 582 - 1047 | GGG 3/11/11 BNSF 7273 WB w/FRA 220 - 1048 |
| Photo 1047: UP 2002 is almost 10 years old and still looking good. Photos 1048 - 1049: FRA Track Geometry Car going downhill on MT-3. Here is a link to give some data for this FRA 220: http://www.trainweb.org/ultradomes/dotx/220.html . Photo 1050: This UP SB is rolling on UP tracks near fromer Tunnel 1. Photos 1051 - 1052: UP NB on UPT with Wind Turbine parts heading for Tehachapi. | ||
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| GGG 3/11/11 FRA Car on # 3 WB - 1049 | GGG 3/11/11 UP 5456 SB on UPT, T-1 area - 1050 | DET 2/11/11 UP NB on UPT - 1051 |
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| DET 2/11/11 Wind Turbine parts - 1052 | DET 1/17/11 UP 5516 EB at Hill 582 - 1053 | GGG 3/11/11 BNSF 7388 EB Hesperia - 1054 |
| Photos 1055 - 1056: Amtrak dealy: BNSF SD70MAC 9615 was added to # 3 in La Junta, Colorado, because of an ailing Amtrak P42DC # 45. Also, slow orders through Kansas and Colorado due to signal problems (reportedly copper theft), and then setting out # 45 in Albuquerque, New Mexico added to the "lateness". From a very cool, cloudy and windy "Gray's Hill" at MP 39.1. Photo 1057: The Searchlight signals from Hesperia to Frost (so far) are being replaced with vertical signal heads --- taken from under the Main St Bridge in Hesperia. (GGG) | ||
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| GGG 3/26/11 Delayed Amtrak # 3 at MP 39.1 - 1055 | GGG 3/26/11 BNSF # 9615 leads AMT WB - 1056 | GGG 3/26/11 New Signals at Hesperia - 1057 |
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Last Tuesday morning (3/29/11) was Great. Marc & I went up to
the Hill overlooking the BNSF Flyover at Cajon Sub MP 39.1 to see the first
revenue run of four BRAND NEW ES44C4's. We were pleased to see 19 trains in
3 Hrs --- just like the old days. Photos 1061, 1062, 1067, 1068: BNSF 6656, 6657, 6658 & 6655 are WB at MP 39.1. Photo 1063: BNSF 7200 with BNSF 9292 & BNSF 9615 EB at MP 39.1 --- interesting in that: BNSF 9292 is a seldom seen (in these parts) BNSF SD70ACe. BNSF 9615 is the SD70MAC that lead AMT # 3 WB into LA on 3/26/11 (photos 1055 - 1056) --- returning to coal drag service. (GGG) |
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| GGG 3/29/11 BNSF WB w/4 new ES44C4 - 1061 | GGG 3/29/11 # 6656, 6657, 6658, 6655 - 1067 | GGG 3/29/11 BNSF WB intermodal - 1062 |
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| GGG 3/29/11 Elephant style ES44C4 - 1068 | GGG 3/29/11 BNSF 7200 EB at MP 39.1 - 1063 | GGG 3/29/11 UP 8425 WB on the flyover - 1070 |
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| GGG 3/29/11 UP 7858/3948 DPU's - 1071 | GGG 3/29/11 BNSF 5026 WB intermodal - 1072 | GGG 3/29/11 BNSF 7447/5214 DPU's - 1073 |
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Today (4/02/11), PRS sponsored an AMTRAK lead special from LA to Bakersfield
(via the Cajon and Tehachapi passes). Marc, naturally, is aboard and was
able to keep me informed as to the train's location. Photos were taken from the UPRR crossing of
(DRR) Davis Ranch Road (just above BNSF CP Walker). Infos about this Pacific RR Society Special: http://www.pacificrailroadsociety.org/excursions/EXC542%20Tehachapi%204-2-11/542%20FLYER%201-24-11-3.pdf Photos 1074 - 1075: The Pacific Railroad Society Special came back from Bakersfield on Sunday 4/03/11 and we got it at Alray (former Tunnel area) on UPT. |
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| GGG 4/02/11 BNSF 7372 EB at DRR on MT-1 - 1064 | GGG 4/02/11 AMT 156 (PRS) NB at DRR - 1065 | GGG 4/02/11 PRS Special NB at DRR (UPT) 1066 |
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| GGG 4/02/11 BNSF 7480 EB at DDR - 1069 | ED/GGG 4/03/11 AMT 156 WB PRS at Alray 1074 | ED/GGG 4/03 AMT WB Full Dome at Alray - 1075 |
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Yesterday (4/13/11), Marc, Bob Widholm and I hosted a guest
from Oregon at Frost (MP 38) and at the flyover (MP 39.1). As you may know
the BNSF, between San Bernardino and the Flyover is normally "LEFT-HAND
RUNNING" --- returning to "right-hand running" between the Flyover and
Barstow. Main track (MT) # 2 was closed just West of the flyover due to MoW work and it was a bit "interesting" explaining to our guest how WB trains would transition from MT # 1 to MT # 2 and back to MT # 1using only one switch movement. Photos 1076-1077: BNSF 7412 WB (on MT # 1) pulls to Frost to wait for --- Photos 1078-1079: BNSF 7913 EB to clear Frost --- the ditch light failure was reported to Barstow. Photo 1080: BNSF 7412 transitions to MT # 2 --- which will become MT # 1at the flyover --- 1.1 miles West of Frost. Photo 1081: UP 7876 waits in Victorville to proceed west --- BNSF 4071 will run to Hesperia and use the Cushenbury spur to run East to Lucerne Valley. Photos 1082-1083: UP 7876 WB and it's DPU transition from MT # 2 to MT # 1. Photo 1084: BNSF 7690 WB heads into the flyover. In photo 1078, please note the new vertical stack signals. In photo 1080, note the new equipment shed and loop antenna for the upcoming Positive Train Control system --- here are some infos: http://www.fra.dot.gov/pages/784.shtml --- Enjoy (GGG) |
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| GGG 4/13/11 BNSF 7412 WB MP 38 Frost - 1076 | GGG 4/13/11 BNSF WB intermodal MP 38 - 1077 | GGG 4/13/11 BNSF 7913 EB MP 38 Frost - 1078 |
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| GGG 4/13/11 BNSF EB passes WB train - 1079 | GGG 4/13/11 BNSF 7412 WB transition - 1080 | GGG 4/13/11 UP 7876 WB at MP 36.7 - 1081 |
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| GGG 4/13/11 UP 7876 WB MP 39.1 flyover - 1082 | GGG 4/13/11 mid-train DPU on UP WB - 1083 | GGG 4/13/11 BNSF 7690 WB MP 39.1 - 1084 |
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Last weekend (April 16/17, 2011), San
Bernardino, CA celebrated it's third annual Railroad Days. Infos on the link
below:
http://www.inlandempire.us/business/san-bernardino-railroad-days-april-16-17-2011/
I received images from several photographers (RS = Ryan Slaton, DW = Don Winslow, KS = Keith Schreiber, MF = Marc Fournier) and so I thought that I would combine them into album to tell the story. (GGG) Thanks guys for sharing your photos. And so, with permission: |
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| 4/16/11 San Bernardino Railroad Days Poster - 1091 | RS 4/16/11 ATSF 3751 about to leave LAUPT 1092 | DW 4/16/11 ATSF 3751 EB throu Claremont - 1093 |
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| KS 4/16/11 ATSF 3751 on flyover S.B. Depot - 1094 | MF 4/16/11 Arrival at S.B. Depot - 1095 | MF 4/16/11 ATSF 3751 under Mt. Vernon Ave. 1096 |
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| MF 4/16/11 Arrival at S.B. Depot - 1097 | MF 4/16/11 BNSF 6662 ES44C4 at S.B. - 1098 | MF 4/16/11 BNSF 1300 Genset Switcher - 1099 |
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| MF 4/16/11 Metrolink 878 on display S.B. - 1100 | MF 4/16/11 BNSF 7590 EB thru S.B. - 1101 | DW 4/16/11 ATSF 3751 WB throu Claremont - 1102 |
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We are back in the Pass with 3 photos of WSI and
one of each Hill 582, Flyover and Frost. Photos 1103-1104: Four new BNSF ES44C4's + BNSF 7348 are EB at Silverwood. Photo 1105: UP 4581 EB on #1 waits at Silverwood for a WB UP to move onto the UP/SP via the connector. Photos 1106-1107: Two rare ex-SP units are EB from Hill 582 and MP 39.1 (Flyover). Photo 1108: BNSF 5242 East passes the old and new signals at MP 38 (Frost). GGG/MF |
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| MF 4/10/11 BNSF 6671-6670 EB at WSI - 1103 | MF 4/10/11 DPU's EB (all ES44C4's) - 1104 | MF 4/16/11 UP 4581 EB at WSI - 1105 |
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| GGG 4/13/11 UP-SP 6235 EB Hill 582 - 1106 | GGG 4/13/11 UP 7393 w/SP 319 EB MP 39.1 1107 | GGG 4/13/11 BNSF 5242 EB MP 38 Frost - 1108 |
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| GGG 5/27/11 BNSF 7714 WB at WSI - 1109 | GGG 5/27/11 BNSF DPU's of 7714 WB - 1110 | GGG 5/27/11 UP 7907 EB at Hill 582 - 1111 |
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| GGG 5/27/11 UMAX Cont. owned by UP/CSX - 1112 | GGG 5/27/11 UP 8468 DPU of UMAX train - 1113 | GGG 5/27/11 Larry da Lizzard visits Hill 582 - 1114 |
| WSI (West Summit Island) - here, BNSF MT-3 splits from BNSF MT-1 and MT-2. In addition, UP has the Silverwood Connector between UPT and BNSF MT-1 | ||
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| GGG 6/06/11 Mt. Baldy still w/snow on top - 1115 | GGG 6/06/11 BNSF 7770 WB at WSI - 1116 | GGG 6/06/11 ATSF 162 GP60M warbonnet - 1117 |
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| GGG 6/06/11 BNSF 7777 & 7747 DPU's WB - 1118 | GGG 6/06/11 UP 5142 WB - 1119 | GGG 6/06/11 BNSF 7470 EB - 1120 |
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| GGG 6/06/11 BNSF EB meets BNSF WB - 1121 | GGG 6/06/11 BNSF 7244 WB - 1122 | GGG 6/06/11 BNSF DPU's for 7244 WB - 1123 |
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| GGG 6/06/11 UP 6645 WB onto Connector - 1124 | GGG 6/06/11 UP DPU's for 6645 WB - 1125 | GGG 6/08/11 BNSF 7911 WB MP 38 Frost - 1126 |
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| GGG 5/31/11 BNSF Business Train Hesperia - 1127 | DET 6/02/11 BNSF 7555 EB Officer's Special 1128 | DET 6/02/11 Same Train pass Hill 582 - 1129 |
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| DET 5/08/11 BNSF 5271 WB E. Barstow - 1130 | DET 5/08/11 BNSF 7824 EB Helendale - 1131 | DET 5/08/11 BNSF 7728 WB W. Barstow - 1132 |
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| DET 3/22/11 Herzog Rail Train Hill 582 - 1133 | DET 3/22/11 Same Herzog Rail Train - 1134 | DET 4/19/11 Hill 582 Damage - 1135 |
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Last week (June 24), Don Toles and I had two
visitors --- Chuck Donaldson (Portland, OR) and Werner Meer (Switzerland).
We had a great time and Don topped himself by introducing us to a new (to
us) place that he named "Noisy Point". Noisy Point (NP) is just BNSF
RR West of Interstate 15 and above the UP and BNSF CP Walker. From NP, we
can see Cajon Summit AND almost to Sullivan's curve - no trains can sneak up
upon you. The only drawback is the NOISE from I-15 --- and therefore, the NP
name. Photo 1145: This map shows how we normally access NP via USFS
3N53. Photos 1138 - 1147 were taken from NP (actually from the powerline
tower seen on photo 1137). CAUTION --- USFS 3N53 shares the tunnel under I-15 with the UP/SP tracks. Clearance is tight and so a close check of the signals and a visual check are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Access to USFS 3N53 may also be gained via Hwy 138W and Davis Ranch Road. (Gary G. Gray) |
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| GGG 6/24/11 Map w/Noisy Point - 1136 | GGG 6/24/11 Details: How to find NP - 1145 | GGG 6/24/11 NP is at the tower - 1137 |
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| GGG 6/24/11 BNSF 7724 WB (Tunnel 2) - 1138 | GGG 6/24/11 BNSF WB will pass I-15 - 1139 | GGG 6/24/11 BNSF WB at CP Walker - 1140 |
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| GGG 6/24/11 UP 5364 EB above CP Walker - 1141 | GGG 6/24/11 Same UP EB Baldy Mesa Rd - 1142 | GGG 6/24/11 UP EB above T-2 on UPT - 1143 |
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| GGG 6/24/11 UP EB above T-1 - 1144 | GGG 6/24/11 BNSF 6646 EB Baldy Mesa Rd 1146 | GGG 6/24/1 BNSF 7509 EB at Alray - 1147 |
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| GGG 6/20/11 BNSF 7558 WB Flyover MP39.1 - 1148 | GGG 6/22/11 BNSF 7706 WB Hill 582 - 1149 | KS 4/11/11 BNSF & UP WB at Silverwood - 1150 |
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I heard that the Ringling Brothers Barnum &
Baily Circus Train would be coming thru on it's way from Fresno to San
Diego. Went up to "Gray's Hill" (MP 39.1 - Flyover) and while waiting
(photos 1154 - 1157) I got 3 BNSF WB and 1 UP 7867 EB train. Photos 1158 -
1159: After I "lost the perfect sun", the Circus train appeared. The first
four cars are for the large animals. Photos 1160 - 1161: show the people
cars with the generator car. And finally photo 1162: The show equipment
cars. From Train Orders: The Red unit train is 5405 feet in length less host power. The RED Unit has 59 Cars = 4 Stocks, 2 COFC, 34 Coaches, 18 Flats, 1 Bi-Level (RBBX 84708). GGG |
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| GGG 7/12/11 BNSF 7779 WB on Flyover - 1154 | GGG 7/12/11 BNSF 7229 WB intermodal - 1155 | GGG 7/12/11 BNSF 7739 WB manifest - 1156 |
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| GGG 7/12/11 UP 7867 EB intermodal - 1157 | GGG 7/12/11 BNSF 7315 WB Circus Train - 1158 | GGG 7/12/11 First cars are for large animals - 1159 |
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| GGG 7/12/11 People cars - 1160 | GGG 7/12/11 and generator cars - 1161 | GGG 7/12/11 Show equipment cars - 1162 |
| Back on Hill 582 (photos 1163 - 1169). 1170 (1173 - 1175) = WSI seen from above UPT and 1171 = Alray (former Tunnel area). | ||
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| GGG 7/22/11 BNSF 6687 WB ethanol train - 1163 | GGG 7/22/11 BNSF 4352 - 4861 DPU's - 1164 | GGG 7/22/11 UP 7900 EB DBS on MT-2 - 1165 |
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| GGG 7/15/11 UP 7911 DPU EB DBS - 1166 | GGG 7/15/11 UP 8238 EB manifest on MT-1 - 1167 | GGG 7/15/11 UP 2004 (old GP60) EB - 1168 |
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| DET 7/22/11 CSX 201 - 460 NB on UPT - 1169 | DET 6/29/11 AMT # 3 WB (late) at WSI - 1170 | DET 6/24/11 BNSF 7393 WB at Alray - 1171 |
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| DET 6/29/11 UP 8507 EB Silverwood MT-1 - 1173 | DET 6/29/11 Same EB pass WSI - 1174 | DET 6/29/11 BNSF 7715 WB MT-2 pass WSI 1175 |
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| DET 6/24/11 BNSF 6646 EB from NP - 1176 | DET 6/24/11 BNSF 7724 WB Baldy Mesa Rd 1177 | DET 7/04/11 BNSF EB 4th of July on Hill 582 1178 |
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| DET 6/20/11 BNSF Officers Special H-582 - 1179 | DET 6/27/11 BNSF 7447 WB from UP 475 - 1180 | DET 6/27/11 UP 5069 SB from UP 475 Spot - 1181 |
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| DET 7/26/11 UP 5452 EB near DRR - 1185 | DET 7/26/11 UP EB w/GenSet 2738 DRR - 1186 | DET 7/27/11 UP 8082 NB on UPT at DRR - 1187 |
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| DET 7/27/11 UP NB w/ex. SP 6314 DRR - 1188 | DET 7/27/11 BNSF 7309 EB near DRR - 1189 | DET 7/29/11 UP 5078 SB from 475 Spot - 1190 |
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| DET 7/29/11 UP 5441 SB at 475 Spot - 1191 | DET 7/29/11 UP 7778 WB on BNSF MT-1 - 1192 | DET 7/29/11 UP 4255 WB at 475 Spot - 1193 |
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| This is almost a 360 degree view of the "Mormon Rocks" area. From left: Rock formation between Lone Pine Canyon Road and Highway 138, main Mormon Rocks, UP Track (car is parked next to it), Rocks facing to BNSF tracks 1 and 2 (not visible). I am highly impressed with the performance of the app for my space age iphone that was used to create this picture with minimal effort. Photo taken by Jan Olejnik. - 1206 | ||
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| GGG 9/16/11 BNSF 5145 EB Hill 582 - 1207 | GGG 9/02/11 BNSF 7670 WB on MT-3 - 1208 | GGG 9/02/11 Load of Wind Turbine Nacelle - 1209 |
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| GGG 9/02/11 Cajon Summit Fire (Oak Hills) - 1210 | GB 9/02/11 Erickson Air Crane water bomber 1211 | GGG 9/02/11 BNSF Meet at KCR (Frost) - 1212 |
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| DET 9/02/11 Fire near Summit above I-15 - 1228 | DET 9/02/11 Trucks are still rolling uphill - 1229 | DET 9/02/11 SkyCrane is dropping water - 1232 |
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Heard that the UP Special would be EB through here today (10/06/11). Seen
from "Gray's Hill" - BNSF Cajon Sub MP 39.1 (Flyover). Photo 1213: BNSF 7718 is WB to Hesperia for a trip EB on the Cushenbury line. Photos 1214-1216: BNSF 7289 is WB with ATSF 161, BNSF 140 & BNSF 3170 headed for work in the LA/SD areas. Photos 1218-1221: New UP SD-70 ACe's 8688 & 8698 lead the special EB. (GGG) |
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| GGG 10/06/11 BNSF 7718 WB (see above) - 1213 | GGG 10/06/11 BNSF 7289 w/4 axle units - 1214 | GGG 10/06/11 BNSF 140 GP60M - 1215 |
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| GGG 10/06/11 ex. AT&SF EMD GP60M - 1216 | GGG 10/06/11 BNSF 7406 WB Intermodal - 1217 | GGG 10/06/11 UP 8688/8698 SD70ACe's EB 1218 |
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| GGG 10/06/11 UP director's special EB - 1219 | GGG 10/06/11 UP 11-Car Special - 1220 | GGG 10/06/11 Heading for the Narrows - 1221 |
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Yesterday (10/07/11), I joined Don on Hill 582 for a few hours. Last weeks
rains provided us with clean cool air and a very bright sk --- so bright
that I had decided not to try much photography. That is, until we noticed
the ex-SP unit (UP/SP 6327) and UP 2001 (Olympic SD70M) in the power consist
of a UP train EB on the BNSF. I noticed the DC-9 fuselage as it passed by
the hill and then found that I had caught it in the first image. According to a 2 Oct Train Orders post, the DC-9 fuselage was loaded on a flat in Mojave, CA to be sent to W. Colton --- final destination unknown. (GGG) |
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| GGG 10/07/11 UP 5543 EB on BNSF MT-1 - 1222 | GGG 10/07/11 ex. SP unit and UP Olympic - 1223 | GGG 10/07/11 interesting power consist - 1224 |
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| GGG 10/07/11 DC-9 fuselage on flat car - 1225 | GGG 10/07/11 Brand new DPU UP 7527 - 1226 | GGG 10/07/11 BNSF EB w/all new UPS cont. 1227 |
| Photos 1237 - 1238: Martina McBride, a famous Country & Western Star, launched her new album with a cross country tour via private Amtrak train. Here, the train is EB on BNSF MT-3 passing Hill 582. http://www.theboot.com/2011/10/13/martina-mcbride-train-trip/ | ||
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| DET 10/10/11 Martina McBride Tour Train - 1237 | DET 10/10/11 Special lettering of superliners - 1238 | DET 10/20/11 UP EC-4 Track Geometry Car - 1239 |
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| DET 10/13/11 BNSF 7908 EB on MT-1 - 1240 | DET The traditional Hill 582 "Money Shot" - 1241 | DET 10/13/11 Bird feeder on Hill 582 - 1242 |
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| DET 10/13/11 Memorials w/BNSF 7544 EB - 1243 | DET 10/13/11 Plaque of W. Garner - 1244 | DET 10/13/11 Plaque: D. Burton & E. Delvers 1245 |
| Thanks to some rain and LOADS of HARD WORK by Don and a very few friends, Hill 582 is a truly lush oasis this year --- it has never looked better. The memorials were crafted and donated by Ruedi Schai (Switzerland). GGG | ||
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| DET 10/13/11 BNSF 7552 WB on MT-3 - 1246 | DET 10/13/11 take a rest on the bench - 1247 | DET 10/13/11 Memorials of Hill 582 - 1248 |
| As noted a few weeks ago, UP 844 has been on a long journey and finally got to Southern California. The weather was really WET, WINDY & COLD as you'll note in the images. Along with what seemed to be many hundreds of others Don, Marc, Keith, & I joined the throng to bring you the following photos. GGG | ||
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| DET 11/19/11 Hill 582 w/dramatic dark sky - 1303 | DET 11/19/11 UP 7179 EB at former tunnels - 1304 | DET 11/19/11 BNSF EB and UP on UPT - 1305 |
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| DET 11/19/11 Waiting for UP steam is over - 1306 | DET 11/19/11 Here comes UP 844 EB - 1307 | DET 11/19/11 Going uphill on MT2 - 1308 |
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| DET 11/19/11 UP 1996 as a helper - 1309 | DET 11/19/11 UP's streamliners - 1310 | DET 11/19/11 Dome and Obseravtion Car - 1311 |
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| MF 11/18/11 UP 1996 Bloomington, CA - 1249 | KS 11/19/11 UP 844+1996 at MP 57.2 - 1250 | GGG 11/19/11 UP 844+1996 at MP 39.1 - 1251 |
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| GGG 11/19/11 UP 844 EB at MP 39.1 - 1252 | GGG 11/19/11 Special passed the Flyover - 1253 | GGG 11/19/11 On the way to Victorville, CA - 1254 |
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| MF 11/19/11 UP Special EB at Daggett, CA - 1255 | GGG 11/19/11 Special on BNSF tracks going 1256 | GGG 11/19/11 onto UP tracks NB to Yermo - 1257 |
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| GGG 11/19/11 UP 844 arriving Yermo - 1258 | GGG 11/19/11 Close up of famous UP 4-8-4 - 1259 | GGG 11/19/11 UP Cheyenne Business Car - 1260 |
| BNSF
Latest Cajon Sub construction Project This new project will be difficult to explain and even more difficult to photograph however - - - - The Victor Valley has, for years, had only three legal East/West road crossings of the BNSF RR. With the population growth, any major storm, accident or construction causes tremendous congestion for people driving between Victorville / Hesperia and Apple Valley. The answer is described in the following Hesperia CA Web Site: http://cityofhesperia.us/index.aspx?NID=341 The Ranchero Rd extension will require a three track (for a future BNSF 3rd main ???) Railroad bridge. Also, the extension of Ranchero Rd east of the BNSF will require a very large box culvert and 30 feet of fill to raise the road above a major tributary that carries storm runoff to the Mojave River. So, a one half mile + shoo-fly is being built near THE HESPERIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BNSF MP 47-48) to accommodate RR traffic during bridge construction. GGG (Check all photos of this project here: http://www.trainmaster.ch/XC-11.htm ) |
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| GGG 11/16/11 edited Google map of the area - 1261 | GGG 11/16/11 BNSF 7457 EB showing the shoo-fly to the East of the Main Line - 1262 | GGG 11/16/11 UP 7815 EB at MP 48 West end of shoo-fly - 1263 |
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| GGG 11/16/11 MP 48 East end of shoo-fly - 1264 | GGG 11/16/11 Looking East from the tracks at the extension of Ranchero Rd and the new box culvert - 1265 | MF 11/16/11 BNSF 7449 is EB at MP 48 - 1266 |
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Nov 16, 2011: Marc and I hosted Ruedi and Martin (Switzerland) at
"Gray's Hill & Frost last week. Unfortunately, traffic was very light. After
waiting for an hour at Frost, we finally heard a crossing horn from
Victimville. So, what shows up but the slightly OVERPOWERED local on its way
to the Cushenbury cement plants. 1267-1268: BNSF 5041 with the
Cushenbury turn. 1269-1270: BNSF 7259 is WB at Frost. Nov 19, 2011: While waiting on Gray's Hill, we heard that UP 844 needed to stop for 25 minutes at Cajon Summit. The DS responded that the stop would be fine since he had the systems HOTTEST Train right behind the 844 and would run BNSF 7259 around him. 1271: BNSF 7259, with plenty of power, is EB at MP 39.1-- the super "Z" train. 1272: BNSF is EB thru Daggett while a WB waits for UP 844 to clear onto UP trackage. 1273: BNSF 7367 is EB through Daggett. 1274: UP 5812, in Yermo, is ready to head SB to BNSF trackage at Daggett. 1275: From a while back: BNSF 7449 is EB @ MP 48 (Shoo-FLY). GGG |
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| GGG 11/16/11 BNSF 5041 WB Local - 1267 | GGG 11/16/11 Local is passing WBCS Frost - 1268 | GGG 11/16/11 BNSF 7259 WB at Frost - 1269 |
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| GGG 11/16/11 BNSF WB at Frost - 1270 | GGG 11/19/11 BNSF BNSF 7259 on Flyover - 1271 | GGG 11/19/11 BNSF EB thru Daggett - 1272 |
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| GGG 11/19/11 BNSF 7367 EB Daggett - 1273 | GGG 11/19/11 UP 5812 SB Yermo - 1274 | MF 11/16/11 BNSF 7449 EB MP 48 Shoo-Fly 1275 |
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12/06/11: Progress is rapidly being made on the Ranchero Rd extension
including the BNSF Shoo-fly in Hesperia. One of the major problems is storm
water drainage. Hesperia has a long history flooding during our infrequent
but very heavy rain storms. Yesterday, Marc and I surveyed the projects
progress. Train traffic was very heavy. 1284-1285: The eastward extension Ranchero Rd. BTW, The storm drain is an eight foot pipe and will drain into the stream bed down near the box culvert. 1286-1287: Guess I caused some confusion with my comments about the Hesperia "International" Airport. This airport is a small general aviation facility with a 3900 x 50 foot runway. From the air, this runway looks like a sidewalk --- Here is the airport and its "fleet" of mostly unflyable aircraft. |
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| GGG 12/06/11 The first of the two Shoo-fly tracks is being "dressed" - 1279 | GGG 12/06/11 BNSF 6788 is WB - 1280 | GGG 12/06/11 BNSF 7708 is EB with the empty ethanol train - 1281 |
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| GGG 12/06/11 AMT WB train #3 (5 hrs late) - 1282 | GGG 12/06/11 BNSF 6788 is WB - 1283 | GGG 12/06/11 Huge 8 foot pipe - 1284 |
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| GGG 12/06/11 Water drainage being built - 1285 | GGG 12/06/11 Hesperia Airport - 1286 | GGG 12/06/11 Aircraft at Hesperia Airport - 1287 |
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| GGG 12/09/11 UP 5391 NB at Hiland (UPT) - 1291 | GGG 12/09/11 BNSF 6763 WB Hill 582 (MT3) 1292 | GGG 12/09/11 UP 3960 Hesperia MP 48 - 1293 |
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Hesperia: 1294-1295: BNSF 6686/6715 are deadheading WB (pass
Hesperia) for duty as the 2011 BNSF City of Hope Hospital Christmas Train.
From MP 48 (Shoo-FLY area) Hesperia: 1296: Steel beams are stockpiled for the soon to be built BNSF bridge over the Ranchero Road extension. 1297-1299: UP 8523 & BNSF 7330 are headed for a meet at MP 48. (GGG) |
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| GGG 12/15/11 BNSF Christmas Train WB - 1294 | GGG 12/15/11 Heading for San Bernardino - 1295 | GGG 12/23/11 Steel beams for BNSF Bridge - 1296 |
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| GGG 12/23/11 UP 8523 WB at MP 48 - 1297 | GGG 12/23/11 BNSF 7330 EB at MP 48 - 1298 | GGG 12/23/11 UP-BNSF Meet at MP 48 - 1299 |
| 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) | ||
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| 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 |
| These are the last photos of the year 2011. Take a look at our 2012 Cajon photo page - click here | ||
