Cajon Pass California - 2024 railroad photo collection

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:
Bruce "Doc" Jones (BHJ)

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.

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

updated: January 4, 2024

Last WED (24-03-13), Marc & I decided that we should journey to West Summit Island (WSI), to meet with Bob & Paul who were already camped there. For those who are not familiar, WSI is about 1.4 RR miles RR East of Hill 582 and is situated very close to where BNSF Main Tracks 1, 2 & 3 run close together and pass through Cajon Summit. GGG, Marc, Bob, Paul and Snoopy

GGG - 3/13/24 - 4006 Bob, Marc & Paul are obviously relaxed while awaiting the next train.	GGG - 3/13/24 - 4007 It is truly GREAT, how much positive & friendly reaction the U.S. flag and the "BEST WISHES" sign got from the train crews. IT WAS TRULY AMAZING & NOISY!

GGG - 3/13/24 - 4008 Two well-preserved true war bonnet units sandwich a KCS (CPKCS) unit WB at WSI. The mismatched panels were noted.	GGG - 3/13/24 - 4009 Paul & I photographed a nine unit BNSF "power move" WB on MT-3.

GGG - 3/13/24 - 4010 This nine unit BNSF "power move" WB may go to W. Colton Yard and/or the docks.	GGG - 3/13/24 - 4011 Paul & I caught a near six hour late AMTRAK #3 WB. The lateness can probably be explained by the addition of the BNSF freight unit for motive power.

GGG - 3/13/24 - 4012 Paul & I caught a near six hour late AMTRAK #3 WB. The lateness can probably be explained by the addition of the BNSF freight unit for motive power.	GGG - 3/13/24 - 4013 Greetings being exchanged with the crew of UP 2683 East

GGG - 3/13/24 - 4014 BNSF 3629 is EB at WSI on BNSF MT-1.	GGG - 3/13/24 - 4015 A sight seldom seen lately---BNSF 6032 leads a FULL stack train down the 3+% grade of what is now BNSF MainTrack (MT-3). Most heavy trains now use BNSF Mains MT-1 & MT-2 which are around 2%, leaving MT-3 for light stuff like AMTRAK.

GGG - 3/13/24 - 4016 Some will remember Bob's K-9 constant railfan companion named JAZZ, THE WONDER DOG. Time caught-up with Jazz, and Bob rescued a new K-9 railfan friend named Snoopy. As you can see, Snoopy is only barely interested in all the action & noise of WSI.	GGG - 3/13/24 - 4017 UP 6433 climbs the UP Palmdale cutoff toward Tehachapi while in #4018 another long UP is EB on BNSF MT #01 toward Barstow/Yermo.

GGG - 3/13/24 - 4018 at the same time another long UP is EB on BNSF MT-1 toward Barstow/Yermo.	GGG - 3/13/24 - 4019 in front is the long UP is EB on BNSF MT-1 toward Barstow and above are the DPU's for the Palmdale train toward Tehachapi on the UPT. I was there, and it confuses me also !!

GGG - 3/13/24 - 4020 A colorful consist of 3 BNSF units, 2 NS units up front . . . .	GGG - 3/13/24 - 4021 . . . . and a trailing KCS DPU are EB at WSI.

GGG - 3/13/24 - 4022 Marc was told that this HEAVILY SECURED set of GIZMOs has something to do with 'DRONES and RAILROAD SECURITY'. This heavy duty pen was built next to the abandoned security shack at HWY 138 and Post Office RD (Cajon Summit).	GGG - 3/13/24 - 4023 On the way back to Marc's home via the UP Palmdale Cutoff MOW road, we caught UP 5394 SB toward Cajon Summit.
For those unfamiliar with American slang, a GIZMO is an unnamed thingy, without which, the larger unnamed thingy to which it is attached, will not work. - It was a GREAT & FUN DAY - GGG

updated: April 14, 2024

Haven't heard from many of you lately, so I thought I'd stir the TRAIN CHASING/LOVING pot a bit. Last Wed (24-04-10) Jorge & I drove down to West Summit Island (WSI) and Hill 582. It was a near perfect day with moderate train traffic.
Hope you enjoyed, GGG & JL

JL - 4/10/24 - 4024 (WSI)
BNSF 4219 is West Bound (WB) down BNSF Main Track (MT) #3 with it's 3% grade. GGG - 4/10/24 - 4025 (WSI)
Hill 582 as seen from WSI --- about 1.2 miles

GGG - 4/10/24 - 4026 (Hill 582)
BNSF 3883 is WB on MT #3. The end of 3883's train is still at Cajon Summit & can be seen stretching across the near top of this page/picture. The 3% grade of MT #3 is very obvious. JL - 4/10/24 - 4027 (Hill 582)
The San Gabriel Mountains (still with snow) with the Mormon Rocks below.

GGG - 4/10/24 - 4028 (Hill 582)
UP 7771 is an EB manifest with LOADS of power. However, we think the last 4 UP units were Dead In Tow. Those same four UP units appear to have been stored?? outside in salty air, for an extended period of time - with no maintenance. GGG - 4/10/24 - 4029 (Hill 582)
BNSF XXXX (unknown lead number) is a HIGH PRIORITY EB, "Running Around" the UP 7771 manifest mentioned in #4028.

GGG - 4/10/24 - 4030 (Hill 582)
UP 7303 is the trailing DPU for the EB manifest train mentioned in #4028 GGG - 4/10/24 - 4031 (Hill 582)
Two nicely maintained UP SD-70's head a "Wood Products" SB on the 2.2% grade of the UP/SP Palmdale cutoff.

GGG - 4/10/24 - 4032 (Hill 582)
BNSF 7972 is EB with another amply powered train. The GP-60 MAY be hitching a ride to Barstow for inspection &/or servicing---which would be a usual practice for diesel power units that work the Cities & the Ports of the L.A. area. JL - 4/10/24 - 4033 (Hill 582)
On the way home we ran across (not over) Robby the Rattler #25 who seems to have lost an encounter with some (not ours) vehicle. This Robby will probably make a good meal for the several ROAD RUNNERS we noted in the area.

updated: May 14, 2024

This past Saturday, May 11, long-standing (60+ years) bud Pete and I found some time for a quick day trip to Swarthout Canyon and Hill 582.

After a couple of so-so hours at Swarthout Cyn. Rd. aka Cozy Dell, we headed to DaDump for late breakfast. We got four or five there and then things picked up. Pete wanted to see Hill 582 so we headed there for the afternoon. We were in a light Santa Ana so the air was very clear. The light was lousy but the purpose of the trip was mostly social so all went well.
Doc Jones, Pete, GGG

BHJ - 5/11/24 - 4034
classic "wedge" of UP 7495 WB at Swarthout Cyn Rd. BHJ - 5/11/24 - 4035
an almost solid block of "Bezos Specials" (Jassey now) WB main 3 from Hill 582.

BHJ - 5/11/24 - 4036
"Horsies" on the point. NS 7553 EB from Hill 582.
Lots of these on BNSF lately. BHJ - 5/11/24 - 4037
You can see the whole train. BNSF 3860 WB Main 3.
Looks like a solid JB Hunt train.

updated: July 3, 2024

Last eve (June 28, 2024) was, at best, a frustrating photo opportunity. Not allowing for a fairly brisk breeze, a medium dust storm & a bit too little sunlight, to bother us, Jorge & I drove up to what's left of Gray's Hill to photograph cousin Elon's latest Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg SFB. OF course #I, while we were waiting, a couple of BNSF's best just happened to roll by. Of course #II, we were on the wrong side of the road /intersection, that has replaced Gray' Hill.
GGG & JL

GGG - 6/28/24 - 4038
BNSF MONSTER TRAIN is WB directly over the Flyover at MP 39.1 GGG - 6/28/24 - 4039
While the MONSTER train continues West, another BNSF is EB through the lower level of the Flyover headed toward BNSF FROST at MP 38.

GGG - 6/28/24 - 4040
Two pictures of the FOUR Mid-train DPU's in . . . . GGG - 6/28/24 - 4041
. . . . the aforementioned WB monster train.

GGG - 6/28/24 - 4042
A North East scenic view with the long EB BNSF holding at Frost

GGG - 6/28/24 - 4043
The previously mentioned dust storm near completely obliterates the, normally beautiful, plume of the second rocket stage. GGG - 6/28/24 - 4044
So ends my adventure into Low Light, Long Range & Dust storm photography!

We start our 2024 photo documentation with a visit of Bobby Deren on Hill 582.
Before his 2015 retirement, our friend & member of this group Bobby Deren was a B-747 Captain for UPS. His flying job often brought him into Ontario, CA airport and between flights he would join us on Hill 582 or here in Victimville. Although, we kept in E-mail contact, last week was his first in-person visit since 2015. OF COURSE, we had to meet Marc & visit Hill 582. January 4th was a very cool, windy and uncomfortable day but we braved the elements anyway.

GGG - 1/04/24 - 4002 - a dusting of snow on the mountains (Mt. Baldy) SW of the Hill.

GGG - 1/04/24 - 4001 Hill 582 w/memorials is looking good	GGG - 1/04/24 - 4003 Two old friends (Marc & Bobby) catching-up.

GGG - 1/04/24 - 4004 BNSF 5506 East approaches & passes the MP 58.2 control signals.	GGG - 1/04/24 - 4005 Close up of BNSF 5506 East passes the MP 58.2 control signals.

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
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

Haven't heard from many of you lately, so I thought I'd stir the TRAIN CHASING/LOVING pot a bit. Last Wed (24-04-10) Jorge & I drove down to West Summit Island (WSI) and Hill 582. It was a near perfect day with moderate train traffic. Hope you enjoyed, GGG & JL

JL - 4/10/24 - 4024 (WSI) BNSF 4219 is West Bound (WB) down BNSF Main Track (MT) #3 with it's 3% grade.	GGG - 4/10/24 - 4025 (WSI) Hill 582 as seen from WSI --- about 1.2 miles

GGG - 4/10/24 - 4026 (Hill 582) BNSF 3883 is WB on MT #3. The end of 3883's train is still at Cajon Summit & can be seen stretching across the near top of this page/picture. The 3% grade of MT #3 is very obvious.	JL - 4/10/24 - 4027 (Hill 582) The San Gabriel Mountains (still with snow) with the Mormon Rocks below.

GGG - 4/10/24 - 4028 (Hill 582) UP 7771 is an EB manifest with LOADS of power. However, we think the last 4 UP units were Dead In Tow. Those same four UP units appear to have been stored?? outside in salty air, for an extended period of time - with no maintenance.	GGG - 4/10/24 - 4029 (Hill 582) BNSF XXXX (unknown lead number) is a HIGH PRIORITY EB, "Running Around" the UP 7771 manifest mentioned in #4028.

GGG - 4/10/24 - 4030 (Hill 582) UP 7303 is the trailing DPU for the EB manifest train mentioned in #4028	GGG - 4/10/24 - 4031 (Hill 582) Two nicely maintained UP SD-70's head a "Wood Products" SB on the 2.2% grade of the UP/SP Palmdale cutoff.

GGG - 4/10/24 - 4032 (Hill 582) BNSF 7972 is EB with another amply powered train. The GP-60 MAY be hitching a ride to Barstow for inspection &/or servicing---which would be a usual practice for diesel power units that work the Cities & the Ports of the L.A. area.	JL - 4/10/24 - 4033 (Hill 582) On the way home we ran across (not over) Robby the Rattler #25 who seems to have lost an encounter with some (not ours) vehicle. This Robby will probably make a good meal for the several ROAD RUNNERS we noted in the area.

This past Saturday, May 11, long-standing (60+ years) bud Pete and I found some time for a quick day trip to Swarthout Canyon and Hill 582. After a couple of so-so hours at Swarthout Cyn. Rd. aka Cozy Dell, we headed to DaDump for late breakfast. We got four or five there and then things picked up. Pete wanted to see Hill 582 so we headed there for the afternoon. We were in a light Santa Ana so the air was very clear. The light was lousy but the purpose of the trip was mostly social so all went well. Doc Jones, Pete, GGG

BHJ - 5/11/24 - 4034 classic "wedge" of UP 7495 WB at Swarthout Cyn Rd.	BHJ - 5/11/24 - 4035 an almost solid block of "Bezos Specials" (Jassey now) WB main 3 from Hill 582.

BHJ - 5/11/24 - 4036 "Horsies" on the point. NS 7553 EB from Hill 582. Lots of these on BNSF lately.	BHJ - 5/11/24 - 4037 You can see the whole train. BNSF 3860 WB Main 3. Looks like a solid JB Hunt train.

Last eve (June 28, 2024) was, at best, a frustrating photo opportunity. Not allowing for a fairly brisk breeze, a medium dust storm & a bit too little sunlight, to bother us, Jorge & I drove up to what's left of Gray's Hill to photograph cousin Elon's latest Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg SFB. OF course #I, while we were waiting, a couple of BNSF's best just happened to roll by. Of course #II, we were on the wrong side of the road /intersection, that has replaced Gray' Hill. GGG & JL

GGG - 6/28/24 - 4038 BNSF MONSTER TRAIN is WB directly over the Flyover at MP 39.1	GGG - 6/28/24 - 4039 While the MONSTER train continues West, another BNSF is EB through the lower level of the Flyover headed toward BNSF FROST at MP 38.

GGG - 6/28/24 - 4040 Two pictures of the FOUR Mid-train DPU's in . . . .	GGG - 6/28/24 - 4041 . . . . the aforementioned WB monster train.

GGG - 6/28/24 - 4042 A North East scenic view with the long EB BNSF holding at Frost

GGG - 6/28/24 - 4043 The previously mentioned dust storm near completely obliterates the, normally beautiful, plume of the second rocket stage.	GGG - 6/28/24 - 4044 So ends my adventure into Low Light, Long Range & Dust storm photography!