Cajon Pass 2010 - Page 5/9

Updated: April 2, 2011

For bigger size photos - please click on the 4-digit number below each photo.

To get a better idea about these locations you can find 3 aerial photos (wich I took during this trip) with captions by Gary Gray.
Summit MP 55.9  195-1	West Summit Island MP 56.7  195-2	Silverwood MP 57.2  195-3

Part 1: Summit and Silverwood
On Saturday, May 29, 2010, after our visit to Hill 582, we went in the afternoon to Summit MP 55.9 with Beat & Christa Wüest. Summit is easy to reach using Hwy 138 from I-15 intersection going uphill. Just above Summit Cut there is a space for parking the car and you can look down to Summit. All 3 BNSF tracks are together with switches to move trains from one to the other track. The UP track (Colton-Palmdale) cutoff is above BNSF Summit and is called: Hiland. Hardly visible on photo 2146 above left (below powerline towers).
BNSF Summit looking East - 2146	BNSF WB DBS on MT-3 - 2147	Security office at left - 2148
train is changing from MT-3 to MT-2 - 2149	rolling into Summit cut - 2150	no comment - 2151
BNSF 7803 = GE ES44DC - 2152	BNSF 4020 = GE C44-9W - 2153	Summit curve looking West - 2154
Engines will soon reach WSI - 2155	we have a solid DBS train - 2157	Werner ready for the next photo - 8003 BW
the ladies and Beat are railfanning - 2158	because it is a long train - 2159	there is always time to talk - 2165
detail of two double stack well cars - 2160	MOL containers are at the end - 2161	the last cars leaving Summit curve - 2162
our DBS train can be seen in the distance - 2167	Security pick up coming home - 2168	the security office is at Summit - 2169
UP SB on UPT cutoff at Hiland - 2171	UP mixed freight going downhill - 2172	mid train helpers - 2173
On Sunday, May 30, 2010, instead of visitting Hill 582 again, we decided to go to Silverwood with Beat & Christa Wüest. Silverwood is below Summit at MP 57.2X (see aerial photos 195-2 and 195-3) From Hwy 138 we took the Powerline road (USFS 3N45) and before BNSF MT-3 we made a left turn and drove up to the Silverwood lookout (space for 3-4 cars). Here we can see all 4 tracks (BNSF and UP). No wonder, once all 4 tracks were occupied with a train at the same time. Do not be surprised why the ladies are running around with an umbrella. Christa offered her Cowboy hat to Werner because of the heavy burned ears.
Silverwood lookout has nice size parking - 2482	Werner, Beat & Christa busy talking - 6597 MM	sun protection for Christa & Melinda - 2448
BNSF WB TOFC on MT-2 - 2449	the engines just passed WSI - 2450	Powerline road overpass - 2452
4 GE locos on 2,2% grade track - 2453	BNS 7756/7752 = ES44DC locos - 2454	ths is a solid TOFC train - 2455
rolling downhill toward Hill 582 - 2456	same train with more cars pass WSI - 2457	guarantee no sunburn, our train is at right - 2458
the engines are already at Hill 582 - 2459	more trailers pass Powerline road - 2460	Roadway and UPS mark end of train - 2461
BNSF WB DBS/TOFC on MT-3 - 2462	the train is still at WSI - 2463	getting closer - 2464
RR-Xing of Powerline road - 2465	BNSF 7482 = GE ES44DC, built 2008 - 2466	we are elevated to MT-3 - 2467
2nd unit BNSF 7697 = GE ES44DC - 2468	4 units are taking the curve downhill - 2469	after the DBS cars are TOFC's in the distance - 2470
after Schneider are J.B. Hunt containers - 2471	above the engines is Hill 582 - 2472	close up of Hill 582 - 2473
2 Werner trailers are also included - 2474	I am always happy to see WE trailers - 2476	light blue is the color of WE company - 2477
did you see the WE page? - click here - 2479	several Swift trailers are at the back - 2480	long train snaking down on MT-3 - 2481
BNSF EB bare table (empty DBS cars) - 2483	Beat & Werner in action - 6598 MM	BNSF 7538 & 7457 = ES44DC's - 2484
2 locos are good enough for the empty cars - 2485	diff. grade: MT-3 = 3%, MT-1/2 = 2,2 % - 2486	running around like crazy - 6599 MM
Santa Fe Econo Stack Cars - 2487	BNSF Twin Stack Cars - 2488	Beat taking pictures - 6600 MM
TTX Well Cars - 2489	even graffiti does not stop on these cars - 2490	how convenient, waiting for the next train - 8043 BW
MM said, go out and chase the trains - 2491	yes madam, here comes a UP EB on MT-2 - 2492	UP 7705 = GE C45AC/CTE, built 2007 - 2493
UP 4122 = EMD SD70M, built 2000 - 2494	UP 9806 = GE C44-9W, built 1994 - 2495	the engines are crossing Powerline Road - 2496
Today, we were very lucky as we got 4 trains at the same time at Silverwood. The first train was a UP EB DBS on BNSF MT-2 going uphill (see photos 2492 - 2497). The second train was again a UP using the Silverwood connector from BNSF to UP tracks (starting with photo 2498). The third train was a BNSF EB (bare table) on MT-1 (starting with photo 2506). And finally train no. 4 was a BNSF WB coming down on MT-3 (starting with photo 2513). To see all 4 trains on the same picture, we should have a panoramic camera.
UP EB on BNSF MT-2 is train no. 1 - 2497	train 1 at left, train 2 at right - 2498	train 2: UP WB at powerline tower - 2499
meet of train 1 and 2 (left of tower) - 2500	train 1: UP EB DBS w/K Line cont. - 2501	the overlook is almost eye level to MT-1/2 - 6602 MM
engines of train 2 are above train 1 - 2502	this UP train moved from BNSF to UPT - 8034 BW	Powerline road is crossing all tracks - 6604 MM
both trains pass Powerline road - 2503	Beat is thinking of the next photo - 2504	the cowboys are looking at the trains - 6605 MM
Cajon is the place for great activities - 2505	first engines of UP train 2 on UPT - 6606 MM	both "boys" are very exited - 6607 MM
Christa is also active in taking photos - 6608 MM	between the containers is a BNSF loco EB - 2506	UP DPU's helping the UP DBS EB train 1 - 6609 MM
First, we did not realize train 3 as it was also coming uphill on MT-1, parallel to the UP DBS on MT-2. On photo 2506, just behind the Evergreen container is one of the two BNSF locos visible. On photo 6609, this train 3 cannot be seen because the UP (train 1) DBS cars and locos are covering the empty DBS cars. But when you look close on photo 2507, you can see a well car left of the UP DPU's (helpers). On photo 2508, there is a undecorated F40PH included in the UP SB (train 2) and just below we can see the top of a DBS well car, which belongs to train 3 and the last UP DPU of train 1.
Above train 2: UP SB w/5 units and F40PH - 2507	This F40PH is probably a transfer - 2508	Train 1 above and train 3 below - 6611 MM
One shot = 3 trains on one picture - 6612 MM	the parallel race on BNSF MT-1 and MT-2 - 2509	soon, the BNSF train 3 will slow down - 8042 BW
Train 3: BNSF EB is slowing down - 2510	because train 1; UP EB is having priority - 2511	Auto racks on train 2 above DBS train 1 - 2512
Beat & Werner can see train 4 at right - 6613 MM	here we go - train 4 is a BNSF WB DBS - 2513	behind train 4 is still train 1 going to summit - 2514
full size graffiti box car on UP train 2 - 2515	who did ever expect to see a 4th train - 6615 MM	train 2: UP, train 3: BNSF, train 4: BNSF - 2516
left BNSF train 3, right BNSF train 4 - 6617 MM	BNSF EB on MT-1, BNSF WB on MT-3 - 2517	DPU's of UP train 2, below train 3 - 2518
BNSF EB train 3 is on hold - 2519	train 4 with 4 GE diesels on MT-3 - 2520	just before Powerline road X-ing - 6620 MM
BNSF 7768 = GE ES44DC, built 2005 - 2521	empty DBS cars of train 3 are above train 4 - 2522	2nd unit # 5265 = C44-9W, built 2001 - 2523
nice view because we are elevated to MT-3 - 2524	train 3 and 4 can be seen - 2525	soon, train 3 will slowly start moving - 2526
once again, 3 trains visible - 2527	no comment - 2528	diff. angle taken by Melinda - 6623 MM
lots of J.B. Hunt containers - 2529	nice mix of containers on train 4 - 6624 MM	see the diff. angle between photo 2530 and 6625 MM
Schneider and J.B. Hunt containers - 2530	both trains are passing Hill 582 - 2532	Hill 582 in the middle of train 4 and train 2 - 2533
Beat takes one more photo - 2531	train 3 (BNSF EB) is rolling uphill above - 2534	after the DBS cars are some TOFC's - 2536
last photo before the trains are gone - 2535	we are leaving the Silverwood overlook - 6626 MM	and go back to Powerline road - 6630 MM
We were satisfied at this location as we had great activities. We are leaving Silverwood on these dirt roads (6626 - 6630) from the overlook and go back on Powerline road (3N45) to Hwy 138 and proceed to Alray (former Tunnel area). These photos will be shown in the future on a separate page. Just be patient as it takes a while to prepare the photos.

Part 2: Lugo - Summit and West Summit Island (Silverwood)
June 2, 2010: As we are driving on Summit Valley Road coming from Hesperia, we got a UP EB train on BNSF tracks at Lugo (East of Summit)
6/02/10 UP EB intermodal train  - 4217	Summit Valley Road is now paved - 4218	- 4219
- 4220	there are even some Auto Carriers - 4221	- 4222
DPU's are visible - 4223	- 4224	last photo of this location - 4225
6/02/10: Cajon Summit as seen from Highway 138 above the Summit cut. There is enough space to park the car. Photos 4226 - 4229 show a Union Pacific NB mixed freight on the UPT (former SP) at Hiland (Colton-Palmdale Cutoff). Photos 4230 - 4243 show BNSF Summit with a BNSF EB Double Stack train on MT-1.
6/02/10 UP NB at Hiland - 4226	left above UP Hiland, below BNSF Summit - 4227	UP mixed freight heading for Palmdale - 4228
UP DPU's w/mixed freight - 4229	BNSF Summit Curve looking West - 4230	BNSF EB on MT-1 - 4231
EB intermodal heading for Barstow - 4232	Triple track will end at Lugo - 4233	BNSF 7403 = GE ES44DC - 4234
BNSF 7607 = GE ES44DC - 4235	- 4236	Summit looking East - 4237
New signal bridge at Summit - 4238	- 4239	- 4240
- 4241	- 4242	End of train w/tank containers - 4243
6/02/10: West Summit Island MP 56.7 (WSI) is below Summit Curve and between BNSF MT-1/2 and MT-3. This location is actually Silverwood. A great place to watch trains close up. We can also see the Silverwood Connector which connects BNSF MT-1 with the UPT. Therefore, UP can switch trains coming from Colton Yard to Barstow and Daggett (both directions). All photos were taken from WSI (see photos at the end).
6/02/10 BNSF WB leaving Summit Curve - 4244	Going downhill on MT-2 - 4245	BNSF MT-3 at right - 4246
BNSF 4082 = GE C44-9W - 4247	BNSF 7863 = GE ES44DC built 2010 - 4248	- 4249
- 4250	The engines did already pass USFS 3N45 - 4253	Signal bridge EBCS Silverwood - 4251
- 4254	nice view from the inside of our van - 6720 MM	- 4255
chasing trains at its best - 6721 MM	sitting on the trunk and taking pictures - 6722 MM	still not tired to get up - 6723 MM
- 4256	- 4257	WSI is a safe place for railfanning - 4258
next BNSF WB at Summit curve - 4260	it is again on MT-2 - 4261	BNSF 7468 = ES44DC built 2008 - 4262
5 locos will use their dynamic brakes - 4263	taking photo 4264 from the seat - 6725 MM	first loco pass EBCS Silverwood - 4264
Eye level with the locos - 6726 MM	time to get up for another shot - 6727 MM	no time to rest - 6728 MM
the result of taking photo 6727- 4265	- 4266	- 4267
the engines are passing 3N45 . . . - 4268	. . . and a BNSF EB is coming on MT-1 - 4269	BNSF WB in front of EB intermodal - 4270
WB intermodal on MT-2 - 4271	engines of EB are visible above containers - 4272	still the same WB train - 4273
EB train is getting closer - 4274	- 4275	first loco between the containers - 4276
now, the EB locos pass EBCS Silverwood - 4277	. . . and will soon enter Summit curve - 4278	finally, we can see the end of the WB train - 4279
- 4280	last cars of the WB are rolling downhill - 4281	and the EB intermodal is keep on going - 4282
- 4283	at the end are some TOFC cars - 4284	last photo of BNSF EB toward Summit - 4285
watch, a UP EB is coming uphill - 6731 MM	it is on MT-1 above MT-3 at 3N45 . . . - 4286	. . and is finally coming around the curve - 6732 MM
ready to take photo 4287 - 6733 MM	only one loco in front and one at the rear end - 4287	all solid double stack train - 4288
taking the next photo - 6735 MM	UP 7426 = GE C45ACCTE built 2009 - 4289	4400 HP - 4290
it is rolling under the signal bridge - 4291	UP is having trackage rights on BNSF . . . - 4292	. . . from San Bernardino to Daggett - 6736 MM
single well car - 4293	checking the camera (nothing missed?) - 6729 MM	the rear end DPU can be seen - 4294
this train has just 2 locos - 4295	UP 7809 = GE C45ACCTE built 2008 - 4296	it is remote controlled from the front end - 4297
pass EBCS Silverwood . . . - 4298	. . . and continue into Summit curve - 4299	last photo of this UP EB train - 4300
a BNSF WB rounding Summit Curve . . . - 4301	. . . and rolling down to WSI on MT-2 - 4302	4 locos are at the front end - 4303
- 4304	BNSF 7727 = GE ES44DC - 4305	BNSF 7715 is full of graffiti - 4306
going downhill toward Hill 582 - 4307	graffiti is all over the cars - 4308	- 4309
lumber car - 4310	the engines pass already 3N45 - 4311	- 4312
- 4313	- 4314	- 4315
- 4317	even the modern reefers are already . . . - 4318	. . . covered with lots of graffiti - 4319
2 rear end DPU's (helpers) - 4320	BNSF 7764 + 7749 = ES44DC - 4321	end of train - 4322
last train of the day is a UP NB on UPT - 4330	coming from Colton and going to Palmdale - 4331	UP 5393 = GE C45ACCTE built 2005 - 4332
UP 5427 = GE C45ACCTE built 2005 - 4333	UP 5405 = GE C45ACCTE built 2005 - 4334	UP 5424 = GE C45ACCTE built 2005 - 4335
blooming Yucca plant - 4336	heading for Hiland - 4337	once again, almost all cars are . . . - 4338
. . . having  graffiti - 4339	how about in adding some graffiti . . . - 4340	. . . to the model freight cars? - 4341
- 4342	- 4343	- 4344
- 4345	- 4346	- 4347
- 4348	- 4349	- 4350
- 4351	- 4352	- 4353
- 4354	- 4355	- 4356
- 4357	- 4358	- 4359
- 4360	- 4361	only lumber cars are clean - 4362
DPU 5403 = GE C45ACCTE built 2005 - 4363	last photo of this UP NB train - 4364	it is quiet again at WSI and Silverwood - 4365
WSI: MT-3 left and MT-2/MT-1 right - 4326	we can drive up on top of WSI . . . - 4327	. . . and do not need a 4 wheel drive - 4325
The famous Hill 582 is also located between the BNSF tracks, but further down at MP 58.2. West Summit Island is at Silverwood, MP 56.7. Here, BNSF MT-3 is starting the 3 % grade down to Cajon Station/Junction. BNSF MT-1 and MT-2 are having a softer grade of 2,2 %. WSI is maintained by Jerry Shinar for us Railfans. It can be reached from Highway 138 - go to Powerline Road (USFS road 3N45) - cross BNSF MT-3 and follow MT-3 uphill to WSI.
no comment - 4324	WSI is leveled for easy use - 4328	EBCS Silverwood signal bridge - 4329
Larry - the lizard is watching us - 4323	Memorial plate on WSI - 4252	just another crazy Railfan, not my problem - 4316
With these photos we say good bye to West Summit Island (WSI). You can see more photos of other locations. Just come back to our 2010 Cajon Pass Photo Collection Main Page (link below).

Here you find some maps and more infos about Cajon Pass (maps) and the Tunnels, which are gone

Go back to Cajon Pass Main Page - click here