Cajon Pass 2010 - Page 8/9

Updated: April 30, 2011

For bigger size photos - please click on the 4-digit number below each photo. Not every photo has a comment/caption.

To get a better idea about these locations you can find 6 aerial photos (wich I took during this trip). At the bottom of this page is a map with captions. More aerial photos of Cajon can be seen here: click here
Overview Mormon Rock Area - 4038	Looking West: Hwy 138 in the middle  - 4040	Highway 138 bridge over BNSF MT-3 - 4041
BNSF MT-1 and MT-2 w/Cajon Creek bridge - 4074	Looking North: UPT, BNSF MT-1 & 2, MT-3 - 4072	BNSF MT-3 and I-15 (Steins Hill) - 4075

Part 1 - Friday, May 28, 2010

On Friday, May 28, 2010, we were coming from Barstow in the late afternoon (on the way to San Bernardino), we quickly got off Interstate 15 at Highway 138 exit. Here is the Pine Lodge - Mormon Rocks Area. From Highway 138, we do have good access to BNSF MT-1, MT-2, MT-3 and the UPT as well.
Cajon Pass' famed "Mormon Rocks" are a series of cemented sandstone beds much more resistant to erosion than the surrounding gravel and silt sands, giving them a pockmarked appearance. Officially called the Rock Candy Mountains, the strange rock formations are one of the youngest and most active geological regions in North America. Formed by the overlapping of the Baja Plate and the North American Plate, the Mormon Rocks (so nicknamed because this was the preferred route of Amasa Lymand and Charles Rich, who led a band of Mormon settlers from Salt Lake City across the Mojave Desert in 1851) are a visible indicator of the San Andreas Fault (where the two aforementioned tectonic plates collide). Written by Craig Walker, Nov 13, 2010
BNSF MT-1 and MT-2 under Hwy 138 - 1208	BNSF MT-2 is the new 3rd MT  - 1209	photos of the 3rd MT construction: click here - 1210
Sandstone Rock formations between BNSF - 1211	Mormon Rocks w/UPT in the middle - 1213	Ex. SP bridge (now UP) over Hwy 138 - 1214
Our first train is a BNSF WB on MT-2 downhill from Davis Ranch Road (as we can see in the distance on 1192 and 1193). Yes, I am aware, the sun is not on our side but there was really no time because we already saw this train when we came down the freeway just before the exit to Hwy 138. We were actually just rolling over the locos of this BNSF WB train. So, big rush to catch it before it was gone.
BNSF WB coming from DRR - 1192	first loco passes MP 61.4 X - 1193	Rolling over Cajon Creek bridge - 1194
BNSF 7383 = GE ES44DC built 2010 - 1195	2nd unit 7858 = GE ES44DC built 2010 - 1196	Rolling under Highway 138 bridge - 1197
the famous Mormon Rocks . . . - 1198	. . . are always a great background . . . - 1199	. . . for any train . . . - 1200
. . . and on top, easy to reach - 1201	this bridge was wide enough for the 3rd MT - 1202	the pavement is a leftover of old Hwy 138 - 1203
many intermodal trains are combined . . . - 1204	. . . double stack container's and TOFC's - 1205	end of BNSF WB train - 1206
On photo 1207 we can see the end of the BNSF WB train (I am standing on the other side of Hwy 138). Photo 1215 shows Highway 138 overpass (over BNSF MT-1 and MT-2) and photo 1207 was taken from the retaining wall on the right side. Now, I am standing above the UPT and on photo 1216 we can see a UP NB coming thru the cut in the distance. And finally, we made it to the sunny side of the tracks! Let me quickly explain one more thing. As we all know, a train does not only exist of the locos but actually of all the freight cars, I am always taking plenty photos to show several positions of the train and the different cars. Well, it is almost like a movie with still pictures. Therefore, this UP NB is having 37 photos ! !
the WB is already rolling thru Sullivans Curve - 1207	Highway 138 is our "service road" - 1215	UP NB on UPT coming thru the cut - 1216
4 locos are pulling a mixed freight - 1217	1218	here is the switch of the UP siding - 1219
1220	1221	1222
1223	UP 7676 = GE C45ACCTE built 2007 - 1224	bridge built by SP back in 1967 - 1225
2nd unit 7664 = GE C45ACCTE built 2007 - 1226	3rd unit 4660 = EMD SD70M built 2001 - 1227	4th unit 4288 = EMD SD70M built 2001 - 1228
1229	1230	1231
1232	waste containers - 1233	1234
1235	1236	1237
1238	1239	1240
1241	1242	1243
1244	1245	Hwy 138 can been seen thru empty car - 1246
1247	1248	DPU UP 7753 = GE C45ACCTE built 2007 - 1249
1250	1251	end of UP NB train - 1252
Before leaving this location and going to the Motel, we got a BNSF WB on MT-2 and a UP EB on MT-1. We are still standing just above the UPT near Highway 138. Once again, there was no time to get closer to the BNSF tracks because this BNSF WB came soon after the UP NB (on UPT) disappeared. On photo 1256 the BNSF WB is at the left of Highway 138 and the upcoming UP EB can be seen at right in the distance.
BNSF WB intermodal on MT-2 - 1253	we are standing above the UPT - 1254	1255
left BNSF WB and right UP EB - 1256	UP EB w/1 loco up front and 1 loco at rear - 1257	WB meets EB - 1258
graffiti does even not stop on locos - 1259	1260	UP 7727 = GE C45ACCTE built 2007 - 1261
1262	1263	1264
1265	1266	1267
1 rear end DPU - 1268	1269	1270
end of UB EB intermodal train - 1271	BNSF WB heading for Sullivans Curve - 1273	end of BNSF WB intermodal train - 1275

Part 2 - Saturday, May 29, 2010

On Saturday, May 29, we went again in the late afternoon to the same location, but this time, together with Beat & Christa Wuest.
BNSF EB going uphill on BNSF tracks - 2174	in the foreground is the UPT - 2175	intermodal trains are everyday's business - 2176
2177	2178	2179
2180	1st DPU 7213 = GE ES44DC built 2009 - 2181	2182
2nd DPU 7564 = GE ES44DC built 2007 - 2183	2184	end of BNSF EB train - 2185
After the BNSF EB train above, we went to Sullivans Curve. These photos can be seen on this page: click here. So, after our successful mission at Sullivans Curve, we stopped again here to catch our next train, a UP NB on UPT coming from Colton and heading for Palmdale.
UP NB on UPT (Colton-Palmdale Cutoff) - 2254	2255	2256
UP 5365 = GE C45ACCTE built 2005 - 2257	3rd unit 8381 = EMD SD70ACe built 2005 - 2258	4th unit 8386 = EMD SD70ACe built 2005 - 2259
there is a BNSF WB behind the UP train - 2260	2261	last car of UP NB and BNSF WB at right - 2262
BNSF WB - 2263	end of UP NB train - 2264	2265
2266	2267	2268
2269	2270	left: old brige, right new 3MT bridge - 2271
	The overlook of the UPT (Union Pacifc Track) is easy to reach using Hwy 138 from I-15 intersection. Drive Hwy 138 West over BNSF MT-3 and BNSF MT-1/MT-2 and under UPT, just after the underpass make a left turn into Lone Pine Canyon Road uphill and turn again left (dirt road) which runs parallel to the UPT. It is the service road for UP but also a US Forest Service Road (USFS 2N89). If we continue following this road, it will lead us to Sullivans Curve. Best time of the day is late afternoon/early evening as we have the sun in the back.
in the foreground is the UPT - 2272	How to reach this location:	last photo of this BNSF WB tarin - 2273

Part 3 - Sunday, May 30, 2010

The next day (Sunday, May 30) after visitting the Silverwood area (can be seen on this page - click here), we went with Christa & Beat again to the Mormon Rocks in the late afternoon. As we reached the Mormon Rocks next to BNSF MT-1 and MT-2, the first BNSF WB was already coming around the curve from Davis Ranch Road. Therefore, we had to take pictures from the "wrong" side (w/o sunlight).
BNSF WB coming from DRR - 2537	the first loco is at MP 61.4 X - 2538	Going under Hwy 138 bridge - 2539
our ladies go for a walk - 2540	railfanning and outdoors activities - 2541	in the meantime, we moved to the sunny side - 2542
After the BNSF WB passed, we went to the other side and were walking uphill toward the Mormon Rocks for a good view. Soon, a UP WB was coming round the curve on BNSF MT-2.
Christa & Melinda take care of our homebase  2543	UP WB coming downhill on MT-2 . . . - 2544	. . . with 3 diesel locos - 2545
UP 8591 = EMD SD70ACe built 2007 - 2546	2nd unit 3940 = EMD SD70M built 2003 - 2547	3rd unit 4492 = EMD SD70M built 2001 - 2548
after passing the Cajon Creek . . . - 2549	. . . the train is going under Highway 138 - 2550	2551
2552	2553	2554
many intermodal trains have . . . - 2555	. . double stack container cars in front and . . - 2556	. . TOFC (Trailer on Flat Car) at the rear - 2557
end of UP WB intermodel train - 2558	Our patient ladies (Melinda & Christa) - 2559	BNSF bridge over Cajon Creek - 2560
Blooming Yucca - 2561	unique sandstone rock formation - 2562	BNSF WB on MT-2 coming round the curve - 2563
one more train for our cameras - 2564	2565	BNSF 7710 = GE ES44DC built 2005 - 2566
BNSF 7714 = GE ES44DC built 2005 - 2567	BNSF 7764 = GE ES44DC built 2005 - 2568	BNSF 7715 = GE ES44DC built 2005 - 2569
heavy graffiti on this loco - 2570	2571	63' Reefer w/plenty graffiti - 2572
2573	old "The Rock" covered hopper - 2574	2575
2576	2577	2578
2579	2580	last photo of this BNSF WB train - 2581
sign on electrical box at MP 61.4 X - 2582	international railfans from Europe . . . - 2583	. . . and one American - 2584
Photo 2582: Our current position is MP 61.4 X. This sign was mounted on the electrical box to the left of our cars. Yes, there was an A/C keeping the temperature inside the box in limits. Photo 2583: Railfans from all over the world (from left to right): Beat & Christa Wuest (Switzerland), Gentleman from Texas (USA), Melinda Meer (Switzerland) and another Gentleman (Ireland). Werner joined the second photo. Request: If these two Gentlemen will see their photos, please send me an email as I would like to mention your names.

Part 4 - Friday, June 4, 2010

June 4: Before coming again to the Mormon Rock Area, we took lots of photos at WSI (West Summit Island/Silverwood) - take a look: click here. Photo 4366 was taken from the UPT looking toward the Cajon Creek bridge of BNSF (MT-1 and MT-2). Photo 4367 shows a BNSF EB coming thru the cut (out of Sullivans Curve) in the distance. On photo 4369 the first loco can be seen under the Highway 138 bridge. I am now standing between the UPT and the BNSF tracks in the middle of blooming Yuccas. As usual, I am going to show plenty photos of the same train (almost like a movie). Well, it is a lucky day because there was also a UP EB train coming uphill at the same time. So, we had a parallel race of BNSF and UP toward Summit.
this is the UPT in front (which I had to cross) - 4366	BNSF EB coming from Sullivans Curve - 4367	Headlights of first BNSF loco under Hwy 138 - 4369
I am now standing between the UPT . . . - 4370	. . . and the BNSF tracks on the North . . . - 4371	. . . side of Highway 138 - 4372
how wonderful the desert vegetation . . . - 4373	. . . can be with these blooming Yuccas - 4374	1st unit 7840 = GE ES44DC built 2010 - 4375
2nd unit 7210 = GE ES44DC built 2009 - 4376	3rd unit 5261 = GE C44-9W built 2001  - 4377	4th unit 7484 = GE ES44DC built 2008 - 4378
4379	4380	under the bridge is the front of a UP loco - 4381
yes, we do have another EB train - 4382	the parallel race up the hill on BNSF tracks - 4383	there is a BNSF loco in between - 4384
4385	4386	2nd unit UP 4873 = EMD SD70M built 2002 - 4387
1st unit UP 7602 = GE C45ACCTE built 2007 - 4388	3rd unit BNSF 9506 = EMD SD70MAC 1994 - 4389	4th unit UP 7125 = GE C44AC built 1998 - 4390
4391	4392	4393
4394	4395	4396
after the double stack cars . . . - 4397	. . . are some auto carriers - 4398	4399
4400	4401	4402
after the auto racks are more double stacks - 4403	nice idea to copy this consist for modelling - 4404	last cars of BNSF EB train (behind UP train) - 4405
4406	here comes the rear end helper (DPU) - 4407	this UP train will pass Barstow and at . . . - 4408
. . Daggett it will be going back to UP tracks - 4409	DPU UP 7877 = GE C45ACCTE built 2008 - 4410	end of UP EB train - 4411
It is quiet again as both EB trains are gone. Time to take some more photos of the famous rock formations from diff. angles. As I was walking back to our car, which was parked above the UPT, I caught the view of the rocks facing toward East and North.
looking North: left of the UPT are these rocks - 4416	UPT is at left and BNSF tracks at right - 4419	looking East: UPT w/Cajon Creek bridge - 4414
We went back to the UPT on the other side of Highway 138. It is the service road for UP but also a US Forest Service Road (USFS 2N89). Soon after the UP (ex. SP) bridge over Hwy 138, the long siding starts (it ends just after Sullivans Curve). Photo 4420: There is also a set out track with diff. size tracks. These are connected with a special rail joiner (similar to code 100 and code 83 tracks in HO scale). Photo 4421: Here comes a UP NB train from Sullivans Curve.
UP rail transition on spur - 4420	UP NB coming from Sullivans Curve - 4421	4422
4423	locos pass end of UP siding - 4424	4426
4427	4428	UP 8486 = EMD SD70ACe built 2006 - 4429
4430	rolling over Highway 138 - 4431	2nd unit 4918 = EMD SD70M built 2002 - 4432
3rd unit 7725 = GE C45ACCTE 2007 - 4433	a mixed freight is always interesting to see - 4434	above the gondola is a BNSF WB downhill - 4435
too bad, we are not on a higher elevation - 4436	so, as we cannot really see the WB train . . - 4437	. . . we concentrate on our UP NB train. . . - 4438
. . . as there are lots of diff. cars and most . . - 4439	. . . cars are full of graffiti - just enjoy - 4440	how about adding some graffity . . . - 4441
. . . on the model cars? - 4442	there is an endless variety - 4443	4444
4445	4446	4447
4448	because of a flat car, we can see the WB - 4449	4450
4451	Procor becomes a Doctor ! !  - 4452	I wonder how much paint is used for it ? - 4453
4454	4455	4456
see thru the empty lumber car to Hwy 138 . . - 4457	. . . and to the BNSF WB train below - 4458	4459
4460	DPU's of BNSF train can be seen - 4461	4462
4463	4465	4466
UP 8428 = EMD SD70ACe built 2006 - 4467	DPU's of both trains look like a meet - 4468	BNSF DPU's and Hwy 138 - 4469
end of UP NB train - 4470	4472	end of BNSF WB train - 4473

Part 5 - Saturday, June 5, 2010

After taking photos of Sullivans Curve, we stopped again near Highway 138 along the UPT. This was our last visit to this location before we had to fly back to Switzerland the other day.
BNSF WB on MT-2 - 4831	the engines are reaching Hwy 138 . . - 4832	. . . and passing underneath - 4833
BNSF 7444 = GE ES44DC built 2008 - 4834	2nd unit 7647 = GE ES44DC built 2005 - 4835	4836
I am now standing closer to the BNSF . . - 4837	. . tracks (MT-1 and MT-2), actually . . - 4838	. . on the other side of the UPT - 4839
4840	no question, if I can see some Werner . . . - 4841	. . . Enterprises Trailers on flat cars, . . . - 4842
. . . I am always happy - 4843	4844	4845
4846	4847	4848
4849	4850	4851
this is the UPT w/siding - 4852	end of train - 4853	heading for Sullivans Curve - 4854
At the end, we went to the North side of Highway 138 and took some pictures of this area from above.
Interstate 15 in the middle - 4855	UPT w/Cajon Creek bridge in front of the rocks 4856	BNSF tracks w/filled pit of 3MT construction - 4857
overview: Hwy 138, BNSF tracks, I-15 - 4860	close up of Mormon Rocks along . . . - 4861	. . . Highway 138, North of the UP track - 4862
A BNSF WB coming down on MT-3 - 4863	MT-3 has a 3 % grade and is usually used . . - 4864	. . for WB (downhill) trains - 4865
constant traffic on I-15 while this . . . - 4866	. . . intermodal train keeps on rolling - 4867	BNSF WB and Werner Ent. Truck on I-15 - 4870
Well, the show is over and it is time to go back to the motel, have dinner and make final packing for the flight on Monday, June 6, 2010. No question, we had a fantastic time, made more than 3000 photos and met great friends. Hopefully, it was not the last journey to Cajon Pass ! !

This map shows the location of the Mormon Rocks (Pine Lodge Area) with I-15 and Hwy 138. Captions by Gary G. Gray.



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