updated: August 25, 2020

I am very pleased to show some exclusive photos of Pedro Rezende.

A big thank you for sharing these excellent pictures with us.
Note: The copyright belongs to this gentleman. Do not use any photos without written permission.

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

Part 1 = Hill 582  /  Part 2 = Sullivan's Curve

Part 1 = Hill 582
Hi, I opened this thread to share my pics taken at Hill 582 in Cajon Pass in July 2013. Cajon was chosen a starting point to my trip around Los Angeles. I travelled with wife and son and we met four other railfans that came from different locations in US: Bo Lennard from Santa Clara CA, Greg Elems from Reno NV and the couple William & Sharon from Sandpoint ID. That was the second time I met these friends in US during railfaning trips. My thanks to them for the great time we had in Cajon area. This thread also has the intention to be a guide for those who never went to Cajon and would like see new views of the location and also get some hints from me and other who can comment here. I imagine something had changed in Cajon Pass since that time, specially the new alignment of CA-138 that I used to visit Hill 582 and Summit. Therefore, the old gate does not exist anymore as seen on photo PR-04. I also would like to thanks Mr Werner Meer and Don E. Toles for their great website.  Pedro Rezende (Brazil)
Our group at Cajon Junction. From left to right: William, Greg, Bo and Me. In front, Sharon, Lucas and wife Lourdes. PR-01	From the Cajon Junction rest area we can see all tracks that run through Cajon Pass. It is a good spot for those that are running by the I-15 and do not have many time to explore all location in Cajon Pass. While fueling the car, resting or eating in one of the fast food restaurants, One can see the trains running on the four four tracks in front. PR-02
Taking CA-138 on way to Hill 582. PR-03	This old "gate" was the hint to find the access to HIll 582. I imagine it is gone after the new alignment of CA-138. PR-04
After take the dirt road, we cross BNSF Main #3 in a crossing level. All attention is necessary to cross the tracks. PR-05	Just after we cross the tracks, we perceived a BNSF empty stack coming from behind us on MT #3. PR-06
The stack train pass by us descending Cajon Pass to San Bernardino area on MT #3. PR-07	The stack train pass by us descending Cajon Pass to San Bernardino area. PR-08
The stack train pass by us descending Cajon Pass to San Bernardino area. PR-09	From the dirt road I got the first sight of Hill 582.  PR-10
A bit more of dirt road. PR-11	The steep access to the top of Hill 582. On raining / snowy days it could be a trouble for those not using vehicles 4x4. PR-12
The monuments at Hill 582. PR-13	The monuments at Hill 582. PR-14
Chard Walker memorial. PR-15	having a talk to each other on top of the Hill. PR-16
# 16-18: When we arrived, we had the nice surprise to meet Don E. Toles in person. He is the "gardener" that takes care of Hill 582. He is an inspiration for us of what we can do to turn our dreams in reallity. Thanks Mr Toles for your great job on Hill 582. It was a honor to meet you.
Don Toles is always watering the plants. PR-17	Don E. Toles and Pedro Rezende PR-18
The group of railfans. From Left to right, Bo, Mr Toles, William, Greg and Me. BTW, the women and the boy preffered to stay in the Mall in Victorville. PR-19	Some plates. What does the "G", "W" and "X" mean? Just see below. PR-20
The indication of a block signal that has both a "G" plate and a number plate and is displaying a steady RED aspect is: "Proceed at Restricted Speed". No stop is required before passing the signal but the requirements of movement at Restricted Speed must be complied with. These "G" plates are called Grade Markers and are often seen in heavy grade locations where stopping and then proceeding, which is what is required in the above example if there was no Grade marker attached to the signal, would be otherwise difficult or dangerous. The "W" and "X" are "crossing signs" (both mean the same thing) and are placed approaching public crossings at grade to show the point where the whistle should begin to be sounded. (thank you for your help, Charlie)
The famous fragment of Tunnel 1 (1913). PR-21	other memorials. PR-22
Nice location to take a seat and wait for the trains. PR-23	I see it is not always a quiet place. PR-24
Bird lovers can visit Cajon too. PR-25	There are beautiful species around. PR-26
Close up of bird feeder. PR-27	Resting in the shadow, watching birds and waiting for a train. PR-28
Walking a bit to explore the views I can use to photograph the trains. PR-29	I perceived we had an old crossing level down there on Main #3. PR-30
Wild flowers around the Hill. Its colors can be a trouble to us to perceive the snakes. So, never walk through them. Prefer to use clean paths. PR-31	A freight going downhill seen from the bottom and behind Hill 582. It is not a common view explored by railfans. PR-32
A freight going downhill seen from the bottom and behind Hill 582. It is not a common view explored by railfans. PR-33	The consist always give us beautifull freight cars. PR-34
The consist always give us beautifull freight cars. PR-35	The DPU's of the same train. PR-36
Another stack going downhill on #2. PR-37	Beautifull Werner Enterprises trailers. PR-38
UP going uphill on UPT. PR-39	UP NB is meeting a BNSF WB train. PR-40
Two BNSF stacks meeting on Main #1 and #2. PR-41	Two BNSF stacks meeting on Main #1 and #2. PR-42
Five units leading the stack downhill on MT#2. PR-43	Nice Swift trailers w/wind deflectors. PR-44
UP freight going uphill on BNSF Main #2. PR-45	Blue tank car. PR-46
GT autorack. I imagine it is a bit old. PR-47	TTX high cub box car w/graffiti. PR-48
What a nice DPU! EMD SD70ACe PR-49	What a nice DPU! It looks like brand new. PR-50
BNSF stack going uphill on Main #1. It is coming from the location of the old tunnels 1 & 2. PR-51	Train uphill on Main #1 (left) and downhill on Main #3 (right). PR-52
The same stack going downhill on Main #3. PR-53	The same stack going downhill on Main #3. PR-54
An UP autorack going downhill on UPT. PR-55	SP autorack. PR-56
NS autorack w/graffiti. PR-57	Some beautifull containers in the consist. PR-58
Some beautifull containers in the consist. PR-59	FedEx and Keystone trailer. PR-60
BNSF EB stack and trailers going uphill on Main #2. PR-61	BNSF EB stack and trailers going uphill on Main #2. PR-62
Roadway 53' trailer w/wind deflector. PR-63	A nice 6-unit consist going uphill on Main #3. PR-64
EMD GP60M # 107 was the surprise of the day. PR-65	EMD GP60M # 107 was the surprise of the day. PR-66

Part 2 = Sullivan's Curve
Always using the hints and maps in the great website https://www.trainmaster.ch/cajon.htm  and using the rest areas in Cajon junction as a starting point to visit the most famous locations in Cajon Pass, I and my friends decided to visit one of the most famous and most beautiful locations in that area: Sullivan's curve. The curve received the name of the photographer Herb Sullivan hired by Santa Fe to do promotional photos in that location in the 1940´s and 50´s. Many things have changed since then. The old Santa Fe roadbed was replaced by a modern set of three tracks known as Main Tracks 1, 2 and 3 as part of a project done by BNSF from 2007 to 2008, as we can read here  http://www.trainmaster.ch/cajon-01.htm (in Werner Meer website). In Mr Meer site we have plenty of information and maps to reach Sullivans curve, but I decided to do my own “maps” to this thread using the pics done during the trip and also using some updated Google maps views. Maybe minor details are different in my maps because many things can be changed since 2013. But I checked the area using Google maps and did not see big changes at all. Pedro Rezende
For bigger size photos - please click on the 4 or 5 digit number below each photo.
Map 1 - A view of Cajon Junction and the two rest areas that was used by us to visit the location nearby.  PR-70	Map 2 - When take CA-138 towards Palmdale one will cross over BNSF tracks 1 and 2. Looking to the left, one can see UP tracks.  PR-71
Map 3 - A Google view of BNSF and UP tracks before the exit to Lone Pine Canyon road that is be accessed to reach the dirt road to Sullivans curve.  PR-72	Map 4 - Exit CA-138 to the Lone Pine Canyon road.  PR-73
Map 5 - Exit Lone Pine Canyon road to the dirt road following UP tracks. This USFS 2N68   PR-74	Map 6 - Following UP tracks to Sullivans curve on USFS 2N89. USFS = United States Forest Service Road.  PR-75
Just starting to run on the dirt road we can reach the level of old SP steel bridge that cross over CA-138. PR-101	Just starting to run on the dirt road we can reach the level of old SP steel bridge that cross over CA-138. PR-102
Just starting to run on the dirt road we can reach the level of old SP steel bridge that cross over CA-138. PR-103	UP electric cabinets for the signals and the switches. PR-104
UP electric cabinets for the signals and the switches. PR-105	Cajon Junction seen from the dirt road (USFS 2N89) along the UP tracks. PR-106
a spur on UP siding in N Canyon. By Google maps I have seen gondolas parked  in this spur. I imagine it is for ballast freight cars or MoW equipment.  PR-107	Following along UP tracks.  We did not see any No Trespassing or Private Are sign. So, we followed ahead. PR-108
Following along UP tracks.  We did not see any "No Trespassing" or "Private" sign, because it is a USFS road. PR-109	The landscape is beautiful. Those rocks are clean as they were washed recently.  PR-110
Now we can see the observation site. It is a pity it does not have the same treatment of Hill 582 for the railfan community. None a bench nor a stone to seat while waiting for trains. None garden. The nature around is beautiful: fantastic rock formations, sagebrush some trees and other small plants that attract birds and possibly  snakes. The area is greener than Hill 582.  PR-111	Me on the observation plateau. The location is great because we have a great view in both directions and the railfan can stay close to the tracks feeling all the grandiosity of the heavy trains running through Cajon Pass. Unforgettable! PR-112
A heavy stack train appears in the curve where track 3 separates from tracks 1 and 2 close to Interstate 15.  PR-113	Railfans in action. Nothing can pay a moment like this: staying with friends doing what we love to do.  PR-114
The train is coming to us. PR-115	The train is coming to us and easing the perfect curve.  PR-116
The train is coming to us and easing the perfect curve. PR-117	Two GE leading units are pulling this train on MT-1. PR-118
Two GE leading units are pulling this train on MT-1. PR-119	Intermodal EB going uphill. PR-120
# 119-121: I prefer to use the sequential photos to allow one to watch the train in its action along the curve. I hope nobody feels it is boring.
All double stack train leaning in the curve. PR-121	The train ending Sullivans curve. In the background one can see Cajon Junction.  PR-122
At the rear end are two DPUs.  PR-123	Two DPUs on this BNSF EB. PR-124
Another stack train uphill. Did you see the Coca Cola Truck on I-15? PR-125	Another stack train coming uphill. PR-126
BNSF EB stack train uphill on MT-1. PR-127	Easing the curve. The sound was fantastic. PR-128
Easing the curve. The sound was fantastic. PR-129	Easing the curve. The sound was fantastic. PR-130
Colorfull containers  PR-131	Colorfull containers  PR-132
The leading units facing Cajon Junction. PR-133	No DPUs in this stack train. Very nice CSX containers.  PR-134
The famous rock formations of Sullivan's Curve. PR-135	PR-136
# 135-136: While waiting for the next train, let´s take a look in the rock formation around the curve. Many holes done by the water millions of years ago now serve to house the nest of wild birds.
Very nice rock formations. The nature is perfect. PR-137	Very nice rock formations. The nature is perfect. PR-138
A BNSF WB freight coming down hill. PR-139	BNSF WB with dynamic brakes action.  PR-140
BNSF WB downhill on MT-2. PR-141	Lumber not wraped. PR-142
Approaching I-15 and Main tracks #3.  PR-143	More unwraped lumber. Also another train without DPU.  PR-144
Too many train in Cajon. Another uphill stack. PR-145	This retaining wall looks new. (was built for 3rd MT)  PR-146
The plateau where we were is so close to the tracks that we can feel . . PR-147	. . . the ground shaking while the train battles against the grade uphill. PR-148
The tracks are perfect in Cajon Pass.  PR-149	BNSF EB easing the curve uphill.  PR-150
Beautiful orange containers (Schneider) PR-151	Nice containers to model railroaders to reproduce in a layout. PR-152
Nice trailers to model railroaders to reproduce in a layout. PR-153	Nice trailers to model railroaders to reproduce in a layout. PR-154
Nice mix of colors and models. PR-155	Nice mix of colors and models. PR-156
Nice mix of colors and models. Maersk = 45', Schneider = 53' PR-157	I know they are common seen through US but they are nice to photograph. PR-158
J.B. Hunt = 53' containers. PR-159	Huge variety of roads. PR-160
Finally a UP manifest is coming uphill on the UPT. PR-161	This UP NB takes the siding. There is a chance for UP trains meeting. PR-162
We are going to have a UP trains meeting. PR-163	What a great view!  PR-164
BNSF is nice, but UP is terrific.  PR-165	Strange containers on flat cars. PR-166
The small containers. I imagine they are for scrap metal or trash. PR-167	Interesting high side gondola with big doors in the ends. How they are unloaded?  PR-168
Nice black tank cars and one centerbeam between them. PR-169	There is just one DPU on this NB manifest.  PR-170
The train stops in the siding.  PR-171	A UP SB train emerge from the curve near Cajon Junction.  PR-172
The SB freight is coming down slowly passing the NB.  PR-173	The SB freight is coming down slowly.  PR-174
SB train is passing by the DPU of the NB train. PR-175	On the way walking down to ground level. PR-176
Overview as I am almost down on track level. PR-177	Finally I reached track level. PR-178
PR-176-177-178: If one tell that the live of a railfan is easy you can say it´s wrong. To get different views of this train while it approached the plateau where we were, I did  run down and up to get these views. It was not easy, but I liked the results.
Goind back to the plateau in time to get a high view. PR-179	Back on the plateau. New UP 8092 = GE AC45CCTE. PR-180
The SB UP manifest is heading for Colton. PR-181	there are several loaded coal cars with this train.  PR-182
old coal cars with graffiti.  PR-183	A rock between the DPUs of NB and SB trains. PR-184
The DPU is going away. Time to return to Cajon Junction.  PR-185	Taking the dirt road (UP service road) back to CA-138.  PR-186
Approachin to the DPU of the first UP train. PR-187	Getting closer to the NB UP DPU in the siding. PR-188
following along the freight cars. PR-189	not much clearence betwenn cut and the freight train. PR-190
passing the tank cars  PR-191	A last look into the leading unit of the NB on hold.  PR-192
A last look into the leading unit.  PR-193	This train is still waiting in the siding. PR-194
The freight waited for another meeting in the siding as we can see in this view from the rest area in Cajon Junction. The sun lights were not good at that time and we return to the Hotel. Unfortunately I could not watch more than one train running at the same time on Sullivans Curve. When it happened, the second train was running through main tracks #3 and are not in Sullivans Curve. So, I need to return to Cajon Pass one day to try to see this action.

 All photos and text copyright by Pedro Rezende, Brazil (Over all copyright by Werner Meer)

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