updated: January 17, 2026: Don Toles passed away
May 4, 2026: Don Toles Memorial Open House on Hill 582 (June 20, 2026)
June 4, 2026: more videos added (scroll down)

 
photo by Don E. Toles (UP 4014 transfer from Pomona to Cheyenne passing Hill 582 on 4/28/14)

In Memoriam: Don Toles 1929 - 2026

Sad News Januray 17, 2026: We lost our Hilltender this morning. Mr. Don Toles passed away peacefully in his sleep at 3am this morning. He lived 97 amazing years, and spent the last 35 taking care of Hill 582. Will post more memories as time permits. There will be a private burial in San Bernardino, and no services. This summer, I will try to coordinate a Hill 582 gathering. Will keep his Facebook page going for a while in the mean time. Remember the great times and his contributions to the railfan community, as well as a great friend. - Karl Joost

Don Toles Memorial Open House on Hill 582, June 20, 2026

We finally set a date for celebrating the life of our beloved Hilltender. On Saturday, June 20th, 2026, we invite everyone to visit the hill from 10am-2pm. I (Karl Joost) will be there, along with Don's nephew. We should also have some video of Don talking about the early days of the hill, and how things were when he and Mike planted the first trees. As we get closer to the dates, we will have more details. Welcome any suggestions or questions, you can either post here or send me a Facebook Message: Karl Joost

 new June 14, 2025

new October 18, 2022

take a look at these cool videos taken with drones

 there are lots of videos listed with links - just scroll all the way down

     new May 16, 2026 (scroll down)

 more videos added: 5/26 (just scroll down)

California, but not Cajon Pass

 non Railroad - but Mojave Desert style with Joshua Trees landscaping - the best I have seen so far!

News 9/01/19:  Big Boy excursion set for Southern California on October 12 & 13, 2019

Photo taken by Bruce "Doc" Jones on 5/05/19 at Creston Wyoming

2019 Union Pacific Steam Schedule w/Big Boy:  https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm

Direct Link:  http://www.railgiants.org/Big-Boy-Excursion-Info.php

New 6/27/19: Check our new photo and video page about the Big Boy 4014 under steam - click here

New 11/13/19: Cab ride 4014 over Cajon on 10/09/19 by Madi Payne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlPPhZAIDK0

New 11/26/20: Big Boy on Cajon October 2019 by BlackSmoke078: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekZnEEOPBUo

New 3/14/19: Infos of Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 Transfer & Restoration

Big Boy Restoration Update June 2018:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imOrv7cQG8Y

2019 Union Pacific Steam Schedule:  https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/schedule/index.htm

How UP 4014 is moving from the "Rail Giants" Museum in Pomona to the Metrolink Tracks and to Colton and over Cajon Pass by Gary G. Gray, Marc Fournier and Bruce H. Jones.  click here for photos

New 6/19: Check our new photo and video page about the Big Boy 4014 under steam - click here

(over all copyright 2026 by Werner Meer, Switzerland)