Western Railroad Discussion > SoCal desert railroading..high and low of it

I took quite a ride with friend "DRGW" yesterday (Sunday). Hoping to leave the cloudy skies behind at home in Upland, we headed for the high desert intent on working the area around Ash Hill on BNSF's Needles Sub.

1) On the way out, we made a stop at the museum in Barstow. The desert sun has has not been kind to the exterior of Santa Fe FP45 #95.

After passing a ton of westbounds, a few miles east of Newberry Springs we got a message from a good friend that a CSXT standard-cab EMD had departed Yuma leading a westbound UP down on the former SP Sunset Route. Something too good to pass up so we put off Ash Hill and made a u-turn.

2) Not being the driver has its perks as I was able to get this pacing shot of BNSF 7333 along old Route 66 through Daggett on the way back.

As we headed back down, the Cajon Sub had trains stopped everywhere due to track work somewhere around Hesperia. This made our decision to turn back look like a good one.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/12 00:42 by oyw.

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Now in Southern California's low desert, we followed the tracks through Indio and before we knew it we were along the Salton Sea when we finally met up with our target a few miles before Niland. Symbol IAVLBB-14 had former Conrail SD60 8721 leading CSXT 5402 and UP 4090.

3) Just after 1:30, the 8721 at Wister. The train was moving very show at times making for an easy chase.

4) At Ferrum, the train had picked up speed.

5) A wider shot at Ferrum. The new double track project has really come a long way and can be seen on the other side of the train. The near track is the siding and if you look close, you can see the remains of the old wye track where Kaiser's Eagle Mountain Railroad once interchanged with the SP.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/12 00:14 by oyw.

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6) At the east switch at Mortmar, the train slowed down for a meet with an eastbound.

7) We waited at the now double-tracked former location of the east siding switch at Mons, but the CSX was overtaken by the UP 5980 on Main 1 blocking us out.

8) The CSX a few miles west at Fingal on Main 2 at last light.

It was nearly 4PM and we had about an hour's drive to go, this long day would soon be over but very worthwhile. Thanks for looking and thanks to Matt for driving.

OYW



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/12 00:40 by oyw.

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That pace shot of 8721 is wicked! The dark blue looks great tanning in the so cal desert sun.

Mr. MRL

Great shots! Looks like you had a great day. But I have to ask: what are those things on top of the cab of the 8721?

Tom

Railfan4Christ Wrote:
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Great shots! Looks like you had a great day. But I have to ask: what are those things on top of the cab of the 8721?

Tom
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Those are air conditioners, probably not needed this time of year out there. Gerry

Great shots!
Nice "pace" work!
Thanks for sharing.

Excellent pictures-all. The area in and around the Salton Sewer is definitely picturesque, serene, and sublime no doubt. Too bad the "sea" is such a filthy abscess. Sometimes I wish the Sea Of Cortez would reclaim the entire basin like it was in antiquity (next time you're out there, pay attention to the foothills west of Mecca. The water lines are plainly visible to even an untrained eye proving that the area was once submerged.). Otherwise, enjoy it while you can because once the Salton dries up-which it will-the air and subsequent collateral damage out there will make Owens Lake look like fluffing up a dusty throw pillow.

Just out of curiosity-what is a CSX unit doing so far from home?

Some guys have all the luck:} Slaughtered it pretty good, strange air-conditioners on that thing!

Looks good - just need some yellow around the numberboards, a pinstripe down the side at radiator level, and maybe a couple of Spanish words to replace those initials... ;^)

GREAT series Bob, that pacing shot of the 8721 is super, but that shot at East Mortmar gets it! Thanks for sharing!

Kent in Carmel Valley

SUPER pics!!!! Thanks for sharing.

Des-Lab Wrote:
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> Just out of curiosity-what is a CSX unit doing so
> far from home?




Could be that the train originated with with the CSX 8721 and it is being kept on the train for expeditious purposes.


V

SLOCOND