Western Railroad Discussion > Grand Canyon of the Mojave

Of course I'm talking about Afton Canyon, crown jewel of Union Pacific's desolate Cima Subdivision between Yermo, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. This weekend I dug out some of my favorite scenes from Afton and present a handful of them here. Many fun and trying trips into the desert with good friends produced these photos.

1) Leaving the wide open and sand swept desert at Basin, California the rails of Union Pacific's Cima Subdivision come to ride along the northern bank of the Mojave River Wash as the two snake through the confines of Afton Canyon. Originally built by the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railway today's railroad follows the wash throughout Afton's length. On a sunny November 29th, 2014 Union Pacific's westbound North Platte, Nebraska to West Colton, California manifest approaches the heart of the Canyon with its train highlighting the railroad's course through its eastern end.

2) The westbound KG1CIX threads through the heart of Afton on April 10th, 2014.

3) Dwarfed by the colorful rock walls of the Mojave's 'Grand Canyon' Union Pacific's eastbound ZLADV sails through the heart of scenic Afton Canyon. On the point was a then well worn UP 1982, MoPac heritage. Afton Canyon is only 7-8 miles in length but it is one of the most ruggedly beautiful places in SoCal. 

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4) Good morning, Afton! With the sun having only just topped the southern wall of Afton Canyon on October 11th, 2014 a warm glow is cast on eastbound empty ballast train WYUMPA, led by a pair of EMD SD70Ms.

5) On April 29th, 2014 Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 was on day two of its journey home to Cheyenne, Wyoming for restoration. Having emerged from Afton Canyon the hospital train is ready to strike off across the open desert, after meeting a westbound double stack at Basin. With the searchlight at the west end of Basin displaying a restricting signal (red over lunar) the special will duck into the siding for the meet. When 4014 returned, under power, to the LA&SL in 2019 these classic US&S signals were sadly long gone.

6) Big train, bigger desert. At Basin, California UP 4586 west prepares to leave the wide open desert for the confines of Afton Canyon as it traverses the old LA&SL on October 11th, 2014.

Thanks for looking,
Ryan



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/20 20:25 by Midnight_Goat.

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Great pix. Thanks for posting. I miss the desert.
Bill Pyper
Lacey, WA
 

Great shots! Why did they have a diesel ahead of the steam engine in #2?

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

Good looking pics Ryan! You definitely earned your screen name on most of them.

Take care of yourself,
Bob

mojaveflyer Wrote:
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> Great shots! Why did they have a diesel ahead of
> the steam engine in #2?

At the time of the photo (2014) 4014 was not operational, it was being hauled dead from California to Cheyenne, Wyoming for restoration.

Ryan

Incredible series!

Really NICE series!

Larry

Awesome shots!

Great set of photos and hiking skills!

Rich

Awesome shots and memories, Ryan!

George Cataulin
San Diego, CA
Left Coast Rail Videos

GREAT pics!!

Great photos espically the long shots were they via drone or shoe leather express  up the mountain

Dave