Western Railroad Discussion > Trona Railways, Searles Turn. 4/29/24

 Was on Tehachapi Sunday ( ok day ) but Monday morning was dead. Mostly because of MOW work and the slowdown from the BNSF derailment to the East. Went with my gut and headed out towards Trona.
 Upon arriving at Searles Junction I was pleasantly surprised to see the yard tracks plugged with coal loads, always a good sign for the afternoon run. Since I was there way early for the normal 14:00 crew call time at Trona I decided to go for a hike on the original (1908) ROW pre tunnel 29, to see what I could find. You can drive beside the roadbed but walking it gave me a better feel what it was like for the SP GP's (when the tunnel burned and collapsed in 1981 and SP had to rebuild the original route until the tunnel was repaired) to claw their way up and over the 3.67% grade of El Paso Summit. SP did a great job on the mop up as I only saw 3 ties, 1 tie plate and maybe a dozen spikes. Got my way out of there and headed towards town where right on the money the crews were changing and was told the turn would be going up the hill within the hour.

(1) Knowing the outbound was 20ish cars short I decided to highlight some of the pinnacles, 15:30hrs.

(2) Not wanting to chase the turn back to Searles and back I decided to post up on a rocky hilltop since the weather was really nice. To be honest I was getting a little nervous at 18:00hrs on the return trips timing. But at 18:30 I heard the dynamics whining on a totally reconfigured point (SP speedwritting for me?) with a healthy cut of loaded buckets on the drawbar.

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Great shots, the 4 axle power in the Detour didn't last long, SP discovered that 6 axle
units did just fine.

Out 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/02/24 21:50 by callum_out.

An outstanding pair.
JB

Great shots!
Horrible looking units.
Trona used to be a first rate road when the Baldwins were there.
TAH

Awesome pictures Jeff, nice desert texture display, including slithering train in #2 Pic.

Super photos, I really like both of them but the first one highlighting the Pinnacles is really great!  Really nice lighting in both of these well done!

Two classic images! The lighting in No. 2 is hard to beat. Love the old EMDs working on the moon. 

SPgoletablock Wrote:
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>  Was on Tehachapi Sunday ( ok day ) but Monday
> morning was dead. Mostly because of MOW work and
> the slowdown from the BNSF derailment to the East.
> . You can drive
> beside the roadbed but walking it gave me a better
> feel what it was like for the SP GP's.
>

When I was there it was 4-axle GEs 7800s.

Nice photos.

Tip top photos!

Yes I drove the old by passed road bed last year. I don’t think I would do that again as I was by myself.
Dennis

Posted from iPhone

Stellar series with some scenic, panoramic vantage points.  Thanks for sharing.

Kent in CArmel Valley

Fantastic images, that sure is some sureal looking topography.

Nathan

90mac Wrote:
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> Great shots!
> Horrible looking units.
> Trona used to be a first rate road when the
> Baldwins were there.
> TAH

They looked real good when they had the SD45-2s in matching paint schemes too.

Great pair of shots of an interesting operation! Thanks for sharing....

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

Killer Pair! That light and lead engine on your second shot however is Absolutely Fantastic!

SPgoletablock Wrote:
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> But at 18:30 I heard the dynamics whining on
> a totally reconfigured point (SP speedwritting for me?)
> with a healthy cut of loaded buckets on the drawbar.

Love the shots, close and far. The ex-SP Tunnel Motor leading on the return trip brought me smiles. Always enjoy your elevated adventures!

Very nice!  Possibly the best Trona shots I've ever seen!  - Eric B

Beautiful shots; well worth the side trip from Tehachapi!
GK

Very nice..!!  I also REALLY like Pic 2!!