Western Railroad Discussion > Trip out to California-Part 4

 Sunday, March 16th began as a beautiful day but only one train was out running between Bakersfield and Mojave!

1) Unfortunately the early morning shadows hadn't quite cleared the tracks enough to fit the head end and the rear helper in the frame (which is barely seen behind the tree on the bottom track) as the Union Pacific 5282 travels around the Loop at Walong. 
This was an Eastbound Roseville to El Paso manifest train with 107 cars and 7,205' long running in a 3x1 set-up.

2) Running between Cable and Tehachapi. This train reminded me of the Southern Pacific days of the past with grungy power and hood doors flapping open.

3) Heading downhill at Warren approaching Mojave. The rear DP can be seen at the rear of the train.

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4) Just after the UP train cleared, a Westbound BNSF loaded Grain train was heading up the hill with a three unit manned helper on the rear seen in this going away shot.

On the drive back home to Colorado, I decided to try again for the Iron Ore outfit at Cedar City. I stopped by the Mine and didn't see anything so I started to drive North towards Iron Springs and soon saw the train heading down the line. The only thing really of interest on the approx. 10 mile line is a little wooden trestle and I just missed that shot by no more than 2 minutes:{ 

5) The train was back-lit for the entire run so the cloud cover actually helped and I took a wrong dirt road that was rutted pretty badly so it was tough to keep up with this guy! Here the pair of C44-9W's, the 697 and 682 lead the loaded 28 car train just about to pass a rock pit about halfway down to the interchange with the Union Pacific Cedar City Branch.

6) Approaching the wye at Iron Springs.

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The train headed West at the interchange with the UP then the power ran around the cars to couple them to the East end of the cut of cars that were already parked there. This allowed a chance to get Sun on the nose and the ditchlights were also on with this move.

7) Here the ex-Santa Fe engines pass some Union Pacific engines that were parked at the yard waiting for the entire Ore train to be loaded before taking it West down to Long Beach.

8) The power ran back to the Mine light engines but a storm was blowing in and the clouds were really starting to build so a cruddy shot on that trestle that I had missed out on earlier. The other end actually has a hill so you an get a little elevation when they are heading North.
I needed to get back home so I didn't stick around to see if they were going to do another run down to the UP.
Politics aside, rumors are swirling that this business might be lost with the tariffs being implemented so I was glad to at least get some shots of this operation.

9) While driving Eastbound on Interstate 70 just before passing the off ramp at Floy, I caught a glimpse of a Westbound train so I quickly bailed off of the freeway. 
I noticed it was the Westbound California Zephyr with newly painted P42DC #79 leading and with only a small pocket of Sunlight which was already fading, I decided to just shoot a broadside view of the train from the old Highway after it had just passed over the West switch at Floy Siding.

Thanks for all of the nice comments. We had a Great time and my 88 year old Dad was a trooper taking most of the same shots that I did with just a few exceptions!



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/25 07:59 by SP8595.

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Outstanding trip. We were both in CA at the same time but different locals.
JB

Glad you and your Dad had such a rewarding trip to California-!  I remember meeting him in a snowstorm in Kansas when we were chasing the UP's Big Boy.

Having ridden down that hill from the mine the most interesting part is just after the mine road crossing
hoping the dynamics grab! Great stuff, epic trip and glad your dad could be along but just wait for all
the excitement in MO!

Out 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/25 17:35 by callum_out.

Nice captures from a productive trip!
GK

Nice trip with great images. I want to complement you for hanging out with your father. This is an event you will both remember forever Bill Webb

Very enjoyable series! Glad you and your Dad had a great time!

Larry

Excellent photos! I love the perspective in the first photo with the foreground rocks.

-Eric B



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/25 17:17 by AlcoRSD15.

Fantastic Pictures on this EPIC excursion! All the locations, and descriptions are Awesome.
Thank you for sharing your Time.
Kirk

All kinds of great shot in these series.  Several locations I'm familiar with and several new ones.  Really enjoyed the time of year that produced some nice colors in the landscapes.
Brian Stevens

Great job, nice trip ! === === = === JLH

Enjoyed seeing all the images from the trip. Great job. Glad you and your dad had this time together.

Kim Heusel

What a fun time, let's do again next week!

Terrific work in this entire series.

Great series again!  Love the lighting in the last shot.

Great pics!!