Nostalgia & History > UP coal trains around Cima, CA '98

The 306 west, an export coal train, is approaching the summit of Cima on the UP Salt Lake Route on 2-9-98. Cima is located in the Mojave Desert in Southeast CA and is the highest point on the Cima Sub at 4,175' between Las Vegas and Yermo, the next crew change point.
Around an hour or so later, the same train is seen from way above at Mid Hills Campground which is around 1,500' higher in elevation. The train is starting down the 2.2% grade to Kelso. Camped several times many years ago at Mid Hills. At night, you could hear eastbounds working their way up the grade for a long time. 

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Earlier on the same day, an eastbound coal empties is off in the distance a few miles east of Cima. Fresh snow has fallen on the New York Mountains behind.
The next morning, another westbound coal train is approaching Cima seen between the Joshua Trees. The area around Cima is home to one of the largest Joshua Tree forests in the world. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/26 15:21 by GreenFlag.

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