Big Cajona Ekolu

Yesterday, Jan. 26, was spent in Cajon Pass with a group of my friends from the Fullerton train station. We called the event the Big Cajona Ekolu (3 in Hawaiian). This was our third annual event which is held in mid to late January each year. The event has a luau theme to it. We decorate the area with luau based decorations and wear Hawaiian shirts and/or leis. These decorations and wardrobe usually get some fun reactions from the passing train crews. We could not have asked for or received a better day. The weather was much better than was anticipated, and the train action seemed to never end. Most of us arrived on the scene before sunrise. We got the base camp set up. Then the trains began to roll. It seemed nonstop as one train after another moved past our site. There was plenty of food of which your doctor, nutritionist, or mother would not approve. Several of us took little hikes to get different perspectives of the train action and the surrounding scenery. We were kept informed of the train locations through the assistance of a computer and two-way radios. We had well over 40 trains pass by our location. We left the are around 6:30 p.m. having felt greatly satiated from the happening of the day. It was truly a great day spent with friends sharing common interest and having fun, good food, and a great time. More information about this event can be found at WCRF. The first image is of our base camp. I took this image while walking to a different location to get some different perspectives.


This other image illustrates how closely some of the up hill trains were following each other.

Favorite Image from 2007

As I have gone through my images from 2007, I have decided that this image of the M-WATBAR sitting at Fullerton Station on October 26, 2007 is my favorite one. I had purchased a Canon EF 17mm - 40mm f/4L lens a couple weeks before this image was captured. I like the perspective from the stair case of the pedestrian bridge capturing a typical Friday night at the station.




I have uploaded a slide show featuring my favorite images from 2007. It is around 23 minutes long and features music by Moby, Deep Purple, and Juno Reactor.

Using Natural Light, a non-rail image

The other day, I had decided I wanted to eat a couple tangerines. I had them in hand and set them down on a black notepad folder, so I could do something else (I don't remember what). As I was reaching for the other thing that needed my attention, I noticed how the late afternoon sun light was beaming through the front door onto the pair of tangerines, and I thought that would make for a nice picture. I quickly got out my camera and tripod and set up for the image before the lighting was lost. This image is the result of something simple catching the eye.

Morning in the Snow

I was able to get up to Cajon Pass on the morning of January 7, 2008. It had snowed in the area the night before, so it was a great chance to get some snow images because my work schedule had changed, allowing me some time to get some railfanning in before class. My first image of the morning was UP 7701 heading down BNSF main 2 (I'm using the old track numbers until the addition of the new main is complete.).





After UP 7701 had cleared my area, I went up by BNSF main 1 and captured some images of the Mormon Rocks area. There was a BNSF train sitting under the Hwy 138 overpass (BNSF 4383).











I went back down to main 2 since BNSF 4383 had main 1 tied up. After a while, UP 3816 passed under I-15.














UP 3816 continued down the track and approached the grade crossing for old Hwy 138.















BNSF 4383 began to move, so I made my way toward the summit overlook off of Hwy 138 to wait for it. It took a while, but it rounded the curve.













Here is a wide shot as the train continues to make its way up around the curve.














Finally, the end of the train comes around the curve.















The last train I caught was a baretabel led by BNSF 4095. I had to get to work, so my time was up. However, it was a great way to start the day.