An Afternoon in the Mojave Desert

It's been a long time since my last post. I've been more involved with my flickr account. However, last Thrusday (July 15, 2010) I noticed the build up of thunder clouds in the east while I was at my daughter swim lessons and decided that there could be some great opportunities to capture some storm action. I took off and made my way up through Cajon Pass where I made a stop to look for a different view of a place I used to spend so much time. I made my way up to the off road vehicle staging area above Summit and found a very nice view of the pass. This first image shows the pass with the clouds forming. The temperatures at this location were in the low to mid-90s.

I hung out there for a while and captured a few images of the vegetation that surprisingly still green.











A BNSF mixed freight made its way up the pass leading to this different perspective of train traffic.









After the train passed by, it was time to continue the journey into the Mojave Desert. My route took me along the surface streets leading to Hesperia and into Victorville. I jumped on I-15 and headed toward Barstow. The storms along the highway were beginning to dump scattered rain showers in the distance, so I pulled over at a couple different locations to photograph the action.
















I continued past Barstow and got of the interstate just past the Marine Corps Logistic base east of Barstow and made my way toward Daggett. The lights of a westbound train appeared in the distance, so I pulled over to set up for a few images with the approaching storms to add some drama. The train came to a stop, which meant I had time to wait. The train got its light to continue to Barstow, and it was time to get some images.

This first image seems to give a better perspective to the size of the storms in relation to the train.









The train approaches my location and passes me by with the storm clouds making their way over Dagget.









Continuing along Santa Fe St., I came to a set of signals by the grade crossing for Hidden Springs Rd. and decided to get a few images from this location.











The storms were growing and I got a few more images along National Trails Highway (historic Route 66). This black and white image shows the storm clouds over I-40.











At one of my favorite spots led to a image of the mother road under stormy skies.











I continued along Route 66 past Newberry Springs but decided that it might be a good idea to make my way toward home given the time and what appeared to be less storm activity eastward. I jumped back on I-40.











I decided to get off at National Trails Highway at Newberry Springs to get some images of the storm clouds over the hill in the area.









Making my way back toward Daggett after capturing my images at Newberry Springs, some irrigation lines that were in an alfalfa field(?) caught my attention.




















Continuing on along Santa Fe St., I came to the signals where the train I photographed earlier had stopped. They were lit and seemed to be begging for a picture. :-)











Continuing on after capturing the images of the signals brought me back on to historic Route 66 where I decided to set up for a train shot since the signals seemed to indicate something would be coming along soon. I was not disappointed. Two eastbound trains came out of Barstow.

































After stopping for gas in Barstow, I got on I-15 and continued my trek home. The storm activity was quite active along the way which prompted me to get off at Hodge Rd. to find a somewhat remote looking location to photograph the activity.





Retracing my route through Victorville and Hesperia led me back to Cajon Summit where I was greeted with this beautiful sunset and, as luck would have it, a train heading down the tracks.










It was a fun day with the excitement of the thunder storms. There were a lot of lightning strikes and claps of thunder to enjoy. I only wish I could have captured a lightning bolt or two in my images.

Thanks for stopping by and looking. I hope you enjoyed the report.

Ken

UP Heritage Chase

On Saturday August 1st, I made my way up to Cajon Pass to see if I could catch the Union Pacific KG1LA train which was being led by three of their special paint scheme units: UP 1983, the Western Pacific heritage unit; UP 1996, the Southern Pacific heritage unit; and UP 2002, one of the Olympic torch units for the 2002 winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. I was able to catch four BNSF trains before another rail fan I know pulled up behind me. I found out that the train I was waiting for was not far away.

This firs image shows the train as it passes through the cut below Summit.














After capturing my images there, I made my way to my next location. I had to see which set of tracks the train was on in order to make my decision on my next location. I saw that the train had crossed over from the BNSF tracks the UP tracks (the Palmdale cut-off). I headed for Mormon Rocks. As I passed over the BNSF track at Pine Lodge, I saw several people set up for wonderful angles to catch the train on the BNSF mains. They guessed wrong. Other were set up where they could make quick adjustments in their choice of angle. This second group made the wiser choice. I turned off to set up for my shot trying to position myself so would have minimal impact on the other photographer on the other side of the highway. This image is one of my captures as the train crosses Cajon wash.


On to the next location--Swarthout Canyon Rd. When I arrived at the grade crossing for the BNSF tracks, I was greeted by malfunctioning crossing gates. I knew they were malfunctioning since there were no westbound trains between this location and Summit and no sound of an eastbound working hard up the pass. To be sure of the eastbound issue, I turned around and drove down Cajon Blvd. to eye ball the tracks. They were clear, so I turned around and made my way up to the location along the UP tracks. There were quite a few photographers on the hill I was thinking of at first which caused me to rethink my choice of shot. I decided to use my 70mm to 200mm lens since I went with my wide angle the previous two locations. I tried to position myself to the side again to minimize my interference in the others images. There was a delay in the arrival of the train due to a northbound train coming up the tracks. This allowed me to make a few test shot for the angle I chose. After the train passed, there was a bit of a wait. Finally, just as the train was about to arrive, a person came driving up along the tracks, and I was sure I was going to miss my shots with his truck driving by between me and the train. As it worked out, he decided to stop just before entering my frame. Now I had to worry about the dust cloud that he kicked up and was drifting across my view. I am pleased with the resulting image.


My last location was Pepper Ave. where the train would come off the Palmdale cut-off and on to the Alhambra sub as it approached West Colton. When I arrived on the scene, there were a lot more people waiting. I don't think I have ever seen this location with so many photographers. I like the view in this image and was pleased with the result.

















One last image shows some of the photographers at Pepper Ave. as the train continued along the tracks.














Thanks for stopping by and looking

Ken

Favorite Rail Images from 2008

With 2008 drawing to a close, I put together a slide show of some of my favorite images from my adventures along the rails during the year. The show is around 15 minute long and is chronological in order through the year. You might have to down load an updated version of the free presenter software in order to view the show. The software is windows based. I hope you enjoy the show.








I want to wish everyone the best for 2009.

Ken

Two more wide angle views

On the way home from my morning class at Mt SAC, I happened across a train making a long shove on the Los Angeles Sub. to the Alhambra Sub. in Pomona.

This first image is of one of the trainmen guarding the shove as he acts as the engineer's eyes. He was talking on the radio as the train approached my position.















The head end of the train passes by my vantage point.














I can't decide which of the images from these wide angle views I like best. I'm sure more are to come this month.

Ken

Wide Angle View

At another website that I visit, there is a photo assignment to capture an image using 21mm focal length or less. The prompted me to get out and try to capture some images with my 17mm to 40mm lens. Here are a few of my favorites so far.

A lone hopper sits in an industrial spur in Pomona.













A set of tank cars parked in the spur at a candle factory in Pomona.













A couple of views of the cabooses and private cars inside their cage at the Fullerton Amtrak Station.

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.

More Rail Sunsets

"Flaming Sky"


AMTK 464 pulls into the Fullerton Amtrak Station under a fiery sky. (September 30, 2005)


















"Commuter Glint"


SCAX 851 departs the Fullerton Amtrak Station as it pushes toward Los Angeles Union Station. (September 17, 2005)











"High Green Sunset"


An eastbound BNSF container train approaches the Fullerton Amtrak Station as the sun sinks through the signal cantilever. (September 24, 2004)












"Commuter Dusk"


SCAX 862 stops at the Fullerton Amtrak Station to let off commuters at dusk. (February 24, 2006)











"Metrolink Glint"

SCAX 887 approaches the Fullerton Amtrak Station. (April 1, 2005)

Rail Sunsets

"Eastbound at Sunset"


An eastbound BNSF train rounds the corner at Basta as it approaches the Fullerton Amtrak Station. (September 30, 2005)











"West Colton Sunset"


The sun sinks into the clouds over the Union Pacific (former Southern Pacific) yard at West Colton, CA. (March 14, 2006)












"Stacks at Sunset"


BNSF 4079 leads a westbound container train through the Fullerton Amtrak Station at sunset. (March 24, 2006)