CSX Transportation Historical Society

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Return To Cajon Pass - Part 2B

Rail Fan Adventure --

Return to Cajon Pass
Continuing - with Part 2B

2b-1. It is early morning and we are Cajon, Mile Post 62.8. On Track #3 is Amtrak’s Train No. 3, the Southwest Chief, headed by two GE DASH9-P42B locomotives #200 and #74. On Track #2 is a west bound BN-SF stack train and on Track #1 is east bound BN-SF stack trains. In the upper right above Amtrak can be seen a Union Pacific train coming down the hill on UP’s track with a stack train. There are very few places in the United States where one can see four trains rolling on mainline track at the same time.
It is early morning and we are Cajon, Mile Post 62.8. On Track #3 is Amtrak’s Train No. 3, the Southwest Chief, headed by two GE DASH9-P42B locomotives #200 and #74.

2b-2. This view is from old US 66. BN-SF 7073, a GE ES44C4; BN-SF 8146, a GM SD60M; and BN-SF 7607, a GE ES44DC, pulling a Maersk stack train are seen running on Track #2 at Swarthout Canyon Road. Over on Track #1 is a west bound stack train.
This view is from old US 66. BN-SF 7073, a GE ES44C4; BN-SF 8146, a GM SD60M; and BN-SF 7607, a GE ES44DC, pulling a Maersk stack train are seen running on Track #2 at Swarthout Canyon Road.

2b-3. We are at Mile Post 62.7 and heading east on Track #2 is a Union Pacific mixed freight train. The train is over powered with six locomotives UP 6077, a GE C44ACCTE; UP 6956, a GEC44/60AC; UP 4640, a GM SD70M; UP 3711, a GM SD90/43AC; UP 9832 a GE C44-9W; and UP 4005, a GM SD70M. One can assume there was a need to move extra power east. Union Pacific’s Cajon Pass track run through the gap in the hills above the locomotives.
We are at Mile Post 62.7 and heading east on Track #2 is a Union Pacific mixed freight train.

2b-4. This eastbound stack train led by BN-SF 6518, a GE ES44C4; BN-SF 4427, a GE C44-9W; BN-SF 7416, a GE ES44DC; BN-SF 7560, a GE ES44DC; and BN-SF 4103 a GE C44-9W, is at Cajon on Track #3. Track #3 will follow its own path to Mile Post 56.6 where it will rejoin Tracks #2 and #1. The road on the hillside in the background is I-15.
This eastbound stack train led by BN-SF 6518, a GE ES44C4; BN-SF 4427, a GE C44-9W; BN-SF 7416, a GE ES44DC; BN-SF 7560, a GE ES44DC; and BN-SF 4103 a GE C44-9W, is at Cajon on Track #3.

2b-5. This partially salvaged boxcar was found lying near the BN-SF track at Mile Post 59.6. There must be some story about how it came to rest at this location. I would assume that as a result of the very dry conditions at this location the U.S. Forestry Service stopped the cutting up of the car due to fire danger.
This partially salvaged boxcar was found lying near the BN-SF track at Mile Post 59.6.


Train images used by permission of Charles H bogart