Hello,
I am planning to chase the Big Boy from LA to Barstow and back again. I have a couple questions below that I hope some of you can answer.
What is the most likely routing for the Big Boy over Cajon Pass? I know that there are multiple tracks across the pass, but they some of them are in different locations. I already have a track map, but I'm unsure what the most likely westbound or eastbound routing is. Also, the entire line to Barstow is double track, so which side will it be on going east or westbound?
Also, what are the best spots for railfanning in Cajon Pass (and along the line to Barstow)? I'm not from the LA area and have never seen Cajon Pass before, and will not be able to scope out sites beforehand. I recently heard that Highway 138 got straightened out, so does this affect any spots (new and old) along that road? Unfortunately, I don't have access to an offroad-capable vehicle, so spots like Hill 582 are probably out of the picture. Also, what spots do you recommend along the rest of the line to Barstow? I'd like to be able to go to some easily accessible, yet not-well-known spots. I think the best, well-known spots will be really crowded.
Lastly, I've heard of a spot called "Frost" where both tracks cross over each other slightly south of Victorville. Is it a good spot and easy to access? Is the Big Boy's direction a good prediction of whether it will be on the top or bottom, and if so, which direction is associated with which track?
I posted this about a week ago in the "Steam and Preservation" section and got two responses who said they had no idea. I'm hoping to have more luck posting it here. I'd greatly appreciate your help.
Thank You,
Matthew Cheng
Come check out my Youtube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSlaF4fvDX1brq6YOeODLPw
Trainzguy2472 Unfortunately, I don't have access to an offroad-capable vehicle, so spots like Hill 582 are probably out of the picture.
Unfortunately, I don't have access to an offroad-capable vehicle, so spots like Hill 582 are probably out of the picture.
I visited Hill 582 14 years ago, and made it to the top with a FWD minivan loaded to the roof liner with my son's possessions. It's a great vantage point of what was then all three tracks; I suspect that hasn't changed.
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
last time I was there I was able to get close to the hill in my 2WD rental and hike up from there. Be sure to pack some supplies in case things go wrong, but I am sure on a event like that there will be people at 582 for days in advance.
Crowds will be thinner north of Victorville
hey Brian, I remember that trip. I still have the cnw pic hung prominantly on my wall.
chad s thomas hey Brian, I remember that trip. I still have the cnw pic hung prominantly on my wall.
Now, where did I leave that popcorn machine?
Anybody got a dust rag?
Matthew Cheng (Trainzguy2472) (9-25):
Frankly, Matthew, you are skirting the grave! It is that serious!
There are few SAFE spots, very few, to stop and take photos. May I suggest staking out a residential area trackside south of Bear Valley Road and the BNSF mainline on the east side of the Victorville-Hesperia area? I personally saw UP 844 in that area in the mid to late 1980’s, and while there were spectators, it was very, very manageable.
Expect MOST of Cajon Pass and the back road to Barstow to be a zoo! AND, SUPER UNSAFE!
AND, compounding the risk, Sunday you will have the masses – and I mean masses – returning to Southern California from a weekend of gambling up in Las Vegas, NV. The I-15 Freeway often crawls much of the way! (Hence, Cajon Blvd. will likely have many, many speed demons on it trying, and failing, to get around the crowds not interested in seeing the steamer.) So, skip and hop with a camera is basically NOT in the realm of possibility. And, if you are not familiar with the local roads, the reference to the grave takes on real meaning!
It is hoped you have fun photographing steamer UP 4014, but do NOT expect a full day(s) of photographing the huge steam attraction. It will be a zoo, and the majority do not live in the area and have absolute NO idea how dangerous the area is and will be!
Best,
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
Found this UP link today: Steam Locomotive Tracking.
Hey KP,
Thanks for the advice. Hill 582 is probably out, so I'm thinking Cajon Blvd is a good spot. Also, my hotel is on Bear valley road, so that should be convenient. I understand the traffic issues and will probably monitor the traffic ahead of the days I am going (12-13).
If anyone has other tips, please let me know.
Thanks,
Trainzguy2472If anyone has other tips, please let me know.
You can also use the Caltrans QuickMap page to get relatively real-time road and traffic information. The first time you go to the site, you need to click the “Options” dropdown and open the “Road Conditions” panel and check the first five choices. This will give a good picture of conditions like current speeds, road work, CHP incidents, etc., on the map. Clicking an icon on the map will pop up a summary of information related to the icon.
As an example, as I write this, an incident icon going up Cajon Pass on the 15 indicates that a brush fire is being worked which was reported about a half an hour ago. (I’m sure the forest service is trying to figure out how to blame it on the Durango and Silverton.) Not surprisingly, northbound 15 in the area is showing traffic moving very slow, which is normal for this time of day.
Trainzguy2472 (9-30):
You mentioned Cajon Blvd. It is strongly suggested you stay away from that road completely. Commuters familiar with Cajon Blvd. take it in the hopes of avoiding a traffic jam on the freeway, and often speed demon through the Pass at 75 M.P.H. It is inadvisable to be on Cajon Blvd. if someone loses control of their vehicle. Matter of fact, someone (possibly Caltrans) put blocking white obstacles (possibly posts) just off the roadway at the old, historic Blue Cut turnouts. It is just too dangerous now! The same goes for Route 66 from Victorville to Barstow.
From BNSF’s Silverwood to Barstow the route UP 4014 will take is known (the BNSF). From Silverwood to West Colton it is presently unknown. Personally, I’ve got a gut feeling the UP’s old “Palmdale Cutoff” will be taken (it is cheaper for UP), and goes through much residential areas.
Whatever you do, Matthew, time will NOT be on your side. In the late 1980’s I and a whole bunch of others followed UP 844 (or was in 3985 or both?) up Cima Hill. It was absolutely fantastic! But, Cima Hill was way, way out in the boonies. West Colton-Barstow is now like Los Angeles! Ponder how you might deal with that before the great days come!
Take care,
Ok, I get it. You don't have to be so alarmist about it. There's gonna be a lot of people on top of the already bad LA traffic, and I already know that chasing it to a zillion sports will be hard. Plus, I'm seeing it on a weekend. Commute traffic can't be all that bad, right? I'm from the Bay Area. Traffic is already garbage here.
Also, does anyone have any advice for Frost? Is the crossover easy to get to and which direction of travel is on the top or bottom?
Matthew
Trainzguy2472 (10-1):
OK, Matthew …
Up in Barstow, there is the easily accessible old 1975 built “Mechanical Tower,” a Star Wars type monster three story walking creature, sort of anyway. It is stationary but easily seen almost anywhere in the yard. And, by the depot (Amtrak station) is a museum-like place with engines and rolling stock on display. They even have a Santa Fe red and silver warbonnet type FP45. You’ll know you are on the right route by the old, long bridge that goes over the BNSF yard, the bridge being just east of the very prominent ‘B’ Hill, with the Amtrak station and the rail museum visible from the bridge.
By Colton, in the West Colton Yard area, the Pepper Ave. overpass has been a favorite of fans for decades. At Riverside Ave. (in Rialto, the classification yard is miles long and goes through a number of cities), to the west is the ‘roundhouse’ or engine servicing facility, hardly a ‘round’ place! Across (east) from that and Riverside Ave. is a shop building where power has heavier service done. In the downtown Colton area, the 2013 finished UP Sunset Route Colton Flyover goes over the BNSF southern Transcon, and between the two routes 100 trains a day are often seen.
In downtown San Bernardino (just northeast of Colton) is a BNSF Intermodal facility and Metrolink’s San Bernardino Line’s Depot stop. Metrolink action is heavy in the early morning and towards evening. Metrolink is now running the new F125 streamlined diesel powered locomotives on many of their commuter trains, the F125’s being numbered 903 and above
So, that should keep you super busy with railfan activity out of your Victorville lodging base.
Drive safely,
K. P. HarrierDrive safely, K.P.
Just watched the DVR of 4014's pass by the Cajon Pass railcams. The west cam has a nice view of the road south of the tracks and there were a lot of cars heading west after the train went by. Looking at the UP train tracker site, the BB is resting near Fontana tonight.
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