I have never checked out the rail activity at the palmdale cutoff, kelso and Cima hill, Nv and was wondering where the best locations are to take pictures and also not be trespassing where you shouldn't be. I am coming to this area from Illinois for a vacation in Sept.
Thanks
paulj wrote: I have never checked out the rail activity at the palmdale cutoff, kelso and Cima hill, Nv and was wondering where the best locations are to take pictures and also not be trespassing where you shouldn't be. I am coming to this area from Illinois for a vacation in Sept. Thanks
The Palmdale cutoff runs over Cajon pass and then turns west to Palmdale and merges with the main line just below the town of Palmdale. Most of the area is OK to travel into but it is not wise to get on railroad property anyplace on Cajon. You can shoot pictures fairly well without trespassing. You also have to be aware most of the pass areas are high on alert for fire danger this time of year. Most of the activity normally is in the morning, but anytime is train time. The good thing about the pass is both the BNSF and UP use the old Santa Fe tracks right next to the Palmdale cutoff up the hill.
On a busy day, especially in the morning, you might see twenty trains in two or three hours on all three tracks over the pass, but this is from sun up to about 9 in the morning. .
Good luck with the Palmdale area. I have not been up to kelso or Cima hill but that is usually not a problem except for the heat this summer. Carry a lot of water.