Railfanning the BNSF/UP Mojave sub.
The Mojave subdivision may be one of the most photographed lines in the world. The reason it is photographed is that it is the home of the famous Tehachapi Loop. But the line is much more than just the loop. From the Orange Fields in Bakersfield in the North to the Mojave desert in the south it is a very scenic line. Also with approximately 80 to 100 trains a day on a mainly single track main with sidings it makes for a great meets.
I was able to take Mike and Jessy out for a little railfanning adventure on the line.
First stop was the Mojave Yard in Mojave, CA.
This is a BNSF southbound just north of Mojave Yard
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Next was a stop at the world famous Tehachapi Loop. If you don’t believe me we had a chance to meet a nice couple from England that was visiting it on vacation.
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Here is the same train going away from the loop
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This is the start of the chase of this BNSF southbound in Caliente siding. The speed limit in this area is only 23 mph. So it is very easy to chase individual trains as you can see in these next few shots.
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Here is the same BNSF southbound just outside of Caliente siding. With Mike visiting I figure he should get the good shot since I can come back anytime.
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This is about another 3 miles down the line in Bealville siding. The train turns back on itself so it is only about a mile from the last picture.
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Here is the same BNSF southbound entering Woodford siding about 1.5 miles north of Tehachapi Loop.
The dispatcher was nice to us and gave us a nice parade of trains.
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The next train to pass us was another BNSF southbound.
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That southbound was held for this northbound. Which once was in the clear had to wait.
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For another southbound that was fouling the main.
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On our way back we found this one with some problem sitting on the siding in Tehachapi.
Overall it was a great day for railfanning!
~ Chris Stilson: R&IT West Coast Division