U.P. Colton Yards

Hi All,

Had occasion to take the Interstate Ten Freeway east today heading towards Arizona and went by the Colton Yards. Incredible view. Well over one million horsepower there and as far as the eye can see freight cars everywhere. Huge strings of all sorts of dedicated freight cars, and a plethora of TOFC and COFC, all just sitting there awaiting their next moves. Lots of people around as well as evidenced by all sorts of private cars parked nearby. It was never THAT busy when the yards were Southern Pacific. Is it just the time of the year, or is this fairly normal now ??? Had a neighbor that worked the tower there until he retired, and he used to brag that it was a nice quiet job.

And, by the way, the traffic was also built up around the Palmdale Cutoff. Yup, even that was busy.

Hi Pennsy;

Part of it is the time of year. Normally around the first of the year the railroads take inventory of what they have. It seems like long about March the traffic starts rolling big time. Also, the business has picked up over the years; more tonnage being hauled.

Part of Southern Pacific's problem was their business base was drying up.

Hope this helps.