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logo-bnsf.GIF (8329 bytes)    Burlington Northern Santa Fe
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There are currently 59 photos in this gallery


04300330t.jpg (6854 bytes)

Date:  April 30, 2003

Location:  Tunnel #2

An Eastbound BNSF Z train is shown as the power is about to enter Tunnel #2.


04300317t.jpg (7770 bytes)

04300324t.jpg (7978 bytes)

newanima.gif (2685 bytes)  Date:  April 30, 2003

Location:  Woodford

Shown in these two photos is a rolling meet between two BNSF trains at Woodford.   The intermodal train is an Eastbound rolling slowly through the siding, while a Westbound manifest holds the main.


04250310t.jpg (8113 bytes)

newanima.gif (2685 bytes)  Date:  April 25, 2003

Location:  Caliente

A Westbound BNSF log train rolls downgrade through the community of Caliente.


12190203t.jpg (8183 bytes)

newanima.gif (2685 bytes)  Date:  Dec. 19, 2002

Location:  Bena

A Westbound BNSF train enters the double track mainline at Bena.


04280203t.jpg (7248 bytes)

Date:  April 28, 2002

Location:  Sandcut

A Westbound BNSF freight is shown making the climb up the short grade at Sandcut.


03270201t.jpg (5909 bytes)

Date:  March 27, 2002

Location:  Kern Junction

An Eastbound BNSF train is about to enter UP trackage at Kern Junction.  The road crossing in view is Sumner Ave.


03240238t.jpg (6775 bytes)

Date:  March 24, 2002

Location:  Caliente

A colorful 10 unit BNSF power move rolls East toward Caliente.  The units in this power move included 5 different BNSF paint schemes (BNSF H I, H II, Red/Silver, BN Green, ATSF Yellow) as well as two foreign units (CSX and NS).


03240236t.jpg (5906 bytes)

Date:  March 24, 2002

Location:  between Tunnel #1 and Tunnel #2

The power of an Eastbound BNSF train is surrounded by green hillsides and clouds on an overcast May day.


02120202t.jpg (4840 bytes)

Date:  Feb. 12, 2002

Location:  Kern Junction

A Westbound UP Z train rolls slowly toward a crew change just before dawn on a clear, cool morning in Bakersfield.


02010234t.jpg (5997 bytes)

Date:  Feb. 1, 2002

Location:  Ilmon

An Eastbound BNSF train speeds through the desert-like setting at Ilmon.


02010206t.jpg (6254 bytes)

Date:  Feb. 1, 2002

Location:  Sandcut

The first light of the first day of February greets an Eastbound BNSF train at Sandcut.


01290221t.jpg (5467 bytes)

Date:  Jan. 29, 2002

Location:  near Edison

Late evening and overcast creates a shiny glare off the sides of an Eastbound BNSF train heading towards an assault on Tehachapi Pass.


01290206t.jpg (6989 bytes)

01290209t.jpg (6646 bytes)

01290217t.jpg (6700 bytes)

Date:  Jan. 29, 2002

Location:  Walong

Snow from a winter storm blankets the hillsides surrounding the loop at Walong in three sequential shots of an Eastbound BNSF train climbing its way up the mountain.

 


01200224t.jpg (6088 bytes)

Date:  Jan. 20, 2002

Location:  Caliente

The green hillsides of the Caliente Creek canyon frame an Eastbound BNSF intermodal train below Caliente.


12280115t.jpg (6008 bytes) Date:  Dec. 28, 2001

Location:  between Edison and Sandcut

An Eastbound stack train splits the vineyards and orchards that line the tracks East of Edison.


12280113t.jpg (5344 bytes) Date:  Dec. 28, 2001

Location:  Bealville

An overcast day allows this photograph to be taken from the "dark side" of the tracks.  On a sunny day, this photo would be looking directly into the sun.   Today, the overcast skies block out the backlighting and make everything gray.


12280109t.jpg (6452 bytes) Date:  Dec. 28, 2001

Location:  Caliente

An Eastbound BNSF intermodal train begins the climb up the hill at Caliente with its train still wrapped around the horseshoe curve just out of the frame of the photo to the left.


12200102t.jpg (6380 bytes) Date:  Dec. 20, 2001

Location:  Caliente

An Eastbound BNSF train rolls through the s-curve below Caliente coming out of the Caliente Creek ravine between Ilmon and Caliente.


12190102t.jpg (5374 bytes) Date:  Dec. 19, 2001

Location:  Between Bena and Ilmon

The sandy bed of Caliente Creek makes for a barren desert-like appearance around this Eastbound BNSF train shown approaching the West switch at Ilmon.  This view is from a hillside located directly next to Bena Road, which can be easily accessed from a large turnout off of the road.


12170129t.jpg (6208 bytes) Date:  Dec. 17, 2001

Location:  Walong

The best time to take photographs in the Tehachapi Mountains is on a relatively clear day after a recent storm.  Such is the case on this day, with good sunlight and clear air allowing for amazingly clear and deep photos highlighting the bright colors of the BNSF power with the visible details of the mountains in the background which are usually obscured by the persistant haze.


12100101t.jpg (5798 bytes) Date:  Dec. 10, 2001

Location:  East of Mojave on the BNSF Barstow Line

An Eastbound empty grain train has just moved onto home tracks and begins accelerating toward Sanborn.


12050104t.jpg (5185 bytes) Date:  Dec. 5, 2001

Location:  Bealville

An Eastbound empty unit coil steel train climbs past the East switch of Bealville siding.


09280113t.jpg (6500 bytes) Date:  Sept. 28, 2001

Location:  Sandcut

An Eastbound BNSF manifest approaches the curve at the top of the hill at Sandcut.


09280110t.jpg (5881 bytes) Date:  Sept. 28, 2001

Location:  Sandcut

A Westbound BNSF Manifest climbs the hill at Sandcut on the "wrong" track.


09260106t.jpg (5447 bytes) Date:  Sept. 26, 2001

Location:  Bena

An Eastbound BNSF intermodal train passes the helper spur at Bena, with its train stretched out on the hill from Sandcut.


09200108t.jpg (6461 bytes) Date:  Sept. 20, 2001

Location:  MP 377 near Mojave

An Eastbound BNSF train rolls the last couple of miles downhill into Mojave.


08290111t.jpg (5770 bytes) Date:  Aug. 29, 2001

Location:  near Edison

An Eastbound BNSF train leaves Bakersfield with four ex-Amtrak SDF40-2's in the power consist, a rarity at this late date as these units probably have a limited future with the BNSF.


07160114t.jpg (6332 bytes) Date:  July 16, 2001

Location:  Woodford

The RBB&B Circus train climbs through Woodford on its Eastbound trip over Tehachapi Pass.


06240120t.JPG (6631 bytes)

06240124t.JPG (5631 bytes)

Date:  June 24, 2001

Location:   Caliente

A long BNSF train headed by a flock of C44-9W's is shown in two shots at Caliente.   In the first shot you see the power and the head-end double stack cars heading toward the Caliente-Bodfish Road crossing.  In the second view taken minutes later and a few yards to the south, the rear end Auto-Max cars are passing the East Caliente signal while the head end is approaching Tunnel #1 on the hillside in the background.


04250120t.JPG (5902 bytes) Date:  April 25, 2001

Location:  Tunnel #2

A wide angle shot of an Eastbound BNSF train rounding the curve into Tunnel #2.


04250112t.JPG (6444 bytes) Date:  April 25, 2001

Location:  Tunnel #2

The BNSF Eastbound train known locally as the "Wine Train" is led by a colorful consist of locomotives as it rounds the curve approaching Tunnel #2.


04200108t.JPG (6475 bytes) Date:  April 20, 2001

Location:   Bealville

An Eastbound BNSF train passes the signal protecting the East switch of Bealville siding.


04180102t.JPG (5238 bytes) Date:   April 18, 2001

Location:  Edison

A short train of Auto-Max articulated auto racks is rolling Eastbound out of Bakersfield near the town of Edison.


04060139t.JPG (7030 bytes) Date:   April 6, 2001

Location:  Bena

While the old helper spur is no longer used on a daily basis, it does see some traffic from time to time.  Here a trio of BNSF C44-9W's idle away, giving a rare chance for a close up portriat.


04050105t.JPG (7219 bytes) Date:   April 5, 2001

Location:  Sandcut

A Westbound BNSF train led by two shiny Red and Silver "Warbonnets" climbs the hill at Sandcut, before reaching the straight downgrade line into Bakersfield.


04020101t.JPG (6805 bytes) Date:   April 2, 2001

Location:  Quantico, East end of UP Bakersfield Yard

A common sight in Bakersfield, an Eastbound BNSF train is led by an impressive number of locomotives.  This practice is a holdover from Santa Fe days, which is usually a power-balancing move between the isolated Valley line and Barstow.


03120107t.JPG (6003 bytes) Date:   March 12, 2001

Location:  Edison

A unit train of Auto-Max articulated auto racks accelerates Eastbound out of Bakersfield near Edison.


03120104t.JPG (6871 bytes) Date:   March 12, 2001

Location: Between Bena and Ilmon

The same BNSF train shown in the previous photo traverses the short stretch of single track between Bena and Ilmon.  Just out of view to the left of the photo is Bena Road, while the Caliente Creek is visible to the right of the train.


03070124t.JPG (7135 bytes) Date:   March 7, 2001

Location:   Tunnel #5, East of Bealville

A long lens shot of the train in the previous photo taken from Bealville.  As Eastbounds leave Bealville, they reappear high on the hillside to the East as they exit Tunnel #5 and approach the West end of the siding at Cliff.


03070122t.JPG (5712 bytes) Date:   March 7, 2001

Location:  Bealville

An Eastbound BNSF train pulls out of the siding at Bealville after running around a stopped UP manifest holding the main line.


02270108t.JPG (5300 bytes) Date:   February 27, 2001

Location: East of Kern Junction between Quantico and Magunden

Another Eastbound BNSF intermodal train accelerates out of Bakersfield under the Oswell Street overpass.


02200103t.JPG (5934 bytes) Date:   February 20, 2001

Location:  Kern Junction

An Eastbound BNSF train pulls onto the UP Mainline at Kern Junction.  The SJVR Buttonwillow branch leaves the mainline to the left side of the photo, while the UP Bakersfield Yard is visible to the right.


11270001t.JPG (4483 bytes) Date:  November 27, 2000

Location:  Sandcut

On a foggy november day, an Eastbound BNSF train leans into the curve at Sandcut.   Due to its proximity to Bakersfield, Sandcut is one of my favorite spots for short photo outings.  By catching a train leaving Bakersfield, you can drive ahead to this spot and usually only wait 10 to 15 minutes for it to arrive.


00020502t.JPG (5963 bytes) Date:  February 5, 2000

Location:  Tunnel #3/Bealville

A Westbound BNSF train has just emerged from Tunnel #3 and is approaching the East Switch at Bealville.


00031401t.JPG (4381 bytes) Date:  March 14, 2000

Location:  Quantico-East end of UP Bakersfield Yard

An Eastbound BNSF train accelerates away from Bakersfield, headed toward Tehachapi Pass.  The signal bridge in the photo protects the east entrance to the UP Bakerrsfield Yard.


00042101t.JPG (5173 bytes) Date:  April 21, 2000

Location:  BNSF Bakersfield Yard

Several Eastbound BNSF trains are staged in the yard, awaiting their turn to attack the grades of Tehachapi Pass.  The photo is taken from F Street, on the south side of the BNSF tracks.  The road crossing at F Street has been removed, and the area completely fenced in.  This photo was taken over the fencing, from the bed of my pickup.


00050501t.JPG (5610 bytes) Date:  May 5, 2000

Location:  Train at Allard/Bealville taken from above Tunnel #2

The photo, taken from above Tunnel #2, shows an Eastbound BNSF train climbing along the 13,270 foot Bealville Siding.  The headend has passed the crossover in the middle of the siding, while the tail end of the train shown below is just entering the horseshoe curve located west of the Bealville Road crossing.  The photo is taken with the equivalent to a 420mm lens (210mm with a 2x teleconverter).


99020811t.JPG (6229 bytes) Date:  February 8, 1999

Location:  Woodford

This photo is actually the rear end helpers on a Westbound coil steel unit train.   The rusty track in the foreground is the Woodford spur track used mainly for the storage and staging of work trains.


99020812t.JPG (6203 bytes) Date:  February 8, 1999

Location:  Sandcut

A Westbound BNSF train is cresting the grade up from the drainage basin of the Caliente Creek, and will soon be on the straight track headed for Bakersfield.


99020823t.JPG (5143 bytes) Date:  February 8, 1999

Location:  Bealville

A Westbound BNSF train with green hills in the background is shown passing the East Switch of Bealville, having just passed through Tunnel #3.  Minutes before, the train passed through Tunnel #5, which is visible on the background hillside above the last unit of the train.


99021204t.JPG (4974 bytes) Date:  February 12, 1999

Location:  Between Edison and Sandcut

Having made the descent from Tehachapi Summit, the crew of this Westbound BNSF train is only a few miles away from the end of their run.  The train will get a new crew at Bakersfield that will take it up the valley north through Fresno and Stockton.


99061511t.JPG (4685 bytes) Date:  June 15, 1999

Location:  BNSF Bakersfield-Fresno Line

Photo shot while waiting for Santa Fe 3751.  Although unsure of the location, I believe it is just South of Hanford, CA.  The train is an Eastbound (geographically South).


99071521t.JPG (6859 bytes) Date:  July 15, 1999

Location:  West of Caliente

Coming out of an area known as the Caliente Creek Narrows, an Eastbound BNSF train skirts the creek on a sweeping S curve.  This area was recently (1983) double tracked by connecting the sidings of Ilmon to the west, and Caliente to the east.


99120801t.JPG (4880 bytes) Date:  December 8, 1999

Location:  Caliente

An eastbound BNSF train has just begun digging into Tehachapi's grade at Caliente.   With its train wrapped around the horseshoe curve, the head end is approaching the bridge over Bealville Road and the Tehachapi Creek.


99120808t.JPG (5305 bytes) Date:  December 8, 1999

Location:  Bealville

This photo was taken on the reverse curve just west of the Bealville Road crossing near the East Switch of Bealville Siding.  This location is 1 mile by car from Caliente, but around 4 miles by rail.  Train speeds of 25 MPH or lower make photographing the same train at both locations easy to do without much effort.  This is the same train as the above photo.