Union Pacific Photo Gallery Click on the picture to view - Full sized image will open in a new window Click on the location link to view a map and information on the photo location.
There are currently 73 photos in this gallery
Date: April 30, 2003 Location: Tunnel #2
An Eastbound UP manifest rounds the curve into Tunnel #2 above Caliente. This manifest does not have DPU power, as most Eastbound UP manifests do. One clue to this fact is the SD70M leading the train which is not equipped with DPU equipment. Almost all UP DPU trains over Tehachapi are lead by either a AC44W-CTE or a DPU equipped C40-8W.
Date: April 27, 2003 Location: Sandcut
An Eastbound UP intermodal drifts down the short grade at Sandcut before tackling the long grade ahead. This short downgrade allows the rail line to enter the Caliente Creek basin and eventually leads the line to parallel the Caliente Creek for several miles between Bena and Caliente.
Date: April 25, 2003 Location: Cameron
An Eastbound UP Z train drifts downgrade along the Cache Creek near Cameron. Cameron is the first station site East of Monolith on the desert side of Tehachapi.
Date: Dec. 23, 2002 Location: Bena
An Eastbound UP intermodal train rolls at track speed through Bena.
Date: Dec. 19, 2002
Location: Edison
A Westbound UP baretable train pokes its head around the DPU power on the end of an Eastbound manifest with the Tehachapi Mountains looming in the background.
Date: August 7, 2002 Location: Sandcut
An Eastbound UP train of empty auto racks and intermodal cars crests the hill at Sandcut.
Date: July 25, 2002 Location: Bakersfield, West of Kern Junction
A new UP SD70M with UP's "Building America" slogan is fittingly the sole power for a special move of an oversized electric generator. Several such loads have been arriving in the past months and are unloaded near the old SP locomotive servicing facility at Bakersfield.
Date: July 18, 2002 Location: Bakersfield, West of Kern Junction
An Eastbound UP intermodal train rolls toward a crew change at Baker Street.
Date: July 5, 2002 Location: Edison
An Eastbound UP manifest glows in the light of sunset just East of Edison.
Date: June 6, 2002 Location: Bakersfield Depot, West of Kern Junction
A Westbound Z train makes an early morning crew change in front of the old SP Depot at Baker Street.
Date: May 9, 2002 Location: Bealville, looking toward Tunnel #5
The tail end of a long string of Eastbound intermodal cars is just clearing the Bealville Road crossing while the head end is emerging from Tunnel #5 on the hillside in the distance.
Date: March 24, 2002 Location: Sandcut Crossover
UP train Z-SELC-22 led by new UP SD70M #4851 and UP's two specially painted Olympic Torch Relay SD70M's waits for a Westbound to clear the crossovers at Sandcut before heading toward Tehachapi and ultimately Los Angeles.
Date: March 24, 2002 Location: Sandcut
After crossong over to the "wrong" main at Sandcut, the Z-SELC rolls through the curve and drops into the Caliente Creek basin toward Bena where it will run around a West Colton-bound manifest train.
Date: March 24, 2002 Location: Tunnel #2
UP 4851 leads the two Olympic units and the Z-SELC around the curve leading into Tunnel #2.
Date: March 24, 2002 Location: Bealville
The Z-SELC approaches the road crossing at Bealville.
Date: Feb. 7, 2002 Location: Bena
A Westbound UP manifest freight splits the signals at Bena. The switch for the helper spur is visible in the foreground.
Date: Feb. 1, 2002 Location: Bena
A meet between two UP manifests takes place near the old fertilizer plant at Bena.
Date: Feb. 1, 2002 Location: Caliente
Two shots of a Westbound UP manifest approaching the curve at Caliente. The first one is of the head end approaching the curve, and the second photo is of the rear end DPU power leaning into the big curve.
Date: Jan. 30, 2002 Location: Bealville
An Eastbound UP train climbs through Bealville on a sunny but cold January morning.
Date: Jan. 20, 2002 Location: Sandcut
A Westbound UP train climbs the hill at Sandcut in the early morning sunlight.
Date: Jan. 8, 2002 Location: near Edison
A Westbound UP manifest emerges from the fog near Edison.
Date: Dec. 20, 2001 Location: Caliente
An Eastbound UP intermodal train is shown rolling into the curve below Caliente. A couple of minutes later, the same train will pass directly in front of the photographer's location after rolling around the horseshoe curve across the Caliente Creek.
Date: Dec. 17, 2001 Location: Tunnel #2
The sun is setting in the afternoon with the area around Tunnel #2 already in the shadows, but the sun is still shining brightly on the mountaintops in the background.
Date: Dec. 7, 2001 Location: Woodford
An Eastbound UP manifest freight is shown approaching the water tanks near the East end of Woodford.
Date: Dec. 5, 2001 Location: Edison
An Eastbound unit pipe train slows for a speed restriction at Edison.
Date: Oct. 26, 2001 Location: Sandcut
A Westbound train leans into the final right hand curve at Sandcut before reaching the long stretch of tangent track that will take it the rest of the way into Bakersfield.
Date: Oct. 19, 2001 Location: Bena
Most rail photography taken in the field is of subjects in motion, or at the least expecting them to be in motion at any time. Occasionally, circumstances will make things a little more predictable. In this case, the train in the photo is tied down at Bena due to a derailment at Caliente that was still being cleaned up. This allowed me to take a more up close and personal "portrait" type of photo.
Date: Oct. 17, 2001 Location: Near Chester Ave., North of Downtown Bakersfield
An Eastbound unit pipe train rolls into Bakersfield from points North during the mid-day hours.
Date: July 18, 2001 Location: Baker Street, Bakersfield, CA
After an early morning crew change, UP's Z-LCSE begins to roll away from Bakersfield bound for points North.
Date: July 9, 2001 Location: North of Bakersfield at Slater (MP 295 on the Fresno Line)
On a short trip between Bakersfield and Fresno, the RBB&B Circus Train approaches the Kimberlina Road overpass at Slater on the Valley mainline North of Bakersfield.
Date: July 5, 2001 Location: Woodford
One of the most reliable schedules over Tehachapi is UP's Z-SELC which usually heads East out of Bakersfield in the mid-day hours. Here, the train is shown rolling uphill through Woodford led by one of UP's new SD70M's.
Date: June 24, 2001 Location: Sandcut
UP's Z-SELC rolls into the curve at Sandcut, led by one of the now common winged SD70M's.
Date: June 24, 2001 Location: Caliente
This photo is an illusion of sorts, as the DPU power of a Roseville bound manifest rolls away from the camera at Caliente in a view that could easily be mistaken as an Eastbound.
Date: June 24, 2001 Location: North of Bakersfield at Slater (MP 295 on the Fresno Line)
The early morning light greets UP's Z-LCSE as it makes track speed up the valley through the farmlands North of Bakersfield near Famoso. This train usually traverses Tehachapi Pass in the pre-dawn darkness and makes a crew change at Bakersfield around sunrise.
Date: April 28, 2001 Location: Rosamond (South of Mojave)
Actually beyond Tehachapi Pass but still in Kern County, the Eastbound I-OAHO enters the Antelope Valley at Rosamond on straight track at about 60 miles per hour.
Date: April 28, 2001 Location: East of Monolith
The midday sky has cleared as the I-OAHO has started to roll down the East slope of Tehachapi Pass toward Mojave. Visible in the background is the huge cement plant at Monolith.
Date: April 28, 2001 Location: Woodford
UP's Eastbound I-OAHO pops in and out of the sun as it approaches the East switch at Woodford.
Date: April 25, 2001 Location: Tunnel #2
Here is a little different view of the Eastbound UP Yermo Local approaching Tunnel #2 in the late afternoon hours.
Date: April 24, 2001 Location: Quantico (East end of UP Bakersfield Yard)
An Eastbound UP Intermodal train made up of mostly double-stack cars passes under the signal bridge over the double track mainline leading out of Bakersfield toward the Tehachapi Mountains.
Date: April 18, 2001 Location: Bealville
UP train symbolled Z-SELC moves slowly up the siding at Bealville after a rolling meet with the FRA test car train that had passed minutes before.
Date: April 6, 2001 Location: Walong
Last shot, which is one of my favorite angles. The power of the UP Z train is crossing over the top of Tunnel #9 in the middle of the loop at Walong.
Date: April 6, 2001 Location: West of Caliente
First photo of an Eastbound UP Intermodal train (symbol ZSELC, I believe) taken from the turnout overlooking Caliente Creek on Caliente-Bodfish Road just West of the community of Caliente. Visible in the foreground are some of the brightly colored wildflowers that accent the West side of Tehachapi Pass in the spring months.
Date: March 29, 2001 Location: Sandcut
A West Colton bound manifest passes under the signal bridge protecting the crossover at Sandcut. Currently, UP SD90MAC's 8500-8521 are regular headend power on the one or two daily QRVWC trains. These trains also feature remote DPU power on the rear that is usually two C40-8W's or a lone SD90MAC. The second photo shows the lone SD90MAC shoving the rear of the train toward the curve and hill at Sandcut.
Date: March 29, 2001 Location: Bealville
A UP manifest train climbs uphill through the reverse curves West of the Bealville Road crossing. This time of the year, the hills are covered in green grass, and the annual wildflowers are just beginning to bloom. Within the next couple of months, the hillsides will once again turn their normal tones of yellow and brown.
Date: March 29, 2001 Location: Saco, North of Bakersfield
A UP Ballast train sits in the siding at Saco, tied down and crewless. With Saco being the first siding North (railroad West) of Bakersfield, it is used regularly to park trains waiting for available crews.
Date: March 13, 2001 Location: Between Saco and Oil Junction, North of Bakersfield
After a brief stop North of Bakersfield, a UP manifest starts rolling again after getting a clear signal. Occasionally, the crew change point at Bakersfield is overwhelmed with Eastbound trains, making it necessary for trains to wait their turn North of town.
Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Bakersfield, about 3 miles West of Kern Junction
A West Colton bound UP manifest led by the now-regular pair of SD90MAC's approaches the grade crossing at the corner of 30th and M Streets just West of the crew change point at the old SP Bakersfield Depot. This location is just North of Downtown Bakersfield, and very close to the Kern County Museum on Chester Avenue.
Date: March 7, 2001 Location: Tunnel #2
A Roseville-West Colton manifest grinds uphill at Tunnel #2, between Caliente and Bealville.
Date: March 7, 2001 Location: Walong
Due to wet weather and related mudslides and washouts, UP detoured several trains down the Central Valley and over Tehachapi Pass that usually traverse the Coast Line. One such train was the Oakland to Long Beach baretables, shown on the Loop at Walong.
Date: March 2, 2001 Location: Quantico (East end of UP Bakersfield Yard)
Hazy midday sun greets a Westbound UP train as it enters the Bakersfield Yard and a crew change before continuing on to Roseville.
Date: February 28, 2001 Location: Bakersfield (Baker Street Depot)
After changing crews in front of the ex-SP Bakersfield Depot, a Roseville bound UP train leaves a cloud of diesel smoke behind to mark its departure.
Date: February 27, 2001 Location: Edison
A Roseville to West Colton DPU Manifest train led by a pair of recently re-assigned SD90MAC's rolls past rows of packing sheds at Edison, just East of Bakersfield.
Date: January 27, 2001 Location: Caliente
UP Train IOAHO climbs uphill out of Caliente. The sky in the background provides a dark background to the bright new yellow locomotive.
Date: January 27, 2001 Location: Bealville
UP Train IOAHO runs around a manifest train at Bealville. The IOAHO is led by a brand new UP AC60CW and a well worn SP SD45T-2.
Date: January 27, 2001 Location: Bealville
A UP Crew member gives a BNSF train a roll-by inspection while it runs around his West Colton bound manifest train. The manifest train is led by two SD90MAC's that are becoming regulars in Roseville-West Colton DPU service.
Date: January 23, 2001 Location: Sandcut
DPU power on the tail end of a West Colton bound manifest leans into the curve at Sandcut. DPU is now used on Roseville to West Colton manifest trains, eliminating the need to add helpers at Bakersfield.
Date: November 9, 2000 Location: Between Sandcut and Bena
The train pictured is an Eastbound UP intermodal train dropping down Sandcut Hill just above the old helper spur at Bena. The photo is taken from the landfill road which crosses the railroad tracks near the crossovers at Sandcut. Near the top of the photo is the hill where most Sandcut photos are taken from. Also visible above the train's power is Bena Road.
Date: October 7, 2000 Location: Sandcut
A late afternoon shot of a Westbound UP train climbing the hill at Sandcut. After seeing this train on the Trainorders RailCam, I hopped in my truck and headed to Sandcut to get the photo. This is one of the benefits of being a railfan and living in Bakersfield.
Date: August 2, 2000 Location: Quantico (East end of UP Bakersfield Yard)
An Eastbound Auto Rack train waits it's turn for a trip over Tehachapi Pass in the Bakersfield Yard. Power for this train: Two new winged SD70M's and an ex-SP Tunnel Motor in UP colors.
Date: July 10, 2000 Location: Bealville
The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus Train glides downhill through Bealville in near sunset. The train is being handled between Los Angeles and Fresno by the Union Pacific Rauilroad.
Date: June 27, 2000 Location: Approx. 20 miles North of Bakersfield along Hwy. 99 at Kimberlina Rd.
Brand new UP SD70M #4037 leads an Oakland/Marion, AR Auto/Intermodal train toward Bakersfield on the ex-SP mainline from Fresno.
Date: January 19, 2000 Location: Sandcut
Eastbound train led by UP #3300 in a special paint scheme honoring the United Way.
Date: February 5, 2000 Location: Caliente
Westbound train passing the East switch of Caliente Siding.
Date: February 5, 2000 Location: Caliente
View of an Eastbound train stopped in the siding at Caliente, with the westbound approaching the siding visible on the hill in the background.
Date: March 13, 2000 Location: Woodford
Eastbound train climbing through Woodford just east of the Hwy. 58 overpass near Keene.
Date: August 1986 Location: Feather River Rail Society Museum/Portola, CA
On a family trip to Northern California in 1986, a side trip to Portola was part of the trip plan. Here is a frontal view of DDA40X #6946, the largest display piece of this extraordinary collection.
Date: April 15, 1999 Location: Monolith
A Westbound Management Special approaches the Tehachapi Blvd. grade crossing just east of the cement plant at Monolith.
Date: April 15, 1999 Location: Walong
Westbound Management Special pauses with its train wrapped around the famous loop.
Date: April 15, 1999 Location: Mojave
A Westbound stack train on BNSF track is approaching the junction with the UP at Mojave. The UP now has trackage rights between Mojave and Daggett, allowing direct access between the UP Valley line and the LA&SL through Las Vegas to points east.
Date: June 29, 1999 Location: Caliente
An Eastbound train having just traversed the horseshoe curve at Caliente, is now traveling physically West as it begins the steep climb toward Tehachapi Summit. About 2 miles west, it will turn back toward the East heading toward Bealville.
