TrainWeb.org Facebook Page
Union Pacific's Cima Subdivision Page: Las Vegas, NV to Yermo, CA
.

Union Pacific's Cima Subdivision
Las Vegas, NV to Yermo, CA
Updated:  02/24/2005

Introduction

 

        Welcome to the Cima Subdivision! This page has been created to highlight the UPRR's Cima Subdivision and the many fine photo locations along its route. The sub is named after a specific area known as Cima Hill. This grueling grade remains one of the steepest climbs the UP must face on its march across the North American continent. Rising to over 4000 feet, Cima Hill has given the UP pause on several occasions, and has even produced a few runaways. This respect for the hill now results in most downhill trains on the western face barely making 20 mph! Getting ahead to that next photo spot is never an issue.
        Along with Cima Hill, there are many other wonderful locations to visit. Steep canyons and heavy grades, coupled with high speed running across flat dry lakes and desert basins means you'll find a wide variety of operational situations that the railroad must work with. Stretching between Las Vegas, NV and Yermo, CA, this line sees about 20-25 trains a day, with about 50% of those seen during daylight hours. While not the busiest line in the country, the Cima Sub certainly has the locations, scenery, and variety of trains which more than make up for the moderately light traffic. The variety of trains and scenic vistas makes any railfan visit worth the effort.
        The railroad runs trains in an east / west fashion, though most of the line is geographically running north / south. The sub lies in the Pacific Time Zone, with trains operating on a 24 hr clock (military time). Access is decent to most of the sub, with locations north (RR east) of Kelso, CA the easiest to reach. The sub is lined through some pretty desolate regions though, so be prepared for very little in the way of amenities between the end points. Paved roads are available in many locations and dirt roads make up the rest. It is actually possible to follow the entire sub, beside the main, on some sort of road, paved or otherwise. A few spots are harder to navigate, but we'll cover this more in detail in subsequent pages.
        This page will serve as the gateway to the various sections of this sub that I have developed. Pictures, maps, and railfan guides are all part of the information you'll be able to find here. The goal is to provide the new or veteran Cima Sub railfan, the info and tools to have a successful and enjoyable outing.


 
Cima Subdivision Table of Contents: (White background is your current page)
Picture Pages
Total # of Pictures
Maps and Railfan Info
Last Update:

Cima Sub Main Page

94

Cima Sub Maps, Timetable & Info

12-22-2003

Nevada  (Las Vegas, NV to Calada, NV)
40

Nevada Segment

2-24-2005
Cima Hill  (Nipton, CA to Kelso, CA)
48

Cima Hill Segment

 8-9-2003
Afton Canyon  (Flynn, CA to Dunn, CA)
02

Afton Cyn Segment

4-25-2003
 Yermo  (Field, CA to Yermo, CA)
04

 Yermo

4-25-2003

 

Cima Sub Superlatives

West end: Yermo, CA - MP 162.0; East end: Las Vegas, NV  MP  334.3; Total route miles: 172.3;  CTC, Single track with sidings.
Max track speed: 70 mph.
Major stations (locations): Yermo, Kelso, Cima, Las Vegas
Crew Change Points: Las Vegas, Yermo
Yards: Yermo, CA; Arden, NV
Junctions: Boulder Branch (UPRR) MP 327.8
Highest point: 4,207' @ Cima Hill, CA; Lowest Point: 968' @ Crucero, CA
Radio Frequencies: AAR 27  160.515 DS-07 Las Vegas to Yermo.
Train Frequency: 20-25 daily;  Train Types: Coal, Auto, Intermodal, Cement, Manifest
Amtrak : none scheduled


  SLIDESHOW  31 picture presentation of a day on Cima Hill, 4-19-2003.


Timetable Info

Cima Subdivision (From RR East to RR West)

Nevada Stations

Mile Post

Speed Limit

Siding Lengths

Las Vegas

334.3

20

3 Mains (Yard)

Wyoming St

332.7

60

2 Mains

Sands Ave

330.5

40

2 Mains

Bracken (retired)

329.1

60

2 Mains

Tropicana Ave

328.6

60

2 Mains

Boulder Jct.

327.8

60

2 Mains

Maule

362.4

60

2 Mains

Arden

323.9 / 321.3

60

8467' (mini-yard)

Bard (Unofficial)

317.0

40

No Siding

Sloan

315.3 / 314.0

30

6282'

Erie

310.0 / 308.1

60

8843'

* Detector *

307.0

 

 

Sutor (Unofficial)

304.0

70

No Siding

Jean

301.9 / 3007

70

5721'

Borax

297.0 / 295.8

70

5792'

California Stations

 

 

 

Calada (siding is in both states) 

288.8 / 287.0

70

8791'

Nipton

278.2 / 276.9

70

5767'

*Detector*

273.7

   

Moore

273.0 / 271.8

70

5765'

Ivanpah

268.0 / 266.0

70

9835'

Brant

263.9 / 262.8

70

5751'

Joshua

258.5 / 257.2

70

6066'

* Detector *

256.0

 

 

Cima

254.6 / 253.3

45

2 Mains (north 6266') (south 9862')

Chase

251.1 / 249.8

70

5765'

Elora

247.9 / 246.7

45

5780'

Dawes

243.9 / 242.0

70

9025'

Hayden

240.0 / 238.7

70

5780'

Kelso

236.5 / 234.5

70

2 Mains (North & South 9190') (mini-yard)

Flynn (retired)

230.3

70

No siding

Kerens

226.7 / 225.4

70

5754'

Sands

219.5 / 217.7

70

9017'

Balch

212.2 / 211.0

70

5765'

* Detector *

209.2

 

 

Crucero

240.2 / 202.9

70

5775'

Basin

197.6 / 196.3

40

6196'

Afton

191.8

60

Spur only

* Detector *

190.4

 

 

Dunn

188.0 / 186.1

60

9529'

Field

182.9 / 181.7

70

5760'

Manix

178.2 / 176.9

70

5775'

* Detector *

175.3

 

 

Toomey

168.7

40

2 Mains

Minneola

166.4

40

2 Mains

East Yermo

163.8

40

2 Mains

Yermo

162.0

20

2 Mains (Yard)


Newest Additions To This Subdivision

2-24-2005

Back to UPRR Page