Above left, a tunnel was daylighted several years ago when this was
double tracked. Below is a railfan location known as Hill
582. Nice crowd for a Monday.
We advance along and 3 levels of railroad are visible. Then, the
lower level rises and connects at Silverwood.
Passing the area known as Summit. It appears we actually are
going to crest the summit. What would that mean for air
temperature? Late May, high southern California Mojave
Desert. Could it be hot? It got hot fast.
The train handling by the various crews was fabulous the whole trip.
The railroad narrows from 3 tracks to 2 at Hesperia.
Half an hour later after traversing through Hesperia, Victorville, Oro
Grande, and Helendale, the desert is a lot less developed and a lot
more open.
At times it was windy outside which made it even worse inside the
baggage car considering our track speed. You really want to be
there under those conditions.
Fortunately it was windy only at times, and otherwise, extremely hot.
We were to have another service stop and passenger exchange at
Barstow. The west side of the BNSF Barstow complex is visible
throught the Royal Gorge car window followed by a greeting party.
