11/3 - 11/4/2007 - Mojave Narrows Regional Park.
With the plans confirmed and all the gear packed, it was finally time to make the trek to the Mojave Narrows Regional Park for a weekend of railfannin relaxation with the gang from Westcoastrailforums.com. Leaving San Diego around 0530 in the morning we arrived just after 0730 and were greeted by an eastbound UP train with a nice surprise in the consist.
Next up on the day was a westbound stack train led by BNSF 4860.
BNSF 4649 followed on the heels of 4860.
Next, Mike and I cruised over to the natural crossovers to catch a westbound.
A UP manifest drifts downgrade at Frost.
Chris taking a picture of me taking a picture of him!
Brett sets up to get both video and pictures of the next eastbound which arrived shortly after.
Chris gets a shot of Brett shootin video of another eastbound.
Next up was an eastbound with a nice freshly repainted BNSF 1065 bringing up the lead.
Our first encounter with the Victorville helpers comes on the rear of the train led by BNSF 1065.
With the helpers now cut, the eastbound pulls away as the helpers have to wait for a westbound before they can proceed back to Victorville.
From the shade of the Chev Up, I catch Ken shootin an eastbound led by BNSF 7510.
After everyone resting at the campsite for a few, it was time to go explore down the rock formations closer to Frost. Upon arriving we were greeted by BNSF 5329 and a westbound stack train.
Some interesting wildlife found in the hills of Victorville...
Jeff changes lenses atop Mt. Bass...
Then along came Andrew... A local satellite cable installer who had never been out to this neck of the woods and had no idea where he was going... Andrew was supposed to make a left about 500ft back at a local grade crossing, but he didn't. He winds up asking Mike and myself for help getting his truck out, but the more we tried the further down the embankment he went.
BNSF 7716 comes around the corner to find the craziness that is going on...
You guessed it... Here comes the first of three eastbound trains.
With word of the vehicle next to the R.O.W from the crew of the second train to pass, the dispatcher responds that BNSF's PD is on the way. Most of the gang decide it's better to go back to camp rather than get caught up in the situation that was going on.
Chris watches from under the shade of the Chev Up as the Victorville Helpers go up hill.
With the warm light starting to be just right, Mike and I drive down to Frost to catch the next couple trains that Marissa was so nice to let us know were coming.
After catching the westbound 4357, Marissa let us know that we had an eastbound coming our way. We raced over to the natural crossover and shortly after were greeted by BNSF 5453 movin east with another stack train.
After catchin 5453, it was back to Frost for another westbound. This time BNSF 4879, with a stack train and DPU's 5278, 4024 bringin up the rear.
Hey, those pesky Victorville Helpers snuck up on me this time while I was in the car. Heading back to Victorville as light power this time.
With the trains clear of the blocks in all directions for the moment, Mike and I decided it was time to go explore the surrounding areas in my Jeep. While off roading, we turn to catch a westbound BNSF 4549.
After catchin 4549, we went back to Frost where we nabbed an eastbound BNSF 7597.
And our final train of the day was another westbound BNSF train led by a freshly primered 4727.
As the sun sets on the camp on day one, members gather under the Chev Up for the evening's festivities. Members enjoyed Scott's decor and a nice campfire on a chilly evening.
All images and content © 2006 - 2007 Marshall K Starks, unless otherwise noted.
