BNSF 921 has been climbing since Needles, CA and is near the top of the hill with this hot Z train.

BNSF 7678 leads a long eastbound stack train downgrade through Arrowhead Junction on the final leg of the run from Barstow to Needles, CA.

BNSF 5278 leads a long loaded grain train as it struggles up Main 1 at the Highway 95 crossing just west of the Ibis crossovers.

BNSF 5063 leads a westbound stack/pig train uphill on Main #1 at Ibis, CA. Just a few seconds after the photo an eastbound stack train rolled by on Main 2. more)

This area has a unique track plan in which the two mainlines split, then meet back up again.

The power on this baretable leans as the tracks come back together at Ibis

This westbound JB Hunt stack approaches the curve at Ibis

A Warbonnet has seen better paint days. It leads a westbound at Ibis.

A freshly repainted Warbonnet leads a westbound Z train on the south track (kinda rare) at Ibis. This westbound led the parade which, by the time dark fell, totaled about 15 trains.

BNSF westbound intermodal climbing the westbound grade out of Needles, seen here at Ibis as the two mainline come back together.

Ahh, desert railfanning - wide open spaces, mountains, sun, sand, and lots of pumpkins - three distinct schemes on this train. Canon EOS 10D, 500@f9.5, 24mm

BNSF Eastbound Freight Train at Ibis, Ca. on BNSF'S Needles Sub