After its day layover in Las Vegas, the Big Boy is full steam ahead into California. Many gathered in Nipton, CA to see it go by, tripling the usual population size here. This was the one and only... (more)

UP's ICIG1 intermodal train runs through layers of shadow and light on its eastbound run through the Mojave Desert. I was convinced that the train would pass this composition while the shadows wer... (more)

Have you ever woken up at 3 in the morning and been unable to get back to sleep? I have, and during the longer days of the year, I'll sometimes use that as an excuse to head down to Cima Hill to s... (more)

An unscheduled stop in Nipton for a crew change provided the brief opportunity for a clutter-free shot of the Big Boy.

Big Boy 4014 climbs into Nipton for a crew change and service as it makes its way home to Cheyenne.

The eastbound Roper manifest charges across the California desert for Nevada as it passes through Nipton and the small, but comfy, Nipton Hotel which is 20 feet from the railroad tracks.

Ah, Nipton. This "town" in the middle of the fabled Los Angeles and Salt Lake boasts not only top-notch accommodations in the form of the Nipton Hotel, but a convenience store and a charming littl... (more)

With the sun slowly setting this west bound ballast train takes the intermediate signals for Moore on it's way up Cima hill with 3000 more feet to climb the train slows from it's 55 mph down below... (more)

Wide open spaces! What amazes me is how I watched this train from miles and miles away...

UP 4189 an Eastbound stack approaches Nipton at track speed 70 MPH. In the background are the New York mountains. Rebel TI, 70-300 MM lenses,200 ASA Kodak

UP 4068 an East bound Car carrier coming down the hill from Ivanpah approaches Nipton California at Max speed 70 mph

West bound coal train

UP 4208 a short Eastbound stack waits on the main line at Nipton during track repairs May 10, 2003