westbound SP manifest train between stations of Ilmon and Bena in the Tehachapi Mountains

Four nice looking GE's lead a southbound drag freight over the new bridge between Bena and Ilmon.

A Z9 throttles up out of Ilmon, leaving Tehachapi Pass behind.

The utter dryness of late summer in the Tehachapis stares us in the face as a short UP intermodal train makes its way south at Ilmon.

A westbound BNSF stack train bound for Oakland International Gateway yard is almost done with the grades descending the famed Tehachapi Pass, which itself has left the days of 100 degree temperatu... (more)

The last standard cab D9-40C pushes the BNSF M-MODBAR train and its load of Ernest and Julio Gallo Wine up the famous Tehachapi Pass toward the east.

So coming down from Tehachapi Loop last Thursday (12/17/09) through Bealville and Caliente it's a bright sunny morning then a couple miles west and bang -- Central Valley fog. The BNSF Bakerfield... (more)

At dawn on the first day of summer 1973, FP45 5947 leads an eastbound manifest at Ilmon.

A southbound UP intermodal train crosses Caliente Creek just north of Ilmon.

A trio of EMDs leads a southbound intermodal up the course of Caliente Creek.

A Union Pacific engineering crew prepares to replace Ilmon Bridge on the Mojave Subdivision.

A westbound manifest exits Caliente Creek Canyon as morning mist clears.

A quintet of SD24s brings a westbound manifest across Caliente Creek, which is now flowing with springtime run-off.

A huge consist of EMD motive power leads a westbound manifest by the siding at Ilmon, which by this time had been partially reconfigured as a result of the damage sustained in the flood of March 1... (more)

With threatening clouds gathering over the Tehachapi Mountains, UP 4708 West rolls off the grade and crosses Caliente Creek just west of Ilmon.