A westbound stone train gets run around by a BNSF Merch, whose pushers are negotiating the horseshoe curve. Canon EOS 10D, 250@f8.0, 200mm

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

Four pumpkins lead an early-morning eastbound BNSF stack train through an 'S' curve just east of the Colorado River - most of its train is in a different state and time zone. Canon EOS 10D, 350@f... (more)

A UP covered hopper train is running around a stopped BNSF merch, using Walong siding on the loop to do so. Canon EOS 10D, 350@f6.7, 120mm

Yet another C44-9W Pumpkin leads a BNSF mixed freight downgrade through Bealville. A few minutes before, the train was traversing tunnel 5, which bores through the hill at the top of the photo wh... (more)

A nicely matched set of pumpkins heads up a soutbound BNSF TOFC for the classic 'over and under' shot at the loop. Canon EOS 10D, 350@8.0, 100mm

Just after sunrise, a southbound BNSF merchandise crests the grade at Summit Switch. From here, it will be a relatively fast 18 mile trip downhill to Mojave. Canon EOS 10D, 180@f4.0, 185mm

A BNSF coil train grinds its way up grade, approaching the loop. In about 2 minutes, it will be traversing the tracks (which are on the loop) in the foreground. Canon EOS 10D, 350@f6.7, 300mm

On a gloomy afternoon, a UP TOFC ascends the grade at less than 20mph. Around the curve is tunnel 2. Canon EOS 10D, 125@f5.6, 200mm

A 14-minute time exposure overlooking the loop about an hour after sunset - a BNSF stack train starts at Rowen in upper right, proceeds through Woodford siding, through loop tunnel at center-right... (more)

A southbound BNSF TOFC rounds the horseshoe curve at Caliente. The train still has 27 railroad miles and 2700 feet in elevation to tackle before reaching the summit at Tehachapi. Canon EOS 10D, ... (more)

As a stone train (with an Oakway and two units leased from MRL) holds the siding, a BNSF merch drifts downgrade around the horseshoe curve at Caliente. Canon EOS 10D, 250@f6.7, 70mm

Three of the 'Big Four' US railroads are represented in a BNSF eastbound merch descending on the 'low grade' track on BNSF's Needles Sub. Canon EOS 10D, 350@9.5, ~90mm

A BNSF TOFC blasts upgrade into the mid-afternoon sun on BNSF's Needles Sub. The train has about 13 miles to go to reach the summit at Goffs. Canon EOS 10D, 350@f8.0, 300mm

The Monolith Cement plant looms over a southbound UP stack at MP 366.5 on UP's Mojave Sub. Canon EOS 10D, 350@f8.0 (ISO 100), ~220mm