Cajona, 5th Edition

[kenszok]

Saturday was the 5th time the Big Cajona in Cajon Pass. It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine and breezy conditions developing later. The temperatures were mild for this time of year. The first of the participants arrived early in the morning before sunrise. This year was a Chief to Chief event since #3 came through late. There was a nice turn out as people came in and out throughout the day.

It was great to see folks who had not been out with us for a while. Others could not make it due to other commitments, and they were missed.

I thought I'd get the tread started and hope others will add to it.

I arrived in the pass sometime between 6:00 and 6:30, but didn't arrive at the Cajona site until sometime before 7:00. Bob N., Scott, and Jeff were already on the scene getting ready to set up the hut. We had had a few trains pass through the area.

My first image for the day was the late running Chief as it made its way down track 3.

   

After the Chief passed we got back to the business of getting the hut set up. A bit later, Jeff and I set up our beach umbrellas to go along with the theme for the event. They stayed up until the breeze got too strong. In the image below, a UP train makes its way up track as enjoy the view.

   

Some time later, others began to arrive. Below is an image of a few of the participants around the hut.

   

We notice a train slowly creeping down track 3 and made our way over to better vantage points to capture images. As the train was heading down track 3, another train came up on one of the other tracks.

Bob captures his images of the BNSF train as Shelley works her way down the hill.

   

Jeff and Danny capture their shots of the train on track three with its wrapped loads.

   

The train disappears into the cuts on its way down the hill.

   

Scott was back at the hut as we made our way back from track 3.

   

Trains continue to make their way up and down the pass. Below is a UP manifest on track 1.

   

Jeff takes a break as Brett heads up toward the hut.

   

There was a brief lull in the action.

[kenszok]

As a side project, I brought along an old figure of the Tasmanian Devil, the Warner Brothers cartoon character. I found this guy many years ago and thought I'd have some fun capturing images with it in the environment.

Images of "Taz" at the Cajona

Taz sits on Bob's truck as the DPUs of a UP train head up track 1.

   

Taz is excited as a train approaches on track 1.

   

Taz watches as another train heads up the hill.

   

Taz is quite a natural with the Yang Ming motion in audience participation rail fanning.

   

Finally, Taz keeps close watch on the private security truck as a train heads down track 2.

   

[kenszok]

Spending time people is what makes the Cajona fun.

Shelley seems to be chasing Danny around the truck as Brett and Scott hang out at the other end.

   

Everyone heads out to greet a UP train heading down the cutoff.

       

Later in the day, and another train on the cutoff.

   

I'll finish my part of the report with a few night images.

A view of the hill from below.

   

A train heading up track 1 as the folks on the hill look on.

   

Another stack train makes its way up track 2.

   

Thanks for looking.

Again, it was a wonderful day with those who were able to make it. I am looking forward to what others have to share and add to this thread.

Ken

[SP4449]

Nice shots Ken. Too bad I didn't show up there.

[kenszok]

(01-30-2011 08:18 PM)SP4449 Wrote:  Nice shots Ken. Too bad I didn't show up there.

Thank you.

[jeff]

Love the Taz shots !! I worked on about 80% of my images.
I should have them up this evening if all goes as planned.

I mentally counted 20 attendees with additional 12 visitors
that weren't railfans, excluding Soto. As far as dogs go, we
had four dogs with our attendees and five visiting dogs.
Didn't see any felines... There may have been more in all
categories, as I left early at 2:22pm.

Joseph, thanks for the amazing cupcakes once again !! I also
partook of the Hawaiian Chips, which are a staple for the BIG
Cajona.

Hawaiian Punch ?? No Thanks !!

~ jeff

[kenszok]

(01-31-2011 11:08 AM)jeff Wrote:  Love the Taz shots !! I worked on about 80% of my images.
I should have them up this evening if all goes as planned.

I mentally counted 20 attendees with additional 12 visitors
that weren't railfans, excluding Soto. As far as dogs go, we
had four dogs with our attendees and five visiting dogs.
Didn't see any felines... There may have been more in all
categories, as I left early at 2:22pm.

Joseph, thanks for the amazing cupcakes once again !! I also
partook of the Hawaiian Chips, which are a staple for the BIG
Cajona.

Hawaiian Punch ?? No Thanks !!

~ jeff

Thanks for getting some sort of count. I'm looking forward to what you have to share.

[SP4449]

No problem Ken!

[Vegasrails]

Happy you all had a great time..Ken great shots..Ken

[jeff]

My arrival was about 6:20am or so... Bob and Scott were just beginning the decorating process as I unloaded my gear.
The thermometer said "Thirty Five Degrees", but it really didn't feel that cold on the hill with no wind blowing at that time.
Later, the winds would kick up and get a wind chill doing its thing. After eating my breakfast from Mickey Dee's, I settled
into my Cajona routine and began to take/make some photographs. I hope you find them a pleasure to view. I certainly had
a splendid time making them... Enjoy !!

~ jeff

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7:10am
   

My first photo opportunity of the day... Eastbound autoracks by UPRR.


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7:12am
   

Those UP autoracks made Frosty very happy !!


__________________________________________________________
7:16am
   

An odd sounding horn told us the Chief was heading down the hill.


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7:44am
   

A culvert operation lead me to this photogenic bush that had seen better days.


__________________________________________________________
8:11am
   

One of my many attempts to include the flora and fauna of the garden into a photograph.


__________________________________________________________
8:23am
   

Several of the attendees headed down to the garden track (main three, the south track) for a special movement.


__________________________________________________________
8:26am
       

Wide angle views...


__________________________________________________________
8:28am
       

Two more perspectives...


__________________________________________________________

~ jeff