Through the passes day ONE part NINE

Rocket Site Rd., Boron, CA

One side, Safetran incandescent lights:

The other side, Safetran incandescent lights:

Look at how long the road goes in a straight line!

After waiting about 15 minutes, the searchlights in the distance go from dark, to yellow(approach), to green(clear).

After waiting 45 minutes, the UP cement local on its return trip back to Monolith approaches!

You know the rest...

This would not be the last time that I would catch this train, though. Stay tuned...

Through the passes day ONE part EIGHT

As we approached the private crossing that landed in the middle of Boron with signals, I saw something coming around a bend in the distance. Duh, it was a train. But it was far enough away so that I could easily get this picture with about a minute to spare:

The signals go off:

The train approaches at about 70 mph:

Something you don't see every day: a BNSF h1 style locomotive!

The train crosses:

And... wait, what the heck is THIS car???

Through the passes day ONE part SEVEN

After a great Mexican lunch, we headed back on the road for more crossings!

Boron Rd., the only crossing on the poll that I did not see a train at!

The full crossing from the north side:

A shot of the northern signal in all its glory:

Overview from the south side(the FJ Cruiser is ours):

The south signal in all its glory:

Now, if you followed the "Up the Tehachapi Grade" series last year, then you probably remember the accident that occurred back in 2006. Where a girl sacrificed her life to save one of her friends. I did not take a picture of the sign this trip though, as the scanner was going bananas for a train that I would see at the next crossing, stay tuned...

Through the passes Day ONE part SIX

Welcome to Domingo's Mexican restaurant, the only place in Boron!

Yes, people from Edward's AFB eat here. Here is my review:

We got there, first thing I noticed was the decent atmosphere. It is run by the mayor of Boron, but he had to go do something, so he was not there when we were there. We ordered our drinks, but they were doing it at a WAY too fast of a pace. Not even a "how are you doing" from the waiter. The service gets three stars. So we get our chips with the drinks. The salsa may have been the best salsa I have ever had. You could see chunks of tomatoes, onions, and herbs in there. And it was mildly spicy, but I have had worse. The reviews that I read made me get the carnitas tacos, and I was glad they did. It came out, and normally, I don't like tons of condiments on my food, but these were the right condiments with the right taste.The carnitas, which is fried, fajita-style pork, stuck out on the taste, and my two favorite Mexican condiments, guacamole and salsa, were the condiments on the taco. I was sad that I only ordered two, because they were so GOOD. Even though the service was three stars, the food made up for it, that is why my overall rating for the restaurant is 4 1/2 stars.

Through the passes 2011 day ONE part FIVE

With my birthday being in the past week, I got a gift that I can not get off of. I, though, thought that I should not leave you guys hangin'. No, not every part has to be about signals. ;D

Welcome to Boron!

...And Kern county!

There is a crow on top of the sign!

Through the passes 2011 day 1 part 4

I continued a couple of minutes down US 58, I promised that I would not stop at this crossing. Promise broken

An overview of the crossing. If you look closely at the signal to the left, you will see that there is a broken gate light. It was reported on the scanner the next day:

I did not wait at this crossing for two reasons:
1. I was hungry
2. The road is busy.

I sort of chuckled when I saw this sign:

A rear view of the signal with the broken gate light.

Due to both the highway and the track being busy, there are advance warning signs with lights that flash yellow whenever a train comes by.

Up the Tehachapi Grade 2010 part TEN

Rocket Site Rd., Boron, CA
One signal. Una señal

The other signal. La otra señal.

Facing West, including the track that would not see a train for another three hours. Frente Occidental, incluida la pista que no volvería a ver un tren durante otras tres horas.

Up the Tehachapi Grade 2010 part NINE

North American Chemical Co. Private Crossing(aka: Some private crossing that landed in the middle of Boron with signals),Boron, CA

The relay case:

The signals:

Which crossing in Boron should I stop at?

Yes, that is correct. I just added a poll that is lasting for 80 days(until June 4th). Here are pics. of the four crossings that are options. One of the crossings I am going to no matter if it wins or not. That crossing will be revealed on June 4th.

US 395: This crossing has a history of broken gates. I will not be surprised if BNSF ruins this crossing when I get there in June

CA 58: Not an option due to it being too busy



Boron Ave: This crossing is identical to Rocket Site Rd, except with gates and the memorial next to it:

Rocket Site Rd: A typical BNSF Gateless crossing:

Some private crossing that landed in the middle of Boron with signals: I don't know how these got here!

Up the Tehachapi Grade 2010 part EIGHT

Yup, I am back! Before these are posted, I will tell you the story behind the crossing: Back when Southern Pacific ran through here, Borax was taken by teams of 20 mules. That is where this street got it's name. One day, ATSF came here, kicked SP off of the portion of the line between Barstow and Mojave, and layed down track on this spur line. No, this is not the mainline, this is actually a spur line that leads to a borax plant.

20 Mule Team Rd., Boron, CA
This crossing gets one BNSF train daily

The mainline can be seen to the left of pics. 1,2,and 4. It can be seen clearly in #3.

Up the Tehachapi Grade 2010 part SEVEN

Boron Ave., Boron,CA

The smeared relay case.

Read the end of the post for more information on the picture below

The signals.

Some more information for the sign in the second picture:
Is is the third accident in This link:
http://www.rxrsignals.net/California/A-C/Boron/Boron/Accidents/

Emerald Pass redo.

Due to my old Emerald Pass route not having cars on the roads, I am making a Bigger, Better redo! This route will model both Cajon Pass and Tehachapi pass. I will put as much real as I can.I will model: Victorville, Maybe Dagget, Area between Barstow and Boron, Boron, Monolith, and Maybe the area between Caliente(Where the loop is) and Bakersfield. The rest of it will be fictional, but close to prototype.

Here are some pics. of where I am right now:

Not going to do the landscaping until I get the act together.
BNSF Mixed freight comes through in the boring Cajon Deserts

Where the tracks do a mini-split before they actually split. Can you see another crossing gate in the distance? That is the other track! Yes, the ATLS(Advanced Traffic Light System) traffic signals are synchronized!

A "No right turn" signal that lights up whenever a train comes through.

There will be a continued version due to me reaching my picture limit.