Chasing Steel's Cajon Pass Railfan Map
In light of my recent attendance to 
Chasing Steel’s Cajon Pass Railfan Map (.PDF)a presentation given by Union Pacific’s Special Agent Mark Youngblood on the overall role of railroad police and, more specifically, the railroad right-of-ways through Cajon Pass, which is within the San Bernardino National Forest, I have prepared a map of the pass that, hopefully, should shed some light on the access roads in the area that is open to the public.
The map is a mashup of various map sources showing topographical features, highways and local streets, railroad lines and location names, and the United States Forest Service roads throughout the area. The USFS data came from their 2009 Motor Vehicle Use Map for the area.
The map is not meant to be a navigational tool, but rather a planning device to aid in route considerations and location accessibility. Special Agent Youndblood recommends that railfans remain on the forest service roads only and those roads should be clearly marked with USFS signposts to indicate their use. To view the most recent road/trail information visit these USFS SBNF web pages:
- Forest Rules & Regulations
- Current Conditions - “Know Before you Go”
- Order No. 5, Roads and Trails, San Bernardino National Forest
I have also included the emergency numbers for the BNSF, Union Pacific, and Amtrak on the map. I would recommend that you program those numbers into your cellphone so they are handy at a moments notice. Please report any unsafe conditions you see, such as: shifted loads, dragging equipment, derailed wheels, trespassers, or suspicious persons or activities.
NOTE: There is one forest road that is hard to see on the map and that road is 3N53. This is due to the fact that it parallels the Union Pacific track south of Hiland. It can be used to access most areas of the forest and can be easily reached off of Highway 138, the Pearblossom Highway.
Please contact me for any map corrections, concerns, or comments. Happy hunting!
BNSF, Cajon Pass Railfan Map, USFS, Union Pacific CATEGORIES: Railroad Photography
Reader Comments (2)
The U.S. Forest Service does not agree with the railroad. They have monthly meetings with the railroad to go over their disagreements. The railroad likes to limit access which goes against the U. S. government(U.S. Forest Service) goal of access(re. Adventure Pass). In property law, a property owner, such as the railroad, can not cut off another property owner's right to cross over(on the dirt forest service roads) the property to get to his property. This area is an ongoing area of concern and CONFLICT. Obey the railroad security people(contract security services), but make a written incident report to the local U.S. Forest Service Supervisor's office. I once had a railroad policeman(not the rent a cop variety) threaten me with deadly force for no good reason. He was later transferred after my complaint to the Forest Service, who notified the head of the railroad police of SoCal. Apparently the head of the railroad police did not appreciate one of his employees causing problems with the Forest Service who can cause them big problems with the environmental laws(the railroad tracks cross over water ways and allegations can be made about pollution.) I think that the overreaching railroad cop's career was sidetracked. He also learned to have more respect for lawyers.
The San Bernardino National Forest ranger stations have Motorized Vehicle Use Maps that shows that road 3N47 is open to the public. The BNSF rent a cop still barred me from using that Forest Service road that crossed through their land. I suggest that people get a copy and carry it with them.
USFS Motorized Vehicle Use Maps
(http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPyhQoYAOUjMeXDfODy-HWHg-zDrx8kb4ADOBro-3nk56bqF-RGGGSZOCoCAPi8eX8!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfMjAwMDAwMDBBODBPSEhWTjJNMDAwMDAwMDA!/?navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=stelprdb5156664&navid=091000000000000&pnavid=null&ss=110512&position=Not%20Yet%20Determined.Html&ttype=detail&pname=San%20Bernardino%20National%20Forest-%20Home)