UPRR's Caliente Sub Map and Railfan Info
Created: 2-2-2004
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Elevation Data taken from Delorme's Topo Map 3.0
Follow the link for a high resolution topo map of the Caliente Sub,
1090 x 1372 323K
Caliente Sub Superlatives
West end: Las Vegas, NV MP 334.3; East end: Milford, UT
MP 576.7; Total route miles: 242.4 CTC, Single track with sidings.
Max track speed: 70 mph.
Major stations: Las Vegas, Moapa, Caliente, Milford
Crew Change Points: Las Vegas / Milford
Yards: Valley, NV; Moapa, NV; Milford, UT
Highest point: 6,011' @ Crestline, NV; Lowest Point: 1,601'
@ Moapa, NV
Radio Frequencies: AAR 27 160.515 DS-07 Las Vegas to Caliente;
AAR 42 160.740 Caliente to Milford.
Train Frequency: 20-25 daily; Train Types: Coal, Auto, Intermodal,
Manifest, Cement
Amtrak : none scheduled
Overview:
The Caliente Sub to me is one of the most scenic routes, along any part of the UP empire, that I have been fortunate enough to explore. Winding through some of the starkest desert and into high forested mountains, this sub offers tranquility and grandeur, along with a pretty descent display of mainline railroading. The highlight of the Caliente Sub, is in all respects, the magnificent Meadow Valley Wash. This marvel of harsh desert landscape and the oasis which the wash provides, serve as the backdrop for modern railroading at its best. You can't go wrong along this sub.
Access: The Caliente Sub is relatively isolated for much of its run from any real easy access, IE paved roads. There are exceptions and fairly decent dirt roads along the way though. AS this page grows I will be able to fill in some of the gaps for you. I have followed the line on dirt / paved roads for nearly 75 % of its length. A good map and a truck with good clearance will get you along this entire subs length. Paved roads exist from Vegas to Dry Lake, and again from Moapa to Farrier, and finally from Elgin to Caliente. The rest will be dirt.
Lodging: Lodging is equally as sparse, especially as you get away from Las Vegas. Outside of Vegas there is limited lodging in Moapa, and Caliente. Milford is the only town in Utah that has lodging where the tracks are. Be prepared to find lodging elsewhere at the end of the day if you are away from these locations. Also, outside of Vegas, there will be little else besides the Mom and Pop motels in the locations mentioned.
Food and supplies: Come prepared with a lunch if you want to make the most of your outing. Having to leave the tracks to find grub is probably not the best plan, and depending on where you are, maybe impossible. Caliente, for example, doesn't even have a single name brand fast food restaurant in it. Nor does Milford. There are gas stations in Moapa, Caliente, and Milford, but again outside of Vegas that is it. Best advice is to come prepared for isolation and plan to sustain yourself, unless you are willing to head into town for supplies. See my Desert Railfan Guide for additional tips and suggestions.
Seasons: The seasonal swings along this sub vary greatly depending on where you are. This sub, though it is an east / west route to the railroad, heads almost due north and south. This means by the time you get to the north end from the south the weather may be drastically different. It is a good suggestion to get a local forecast for the specific area you plan on being in as the seasons, especially winter, can vary widely. For example in Dec 2003, it was mild and pleasant in Vegas, while in Milford they where having a blizzard. There was so much snow and ice it derailed a train a bit north of Milford. There is such a significant altitude and topography change while you move along this sub that changes are almost a guarantee, so be forewarned. Summers will find the temps to also vary widely, with much milder readings in the Utah locations and through the mountains in Nevada, from Caliente to Crestline. The altitude really helps to keep things bearable. Watch for summer storms and keep out of the Meadow Valley & Clover Creek washes if heavy storms are forecast. It may not flood and sweep you away, but it can fill the creeks creating new fording points and make driving across what was once dry road impossible. To much potential for disaster when you are in either wash. For more specific info on the Caliente Sub, see the linked weather sites here.
Timetable Info
Utah Stations |
Mile Post |
Speed Limit |
Siding Length |
Milford |
576.7 |
55 |
2 Main Track |
Upton |
572.0 / 570.8 |
70 |
6026' |
* Detector * |
566.4 |
||
Thermo |
562.1 / 560.3 |
70 |
8737' |
Latimer |
551.3 / 550.0 |
70 |
5982' |
* Detector * |
546.5 |
||
Lund |
542.8 / 540.9 |
70 |
9100' |
Zane |
532.4 / 531.1 |
70 |
6006' |
Beryl |
526.9 / 525.6 |
70 |
5972' |
* Detector * |
520.8 |
|
|
Heist |
517.4 / 515.6 |
70 |
8854' |
Modena |
510.8 / 509.6 |
70 |
6000' |
Uvada |
501.8 / 500.5 |
55 |
6007' |
* Detector * |
499.0 |
||
Nevada Stations |
|||
Crestline |
497.6 / 495.8 |
50 |
8811' |
Brown |
490.3 / 489.0 |
40 |
6013' |
Acoma |
484.8 / 483.6 |
50 |
6034' |
* Detector * |
479.6 |
|
|
Islen |
476.7 / 475.0 |
25 |
8539' |
Little Springs |
472.0 |
20 |
|
Richmond |
471.3 / 470.0 |
25 |
5876' |
Eccles |
466.9 / 463.9 |
45 |
15,177' |
Caliente |
461.0 / 459.7 |
40 |
2 Main = #1 6768'; #2 6257' |
* Detector * |
456.3 |
|
|
Etna |
455.5 / 454.2 |
50 |
6098' |
Stine |
450.5 / 449.2 |
35 |
5978' |
Boyd |
446.4 / 444.6 |
30 |
8820' |
* Detector * |
439.2 |
|
|
Elgin |
439.0 / 437.8 |
35 |
6166' |
Kyle |
435.6 / 433.8 |
35 |
8832' |
Leith |
429.7 / 428.5 |
45 |
5957' |
* Detector * |
423.0 |
|
|
Carp |
419.3 / 417.5 |
40 |
8927' |
Vigo |
414.0 / 412.7 |
30 |
6083' |
Galt |
408.8 / 407.7 |
30 |
6145' |
Hoya |
403.4 / 401.6 |
50 |
8839' |
Rox |
398.8 / 397.5 |
35 |
6660' |
Farrier |
393.7 / 392.4 |
60 |
6066' |
* Detector * |
388.2 |
|
|
Moapa |
384.4 / 382.6 |
60 |
8919' |
Ute |
374.4 / 373.1 |
60 |
6101' |
* Detector * |
368.0 |
|
|
Dry Lake |
363.9 / 362.6 |
60 |
6094' |
Garnet |
357.8 / 365.0 |
35 |
8774' |
Arrolime |
353.8 |
60 |
|
Apex |
352.7 / 351.4 |
60 |
6074' |
Dike |
347.3 / 346.1 |
60 |
6156' |
Lovell (retired) |
344.6 |
60 |
|
* Detector * |
|||
Valley |
343.5 / 341.6 |
60 |
9232' |
Wann |
339.7 / 337.8 |
60 |
8974' |
Owens Ave |
335.3 |
40 |
2 Main |
Stewart Ave |
334.5 |
20 |
2 Main |
Las Vegas |
334.3 |
20 |
3 Main |