Introduction
Welcome to the Cima Subdivision!
This page has been created to highlight the UPRR's Cima Subdivision and
the many fine photo locations along its route. The sub is named after a
specific area known as Cima Hill. This grueling grade remains one of the
steepest climbs the UP must face on its march across the North American
continent. Rising to over 4000 feet, Cima Hill has given the UP pause on
several occasions, and has even produced a few runaways. This respect for
the hill now results in most downhill trains on the western face barely
making 20 mph! Getting ahead to that next photo spot is never an issue.
Along with Cima Hill,
there are many other wonderful locations to visit. Steep canyons and heavy
grades, coupled with high speed running across flat dry lakes and desert
basins means you'll find a wide variety of operational situations that
the railroad must work with. Stretching between Las Vegas, NV and Yermo,
CA, this line sees about 20-25 trains a day, with about 50% of those seen
during daylight hours. While not the busiest line in the country, the Cima
Sub certainly has the locations, scenery, and variety of trains which more
than make up for the moderately light traffic. The variety of trains and
scenic vistas makes any railfan visit worth the effort.
The railroad runs trains
in an east / west fashion, though most of the line is geographically running
north / south. The sub lies in the Pacific Time Zone, with trains operating
on a 24 hr clock (military time). Access is decent to most of the sub,
with locations north (RR east) of Kelso, CA the easiest to reach. The sub
is lined through some pretty desolate regions though, so be prepared for
very little in the way of amenities between the end points. Paved roads
are available in many locations and dirt roads make up the rest. It is
actually possible to follow the entire sub, beside the main, on some sort
of road, paved or otherwise. A few spots are harder to navigate, but we'll
cover this more in detail in subsequent pages.
This page will serve
as the gateway to the various sections of this sub that I have developed.
Pictures, maps, and railfan guides are all part of the information you'll
be able to find here. The goal is to provide the new or veteran Cima Sub
railfan, the info and tools to have a successful and enjoyable outing.
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12-22-2003 |
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Cima Sub Superlatives
West end: Yermo, CA - MP 162.0; East end: Las Vegas, NV MP
334.3; Total route miles: 172.3; CTC, Single track with sidings.
Max track speed: 70 mph.
Major stations (locations): Yermo, Kelso, Cima, Las Vegas
Crew Change Points: Las Vegas, Yermo
Yards: Yermo, CA; Arden, NV
Junctions: Boulder Branch (UPRR) MP 327.8
Highest point: 4,207' @ Cima Hill, CA; Lowest Point: 968' @ Crucero,
CA
Radio Frequencies: AAR 27 160.515 DS-07 Las Vegas to Yermo.
Train Frequency: 20-25 daily; Train Types: Coal, Auto, Intermodal,
Cement, Manifest
Amtrak : none scheduled
SLIDESHOW 31 picture presentation of a day on Cima Hill, 4-19-2003.
Timetable Info
Nevada Stations |
Mile Post |
Speed Limit |
Siding Lengths |
Las Vegas |
334.3 |
20 |
3 Mains (Yard) |
Wyoming St |
332.7 |
60 |
2 Mains |
Sands Ave |
330.5 |
40 |
2 Mains |
Bracken (retired) |
329.1 |
60 |
2 Mains |
Tropicana Ave |
328.6 |
60 |
2 Mains |
Boulder Jct. |
327.8 |
60 |
2 Mains |
Maule |
362.4 |
60 |
2 Mains |
Arden |
323.9 / 321.3 |
60 |
8467' (mini-yard) |
Bard (Unofficial) |
317.0 |
40 |
No Siding |
Sloan |
315.3 / 314.0 |
30 |
6282' |
Erie |
310.0 / 308.1 |
60 |
8843' |
* Detector * |
307.0 |
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Sutor (Unofficial) |
304.0 |
70 |
No Siding |
Jean |
301.9 / 3007 |
70 |
5721' |
Borax |
297.0 / 295.8 |
70 |
5792' |
California Stations |
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Calada (siding is in both states) |
288.8 / 287.0 |
70 |
8791' |
Nipton |
278.2 / 276.9 |
70 |
5767' |
*Detector* |
273.7 |
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Moore |
273.0 / 271.8 |
70 |
5765' |
Ivanpah |
268.0 / 266.0 |
70 |
9835' |
Brant |
263.9 / 262.8 |
70 |
5751' |
Joshua |
258.5 / 257.2 |
70 |
6066' |
* Detector * |
256.0 |
|
|
Cima |
254.6 / 253.3 |
45 |
2 Mains (north 6266') (south 9862') |
Chase |
251.1 / 249.8 |
70 |
5765' |
Elora |
247.9 / 246.7 |
45 |
5780' |
Dawes |
243.9 / 242.0 |
70 |
9025' |
Hayden |
240.0 / 238.7 |
70 |
5780' |
Kelso |
236.5 / 234.5 |
70 |
2 Mains (North & South 9190') (mini-yard) |
Flynn (retired) |
230.3 |
70 |
No siding |
Kerens |
226.7 / 225.4 |
70 |
5754' |
Sands |
219.5 / 217.7 |
70 |
9017' |
Balch |
212.2 / 211.0 |
70 |
5765' |
* Detector * |
209.2 |
|
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Crucero |
240.2 / 202.9 |
70 |
5775' |
Basin |
197.6 / 196.3 |
40 |
6196' |
Afton |
191.8 |
60 |
Spur only |
* Detector * |
190.4 |
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Dunn |
188.0 / 186.1 |
60 |
9529' |
Field |
182.9 / 181.7 |
70 |
5760' |
Manix |
178.2 / 176.9 |
70 |
5775' |
* Detector * |
175.3 |
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Toomey |
168.7 |
40 |
2 Mains |
Minneola |
166.4 |
40 |
2 Mains |
East Yermo |
163.8 |
40 |
2 Mains |
Yermo |
162.0 |
20 |
2 Mains (Yard) |
Newest Additions To This Subdivision
2-24-2005