BNSF's Needles Sub: Train Race Up Goffs Hill

A rapidly moving winter storm is moving eastward across the Mojave Desert. Dramatic clouds were forming just as quickly as the sun would start to set behind them. The potential of dramatic lighting was high, so I ventured west out of Needles towards Goffs. First train to approach was the Q-CHISTO (Chicago, IL to Stockton, CA) with the BNSF 987, a H1 painted Dash 9-44CW.
Later, the high priority UPS train from Los Angeles, CA to Willow Springs, IL would to come by. At Homer, the train traverses over the newly built third main track as the crew is approaching the end of their 300-plus mile trip from Los Angeles to Needles, CA.
The addition of the new third mainline would be used shortly after as two westbound trains would race each other up the 1.4% grade of Goffs Hill near Arrowhead Jct. A Logistic Park Chicago, IL to Long Beach (Pier T), CA intermodal train runs around a slower moving Council Bluffs, IA to Guernsey, CA loaded grain train. The westbound stack train is a 15,000 ft combo stack train. With three locomotives up front, and more three in the middle, manned helpers had to be called out of Needles to help push the train across the Mojave Desert. Somewhere east of Needles, two of the middle DP motors experienced mechanical issues; resulting in no horsepower and dynamic braking effort. The setting sun illuminates the Dead Mountains in the background; showcasing the dramatic winter lighting the Mojave Desert can produce.
Completed in November of 2023, there are now three main tracks stretching over the 30 miles section of the Needles Subdivision from Needles to Goffs. With the installation of the new third main, crossover switches have also been installed at the station of Homer. This is the third section of the Needles Sub with triple main tracks (Needles with four mainlines and Barstow with three). Currently, a fourth section of triple track is being built from Bagdad to Ash Hill to alleviate congestion climbing Ash Hill. Once completed, 60 of the 170 miles of the Needles Subdivision will be triple tracked.
BNSF train symbol guide: www.qstation.or...
Camera: Panasonic HC-VX981K
Microphone: Rode VideoMic GO II
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Flickr: flic.kr/ps/vEuUf
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[@ChadsRailfanExperience]

I really enjoy the Needles Sub, fast running, grades, split mains. A little bit of everything in a desert.

[@CRoberts-mg4eq]

Arrowhead Junction scene is simply the best composed and shot rail video I’ve ever watched. Wow….excellent work. Whole rest of video is great too.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Wow, beautiful videography there! That second catch was almost breath taking, then close it out with a race! (Dave).

[@kolejnakolej.1437]

Super video with clouds and sun. Great work.

[@YardLimit]

Well worth the trip trackside!

[@AmtrakCal462]

Nice video and well explained description of the new track projects occurring on the Sub!

[@j.m.youngquist419]

A fantastic contrast from the trains to the horizon.

[@TheRailfanDan]

Dang what luck!