"A Train of Thought" - Railfanning The Cajon Pass

Click on the photo below or any link to take you to a complete preview of every page of the book and the purchasing page. This book is completely non-profit. See below the book cover for book details and description.

"50 Pages, 108 Color Photos bound in a hard cover!"

When I started railfanning I found very few resources for doing local Southern California railfanning, that's why I started www.SoCalRailFan.com. Over the years I've scoured Cajon Pass from one end to the other losing lots of blood, sweat, skin and tire rubber (flat tires seem to get everyone in the pass) to find good angles to take photos from. I've literally taken easily 20,000+ photos in the pass since 2005. Lately I have been thinking of what to do with these photos and I have been looking and the history of the pass. Along the way of look for history and book on the pass I found there were actually very few if any books on the pass especially the modern day Cajon Pass.

With that I started thinking about how I could possibly get a pictorial book published on the pass. That took me into many directions but the one I like the best was being able to actually publish a book myself. Unfortunately you're limited to the options individuals companies give you and not one seems to be the "be all, end all" company. So after a while I stuck with one.

Now it was time to decide to how to go about doing the book. The first thing I did was decide to make this a pre-construction book before the 3rd main from Keenbrook to Summit was started. I also wanted to have a special section on the tunnels along main #1. I also decided to cover each section from Keenbrook to Summit, thirteen section including the Union Pacific Palmdale Cut-off. Each section would contain three pages having four to eight photos each and the tunnel section and the cut-off having extra pages and photos. I went through all my photos and started narrowing it down by section wanting to show as much as possible of the pass. Two months later the book was finished. Now I make the book available to any railfan that may want a book about Cajon Pass for themselves. This book is totally non-profit and is made to enjoy and take a place on your coffee table.

To view the book the page by page or purchase the book click on the link.
"A Train of Thought" - Railfanning The Cajon Pass

Book Review
A review of the book from a devoted Cajon Pass railfan.

I would like to give some comments on the extraordinary book "A Train of Thought" - Railfanning the Cajon Pass by Dave Toussaint.

No question, it is a MUST for every Cajon lover. It covers the whole Pass from Keenbrook up to Summit with outstanding photos of a very special place in Southern California. Very well arranged with a great variety of special views we do not see in any other publication. This book will soon become a historical value because BNSF is building the 3rd Main Track through the Pass and several things will look completely different, especially the 2 Tunnels which will be daylighted. Dave is not just an ordinary railfan and photographer as he makes picture compositions like an art work. No one else is climbing up a hill here and there to find that particular overview as we can se on several pages. It is not only the railroad but also the nature with hills, valleys, creeks and streets throughout the year incl. some snow scenes. In addition, our "Oasis" the famous Hill 582 is also covered with two photos and a good text. There is maybe just one wish, we would like to see some more larger prints! Hopefully, Dave will produce another Cajon book in the future.

Let me give some background about myself. I am a 58 year old Swiss and already an early retiree. Since 30 years, I am running a Railroad Shop specializing in American models as a part time business. I am also the founder and chairman of the American Railroadfans in Switzerland and organizer of their Conventions. You may find more infos on my web site www.trainmaster.ch.

My first trip to Cajon was way back in 1974. I was so much impressed, it became my premier spot and I went to visit whenever possible during my 23 trips to the USA. My last visit was in October 2005 and I am planning to go again in July 2008. In the early days I made photos and super-8 films. In the 80's I was flying over the pass to take pictures (from Hesperia Airport). During my last trip I met the famous "Hilltender" Don and enjoyed the wonderful Hill 582. Within the last 2 years, I was building up a great relation ship with Don and Gary. As these two gentlemen are frequently taking pictures of the Pass, I was asking for a permission to start a special Cajon site about the BNSF 3rd Main Track construction. I am very pleased an honored to use their photos on my site. Have a look www.trainmaster.ch/cajon-01.htm .

Werner Meer, Switzerland

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