Cajon Pass Summit Railfan Cam

A Legendary Railroad Crossing

Cajon Pass is one of the most iconic railfanning locations in the United States, where multiple mainline tracks climb the rugged divide separating the Mojave Desert from Southern California. This camera sits roughly 1,500 feet west of the summit on the BNSF Cajon Subdivision, offering a sweeping line-of-sight along the curving rails.

Heavy Transcontinental Traffic

The pass carries a relentless flow of intermodal, manifest, and unit freight trains, frequently led by multiple locomotives working hard against the steep grade. Helper and distributed-power consists are a common sight as long trains negotiate the famous horseshoe curves and parallel tracks.

High-Desert Mountain Scenery

Beyond the rails, the view opens onto sun-baked hillsides, sandy embankments, and scattered chaparral and Joshua-tree country typical of the San Bernardino Mountains' northern flank. The terrain frames every passing train against a dramatic natural backdrop.

A Crossroads of Rail History

For more than a century the Cajon Pass has been a vital artery linking the Pacific ports to the rest of the continent. Its blend of steep engineering, constant operations, and wide-open vistas makes it a perennial favorite for railroad enthusiasts around the world.