To the north (railroad: east) of Las Vegas, I-15 generally follows the railroad for about fifty miles to Moapa. Wann is the first siding north of town. CP340 at the north (east) end is reached by exiting I-15 at Craig Road. Note: for the next year or so there will be major construction in the area as Craig Road will be raised to go over the tracks and eliminate a very busy grade crossing. Donovan Road parallels the tracks past some industries some two miles to Valley Yard (good for video pacing sequences). There is almost always some activity at Valley and vicinity.
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Amtrak #35, the Desert Wind, with one of the new |
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Apex. Exit I-15 at the Apex exit. The reverse curve and surrounding hills here make for unlimited photo opportunities. Continue on this road a couple miles to the Apex siding. There is a some industry here and often a local switcher will be working.
If it weren't for the ditch lights, this photo would look the same if it were taken in 1967 rather that 1997!
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Westbound stacks through the curve at Apex. |
Amtrak Desert Wind
running about four hours late. The second F40 had died and the crew
"outlawed" at Dry Lake. |
Nevada Industrial Switch
At Apex there is an 11 mile spur that runs east to the Pabco Gypsum plant. The plant makes and ships gypsum wallboard via it's interchange with Union Pacific. NIS GP-9 3838 (ex-Southern Pacific) provided the power for over ten years but is out of service due to main generator problems. The power currently is ex-Santa Fe, ex San Diego & Imperial Valley GP-7 #2162.
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3838 at the gypsum plant - mp 11.3
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Pulling four loads up the hill to Apex on July 03, 2008. |
2162 |
The job usually runs several times a week, depending upon business. During the hot summer months they start early and normally get to Apex between 7:15 - 8:15am. The Pabco branch crosses over Interstate 15 from the east to connect with the U.P. main.
