A cool train watching spot known all over the west is Pepper Ave. in Colton, Calif. at the east end of West Colton Classification Yard. A bad omen for railfans occurred 20-25 years ago with the closure of the east-west Slover Ave. as a through road, and there has been rumors of a physically north-south Intermodal facility going in ever since. However, it appears the small Intermodal facility at the WEST end of the classification yard may be close to being maxed out. Thus, it appears UP has reason or will soon have reason to utilize the vacant land by Pepper Ave.
Interestingly, BNSF is utilizing the very nearby ‘Cement Mountain’ to park Intermodal units in masse. And, as one who used to live in Colton, it is shocking all the trucking facilities (read Intermodal) now lining the once rural Auga Mansa Road area! Even the cement plant in Crestmore (served by a UP local) is gone with a gigantic warehouse building replacing it!
So, for safety, the great Pepper Ave. train watching location may eventually be closed to railfans, as too many Intermodal trucks will be passing through the area!