California - Inland Empire

Abandoned office building at the former Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino

At a location on the former Norton Air Force Base where model airplane enthusiasts meet.

Model airplanes at a location on the former Norton Air Force Base where model airplane enthusiasts meet. I was surprised to learn that model airplanes now come as precut foam pieces that snap together. I remember when my brothers in the 50's spent hours gluing and shaping balsa wood parts together (and fixing the parts).

San Bernardino Santa Fe depot, built in 1918. The last Santa Fe passenger train to use the depot was in 1972. The depot was turned over to the city and is now primarily used by Metrolink service to LA, one Amtrak train per day, and the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum. See Zach's photos for additional detail: Santa Fe Depot (San Bernardino)

Coffee shop in what was once the ticket window for passenger trains. See description of the depot in adjacent pictures. See Zach's photos for additional detail: Santa Fe Depot (San Bernardino)

Waiting room in the depot. See description of the depot in adjacent pictures. See Zach's photos for additional detail: Santa Fe Depot (San Bernardino)

San Bernardino Santa Fe depot, built in 1918. The last Santa Fe passenger train to use the depot was in 1972. The depot was turned over to the city and is now primarily used by Metrolink service to LA, one Amtrak train per day, and the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum. See Zach's photos for additional detail: Santa Fe Depot (San Bernardino)

Detail of the entrance to the San Bernardino depot. See description in nearby pictures. See Zach's photos for additional detail: Santa Fe Depot (San Bernardino)

Smokestack of the former Santa Fe railroad. The smokestack was once for a generating plant for a repair facility, but the smokestack is all that remains. Note the color of the sky -- the San Bernardino area has some of the worst air pollution in the greater Los Angeles area due to the east winds which blow pollution from all of the Los Angeles area into the narrow pass near San Bernardino.

The Wigwam Motel on the border of San Bernardino and Rialto, on what was Route 66. The Wigam Motels was a chain of 7 motels built in the shape of tipis (mistakenly named wigwams). This motel was built in 1947-1949. See Zach's panorama and greater detail: Wigwam Motel - since 1949

The Wigwam Motel on the border of San Bernardino and Rialto, on what was Route 66. The Wigam Motels was a chain of 7 motels built in the shape of tipis (mistakenly named wigwams). This motel was built in 1947-1949. See Zach's panorama and greater detail: Wigwam Motel - since 1949

The Wigwam Motel on the border of San Bernardino and Rialto, on what was Route 66. The Wigam Motels was a chain of 7 motels built in the shape of tipis (mistaently named wigwams). This motel was built in 1947-1949. See Zach's panorama and greater detail: Wigwam Motel - since 1949

UP steam engine #4014, known as "Big Boy." 4014 is one of 25 huge steam locomotives built for the UP in the early 1940's, for hauling freight in the Rockies. The engine has been in a railroad museum in Pomona, but UP bought it so as to restore it and use it for special occasions. These pictures were taken in the UP yard near San Bernardino. The engine is in that yard for maintenance that needs to be done before it can be moved to Cheyenne, WY where it will be overhauled. For more detail on the engine and move, and for additional pictures, see Zach's Union Pacific Big Boy

UP steam engine #4014, known as "Big Boy." 4014 is one of 25 huge steam locomotives built for the UP in the early 1940's, for hauling freight in the Rockies. The engine has been in a railroad museum in Pomona, but UP bought it so as to restore it and use it for special occasions. These pictures were taken in the UP yard near San Bernardino. The engine is in that yard for maintenance that needs to be done before it can be moved to Cheyenne, WY where it will be overhauled. For more detail on the engine and move, and for additional pictures, see Zach's Union Pacific Big Boy

UP steam engine #4014, known as "Big Boy." 4014 is one of 25 huge steam locomotives built for the UP in the early 1940's, for hauling freight in the Rockies. The engine has been in a railroad museum in Pomona, but UP bought it so as to restore it and use it for special occasions. These pictures were taken in the UP yard near San Bernardino. The engine is in that yard for maintenance that needs to be done before it can be moved to Cheyenne, WY where it will be overhauled. For more detail on the engine and move, and for additional pictures, see Zach's Union Pacific Big Boy

UP steam engine #4014, known as "Big Boy." It is a 4-8-8-4 configuration, the 4's designate the leading and trailing trucks, while the 8's indicate the drive wheels. The locomotive is articulated so that front and rear portions can go around mountain curves. These pictures were taken in the UP yard near San Bernardino. The engine is in that yard for maintenance that needs to be done before it can be moved to Cheyenne, WY where it will be overhauled. For more detail on the engine and move, and for additional pictures, see Zach's Union Pacific Big Boy

UP steam engine #4014, known as "Big Boy." 4014 is one of 25 huge steam locomotives built for the UP in the early 1940's, for hauling freight in the Rockies. The engine has been in a railroad museum in Pomona, but UP bought it so as to restore it and use it for special occasions. These pictures were taken in the UP yard near San Bernardino. The engine is in that yard for maintenance that needs to be done before it can be moved to Cheyenne, WY where it will be overhauled. For more detail on the engine and move, and for additional pictures, see Zach's Union Pacific Big Boy

Looking west from CA-79 across some of the remaining farm land in the Inland Empire. Much of the Inland Empire is being converted into residential developments.