Uploaded August 2008 | Updated September 2026, 16 hours ago
At the border of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in Southern California lies one of the most interesting and scenic mountain passes in the Southwest. Some call it Banning Pass or San Gorgonio Pass, but most railfans simply refer to it as Beaumont Hill. Pentrex is pleased to present complete coverage of Beaumont Hill from West Colton to Indio in six hours of pounding, railroading action!
Although it peaks at only 2,591 feet above sea level, Beaumont Hill still presents sufficient hardship to rival taller passes. Yet, flanked by Mount San Gorgonio to the north and Mount San Jacinto to the south, it has a beautiful charm all its own. Known now as UP's Yuma Subdivision, the 76-mile line is mostly double-tracked and busier than ever.
In addition to Union Pacific, you'll see engines from Ferromex, NS, CSX, BNSF, CEFX, GCFX, plus survivors from C&NW, Rio Grande and SP—and those are just the units we captured on the point! You'll also see the SP, MKT, Mopac and WP Heritage units. Many engine models are represented, ranging from the SD38-2 to the newest SD70ACe and Dash 840C to the mighty GEVO. We even caught a rare GP15-1 in doublestack service! Autos, lumber, and intermodal trains dominate the line. The "Rock Train" and Amtrak's Sunset Limited are well covered and UP's Centennial 6936 is seen pulling many passenger specials. There's much more to see in this unending parade of dazzling color, open throttles, squealing brakes, and serpentine curves!
Over five years in the making, across the four seasons, under broiling summer sun and snow on the Pass, through windstorms and sandstorms, from dawn to dusk, this is the Ultimate Beaumont Hill!
At the border of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties in Southern California lies one of the most interesting and scenic mountain passes in the Southwest. Some call it Banning Pass or San Gorgonio Pass, but most railfans simply refer to it as Beaumont Hill. Pentrex is pleased to present complete coverage of Beaumont Hill from West Colton to Indio in six hours of pounding, railroading action!
Although it peaks at only 2,591 feet above sea level, Beaumont Hill still presents sufficient hardship to rival taller passes. Yet, flanked by Mount San Gorgonio to the north and Mount San Jacinto to the south, it has a beautiful charm all its own. Known now as UP's Yuma Subdivision, the 76-mile line is mostly double-tracked and busier than ever.
In addition to Union Pacific, you'll see engines from Ferromex, NS, CSX, BNSF, CEFX, GCFX, plus survivors from C&NW, Rio Grande and SP—and those are just the units we captured on the point! You'll also see the SP, MKT, Mopac and WP Heritage units. Many engine models are represented, ranging from the SD38-2 to the newest SD70ACe and Dash 840C to the mighty GEVO. We even caught a rare GP15-1 in doublestack service! Autos, lumber, and intermodal trains dominate the line. The "Rock Train" and Amtrak's Sunset Limited are well covered and UP's Centennial 6936 is seen pulling many passenger specials. There's much more to see in this unending parade of dazzling color, open throttles, squealing brakes, and serpentine curves!
Over five years in the making, across the four seasons, under broiling summer sun and snow on the Pass, through windstorms and sandstorms, from dawn to dusk, this is the Ultimate Beaumont Hill!
