Blue Cut Sunrise: Real Railroading in Morning Shadow & Light

“Before the sun reaches the rails, the trains are already moving.
At Blue Cut, the morning light arrives slowly — creeping down the canyon walls, leaving the tracks in shadow while the sky burns gold.
A westbound Z‑Train drifts downgrade through the quiet.
The Amtrak Southwest Chief glides through the shaded canyon, still waiting for the sun to find it.
And on the Palmdale Cutoff, a heavy UP manifest catches the first touch of sunrise on its rear end.
This is Cajon Pass at dawn — where every train meets the light in its own time.”

On December 28, 2025, the morning unfolds across Cajon Pass with three trains moving through three very different lighting conditions. This video captures the subtle, real‑world drama railfans know well: shadows clinging to the canyon, sunlight creeping down the ridges, and trains emerging into the day at their own pace. On the early morning of December 28, 2025, this crisp 2160P 4K UHD footage captures the sheer power and presence of these iconic machines. Adjust your settings, settle in, and take in the ride

🚂 Train Lineup (With Correct Conditions)
7:14 AM — BNSF Z‑Train (Westbound, Main 2, MP 64.6)
The Z‑Train is heading downgrade, rolling smoothly through Lower Swarthout Crossing while the canyon is still waking up. Soft, early light brushes the scene but the train remains mostly in morning shade.

7:29 AM — Amtrak Southwest Chief #3 (Chicago → Los Angeles)
The Chief is still deep in the shadowed side of Swarthout Canyon, with the sun not yet reaching the tracks. The contrast between the bright ridgeline and shaded right‑of‑way gives this shot a dramatic, winter‑morning feel.

7:34 AM — Union Pacific Manifest (Southbound, Palmdale Cutoff, MP 474)
The UP manifest descends the Palmdale Cutoff with just a touch of sunrise hitting the rear end of the train — a perfect moment where the light finally breaks through.

📍 Location
Blue Cut & Swarthout Canyon — Cajon Pass, California.

🎥 About This Video
Shot in the shifting light of a winter sunrise, this video highlights how grade, geography, and timing shape the look and feel of every train through Cajon Pass.
Cajon Pass sunrise trains, Blue Cut morning runs, BNSF Z‑Train on the downgrade, and the Amtrak Southwest Chief rolling through the shade. UP Palmdale Cutoff at sunrise, Swarthout Canyon draped in shadows, Cajon Subdivision glowing in the morning light, and Mojave Subdivision trains in motion. A railfan’s winter sunrise collection for December 2025.

We sincerely hope you enjoy what we've put together for you here. Please hype, like, share, and subscribe. Hit the notification bell and leave your kind thoughts. We love you all and will catch you on the next ones!

We launch most New Videos weekday afternoons and weekend mornings PST. Channel Members always have early access. If you enjoy great trains with amazing scenery, our Channel is made for you! Experience the BNSF Cajon Subdivision and Union Pacific, Mojave Subdivision in stunning 4KHDR! We sincerely hope you find enjoyment in watching our videos. Buddy dedicates himself to bringing joy to all of you!

Thanks for your support to keep us going! Contributions and gifts can be sent to,
Keith & Buddy. Cajon Pass Railway Fans.
PO Box 427. Lake Arrowhead. Ca. 92352

Help us to bring you exceptional train action by joining our channel for early access to content:
   / @cajonpassrailfans  
Thank you for watching and for your support.

#CajonPass
#BlueCut
#Railfanning
#TrainVideo
#Railfan
#SunriseTrains
#BNSF
#CinematicRailfanning
#2025Trains
#CaliforniaTrains
#SoCalRailfanning
#CajonSubdivision
#MojaveSubdivision
#TrainCinematography
#4KTrains
#RailfanCinematic
#TrainSpotting
#ZTrain
#Amtrak
#SouthwestChief
#UnionPacific
#UPRailroad
#PalmdaleCutoff
#MorningLight
#ShadowAndSun
#CajonPassSunrise
#SwarthoutCanyon