Metrolink's Freight Only Rail Line! The Pasadena Subdivision with BNSF Local Freight Train

The Pasadena Subdivision is a historic railroad line in Southern California operated by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (ATSF). Built in the late 19th century, the line connected Los Angeles to Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley, serving both passenger and freight traffic as the region rapidly grew. Over time, rail traffic declined and much of the corridor was abandoned or repurposed for the Metro Gold Line and Metrolink San Bernardino Line. Today, some of the line from Claremont to Irwindale still exists as a dedicated freight line that is owned, operated, and dispatched by Metrolink, where BNSF is a tenant operator under trackage rights, where it serves 5 remaining freight customers on the line. A local from Fontana called the BNSF Pasadena Local operates most days each week and occasioanlly runs down the entire line as far west as Irwindale. No passenger service is operated on the line, but the corridor shares tracks with the Metro A Line for the majority of its length. Today we see a typical run servicing the City Brewery in Irwindale, taking 4 cars into the facility and returning the engines east. Locations seen are Claremont, Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas, Glendora, Azusa, and Irwindale. Thanks for watching! Engines on the Pasadena Local (R-CAL0031): BNSF 140, BNSF 119, BNSF 154