Trona Railway Cab Ride (Searles to Argus)

The Trona Railway is one of the most fascinating operations in California. For the last decade, Railfanjunction has traveled out to the otherworldly landscape of Searles Valley to film the road's aging fleet of SD40R, SD40-2, and SD40T-2 locomotives, but with changing times, power, and the looming threat of Tier 4 replacement locomotives, we took a trip out to collect footage for a larger project on the line in December of 2025. Graciously, while visiting for that trip, management at the TRC allowed us cameras to board a northbound loaded coal train as it descended the 30 miles between Searles and the plant at Argus. As it turns out, this was the last ever loaded coal train to traverse the Trona, as shortly after our visit, the plant at Argus was idled. The 3 SD60s and 2 SD40T-2s all were in heavy dynamics as they gingerly guided the train down the grade through Garden City, Spangler, Navy, and the world-famous Pinnacles, before arriving at the desolate and remote lakebed in Searles Valley. Hop on board and enjoy over an hour of in-cab action along our favorite shortline railroad!