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| TEHACHAPI PASS - 1 |
| The Southern Pacific Railroad built this line over the mountains between Bakersfield and Mojave California in the 1870's. Now operated by the Union Pacific, the line is on the National Register of Historic Places. |
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| The line is famous for its 'loop'. Near the summit, the tracks curve over the top of themselves in order to gain elevation. Burlington Northern Santa Fe has trackage rights here. This train has doubled over itself as it heads upgrade. |
| A UP train headed upgrade is about to double over itself. |
| This BNSF train has just crossed the summit and is about to enter the loop. This line is characterized by single track tunnels, sharp curves, steep grades, and frequent passing sidings. About 35 trains a day pass through here. |
| Here a UP train headed downgrade. This is a popular Railfan Mecca, and this day was no exception. One of the problems of a single track line is unexpected mechanical problems can 'tie up' the entire railroad. A later UP train headed upgrade lost control of its Distributed Power on the rear, causing a delay of over an hour while the problem was remedied. 3 other trains waited in the meantime. |