Information For Planning A Trip To The Tehachapi Loop Jeff Williams September, 2016
Note: This slide show is a scaled down version of the presentation made to the San Jacinto Model Railroad Club September Meeting on September 6, 2016. You may find this information useful when planning your trip to visit the Tehachapi Loop.
Where is Tehachapi? The town of Tehachapi: Lies in Southern California approximately 120 miles due North of Los Angeles Is at the top of Tehachapi Pass approximately 4000 feet above sea level in the Southern Sierra Nevada mountain range Is approximately half way between Bakersfield, CA (to the West in the San Joaquin Valley) and Mojave, CA (to the East in the Mojave Desert)
Getting to Tehachapi Southwest has direct flights to LAX and one stop flights to Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank, CA from HOU Head here!
Getting To Tehachapi - Continued Take the I-5/I-405 North to CA 14 the Antelope Valley Freeway (also known as the Aerospace Hwy) CA 14 is a pretty drive along the San Andreas fault on the North side of the San Gabriel Mountain Range CA 14 then turns North and drops down into the Antelope Valley (part of the Mojave Desert one of the driest places on earth) At Mojave, CA turn left (West) onto Hwy 58 and start the long climb up to Tehachapi Pass If you start to see windmills you are in the right place!
Getting to The Loop Suggestion: Drive out to Loop on Woodford-Tehachapi Rd and return (from Keene) on Hwy 58 to see some of the tunnels (and experience the steep grade).
Getting To The Loop Along Woodford-Tehachapi Rd there are view points that permit views of track and tunnels before getting to the Loop view point Loop markers and extra parking indicate that you have arrived at your destination
Loop Rail Run (Looking North) B<-HWY 58->T <-Rail To Bakersfield Bridge T#10 T#9 WL Start WL End
Safety and Security The Loop is a potential terrorist target Access to Loop now very limited Remember that track is private right-of-way and surrounding land is privately held That said, a small trail ~200 ft East of Loop markers leads to two rises that offer exceptional views of trains coming and going (one rise is essentially right on top of Tunnel #10). Path is on private property but owner allows access to rail fans. From top rises can see trains coming from both directions. Mornings offer best viewing as Loop is back lit by sun from trail location
Path To Loop Best Views Take this path around chain that is blocking gravel road. Walk gravel road until you get to a parking/turn around area. Continue through parking area until you see trail continuing off to the North/NE. Trail splits in two with one path leading to top of Tunnel 10 and the other leading to a different view point. Both view points are worth exploring.
Loop Weather The Loop has 4 seasons Generally a dry climate, but because at altitude can see both rain and snow at times Spring is really the optimum time to go see the Loop (March > mid April) Generally quite lush due to winter rains (its green!) Lots of wild flowers in bloom (gotta see the California poppies!) Generally mild temperatures and minimal chance of heavy rains (Remember this is California and it never rains in Southern California, right? But, when it does you can expect flash floods and mud slides and the Loop is in a mountainous/hilly area!) Always windy in the Pass bring a windbreaker, even in summer! Bring plenty of water (not alcohol, or caffeinated drinks, etc.). In this very dry climate you can become dehydrated easily without even realizing it!
Things To Do In Tehachapi Visit the Loop early and often!!! Watch freight trains!! Visit Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum (open Thursday -> Monday)! Sample the local cuisine (Jake s Steak House is a must but there are other great restaurants as well) Wander the town Two model train stores in this tiny town! Lots of interesting boutiques Several fine art shops Find all the wall murals and other wall art Take a drive to Stallion Springs or Bear Valley Visit local wineries Visit Sand Canyon (back towards Mojave) Visit Tehachapi Mountain Park (nice views of Tehachapi and surrounding areas) Watch the wind mills turn. HA!
Depot Now a Museum
Tehachapi Model Train Stores TRAINS ETC. All Scales Consignment sales American Flyer, Lionel Ed and Linda Gordon wish to sell store Retirement opportunity! http://trainsetc.biz/index.html 661-822-7777 Located across from Depot next to Kelley s Cafe Gold Coast Station Exclusively G Scale Regular business hours most days but best to call in advance Lots of Euro trains Store is ceiling -> floor stacked with trains! http://goldcoaststation.net/store.htm (661) 822-5026 426 N. Curry Street in Tehachapi
Wall Murals (Mural link: https://tehachapimuseum.org/walking-tour-murals/75- tehachapi-historical-murals)
Where To Stay A number of big chain hotels exist Best Western (2 hotels right next to each other) on Tehachapi Blvd Holiday Inn Express on the other side of Hwy 58 (less noisy and prettier location up in the foothills) Fairfield Inn (next to Best Western) on Tehachapi Blvd Two mom and pop motels exist Santa Fe Motel (right across from the Depot on Tehachapi Blvd) Ranch House Motel (several blocks off main drag back towards Tehachapi Mountain)
My recommendation: Best Western Country Park Hotel Rooms ~$100/night with free breakfast When making reservation, specifically request Room 309 and tell them you are a train or rail fan Room 309 Room 309 has a small balcony and best view of main track lines on the opposite side of Tehachapi Blvd (a NE view of trains coming and going through Tehachapi Pass) Despite being so close to tracks you can adjust room doors and window to get the train sounds just right for the best white noise sleep possible. HA! Actually any of the rooms on the left side of the hotel and on the 3 rd floor give an excellent view of the rails, however Room 309 is the only one that has a balcony.
View from Room 309
Good Loop Videos On UTube Drone (dynamic aerial views) following BNSF train around loop: https://youtu.be/blb_99f_jse **** Fixed aerial view of train going around loop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzcyhp1d4o4 ** High quality fixed position view of heavy intermodal BNSF train (consisting of 8 forward locos!) passing Walong Siding, taken from rise on top of Tunnel 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buancihfjim *** In cab camera views of BNSF train passing another train on Walong Siding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6w5hdqpmim ***** Merger mania a summary of historical train operations around Tehachapi involving Santa Fe and Southern Pacific companies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88fpfz-oat8 **** Green Loop multiple trains passing around loop after the winter rains (high quality, shot from multiple positions): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am_mm-jncdu *** Circus train makes Loop transit (low quality), taken from rise on top of Tunnel 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kduq_jhnjas *