Ever since high school, I’ve had an interest in railways. Over the years, this interest has waned and grown. After the year 2000, my interest had grown to new heights. It was then, when I learned about the Tehachapi Loop, in south-central California. It took about five or six years, before I made it there.
The loop, itself, is a spiral measuring just over a kilometre in distance. However, there are other points of interest to the unreformed trainspotter and railway photographer. This section of track is owned by the Union Pacific. However, BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) also have trackage rights. The photos below are a selection of what I shot over a period of two days, on September 13 to 14, 2008. They were taken in the Caliente area, and the Loop itself.
The first handful of photographs were taken in the Caliente area.
The remaining photos were taken at the Loop itself.
NB: All photographs were taken on publicly accessible roads and tracks.
The Tehachapi Loop is roughly halfway between Bakersfield and Mojave, on California Highway 58. From Los Angeles, take the Interstate 5, and then California Highway 14, north to Mojave, then California Highway 58 to the Keene turnoff (exit 139), and turn right, and then right again. On the left, is a convenient café (Keene Café – open 7AM to 3PM, daily). Continue up the hill, and you should be able to see the Loop on your left. If you get lost, the owners of the café will be more than happy to provide directions. The café is also regularly frequented by railfans.
Great photos!! I had never heard of the loop before. I also love trains 🙂
Thanks G! It’s a wonderful location. You will have to visit there some time. 🙂
[…] fair bit of trainspotting, from points north to points south. Those that have read my earlier post, A couple of days at Tehachapi Loop, know how much of an interest I have in railways. And then I stopped in Switzerland, visiting both […]