Rail-fan stuff ?

[BIG JOE]

If anyone hasn't, or is ever out West, if it fits yer travel plans.. visit the "Tehachapi Loop"... an amazing piece of Railroad engineering where Trains climb 70 vertical feet, up a 2.2% grade in less than 2 miles. It's East of Bakersfield, on SR-58.

Hadn't been there in awhile.. watched a 105 car Consist (Modex) do the loop.. the 5 engine..Head-end, cleared the loop and disappeared to the East, before the 2 Helpers on the end.. even entered the loop.. through the tunnel..

You can check it out on Google Earth.. Go to Keene, Ca.. toggle east.. Cool Pics.

Joe

 

[DaveBen]

That sounds very worthwhile. I would like to see that, but I don't get down to So Cal these days.

Dave

 

[DaveBen]

I just looked at the Google Satellite of that section of track and you can see the loop and the grade going up.

Dave

 

[BIG JOE]

I just looked at the Google Satellite of that section of track and you can see the loop and the grade going up.

Dave

If you have the Panoramio & Rail options enabled, in Layers bar.. you can see Pictures that others have taken.. from the roadside viewing areas.

 

[locopny]

If anyone hasn't, or is ever out West, if it fits yer travel plans.. visit the "Tehachapi Loop"... an amazing piece of Railroad engineering where Trains climb 70 vertical feet, up a 2.2% grade in less than 2 miles. It's East of Bakersfield, on SR-58.

Hadn't been there in awhile.. watched a 105 car Consist (Modex) do the loop.. the 5 engine..Head-end, cleared the loop and disappeared to the East, before the 2 Helpers on the end.. even entered the loop.. through the tunnel..

You can check it out on Google Earth.. Go to Keene, Ca.. toggle east.. Cool Pics.

Joe

Well worth the drive in my opinion. Been many years since I viewed and took some 35mm photos there...but was amazed by the sight of a train passing over/under itself.

Another place to see is the rail museum in Portola (Northern CA) where you can operate a diesel switcher for a small fee. Short drive from there is the Keddy wye (SP?).
Used to go out to Cajon Pass (So CA) couple times a year to train spot.

 

[BIG JOE]

Well worth the drive in my opinion. Been many years since I viewed and took some 35mm photos there...but was amazed by the sight of a train passing over/under itself.

Another place to see is the rail museum in Portola (Northern CA) where you can operate a diesel switcher for a small fee. Short drive from there is the Keddy wye (SP?).
Used to go out to Cajon Pass (So CA) couple times a year to train spot.

I hear ya

been those places.. dun those things

In June we're guna take the AMTRAC "San Joaquin" RT to 'ol Sacramento, spend 2 days at the Railroad Museum..

Life is Good.

Some day.. I wana go see that "Loop" in Canada that does an Over/Under.. All..in a Tunnel

 

[DaveBen]

Another place to see is the rail museum in Portola (Northern CA) where you can operate a diesel switcher for a small fee.

Portola is up near Reno, correct? The reason I ask, is I lived near Portola Valley, south of San Francisco and they did not have anything related to railroads.

Dave

 

[locopny]

Yes, its sorta near Reno.

Sacto' State RR Museum was very nice also...but after being at Portola-I was bummed I could climb on everything lol. Oh....the Feather River Canyon is also a cool sight thats between Portola and Sacto (the way I went ). Along I-70 in Colorado near Glenwood Springs you can catch some decent photos of a long string of rail cars against some great backdrop at the right time of day.

I don't recall the name of the Rt. but last train ride I took was from San Luis Obispbo to Fullerton Via Union Station in LA. Later took it down from Fullerton to the San Clemente Mission. Spelling may be off on the town names.
clicity-clack

 

[BIG JOE]

Yes, its sorta near Reno.


I don't recall the name of the Rt. but last train ride I took was from San Luis Obispbo to Fullerton Via Union Station in LA. Later took it down from Fullerton to the San Clemente Mission. Spelling may be off on the town names.
clicity-clack

That's the.. Pacific Coast Daylight Route.. The Cuesta grade, "Horse Shoe Curve", North of San Luis Obispo, is also a slick way of gaining some elevation.

Rode that once behind a 4-8-4.. Had a GP cut in for insurance but the Engineer(s) said the they had the 'Ol Girl.. Hooked Up.. and didn't need any help.. to keep up with track speed limits, during the climb.

Cool Stuff