The quintessential video of Tehachapi!! Brilliant, one of your best ever vids! - my fave segment though is the serpentine starting at 4:51 - beautiful.videography.
I drive through Medford twice a day and work 3 miles from Ashland. Worked all day, came home and helped wife burn pine needles and such, now to shower whether I need it or not. I still have all my 'N' gauge stuff less track. Maybe someday...
This is a very nice video! I think my Mom and Dad and I came through here and saw this in 1984 when we came back to the States after a tour of duty in Japan. We drove from California, all the way to the East coast (DC) and stopped through Tehachapi Loop. It made an impression on me at 14 and it is wonderful to see it again through this video! Thank you so much for taking this video and sharing it! :) Excellent!
I cannot believe that person asked that ridiculous question but you answered it well and politely. Anyhow, I drive through the Tehachapis alot on Highway 58 and rarely have a chance to look at the trains since I have to keep an eye on the road. But thanks to your well-made video, I got a peek of what I have to miss when I am in the area. Nice job and thanks! Just surprised that there are not more engines in the middle or ends of these long lines of trains on these steep grades.
Very, very well done! One of, if not, the best video of Tehachapi I have seen. For someone who may have never seen a video of this loop before, it surely gives all angles and images explaining the lay out. Again, very well done!
We watched this Travel Channel show last night on train trips. That's in our plans. Alaska, Canada or the cheap one, Williams, Arizona to Grand Canyon and back. Neat train story: I had this extremely hopped-up Honda ATC90 (138cc) 3 wheeler and was riding from camp to Mojave McDonalds to bring back breakfast. Trick chain tensioner broke-chain wouldn't stay on. I was just about in Mojave. Hid ATC in bushes and rode freight back to camp to get truck. Only time I ever did the "hobo" scene.
Wow, what a Beautiful Video, thanks! The sound must be just great sitting where you were, stereo trains off the hills! I need to get there, haha! Thanks again.
Mojave Green is the snake. Saw 1 on the dirt road to the Warren campsite just after dark. One in 36 years and at least 100 campouts. Great train watching site. 2 tracks and very busy. Saw 3 at once one time...1 eastbound and 2 westbound...2nd lead loco was about 100 yards behind the 1st's caboose (remember those?) Now, I'm a 12 hour drive away and go every Nov. Lots to do. Used to be Warren there and lots of purple glass, date nails and 3 coins (old) so far. Perfect dirtbike riding area too.
Glad you made a video of your layout. Sounds like you did alot of work with it. I LOVE Albuquerque and New Mexico. Yes, the state has alot of desert country but alot of trees in parts like in the Santa Fe area. east of Sandia Peak and east of Silver City in the Gila National Forest. The views from Emory Pass are breathtaking! And I LOVE the Route 66 nostalgia! Just still VERY surprised at how few snakes you have seen while camping in the Mojave area all those years. HAPPY CAMPING!
Enjoyed these railroad stories by a man who knew the business so well. Very interesting to have a boss like that with so much to tell about train life. And that tunnel saga sounded scary for him and glad that he was not seriously hurt or killed. Sounded potentially dangerous!
Thanks for your reply. Sounds like you have done some great train viewing while camping. Good for you! I tried camping twice in my life (1968 and 1974) and HATED it! As I am almost 60 now, I seriously doubt that I will ever try it again. But I DO love train watching like you! I do not ride dirt bikes but will look for the dirt bike trails the next time I am in the area on Hwy. 58, though I do not drive into Mojave. Not sure if I will be able to see the trails, though, from the highway.
After camping, we get room 126 at Motel 6 in Mojave to clean up. Tracks/crossing right across 14. Windows open, sounds like the campsite. At camp, 1/2 the time the engineer(s) will give us a toot during the day. The up (west) trains are loud but soothing (to me). It's like over 2% grade and on a curve so they creep by floored! Cool... You'll easily see the dirt trails. You'll see 2 groups of trees, also. The camp is at the set of trees closer to Mojave. They're about 50 yards apart. Good shade.
You said your thoughts very well and I agree with you 100%! I cannot believe the videos I see of people driving around downed crossing gates as the trains are approaching. Sometimes, they do not make it and there are fatalities as the trains cannot stop immediately. And I live in the Bay Area and often hear of people hit by trains while they are crossing the tracks and not paying attention. And two weeks ago, some teens were playing 'Chicken' with a train and the kid lost his life! :o(
Just amazing that you have not seen more of the mojave rattlers in all the years that you have been camping in that area. For me, I just could not enjoy myself at a campground if I knew that these very venomous rattlers were in the area. But the train watching sounds like one nice attraction when you are there, though I wonder if you can sleep through all the train noise at night. I know I cannot when I am at rest stops at night near tracks, though I LOVE the sounds of the trains anytime.
Now I WILL "camp out" in that Motel 6 room with all the nice train sounds and views, though I probably will not get much sleep at night but that is ok, I guess. NIce of the engineers to sound the horns during the day when you are camping. I will look for the trees the next time I am in the area. Usually all I see are the barren land and wind turbines next to the mountains but those are west of Mojave. The highway used to go through the town until it was re-routed many years ago.
Sounded like quite a train layout you made and you must have alot of talent to do all that skilled work. I lack that kind of ability but am in awe of people who create train layouts. And let us hope that while you are near the campfire, a mojave rattler does not come by the area like what I experienced with a HUGE prairie rattler at Mt. Sunflower in Kansas in 2005. Not sure if the altitude has something to do with the rare mojave rattler sightings when you are camping but you never know.
Only have VHS of train layout in action with good music: Deep Purple's Highway Star and Space Truckin'. Three trains at once on 2 tracks. All freights. One steamer. SP 2-6-2 I believe. Albuquerque rules if you're into deserts, trains AND Route 66. Snakes? Seen one in 36 years and that was 1985-ish. One tarantula he was cool, walked up/sat down next to me. If you pass by the campsite and see a white GMC Sonoma w/white topper, that's us. About 1/3 mile past where you recorded the video; west.
The amazing Georgetown Loop above Georgetown Colorado, was an engineering feat in the 1800's. All wood trestle construction out over the valley. Duluth Min had wooden trestle above the city. Swept out of higher elevation Iron range. Then proceeded out over the docks above the big 'Laker's, 1000 ft (up to) freighters lined up at the Lake superior docks. They belly/side dumped iron ore (taconite) into the tips/holds for the Great Lake's routes down to mills, during USA's prosperous Industrial Age.
Making the layout was more fun than anything. Even had a little 'N' gauge black bear on the hill in the loop w/an 'N' guage hiker approaching it unaware. Snakes only come out at night and by then, I'm sitting at the campfire. Altitude is 3000-something feet which may make a difference. Maybe if that president leaves me any money when I turn 62 in 4 years, I'll build another set with the loop, campsite and the tunnells this time. I got a good story: An ex-boss (RIP) told me he was a...
He's not just whistling for the grade crossing. It's also traditional to blow the horns going up over the Loop. My parents grew-up in the town of Tehachapi and the story they told me, was that there was an SP engineer on that route back then, whose brother owned the Loop Ranch at the time and so he started the tradition (which soon got picked up by other train crews) of blowing 2 shorts and a long and other signals, as a way of saying, "Hi!" to his family.
...brakeman for SP and his run(s) were between Barstow and Bakersfield. This was back when they rode on TOP of the cars and hand-turned the brakes. He kept his lunchbox on top of the ice blocks (reefer cars) and found a tramp inside eating his lunch. Kept him at bay w/his clup until they got to Bakersfield. Another story he told me was he didn't know to keep way back from steam engines going through tunnels. He got stuck right behind the locos going through the series of tunnels approaching...
Thanks for yor answer. Here is the location I was asking for. I hope to visit it someday and shot or still portrait it from the lead loco and watch the consist moving over itself.
Maybe someday after you retire, you will have the time to consider doing your layout again. Good luck on that! I have only been in Oregon once and that was in 1980 when I was driving to Seattle to consider the city for possible relocation. That did not happen, though I had a friend and cousins move there. I have a grammar school classmate in Corvallis and I think he still lives there. That part of Oregon is very green compared to the southern edge of the state from what I remember,
Saw 4449 go by deadheaded once in the mid-80's. What luck! Saw it under full power going through Camarillo around the same time. I think it was on it's way to be mothballed or something. If you love camping/train watching and desert dirt bike riding, Warren is the place to go. Just about impossible to drive to unless you know the secret. Hwy. 58 is about 300 yards away in plain view. As you come down to Mojave, look to the right and you'll see lots of dirt bike trails going up the hills.
Leaving Mojave towards Bakersfield it's like 2.2% about the steepest grade in the states for a main line. I hung on a boxcar ladder. My fellow camper said he was about to shoot me w/his .58 caliber black powder rifle for making a bunch of noise. I was hollering a bunch of Mexican jibberish. I just hoped off the ladder and we got in his '54 Ford F250 and went to pick up my 3 wheeler. We went home from there.
UP owns the line because it took over the SP. BNSF "rents" the line via trackage rights that the old Santa Fe had. In return for the trackage rights, Santa Fe/BNSF helps the SP/UP pay the maintenance bill for keeping the Tehachapi line in good condition.
Capitalism in motion: This is The Tehachapi Loop. A busy logistical point in the north and south railroad traffic north of Los Angeles. I went through this on a passenger train in 1952. I was 15 at the time and my youngest sister Johnnye was about 5. I promised to come back home but I never did.
I noticed the wooden steps from the signal tower (early in video) are gone. Of course last time I was there was 1980-ish. Wouldn't it suck to have to work and live at Loop Ranch w/the damn trains going by all the time? I camp about 5 miles N/W of Mojave at Warren next to the tracks. Drive 11.5 hours from Oregon to get there. Been going for 36 years. 2 sets of tracks. 2.2% grade. I can sleep like a baby. Going again in about a month...or less.
I live in San Jose but am moving to Albuquerque. I have traveled on Hwy. 58 for decades and now go through Arvin (after exiting Int. 5) to get to the highway easier and quicker instead of going through Bakersfield which was a BIG pain!! I sure enjoyed your 'N'-gauge train story and it sounded like quite a layout but too bad it is gone. Any photos of it to share? And as far as the Mojave camping, I will pass since I HATE camping and sure want to avoid the venomous rattlers out there.
When you said you spoke "Mexican jibberish", I thought you might speak some Spanish like I can (but not fluently). Glad the train was going slow enough for you to get on and off, though I have heard of cases where people have done this and they lost body parts when the train ran over them. You just have to time the jumps just right, I guess, but that is something I would not have done, even in my younger days. I sure DO miss the cabooses, though. I only see them in museums now.
To answer Uffe O question from two yrs ago, all trains apporching a crossing, tunnel, bridge or sharp curves must blow thier horns by law.. It's a safty feature in case any one is on the tracks ahed.
You already had the answer but I'll give it to you again. That's the standard horn pattern for approaching a grade (road) crossing. Two long blasts, one short, and another long, usually held until the engine crosses the road. Go back and look at it again. You'll the train is approaching a crossing and let's off the horn as the engine crosses the road.
Thanks for sharing the "hobo" story! Was the train you hopped on moving slowly or was just parked and then you got on? How many miles were you on the train and did you have to hop off when it was moving? Sure hope not as that is very dangerous. And I did the Grand Canyon train in 1991 on a day trip in the fall and it was quite nice. I even took some video. There was entertainment on the train and free bottles of coke. Many tour packages to choose from today but go in the off-season.
Your train comments were interesting to read. I know this area well since I drive through it alot on Hwy. 58 on my way to Arizona and New Mexico. New rest stops near Boron make the journey even better now. Do you see any mojave rattlesnakes at your campground? They are some of the most venomous in this country! I think that there are also western diamondbacks out there, too. I just would be VERY leery to be at a campground in rattlesnake country but sounds like you are used to that.
It matters not where the crossing is, ie, remoteness or otherwise, its the law in America, 2 long blasts followed by 1 short and ending with one long blast on the horn every time and its all recorded on the event recorder!
My parents rode the passenger trains in Canada and just loved them! They said the rides were quite smooth compared to their Amtrak trips in this country. My late mother rode trains since she had a fear of flying. As for me and Amtrak, I did the 33-hour trip from Oakland to Denver one way and then back in 1991 and that was TORTURE for me, even though I LOVE trains! I just felt so claustrophobic and the scenery was mostly barren and boring other than the Sierras and Rockies. Never again!!!
Where do you reside? Near Mojave? In the Dez? About 16 years ago I set up an 'N' gauge train set on a 4X8. I made a Tehachapi Loop and my campsite area. Had a tiny LED bulb w/sticks on top for a "campfire". Even found an 'N' gauge International Travelall to park at camp (I've owned 17 Internationals over the years) It was my first train attempt and came out okay but I took an ax to it over a family dispute (after I carefully removed all buildings and accessories) Try Mojave camping some time.
So what/where is the best "accessible" areas for viewing/filming around the loop? I'm gonna be in the Cajon area in May, and a trip up to Tehachapi wouldn't really be out of the question. (I guess by "accessible", I mean where you won't really piss someone off by going)
On this video I'm pulling roughly 660,000 pounds per car running a 16 cylinder fiat Alice tug boat engine with 3000 brake wheel horse power each wheel. I'm on notch 6 here. Goooo with throttle up. Thanks for watching, 220 cars long a mile and half long.
Sounds like you like to live dangerously, How fast was the train going when you jumped off?? I guess you speak Spanish? Yes, that is quite a grade through the Tehachapis but the Rockies seem to be even steeper when I have traveled through them on Amtrak. Glad that none of the train personnel saw you hanging on. I wonder what they would have done with you if you got caught?
You do not see hobos or "drifters" much anymore on trains compared to decades ago. I hear that the railroad cops ("bulls") enforce the law more now than before. What you DO see much more of now is graffiti and it is much too expensive for the railroads to keep painting over all the tagging. This happens especially more in bigger cities where the railroad cars are idle and the taggers do their quick vandalism. I see so much of this online as I watch my train videos and chat with other train fans.
You might live near my friends in Medford and Ashland. And it was interesting that you said that you have seen more rattlers in Oregon than in the Mojave area. Your train layout still sounded great and you can be forgiven for the slight design error. No one is perfect but let us hope in real life, tracks are NEVER that close! Yes, regarding the MAJOR train graffiti problem, it does come down to money. It would cost to have cops but probably better that than having to cover over the tagging.
Incorrect. They actually do need to use the horn at road crossings, as is the case at 2:30 and 5:00. Not sure about the one right before the four-minute mark, but it didn't sound like the train horn, either.
At over 2% grade, they go about jogging speed or less. Spanish? Got an 'F' in 8th grade Spanish. I know how to order a beer, say hello and tell a woman she's beautiful. That's all you need. Back in those days there were still cabooses. If caught, a warning, besides the train can't stop and slap my wrist. Only 7.5 more months and we're back there, I hope.
Yes, I have heard that the railroad cops are MUCH stricter now than in the past because of the reasons you gave and more. That is why I never see hoboes on trains anymore than when I was a kid. With all the illegals in Calfornia and the thieves and graffiti taggers with their vandalism, the cops have their hands full. (Have you checked out Brenton's train videos on UA-cam? They are some of the best I have seen and quite well done!)
yes!! i recently found out they are now doing up to 180 cars, like you said 8000 feet or a mile and a half! ! im not positive if there are any limits on the loop, but i'd be you are correct
I've seen more rattlers here in So. Oregon than the Mojave. Train layout was okay except the curve at Warren (my campsite area) The tracks were too close together at one point and trains would scrape and derail. Oops! Graffiti on cars? Sacrilegious! Maybe if you could just read it. RR cops need to somehow stop this. Trains have to be idle to be painted. Step up patrols in yards. I know hiring more cops is $ but, I'd do it for less. I'd empty the cans in the punks faces and break their fingers...
Amazing to watch. Only a man could think this engineering feat up! Hats off!
The quintessential video of Tehachapi!! Brilliant, one of your best ever vids! - my fave segment though is the serpentine starting at 4:51 - beautiful.videography.
I drive through Medford twice a day and work 3 miles from Ashland.
Worked all day, came home and helped wife burn pine needles and such, now to shower whether I need it or not.
I still have all my 'N' gauge stuff less track. Maybe someday...
This is a very nice video! I think my Mom and Dad and I came through here and saw this in 1984 when we came back to the States after a tour of duty in Japan. We drove from California, all the way to the East coast (DC) and stopped through Tehachapi Loop. It made an impression on me at 14 and it is wonderful to see it again through this video! Thank you so much for taking this video and sharing it! :) Excellent!
I cannot believe that person asked that ridiculous question but you answered it well and politely. Anyhow, I drive through the Tehachapis alot on Highway 58 and rarely have a chance to look at the trains since I have to keep an eye on the road. But thanks to your well-made video, I got a peek of what I have to miss when I am in the area. Nice job and thanks! Just surprised that there are not more engines in the middle or ends of these long lines of trains on these steep grades.
Very, very well done! One of, if not, the best video of Tehachapi I have seen. For someone who may have never seen a video of this loop before, it surely gives all angles and images explaining the lay out. Again, very well done!
We watched this Travel Channel show last night on train trips. That's in our plans. Alaska, Canada or the cheap one, Williams, Arizona to Grand Canyon and back.
Neat train story: I had this extremely hopped-up Honda ATC90 (138cc) 3 wheeler and was riding from camp to Mojave McDonalds to bring back breakfast. Trick chain tensioner broke-chain wouldn't stay on. I was just about in Mojave. Hid ATC in bushes and rode freight back to camp to get truck. Only time I ever did the "hobo" scene.
Wow, what a Beautiful Video, thanks! The sound must be just great sitting where you were, stereo trains off the hills! I need to get there, haha! Thanks again.
Great video thanks for taking the time to show it.
GOOD LORD! Look at all those trains going around the dolly pardon boosom loop! LOL!!
Mojave Green is the snake. Saw 1 on the dirt road to the Warren campsite just after dark. One in 36 years and at least 100 campouts.
Great train watching site. 2 tracks and very busy.
Saw 3 at once one time...1 eastbound and 2 westbound...2nd lead loco was about 100 yards behind the 1st's caboose (remember those?)
Now, I'm a 12 hour drive away and go every Nov.
Lots to do. Used to be Warren there and lots of purple glass, date nails and 3 coins (old) so far. Perfect dirtbike riding area too.
Absolutely amazing, The real thing rather than a model. Really amazing too is the amount of Motive Power it takes to move these trains.
Glad you made a video of your layout. Sounds like you did alot of work with it.
I LOVE Albuquerque and New Mexico. Yes, the state has alot of desert country but alot of trees in parts like in the Santa Fe area. east of Sandia Peak and east of Silver City in the Gila National Forest. The views from Emory Pass are breathtaking! And I LOVE the Route 66 nostalgia!
Just still VERY surprised at how few snakes you have seen while camping in the Mojave area all those years.
HAPPY CAMPING!
Neat panoramic catch. Amazing. I've seen quite a few vids of Tehachapi, but this has to be one of the best! *****'s.
Magnificent!
The Tehachapi Loop is amazing indeed!
I live in Golden Hills and you can hear those damn trains screeching and groaning every morning .
Enjoyed these railroad stories by a man who knew the business so well. Very interesting to have a boss like that with so much to tell about train life. And that tunnel saga sounded scary for him and glad that he was not seriously hurt or killed. Sounded potentially dangerous!
Thanks for your reply. Sounds like you have done some great train viewing while camping. Good for you! I tried camping twice in my life (1968 and 1974) and HATED it! As I am almost 60 now, I seriously doubt that I will ever try it again. But I DO love train watching like you! I do not ride dirt bikes but will look for the dirt bike trails the next time I am in the area on Hwy. 58, though I do not drive into Mojave. Not sure if I will be able to see the trails, though, from the highway.
I am always amazed by how they run over their tail...freaking awesome engineering!!!
Iv ben their once its a reall treat to see 2 trains on that track at once.....Its a awsome place to go when ya got the time....
After camping, we get room 126 at Motel 6 in Mojave to clean up. Tracks/crossing right across 14. Windows open, sounds like the campsite. At camp, 1/2 the time the engineer(s) will give us a toot during the day.
The up (west) trains are loud but soothing (to me). It's like over 2% grade and on a curve so they creep by floored! Cool...
You'll easily see the dirt trails. You'll see 2 groups of trees, also. The camp is at the set of trees closer to Mojave. They're about 50 yards apart. Good shade.
Thanks for sharing this excellent video! Very well done, indeed.
Nice job! That's a real cool spot.
Fantastic video !!!
I'd be sounding my horn if I had a train set like this!
Very impressing video. Thumbs up!
Holy Cow! THAT is a GREAT location!!!!!
THIS IS AMAZING.................
This place looks familiar LOL Excellent video as always!
Hello from England Great opening shot
dude... AWESOME!!
You said your thoughts very well and I agree with you 100%! I cannot believe the videos I see of people driving around downed crossing gates as the trains are approaching. Sometimes, they do not make it and there are fatalities as the trains cannot stop immediately. And I live in the Bay Area and often hear of people hit by trains while they are crossing the tracks and not paying attention. And two weeks ago, some teens were playing 'Chicken' with a train and the kid lost his life! :o(
Just amazing that you have not seen more of the mojave rattlers in all the years that you have been camping in that area. For me, I just could not enjoy myself at a campground if I knew that these very venomous rattlers were in the area. But the train watching sounds like one nice attraction when you are there, though I wonder if you can sleep through all the train noise at night. I know I cannot when I am at rest stops at night near tracks, though I LOVE the sounds of the trains anytime.
Now I WILL "camp out" in that Motel 6 room with all the nice train sounds and views, though I probably will not get much sleep at night but that is ok, I guess. NIce of the engineers to sound the horns during the day when you are camping. I will look for the trees the next time I am in the area. Usually all I see are the barren land and wind turbines next to the mountains but those are west of Mojave. The highway used to go through the town until it was re-routed many years ago.
Great Video-----thanks
Sounded like quite a train layout you made and you must have alot of talent to do all that skilled work. I lack that kind of ability but am in awe of people who create train layouts. And let us hope that while you are near the campfire, a mojave rattler does not come by the area like what I experienced with a HUGE prairie rattler at Mt. Sunflower in Kansas in 2005. Not sure if the altitude has something to do with the rare mojave rattler sightings when you are camping but you never know.
Only have VHS of train layout in action with good music: Deep Purple's Highway Star and Space Truckin'. Three trains at once on 2 tracks. All freights. One steamer. SP 2-6-2 I believe.
Albuquerque rules if you're into deserts, trains AND Route 66.
Snakes? Seen one in 36 years and that was 1985-ish. One tarantula he was cool, walked up/sat down next to me.
If you pass by the campsite and see a white GMC Sonoma w/white topper, that's us. About 1/3 mile past where you recorded the video; west.
wow that was just amazing!!
They signal (blow horn) at any and all crossing grades. At my Warren campsite, they usually will give a quick blast or two to say "Hello".
The amazing Georgetown Loop above Georgetown Colorado, was an engineering feat in the 1800's. All wood trestle construction out over the valley. Duluth Min had wooden trestle above the city. Swept out of higher elevation Iron range. Then proceeded out over the docks above the big 'Laker's, 1000 ft (up to) freighters lined up at the Lake superior docks. They belly/side dumped iron ore (taconite) into the tips/holds for the Great Lake's routes down to mills, during USA's prosperous Industrial Age.
Making the layout was more fun than anything. Even had a little 'N' gauge black bear on the hill in the loop w/an 'N' guage hiker approaching it unaware.
Snakes only come out at night and by then, I'm sitting at the campfire.
Altitude is 3000-something feet which may make a difference.
Maybe if that president leaves me any money when I turn 62 in 4 years, I'll build another set with the loop, campsite and the tunnells this time.
I got a good story: An ex-boss (RIP) told me he was a...
I have deffo got to visit this place...
Nice vid. This place has to be a drifter's dream. No engineer has a chance to see him/them getting on the train and a speed is so low... :).
He's not just whistling for the grade crossing. It's also traditional to blow the horns going up over the Loop. My parents grew-up in the town of Tehachapi and the story they told me, was that there was an SP engineer on that route back then, whose brother owned the Loop Ranch at the time and so he started the tradition (which soon got picked up by other train crews) of blowing 2 shorts and a long and other signals, as a way of saying, "Hi!" to his family.
...brakeman for SP and his run(s) were between Barstow and Bakersfield. This was back when they rode on TOP of the cars and hand-turned the brakes. He kept his lunchbox on top of the ice blocks (reefer cars) and found a tramp inside eating his lunch. Kept him at bay w/his clup until they got to Bakersfield.
Another story he told me was he didn't know to keep way back from steam engines going through tunnels. He got stuck right behind the locos going through the series of tunnels approaching...
fantastic video - greetings from india.
My father invented the railway in 1952. He also invented the kettle in 1957.
Awesome video
I am also railway employee .it is exlant video veya very thanks
Thanks for yor answer. Here is the location I was asking for. I hope to visit it someday and shot or still portrait it from the lead loco and watch the consist moving over itself.
great video
Maybe someday after you retire, you will have the time to consider doing your layout again. Good luck on that!
I have only been in Oregon once and that was in 1980 when I was driving to Seattle to consider the city for possible relocation. That did not happen, though I had a friend and cousins move there.
I have a grammar school classmate in Corvallis and I think he still lives there. That part of Oregon is very green compared to the southern edge of the state from what I remember,
Saw 4449 go by deadheaded once in the mid-80's. What luck! Saw it under full power going through Camarillo around the same time. I think it was on it's way to be mothballed or something.
If you love camping/train watching and desert dirt bike riding, Warren is the place to go. Just about impossible to drive to unless you know the secret. Hwy. 58 is about 300 yards away in plain view. As you come down to Mojave, look to the right and you'll see lots of dirt bike trails going up the hills.
unglaublich - unbelieveable
They must use the horn on every RR-crossing, even if its only a crossing with a farm track.
Leaving Mojave towards Bakersfield it's like 2.2% about the steepest grade in the states for a main line. I hung on a boxcar ladder.
My fellow camper said he was about to shoot me w/his .58 caliber black powder rifle for making a bunch of noise. I was hollering a bunch of Mexican jibberish. I just hoped off the ladder and we got in his '54 Ford F250 and went to pick up my 3 wheeler. We went home from there.
The beauty of iron snake :D
Tehachapi loop is awesome but its a simple loop. I like the double loops.. Like Kicking Horse.
UP owns the line because it took over the SP. BNSF "rents" the line via trackage rights that the old Santa Fe had.
In return for the trackage rights, Santa Fe/BNSF helps the SP/UP pay the maintenance bill for keeping the Tehachapi line in good condition.
Capitalism in motion:
This is The Tehachapi Loop. A busy logistical point in the north and south railroad traffic north of Los Angeles. I went through this on a passenger train in 1952. I was 15 at the time and my youngest sister Johnnye was about 5. I promised to come back home but I never did.
I noticed the wooden steps from the signal tower (early in video) are gone. Of course last time I was there was 1980-ish. Wouldn't it suck to have to work and live at Loop Ranch w/the damn trains going by all the time?
I camp about 5 miles N/W of Mojave at Warren next to the tracks. Drive 11.5 hours from Oregon to get there. Been going for 36 years. 2 sets of tracks. 2.2% grade. I can sleep like a baby. Going again in about a month...or less.
Excellent video. How long was the train?
I live in San Jose but am moving to Albuquerque. I have traveled on Hwy. 58 for decades and now go through Arvin (after exiting Int. 5) to get to the highway easier and quicker instead of going through Bakersfield which was a BIG pain!! I sure enjoyed your 'N'-gauge train story and it sounded like quite a layout but too bad it is gone. Any photos of it to share? And as far as the Mojave camping, I will pass since I HATE camping and sure want to avoid the venomous rattlers out there.
When you said you spoke "Mexican jibberish", I thought you might speak some Spanish like I can (but not fluently). Glad the train was going slow enough for you to get on and off, though I have heard of cases where people have done this and they lost body parts when the train ran over them. You just have to time the jumps just right, I guess, but that is something I would not have done, even in my younger days. I sure DO miss the cabooses, though. I only see them in museums now.
Anohter one of your finer achievements.
To answer Uffe O question from two yrs ago, all trains apporching a crossing, tunnel, bridge or sharp curves must blow thier horns by law.. It's a safty feature in case any one is on the tracks ahed.
You already had the answer but I'll give it to you again. That's the standard horn pattern for approaching a grade (road) crossing. Two long blasts, one short, and another long, usually held until the engine crosses the road. Go back and look at it again. You'll the train is approaching a crossing and let's off the horn as the engine crosses the road.
Piękne miejsce. Chciałbym kiedyś tam być i zobaczyć to na własne oczy :)
Thanks for sharing the "hobo" story! Was the train you hopped on moving slowly or was just parked and then you got on? How many miles were you on the train and did you have to hop off when it was moving? Sure hope not as that is very dangerous.
And I did the Grand Canyon train in 1991 on a day trip in the fall and it was quite nice. I even took some video. There was entertainment on the train and free bottles of coke. Many tour packages to choose from today but go in the off-season.
wooooooooooooowww..........
Your train comments were interesting to read. I know this area well since I drive through it alot on Hwy. 58 on my way to Arizona and New Mexico. New rest stops near Boron make the journey even better now. Do you see any mojave rattlesnakes at your campground? They are some of the most venomous in this country! I think that there are also western diamondbacks out there, too. I just would be VERY leery to be at a campground in rattlesnake country but sounds like you are used to that.
It matters not where the crossing is, ie, remoteness or otherwise, its the law in America, 2 long blasts followed by 1 short and ending with one long blast on the horn every time and its all recorded on the event recorder!
My parents rode the passenger trains in Canada and just loved them! They said the rides were quite smooth compared to their Amtrak trips in this country. My late mother rode trains since she had a fear of flying. As for me and Amtrak, I did the 33-hour trip from Oakland to Denver one way and then back in 1991 and that was TORTURE for me, even though I LOVE trains! I just felt so claustrophobic and the scenery was mostly barren and boring other than the Sierras and Rockies. Never again!!!
Where do you reside? Near Mojave? In the Dez?
About 16 years ago I set up an 'N' gauge train set on a 4X8. I made a Tehachapi Loop and my campsite area. Had a tiny LED bulb w/sticks on top for a "campfire". Even found an 'N' gauge International Travelall to park at camp (I've owned 17 Internationals over the years)
It was my first train attempt and came out okay but I took an ax to it over a family dispute (after I carefully removed all buildings and accessories)
Try Mojave camping some time.
guessing this was before the fire thats burning there
in which country this amazing
So what/where is the best "accessible" areas for viewing/filming around the loop? I'm gonna be in the Cajon area in May, and a trip up to Tehachapi wouldn't really be out of the question. (I guess by "accessible", I mean where you won't really piss someone off by going)
de todos , esse foi o melhor qui vi, show!!!
35 12' 0'' North x -118 32' 16'' West or just search Google Earth for Tehachapi Loop. Excellent vid!
On this video I'm pulling roughly 660,000 pounds per car running a 16 cylinder fiat Alice tug boat engine with 3000 brake wheel horse power each wheel. I'm on notch 6 here. Goooo with throttle up. Thanks for watching, 220 cars long a mile and half long.
How many wagons were there in all ?
Sounds like you like to live dangerously, How fast was the train going when you jumped off?? I guess you speak Spanish? Yes, that is quite a grade through the Tehachapis but the Rockies seem to be even steeper when I have traveled through them on Amtrak. Glad that none of the train personnel saw you hanging on. I wonder what they would have done with you if you got caught?
You do not see hobos or "drifters" much anymore on trains compared to decades ago. I hear that the railroad cops ("bulls") enforce the law more now than before. What you DO see much more of now is graffiti and it is much too expensive for the railroads to keep painting over all the tagging. This happens especially more in bigger cities where the railroad cars are idle and the taggers do their quick vandalism. I see so much of this online as I watch my train videos and chat with other train fans.
You might live near my friends in Medford and Ashland. And it was interesting that you said that you have seen more rattlers in Oregon than in the Mojave area.
Your train layout still sounded great and you can be forgiven for the slight design error. No one is perfect but let us hope in real life, tracks are NEVER that close!
Yes, regarding the MAJOR train graffiti problem, it does come down to money. It would cost to have cops but probably better that than having to cover over the tagging.
Is it both UP and BNSF? or just BNSF? I would've thought that UP had the rights due to the fact SP once ran on it, or vice versa.
Que belleza de tren.
Incorrect. They actually do need to use the horn at road crossings, as is the case at 2:30 and 5:00. Not sure about the one right before the four-minute mark, but it didn't sound like the train horn, either.
Como seria o outro lado do túnel?
Yes. Mojave 2,2% climbing
i think this is in california
yES...Why do trains i America have to use their horn so often..? ...When there no need for it..??
At over 2% grade, they go about jogging speed or less.
Spanish? Got an 'F' in 8th grade Spanish.
I know how to order a beer, say hello and tell a woman she's beautiful. That's all you need.
Back in those days there were still cabooses. If caught, a warning, besides the train can't stop and slap my wrist.
Only 7.5 more months and we're back there, I hope.
Yes, I have heard that the railroad cops are MUCH stricter now than in the past because of the reasons you gave and more. That is why I never see hoboes on trains anymore than when I was a kid. With all the illegals in Calfornia and the thieves and graffiti taggers with their vandalism, the cops have their hands full. (Have you checked out Brenton's train videos on UA-cam? They are some of the best I have seen and quite well done!)
How long is that train?
approx 1 mile, somewhat of a standard for freights in this area
yes!! i recently found out they are now doing up to 180 cars, like you said 8000 feet or a mile and a half! ! im not positive if there are any limits on the loop, but i'd be you are correct
I've seen more rattlers here in So. Oregon than the Mojave.
Train layout was okay except the curve at Warren (my campsite area) The tracks were too close together at one point and trains would scrape and derail. Oops!
Graffiti on cars? Sacrilegious! Maybe if you could just read it. RR cops need to somehow stop this. Trains have to be idle to be painted. Step up patrols in yards. I know hiring more cops is $ but, I'd do it for less. I'd empty the cans in the punks faces and break their fingers...
怎麼那麼長,一個火車頭可以有那麼大的動量帶動那麼長的火車啊
nice shot , if you copy these cords if it works it will you to the loop. google maps.
N 35.20108 W 118.53596