TRAINMASTER BY WERNER MEER  US-RAILROAD-SHOP KILCHBERG
HOCHWEIDSTRASSE 3  CH-8802 KILCHBERG (ZÜRICH) SWITZERLAND (founded 1977)
PHONE *41-44-715-3666, FAX *41-44-715-3660, E-MAIL trainmaster@bluewin.ch
Go back to our Website - click here

Updated: March 27, 2017 (Photos 1300 - 1397)

Tehachapi Two Tracking Project
2015 - 2016
I am very pleased to show some exclusive photos of  Robert L. Westover (USA)
In addition, we got some great photos by Marc Fournier and David Wahl (USA), taken in January 2017
A big thank you for sharing these excellent pictures with us.
Note: The copyright belongs to this gentleman. Do not use any photos without written permission.

 

Tehachapi Rail Improvement Project - Tunnel 10 (Walong - Marcel)
New 12/16: See new aerial video of the recent rail improvement project in Tehachapi Canyon near the famous Tehachapi Loop, originally opened in 1876. Opened in Sept 2016, second track sections were added to help improve train traffic flow. Video was captured in 1080P using a Phantom 4 drone.
Drone above rail improvement project around loop by Tom Spurlock (6'03"):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hHiIu9WcO8
Another drone video of the same location by Tom Spurlock (4'23"):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-QYBybzQdk

 

BNSF Railway/UPRR Mojave Subdivision Tehachapi Rail Improvement Project
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist6/environmental/envdocs/d6/bnsf_track_eir081713final_draft_august2012.pdf
The boards show existing and 'projected' after construction scenarios.
PDF - direct link - click here
Link for Tehachapi 2 Track Project on TRAINS Forum
  http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/t/212889.aspx

For bigger size photos - please click on the 4-digit number below each photo.

Tehachapi Tunnel 10 Project (Walong - Marcel)

September 2015: Right now the activity is to create a shoo-fly around Tunnel 10 and ultimately, lay a second track alongside the tunnel (not inside).
RW 9/17/15 - 3367 RW 9/17/15 - 3368
RW 9/17/15 - 3369 RW 9/17/15 - 3370
RW 9/17/15 - 3371 RW 9/17/15 - 3372
RW 9/17/15 - 3373 RW 9/17/15 - 3374
RW 9/17/15 - 3375 RW 9/17/15 - 3376
RW 9/17/15 - 3377 RW 9/17/15 - 3378
RW 9/17/15 - 3379 RW 9/17/15 - 3380
RW 9/17/15 - 3381 RW 9/17/15 - 3382
RW 9/17/15 - 3383 RW 9/17/15 - 3384
RW 9/23/15 - 3399 RW 9/23/15 - 3400
RW 9/23/15 - 3401 RW 9/23/15 - 3402
RW 9/23/15 - 3403 RW 9/23/15 Shoo-fly goes around Tunnel No. 10 - 3404
RW 9/23/15 - 3405 RW 9/23/15 - 3406
RW 9/23/15 Close up of Tunnel No. 10 - 3407 RW 9/23/15 - 3408
RW 9/23/15 - 3409 RW 9/23/15 - 3410
RW 9/23/15 - 3411 RW 9/23/15 Looking toward Marcel - 3412
RW 9/23/15 - 3413 RW 9/23/15 - 3414
RW 9/23/15 - 3415 RW 10/01/15 - 3421
RW 10/01/15 - 3422 RW 10/01/15 - 3423
RW 10/01/15 - 3424 RW 10/01/15 - 3425
RW 10/01/15 - 3426 RW 10/01/15 - 3427
RW 10/01/15 - 3428 RW 10/01/15 - 3429
RW 10/01/15 - 3431 RW 10/01/15 - 3435
RW 10/01/15 - 3436 RW 10/01/15 - 3437
RW 10/01/15 - 3438 RW 10/07/15 - 3446
10/07/15: There wasn't much activity at the site today. They continue to move dirt down from the top of Tunnel 10, hauling it to the area nearby where the new track will be laid. They will not be removing or daylighting Tunnel 10, but are rather profiling the soil above it to prevent potential land slides onto the new outside track.
RW 10/07/15 - 3447 RW 10/07/15 - 3448
RW 10/07/15 - 3449 RW 10/07/15 - 3450
RW 10/07/15 - 3451 RW 10/07/15 - 3453
RW 10/07/15 - 3454 RW 10/07/15 - 3455
RW 10/07/15 - 3456 RW 10/07/15 - 3457
The one overall photo # 3459 was taken looking East from Woodford Tehachapi Road - you can just see the continued curve of the roadway as it winds around the mountain. Below the roadway, you can see the construction equipment and men. The existing tracks are just below where Robert is standing, and Tunnel 10 is to the West (behind Robert).
RW 10/07/15 UP NB Auto Carrier passing construction site - 3458 RW 10/07/15 See text above - 3459
10/15/15: Only two photos today -- with the stormy weather we're having, the work site was fairly devoid of workers. Robert says this is most likely the last drain culvert to be installed before they begin to lay track. It's situated at West Marcel switch. In the first photo you can see the 'little blue room' and the associated equipment there at the site of the culvert installation. The grader was just sitting by the access crossover until the green truck showed up; they chatted for a bit and then the grader began grading the area. Not really much action at all...
Hopefully, there'll be more progress next week.
RW 10/15/15 - 3488 RW 10/15/15 - 3489

 

11/12/15: Robert drove down to check on the construction today and took a few photos. He said there wasn't much going on, but they were working. He also said that the thought 2:00 p.m. was a bit late in the afternoon to be taking photos at this time of year because of the haze that comes in from the valley.
RW 11/12/15 - 3552 RW 11/12/15 - 3553
RW 11/12/15 - 3554 RW 11/12/15 - 3555
RW 11/12/15 - 3556 RW 11/12/15 - 3557
RW 11/12/15 - 3558 RW 11/12/15 - 3559
RW 11/12/15 - 3560 RW 11/12/15 - 3562
RW 11/12/15 - 3563 RW 11/12/15 - 3564
RW 11/12/15 - 3565 RW 11/12/15 - 3566

 

11/20/15: 10 photos taken today -- Robert says there still isn't much activity going on at the site. The roadbed for the new track is being used for the equipment, and they appear to continue working on the new drain at the east end of Tunnel 10. Carol's opinion: They haven't delivered any new track or ballast, so until that happens, I wouldn't think we should get too excited about any great progress being made. - We'll continue to monitor and photograph.
RW 11/20/15 - 3593 RW 11/20/15 - 3594
RW 11/20/15 - 3595 RW 11/20/15 - 3596
RW 11/20/15 - 3597 RW 11/20/15 - 3598
RW 11/20/15 - 3599 RW 11/20/15 - 3600
RW 11/20/15 - 3601 RW 11/20/15 - 3602

 

12/10/15: Robert went down today to see what the boys had been up to. Work continues on the addition of a second track at Marcel. Crews were moving dirt to bridge the drain/culvert which had been installed near the switch.
RW 12/10/15 - 3644 RW 12/10/15 - 3645
RW 12/10/15 - 3646 RW 12/10/15 - 3647

 

12/17/15: Attached are photos from today's visit to the construction site. It's hard to imagine the amount of earth that's been moved and they're nowhere near finished excavating and filling. In one photo, you can see the amount of earth pulled down from on top of Tunnel 10. From what Robert says, they had a bit of a landslide so they reconfigured the hill above the tunnel even more than it had been.

For those interested in knowing more about the dump trucks being used on the project, the Caterpillar 740 dump truck's specifications are here:  http://www.generate-es.com/bestanden/Caterpillar-dump-truck---CAT740.pdf

and the Caterpillar 735 dump truck's specifications are here: http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/content/Caterpillar/C514425

An FYI -- UP is abolishing construction jobs all over -- it's the end of the year and they're trying to balance their budget. Their projected income isn't matching up with actual income, so they have to cut back everywhere they can. In the past, they've allowed workers to finish out the pay period; not so this time. When the position is abolished, the worker is done that day, which is making it very difficult for those whose job has been abolished. The new fiscal year begins January 1, 2016, and jobs will open up and be posted once again. It'll be a scramble for workers to find positions. Kind of like a serious game of Musical Chairs...

Hugs, Carol & Robert
RW 12/17/15 - 2721 RW 12/17/15 - 2724
RW 12/17/15 - 2725 RW 12/17/15 - 2729
RW 12/17/15 - 2730 RW 12/17/15 - 2732
RW 12/17/15 - 2736 RW 12/17/15 - 2738
RW 12/17/15 - 2740 RW 12/17/15 - 2741

 

1/14/16: Attached are eight photos from today's visit to the construction site. There was one lowly equipment operator working at pulling more dirt from the side of Tunnel 10. They've already pulled a lot of dirt from the top and side of the tunnel. It makes one wonder how far they're going to go with the excavation. The roadbed is looking very nice, though, and we're looking forward to the next segment of the construction -- the actual laying of ballast and track.
Take care and we'll try to do the same.
Feel free to share these photos with others, but please stress that they should credit Robert L. Westover.
RW 1/14/16 - 2780 RW 1/14/16 - 2781
RW 1/14/16 - 2782 RW 1/14/16 - 2783
RW 1/14/16 - 2786 RW 1/14/16 - 2788
RW 1/14/16 - 2789 RW 1/14/16 - 2790

 

1/27/16: We were headed to Bakersfield this morning and noticed there had been quite a bit of improvement on the construction site so this afternoon Robert went back down the hill to take photos. He was fortunate to catch the BNSF Geometry car as it headed through the construction zone, and a BNSF freight as well.

In looking at the continued excavation at Tunnel 10, we're wondering how much they're going to wind up taking away from the outside of the tunnel. There's still quite a bit of fill work left to do along the one edge in the curve (see image 2810), but they are truly making progress. You can also see in image 2810, that they are dumping fill at the curve (just north of the signal box you can see two piles of dirt). I'm thinking they're going to widen that area next. We shall keep watch and continue to track their progress (pun intended!).
RW 1/27/16 - 2802 RW 1/27/16 - 2803
RW 1/27/16 - 2804 RW 1/27/16 - 2806
RW 1/27/16 - 2808 RW 1/27/16 - 2809
RW 1/27/16 - 2810 RW 1/27/16 - 2812
RW 1/27/16 - 2813 RW 1/27/16 - 2815
RW 1/27/16 - 2816 RW 1/27/16 - 2818
RW 1/27/16 - 2824 RW 1/27/16 - 2826
RW 1/27/16 - 2831 RW 1/27/16 - 2832
RW 1/27/16 - 2834 RW 1/27/16 - 2835
RW 1/27/16 - 2837 RW 1/27/16 - 2838
RW 1/27/16 - 2839 RW 1/27/16 - 2841
RW 1/27/16 - 2842 RW 1/27/16 - 2843
RW 1/27/16 - 2845 RW 1/27/16 - 2847

 

2/10/16: Attached is the first set (of 5 sets) of photos showing the progress on the Track Improvement Project. Work continues to consist of earth moving activity, scraping and profiling the cut where the new track will be laid. It appears that a new access road is being developed close to the roadbed (see photos 2879 & 2880).

We will be leaving for our winter home in Arizona on Feb. 20 and return to Tehachapi on April 20, 2016, when we’ll pick up where we left off in documenting this project with photos. So, just be patient ! !
RW 2/10/16 - 2874 RW 2/10/16 - 2875
RW 2/10/16 - 2876 RW 2/10/16 - 2877
RW 2/10/16 - 2878 RW 2/10/16 - 2879
RW 2/10/16 - 2880 RW 2/10/16 - 2881
RW 2/10/16 - 2882 RW 2/10/16 - 2883
RW 2/10/16 - 2884 RW 2/10/16 - 2890
RW 2/10/16 - 2892 RW 2/10/16 - 2893
RW 2/10/16 - 2894 RW 2/10/16 - 2895
RW 2/10/16 - 2896 RW 2/10/16 - 2897
RW 2/10/16 - 2898 RW 2/10/16 - 2899
RW 2/10/16 - 2900 RW 2/10/16 - 2901

 

5/05/16: We're back home in Tehachapi and enjoying all of the green in our valley and hillsides. It's been a long dry spell for photo updates on the track improvement project, but the wait is worth it. They're finally laying track! Attached are the latest photos - courtesy of Robert Westover.
RW 5/05/16 - 2985 RW 5/05/16 - 2986
RW 5/05/16 - 2987 RW 5/05/16 - 2988
RW 5/05/16 - 2989 RW 5/05/16 - 2990
RW 5/05/16 - 2991 RW 5/05/16 - 2992
RW 5/05/16 - 2993 RW 5/05/16 - 2994
RW 5/05/16 - 2995 RW 5/05/16 - 2996
RW 5/05/16 - 2997 RW 5/05/16 - 2998
RW 5/05/16 - 2999 RW 5/05/16 - 3000

updated: August 14, 2016

8/07/16: "It's been a long dry spell between updates, but there's really not been anything of note happening. We went down today to double check the project because a) it had been a while since our last photo taking visit, and b) there's been an increase in the number of trains running through Cable. But we think that the reason it appeared to be more train traffic was merely the system trying to recover from the holdup of train traffic while the fire at Hart Flat was extinguished. Rumor has it that the fire(s) were caused by sparks from a locomotive. That can (and does) happen -- not often, but it does happen. This is a particularly bad time of year for it to happen with all of the drought we've been having.

There are only seven photos to be shared today. The last we heard, the 'tie-in' was to take place on the 23rd of this month. We'll be watching and waiting. If there's any change in the expected date, we'll pass the word along.
Bob and Carol Westover
RW 8/07/16 - 3086 RW 8/07/16 - 3087
RW 8/07/16 - 3088 RW 8/07/16 - 3089
RW 8/07/16 - 3090 RW 8/07/16 - 3091

updated: September 6, 2016

9/05/16: At approximately 7:00 a.m. this morning, contract crews completed the cutover for the new 2nd main track at Marcel/Walong. Attached are photos. We're just waiting for the first train to come through -- no idea if it will be North bound or South bound.   -   Bob and Carol Westover
RW 9/05/16 - 3142 RW 9/05/16 - 3143
RW 9/05/16 - 3144 RW 9/05/16 - 3145
RW 9/05/16 - 3146 RW 9/05/16 - 3147
RW 9/05/16 - 3148 RW 9/05/16 - 3149
RW 9/05/16 - 3150 RW 9/05/16 - 3151
RW 9/05/16 - 3152 RW 9/05/16 - 3153
RW 9/05/16 - 3154 RW 9/05/16 - 3155
RW 9/05/16 - 3156 RW 9/05/16 - 3158
RW 9/05/16 - 3159 RW 9/05/16 - 3160
Photo 3160 of the truck is of the Track Supervisor, heading out after the big excavator. The excavator was heading out to Broome Road where a lowboy was waiting for transport to another project or back to the company's headquarters.
RW 9/05/16 - 3161 RW 9/05/16 - 3162
RW 9/05/16 - 3163 RW 9/05/16 - 3164

updated: September 8, 2016

9/07/16: One of the last things to be done as part of the track installation is de-stressing the rail. It's done as part of regular maintenance for welded rail. -   Bob and Carol Westover
RW 9/07/16 - 3173 RW 9/07/16 - 3174
RW 9/07/16 - 3175 RW 9/07/16 - 3176
RW 9/07/16 - 3177 RW 9/07/16 - 3178
RW 9/07/16 - 3179 RW 9/07/16 - 3180
RW 9/07/16 - 3181 RW 9/07/16 - 3182
RW 9/07/16 - 3183 RW 9/07/16 - 3185
RW 9/07/16 - 3186 RW 9/07/16 - 3187

updated: September 9, 2016

9/08/16: It appears they're still using the tunnel track exclusively. The greaser box and signal have been installed. Will continue to update with photos... -   Bob and Carol Westover
RW 9/08/16 BNSF EB leaving Tunnel 10 - 3188 RW 9/08/16 Same train - 3189
RW 9/08/16 Greaser Box - 3190 RW 9/08/16 Greaser Box w/Solar Panel - 3191
RW 9/08/16 New signals and box - 3196 RW 9/08/16 UP NB on "old" track - 3199
RW 9/08/16 Getting closer - 3200 RW 9/08/16 UP NB DPU entering Tunnel 10 - 3202
RW 9/08/16 This photo shows the earth-moving equipment sitting at the Broome Rd. off ramp (off Hwy. 58), waiting for pick-up by a low-boy semi. - 3193

updated: September 17, 2016

9/16/16: There may have been traffic moving on the new track prior to today, but attached are photos of the first trains I've seen through the new cut/track.   -   Bob and Carol Westover
RW 9/16/16 UP SB -- the first train to use the new track that I've witnessed. - 3216 RW 9/16/16 UP SB -- same train, just a bit closer - 3217
RW 9/16/16 Helper unit for the UP train above - 3220 RW 9/16/16 BNSF 7819 #2 train, as it heads SB through Tunnel 10 - 3221
RW 9/16/16 BNSF #6531 is Northbound, heading for the cut. The 'blue' unit is one of the new "Green" units and I don't know who actually owns it. - 3224 RW 9/16/16 BNSF #6531 NB, the one with the blue unit. Including also a Genset, it's just a closer photo of the blue locomotive  - 3225
RW 9/16/16 As above, approaching the cut. - 3227 RW 9/16/16 BNSF #6531, moving around Tunnel 10 on the new track - 3228
RW 9/16/16 BNSF #6725 -- Helper unit for #6531 above - 3229 RW 9/16/16 BNSF #3931 Businessmen's Special taking Tunnel 10 as part of the celebration of the completion of the Tehachapi Loop Track Improvement Project. - 3233
RW 9/16/16 BNSF #3931 w/6 car special - 3234 RW 9/16/16 BNSF #3931 passing Marcel - 3235

Photos above copyright by Robert L. Westover

updated: January 7, 2017

1/02/17: Marc Fournier visited Tehachapi Loop
In early January, Marc visited the Tehachapi Loop and was invited onto Loop Ranch Property. Therefore, he was able to take photos from the inside of the Loop. And on top, we can see the other side of the new track going around Tunnel 10
MF 01/02/17 BNSF 6988 NB w/T-10 (Marcel at left) - 7502 MF 01/02/17 same train w/DPU's and Loop Ranch - 7504

Photos above copyright by Marc Fournier

updated: March 27, 2017

1/11/17: There was active track work inside Tunnel 10.
David Wahl went to position W15 on Google map to take these 5 photos with the tele lens.
A big thank you goes to David Wahl for sharing these photos with us.
DW 1/11/17 Photos taken from W15 (click to enlarge) - 1300 DW 1/11/17 Lots of different equipment on Tunnel 10 track - 1375
DW 1/11/17 We do not know what is going on - 1376 DW 1/11/17 Yes, new track is in service - 1389
DW 1/11/17 BNSF intermodal is passing the site - 1396 DW 1/11/17 All GE power with 5 units - 1397

Photos above copyright by David Wahl

Below are more photos about Tehachapi of other photographers
 

Tehachapi Pass
2013 - 2014 - 2015



Photos by Ryan Slaton (USA)

Updated: 9/01/15
RS 6/21/14 Cliff - 4071 See all 123 photos - click here RS 6/22/14 Warren - 4073

 

Tehachapi Pass
and Barstow
April/May, 2013



Photos by Eugen Haenseler

Updated: 6/26/13
5/01/13 Caliente Curve from above - 248 See all 156 photos - click here 5/04/13 SF GP60M in Warbonnet colors - 357

 

Tehachapi Derailment
May 20, 2013



Photos by Robert Westover (USA)
and Ryan Slaton (USA)
Gerold Eckl (Austria)

Updated: 6/27/14
5/20/13 Tunnel No. 10 above the loop - 1283 See all 45 photos - click here 5/20/13 Derailed Auto Carriers MP 353 - 1289

 

Tehachapi Pass
Aerial Photos


by Dave Crammer

Updated: March 7, 2010
Between Bealville + Cliff, incl. Tunnel 3 + 5 - DC-83 See all 54 photos - click here The famous Tehachapi Loop - DC-67

 

Southern California

Tehachapi
July 3, 2008

by Werner Meer
Switzerland

Updated: 6/23/14
See all 135 photos - just click below
http://photos.trainmaster.ch/v/Tehachapi/

 

Tehachapi Pass
Daggett - Barstow
Photo Collection
2003

by Werner Meer

Updated: February 28, 2010
Between Ilmon & Caliente 2 Auto trains - 30533 See all 87 photos - click here BNSF EB will enter Tunnel 9 and the Loop - 30621

Here you find more infos about Tehachapi

We recommend the book: Tehachapi Today by George & Katherine Melvin - click here and click here (in stock at our shop)
For some infos about Tehachapi and the Tehachapi Calendar you may visit the website of Trains etc. - click here
Tehachapi Loop photos by Greg Hewgill - http://hewgill.com/photo/trips/tehachapi-loop/ 
Tehachapi photos by Christopher Muller (scroll down and click on Tehachapi Loop) - http://www.steamphotos.com/ 
Tehachapi Depot Historical Museum - http://www.tehachapidepot.com/

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Overall copyright by Werner Meer, Switzerland 9/15 to 3/17