Tehachapi visit
A trip to California to visit family brought us once again to UP’s Mojave Sub crossing of the Tehachapi Mountains. To look at the locomotives, you’d think this was a BNSF line. BNSF traffic usually outnumbers UP trains and this day was no exception.
BNSF 7570 North has just crested the hill at Sandcut and is heading toward Bakersfield with a trainload of UPS trailers. Aug. 11, 2011 7:10 AM
As the signal changes from red to flashing yellow, BNSF 7670 North starts the descent into Bakersfield. Aug. 11, 2011 7:11 AM
Trail from missile launch as seen from near Tunnel 2. Aug. 11, 2011 8:07 AM
Though not railroad related, we saw this missile trail in the western sky while waiting for a train at Tunnel 2. This was the launch of the Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 from Vandenberg Air Force Base on the California coast, nearly due west of Bakersfield. Though the launch was successful, the flight of the test vehicle failed. It is not unusual to see Vandenberg launches from the Bakersfield area, though most occur at sunset.
BNSF 5379 South nears Caliente. Aug. 11, 2011 8:22 AM
BNSF 5379 South approaching Bealeville. Aug. 11, 2011 8:39 AM
BNSF 5379 South blasts out of Tunnel 5 between Bealville and Cliff. Aug. 11, 2011 8:43 AM
BNSF 5379 South crosses over its own train on the Tehachapi Loop, otherwise known as Walong siding. Aug. 11, 2011 9:11 AM
Photos by David Cooley.
