Out Training

Another northbound at Bealville

We decided that we would do just a bit more exploring in Old Town San Diego before getting on the road. We had breakfast at a nice little cafe and then walked around and saw the sights in the daylight. Finally we had to get into the car and start our journey. It was a long boring drive up I-15/215 and hwy. 395 to Tehachapi. We arrived around 1:30 in the afternoon.

The Best Western Hacienda Hotel

Karen in the courtyard.

View from the courtyard of the Hacienda Hotel

Old Town San Diego train station

The Congress Cafe

As I warned last night, today is all about trains. After a brief stop to check into our motel, eat lunch, and to visit the museum we drove downhill to the Tehachapi Loop. We stopped at the official viewing point and met a couple of other rail fans who were also hoping to see a train. After about 10 minutes we could hear a train approaching from down the mountain. Keep in mind that the up-hill trains are slogging along at 10 or 15 mph, so it takes awhile for them to come into view. Once the train was going around the loop the wait seemed worthwhile. Its very cool.

Tehachapi Station Museum

The operator's view

Tehachapi Loop

Next we drove the ten or so miles down hill to a place named Caliente. There is a post office there, but little else. This “settlement” happens to be right in the middle of a very tight loop. As the tracks gain altitude they snake all over the hills. The grade is quite steep, for a train, and it was quite an engineering feet to carve out a crossing over these mountains. Its quite a sight to see trains winding all over and snaking up over the mountains. One minute a train is going south, the next its going north again. Its hard to keep track of which way the trains are going.

Northbound at Caliente

A meet at Caliente

Getting a green signal at Caliente

Southbound at Caliente

Southbound crossing at Bealville

Northbound at Bealville

Southbound approaching Bealville

A northbound at Bealville

Finally the light began to fade and we made our way back to the town of Tehachapi. After a great dinner we headed back to the motel. As soon as I finish this post I’ll get some rest. I plan to be back out train watching at first light. We’ll see how that actually works out. We’ll head for Death Valley later on in the morning.

This is likely my last post until we reach Carson City on Saturday night. I’ve read that there is neither cell service nor wi-fi available in Death Valley. I guess I’ll find out.

Until next time,

Jim