Tehachapi Loop
The Tehachapi Loop is a railway building in California (USA). The route of the circular turn through the Tehachapi Mountains overcomes the difference in height in the form of a 1.17 km long loop (English: loop ). Long trains cross in this way itself
The railway line through the Tehachapi Pass connects Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley Mojave in the Antelope Valley. It was built in the years 1874-1876 from the Southern Pacific Railroad under Chief Engineer William Hood. The single-track line allowed the first rail link between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The mountain route which originally included 18 tunnels, ten bridges and numerous water towers to supply the steam locomotives. It was built in less than two years up to 3000 workers from China under the leadership of the American civil engineer J. B. Harris. At that time it was considered one of the greatest technical feats of their time. At a length of 45 km ( 28 miles) with an average gradient of 2.2 percent, it overcomes a difference in altitude of around 1000 meters.
The steep rise between Caliente and Tehachapi Pass was a challenge for the designers dar. After the route initially won at the foothills of the mountains in height, remained almost unsolvable translucent problem, small space, an increase of 23.50 meters (77 to reach by foot). William Hood solved the problem by building a unique time loop. The route goes from Keene from southeast first by a short tunnel, then proceeds counter-clockwise once around in a circle around a hill, crossed the tunnel and then continues towards the east. The loop has a diameter of approximately 370 meters.
The Tehachapi Loop is part of an extremely winding road through the mountains. The twists and turns add up to around 8300 degrees, more than 23 times a circle. To cope with the slope, the trains between Bakersfield and Tehachapi be reinforced with additional locomotives.
After an earthquake in 1952, the spilled path and the collapsed tunnels were made usable again within just three weeks. The American Society of Civil Engineers designated the Tehachapi Loop as one of the seven wonders of the railroad. In 1998, the Association of the Tehachapi Loop appointed to a national emblem of Engineering ( National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark ). Since 1953 the Loop a historical landmark of the State of California (California State Historic Landmark No.. 508).
Currently, the route of the railroad company Union Pacific Railroad, which has taken over the Southern Pacific 1996 is one. According to a route right of use ( trackage rights agreement) from the year 1899 it is also used by the BNSF Railway. Within the loop the speed limit is 37 kilometers per hour.
The Tehachapi Loop is popular with railway enthusiasts, because it combines frequent trains (40 to 60 long freight trains a day) with spectacular scenery. A special event was the trip of two passenger trains 22 June 2008 through the loop, since only operate freight trains on this route since 1971. In a historic railroad depot of the nearby small town of Tehachapi is a railway museum with historical showpieces. The Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum burned down in June 2008, shortly before the planned opening, was renovated and opened on June 5, 2010.
The Tehachapi Loop is located in Walong, a census-designated place in Kern County. The name evokes WA Long, a District Roadmaster of the Southern Pacific. A 1909 built evasion and siding on the slope distance is known as Walong Siding.
A white cross on the summit of the hill in the middle of the loop is reminiscent of two workers of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the San Bernardino came at a train derailment on May 12, 1989 killed.