Twenty Years Ago on Tehachapi

ATSF 534 E. Allard Horseshoe

ATSF 534 E. Allard Horseshoe

ATSF 534 E. Allard Horseshoe Crossovers

ATSF 534 E. Allard Horseshoe Crossovers

Santa Fe 91 E. Allard Crossovers

Santa Fe FP45 91 on an Eastbound at the Allard horseshoe, Bealville, California

Santa Fe FP45 91 on an Eastbound at the Allard horseshoe, Bealville, California

Santa Fe FP45 91 on an Eastbound at the Allard horseshoe, Bealville, California

Santa Fe 91 E. Allard Crossovers

SP Westbound exiting the Allard Horseshoe and heads for the West switch at Bealville.

SP 7344 E. at Tunnel 2 - Notice the cant of the rear truck on the sharp curvature.

Kodachrome SD45T-2 9351 in helper service.

Rio Grande GP30 with the big boys in helper service, exits Tunnel 2, Bealville

Santa Fe on Tehachapi - Circa 1980 - Part 1

Eastbound, Cliff Siding

The track takes a beating.

The Jamie Schmid "Eat Me" shot.

Westbound flares under granitic hogbacks, Walong.

A set of  classic BBs, Caliente

Mechanicals bound for the Central Valley

A fairly odd trio, light helpers.

Leased new SP SD40T-2s, Caliente.  The knoll on the left is long gone.

I figure the odds are 51/51 that this is westbound at Walong.

Allard Horseshoe, EB. Peeled paint blister almost looks like the Chessie kitten.

Cliff Siding - A Confection of Curvature

The legacy of William Hood lives on in his right of way across the southern spur of the Sierra Nevada.  Standing anywhere on the outside of a curve at Cliff always gave new meaning to the concept of lateral forces.  Underpowered Santa Fe eastbounds would often stall out here, especially trains with lots of TOFC flats.  Just too much energy was being transferred to the side of the rails, despite the flange oilers.