California’s impossible railroad loop where freight trains cross 70+ feet above their own rear cars

Tehachapi Loop, California

When trains longer than 3,800 feet go around the Tehachapi Loop, they literally pass over themselves.

This engineering marvel was the crowning achievement of William Hood, completed in 1876 using nothing but hand tools and blasting powder. Today, 36 freight trains still use this unchanged route daily.

Here’s the story of how Chinese immigrants built California’s most famous railroad spiral, now a viewing destination near Keene.

William Hood’s Engineering Vision

William Hood found a smart solution to a tough problem in 1874. As Southern Pacific’s Chief Engineer, he needed trains to climb mountains without steep grades that engines couldn’t handle.

After studying the Tehachapi Mountains, Hood designed a loop where tracks circle a hill and cross over themselves. This spread the climb across more distance, keeping the grade at a manageable 2.2%.

Engineers worldwide still marvel at Hood’s design. His creative thinking turned an impossible barrier into a usable rail route, earning it recognition as one of the “seven wonders of the railroad world.”

The Chinese Workforce That Built The Loop

Three thousand Chinese workers built the Tehachapi Loop between 1875 and 1876. Most came from Canton Province in southern China.

These men faced harsh mountain terrain with basic tools. They used picks, shovels, horse-drawn carts, and black powder to cut through solid granite. Their hard work created not just the loop but 18 tunnels and 10 bridges along the entire line.

Tunnel 9 runs directly under the upper track crossing. Despite their crucial role, Chinese workers received lower pay than white laborers and faced widespread discrimination.

Deadly Accidents During Construction

Digging tunnels proved deadly at Tehachapi. Workers faced dangerous conditions in various types of rock and soil. On March 30, 1876, a black powder charge exploded too early, killing twelve Chinese workers in the collapse.

Just three days later, five kegs of powder exploded in another tunnel. Nine more workers died and many others suffered injuries. Five hundred men quit after these disasters.

Construction chief J.B. Harris convinced them to return by adding safety measures. A second crew now followed behind to install wooden supports that prevented cave-ins.

The Birth Of Tehachapi Town

When the railroad reached present-day Tehachapi in 1876, only a telegraph office stood on the empty mountain plain. The new settlement, first called “Tehachapi Summit,” sat four miles from old Tehichipa and one mile from Greenwich.

The railroad quickly turned this remote spot into a busy hub. People from nearby towns saw the opportunity. Residents moved entire buildings using log rollers to transport them to the new railroad town.

By July 1877, four trains stopped daily at Tehachapi. Two carried passengers and two hauled freight, bringing growth and prosperity to the mountain community.

The 1883 Train Disaster

Tragedy struck on January 20, 1883, when the Atlantic Express passenger train stopped at Tehachapi depot around 2 a.m. Left briefly unattended, the train with seven cars and two engines rolled backward down the mountain.

It gained speed, jumped the tracks on a curve, and crashed into a ravine. Fifteen people died, including former Wisconsin congressman Charles Larrabee and Maria Guirado, wife of former California Governor John Downey.

Southern Pacific blamed thieves rather than taking responsibility. The disaster showed the dangers of early rail travel and left a lasting mark on Tehachapi’s history.

The Santa Fe Agreement Of 1899

A key deal changed railroad history on January 16, 1899. Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe Railway signed an agreement to share the Tehachapi tracks. Santa Fe faced a choice: build an expensive new line or pay to use existing tracks. Sharing proved cheaper than building through the difficult mountain terrain. Both companies began running trains on the same line in July 1899. Southern Pacific charged fees for Santa Fe’s use of the tracks. This arrangement made the route one of the busiest single-track mountain railroads in the world, a status it still holds today.

The Depot’s Fiery History

Fire destroyed the Tehachapi depot in February 1904. An oil leak from a Santa Fe train engine started the blaze that burned the wooden building.

Workers rebuilt the depot by summer 1904. This replacement served for nearly 70 years until passenger service ended in 1971. In 2008, fire struck again, damaging the historic structure.

The community quickly organized to save their railroad landmark. The rebuilt depot opened in 2009 as the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum. It now displays railroad artifacts and tells the story of the loop’s impact on California.

Natural Disasters That Challenged The Loop

Nature repeatedly tested the Tehachapi Loop. A massive storm on September 30, 1932, dropped 4.39 inches of rain in just four hours.

The flooding damaged 31 miles of track and killed 15 people. Repair crews worked quickly to fix this vital rail link.

On July 21, 1952, a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the area. The shaking broke tracks, collapsed tunnels, and took 14 lives.

Despite these disasters and economic troubles like the Great Depression, the loop survived. Its clever design proved strong enough to withstand both natural and economic challenges.

From Passenger Service To Freight-Only

For almost 100 years, both passengers and freight moved through the Tehachapi Loop. Southern Pacific ran two main passenger trains on the route.

The overnight Owl connected San Francisco with Los Angeles. The Tehachapi train linked Fresno to Los Angeles. Passenger service stopped in 1971 when Amtrak took over most passenger rail nationwide.

Southern Pacific then banned passenger trains from the busy freight route. Today, only the Coast Starlight passenger train sometimes uses the loop, and only when its usual coastal route closes for repairs or emergencies.

Historic Recognition And Modern Ownership

In 1953, the Tehachapi Loop became California Historical Landmark #508. A monument marked its importance to transportation history.

The American Society of Civil Engineers named it a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1998. This honor recognizes both Hood’s brilliant design and the Chinese workers’ achievement.

Ownership changed in 1996 when Union Pacific Railroad bought Southern Pacific. The track-sharing agreement transferred to the new owner. Today, two major railroads use the loop.

Union Pacific owns the tracks, while BNSF Railway (which replaced Santa Fe) runs trains on the line through the original 1899 agreement.

Visiting Tehachapi Loop

You can view the Tehachapi Loop from a safe platform off Woodford-Tehachapi Road near Keene, California.

To get there, take Highway 58 to the Keene exit, then follow Woodford-Tehachapi Road southeast about 3 miles to the viewing platform. Look for the “Tehachapi Loop Overlook” signs.

Bring binoculars, a camera with zoom lens, and patience. About 36-40 freight trains pass through daily, but timing varies.

Visit the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum at 101 W. Tehachapi Blvd. in downtown Tehachapi for train schedules and exhibits.

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