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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Near Tehachapi in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal) |
Tehachapi Pass Railroad Line
Constructed 1874 – 1876
— Commemorated October 1998 —
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By Syd Whittle, November 29, 2005 | |
| | | 1. Tehachapi Pass Railroad Line Marker | | |
Inscription. In front of you is the world famous Tehachapi Loop which is about halfway upgrade to the Tehachapi Pass. This steep line averages 2.2% in gradient in its 28 miles of length. This feat of civil engineering genius was crowning achievement of civil engineer William Hood of the Southern Pacific Railway Company. It is one of the seven wonders of the railroad world.
The Tehachapi Pass Railroad Line was cut through solid and decomposed granite by up to 3000 Chinese laborers from Canton, China. They used picks, shovels, horse drawn carts and blasting powder. This line, which climbs out of the San Joaquin Valley and through the Tehachapi Mountains had 18 tunnels, 10 bridges and numerous water towers for the old steam locomotives. It was completed in less than 2 years time under the leadership of civil engineer J.B. Harris, Chief of Construction, a remarkable feat.
This line was part of the last and final link of the first railroad line connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles. It was a primary factor in the early growth of the City of Los Angeles and the State of California.
This single track line, essentially unchanged, is still in constant use today, 122 years after its completion. It passes an average of 36 freight trains each day. This attests to the superior job of both engineering and construction done by the two civil engineers and the Chinese laborers.| | | | 
By Syd Whittle, November 29, 2005 | |
| | | 2. Tehachapi Pass Railroad Line Marker | | |
Erected 1998 by History and Heritage Committee, Los Angeles Section and Southern San Joaquin Branch, American Society of Engineers.
Location. 35° 11.688′ N, 118° 32.064′ W. Marker is near Tehachapi, California, in Kern County. Marker is on On Old State Hwy, 3.2 mi E of Keene exit, on the left when traveling east. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Keene CA 93531, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Tehachapi Loop (here, next to this marker); The Great Flood of 1932 and Engine No. 3834 (approx. 1.4 miles away); "Old Town" (approx. 4.2 miles away); Tehachapi Loop Mural (approx. 6.4 miles away); Original site of the First Catholic Church in 1887 (approx. 6.5 miles away); Gallinger House (approx. 6.5 miles away); Odd Fellows Hall (approx. 6.5 miles away); Red Front Blacksmith Shop Mural (approx. 6.5 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Tehachapi. |
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By Syd Whittle | |
| | | 3. Tehachapi Loop | | |
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By Syd Whittle | |
| | | 4. Tehachapi Loop | | |
| | | | | | | 5. Vintage Postcard - Tehachapi Loop | | Reached by Southern Pacific Lines | | |
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By Bvnc | |
| | | 6. Vintage Postcard - The Loop | | As the Southern Pacific winds through the most difficult part of the range, it swings around and across its own track in an effort to relieve the grade. The famous loop is a very ingenious feet of engineering. | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on September 28, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. This page has been viewed 2,940 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 28, 2008, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California.
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