Tehachapi Double-Track Project

[ednadolski]

An observation point need not be much more than a flat spot with a walkable path back to W-T Road.  The 'recently' bulldozed path on the west side of the Tunnel 10 hill would of course be ideal (and there already is parking).  Wouldn't take much more -- perhaps some fencing, signage, & remove a few dead trees. 

Fits right in with the sentiment expressed in the afore-cited Ed Gordon article:

Look for more and longer trains through Tehachapi in the coming years to help the railroads reduce operational constraints and improve capacity. This, of course, will bring more railfans to our area to see the loop and visit our museum at the depot.

(Liability-wise, I suppose one could make the case that an off-road observation point would be safer than the roadside markers -- but that would probably only result in someone looking to remove the markers.)

Ed

[davefoxx]

Too bad I don't live out there any more... it would be an interesting project to take on now that I sorta know how civic wheels turn.

I sorta know how civic wheels turn, too.  Just like any other Honda.   

[C855B]

^^^^^  I deserved that. 

[John]

^^^^^  I deserved that. 

[jagged ben]

The 1⁄2:1 cut slopes would also prevent all but the most determined railfans from reaching the over-tunnel position on foot. The over-tunnel vantage points would be considered inaccessible following the cutting of the slope…. Access to points over Tunnel 2 is comparatively unimportant relative to many other viewing positions from which the rail line can be viewed and photographed. A search for web-posted photographs taken from points over Tunnel 2 identified just two, compared to 1,123 taken from other positions. The loss of access to points over Tunnel 2 would not, therefore, constitute a substantial adverse impact.

That's hilarious.   I have 142 pictures taken from above Tunnel 2 that I've downloaded from online and saved in my hard drive, plus quite a few more that haven't been sorted into the proper folder.   In fact, it speaks to the number of pictures taken from there that I decided to create a separate folder for them.

[coosvalley]

That's hilarious.   I have 142 pictures taken from above Tunnel 2 that I've downloaded from online and saved in my hard drive, plus quite a few more that haven't been sorted into the proper folder.   In fact, it speaks to the number of pictures taken from there that I decided to create a separate folder for them.

Pics or it didn't happen 

[jagged ben]

Pics or it didn't happen 

Haha.  Okay.

This view still remains popular, although I suppose it may not be made inaccessible if it's not 'over' the tunnel.    Some pictures, however, do seem to be taken more from 'above the tunnel'.     Not as many, but definitely more than two.

I'm less sure about the very popular view in the other direction.

[coosvalley]

That was a worthwhile troll!     

[jagged ben]

That was a worthwhile troll!     

I hope so, it took a minute to trace back the links.   

[GaryHinshaw]

Getting close: 2015 Oct 24.

[ednadolski]

Wow, that sure came down fast.   With two tracks it's sure going to be a busy place.  I'm still wondering if they are going to remove the tunnel or not.

Ed

[ednadolski]

A youtube of the work in progress:

Ed

[ednadolski]

Here is a link showing some ongoing progress:  http://www.trainmaster.ch/XC-50.htm

This makes it seem like Tunnel 10 will be left in place.   I still have some doubts, considering that tunnels usually have ongoing issues with maintenance, safety, drainage, radio signals, and so on.   IIRC in recent years there were several tunnels removed on Cajon (anyone have more info?). 

Ed

[Hamaker]

I have a friend on Facebook who works for Union Pacific in this area.  He tells me the tunnel will remain.

[GaryHinshaw]

Thanks for the link.  Looks like they've stalled out a bit on the work, due in part to a year-end furlough if the info on that page is correct.