Bealville, Tehachapi Pass, CA
Venturing along the Caliente-Bodfish Road from Caliente you come across this great train watching location, surrounded by the rolling hills of Tehachapi. A passing loop (siding) is located here in what seems to be a wide valley between the hills, and trains regularly cross here. You also have the spectacle of seeing trains a couple hundred or so feet above you as they climb on up towards the summit, passing through Tunnel 5.
This is earthquake country, and back in the early '50s the geography of the railroad was modified thanks to a big quake that close the route for just a few days whilst the SP crews rebuilt the line.
I met a guy here by the name of Herb Johnson, with whom I spent a few hours talking to and learning about the railroad around here. He had a personalised car licence plate "Railfan" which is what caught my eye, and although he viewed me with initial suspicion (well, who wouldn't!) we soon struck up a rapport. He was a regular contributor to a number of rail fan magazines, but sadly I later learnt of his passing 10 years or so later. But his companionship that afternoon in June 1997 will be fondly remembered.
This is earthquake country, and back in the early '50s the geography of the railroad was modified thanks to a big quake that close the route for just a few days whilst the SP crews rebuilt the line.
I met a guy here by the name of Herb Johnson, with whom I spent a few hours talking to and learning about the railroad around here. He had a personalised car licence plate "Railfan" which is what caught my eye, and although he viewed me with initial suspicion (well, who wouldn't!) we soon struck up a rapport. He was a regular contributor to a number of rail fan magazines, but sadly I later learnt of his passing 10 years or so later. But his companionship that afternoon in June 1997 will be fondly remembered.
