A selection of shots taken between 27 and 31 October 2000, my first visit to Tehachapi in over a year. Lots of nice spots and more BNSF helpers on downhill trains, but fewer interesting consists and a real mix of weather and light (the Saturday evening was the end of daylight saving time). Another disturbing trend is way too many UP yellow and BNSF orange and yellow locos By the way, BNSF: the 70's are over!
Pics taken on Fujichrome 100, Ectachrome 200, and a few at the end on Fuji 100 print film. For the first time ever, I used a tripod for almost all shots on the first few days. Highly recommended! All pics copyright Darryl K Bond, but you can use them for non-commercial purposes as long as you give me all the credit and and let me know.
| A BNSF manifest train led by a Santa Fe warbonnet winds down through Bealville in the morning sunlight. |  |
| The train has 4 EMDs placed midtrain, presumably to help with the climb out of Mojave and braking on the way downhill. The second pumpkin is BNSF 7304, rebuilt by Alstom in 1999. It has an extended cab roof, different radiators and rear lights... |  |
| Heading upgrade between tunnels one and two, another BNSF manisfest train has a BN green C30-7 in the consist and two helper engines. The helpers are just visible through the trees above the third and fourth engines. Believe it or not, this shot was taken from the same spot as the previous two, of a section of track a little further downhill. Ya gotta love this place... |  |
| Crossing at Bakersfield before lunch. The train on the right is headed by a SP SD70M, a C&NW Dash-9 and a Rio Grande tunnel motor. I heartily recommend Rigo's tacos across the road from here! |  |
| At Sandcut, SP 8237 has it's 'SP' on the nose freshly overpainted. A BNSF pig train is hot on its heels on the adjacent track. |  |
| 8237 is held at Bena and overtaken by the higher priority train, wnich is seen here skirting Caliente creek. |  |