Exploring the Tunnels on Tehachapi Pass: Part 1

There were originally 17 tunnels on Southern Pacific's Tehachapi Pass. A line change in the 1930s necessitated the creation of one more before tunnel #1 so it became tunnel #1/2. Only 12 remain today and I thought I'd do a piece on them and some of the interesting history behind some of them. Railroads have never been averse to punching tunnels through mountains and the Tehachapi was no exception. Most of the tunnels on the "Mountain" were under 500 feet in length but still make for some cool photo and video opportunities, two of them being at the top and bottom of the most famous piece of railroad in America and quite possibly, in the world; the Tehachapi Loop. Some are right next to state Highway 58, some are remote and difficult to get to. Because of my intimate knowledge of and problem free access to all these locations, I am able to take you to places you may never have been and some you likely never get to see and, I'll talk about the history surrounding many of them. So, join me on a tour of the Tehachapi Tunnels! Tunnel 5 GPS 35d 16' 34"N 118d 36' 58"W Link to Tunnels Part 2    • Exploring the Tunnels on Tehachapi Pass: P...   More links involving Tehachapi tunnels    • Railroading on the Tehachapi: BNSF eastbou...      • Railroading on the Tehachapi: Union Pacifi...