If you're in the area, and espcially if you're a train enthusiast, visiting the Tehachapi Loop train track is worth a stop. It's free to visit the historical landmark recording this engineering feat, where you'll also have a good view of the loop. It's not guaranteed that you'll see a train pass by (I didn't!) but it's still worth seeing. Free admission and free parking at the historical marker. read more

Tehachapi Loop - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Keene, California

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We completely lucked out in getting to the overlook moments before a long freight train passed by. The loop isn't just one big loop, it goes around and around and the train coils around the tracks like a snake. It truly was an engineering feat and it is still in regular use. We also noticed that the plaque recognized the efforts by Chinese laborers from Guangdong for building this loop. They were previously erased from history but I am glad their contributions are now acknowledged after so many years. read more

Tehachapi Loop - Train snaking round and round - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Keene, California

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This engineering marvel has stood the test of time. Construction began in 1874 and ended in 1876. Mostly built by Chinese labor numbering over 3000. Using nothing more than hand tools like picks, hammers and shovels. They built 28 miles of track. The purpose of the Tehachapi Loop was to assist the steam locomotives with the steep climb of 2.2 % gradient climb in the 28 miles. The track is still in use today and serves it purpose. 36 trains a day come through the Loop. When watching a train ascend the hill and traverse through the loop its kind of like the Chinese dragon eating its tail before it disappears into the tunnel and comes out. There is a nice viewing perch built in the last year that offers a safe place to watch from. Google maps takes you right to it. There's also a train schedule on line and constant viewing cams. We'll worth catching an engineering marvel. read more

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OK, It took me a while to find this place due to confusing directions. So here's my take. To get to best spot to view the loop there are two ways: you can either: Go West on highway 58, take exit 142. Make a right at the off ramp. Make a right on to Woodford-Tehachapi. Continue in a windy road for about 15 miles. You will see the loop to your left. No actual parking here so park where you see a fire road entrance blocked closed with a chain & padlock. You're here. Option two: Stop by the Tahacipi Train Depot. Continue West from the Depot on Tehachapi Blvd Turn left on Red Apple Avenue Turn right on Westwood Turn left on Woodford-Tehachapi road. Travel for about 15 miles and you'll see the loop on your right. Park. Grab water. Follow the fire road and enjoy the view. read more

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Very cool and educational! Was lucky to arrive right as a train was going around the loop. Parked on the side of the road and walked across to viewing area. Would be awesome to see it in the snow! read more

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Tehachapi, California. An interesting site. Why would a train track go in a circle? Because the hill is steep. The loop allows the train to gain the necessary power to go over the mountain, and the necessary space to slow down after trekking the mountain. Prior to the loop, trains would get stuck and cause major traffic jams that force trains behind it to reverse a good distance. It's just a mess. Interesting local myths on how engineers determined the ingenuity to allow the requisite spacing to accomplish this feat. #1 Rancher asked his son to go get the cattle. The son did so with good speed and the father inquired, 'How'd you get up and down so fast?' The son replied, 'I just followed the donkey trail (which looped like a hiking trail.' #2 Engineer's daughter was wondering how to complete this task. The daughter brought up a solution by spinning up or something like that. Either way, leave it to kids to come up with practical solutions cause we adults think too hard causing us to miss the solution that requires common sense **shrug** Access/Roads: A Paved. Very windy and narrow. Parking: F No real designated spots except a couple turnouts. If there is a crowd, good luck~! Distance: C Appx 130 miles north of DT Los Angeles. Appx 50 miles east of Bakersfield Costs: A Free. Nearby Attractions: Tehachapi Area sites (listed below) is appx one hour north or 60 miles: Tehachapi Mountain Park/Recreation Park Tehachapi Heritage Museum Tehachapi Depot RR Museum Errea House Museum Tomo Kahni State Historic Park www.cleeshyun.com IG cigarcpa read more

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Not a business it's a Railroad Loop, Vista point. Track first laid ~1888 with thousands of Chinese laborers

This spot is worth venturing off to! After you get off the freeway it's a while before you wind your way up the hill to this spot. It's such a lovely road drive...that alone is worth it. It's a simple pleasure to hear and see the train moving through this loop and just the open scene is breathtaking. We were able to stop along and got some great pictures!! read more

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This place is a must if you are a train person, the overlook recently added is a great place to have an amazing view of the whole loop You will see trains passing by and enjoy the sound of their horns sounding through the mountains with a beautiful scenery all around you. read more

Fun place to drop by and watch a train make the loop. The trains move slowly so it may not be great with the kids if they aren't into trains but our family enjoyed it. read more

Tehachapi Loop - Train on the Tehachapi loop - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Keene, California

For train enthusiasts, the Tehachapi Loop was a unique engineering marvel and remains an impressive sight. For most people, it is just a big loop of train tracks. Located next to Highway 58 between Bakersfield and Tehachapi, viewing the loop is only possible on the Woodford-Tehachapi Road when exiting at Keene. The location of the historic monument has a small turnout for parking. Really, there is not much to see here - especially if a train is not passing through. It is cool to see when a long train loops over itself when climbing or descending, but you really never know when a train is scheduled. Fortunately, the surrounding area is very beautiful along the winding road. Tehachapi Loop will soon be eclipsed by the High Speed Rail cutting near by over 200 MPH, but this loop will probably still serve freight for another 100 years. read more

Tehachapi Loop - Tehachapi Loop - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Keene, California

Cool place to check out! Lots of history here. I would suggest to get on your phone and research the background while you wait for a train to pass. read more

If you are a train enthusiast, then I highly recommend taking a trip to the Tehachapi Loop. It is a short detour off of Hwy 58 about 20 minutes from Tehachapi. It is an Engineering marvel! One of the seven wonders of the railroad world!! So what makes the "loop" so special? Well, it is very cool to watch a long train travel along the rails until it eventually wraps around itself. I read that as a 4000 ft. train gains elevation around central hill of the loop it will cross 77 feet above its rear cars in the tunnel below. Suffice it to say that the whole process is quite cool to watch. Only downside is that it can take a longtime to see any freight train coming through. Last time we were there, we waited about an hour before a train long enough came by. 4 stars for this railroad wonder! read more

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I'd heard about this for years but didn't think about checking it out until I was driving down the 58 headed towards Mojave and saw the signs for the historical marker from the highway. I'm a fan of engineering marvels and things off the beaten path so I pulled-off the freeway to see what this was all about. It's about three miles from the Keene exit off the 58. The road leading from Keene to the marker is a bit curvy and is a fun road, winding it's way through the trees, roughly parelleling the tracks in many places. Eventually you'll see a wide-spot on the side of the road large enough for four or five cars with two large plaques across the road from it. From this vantage point it's easy to see the tracks down below and watch long freight trains wrap back around themselves. I stopped-by there mid-day on a Thursday and there was only one other car up there however on weekends I could see it being busy and hard to find a place to park. Quick tip: When you're done checking-out the view turn-around and head back to Keene to get back to the 58. If you continue on Woodford-Tehachapi road you will have to wind your way through the communities of Golden Hills and Tehachapi which is fine if you want to grab a bite to eat, but if you just want to head-back to the highway it's faster to just go back to Keene. read more

Tehachapi Loop - Freight train headed-up the Tehachapi Loop - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Keene, California

Such a neat place to visit. If you like trains, or even if you don't, you should be able to appreciate this architectural wonder of the Railroad world. It is a literal loop of railroad tracks and at the right time, you can see trains ascending and descending through the loop. We were given directions from one of those volunteers at the Railroad Depot Museum. Our directions were to go down Tehachapi Road (from "Old Town") and continue as it becomes Red Apple Avenue. At the first T-intersection, then turn right. Keep going until the next T-intersection and turn right again. This will put you on Woodford-Tehachapi Road. It is a small winding road among the hills. The key was to finally identify the signage for the Tehachapi loop. Once you see that sign marker, be on the lookout for a turnout. You can turn down the turnout and you find yourself at an awesome view of the loop. You know how you can pretend to be a giant when eating broccoli? (Hey, I admit it!) well, that is how the loop is. It is as though you are looking at a train set and the tracks! My son loved it. Definitely worth a stop if you are in Tehachapi. read more

Tehachapi Loop - Loop - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Keene, California

The Tehachapi Loop is a must...just take the extra time and wait out at the Tehachapi Railway Historical markers until a train comes we waited 20 minutes plus and so worth it. I took a video but could not post it. read more

Tehachapi Loop - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Keene, California

The Tehachapi loop is an engineering marvel. It is recognized as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and a California Historical Landmark. Built in 1874-1876 it solved the problem of getting trains from the central valley up the hill to Tehachapi. To visit the Loop and See / read the historical plaques take the Keene off ramp and follow the Signs. There are up to 400 trains a day using the loop, so you probably won't have to wait long to see the trains in action as the train actually can pass over itself as it makes the loop. For train fanciers it is a must see, for engineers it is a must marvel. and for the rest of us it is a wonderful curiosity to ponder. Remember There is also a train museum in Tehachapi and the Cesar Chavez memorial is also near the Loop turn off at Keene read more

Definitely something to see when visiting Tehachapi even if trains aren't your thing.

I'm definitely not a foamer, but I am amazed at the Loop! On my first visit here I was lucky enough to have a train come within a few minutes. Once you see a train wrap around the Loop and proceed to travel over itself, you can't help but be in awe. On those rare days when I have an hour to myself, I stop by Kohen's Bakery, grab a brotchen sandwich, and eat lunch by the historic marker. read more

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Make sure to see the train make the loop if you are in this area. The road there is narrow and winding, so drive safely. Scenery in the area is beautiful! read more

I created this listing for the Tehachapi Loop, but somehow it was changed to just Tehachapi. To get to the Tehachapi Loop railroad tracks, we took the Keene exit off 58, about 8 miles west of Tehachapi and drove on the Woodford-Tehachapi Road until we reached the turn-out with the Tehachapi Loop marker. The views aren't very good from that location with trees obscuring the view and the landscape hiding much of the train tracks. For a better view, there's a dirt road up the street from the marker that leads to a ridgeline peak that has better views of the Loop along with the tunnel. This area also has tiny wildflowers (so please watch your step) and rocks covered with multi-colored lichen. Unfortunately, we were there for an hour and no trains came through. I'm not sure why they really needed to create the loop since the grade doesn't appear very steep. I'd think the grade would be easier to handle than the turn radius. read more

Very cool place to stop and watch the trains go by. We saw 2 very long trains make the loop over the course of 20 minutes. The trees are growing in the way a little bit, so you might need to climb up the road a little to see over. It was windy and cool since it was February, but you can duck into your car while waiting for the next train. Would definitely visit again! read more

Road to lookout adds fun to getting to the lookout. There is a path along the ridge to where you can look into the portal tunnel and see the trains as they enter the loop. You can see trains as they exit a tunnel from the East headed for the loop. They are making the roadbed wider to make room for 4 tracks and to do that they are taking out 4 of the 18 tunnels. Lunch is 20 minutes away and that's how long it takes for trains to get from town to the loop. read more

Came to visit the Tehachapi Depot and Train Loop. Lots of hiking trails in the hills. There is a nice view of the loop. Downtown is very quiet and although roaming through the streets on a Saturday afternoon, it felt like a ghost town. All very clean and well maintained. More of an older retired crowd. Perhaps the nearby wineries may be worth a visit. read more

Tehachapi Loop - The train loop. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Keene, California

Tehachapi Loop is pretty neat the first time you see it, but after a few visits it can get boring and uninteresting. The road is a bit windy, so hopefully you don't get car sick. You would also need to know the time a train would get there so you would be able to appreciate the uniqueness of the railroad design. read more

So fun! Phenomenal. So glad we drove here to see the loop from Los Angeles. We were able to see two long trains and the weather was perfect.

Worth the trip. Actually more compact than I thought. Looks like a giant HO setup. Saw 7 trains in 3 hours going in both directions. Awesome!!! read more

Loved it. We took the 5 north freeway then took 58 east after driving a few miles in a state road. There are signs at exit to get to the LOOP...I would say about 6 miles to the historic marker. Within 10 minutes of our arrival , a long train passed on the bridge. The video is about 8 minutes long so you can guess the length of the loop and the train itself. Very cool engineering marvel. Highly recommended. Coming back we took 58 east to 14 south (Antelope valley freeway) to 5 to get back home to Santa Clarita valley. read more