AV Beat - The Loop

One thing all AV residents can be proud of is the area’s rich aerospace heritage. Between Edwards Air Force Base, the Aerospace Hall of Fame in Lancaster, and the long list of firms that have made a home in Palmdale, few regions in the world can match the Antelope Valley when it comes to the history of flying.

What few folks realize, though, is that one of the most famous train tracks in the world is just around the corner and up a few hills.

We’re referring, of course, to the Tehachapi Loop, the 3,799 foot long helix-shaped track that cuts through the Tehachapi Mountains. The Loop was the invention of renowned civil engineer William Hood, and was built from 1874 to 1876.

The rail line through the mountains consists of 18 tunnels and 10 bridges. But the crown jewel is The Loop.

Hood was faced with what seemed to be an unsolvable problem. The rail line had to climb 80 feet over a ridge near the top of the 4,000 foot Tehachapi Summit without exceeding the 2.2% maximum grade limit. In an extraordinary example of modern ingenuity, Hood came up with the concept of the loop. The result is a rare phenomenon - trains more than 4,000 feet long circle over themselves. And that’s what brings rail-fans from all over the world to Tehachapi to see for themselves.

The fantastic scenery contributes to The Loop’s popularity among train enthusiasts. The fact that up to 36 freight trains a day pass through doesn’t hurt either. Today, it is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Railroad World.

Best viewed from Tehachapi-Woodford Road about 8 miles west of Tehachapi. Look for a path leading up to an unmarked overlook, which offers the best view. Bring a lunch, camera and binoculars.