The Tehachapi Loop
The Tehachapi Loop is considered one of the most noted engineering feats in the world of railroads and civil engineering. William Hood, a civil engineer for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, was the genius behind this achievement.
The Tehachapi Loop took two years to complete, from 1874 -1876. The Loop is 28 miles in length with an average grade of 2.2%. Constructed by 3000 Chinese workers imported from Canton, China who literally dug, picked and blasted their way through 18 tunnels.
The line traveling out of the San Joaquin Valley and through the Tehachapi Mountains was the last section to complete the first ever railroad line connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The Tehachapi Loop was completed under the supervision of J.B. Harris, Chief of Construction.
More than 120 years later, this single line of track is pretty much as it was when first constructed and is still in constant use.
There are a few viewing spots along Woodward – Tehachapi Road between the Keene Exit off of Hwy 58 and Valley Rd in Tehachapi.
