Western Railroad Discussion > Hanging out above Tunnel 8, Tehachapi Pass.

One of my favorite remote and peaceful places on the Pass is the 1,000 acre Cummings Ranch. Their property encompass the land on the South side of the ROW from Hart Flat down to Tunnel 5. 
- AM BNSF exiting Tunnel 7 on the perch above Oregano Canyon and will shortly plunge into Tunnel 8.
- PM view of the DP on the back of BNSF's HFRSBAR exiting Tunnel 8 making its way East.

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Unique Location on Cummings Ranch J.P. Love the textured green mountains. Outstanding!!

Great pics.   I am going to be in the same area in a few weeks - pretty much from the Hart Flat area up to Cliff.....I have not spent a great deal of time back there and several spots I have always wanted to shoot.   

Ah, man!  Excellent shots.  I've been on the ranch once (had a friend once who knew the owner), but sure wish I could back up there.  The backside of Cliff is great, and one of the least visited areas.  Nice job!

That part of California is so beautiful, with the vistas, and very handsome, stately oak trees dotting the hillsides and pastures.

That 1st photo really captures my attention, due to the 1st concrete "bench" supporting the roadbed just outside the tunnel, and then the very large, supporting culvert just ahead and below.  Does anyone know when those structures were built?  That kind of stuff really interests me.

Primo shots!

Are these views available from the side of the highway, or do they require a substantial hike back into the area?  I'd swear I have seen these views (but never shot them).

Great time of year to be there!

Nope, not viewable from thr highway.  Private ranch-land access only.

Another fine view. In 1983 I spent a few days
trying to get a pic like pic 1 above, but never
got one as good -- it was January and I didn't
realize how much better the pic would look
later in the year with a more northern sun.

This location is unusual. According to legend,
when SP got to Caliente people figured that
would be the end of the line -- too tough to
continue up Tehachapi Creek. At one point
the creek gains 640 feet of elevation in
a mile and a quarter, straight-line distance.
So SP had to leave the creek and wander
around for a while, maintaining the 2% grade
so when it gets to pic 1 it's 300 feet above
the stream. (For those unfamiliar, the train
in pic 1 is on the curve at the red marker

ACME Mapper 2.2 - 11.8 km NxNE of Bear Valley Springs CA

Great pair! Very nice perspectives and color.
GK

I always thought the Tejon Ranch owned most of the property around there. They were nasty to railfans

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