Western Railroad Discussion > Railfanning on Tehachapi?

I am wondering how railfanning is over Tehachapi. Are their currently work windows or a lot of extra security now? It's been awhile since I have been there.
Thank you, please feel free to DM me if you feel more comfortable responding that way.
Steve Sloan
San Jose, CA

ssloansjca Wrote:
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> I am wondering how railfanning is over Tehachapi.
> Are their currently work windows or a lot of extra
> security now? It's been awhile since I have been
> there.
> Steve Sloan
> San Jose, CA

Hi Steve

I railfanned Tehachapi in May of 2025 and I assume not much has changed. Best days to avoid are Mondays due to the day-long work window. Wednesday when I visited provided a good morning. Security wise it is still tight. You will be approached by contract security and by railroad police/employees. Telling them youre a railfan and showing off camera equipment is a good way to show that youre here for the trains and not for the cargo. I would advise against visiting tough to reach places or suspicious places as both ranchers and police (Fish and Wildlife) are some of the meaner people you can encounter. 

 I can vouch for avoiding the F&W officers.  I discussed this on TO several years ago, when I was parked on top of tunnel 2, and got a $300+ ticket from one of them, saying I was parked illegally.  The next day, I mentioned this to a UP Police officer that I happened to meet.  His response was that the F&W guy must have had nothing else to do that day.

A few years back I pulled off the road at Bena short of the no trespassing signs. A BNSF cop ran my friends and my ID’s just for pulling off the road. Earlier that morning we had worked with the UP cop to rescue a dog with a broken leg…

It certainly has changed since back in the day when I parked inside the loop and my battery died and had AAA come to the rescue in July…..

Posted from iPhone

Curt Wrote:
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>  I can vouch for avoiding the F&W officers.  I
> discussed this on TO several years ago, when I was
> parked on top of tunnel 2, and got a $300+ ticket
> from one of them, saying I was parked illegally. 
> The next day, I mentioned this to a UP Police
> officer that I happened to meet.  His response
> was that the F&W guy must have had nothing else to
> do that day.

So, what are the rules on parking?

march_hare Wrote:
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> Curt Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >  I can vouch for avoiding the F&W officers. 
> I
> > discussed this on TO several years ago, when I
> was
> > parked on top of tunnel 2, and got a $300+
> ticket
> > from one of them, saying I was parked
> illegally. 
> > The next day, I mentioned this to a UP Police
> > officer that I happened to meet.  His response
> > was that the F&W guy must have had nothing else
> to
> > do that day.
>
> So, what are the rules on parking?

The same as everywhere else, don't park on private property unless you have permission.

Advice on less activity Mondays with the work windows remains very often the case.  There are no major section gangs working the hill currently, so it's general maintenance (ballast regulator, tamper) as of late.

Security is very visible. I'd say more now than ever. GardaWorld contractors pay particular attention to every southbound (east) Intermodal train, pacing them from Bakersfield along Edison Highway and finding track side points to observe for thievery all the way to Summit. UP Special Agents tend to come out in the morning to watch over their northbound Z trains as they descend the hill to crew change at Comanche Road, which is just past Sand Cut. The agents come out for the South Z in the afternoon. I'm sure it depends on the day and who is on patrol, but I advise not driving deep into RR property (IE. a drive up to Cliff would invite being contacted.)  Let a drone cover the back country distances for you!

 

march_hare Wrote:
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> So, what are the rules on parking?

Remain away from the ROW and be clearly visible. I have parked on the access roads but never on any ranch roads. Do not try and hide your vehicle as that would just draw suspicision. 

I railfanned the loop area for three days in april. I stayed at a nice airb&b right near the tracks and less than half a mile from an established legal convenient lookout point maintained by the local museum in Tehachapi.  There was adequate parking on the side of the road and I never saw any security or any need for it.  I drove up and down Route 58 (?) to see other spots but I did not venture off the road.  There was a good spot to stop in a small town called caliente (?) and watch trains climb up and down a switchback.  I would add that if you do stay at the airb&b I mentioned I recommend not walking down the road from there to the lookout.  It's possible but there is no shoulder and tight curves leave you no room at all to get out of a car's way.  Pvt me if you want info on the b&b.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/26 13:53 by dadonatrain.