A BNSF stack train races across the floor of the Tehachapi Valley, as it begins the downhill journey toward Mojave.

Four Aces! A unit soda ash train led by a quartet of SD70ACes, rounds a sweeping curve several miles south of Cantil on UP's Lone Pine Branch. This train originated on the Trona Railway, a... (more)

A Richmond, CA bound vehicle train rolls through the reverse curves at the north end of Marcel, as it descends toward the Tehachapi Loop.

C44-9W #5114 leads three second generation EMDs, as they negotiate a sharp right hand curve above Cable X-Over, with a Barstow to Bakersfield manifest in tow.

With the harsh curvature of the Tehachapi Mountains crossing behind it, BNSF's Z-RICWSP works up the last few miles toward the summit on straight track, as it approaches the town of Tehachapi.

BNSF 8234 South begins the arduous climb up the Tehachapi Mountains, as it passes through Bena during the day's last light.

The Lone Pine Local nears the end of its trip over the branch, as it brings its loads of soda ash and empty coal hoppers into Mojave.

Four aging EMDs begin the journey to Searles with a cut of loaded covered hoppers to interchange with the Union Pacific. The mineral rich Searles Dry Lake - which is the lifeblood for the railroad... (more)

Two Trona Railway units briefly idle at Searles, as they wait to be coupled to the rear of a loaded coal train for the downhill trip back to Trona.

Trona Railway SD9 #2001 quietly sits outside the railroad's shop building, as there is no more life left in this old unit. Due to a main generator failure the railroad decided it wasn't cost effe... (more)

A heavy manifest works up the #2 main at Caliente, as the temperature begins to rise on a summer morning.

Three AC units lug a coal train - bound for the Trona Railway - up a short grade near Cantil, as the last few minutes of sunlight illuminate the desert floor.

Four SD70ACes lead an export unit soda ash train, as it crosses one of the many dry washes on Union Pacific's Lone Pine Branch.

A BNSF manifest accelerates as it crests the summit at Tehachapi, after a recent storm dusted the area with fresh snow.

Four aging Trona Railway EMDs shove a cut of covered hoppers out of Searles toward the end of Union Pacific's Lone Pine Branch. The cars are loaded with soda ash, and will be tied down until Unio... (more)