The Tehachapi Loop
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Welcome! We take pictures of the Tehachapi Loop Raillroad
The Tehachapi Loop is a 0.72-mile helix-shaped railroad track located in Kern County, California, designed by William Hood to allow trains to gain 77 feet of elevation over Tehachapi Pass. Completed in 1876, this engineering marvel is a popular railfan spot often hosting over 50 freight trains daily, allowing long trains to cross over themselves.
The Tehachapi Loop is a famous spiral railroad where long freight trains can actually cross over themselves as they climb the mountain—making it look like the train is chasing its own tail.
04/01/2026
Welcome to The Tehachapi Loop!
We found this rock yesterday at the lookout spot!
The Tehachapi Loop is one of the only places in the world that a train goes over itself.
01/17/2026
The Tehachapi Loop Interesting Facts
Construction: The Tehachapi Loop was constructed between 1874-1876 by the Southern Pacific Railroad, with contributions from over 3,000 Chinese laborers.
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Elevation Gain: The loop allows trains to gain a total of 77 feet in elevation as they make a 1,210-foot-diameter circle.
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Train Size: Trains longer than 3,800 feet will pass over themselves as they go around the loop.
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Passenger Train Restrictions: Passenger trains such as Amtrak's Gold Runner are banned from the loop, although the Coast Starlight can use it as a detour.
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Historical Significance: The Tehachapi Loop was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1998 and a California Historical Landmark in 1953.
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Viewing Points: Wooden signs and markers along the viewing points allow visitors to stop and take in the views while experiencing the sensation of being close to the trains.
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Engineering Marvel: The loop is a marvel of engineering, offering a unique viewing experience as trains navigate the spiral loop.
The Tehachapi Loop is a 3,779-foot-long spiral on the Union Pacific Railroad Mojave Subdivision through Tehachapi Pass, connecting Bakersfield and the San Joaquin Valley to Mojave in the Mojave Desert.
One of the engineering feats of its day, the Loop was built by Southern Pacific Railroad to ease the grade over Tehachapi Pass. Construction began in 1874, and the line opened in 1876.
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