We are about a mile from the crossover at Sandcut. This section from Bakersfield to Sivert (later renamed Sandcut) had a second track placed into operation in August 1922. The double track was extended to Bena in 1928. Train 199 (Extra 5604 West) glides by the eastbound grade signal near mp324 on June 11, 1980. Train 199 was an expedited TOFC train that also handled UPS traffic. You can tell that the lead unit is staying close to Tehachapi from all of the accumulated grime. Note the circle G plate on the signal to the right. This is called a grade signal. Trains may pass a red grade signal at restricted speed without stopping. This lets trains keep rolling. You will see a train taking advantage of this later in this series on the east side of the pass.

It was rare to see a U25B or a GP35 in the Tehachapi Mountains. These units were common on the Coast Route and on the Sunset Route. On the morning of May 30, 1978 engine 6737 leads a short train of side dump ballast cars through the crossover switches at Sandcut. This is the beginning of CTC for the mountain. CTC was installed over the single track section between Sandcut and Tehachapi during the Second World War. The rest of the line from Bakersfield to Mojave was directional double track. The letter SA on the signal means switch absolute. If this signal is red a train must stop and get permission from the dispatcher to pass.

Extra 5105 West comes off the mountain and heads into the setting sun on June 10, 1980. The tracks are headed west by northwest and during the month of June the sun sets slightly to the north of this heading, so we get sunlight on the north side of this westbound train. Disk 40

Index

Train 2-928