Join the discussion on the following article:
Amtrak to detour over Tehachapi Loop this weekend
Because The report says “from Oakland,” a few convoluted choices, the least of which: from Oakland take freight routing to the WP Altamont Line, the First Sub, the right turn at Elmhurst to a hard left turn at Newark thru to Niles (long gone) Tower, then the (former WP) Altamont Pass main’ to its crossing of the (former SP) main line, Lathrop, where a wye-ing square dance would pull the trigger for the T’Loop/LA trip.
A straight-shot thru Elmhurst would require a wye-ing at Niles Tower to zero-in at the Altamont. Portends rare mileage adventures and accomplishments. I ran trains all over the places: pilgrims, go for it!
So wonderful recall: I rode psgr trains 'tween Fresno and Bakersfield, but not when I was an official, otherwise correct.
Just out of curiosity how are the trains getting from Oakland into the San Joaquin valley?
I trust that all you west coast photgraphers will help us east coast folks experience the sight of superliners on the curve~!
Looking forward to the pictures in TRAINS.
From Oakland just back through Martinez and down the valley like regular service to Bakersfield travels?
Estimated time through Tehachapi?
Ian, my late wife and I rode this routing before. This necessitated a backup move from the Sacramento Depot through Elvas Jct. then down the Fresno Sub and on down toward Bakersfield. Once we got onto the Fresno Sub, #11 boogied on through with a crew change at Bakersfield getting into LAUS some four hours earlier. Those going south from Sacramento was bussed as far as Salinas and beyond.
Francis, you are the bomb! See you in Winslow.
I think if Amtrak are going to do this, they should at least make up a train with a consist as long as an average UP freight train, just so that passengers can get the full experience the loop is famous for 
I was on this train today through the Loop and it was very cool. There were many people on the train that like me, only rode the train to go through the Loop. Thank you Amtrak!
How did I just receive this email & the re-route already occurred last week…?
I will never forget riding over the pass in 1966 from Merced-LAUPT on SP’s “San Joaquin Daylight!” (Believe I took up Spanish just to pronounce it correctly).