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Tehachapi improvement project scaled back
First, I still do not see where Uncle Pete is contributing anything other than the trains. This could have something to do with the cutback.
Second, although comparing percentages reported in the article is not valid, they do seem to indicate that some of what is being cut from the program would not provide much bang for the buck.
Third, I suspect the single track main is disturbing Chavez’ monument, so I ask why it was located so close to existing right of way?
Advance apology offered.
Master, Bates, the concept that UP owns the railroad and it and BNSF operate under trackage rights, honed since 19th century, agreements. If UP is OK with what its got, why should they pay for improvements that an arch-competitor desires?
And, back in the 1970’s at Keene, the Chavez ranch bordered the right of way and, in defense of their property, was fenced off which eliminated a couple of dramatic pic locations----so increased traffic, environmentally, mentally doesn’t coagulate as a NIMBY concept.
It seems that Chavez made quite enough noise, vibration and visual impact in his life - it therefore should be reasonable to receive the same at his memorial - Payback IS a Bitch !
NIMBY’s at a monument? Please… There’s trains passing everyday as it is. Don’t curtail potential economic growth because of “vibrations” that have shaken the monument since it was built anyway.
They haven’t really confirmed the monument angle as a definitive factor.
The Chavez monument helps preserve the “home to César Chávez from the early 1970s until his death in 1993 and includes his gravesite and the headquarters of the United Farm Workers.” (Wikipedia)
Tehachapi pass is the older of the two, but it’s not like a monument was erected where it is for no reason, it is trying to preserve something that was there. I wouldn’t be surprised if the proximity of trains made the home affordable for Chavez. It’s halfway between a set of tracks and a highway. I think it’s a bit much to try to keep traffic away.
Being in a mountainous area, it’s unrealistic to expect lines to be placed elsewhere without even more public money thrown at the problem, and needlessly restraining trade without a compelling study on the risk of damage is a bit much.
It looks like the Cal Trans is telling BNSF what to do.
And where is Union Pacific in all of this? They run trains there, too (Didn’t Southern Pacific originally build the Tehachapi line?
And where is Union Pacific in all of this? They run trains there, too (Didn’t Southern Pacific originally build the Tehachapi line?
And where is Union Pacific in all of this? They run trains there, too (Didn’t Southern Pacific originally build the Tehachapi line?
Another case where political correctness interferes with reality. Voice an objection and face being labeled a bigot.
Another case where political correctness interferes with reality. Voice an objection and face being labeled a bigot.
Doesn’t Union Pacific own the tracks over Tehachapi Pass, and BNSF has trackage rights over Tehachapi?
Doesn’t Union Pacific own the tracks over Tehachapi Pass, and BNSF has trackage rights over Tehachapi?
Doesn’t Union Pacific own the tracks over Tehachapi Pass, and BNSF has trackage rights over Tehachapi?
In answer to Mr. Bates’ question: the railway arrived first in 1876, and then the grounds of what is now the monument were developed as a TB hospital in the 1920"s by Kern County, and have been other things before it became the Chavez Monument. When the grounds were originally settled for the hospital, nobody cared about “vibrations”, because quiet was not considered important for indigent patients. Indeed, Keene, less than a few hundred yards from the hospital, was a major watering stop for the large steam engines as they climbed the hill, and whistles were blowing as signals to the men all day, and all night.
SP had a nw engineer who found the route on the Tehachapi Loop. SP told ATSF if you drive a single survey stake, ATSF will no longer run the pass! Why do you think Santa Fe bought and killed SP?
The Loop is awesome. Take the old highway and stop above the Loop which is double tracked. You might see diesels on the down grade on dynamic braking, and simultaneously, thundering diesels climbing the grade — AWESOME.
Caltrans is paying a lot of the cost, so they have a big say in the project. As for UP, why should they pay anything? They are happy with the RR the way it is. It’s BNSF that wants more capacity.
Are the politically correct morons going to prohibit Harleys and semis on Calif. Hwy 58, which is a lot closer to the monument than the tracks. Give me a break!
Volin is correct. Up owns the tracks and BNSF wants to expand capacity. How many people a day visit the Chavez Monument? I pass by it now and then on my way to the Loop. Looks quiet to me. I think part of the problem here is that we are talking about touchy-feely California. I can’t believe how conservative they are when it comes to progress. Wait until the new Panama Canal opens in 2015 and a significant amount of container traffic bypasses the LA-LB ports and sails on through the Canal directly to Texas and the East Coast.