With the engineer and pilot giving a wave from the cab following their journey over the world famous Tehachapi Loop, Amtrak's northbound Coast Starlight drops downgrade in Woodford as it crosses the dry bed of the Tehachapi Creek. Forced to detour from its normal route along the coast for one day, both Starlights took a trip through the Central Valley and over Tehachapi as Union Pacific maintenance of way crews worked to replace bridge spans north of Ventura. In the background, the hillside to the left gives the appearance of being more light-colored as smoke from a nearby wildfire passes in front of it.
Running daily between Seattle and Los Angeles, this train offers running alongside the Pacific Ocean and through the Cascade Mountains. It has been one of Amtrak's long-distance success stories.
The GE Genesis series are well known for being Amtrak's locomotive. With confirmation of retirement from Amtrak themselves, their time is limited. Now is your chance to catch them before the chargers arrive!
