Re: Railroads That were never Built-Tehachapi & LASL
Author: George Andrews
Date: 07-06-2008 - 15:48
Regarding Santa Fe's planned & surveyed line between Los Angeles & Bakersfield thru Grapevine Canyon, it has been speculated ( in John Signor's Tehachapi book ) that Espee threatened to terminate SFe's lease over Tehachapi the moment they broke ground on the new line. Alos, an oil pipeline installed between the 2 cities helped to alleviate traffic concerns over the pass. The line would have also required several long tunnels to access Piru Gorge,( which might now be underwater), and $teel viaduct$ in Grapevine Canyon.
I do wonder why the Salt Lake Route ( UP ) didn't build due North from Caliente, NV., to Ely & the Cobre area, then East on the future WP alignment to Salt Lake City ??? Even though a longer route, it would have avoided the grades in southern Utah.