Looking for photos of Bakersfield BNSF yard

[timb]

Hi there!

I am a railfan based in New Zealand and I only get to railfan in the USA once a year when I visit San Francisco for the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (I work for Apple).

I am in the process of building an N scale model railroad that covers the Tehachapi line from Bakersfield to Mojave. I've been gathering lots of research material, but one major gap exists. I am really struggling to find many photos or info on BNSF's Bakersfield yard.

My layout is set in 1998-1999 because I love the variety of the immediate post-merger era and want to be able to model helper operations and run locos in SP and Warbonnet paint. I have managed to find out that Amtrak operations at Bakersfield were operated out of the F street Station right opposite the BNSF yard throat until this was replaced in 2001 with the new station further East. I have gathered photos of the old Amtrak station off trainweb, but I can find precious few photos of the BNSF yard itself. Google Earth shows the present track layout and I can see the old depot, and it looks like the West end yard limits cross a river.

Is anyone on this list familiar with operations in the BNSF yard in the late 1990's? Specifically I am interested in info on the Amtrak trains and BNSF yard operations. Also was there any engine servicing by BNSF in the yard? Were helpers cut on or off here? Any help or photos or links would be most appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Cheers

Tim

[Hytec]

Hi Tim, welcome to the Trainboard, we're very happy to have you aboard.

I don't know anything about the area or timeframe you are talking about, but I'm sure many folk here on the Board will be happy to help you.

You mention Tehachapi....if you ever have a chance and the time to get down to San Diego when you're in the US, please try to visit the San Diego Model Railroad Museum, http://www.sdmodelrailroadm.com/. The museum houses four or five model railroad clubs in scales from O to N, including one devoted to the approach to the Tehachapi Loop through Calienti, CA, http://www.sdmodelrailroadm.com/tehachapi_pass.html.

I have not visited the museum in the 12 years since I retired, but I was overwhelmed the many times I visted before then. The member's skills give new meaning to detailed modeling.

On a side note, Andy Sparandeo(sp?) of Model Railroader was visiting the museum for an article in the late '80s or early '90s. He was talking with a spokesman for the Tehachapi layout, when he said he heard a woman gasp behind him. When asked, the woman said that she was taken aback by a house on the layout that was an exact replica of her Grandmother's house in Calienti where she had grown up. Andy stressed in the article that the attention to detail on that layout was beyond criticism.

BTW, the museum is open and staffed by club members 7 days a week in an agreement with the City allowing the housing of club layouts in the building.

[MRL]

Google Earth has a great view one can zoom in real close and see what types of engines are in the yard and railcars also! This is realy handy to see track layouts so you can model more prototypically!!!
Hope this helps...