Visiting Jim Kelly’s Tehachapi Pass layout

Retired Model Railroader Managing Editor Jim Kelly remains active in honing his N scale skills and craftsmanship. The result has been the fourth incarnation of his Tehachapi Pass layout. Set in 1985, both the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe and Southern Pacific traverse the 2% grade between Bakersfield and Tehachapi, Calif., with the famous Tehachapi Loop as the layout’s centerpiece. Eastbound out of Tehachapi, and down an 18-inch radius helix, is the Mojave Desert before heading back into the staging yard.

Model Railroader Editor Eric White and Trains.com Staff Writer Lucas Iverson were recently invited to admire the recent progress, and test the railroad for future operating sessions. With scenery mostly completed, Jim plans to begin operating in fall 2025.

Visiting Jim Kelly’s Tehachapi Pass layout was previously documented on Trains.com Video.

At the west end of the Santa Fe Bakerfields Yard is an eight-stall roundhouse that was built by Jim Kelly years ago for a feature in Model Railroader. Lucas Iverson

Santa Fe diesels are at the ready at the Bakersfield Yard’s fueling station, produced by Overland Models. Lucas Iverson

Edison, Calif., is home to the scratchbuilt Giumarra winery. Lucas Iverson

Outside of Edison is the Southern Pacific helper spur for all SP freight needing help in the climb up to Tehachapi. Lucas Iverson

A westbound Sanfa Fe freight train heads downhill through the small town of Caliente, Calif. Lucas Iverson

Model Railroader Editor Eric White captures a Santa Fe freight traversing Jim’s centerpiece Tehachapi Loop. Lucas Iverson

Mid-train helpers are the norm when climbing Tehachapi Pass. Lucas Iverson

At the top of Tehachapi Pass is the namesake town, home to a cement plant. Lucas Iverson

Eastbound out of Tehachapi, and down an 18-inch helix, is the Mojave Desert before heading back into the staging yard. Lucas Iverson