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This ladder is part of the "Train Order Board" that stood for many years adjacent to the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce. Typically installed at the rear of a railroad depot, the Train Order Board's controls were operated by the Station Agent from inside the Depot. Approaching trains would know they had orders to pick up if the semaphore was in a horizontal position (stop). If it was in a vertical position, train crews knew there were no orders to be picked up and could proceed without stopping. The control levers can be seen laying to the left of the ladder.

Restoration Team member Ray Sebe works on Signal #4, a "NY Central Dwarf," originally used on the NY Central Ry. This is just one of numerous railroad signals in the Stokoe Collection.

If you'd like to be a member of the Restoration Team, give FOTD Volunteer Coordinator, Dennis Storms a call at (661) 823-0741. The team meets at the Tehachapi Airport on Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m.

Thanks to the efforts of Georgia Cushman, our local Home Depot has gifted Friends of the Tehachapi Depot with a $5,000 grant in the form of a gift card to be used for restoration, maintenance, and installation of historic artifacts within the Tehachapi Depot Museum. Cushman has been instrumental in the acquisition of several large donations from local businesses, and we are grateful to her for contributions and efforts on our behalf.

Shannon Loftus must also be included in our thank you list for her work on preparing the grant application. FOTD is fortunate to have such capable volunteers on staff. Volunteers don't always get the appreciation nor recognition they deserve for their efforts. The work put into making a non-profit organization a viable organization is dependent upon volunteers working towards a common goal and realizing that their contribution is appreciated and necessary for the organization to continue to function. Volunteers are the unsung heroes of any non-profit organization and we sincerely appreciate all of our volunteers.

A ground breaking for the new depot was held at 3:10 pm on Saturday, June 13, 2009, exactly one year and 12 hours after the depot burned down.

The old depot was built in 1904 to replace the oiriginal one built in 1876 that had burned down due to an oil leak from an engine. The depot was built by the Southern Pacific (SP) and became part of the Union Pacific Railroad when the took over the SPI.

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Photos by Robert Westover

Tehachapi Mayor Linda Vernon acted as Master of Cermonies at the event, noting "It is a very proud moment for our community". Vernon recalled the events of the morning of June 13, 2008 when the depot burned down and how those first on the scene stood in total shock of what they were seeing, and how the decision was made to take on the challenge of rebuilding the depot.

She continued, "Here we are today. We're back on track, continuing to move forward and will see success rise from the ashes, because we are rebuilding the depot."

Councilman Phil Smith and Ed Grimes told stories of growing up in Tehachapi, playing around the depot and catching the train to Bakersfield from there. City Manager Greg Garrett said, "I remember growing up here and seeing this run-down building, but there were people who loved it and wanted to rebuild it even then."

Charles White thanked some of the large donors and community members who have helped with the rebuilding funds, and presented an $18,800 check to the city from the Back on Track Committee and Friends of the Depot. Claudia Henson, as president of Main Street Tehachapi, also presented a check for $5,000.

The total raised from the community to go toward this project is $38,000.

Aspen Builders Inc. of Tehachapi has been awarded the contract to rebuild the depot and started work on Monday, June 22. The scheduled completion date is November 28, 2009.

Meanwhile, FOTD Museum Committee volunteers continue to meet on a regular basis to develop plans for displaying the many historical items from their archives in the museum and visitor's center that will be housed in the new depot.

The City of Tehachapi has generously provided FOTD with workspace for refurbishing of the Stokoe signals. If you'd like to be part of the Restoration Team, contact FOTD's Volunteer Coordinator, Dennis Storms, at (661) 823-0741. Or, send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and put RESTORATION in the subject line. Or, contact a board member at the next General Membership Meeting to be held on July 13, 2009.

The Tehachapi City Council approved awarding the contract for rebuilding the depot to Aspen Builders, Inc.

There were six bids submitted. Aspen was the lowest bidder with a bid of $834,494.79.

The sealed bids were opened publicly on May 13, 2009. City staff has been working with the insurance company to ensure that the replacement costs will be covered.

As the City of Tehachapi construction crews excavated the burned out shell of the Depot, they came across a layer of red bricks. Workers were instructed to stop excavating until FOTD volunteers could retrieve the bricks. The consensus of opinion is that these bricks were part of the original depot building, erected in the 1800’s, and which burned in 1904.

Over a period of several weeks, FOTD volunteers, including Robert Butler, John Greenelsh, Nick Smirnoff and Bob Westover, led by Volunteer Coordinator, Dennis Storms, slowly and methodically removed mortar, dirt and debris. Volunteers met at the site every Monday morning. Over 900 bricks have been salvaged. The bricks are being stored by the City, awaiting a decision on how best to utilize them in the landscaping of the Depot. The bricks will not be used in walkways, due to their fragile state, but will be used in some part of the Depot landscaping or structure.

Only minor modifications were found to be needed during the Depot Plans Check, held at Tehachapi City Hall on January 23, 2009. Those present: City Manager-Greg Garrett, Assistant to the City Manager-Chris Kirk, City’s Construction Crew-Mike Pera; Friends of the Tehachapi Depot (FOTD) President-Fred Motter, Vice-President-Nick Smirnoff, Heritage League President-Charles White.

Once the modifications are completed by the architect, the Tehachapi City Council will approve a request to send the plans out for bid. Four to six weeks later, the Council should be able to approve a bid. Construction would start shortly thereafter.

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Photos by Nick Smirnoff