Union Pacific honors Tehachapi with a special designation as part of Train Town USA, as the city commemorates the 15th anniversary of its Tehachapi Depot.
- The Tehachapi Depot will be hosting special events and tours through Sunday.
- A fire in June of 2008 ruined the original Tehachapi Depot, but two years later the City rebuilt it.
- More information can be found on the Tehachapi Depot website.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
All aboard! It’s time to celebrate the Tehachapi Depot’s 15th anniversary. I’m Steve Virgen, your neighborhood reporter. The community gathered at the depot for presentations and a special designation as Tehachapi, Train Town USA.
On June 13, 2008, a fire destroyed the plans for the original Tehachapi Depot. But Tehachapi residents refused to give up.
“Two years later, we opened a brand new building. “It was a lot of work,” said Diana Buerge, president of Friends of Tehachapi Depot.
The City is now celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Historic Tehachapi Depot. The ceremony included a ribbon cutting, special presentations, and cake. There will be a variety of events through Sunday.
“When you hear the story about how we remodeled this depot and then it burned down and then we rebuilt it, the passion of our volunteers and this city has for this depot is amazing,” according to Buerge.
Tehachapi was also designated as Train Town USA by Union Pacific due to its long railroad history. The Train Town sign is located in the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum, which has historical displays throughout the building.
Tehachapi unveiled its Tehachapi Loop mural in Railroad Park, just down the street from the depot. The mural appears on the side of the Chamber of Commerce building. Tehachapi Murals is restoring 12 murals, including this one.
“It’s just a big day for Tehachapi and the railroad,” Buerge told the crowd.
The depot will host a special event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. I’m Steve Virgen, your neighborhood reporter.
