General Discussion

 A good 12mp camera, either Canon or Nikon, would give you all the quality you need for a book.  The latest Hassy is up to 60mp IIRC and about 45 Grand.  The aforementioned 12mp cameras can be had used for about 8-900 bucks.

 

But we love what you are doing just fine.

 

John

K.P.  Can't wait until I get 4 or 5 free days in the LAX area and take your pictures with me!!!!!!

A Look at the New Control Point West of the Temple Ave. Overpass, Pomona, CA

Some new photographic views are presented herein.

This west of the new control point (CP) view shows old and new signals:  The Temple Ave. overpass is in the background

Looking westward, the west signal bridge.  Note that the two outside signals only have one head each

Looking eastward, the east signal bridge.  The four-track mainline is right next to a parking lot.  The third track from the left has only a two-lamp bottom head; the fourth only has a top head

A westward view from the Temple Ave. overpass:  The two tracks in the BACKGROUND will alignment shift and connect to the two tracks on the FOREGROUND left.

A revealing close-up view:  There are four uninstalled switches lying between signal bridges.  Two have concrete ties; the other two have wood ties!  The line back over to the original SP Sunset Route branches off in the background top right.

Between Temple Ave and the new control point:  Grading for the fourth-track has begun

A schematic of what the CP west of Temple Ave. is believed to eventually look like.  Los Angeles is to the diagram left (west); El Paso on the SP Sunset Route (top two tracks) and Salt Lake City on the LA&SL (lower two tracks) is to the diagram right.  About two miles to the diagram left on the lower LA&SL line is a double crossover called [CP] GRAND, which operationally enhances the below track diagram’s rather skimpy layout

 

K.P., thanks for all these updates!  It looks like the Temple Avenue project is making progress.

Do you know if the UP Los Angeles Subdivision will be double-tracked for the 0.3 miles between Roselawn and Oak?

mvs (6-20):

This forumist possesses NO official information on your inquiry about a second LA&SL track between [CP] ROSELAWN and [CP] OAK in Pomona, CA.  However, in my opinion, both of those control points will be eliminated, and a second track will be laid.  That conclusion is based on the fact that grading for a second LA&SL track exists west and east of Hamilton Ave., as the previously posted westward view photo below shows.  Also, note the uninstalled turnout that is present on the photo’s middle-ground just right of the present single-track main.  I’m inclined to believing that is for the as yet unlade second main

To jog your memory, mvs, the following photo is re-shown also.  It is of the new downtown Pomona east facing signal bridge.  Camera position is east of the bridge, looking west.

The NEW control point will likely be close to a mile long, and probably encompass what is now [CP] OAK.

In the next few weeks, mvs, I hope to photographically address some revealing signal issues that have a definite connection to your inquiry.  Tuesday morning, however, watch for:  “Beaumont Hill (CA) … and Arizona.”  Things are really changing for railfans in San Timoteo Canyon!

K. P.

Thank you, K.P., for the answer.  One would think that the small section between CP Oak and CP Roselawn will be double-tracked, and it probably will.  We'll know in a few months, likely.

Looking forward to your series about Beaumont Hill.

A couple of mysteries from a recent visit to the east end of the Casa Grande siding at Thornton Road... First, the target signal on the right was installed at least six years ago, long before the two-tracking project got underway. It has never been activated. It sits on the opposite side of the current main from the siding and the storage tracks. [img][\img] Looking east from Thornton Road and away from the signals, note that a gravel base has been prepared on both sides of the existing track, which begs the question as to the purpose of three tracks in that particular area. [img][\img] Finally, while not directly related to the two-tracking project, a picture of the ruins of the Casa Grande depot, built in 1939 and destroyed by fire a couple of weeks ago. Listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, it was a great example of the architectural style of the period. The depot was no longer in use and the radio tower was out of service, most likely replaced by a new tower at the west end of the Casa Grande siding. For railfans and students of historic architecture, this was a real loss. [img][\img] My apologies for the image markers and the lack of line breaks. I don't really want to change browsers for the sake of one particular website. John Timm

Beaumont Hill (CA) … and Arizona

In the early 2000’s, Union Pacific, a few years after its acquisition of Southern Pacific, began upgrading the already two-tracked western slope of Beaumont Hill in California, and relocated double-crossover control points in conjunction with replacing the old signal system.  The purpose of this post is to make those that haven’t visit Beaumont Hill of late aware of the dramatic physical changes therein, and make a possible connection to two-tracking in Arizona …

Old timers, in some ways, would hardly recognize Beaumont Hill now.  The famous curve by I-10 in the City of Beaumont has a proliferation of new housing in the area.  Between the houses in the photo background and newer signals (near milepost 560), is the San Timoteo Canyon Road that generally follows the right-of-way through the canyon

The eastern end portion of San Timoteo Canyon Road has very recently been upgraded to a separated four-lane roadway.  Just beyond the track curve where the line straightens in this view, is the site of the now abandoned, old, slow-speed crossovers of [CP] HINDA

Up until the early 1950’s, east of M.P. 557 there was a south side siding going east.  West of M.P. 557 there was a north side siding going west.  They were eventually connected together.  The Main on the east was connected to the north side siding on the west, and the Main on the west was connected to the south side siding on the east.   Thus, today there is a slight shift in track alignment WITHIN the control point there.

This is the relatively new [CP] HINDA, SP557 at M.P. 556.9.  View looks eastward.

These views look westward.  It is hard to photographically see, but one can barely perceive the alignment shift if one looks closely

Now, the Arizona connection … West of Casa Grande, the newly graded right-of-way for the second main alignment shifts from the south side (in the east) to the north side (in the west), and the Ethington Rd. grade crossing goes through the alignment shift.

Looking east

A last year's view looking west

Will a double-crossover be put into that alignment shift similar to what was done around M.P. 557 in California’s San Timoteo Canyon?

While we are considering Arizona …

Before posting the above, it was noted that forumist desertdog had submitted some thoughts about matters in the vicinity of Thorton Rd., M.P. 917.4, just a few miles east of the conjectured control point in the alignment shift at M.P. 915.  He posted a photograph of a shorter signal that still had NOT been put in service after six years!  Also, he posted a second photo of grading on BOTH sides of the track immediately east of Thornton Rd.  Here is my assessment of this:

Looking west:  The mysterious signal was put up years ago in anticipation of two-tracking, but such was delayed by issues peculiar to Arizona that are only now nearing resolution.  It will temporarily replace the tall mast signal on the left, and that will allow the current siding, the future Main 2, to be alignment straightened.  Notice how the siding currently goes around the mast signal.  The storage tracks on the far right have worked well being attached to the siding.

But, since the siding will become Main 2 soon, the storage tracks are being relocated to the more convenient north side (left) and east of Thorton Rd.

So, that is my unofficial opinion.  Thanks, desertdog, for bringing the matter up, which allowed this post to include more on Arizona.

K.P.

 

K.P.,

Your explanation for the dormant target signal makes perfect sense.  As to the reason for adding another siding east of Thornton Rd., the storage tracks west of there were only installed in 2006-2007, so I have my doubts about removing them to another location.  My guess--and it is only that-- is that the siding on the north side will replace the siding that you can see divirging on the right and that occupies what will be the alignment for the second track.  The present siding is used to build the Casa Grande Hauler and store grain cars for the Arizona Grain unit trains.  Access to Arizona Grain will come via a new, shorter siding that will start somewhere in the vicinity of the depot.

John Timm 

 

 

 

I meant "diverging."

JT 

 

desertdog (6-23):

In reviewing photos from my end-of-May trip to Arizona, TWO photos stood out relative to your above posts …

But, first, the setting:  This is a west facing view of the east end of the present  CASA GRANDE siding, taken from Thorton Rd. at M.P. 917.4.  Note the signal box on the left

Now, the two photos …

A new signal box was being prepared to be installed

The box, while not facing the correct way yet, had a revealing CP nameplate

In light of all the industrial trackage in the area, I find it difficult to believe a double-crossover would be placed here.  However, placing holding signals at this location would make sense … That would prevent trains from stopping in the downtown Casa Grande area and tying up grade crossings.  It will be fascinated to find out what the new CP installation is actually for …

K.P.

Update as of July 2, 2009

The Pomona, CA Area:

From Temple Ave. overpass looking eastbound toward the 57 Freeway:  The way the bridge alteration looked May 1

The way it looked yesterday, July 1:  The retaining wall under the freeway was now well developed

Looking west from LA&SL M.P. 31, about a mile west from downtown Pomona:  Workers and a crane-like boom were active.   A ballast train was in the background.

From Hamilton Ave. in the downtown area:  Looking west on the old SP side.  Workers and equipment are present here too

In roving about Pomona, this contributor passed a number of moving UP vehicles.  Work is clearly intensifying after months of inactivity. 

Mystery Trivia

At Humane Way, as previous shown in this topic, there is an eastside four-track signal bridge (not in service yet) for westward movements.  Note the southernmost lower head thereon (far background)

The next westbound signal bridge to the west, the new one west of Temple Ave., has NO southernmost lower head at all, though it has a support stem for one

Another view:  The signal in question is on the left.  The right lower head has two positions, likely yellow and red as part of an absolute signal.  The signal bridge in the foreground is the east side bridge, whereas the signal bridge in the background is the west side bridge.  The background mast signal (lower right) is part of the current signaling that will be removed

One can see in the far, far top center background the LA&SL [CP] GRAND double-crossover signals just a few miles further west. (Click picture to enlarge.)  This view was taken only two months ago before the signal bridges were erected west of Temple Ave.

Thus, the left signal two and three photos above should have a head for at least yellow over yellow, but it doesn’t.

Further, in attempting to solve this mystery trivia, RELATED to this MAY BE new two-track signaling in the Indio, CA area.  In Indio proper, the BELOW previously shown intermediate signals exist.  Note they have eastward (rightward) lower single lamp heads.  A few miles further east are two more like signals.  Even two miles further east finally is the [CP] COACHELLA double-crossovers.
 

Someone may want to come forward and confirm whether or not yellow over yellow is REPEATED for a crossover move at [CP] COACHELLA.  A similar mystery situation exists west of [CP] MYOMA.  A person coming forward on this might shed light on the in-place future signaling at Temple Ave. in Pomona.

 

Lunar and Flashing Red Signals at West Colton Yard, CA

Part I of II:

West Colton Yard has long used just flashing red to authorize movement though a control point into uncontrolled trackage, such as into the yard itself.  A newer standard seems to be red over flashing red.  Likely, the coming yard at Red Rock, AZ will have that standard also.  On the Central Corridor, the relatively new J. R. Davis Yard up in Roseville, CA reportedly uses red over lunar.

The following details lunar and flashing red aspect use surrounding West Colton Yard.  It is related on an east to west basis.  If things seem confusing at first, fear not.  By the fourth photo, it should all make sense …

PHOTOS #1 & #2:

At the east side of [CP] RANCHO (in the City of Colton) looking west, note that the lower signal head on the left (for Main 2) has four bulb colors whereas its counterpart on the right (for Main 1) only has three.

Photo #3:

Looking westward at the west side of [CP] RANCHO.  This photo depicts the ‘not used much’ far eastern entrance to West Colton Yard.  Note that on the mast there is the placard “END CTC,” meaning there is NO track circuitry on this particular track beyond (westward of) the CP itself

Thus, in the first photo above, the signals for both Main 1 and 2 display red over flashing red for a routing toward that ‘not used much’ track’ for entering the yard.  Those tracks (that merge into one) are mainly used to pull out and shove back long cuts of cars in the Pepper Ave. area.

PHOTO #4:

The Main 2 LUNAR (Photo #2) is used in conjunction with a top head yellow, for yellow over lunar.  (In crossover mode, Main 1 would have to show red over yellow over lunar, but since UP doesn’t utilize three heads in this area, a red over yellow has to suffice.)  When the Main 2 signal above displays yellow over lunar, the NEXT signal west on Main 2 at [CP] PEPPER has a red over flashing red for entrance into the yard.  That signal is the far right one in the below photo, which looks EAST from the Pepper Ave. overpass.  The signal on the far left governs exiting the Balloon; the center signal is for the track off the Palmdale Cutoff and that track is known as the “West Leg of the Wye.”  Both of those signals likewise display red over flashing red for entrance into the yard, just out of photo view on the lower left

The steep, center track above uses a red over something aspect because it is now considered a mainline track that TURNS INTO the Sunset Route’s Main 2 on the south side of the Balloon.  (Main 1 is not visible here, but is on the north side of the Balloon.)

PHOTO #5:

Another view a tad west of the above:  The track by the mast signal is the new primary Departure Yard access to the main (rightward).  Occasionally, westbound trains are routed through the switch (leftward) for a south side routing to the Receiving Yard entrance at Cedar Ave. a few miles to the west.  It is generally under such a condition that the red over flashing red is used in Photo #4.  The two tracks on the lower right are those pulling and shoving tracks highlighted under Photo #3 above

Part II is scheduled for Monday, July 6

 

K.P., thank you as always for the picture update of Pomona.  As the project is supposed to be finished this year, it is good to see that progress is being made.

The two new four-track signal bridges just west of Temple Avenue are probably going to be some big control point.  I have a feeling there will be crossovers at least between the UP Los Angeles Sub main track and its adjacent UP Alhambra Sub main track.

I am perplexed by the single signal head for the L.A. Sub main track.  I thought perhaps they might replace CP Grand with this new control point, but I doubt that would happen.

Well, I'm sure we will find out sometime soon.

Lunar and Flashing Red Signals at West Colton Yard, CA

Part II of II:

Photo #6:

The next signal group west is at and called [CP] RIVERSIDE AVE. in the City of Rialto, and displays yellow over lunar for a yard routing at [CP] CEDAR in the community of Bloomington, even further west.  The [CP] RIVERSIDE AVE. Main 1 signal (left) does not use a lower red bulb because it is an intermediate signal.  The Main 2 signal on the right HAS a red lower bulb because it is an absolute signal. (Click photo bar to enlarge)

Location-wise, this CP should theoretically be identified as AL535, but is designated AL935 instead to set it apart from the rest because TWO types of signals are here, intermediates and absolutes

Oddly, there are now TWO “35” CP’s.:  AL935 (at Riverside Ave.) and SP535 (by Pepper Ave.)

Photo #7:

In Bloomington, the east facing view below shows [CP] CEDAR in transition last year.  The old signals are in the foreground, the new signals are in the background.  The three new background signals in this view now displays red over flashing red for the PRIMARY entrance into the Receiving Yard (behind the camera).  Notice that the new background signals each have lower heads with FOUR bulbs.  Lit lunar aspects here are NOT used for [CP] CEDAR yard entrances, but indicate a condition at [CP] SIERRA about two miles further west

More timeline information about the photo above:  For three decades Main 1 (left) was the only main, when the now Main 2 (right) was identified as Track 112 with movements on it at restricted speed.  BEHIND the camera Track 112 was identified as Receiving Yard Track 201.

Photo #8:

Looking west, at the Receiving Yard entrance (lower center) last year before the second main was fully cut in

Photo #9:

In the City of Fontana, an eastward view at [CP] SIERRA:  Neither main uses a westward lunar aspect here

Photo #10:

A westward view:  With the advent of the LEFT side foreground crossover installation, the 100 Track on the left foreground now goes west also as a south side siding.  The Main (center track) will become Main 2 when the future track on the right is laid and identified as Main 1.  During this rather lengthy installation transition period, ANY westbound routing (from behind the camera) to the 100-Track / south-side siding (in this view) must be flagged into!  The wiring is just too incomplete yet.

Now, the [CP] CEDAR / [CD] SIERRA signal display interpretations:  When the new east side signals at [CP] CEDAR display yellow over lunar (Photo #7), [CP] SIERRA (Photo #9) would display red over yellow for a routing to the south side siding (Photo #10, left.  That siding will eventually be within CTC limits, as the top two-bulb signal head is capable of displaying red, yellow, or flashing yellow).  When a [CP] CEDAR signal (Photo #7) displays yellow over yellow, [CP] SIERRA (Photo #9) will likely display red over green (if the line ahead is sufficiently clear) indicating a crossover between the two mains will be utilized, as with Main 1 to Main 2 (Photo #10, the crossover is out of view on the bottom right)

This two-part series has emphasized westbound signaling; however, eastbound signals follow the same principles.

Because the signaling at West Colton Yard is all new, up till now some may have been baffled trying to figure out how the system worked.  It is hoped this two-part series has taken any confusion out of Union Pacific’s very practical and logical signal system at West Colton Yard.