Five Views at the Now Activated New CP NUEVO
Perris, CA
The following photos were taken Thursday, November 19, 2015 at CP NUEVO just north of Nuevo Road, about a mile north of downtown Perris. The photos were taken north to south.
The signals presently seldom light, but are active.
Metrolink uses full signal heads, with positions (“positions”) for green, yellow, and red, regardless of use. In the last photo above, the lower head, while having three lamp positions, only the lower position is active, for red over red, red over flashing red, on of course, off.
This will end the single post.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
New Operations Center
It is somewhat known that Metrolink is having a new dispatcher(s) and operating center built in Pomona (CA). The below new structure on the east side of Garey Ave. just north of the ex-Santa Fe Railway tracks (Super Chief route) is believed to be the place.
It is a rather attractive building, a light grayish neutral color with a stunning orange colored vertical part. A decorative rod iron fence puts an element of security to this close to opening vital building.
The Perris Valley Line undoubtedly will be dispatched from the building, which was photographed Friday, November 27, 2015.
Update as of Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Things seem to be Moving Fast at South Perris
A Visit at Dusk
Part I (of I-II)
On this visit much but not all of the South Perris station parking lot was paved, and the cement platform was now in.
Never before has K.P. seen so much grading equipment huddled together at the South Perris site.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-II)
The CP MAPES switch was in and trackwork of an unclear arrangement was present. Does the switch have a frog?
Unlike Union Pacific’s CP box placards (as in Arizona on the Sunset Route) …
… the PVL only has the CP boxes’ location-names just stenciled on the boxes.
Odds and Ends
Metrolink’s website has had (“had”) information on it that mentioned a December 28, 2015 start-up date for the Perris Valley Line, but K.P. can no longer find such information. Perhaps the start-up date was moved further into the future, like January or February, or who knows when …
And, then there is the leased BNSF units issue. They still haven’t show up on Metrolink trains, at least of the Metrolink trains I’ve seen. A couple of visits to the San Bernardino Metrolink end of the day servicing area has been made where a lot of train sets were present, and none of them had BNSF units on either end.
K.P. was on assignment again in the Perris area on Saturday, December 5, 2015, but taking pictures was not practical. However, he crossed one of the grade crossings near the location of the above photos taken earlier in the week, and concluded whoever designed that grade crossing wasn’t adept at railroading. If someone isn’t killed there, surely the PVL will have a severe delay in its operations. K.P. has a possible (“possible”) dispatch to the Perris area the 3rd week of December, and will try to get a photo or two of that undesirable grade crossing, and you can access it for yourselves.
While on the southbound I-215 Freeway, between Cactus Ave. and Van Buren Blvd. (across from March Air Reserve Base), a test train (presumably) was northbound (westbound), but it was crawling as if it had to run at restricted speed because of a red intermediate signal.
For the recorded, at this point, it looks like K.P.’s dispatches to ‘deep within Riverside County’ will end in mid-January. Thereafter special trips to the PVL will be necessary. But, hopefully, soon the PVL will be up and running …
This will conclude the brief series.
K. P. Harrier And, then there is the leased BNSF units issue. They still haven’t show up on Metrolink trains, at least of the Metrolink trains I’ve seen.
There are several BNSF units at LAUS (Los Angeles Union Station), on track 15. They are stored there pending deployment onto Metrolink trains; I don't know when that will happen.
While watching the news of the terrible terrorist killings in San Berardino one news clip showed a rail line that ended near a road. Does anyone know where this cut line is?
ccltrains (12-7):
Your inquiry is an interesting one, though a bit off topic, even though I bring in things from time to time on the Redlands Loop and San Bernardino for comparison.
What you saw on TV, did the track have a bumper post, or was the mainline (if a branch can be called a mainline) severed? With more details I might be able to come up with an answer, at least half an answer, for you.
Best,
K.P.
As I type this the PVL line is being 'dedicated' with the usual speakers and a short train ride. Perhaps K.P. got lucky and could attend. As reported in pe.com officials are now saying operation will start in 'early 2016'. Oh, well.
Turns out there is another kind of possible railroad collision - train vs burro. A small herd of wild burros has been rounded up by animal control hopefully to prevent future tragedies, see: http://www.pe.com/articles/burros-788936-animal-animals.html
Despite idiotic comments on the article about train interference with 'wilderness', that part of Highgrove is industrial parks that replaced orange groves.
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
MikeF90 Despite idiotic comments on the article about train interference with 'wilderness', that part of Highgrove is industrial parks that replaced orange groves.
Hey, you weren't kidding about the "idiotic comments"! A couple of those were really, really sad.
KP- I am going from memory which might be a little foggy. The line definately was cut and there was not a bumper post that would indicate a siding end. I think there was a street a few feet past the line cut. The only other info I can come up with was that it was in the area where the TV crews were filming aspects of the tragedy. We were watching Fox News. Perhaps they have the films in their archive.
Thanks for your help.
CCLTRAINS
The Questionable Grade Crossing
Part "A" (of A-B)
An unusual grade crossing is at Case Road and Ellis Ave. in Perris, on the final outbound approach to the South Perris station stop. It is NOT the typical 90 decree grade crossing, but an angled intersection with a separate transition connector over the PVL track
Above, the center to upper left road is Ellis Ave. Case Rd. is on the photo’s upper right.
Admittedly, the grade crossing looked better than when previously first negotiating it in early evening of a couple of weeks ago.
A westward view on Ellis Ave.:
Small, instructive signs and TOO MANY things for a motorist to check do not seem to be a good idea.
A confused and overwhelmed motorist could get killed if he makes the wrong driving choices doesn’t bode well for the grade crossing. I guess this contributor is a hard core railfan, and when he first negotiated the transitioning roadway from one street to the other was overwhelmed! Can’t you just see it now … two autos collide and stop on the track, just as a Metrolink inbound train departs the South Perris stop for Los Angeles, and because of the initial slow speed of the commuter train, it stops short of the accident on the tracks. It takes an hour for the police to arrive and right up their accident report and for the tow trucks to arrive too and clean up the mess. All the while passengers on the train, who traveled less than a mile, are fuming!
Continued in Part B
Part "B" (A-B)
That curved transition roadway between Case Rd. and Ellis Ave.:
In light of all the above photos until now (two Parts, A-B), the forum may or may not come to the same conclusions as K.P. did.
Inbound view:
A last look: The flashers are blockied by a large, light-based ‘Do Not Turn’ sign at certain angles
The present arrangement may or may not have been the best that could have been done.
Replies …
MikeF90 and garyla (12-11):
A century ago railroad employment was prolific and everywhere in America, and the railroads because of such had much, much clout. Today, hardly anyone works for a railroad. Thus, railroads are not on people’s minds, and they could care less about them, hence, railroads have little clout nowadays! So, it is not surprising that letters to the editorial page treat railroads as insignificant. If (“if”) those negative to railroads people were to get in a time machine to a hundred years ago, they would find railroads super influential, and feeding much of the population. And, because of that, possibly they would become candidates for public hangings (sort of, anyway) because of their narrow, unpopular, radical views. Oh, how times have changed!
ccltrains (12-13):
I may be on one of my all day dispatches later in the week, and if so, I might have some time to check on a few places on the old Redlands Loop where what you described may be at. Hopefully, what I find will be something positive to report for you. If you saw it on TV news, it HAS to be somewhere …
Best to all,
A Surprise Development at the …
… Downtown Perris Stop
On Friday, December 18, 2015 the downtown Perris stop was visited, and towards the south end of the bus-Metrolink platform a sidewalk crossing with gates and flashers was found to have been put in! The track thus will be BETWEEN two parking lot areas. It is all construction fenced off presently, but the addition of a crossing path explains how patrons at the east parking lot can get over the west boarding area. Photos and more details soon …
To ccltrains: Is This What You Saw on TV?
You reported seeing very recently (on national TV about that terrorist mass shooting incident in San Bernardino) a helicopter aerial view of the Redlands Loop with ‘ties’ blocking the track. Previously, K.P. could not find the location, and on the date reported above could not find it either in a swing by an area further east. However, a large bush growth on the track west of Mountain View Ave. (that is towards Redlands) was spotted, and it is wondered if you mistook that bush growth as seen from a helicopter for ties.
As seen above, the bush is towards the end of a curve. Does that fit your recollections of the TV view, ccltrains, or was it on straight track?
A piece of rail is missing between that bush and Mountain View Ave.
A view the other way to illustrate the present deplorable condition of the ex-Santa Fe Redlands Loop branch:
Above, the bridging for the I-10 Freeway (that runs from California to Florida) is in the background.
Continued …
Memo to ccltrains (continued) …
Some type of earthmoving-work was taking place at photo time south (left) of a waterway that is just south of the track.
Just east of the north-south Mountain View Ave. is a sidewalk, and just east of that is a mystery fenced pathway, possibly for equestrian (horses) purposes.
Does that jog your memory about that aerial view?
The pieces of equipment were being jockeyed around.
All this may or may not be of help in identifying the location you saw on national TV.
In the past, reports of rebuilding this San Bernardino-Redlands line indicated regular Metrolink trains would NOT pass here, but a self-propelled single car would, which sounds kind of crazy to me. I personally wonder if between such runs the self-propelled car might make a trip south to Riverside, and then travel over the Perris Valley Line to Perris and back. There must be some commuters that travel between Perris and Redlands.
Likely this San Bernardino-Redlands line, as with the Perris Valley Line, would not have any sidings for meets, at least at first.
Take care, ccltrains,
Hey, K.P.! Perhaps the Redlands Loop would use equipment similar to the Sprinter line from Oceanside to Escondido - articulated single cars with diesel power. It is my understanding that they can be hooked together as multiple units if needed.
The Sprinter system's DMU railcars (see photo, below) are manufactured by the German carbuilder Siemens Transportation Systems. Each car is propelled by two 440-horsepower Mercedes diesel engines beneath the floor of the passenger cabin. The maximum permissible speed of the trains is 55 mph. Each car seats 136, with room for 90 standing passengers; and on most trips, the transit district plans to couple two cars together. Through multiple-unit controls, the driver has control of all four diesel engines in a 2-car train. The car body is made of aluminum integral construction; the empty weight is 67 tons. Every car has three different braking systems. When running below 15 mph, the vehicle uses the regular wheel brakes (air brakes). When the train is moving above 15 mph, the cars are slowed by an engine retarder, not by the regular brakes. The third braking system is an electromagnetic track brake (using three electromagnets) located in the trucks (bogeys). When the train goes into emergency braking, all brake systems are applied at once. The initial fleet consists of twelve vehicles provided by Siemens at a cost of $52.2 million.
Sprinter system uses DMU rolling stock provided by Siemens Transportation Systems.[Photo: Richard Elgenson]
Update as of Friday, December 18, 2015
Unexpected Advances at the Downtown Perris Stop
K.P. was not expecting a new pedestrian grade crossing at the downtown Perris station stop.
It is so new that the fencing during construction hasn’t even been taken down yet.
A southward slant:
Guard Shack
When did this guard shack at the Perris platform show up?
K.P. talked to a nice and friendly guard, and he said it has been there for a while, it seems like back in February (2015). Man, has it been that long since K.P. walked the platform?
Just to the north of the downtown Perris stop, the grade crossing at San Jacinto Ave. looks very completed now. A very wide angle westward view:
Southward (outbound) view with the rod iron fencing all in place:
While the above photo was being shot, it was noticed that the train signal facing this way at 4th Street was on, with a flashing yellow aspect.
No train came nor was one in the area, so it is unknown exactly why the signal was lit. Behind the camera, the signal facing south for north running trains was off.
It looks like the below signal just north of the Downtown Perris stop might have had one too many drinks, with the top head kind of leaning to one side
K.P. initially had no intention of posting the above photo. But, way in the background, on the left, it looked like a signal had been erected. A signal there made no sense. Was a new siding being put in?
He drove over that way, and the on the downward ramp out of view on the below photo’s right, but no signal trackside could be found … anywhere! It was only found the next day with the computer in highly blowing up photos mode. There was not only the signal, but two of them! Not train signals, but freeway spacing signals typically used on freeway onramps at busy parts of the day.
So, if you visit the area, like San Jacinto Ave., don’t get excited about new train signals you might see in the distance. They are just freeway onramp traffic spacing signals, and not the likes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents! Old timers likely will remember that TV show …
An Emphasis on PVL Signals
On probably the second to last K.P. dispatch to ‘deep into Riverside County,’ the Perris Valley Line’s new signals between Harley Knox Blvd. (just out of the northern limits Perris) and Box Springs Blvd. (eastern Riverside) were targeted for photographing. An upcoming series will show the findings results.
K.P. on the way back to base after many, many hours stopped by the present end of the lines in San Bernardino to see if any BNSF power was being used yet so both ends would have a locomotive on trains. But, no such BNSF power was spotted, and the trains there still had cabcars on the western ends.
In case any may be wondering about the red splotch on the upper right of the above picture cabcar, K.P. presumes it was only the super nearby signal, the one as recorded back on November 19, 2015.
In any case, a one or two (or three) post presentation about a few signals between Harley Knox Blvd. and Box Springs Blvd. should be forthcoming in a few days.
Update as of Wednesday, December 30, 2015
The Perris Valley Line and …
… a Section of Signals
Part “A” (of A-C)
CP POP A WHEELIE
Photography between Harley Knox Road and Box Springs Road was pursued, and it soon became apparent this series’ title should involve the word ‘signals.’
An inbound view from Harley Knox Road involving a mast signal, a view that has much more in it than what first meets the eye.
A high blow-up of the same photo reveals much.
Above, the mast signal has NO number plates, hence, involves absolute signals and NOT intermediates (which have number plates).
Note the green upward arrow sign. Beyond the curve the commuter train speed limit is 79 M.P.H.!
Also, on the far left of the photo, is milepost marker “77.”
Joking aside, according to the visible CP sign the single mast with heads facing both ways is CP HARLEY, named after the Harley Knox Blvd., the street the overpass photo was shot from.
Super strangely, immediately across from the mast and its signal heads, NO insulated joints seem to be on the PVL track! Has anyone ever seen that before? Of course, the situation may only be an illusion caused by the view angle and highly ballasted high track. If so, what an illusion it is!
Part “B” (of A-C)
The Moreno Valley / March Field Stop
From Cactus Ave., looking inbound:
Note the signal in the far background. It was displaying yellow. What triggered the approach lit intermediate (yes, it has a number plate, 731) to be on is unclear, as there was NO trains on the line anywhere.
A few weeks ago K.P. saw a PVL train (without passengers) a mile or so to the south that was approaching the signal at restricted speed, likely because of passing a red signal. Maybe the line has a playful ghost in one of the signal boxes nearby.
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-C)
By Box Springs Road and River Crest Drive
The UP-like (similar) entrance signal was lit because of track equipment in the spur.
The absolute signal in the far background is for the CP where the paralleling dark freight line trackage ends and cuts into the signaled PVL.
A highly blown up view of the switch area shows NO discernable method of throwing the switch, no motor of switch stand, at least from the angle of the camera.
The Next Signal to the North (West)
Earlier, because the eastbound 60 Freeway out of Riverside was crawling, K.P. got around everybody by some surface street tricks he knows about. At Poarch Road, where the next intermediate signal is located at, the new grade crossing was completely closed and super barricaded, so that (I think) not even emergency responders could get through. On the return trip through the area, there had been a big wreck of some sort on the northbound lanes of the I-215 Freeway by the junction with the 60 Freeway, with numerous CHP vehicles parked here and there, and again, K.P. knew a few tricks to go around the mess, but unfortunately that roundabout trick didn’t allow K.P. to get photos of the super close Poarch Road grade crossing.
For the forum's information, the upcoming Tuesday dispatch had been moved back to Saturday (yesterday, January 2, 2016), and the dispatches to ‘deep within Riverside County’ is now over. But, K.P. should be able to get back to the Perris Valley Line with no probable from time to time for continued post reports.
This will conclude the series.
Update as of Thursday, January 28, 2016
The Poarch Road Grade Crossing
Riverside, CA
The Poarch Road grade crossing (on the Box Spring grade) was found to be crudely closed off with barricades, where even emergency responders would find it a bit challenging to get through.
An uninitiated visitor to the area would probably scratch their head in disbelief at seeing the location.
This grade crossing is one of the more difficult to photograph, as there is roadway curbing on the narrow road that is not conducive to parking. Apparently, a white truck (photo right) found the grade crossing a convenient and basically the only place to park
Wow! South Perris!
Since the last visit to the Perris (CA) area a little after New Year’s (2016), whopping advances have been made at the South Perris end of the line stop area.
The above photo was shot looking inbound from Mapes Road at the southernmost end of the Perris Valley Line. Three tracks are for what looks like overnight storage and cleaning of trains, and are separate from the old “San Jac” line.
Closer to the downtown Perris stop, track has been laid connecting the Perris Valley Line to the Orange Empire Railway Museum (OERM), but at this time it is only in a very crude state.
A photo update is hoped to be posted in a few days.
Update as of Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Stunning Activity in Perris, CA
Part I (of I-VI)
From Mapes Road, an inbound view at the end of the Perris Valley Line tracks. The far left grade crossing track is the BNSF freight track, and the right tracks are for the PVL end of line servicing and storage tracks.
Mapes Road is no longer straight, but has been altered for accessing the South Perris PVL terminal.
Look at all those lights for the service tracks, and also a bumper post!
Part II (of I-VI)
A good inbound view to compare the three servicing tracks with the far left San Jac line … Note the absolute signal on the far background left.
The initial teaser view is reshown below with the center of three tracks:
Further west a bit, but still nearby … Fencing has been begun, on the south side of the old track.
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-VI)
By the CP … Note the east side westbound ABSOLUTE signal has a “P” plate. Does anybody know what a “P” plate is for on an absolute signal?
K.P. is most familiar with “P” plates as ‘Permissive’ on INTERMEDIATE signals, but the ones in question are on absolutes.
It is unclear if the above signal will be used much or not, but also the east side westbound signal for the layover yard tracks also has a “P” plate.
The old track (foreground) in relation to the three news tracks:
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-VI)
Looking loosely east, the outbound signal (right):
Since both the straight and turnout route (to the Metrolink servicing tracks) are “dark” territory, the above signal, in theory, should only display red over red, flashing red over red, red over flashing red (probably the most common as a cleared signal), or dark (off).
Note the front signal has a “W. L. MAPES” sign, and the background signal has a sign by it that reads “END CTC.”
Paved parking lot views:
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-VI)
By and south of the 7th Street grade crossing in downtown Perris …
… yellow derails have been put on the OERM track.
K.P. was stunned with track laid (but unfinished) to the north.
Continued in Part VI
Part VI (of I-VI)
Closer views:
So, after a few months, great progress had been made on the OERM track and the connection to the PVL.
But, the curvature (just north of the roadway) seems extreme (top photo, lower right), something a trolley might be able to negotiate. It is unknown though if an E-unit with A1A-AIA trucks could pass over it. Since the past, previous visits there seemed to have been more fencing poles, concrete-work, and otherwise stuff put in that necessitates the severe angle. If things stay on the rails well, well and fine. If not, it will be an expensive situation to alter.
This will end the series.
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