Friday, September 2, 2016 Trips Report
Riding the Perris Valley Line …
… and Having Twice the Fun!
Part “D” (of A-H, Overall A-Y)
Onboard the departing train, first intermediate signal is soon passed. Make a note of that signal. It was photographed from the other side towards the end of this series.
The Downtown Perris stop (where those other photos were taken at) is soon reached.
As seen above, K.P. basically had the car to himself.
CP NUEVO is soon passed at speed.
Continued in Part E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Part “E” (of A-H, Overall A-Y)
The March Air Reserve Base is soon passed, and the air museum by it. It has a C-141 on display.
A stop is made at the Moreno Valley / March Field station, and then we circle route around a bit, and start down the Box Springs grade, and pass Poarch Road, the grade cross gated off and only emergency responders can use.
Then, down, down, down we go, snaking down the Box Springs grade, with the wheels sometimes squealing.
Blaine Street in Riverside is reached.
That Blaine Street grade crossing is that one K.P. feels is ripe for a collision with a motor vehicle that will see another cab car go on the ground, and by the area’s nature, the cab car will land halfway upside down on an embankment.
Continued in Part F
Part “F” (of A-H, Overall A-Y)
CP MARLBOROUGH is reach on the still down grade.
The Metrolink siding is gone into in Downtown Riverside.
The ride is over, and the Hyundai-Rotom car ridden is looked over.
Continued in Part G
Part “G” (of A-H, Overall A-Y)
Car 245 was ridden on the first inbound trip.
Engine 887 was the rear power, the future lead locomotive back to South Perris.
BNSF 5620 brought us in, and parked by the overhead walkway over BNSF’s triple-track mainline.
Continued in Part H
Part “H” (of A-H, Overall A-Y)
The east platform’s south end:
In the first top photo, the flashers on the far left were clanging and flashing, for nearly our hour stay they did so!
A train to Oceanside arrives on BNSF Main 3.
Above, while most have alighted and boarded the Oceanside bound train, the atmosphere has a busy look.
A good look at BNSF’s 5620 is taken.
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Parts I-O is scheduled for posting Tuesday, September 13, 2016 by 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time.
A question as to how the two locomotives are utilized on these trains. The metrolink unit obviously provides the HEP but do both units provide propulsion power or is one just a control cab? Or is the metrolink unit just for HEP and the BNSF provide the propulsion? It would seem that the BNSF unit by itself could accelerate three cars quite nicely.
Part “I” (of I-O, Overall A-Y)
Leaving downtown Riverside 7th Street is crossed.
A UP eastbound had passed us It had a ‘special’ unit and I knew we would soon catch up to it, and I definitely wanted a photo of it. Special in the sense that it had an unusual number …
Sure enough, we passed it. The sort of special trailing unit was 7777.
The junction switch to the PVL is soon reached.
Continued in Part J
Part “J” (of I-O, Overall A-Y)
And slowly we round a semi half circle to the straightaway to climb the grade.
We sit at the Hunter Park stop for the clock to catch up with us.
Look at all those people fighting each other, practically rioting, in the background parking lot trying to find a parking space! Sad!
Continued in Part K
Part “K” (of I-O, Overall A-Y)
We angle across Blaine Street again.
And pass the block signal at Mt. Vernon Ave.
Then we go by that trail now closed off and all the fencing.
Continued in Part L
Part “L” (of I-O, Overall A-Y)
Up and up we go!
Next is Poarch Road and the block signal there.
Right away our empty car enters a one sided Brazilian Amazon jungle type atmosphere.
Continued in Part M
Part “M” (of I-O, Overall A-Y)
A grade crossing is at the top of the hill, near to where the ‘entrance’ type signal is located along with a manual switch and derail.
We start following a jam packed I-215 Freeway for a bit.
Continued in Part N
Part “N” (of I-O, Overall A-Y)
A coming to a stop is made at the Moreno Valley-March Field stop.
Then we zip off. And, after the Perris stop, pass the track that goes to the Orange Empire Railway Museum.
Continued in Part O
Part “O” (of I-O, Overall A-Y)
We straddle Case Road and one of two river-type bridges.
And see the South Perris parking lot.
Off the train, the run starts going to the maintenance area.
We then eat a final sandwich that had been packed.
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Continued in Parts P-Y to be posted by 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time Thursday, September 15, 2016
Part “P” (of P-Y, Overall A-Y)
The train come out again, it is boarded, and off we go. We soon come to the Perris stop where Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) buses have bus stalls.
That Moreno Valley-March Field stop is come upon again. The parallel freight track seemed to have little activity this day.
That eye catching stairs and ramp walkways …
Continued in Part Q
Part “Q” (of P-Y, Overall A-Y)
Some places on the Box Spring grade are high up.
There’s that blocked off trail again.
Continued in Part R
Part “R” (of P-Y, Overall A-Y)
Then comes Blaine Street again and the high up embankments after the street is passed.
A bit to the northwest, UP’s old Riverside Industrial Lead is come upon, that for decades crossed the PVL ex-Sante Fe line.
Continued in Part S
Part “S” (of P-Y, Overall A-Y)
The sharp curve that leads to the BNSF Transcon is next, and a Transcon train zips by.
Then Riverside itself:
A picture upon exiting:
A view of the train from the overhead bridge:
Continued in Part T
Part “T” (of P-Y, Overall A-Y)
A UP comes by and at BNSF CP WEST RIVERSIDE crosses all tracks and gets onto the LA&SL to go to Los Angeles.
Note, we were just on the platform the power and its long train is passing!
Continued in Part U
Part “U” (of P-Y, Overall A-Y)
We walk a west side platform southwest, and see a covered seating area with cool mist coming down.
The two northwest platform sidewalk has handicapped ramps.
These tracks are dark territory with manual switches. Note the background signal is BEYOND the switch.
Continued in Part V
Part “V” (of P-Y, Overall A-Y)
Our train is finally gotten back to, and interior shots are taken of the older car.
The two lane Mt. Vernon Ave. is again crossed.
Continued in Part W
Part “W” (of P-Y, Overall A-Y)
Every time K.P. passes this area he is scared to death that rock will start tumbling down and hit the train!
The area is a rocky one.
And, we go by that south side, long jungle greenery area again!
Traffic on I-215 is crowded and slow moving this time, and our train passes them.
Continued in Part X
Part “X” (of P-Y, Overall A-Y)
Almost back at the South Perris stop, the last intermediate signal is passed.
Above, all that K.P. saw was the yellow. More later …
The parking lot was so empty.
In all fairness, it must be said the farther parking area had quite a few cars, way more than last visit.
After alighting everyone, the train moved to the maintenance area.
Continued in Part Y
Part “Y” (of P-Y, Overall A-Y)
Before leaving the area, K.P. went back to the angled Ellis Ave., at the grade crossing, to photograph that last intermediate, the one mentioned in Parts A and Y. He parked and after walking a few steps, saw the signal was lit, and that another train was bearing down on the grade crossing.
The signal was yellow over flashing red.
A final, parting shot:
In a rather odd but logical thing to say, a staffer mentioned the train sets would be parked until TUESDAY. Monday was a holiday. Logical, but that sounded out of the norm.
It was a cool day (meaning fun-wise). If you can, by all means ride the PVL. Reportedly, some sort of schedule change is in the works, within a month. And, when the new F125 locomotives start being used, it wouldn’t be surprising if Metrolink starts advertising the PVL heavily. Having experienced the slow lugging up the steep (probably 3%) Box Springs grade, quite a bit more horsepower may make for a faster ride up the mountainous terrain.
It is hoped this series has given forumists a nice bit to chew on.
Per an article yesterday in the Riverside paper, Metrolink is taking action to improve its near non-existent ridership on the PVL extension. The morning 'inbound' departures will leave about an hour earlier starting October 3, thus making an 8am Riverside workday start possible.
A few commenters have also requested midday or weekend service ............................................... ............................................................ ............................................... <crickets> ................................................
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! ***
MikeF90Per an article yesterday in the Riverside paper, Metrolink is taking action to improve its near non-existent ridership on the PVL extension. The morning 'inbound' departures will leave about an hour earlier starting October 3, thus making an 8am Riverside workday start possible. A few commenters have also requested midday or weekend service ............................................... ............................................................ ............................................... <crickets> ................................................
I just hope the ridership gets better. I enjoyed the midday round-trip I took in June, and I'd like to do it again later in the year when cooler (and get dinner at Mission Inn).
mvs MikeF90 Per an article yesterday in the Riverside paper, Metrolink is taking action to improve its near non-existent ridership on the PVL extension. The morning 'inbound' departures will leave about an hour earlier starting October 3, thus making an 8am Riverside workday start possible. A few commenters have also requested midday or weekend service ............................................... ............................................................ ............................................... <crickets> ................................................ I just hope the ridership gets better. I enjoyed the midday round-trip I took in June, and I'd like to do it again later in the year when cooler (and get dinner at Mission Inn).
MikeF90 Per an article yesterday in the Riverside paper, Metrolink is taking action to improve its near non-existent ridership on the PVL extension. The morning 'inbound' departures will leave about an hour earlier starting October 3, thus making an 8am Riverside workday start possible. A few commenters have also requested midday or weekend service ............................................... ............................................................ ............................................... <crickets> ................................................
earthinterface (9-29):
Even though you’ve been with us for some time, earthinterface, we’re glad you decided to come out of the shadows!
There are two answers to your inquiry, at least as far as I can see. First, there is no room east of the I-215 Freeway for terminal tracks or a parking lot. The tracks are basically landlocked.
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.7550518,-117.1923763,1597m/data=!3m1!1e3
The above Google Maps view can be enlarged or widened at will, and I think you’ll readily agree the east side would not work for a terminal, whereas the west side there seems to be plenty of land.
Second, there has been some talk (and newspaper accounts) of not only extending the Perris Valley Line to Hemet, but also possibly following the I-215 Freeway south to Murrieta or Temecula. If such was ever done, a south Perris WEST side terminal and parking area would be the most practical.
Take care,
K.P.
Well I also would assume it would be more costly in the sense that on the west side was mostly raw land and traditionally part of the San Jacinto River floodplain zone which made the cost of acquiring cheaper. The other side on the east would have been more far more costly and dealing with multiple land owners who'd want a lot of money from the Rail Transport to build a station. Not just the right of way easement, but also the property to the south of the frontage road which I believe is Jackson Avenue. But between Shermn and Grove Lumber is a huge piece of land. Still the cost would no doubt be outrageous.As far as extending to Murrieta & Temecula, that would be kool. In the past I always wondered why the route was not originally constructed along the old Hwy 395 route. With a few minor route alterations for grade of course. It would never have had the washout issues of Railroad Canyon route. The I-215 (hwy 395) route is far more gradual and offers multiples ways of easing off the plateau there. Are the old grain elevators still in extistence in downtown Murrieta ?
Designer Weeds?
On Friday, November 18, 2016 K.P. was involved in a maverick dispatch to Hemet (CA), with several hours of free time. The Perris Valley Line in Perris (south stop) was checked out. This is what the South Perris parking lot looked like:
It was a sad sight to see, with weeds overgrowing the very empty parking lot. It is hoped SCRRA didn’t pay for the growth of ‘designer weeds’. Reportedly, ridership is still very poor. K.P. knows of NO advertising for the Line. Likely the line is not being promoted because Metrolink is waiting for the new F125 diesels to be delivered.
The shade covering area is just right of center in the above photo.
Saturday, K.P. had another maverick dispatch, to Barstow, by the northern end of the historic California Southern (AT&SF) San Diego to Barstow line via Perris built in the 1880’s.
A small amount of other photos will be posted when time is available. One photo is a somewhat alarming one, of ‘No Parking’ signs on Case Road immediately south of the South Perris stop.
While it was seen AFTER K.P. had gotten the call to return to his assignment and thus no photos are available (at least at this time), but by Case Road an Automatic Train Stop sign and induction unit was seen to have been put in place.
Hopefully, a short report can be put together in the next few days.
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