L.A. to Corcoran (N. of Bakersfield) - Bus & Train - Lineside Observations + Questions

[BNSF_GP60M]

BNSF/Santa Fe had signals between the tracks. As BNSF has been replacing the old searchlight signals with tri lights, they have been moving them to the edge if the ROW. I'm not sure if the blue flag at Bakersfield is always there.

[MP57313]

Took a quick trip to just check things out, 9-6-08.  Some pics from the journey

Metrolink facility as seen from I-5.

Amtrak #715 departing Corcoran.  It immediately took the siding in the distance while an eastbound BNSF double-stack train held the main.

There is some ATSF (and Wabash!) memorabilia inside the station waiting room.  Meanwhile, at Wasco, a former ATSF engine now assigned to Savage

and a lineside rip track...there were two flatcars being repaired...

Finally, back at Bakersfield, the Amtrak Lead is blue flagged at the east end.  Is it always flagged like this?

One other question - the passing sidings all swung away from the main and then veered back in to run parallel to the main.  This is in contrast with the pics of the UP (SP) that KP Harrier provided, that show a passing track running parallel without the "bow out" at the switch.  Did BNSF/ATSF have signals between the tracks in the past, that required the extra clearance?