An Early Morning Visit to Town
Friday, October 20, 2017
Part V (of I-V)
Some Interesting Tidbits of the Morning
It was noted Metrolink proudly has a declaration on the sides of at least one locomotive.
Interesting shot:
The north elevator area, looking east:
That open-air screening and the lit location sign:
It was an enjoyable visit, though he wishes more F125’s came by. Railbuffs shouldn’t have a problem visiting, but K.P. worries about the public, especially younger ones, in an environment of moving freight trains.
This will conclude the series.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 IV (of I-V)
At one point there were TWO trains getting ready to depart. And TWO signals went to yellow over red, then both flashing yellow over red … and finally each green.
Continued in Part V
Part III (of I-V)
K.P. made his way through the overhead to the south platform (SCAX Main 2) , arriving as the F125 and train was leaving, and managed to get these shots of the F125 backping away from the camera.
Another train from the maintenance facility very soon came and replaced the now departed F125 train.
After a while it left too.
Another train came, signal lined, and the dawn getting lighter and lighter.
Continued in Part IV
Part II (of I-V)
K.P. had gotten to San Bernardino about 4:20 A.M. to look for Metrolink’s new F125 diesel-electrics. One did show up from the overnight maintenance yard in Colton, but only one. Lighting was soon changed to red lights for the trailing trip to Los Angeles.
The new F125 was seen to have the back interior of the locomotive lit up, which K.P. understands Metrolink chose to leave the light on because of a regulation the light must stay on for a number of seconds after a crew person departs.
Now watch … The government will now find out the better lighting prevents autos from crashing into the sides of locomotives at grade crossings, and will mandate freight locomotives to have the hooded radiator area all let up inside shining out through the air vents or screening …
Continued in Part III
Part I (of I-V)
Being on site so early, K.P. was witness to the arrival of Amtrak No. 3 on BNSF Main 3 on the north side of the north platform.
Earlier that morning an eastbound BNSF zipped eastward on the Main 3 (right). Since Metrolink uses Metrolink Track 1 (left) a platform is shared, but Metrolink patrons thus having to be aware that a freight train could wiz by at any time.
Continued in Part II
K.P. visited the Metrolink / Amtrak stop in San Bernardino on Friday, October 20, 2017 before dawn, and was there on and on for hours. A new F125 was seen, as well as Amtrak No. 3. He was also able to walk the north platform between BNSF Main 3 and Metrolink Main 1, WITH, at one point, a freight zipping by!
A photo report on the findings should be ready for posting Sunday or Monday the latest.
Update as of Friday, October 13, 2017
A Visit to the San Bernardino …
… Depot Stop
Now that there WILL BE two San Bernardino stops, for clarification the the future Downtown stop is further to the east and the traditional one is by the old depot. That latter stop by the Depot is what we will focus on herein.
Inspired by reports of the new F125 engines are now operating on the Metrolink system, a visit was made to San Bernardino, but none of the new power showed up. Just the old …
Otherwise, the main photographic pursuit was the new overhead bridge, seen in the above photo in the background.
Access to be overhead bridge was easy. But …
… it was found that what was thought to be windows is just open air wire messing.
There is some glass in the structure, but the important viewing areas on the bridge is just wire meshing. That should go over well in cold wintery days with a strong Santa Ana wind!
A heavy telephoto blow-up looking west and the track layout:
The just above photo only will, if you click on it, displays larger to help you see the track-work. Do not be fooled by the cropped slanting of the wire meshing. Other parts of the original photo are slanted the opposite way.
Above, too, it is not clear what the old tracks on the left are or will be used for, but they go to a new manual switch by Rialto Ave.
The servicing tracks EAST of the depot were empty, and their status is unknown.
The signals on the not photographed tracks that loop around to the Downtown stop by "E” Street still have not been activated yet nor are commuter trains traveling east beyond the Depot stop shown in this post.
A new system schedule (timetable) is in effect, so if you want to visit the San Bernardino area make sure your get one or download one from the Metrolink website.
This will conclude this posting.
Update as of Friday, June 2, 2017
Grade Crossings East of I-215
After taking care of dispatch matters in San Bernardino K.P. swung by the “E” Street grade crossing south of Rialto Ave. It was found that the new ‘transit transfer’ stop (the future end of the line) was STILL not finished, and construction gating blocked off the tracks and walkways.
A visit by “G” Street was made also, and the whole grade crossing was barricaded off, i.e., the grade crossing was closed.
In both cases, K.P. did not have the time to hike in for photos.
The “G” Street closure was totally baffling, as everything there seemed almost ready for trains. That “G” Street is a route for the local buses, Omnitrans.
Up Close at the San Bernardino Stop
Friday, April 21, 2017
Part “D” (of A-D)
But a glimpse still could be seen after the train stopped.
Above, the illogical track layout as seen from UP ON the Mt. Vernon Viaduct overpass made sense at ground level. The tracks bend slightly and make perfect sense now. But that bend can’t be seen when up on the viaduct bridge.
A previously shown photo:
That just above previously shown photo explained: The center track that branches off to the bottom right is to BNSF’s Main 3, whereas the far left bottom curved track curves around to where that Metrolink train (above photos) ended up parked.
K.P. hopes to return when NO train is present to obtain better views of the track layout.
The elevator area again and the pathway buildings to Third Street:
The mile or so extension to the east hasn’t opened yet, but it should be within a month.
Part “C” (of A-D)
A worker was inquired of about the old Metrolink stop’s tracks, and he stunned K.P. by saying they would remain as part of a museum display! It has to be wondered what type of equipment will be brought to the site.
Just as K.P. remembered to check out the new track arrangement, a Metrolink arrived blocking that trackage!
Continued in Part D
Part “B” (of A-D)
By the tracks looking westbound (inbound):
Eastbound (outbound):
Continued in Part C
Part “A” (of A-D)
Up close at the overhead:
The elevators were not certified yet, so were blocked off, with patrons having to walk way around to the commuter trains or Amtrak.
Continued in Part B
A Visit Already Out-of-Date
Part III (of I-III)
On the west side of the depot, that overhead walkway now has the town’s name on it also, which lettering looks angled down onto isolated tracks.
Above, it is unclear if old tracks will be removed.
Some of those isolated tracks have other tracks on them.
The old stop’s signals are turned away from the tracks.
Exactly how the present commuter rush hours and operations are being handled on very limited trackage will have to be field checked.
Part II (of I-III)
At CP KENDALL (just east of the depot), the southernmost track has lamp positions blacked out.
A strange area is without a platform, possibly an Amtrak bus to Amtrak train boarding area.
Part I (of I-III)
From by 3rd Street looking west, numerous workers are seen. One worker said that Monday the several weeks long canceled trains (because of construction) would return to the stop. The metrolinktrains.com website confirms the trains did return to San Bernardino.
Above, note “San Bernardino” has been put on the overhead.
The Metrolink track with a switch had the motor attached.
The installed derail switch for BNSF Main 3 still has not had a switch motor attached.
A pot-like signal was put in, likely a LEFT positioned one.
Update as of Saturday, April 1, 2017
While the Metrolink Stop is all Tore-Up …
… a Camera Prowls Around
Part VIII (of I-VIII)
An Odd Quirk
Previously, some patrons parked their cars in the not too long ago new parking garage, and walked about a block north to board trains. With the new arrangement, it seems they will have about two blocks to walk, with an INDIRECT northeast walk.
It doesn’t seem that the extra walk will be looked upon favorably by the majority, except the health and exercise conscious.
This will end the series.
Part VII (of I-VIII)
An Unexpected Threat is seen
The 1934 finished viaduct bridge seems to be crumbling!
And, numerous vehicle accidents on the bridge over the years have put gaping holes in the bridge, and many such cases are visible with makeshift repairs with steel plates.
Continued in Part VIII
Part VI (of I-VIII)
That threat is the Mt. Vernon Viaduct Bridge itself. From the southwest side things seem to look OK.
Continued in Part VII
Part V (of I-VIII)
The interlocking plant at Rialto Ave. has all the new signals and heads activated.
A person who looks real good will see in the top photo that the “Short Way” track is jointed! That is very uncharacteristic of Metrolink.
Two inferences are possible here with THIS grade crossing: (1) Metrolink might have plans to two-track the “Short Way” sometime in the future, at least southward to the Metrolink maintenance facility, and / or put in a grade separation. If commuter cars are switched over the present grade crossing surely such will infuriate locals and passersby motorists. Because of its complexity, a grade separation here would probably cost more than the average one, which would delight city officials because of the Federal money it would pump into the community …
It seems as though a whole lot more ballast has been brought to the site.
Continued in Part VI
Part IV (of I-VIII)
Looking east again (southeast), the old San Bernardino stop has been severed from the lines to the west and south.
While the “Short Way” is single-track, it does fan into more tracks as it approaches Mt. Vernon Ave.
How those tracks will relate to the old San Bernardino stop isn’t clear at this time.
Part III (of I-VIII)
From the Mt. Vernon Ave. Viaduct bridge, eastward looking towards the old San Bernardino depot.
Above, two-tracks are under that new overhead walkway bridge, presumably, from left to right, Metrolink Mains 1 and 2. The RIGHT track, Main 2, appears to be the key track. Except for the busy morning and evening commute, Metrolink using that Main 2 would keep people away from the BNSF Mains. It should be interesting to see if the overhead bridge is off limits during the day.
An eastward telephoto:
When looking at that FIRST, top photo in this post again, that single-crossover is a maverick one! Coming at the camera that Main 2 to Main 1 track right away, as seen now looking west, swings back to the Main 2 alignment, but is now single-track as just the Main to Los Angeles.
Part II (of I-VIII)
Just north of the east end of the old depot, an eastward view of the now lit signal and pavement right up to the track.
Looking west, the new overhead walkway:
That Metrolink Main 1 signal:
If the new switch (on BNSF Main 3, background middle switch) just to the east is a derail …
… it would seem some sort of signaling would be required.
Part I (of I-VIII)
Our first stop is the east side westbound signals at CP KENDALL, east of the San Bernardino depot. The signals now face trains and are operative, displaying red over red.
The west side eastbound signals are lit too. The area right up to and south of the south track is paved.
Plants are colorful.
Exciting Visit of Saturday, April 1, 2017 while …
… the San Bernardino Stop was Closed-Off
The San Bernardino depot area was visited on the above date, and some signals were lit, and much trackwork activity was taking place. On the west end, a new crossover was being installed unto itself. What?
During the visit it was concluded that the mysterious switches east of the depot are merely derails.
Cropped previously shown photo
It became obvious that BNSF trains WILL zoom by the northern platform, but the developing TRACKWORK indicates there is a trick to it!
Photos, details, and an assessment in a few days …
X
Y ... Posted in error
Follow-Up: Weight of Grade Crossing Panels
Recently these photos were previously shown, of grade crossing panels on top of boxes, and the weights of those panels were wondered about.
The above was by "G" Street south of Rialto Ave.
BNSF on Friday, March 17, 2017 had some like panels at their grade crossing in Colton, at Valley Blvd.
A half section was 1800 pounds, 200 pounds shy of a ton, and full panel was 3400 pounds. Construction workers laying (with a truck boom) those panels on top of battery boxes or whatever can be pretty confident that non-construction workers that pass by won’t move that concrete weight off whatever they are protecting.
Brief Update as of Friday, March 17, 2017
Nothing but a Pot Signal
K.P. had spent the day on the western part of the Sunset Route, but briefly dropped by San Bernardino (CA) just to see if anything significant was taking place construction-wise. Nothing was, except a pot-like signal had been erected. (Right of the “W4” sign)
The unit had two light positions. Further investigation will be had when K.P. has more time, as it could be target heads or two lamp housings, possible yellow and red. But, the location has no apparent logical CTC value, at least with the current track arrangement.
Major Observations and Developments …
… as seen Sunday, March 5, 2017
The east end walkway looking south:
With a wide angle lens, that eastern walkway looks a long way from the depot.
Looking east at trackwork that doesn’t make sense.
According to the metrolinktrains.com website, the San Bernardino stop will be shut down for several weeks. Perhaps the tracks will be altered so that what doesn’t presently make sense (like freights trains zip right by patrons on Main 3) …
… will be altered so things make sense in the future (moved northward a track alignment). We will have to wait and see what develops.
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