Major Observations and Developments …
… as seen Sunday, March 5, 2017
Part “C” (of A-D)
At the east end, looking west down the southern track under that overhead walkway.
The northern track:
The north sidewalk looking west:
That BNSF westbound with DPU’s is on Main 1. Two tracks to the LEFT is Main 3, right where commuters will be on the sidewalk!
Continued in Part D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 “B” (of A-D)
From that east access, an eastward view. Note the new rod-iron fencing.
Looking west:
At the east end of the new routing:
Continued in Part C
Part “A” (of A-D)
At Rialto Ave. on the old “Short Way” the new switch laying trackside has been installed.
Just west of the depot, the new bridging walkway had much glass windows installed.
On the east side of the depot, barricades have been removed and an east side Amtrak access is now present.
Continued in Part B
Tickler about a Visit Sunday, March 5, 2017
The San Bernardino Depot area was visited, and quite a few things have changed in the area. The previous temporary Amtrak walkway has been relocated to the east side of the depot.
In the above view rod-iron fencing is now BETWEEN the tracks.
Because of a new access walkway, K.P. was able to obtain photos never before possible.
The track alignment shift by the overhead walkway is gone, but the new track to the west is rather crude still.
The new turnout by Rialto Ave. (west of Mt. Vernon Ave., the old “Short Way”) has been installed, but the turnout route has an unfinished gap in it still.
Composing a post series on all this is now behind the Sunset Route composition, but should be posted by the end of the week, if not earlier.
K. P. Harrier The Visit Friday, February 10, 2017 A Focus on the Rialto Ave. and … … “G” Street Grade Crossings Part IV (of I-VI) Looking west from the “G” Street grade crossing, the switches here have traditional looking frogs (below center) like AT&SF had and NOT the smooth going over spring frogs that Union Pacific is famous for. In that above photo, note the SIDE guard rails. They appear to act as spring rails, and move away from the rail as the flanges go through them. There are those signals by the I-215 Freeway. In a strange development, grade crossing panels are being put on top of trackside concrete boxes (lower right). Continued in Part V
The Visit Friday, February 10, 2017
A Focus on the Rialto Ave. and …
… “G” Street Grade Crossings
Part IV (of I-VI)
Looking west from the “G” Street grade crossing, the switches here have traditional looking frogs (below center) like AT&SF had and NOT the smooth going over spring frogs that Union Pacific is famous for.
In that above photo, note the SIDE guard rails. They appear to act as spring rails, and move away from the rail as the flanges go through them.
There are those signals by the I-215 Freeway. In a strange development, grade crossing panels are being put on top of trackside concrete boxes (lower right).
Continued in Part V
Sort of resembles an ad hoc 'anti-theft' measure? Those panels are heavy enough to require some sort of mechanized lifting equip.?
Part VI (of I-VI)
From the south sidewalk area on Rialto Ave., an outbound view towards the I-215 Freeway:
The tracks (left) and the north of Rialto Ave. “I” Street now ends there (right):
Finally, a westward view on Rialto Ave.: Can you imagine Pacific Electric “Big Red Cars” coming at the camera down the center of Rialto Ave.? Those electric cars were big, in the 1200 series. That service ended in 1941. The Metrolink train’s cars will cross that old path.
An interesting side note about that center of Rialto Ave. street-running of decades ago, somewhere to the west and by the sidewalk, was a cantilevered target signal. A by the sidewalk cantilever counterpart signal was on the east side too, by what is now the I-215 Freeway. K.P. saw them standing guard as a kid in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Strangely, he doesn’t remember any signals on the cross track, now the Metrolink two-track extension photographed in this series. They must have been there, but probably well hidden.
K.P. can remember as a teenager too visiting Santa Fe’s West Yard Tower, and seeing a personal family friend therein, and seeing that Pacific Electric track crossing the Santa Fe “Redlands Loop” on the tower’s giant track display with track occupancy lights all over it. That old family friend would turn over in his grave if he knew how the arrangement is now! Would he ever!
This will conclude the series.
Part V (of I-VI)
Back northwest by the Rialto Ave. grade crossing, another panel was found to have been laid on some apparently unlocked boxlike container.
While by Rialto Ave., a hi-railer zipped by which activated the crossing gates.
The cul-de-sac on “I” Street and the fenced sidewalk gates south of Rialto Ave.:
Continued in Part VI
Part III (of I-VI)
Now at “G” Street, eastward views of the new cantilever signal and the track and signals on the south tracks of the new terminal.
Continued in Part IV
Part II (of I-VI)
A northeast view of the ex-Rialto Ave. and “I” Street single-track grade crossing that now has two-tracks through it.
Eastward to under the I-215 Freeway:
It is hard to photograph, but the south signal just east of the freeway is visible past that curve.
Continued in Part III
Part I (of I-VI)
The east side of the San Bernardino depot area was visited, and as reported in the teaser announcing this series, crossovers are being installed east of the depot.
Crossovers here would imply BNSF Main 3 (the track on the left with an eastbound auto-rack train on it) will soon have new signals erected for it.
At the previous (“previous”) Rialto Ave. and “I” Street intersection, “I” Street no longer goes through. A wide sidewalk allows pedestrians on “I” Street (upper right) SOUTH of Rialto Ave. to get to Rialto Ave.
From that south angled sidewalk, a northwest view:
Continued in Part II
A Revisit Friday, February 10, 2017
Photos were taken on the above date of the trackwork just east of the San Bernardino depot, how half of two crossovers have been installed. (See left of photo center)
Above photo, on the far left, are BNSF Mains 1, 2, and 3, left to right. On the photo right is presumable Metrolink Main 1 with a crossover to an out of view presumably Main 2. That leaves a track between the BNSF and Metrolink tracks that goes to the past and future (but not present) nighttime servicing area. However, all THOSE tracks do NOT jive with the tracks north of the Depot, suggesting maybe BNSF Mains 1, 2, and 3 may be moved north one track alignment. K.P. doesn’t think he was dreaming, but on a very recent passing by he remembers seeing a new mast signal erected between those two new half crossovers, but hasn’t seen it since. It is entirely possible the decision was just made to alter the location of the BNSF mains to keep moving freight away from Metrolink patrons, especially children.
It should be noted that those crossovers suggest signals will be erected governing those tracks, especially for BNSF Main 3 (the third track rightward from the far left).
K.P. also visited the Rialto Ave. and “I” Street area, and the “G” Street grade crossing. On the latter, the south tracks for the downtown stop are in and signals erected. In both locations K.P. has photos, as well as a few more of that east of the depot mystery. As soon as he can a series on such will be posted for the forum. Possibly early next week.
K. P. HarrierUpdate as of Monday, February 6, 2017 San Bernardino, CA On the east side of the depot, new crossovers are being put in, strangely so, as if a train from the three BNSF Main tracks could go under that overhead bridge on the west side of the depot. There currently was too much multiple fencing for decent photos. But, it can be said it looked like two crossovers, and both have only the north switches in place. One gets the impression that the westernmost crossover’s south switch (not present yet) will be on a curve.
San Bernardino, CA
On the east side of the depot, new crossovers are being put in, strangely so, as if a train from the three BNSF Main tracks could go under that overhead bridge on the west side of the depot. There currently was too much multiple fencing for decent photos. But, it can be said it looked like two crossovers, and both have only the north switches in place. One gets the impression that the westernmost crossover’s south switch (not present yet) will be on a curve.
Good morning K.P., thank you for this latest set of photos.
Once work is done at the San Bernardino Depot, I am curious to see what it will look like. I wonder whether those new crossovers are to accomodate the Southwest Chief?
It would behoove Amtrak (and Metrolink) to allow the Southwest Chief plenty of room for its passengers to board/detrain -- we don't want another Maricopa situation!
Update as of Monday, February 6, 2017
The overhead pedestrian bridge on the northwest side of the depot is coming along quickly, but still the glass windows (presumably) haven been put in yet.
It was a rainy day, and the sidewalks had water on them.
One track under the overhead signal bridge has one signal of the cantilever signal bridge operative, and was lit on this visit.
Is that a bird on top of that top right lit signal? That view was highly enlarged, but it could not be determined if it was a bird or the tarp that once covered the head as the left heads have.
At Rialto Ave. the switch still is uninstalled (lower center cleared land).
Do to the nature of the dispatch, K.P. was without his good camera, but had only his old stand-in camera available.
This will conclude this posting.
K. P. HarrierThis WHOLE facility seems to be absent parking spaces for the public! THUS, the facility may (“may”) only be a transfer point, from bus to bus, and bus to train. Commuters with vehicles would park elsewhere, perhaps by the present train stop by the old ‘Union Station’ and parking garage by Mt. Vernon Ave.
K.P., thank you for sharing the pictures! I believe I read somewhere, that the station stop is supposed to be the new transit center for San Berdoo.
Update as of Sunday, January 15, 2017
The Status of the Eastward …
… Extension to “E” Street
Part “C” (of A-C)
Seemingly out of place now is an auto parts store across “E” Street.
Maybe it will be good for the auto store, as commuter will know where they could bring their cars for service!
Back looking what is on the left, north of the tracks, is an odd bus stalls arrangement. Arriving buses southwardly enter the facility off of the east-west Rialto Ave. just to the north and then turn east and straddles the tracks and park in bus stalls.
A few minutes later, the bus leaves the stalls, the road to the east on the east end of the facility “U” turns and the bus stops again at other bus stalls!
This WHOLE facility seems to be absent parking spaces for the public! THUS, the facility may (“may”) only be a transfer point, from bus to bus, and bus to train. Commuters with vehicles would park elsewhere, perhaps by the present train stop by the old ‘Union Station’ and parking garage by Mt. Vernon Ave.
It was observed that things seem to be coming together now, so ‘in service’ operations can’t be that for away!
This will end the series.
Part “B” (of A-C)
An eastward telephoto: Note the new east side inbound mast signal on the left.
A telephoto looking west, or inbound:
Looking southwest, passenger coverings and other details are coming together now.
Part “A” (of A-C)
This thread is obviously unofficial, and is bases on observations. Observations at “E” Street on the above date in the late afternoon just before dark showed dramatic progress for the new Metrolink end of the line stop. Also, another observation (to be highlighted in a bit) seems to suggest something very new in contrast to the typical Metrolink stop! But first, the physical plant progress.
From “E” Street looking west, background platforms and center fence.
Looking east:
On the top photo tracks were seen on the far left. Those two additional tracks dead-end at “E” Street, at photo time with track equipment on them.
Update as of Sunday, December 18, 2016
The San Bernardino Depot and Rialto Ave. Areas
Part III (of I-III)
The CP on the “Short Way” with the CP on both sides of Rialto Ave. has had the north side signals erected.
There is a stack of ballast nearby for the new switch’s installation.
On the west side north of those signals is where a pile of rails are positioned.
Just a tidbit from when K.P. beforehand was just east of the Depot … A security guard came walking by. I stopped him and asked when this entire project was going to be finished. He said March! If true (it probably is), that is not that far away. Can trains on these new tracks be far behind?
Part II (of I-III)
By the track side of the depot, a couple of track machines were parked.
Above, in the background, those signals can be seen and their staggered relationship to each other.
Between BNSF Main 3 and assumedly Metrolink Track 1 is a passenger covering.
While K.P. was on site, early on, and with a terrible grab shot with the camera, a BNSF westbound came zipping by on Main 3, RIGHT ALONGSIDE that north platform.
It is wondered if, for the most part, Metrolink trains will use the south platform. Otherwise, It doesn’t seem practical for passengers (and some kids) to be by freights zipping by just a few feet away … That is one aspect of this new platform to watch.
By the west side of the depot, that overhead bridge construction is progressing.
Part I (of I-III)
The control point (CP) at the east end of the San Bernardino Depot and a bit east thereof has had sufficient track laid AND signals erected to plot out a diagram.
.
CP KENDALL
? E > To Cleaning Facility? ----------------------------- / < D / B >------------------------------------- / \ / \-------------------------------- < C A > \ \
Above, the signal letters shows the order in which they were erected, with the E signal not present so far.
The top track likely will go to a ‘cleaning the cars out’ facility overnight, a facility like was present before the construction began.
The D positioned signal on the CP’s west end, north side:
The C signal, towards the west end, south side:
Between the east parking lot and the tracks, a huge pile of ballast is present.
MikeF90 (11-10):
Your description of the Pomona overhead walkway as “a truly barf-bag inducing experience” certainly has merit. My recollection of it is that it was an overhead dungeon. Personally, I wouldn’t want my wife to walk through it …
About the San Bernardino “Short Way,” I think two-tracking sometime in the future may be desirable, but it seems some somewhat insurmountable problems are present, especially at Rialto Ave. As seen in the “Happenings Report” posting (above), Part C, the last photo, the right-of-way is quite narrow. Putting two-tracks there AND a signal(s) is questionable in my estimation. But, only a single-track probably will suffice for now, and unscheduled, nonrevenue moves can wait scheduled ones.
As posted previously elsewhere, a photo of the UP Golden State Route with two BNSF tracks going overhead at Vaughn, New Mexico was shown.
The BNSF south bridge (above, nearest to the camera) was added recently. BNSF got a tremendous amount of trains over the single-track gap before it was two-tracked. So, Metrolink could do likewise on the “Short Way.” However, more likely it would seem somebody is going to eventually promote a grade separation at the Rialto Ave. grade crossing. Now THAT construction would be an interesting logics nightmare, as not only is the railroad right-of-way narrow, but hundreds of Intermodal containers from BNSF unloading ramps pass on Rialto Ave. daily, and it would be very difficult to send them another way for 18 to 24 months while a grade separation was built.
There are a lot of possibilities, but as you say, we’ll have to ‘wait and see.’
Take care,
K.P.
Very interesting photos. We'll see at completion, but this Metrolink sponsored pedestrian overpass design kind of mirrors the depot and doesn't look to bad. For contrast, visit the Pomona or Buena Park stations for a truly barf-bag inducing experience.
Google Maps now shows that the storage tracks west of Mt. Vernon Ave have been removed. Does it look like they are double tracking the Short Way and for how far?
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Happenings Report
To the west on the “Short Way” by Rialto Ave., a switch is positioned, and another switch has already been installed. Northward views:
The in-service inbound signal has had a covered, lower head attached. View looks south.
Progress seems snail paced, but nevertheless is moving forward.
A local was parked on the new track, on a new crossover, and with the new not in service yet heads covered signal visible on the right.
Just to the left of that above new signal is a background counterpart CP signal is that visible.
Looking back towards the depot that parked train and west eastbound signal:
The east side of that just above CP, with the two east side westbound signals, and the BNSF cantilever signal bridge in background right:
A visit to San Bernardino (CA) was made on the afternoon of Sunday, October 30, 2016, and the following was observed:
The future overhead walkway looked as though drywall is to be applied soon and had much scaffolding.
The concrete platform walkways were in place. In had rained beforehand, and water was on those platforms.
Yellow platform sections were stacked up on the platform.
Update as of Friday, September 9, 2016
A Truss Bridge … and …
From Mill Street to 3rd Street
Part V (of I-V)
Rail and switch parts are where this once used to be a grade crossing:
A piece of equipment:
That new fencing goes across what used to be a grade crossing. The I-215 Freeway is in the background.
And, of course, a water truck makes its rounds.
A final look, the new signal and the BNSF cantilever structure.
Part IV (of I-V)
More and more track is being laid. This view is by 3rd Street where the old Redlands Loop line cut in (background).
Fencing is in by 3rd Street.
That new fencing on 3rd Street is right by the new CP signals. The CP reportedly will be called KENDALL for the very nearby Kendall Street.
Part III (of I-V)
By the depot area, the ground has been dug down for the future Metrolink tracks and the platforms cement-work is being prepared..
By the new incomplete overhead, the sidewalk is in place (right).
Part II (of I-V)
On the other hand, width-wise, the truss bridge looks well built.
The above northish views were shot from Walnut Street. Looking the other way, towards the Mill Street overpass, the Metrolink signals are being modified with the addition of lower heads …
… as a new CP with switches is being installed to the north, by Rialto Ave.
In the last above photo, it may (“may”) be an illusion, but those covered lower heads sure look as though they maybe have four lamps each!
Reference the above middle photo, when K.P. was a kid, he was by where the camera was, and talked to two kids that had just come off walking through that bridge. They said it was the scariest thing that they had ever done! Why? There was NOTHING underneath! The ties just requested on the under-girders, hence one could fall through the ties! For good reason signs say DANGER and No Trespassing!
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