Update as of Friday, September 9, 2016
A Truss Bridge … and …
… from Mill Street to 3rd Street
Part I (of I-V)
About a block parallel to Mt. Vernon Ave. is the “Short Way.” It goes over a flood control channel on an old truss bridge.
Compared to truss bridges of recent times (like the three BNSF bridges over the I-215 Freeway in the Grand Terrance area), this bridge looks frail.
Presently, the usual practice is commuter trains tying up for the night shuttle to the Colton maintenance facility, and in the process traverse through this bridge, with the reverse taking place in the morning hours.
When K.P. was a kid he rode through that truss bridge on UP Domeliners a number of times. Back in those days, before the practice was outlawed, trainmen occasionally could be seen riding atop boxcars (and ladder-like grab rails instead of going half way up a boxcar went all the way up). A hundred or so feet on each side of truss bridges in those days was a frame trains would go through, with TICKLERS HANDING. Whenever a trainman was ‘tickled’ he knew he better lie down or lower real quick, because if he didn’t the truss bridge would knock him off and ruin his day! How times have changed!
Continued in Part II
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
More New Things!
On Friday, September 9, 2016, after an assignment K.P. visited Colton (Sunset Route) and then checked out the San Bernardino area. Much more has taken place since the last visit and report, including the erection of a mast signal (left, one of two) a block or two east of the depot, by BNSF’s west eastbound cantilever signal (right).
The Metrolink platform is starting to take shape. And, OLD newer signals (plural) on the “Short Way” have covered lower heads added. And, that truss bridge on the “Short Way” was photographed too! A posting series on all this is planned in a few days.
Photo posted on RP showing the station work ..
Update as of Monday, July 25, 2016
Rialto Ave. at “I” Street
San Bernardino, CA
The Rialto Ave. revamped grade crossing was revisited and some views were shot.
Looking outbound:
Just above, note “I” Street col-de-sacs on the far right.
Looking inbound:
That “I” Street col-de-sac in the distance:
Previously, that “I” Street (above) came at the camera, with four crossing gates protecting the intersection from traversing trains.
The 3rd Street Ex-Grade Crossing
The 3rd Street grade crossing was a through street for decades, but not anymore.
About 50 years ago 3rd Street ceased being a straight through street, but in the far distance, just beyond the I-215 Freeway, 3rd Street curved left and met a counterpart in 4th Street, and likewise “H” Street met “G” Street. K.P. remembers walking the crowded 3rd Streets 60 years ago with his parents, and buy a small, plastic toy train in a small plastic rapper for probably a half a dollar. Funny how some memories linger on a very long time …
Anyway, the road by the old “Redlands Loop” is now severed, as in the last above photo.
This will end the single post.
Update as of Saturday, July 2, 2016
New Signals Are Being Erected
Part “G” (A-F)
By the Current Metrolink Stop …
… West of the Depot
All BNSF units on Metrolink trains so far have been in the 5600’s. That one was a 5700
It soon took off back to Orange Country.
And that is where we will end the series. But that is the present situation in San Bernardino. K.P. hopes to get back there relatively soon as things seem to be happening quickly in San Bernardino right now.
This will end the series.
Part “F” (A-G)
A San Bernardino Line Metrolink from Los Angeles arrives, with the BNSF unit leading and heading east and not a Metrolink unit as has been done for years previously.
Apparently, Metrolink has reversed operations. Previously, the BNSF power led trains to Los Angeles, but now seem to be leading FROM there TO San Bernardino.
The west end of that just arrived train.
Trains arriving from Orange County are the opposite by reason of their operating in reverse (Orange County-San Bernardino), like with a big multi-county wye.
Continued in Part G
Part “E” (A-G)
At the present Metrolink stop, that new cantilever structure is seen towards the east.
Continued in Part F
Part “D” (A-G)
From the East Side of the Old Depot
Looking east-northeast: The three tracks on the left are BNSF’s Transcon, the two on the right Metrolink’s, presumably Mains 1 and 2.
A close-up of that above right sign, “6.28,” likely a General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) reference about operating safely in this currently unsignaled territory where a stop has to be able to be made in half the visual distance of some obstruction, such as a railcar, track workers, etc.
A westward view and another cantilever signals structure.
A bunch of concrete ties are now east of the old depot.
Continued in Part E
Part “C” (A-G)
Views from South “G” Street
A wide angle westward view from the east side of South “G” Street:
A nice view with a shade atmosphere, but the trees seemed to block northbound auto’s clear view of some of the flashers.
From an Alleyway South of 3rd Street
The tracks here are very incomplete, but progress is being made.
Continued in Part D
Part “B” (A-G)
A cantilever signal has been erected on the east side, at South “G” Street, in a distorted wide angle view.
From that universal crossover, a third track branches off. K.P. understands altogether four-tracks will reach South “E” Street is the distance.
Continued in Part C
Part “A” (A-G)
Looking west, a new covered headed signal has been erected, on the northernmost track of two, presumably on the new Main 1.
At photo time, a counterpart had not been erected for presumably Main 2.
The location will be the site of a universal crossovers arrangement with an additional track branch off.
Continued in Part B
Signals Have Arrived on the Western …
… Part of the Old ‘Redlands Loop’!
Signals are being erected in San Bernardino (CA) for the mile or two of the extension eastward to “E” Street. Here is a new cantilever structure at “G” Street.
Radical Change … and Seeing the P. R. Light
Ever since the BNSF power has been leased by Metrolink, K.P. has felt Metrolink should reverse their power orientation. For years Metrolink put their power on the outbound end. With the addition of BNSF power, that power by default was put on the inbound end. Someone at Metrolink saw the P.R. light, and reversed orientations. Now, the first thing inbound riders see is a Metrolink engine. Why advertise BNSF power?
Now, with outbound trains lead by BNSF power (normally, except the Orange County / I.E. Line), riders detrain without seeing the leased BNSF power.
There are several developments in San Bernardino to report, including more signals, but those developments will have to wait their turn in the present ‘stack’ of threads awaiting update postings …
An Official Poster Board
Part “C” (of A-C)
The EAST servicing area’s tracks are shown, so apparently they will be used after construction of this extension is finished.
The northernmost track of the two new tracks, by the depot, under that to-be overhead bridge walkway, seems incredibly unsafe. On the north side of the platform will be BNSF Main 3, on the south side the new, to be highly used Metrolink track. Passengers boarding or alighting with a freight train whizzing by ten to fifteen feet away just doesn’t sound right. But how else can one interpret the diagram?
It appears CP VERNON will be radically altered and different, with NO slit switch, and Amtrak Nos. 3 and 4, plus any BNSF trains, will be UNABLE to use the short way.
Three tracks start to head south on the short way route, one ends, and another turns into the center, remaining track.
In comparing the above photos, especially the last several ones, it appears the present San Bernardino stop boarding and alighting area will be downgraded, as any train thereon will not have direct access to the San Bernardino Line to Los Angeles
Also, there is something on the short way (that north-south track just under mention) that looks (“looks”) super radically different from when K.P. was a kid many decades ago, or even from last year, but it looks similar, but he will reserve further comment on it until he is able to field check it in depth. In hindsight, though, it is a wonder he didn’t slam on his brakes in traffic when it was first seen. It is that radical! But, were his eyes playing tricks on him? K.P. doesn't think so, nevertheless will check the matter out another time.
Part “B” (of A-C)
At the Rialto Ave. grade crossing (at “I” Street), the tracks are shown as a straight section, with curves before and after the grade crossing.
When the track was owned by Santa Fe, it was a slow speed big curve, curving through the grade crossing.
At 2nd Street, a slight angling is prominent.
On 3rd Street, the ex-grade crossing (right) is gone and the tracks curve into a new CP called KENDALL (left). KENDALL is NOT to be confused with the northwest-southeast Kendal Drive in the northern part of San Bernardino. Rather, CP KENDALL is named for a north-south street just south the tracks, near the depot.
Part “A” (of A-C)
While on site and the area of San Bernardino (CA), specifically in the San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum, K.P. happened unto a SANBAG diagram of the construction effort, how things supposedly will be when it is all done. Admittedly, it is so radically different from what has been in the area it is difficult to interpret, but things become more comprehendible the more one studies it.
The overall board:
At the eastern end, between “G” and “E” Streets, the diagram showed four passenger boarding and alighting tracks, the end of the line terminal.
West of “G” Street all the tracks eventually funnel into a CP called MORRIS.
All of the associated CP’s, previous and new, are named after streets that pretty much align with the CP’s, except MORRIS, which appears to be named after a former mayor of San Bernardino, Patrick (Pat) Morris. He is a Stanford educated judge that took a leave of absence to be mayor in 2006. Under his mayorship the city filed for bankruptcy, and is still in bankruptcy, but he seems to have been instrumental in getting federal funds for this project. A new mayor was elected and has taken over.
Wow1 I ask about San Bernadino and Walla, My cup runneth over. Thanks K.P.
By the way, what I like to call "infinite curiosity" (sounds better than noseyness) make me wonder what K.P. stands for. The old military kitchen duty or Kenneth Paul or what?
Situation Update as of Saturday, March 12, 2016
Part XIV (of I-XIV)
The third-track in the G Street grade crossing angles off.
Above, in theory, a south side parking of commuter trains could exist here with several not laid yet tracks.
An ironic overview shot, with the angled walling on the right, and a well-known Pep Boys auto parts supply and car servicing business in view.
Above, in theory, a commuter could leave their car with them, and pick it up with a fresh oil change later that evening. But, the Pep Boys parking lot would become overloaded with autos waiting their owners picking them up after a commuter train ride in the evening. Interesting situation!
A heavy eastward telephoto: The grade crossing towards the photo middle is E Street that has express bus lanes.
So, this should give the forum a more rounded out view of the construction happenings in San Bernardino.
This will conclude the series.
------------
While on site and area, K.P. happened unto a diagram of the construction effort, how things supposedly will be when it is all done. It appeared semi-accurate, ‘semi’ because things in construction are slightly different than the diagram. Views of that poster-diagram will be posted in a few days.
Part XIII (of I-XIV)
A more telephoto westward view:
An eastward telephoto:
Above, in the far background, the original track is seen. Its alignment is between the foreground tracks (or right track to be).
A broader eastward view:
Continued in Part XIV
Part XII (of I-XIV)
Now we arrive at the north-south G Street grade crossing of the east-west Metrolink commuter lines, assumedly plural.
In the photo above, the tree on the right kind of blocks the view of motorists of the flashers on the cantilever mast.
Looking west (inbound) from G Street:
Continued in Part XIII
Part XI (of I-XIV)
Two-tracks diagonally cross Rialto Ave. (at the former intersecting I Street).
Looking west down Rialto Ave. that once had a single street-run Pacific Electric Los Angeles-San Bernardino line on it. (The barricades are tempory.)
Looking east:
Another eastbound (outbound) view:
Continued in Part XII
Part X (of I-XIV)
Another southward view: The houses in the background are on Rialto Ave., an east-west street.
Above, up until 1941, Pacific Electric “Red Cars” ran down the middle of Rialto Ave. on their Los Angeles (right) to the down San Bernardino stop (left) run.
Around the corner (above, upper left) we find the old, odd grade crossing, an interesting of two main streets, with the track diagonally across everything. But, that has all changed, with the north-south “I” Street NOT going straight through anymore, but a single grade crossing is present on Rialto Ave.
Continued in Part XI
Part IX (of I-XIV)
A northward view from 2nd Street: Note how the track curves WITHIN the grade crossing!
Years ago this was a 90 degree grade crossing, but now angles slightly. The second-track will be laid on the background right, and both tracks will cross 2nd Street even in a more angled way.
How so? A southward view shows a new track on a new alignment, with a future track (background left) on the likely original alignment.
There are also a whole bunch of concrete ties stacked up in the southwest quadrant of the 2nd Street grade crossing.
Electrical boxes:
Continued in Part X
Part VIII (of I-XIV)
From an almost alley-like road south of 3rd Street, a northward view of the ex-grade crossing, and now not used serving facility area (background). The grade crossing gates and flasher are gone.
Looking south from that alleyway-like road.
There are many ties stacked up here.
The present single-track concrete tied line here will be two-tracked soon, and is the reason for all the ties. Continued in Part IX
Part VII (of I-XIV)
We diverge now momentarily, and show the “Redlands Loop” 3rd Street grade crossing, with gates and cantilever flashers, the way things looked back on May 28, 2011, nearly five years ago. Note the Metrolink cab car and string of cars in the background, at the EAST serving facility then in use.
Now, back to the present, March 2016 …
Continued in Part VIII
Part VI (of I-XIV)
On the north side again, the depot has a familiar look.
Metrolink does not use the depot, but Amtrak and San Bernardino [County] Association of Governments (SANBAG) does.
From the east side of the depot, a view looking eastbound:
Above, key tracks are the foreground one that curves rightward in the distance and the switch by the red flag sign. Two-tracks will eventually go east from here on the old ‘Redlands Loop’ track.
A telephoto of that area with the old EAST servicing area in the background, with BNSF Main 3 on the far left.
Continued in Part VII
Part V (of I-XIV)
Now on the east side of the depot, a westward view including a crossover switch (lower left), to an as yet not laid second track:
The in-use depot old platforms area is presently pretty much all tore up.
Out front at the depot, from the southwest side, looking east, the tore up parking lot:
Continued in Part VI
Part IV (of I-XIV)
A westbound BNSF shows up on Main 3 (Tracks 1, 2, and 3 on the left). The Metrolink tracks are completely separate on the right.
The San Bernardino Depot with Metrolink tracks just west of the depot.
Metrolink has a south side parking facility. As it is a Saturday, it is empty. But, during the week, it is usually full.
That parking facility is at the site of the old Viaduct Park, where steamer Santa Fe 4-8-4 No. 3751 was on display for years and years before being restored to operating condition. Wow, it was moved out of there 30 years ago! And, K.P. witnessed it on panel track being inched on top of 3rd Street to get to the then Santa Fe’s mainline tracks!
Continued in Part V
Part III (of I-XIV)
The Metrolink commuter train goes over a complicated, key multi-motored slit switch.
From the west sidewalk of the Mt. Vernon Ave. viaduct bridge, an eastward view, with the NEW Metrolink ‘towards the end of the depot’ tracks partially in.
Photo center, the EAST Metrolink serving area is now empty and unused.
Continued in Part IV
Part II (of I-XIV)
A similar westward view, but showing the now cleared, curved land area that had the WEST overnight servicing facility, like vacuuming out commuter cars, etc.
From the Mt. Vernon Ave. viaduct overpass an eastbound Metrolink from Los Angeles is seen arriving. Note the tail end (right) does NOT have a BNSFlocomotive on it.
Continued in Part III
Part I (of I-XIV)
An investigative visit to this thread’s subject area was made on the above date. The findings will be presented on a west to east basis.
From the Mt. Vernon Ave. viaduct overpass, there is a storage facility west of the overpass and south of BNSF’s triple-track mainline.
One of the containers therein had PVL on it. It is unknown if it is purely coincidence or if the letters stand for the nearby Metrolink Perris Valley Line (PVL) from Riverside to Perris that will start operations soon.
Westward overview with the “Short Way” curving southward (leftward) in the upper background:
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