Revamping far west Cajon Pass – San Bernardino, Calif.

[croteaudd]

The revamping of tracks east out of San Bernardino has finally begun!

 

Apparently, three-tracks will remain between 7TH STREET and BASELINE, and beyond to Highland Ave.  New horizonal portions of cantilever signal bridges have been erected at BASELINE next to the present cantilever structures, thus, the previous diagrams of a new four-track section likely won’t come about.

 

A new horizonal portion of a cantilever structure has been erected in the vicinity of Highland Ave., likely the beginning of four- or five-tracks.

 

The new orientation of the three mains is supposed to be on the west side (actually north) as opposed to the present east side (actually south).

 

Thing to watch:  The track east of VERDEMONT (actually railroad west) likely will be altered.

 

This contributor only got a few glimpses of what was going on there as the wife was driving, but he hopes to revisit the area very soon.

[croteaudd]

Bad Timing

 

It was hoped to be able to post photos of the new signals situation between Verdemont and Baseline on the Cajon Sub here in Southern California, but my Nikon photo editor went berserk (failed), and a brand new editor (Adobe Elements) is a nightmare (past experience with Elements was excellent).  Thus, everything suddenly went chaos and I’ll post the photos as soon as possible, which may be a few days or more.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

croteaudd

Bad Timing

 

It was hoped to be able to post photos of the new signals situation between Verdemont and Baseline on the Cajon Sub here in Southern California, but my Nikon photo editor went berserk (failed), and a brand new editor (Adobe Elements) is a nightmare (past experience with Elements was excellent).  Thus, everything suddenly went chaos and I’ll post the photos as soon as possible, which may be a few days or more.

 

Maybe it's time to consider going back to film.

[croteaudd]

On Site to See What’s There – Verdemont to Baseline

 

San Bernardino, California

 

First stop was Verdemont.  At the railroad west end of the CP (technically, physically far east side), nothing was taking place, but there are Mains 1, 2, 3 and the siding (south to north).  In theory, it should end up (south to north) the siding, Mains 1, 2, and 3.

 

The first citing of activity was at Ono, where the present west end of CTC siding ends.  A three track cantilever signal bridge had been erected, with presently turned aside heads on it.  In the future they will face both ways, i.e., these signals will be intermediates. 

 

 

 

Main 1 and 2’s present signals are on cantilever structures on each side of the University Parkway overpass. 

 

The next stop is where the northbound 215 Freeway transition ramps to the westbound 210 Freeway (visible in the below photo).  The railroad east side of a future CP’s westbound signals are visible. 

 

 

 

Above, at this point it is unclear if both closest tracks are sidings or if the right signal is for Main 1.  But this is a Control Point signal bridge for Absolute signals. 

 

The east side eastbound signals of this CP.  Again, at this point in time, it is not clear if both CP signals are for sidings or if the right signal is for Main 1. 

 

 

 

By West 17th Street and North J Street, looking railroad eastbound, the right-of-way has been graded.  At this point in time, it is not clear if one or two tracks will be laid here. 

 

 

 

Same spot. But looking westbound. 

 

 

 

Aerial of West 17th Street and North J Street: 

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/W3eT2MzNdnNpfpiSA 

 

Westbound around that curve … 

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rZeh5BbCcBYc96eR7 

 

… there are cantilever structures that have been erected right by the present ones, allowing room for another track, likely an intermodal switching track.

 

Time was running out and I did not have any more time for photo documentation.  Perhaps next time …

 

[croteaudd]

Update on the Verdemont-Baseline Stretch

San Bernardino, CA

On Saturday, December 10, 2023, the above construction area was revisited.  Nothing stuck out as having changed from the previous visit.  HOWEVER, the CP BASELINE area was pursued this visit.  North of Baseline Road one cannot now get near the tracks, as North I Street has been totally removed, and all the residential east-west roads now dead-end BEFORE the tracks.  North I Street was physically west of the north-south BNSF tracks in that area.  The adjacent I-215 is east of the tracks.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eTtNoALUfV9mpfh16

About a mile physically southeast of Palm Ave. (on the road to Cajon Pass), Cajon Blvd. has had all the potholes repaired.  Last visit I was watching the tracks and hit a huge, huge pothole at speed.  I was sure I would have to replace the tire, but so far it seems OK.  If any are out that way, be mindful another big pothole may have formed.  The pothole was in the concrete flood control channel area.    

[rdamon]

Google street view has been updated.

 

[croteaudd]

rdamon:

Thanks for the street view.  That view is pretty much as it looked lately the few times I’ve passed on the southbound lanes (railroad west, leftward) of the I-215 Freeway in San Bernardino, Calif. 

 

 

------------------------- NEW TRACK

 

 

------------------------- MAIN 1

         \    /

          \  /

------------------------- MAIN 2

     /            \

    /              \

------------------------- MAIN 3

 

It appears the new arrangement will have the cantilever bridges similar to today, except they had to be moved to add the new track and will be four-tracks wide.  An interlocking for that track (and Main 1) will be to the north by Highland Ave.