LAX - San Diego track considered to be in peril.

[Overmod]

MidlandMike

in the Mojave Desert there was a long line of trees along the track fed by drip irrigation. 

This was provided along the Sunset Route through the Palm Springs area by the middle 1990s -- in the vicinity of Ramon Road it was thick and heavy enough to block the view of trains from the overhead road bridge.

[MidlandMike]

Gramp

Do the western lines today have trouble with dust storms fouling up the tracks?

I remember on an Amtrak trip about 30 years ago when the still ran between Salt Lake and LA, in the Mojave Desert there was a long line of trees along the track fed by drip irrigation.  You can see it on Google Maps in satellite view between Kelso and Crucero, CA

[Gramp]

Yes, and it made it easy to see how railroads then were woven into everyone's every day living by one way or another.

Do the western lines today have trouble with dust storms fouling up the tracks?

[BaltACD]

Gramp

Nice!

Notice how many men were involved in track maintenance - back in the day!

[Gramp]

Nice!

[BaltACD]

azrail

How were Santa Fe and SP able to keep these lines in operation for over 100 years?-not enough track workers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1VVIVIK4Ow

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

azrail

How were Santa Fe and SP able to keep these lines in operation for over 100 years?-not enough track workers?

 

As has been mentioned elsewhere over the years, maintenance-of-way has become increasingly mechanized and manpower requirements have shrunk dramatically.  Also, climate change is a factor.

[azrail]

How were Santa Fe and SP able to keep these lines in operation for over 100 years?-not enough track workers?

[blue streak 1]

Article about the report to legislature of 7 areas that have potential to be involved in landslides stopping service once again.  Note one or more sites north of LAX.

'The Rail Corridor Has Never Been In More Jeopardy' - Railway Track and Structures (rtands.com)