Modelcar wrote: ....Good stuff Warren. Interesting. You're mention of rt. 66 reminds me of a location near Kingman, Az...Heading southwest after one got down "perfume pass"...rt. 66 viered off a bit to the right and down thru the desert and then climbed up over the pass....{can't remember the name....was it Sitgreaves...}, anyway, then on down around Goldroad and Oatman and some really ruff hill side grades and finally down by Topock. At the same time, the Sante Fe managed to run down Yucca Flats area with relative flat running {not quite}, but on down to Topock....Wonder why the fellows took 66 up and over the steep pass to reach the same place...?
....Good stuff Warren. Interesting. You're mention of rt. 66 reminds me of a location near Kingman, Az...Heading southwest after one got down "perfume pass"...rt. 66 viered off a bit to the right and down thru the desert and then climbed up over the pass....{can't remember the name....was it Sitgreaves...}, anyway, then on down around Goldroad and Oatman and some really ruff hill side grades and finally down by Topock. At the same time, the Sante Fe managed to run down Yucca Flats area with relative flat running {not quite}, but on down to Topock....Wonder why the fellows took 66 up and over the steep pass to reach the same place...?
Yeah - one of the few departures from the old ATSF route. My guess is that the autos back then had to stage themselves across the desert. As you recall, there's not much water at Yucca, and the Model Ts couldn't carry as much as the steam engines. There were springs around Oatman, and a mining community. It would have made a decently spaced rest stop before heading down to the Colorado River.
....Yes, that makes sense. Gold mines up in the Oatman area too but I don't know which came first. The mines or rt. 66.
Quentin
Seeing this project unfold is indeed a rare opportunity.
Has anyone seen a track schematic of these changes, or of those on BNSF's planned Abo Canyon, NM, double-tracking work?
In the latter case, I understand that different parts of the existing single track will be used for the future north and south lines.
At Cajon, the new third track will obviously be built along the gentler grades of the existing north (eastbound) line, but at some locations (including the final approach to Summit) it would seem to be much easier to add the additonal trackage on the south side.
I'm sure that the designers are way ahead of us on this, and it would be fun to see how they have worked it out.
garyla wrote: At Cajon, the new third track will obviously be built along the gentler grades of the existing north (eastbound) line, but at some locations (including the final approach to Summit) it would seem to be much easier to add the additonal trackage on the south side.I'm sure that the designers are way ahead of us on this, and it would be fun to see how they have worked it out.
Gary:
You're right, the new third main line will parallel the existing eastbound track. There are three sections to the project. Starting at Summit (MP 55.9), the new track will tie into the existing siding on the north side and continue past Alray under I-15. There will be a new siding installed before Cajon Creek, and the new track will be built mostly on fill slope on the 'southerly' side through Sullivan's Curve down to the junction with the westbound track next to Cajon Blvd. (Old Route 66). Another siding complex with crossovers, then the new tracks will be 'northerly' again through Blue Cut down to Keenbrook (MP 69.4).
Grading the subballast roadbed is the easy part. There are new bridge abutments and piers, drainage culverts to extend, retaining walls, a shoofly around the existing tunnels, and then the tunnel removals. The signal hardware and switch installation will have to be coordinated with ongoing traffic. Then there is the Forest Service and the local Indian tribe. Construction management on the Transcon. Fun stuff ...
K.P. - here's a closeup of the signal bridges:
Some construction down at Silverwood (and some equipment):
Slope stakes for the shoofly grading at the tunnels:
Storage yard at Alray:
And extending a culvert at Keenbrook (also a wildlife passageway judging by the tracks in the dirt):
....Great photos Warren....Really interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing.
The Contractor is beginning grading around the tunnels at Alray. The tubes will be left in place until the shoofly is built ...
Here's a shot by Richard:
....Enjoyed your photo Warren....Thanks for sharing.
With all the changes made over the years of the routes through that area, it looks like they will soon have those mountains cut down to size....
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