Update as of March 26, 2013
The New Signals, an Underpass, and Assessing Matters
Part V (of I-VIII)
The westbound train, crawling now, passes MARTINEZ.
Main 2, which designation changes to Main 3, is the track the passing westbound is on.
MARTINEZ is the weird location where Main 1 eastwardly curves INTO Main 2 via a switch, but the designation changes to Main 1 … Got that?
(Put another way, Mains 2 and 3 on the west meet straight on Mains 1 and 2 on the east.)
All this trackage east out of San Bernardino over Cajon Pass is the Cajon Sub.
Continued in Part VI
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 IV (of I-VIII)
The EAST westbound new color light signals at LUGO. The train in the view was on that moderate grade, and was moving along nicely as it was snaking its way west.
The WEST eastbound new signals:
Soon west out of LUGO the westbound train dramatically slows. The grade between LUGO and SUMMIT, while not as steep as the west slope, greatly increases.
Continued in Part V
Part III (of I-VIII)
At this point in the presentation, it might be good to consider the new, still under construction (North) Milliken Ave. Flyover in Ontario maybe 35 miles east of Los Angeles, a flyover on the Union Pacific Sunset Route.
As seen in the last photo above, that structure has FOUR pillars, and the end product will be a two-track flyover!
In contrast, the NEW Ranchero Ave. underpass in Hesperia has THREE such pillars, hence, the bridging ONLY HAS A TWO-TRACK WIDTH!
Through logical deduction, then, since this is a new bridge, THE EAST SLOPE OF CAJON PASS WILL THUS NEVER HAVE THREE-TRACKS!
The trackage by this Ranchero Ave underpass is on a moderate uphill grade between FROST to the east (right) and LUGO to the west (left).
Continued in Part IV
Part II (of I-VIII)
The Transcon paralleling Santa Fe Ave. East (that becomes Summit Valley Rd. further south / west) is being widened where Ranchero Ave. crosses it.
Continued in Part III
Part I (of I-VIII)
A day or two ago a photo was posted about newly activated color light signals by Main Street in Hesperia, CA, on the eastern slopes of Cajon Pass.
Because of a rather stunning development photographed and post reported by rdamon, K.P. returned to the east slope and see for himself that development. This and the subsequent series posts will update and assess the triple-tracking. It will be on and east to west basis.
The next intermediates west (south) of Main St. are these newly activated color light ones:
Westbound of those intermediates a short ways is a NEW road’s construction project, including an underpass with BNSF’s Transcon bridging over it. An eastbound BNSF soon came by.
The train soon passes those intermediates. The sequence of photos thus gives the overpass location perspective:
Continued in Part II
Wow ... must have just missed the signal crews. These photos were taken on March 17th well before I found the green beer.
Robert
Update as of Sunday, March 24, 2013
The New Color Light Signals
Hesperia, CA
Now that the new Main 3 color light signals are active between Cajon and Summit, it was desirable to visit the Hesperia area. No K.P. dispatches to Hesperia have occurred for months, and nothing was scheduled. Well, you guessed it! Late Sunday afternoon, March 24, 2013, a surprise assignment to Hesperia occurred!
On Hesperia Rd., by the Main St. overpass over the BNSF Transcon, the new signals thereat were found to have been activated too.
So, now we all know that the new color light signals between Cajon and Frost are active and working!
About rdamon’s Post This Date
Forum contributor rdamon surprised the heck out of K.P. with his posted photo of a new underpass between Hesperia and Lugo. Did anyone see if the new underpass fell from heaven? It wasn’t there the last time I passed by! Wow!
Being dispatch- and assignment-free this date, I made a visit to the site to see if the underpass really was there … and it was!
But, in rdamon’s underpass photo, something profound was in that photo. It is unknown if anyone caught it or not, but it is a ‘sign’ for THIS particular thread. The back road between Hesperia and Cajon was also traversed, and several trains were seen, enough to form a very concise opinion about what we can expect triple-tracking-wise for the future between Riverside and Daggett.
K.P. hopes to work up a post series on all this soon.
K.P. and rdamon,
Thank you for these updates. I can't think of a more-necessary project than the Ranchero Road underpass. It will save a lot of time and gas for Hesperians.
Here is a shot of the new Ranchero Road underpass..
New Signals near Main Street and the Hesperia Airport are not yet in service.
Update as of Saturday, March 23, 2013
Part “E” (of A-E)
Freeway Construction by Highland Jct.
San Bernardino, CA
Three westbound views (technically southeastward) of the Highland Jct. curve from the Massachusetts Ave. overpass.
Driving I-215 through the area presently with all the protective barricades (with many, many sideswipe marks on them) is challenging. K.P. looks forward to when they are gone. And when the new 16th Street overpass (above steep overpass) is finished, then, a view of the tracks will be able to be had as never before!
Part “D” (of A-E)
The new Massachusetts Ave. (Muscupiabe Drive) overpass has heavy derailment protection.
Continued in Part E
Part “C” (of A-E)
Triple-tracking started in the 1990’s at West Riverside and came east about four miles to Highgrove, and another section out of San Bernardino to Baseline. Then, in the early- to mid-2000’s triple-tracking went further east to Verdemont. Just east out of Baseline was a track curve, which years ago, where that curve begins, was called Highland Jct., and was the northern Junction for the Redlands Loop.
When Highland Jct. existed, Main 3 (right) wasn’t even thought of. Now, freeway reconstruction is well along. The I-215 Freeway current has the redone northbound lanes pulling double duty, and southbound traffic is using the north barricaded lanes. Somewhere on the dirt portion of the above photo’s right is soon to have new southbound I-215 lanes.
The new southbound I-215 off ramp is now well alone.
Looking south from the Baseline overpass, with the 9th Street overpass in the distance.
Above, if you look real good, you can see the main tracks jog slightly, somewhere near the 5th Street overpass further south. That jog came about because of the triple-tracking. The two-tracks on the right are the original two mains.
Another northward view shot a little east of the second above Part’s photo.
The future southbound freeway (lower right) will be much lower than the triple-track mainline. Driving I-215 southbound and seeing the retaining wall in person all around the railroad curve gives K.P. a rather uncomfortable feeling for obvious reasons …
Continued in Part D
Part “B” (of A-E)
The Main 3 Signals
Cajon-Summit, CA
Well, well, guess what?
And, not only was the old signal gone, but those containers were gone too!
Surprising things happen!
Continued in Part C
Part “A” (of A-E)
A previously shown old view:
Then, new signals were erected, but not activated. Containers (lower right) were brought to the site, and remained there for months and months.
K.P. was by those signals a half a week ago, and then started to ponder the situation, and thought that in July those not activated yet signals will have been in that not activated state for two years! So, on the above Saturday date, he set out of photograph them again and present that nearly two years thought to the forum.
Continued in Part B
K.P. Summit Valley road has always been a high-speed raceway, even when it was just a dirt road back in the days (1985-1992) when I was stationed out at George AFB. Being passed by folks doing 70 in a cloud of dust was not uncommon at all back then.
Speaking of George AFB, how have things progressed on the BNSF intermodal facility project slated for the George AFB site?
On Google Earth I can see the old Air Force RR ROW has been rebuilt and lowered signifigantly, including an overpass on National Trails Highway (Old Rt 66) in place of the old at-grade crossing. The junction with BNSF will be down by the existing Mojave Northern Junction and will require re-signalling the junction.
But there was no sign of work for the intermodal yard itself on the most recent Google images last I looked. Hopefully economic unturn will have the new facility showing on the next Google Earth images.
Vern
A Memo to MikeF90 (8-15):
Great compilation of Cajon Sub locations in behalf of the forum!
Everything for the most part looked pretty correct …
But, SEVENTH STREET (M.P. 80.6) has never been a universal crossover …
… and, to my knowledge, there is no HESPERIA (M.P. 45.1) as a CTC CP location. That is where the Lucern Valley Sub branch line cuts in. There are long standing intermediate signals (and yet to be activated color light replacements) in that area, but not a CP.
It was great to hear an overpass over the BNSF is planned for Ranchero Rd. in Hesperia. That should help Summit Valley Road …
… to acquire an Interstate designation … (Hehehe.) If you’ve ever driven the 30 M.P.H. Summit Valley Rd. with people whizzing by at 70 M.P.H., you will sort of understand what I’m referring to …
Your excellent map link should assist those unfamiliar with the Cajon Sub to get a better comprehension of the territory. Thanks for sharing!
Best,
K.P.
Update as of Saturday, August 25, 2012
Triple-Tracking and Maintenance
Part II (of I-II)
At least three truck trailers were on site.
The Cajon area is becoming quite a collecting site. It is unknown if everything is new or used, or both.
By the short siding, heavier track maintenance equipment could be seen.
Finally, a mention about Main 3 between CAJON and SUMMIT … The new, un-activated color light signals have been erected for more than a year now, but the old target signals remain in service. Presumably, the new color light signals between LUGO and FROST have the same un-activated status as well.
Continued in ‘A Memo to MikeF90 …’
Part I (of I-II)
K.P. knows of no pending continuation of the triple-tracking eastward from MARTINEZ on the east slope of Cajon Pass
However, last week maintenance forces were working over the track in the CAJON area. On this past Saturday, all the equipment was having some time off
Night lights were present.
Special link post
A day (well, five years) late and an inflated dollar short, I finally made up a Google map of the Cajon sub which should assist reviews of the past and discussion in the future:
BNSF Cajon sub map link
Not to sell this Trains.com topic short, there are some other great topics on other sites documenting the third track construction. Links come and go, so look sooner!
Cajon Pass in Southern California link - literally thousands of construction and other related photographs.
SCRF 3rd main thread link - more discussion and photos by locals.
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
Second Section
The new color light signals use a yellow over green in advance of a crossover as did the old target signals.
The above signals are in the Stein's Hill area by Highway 138 in Cajon Pass, barely visible in the below photo, by the background curve.
Unlike the old target signals, the color light system also use a yellow over yellow in advance if a train is following another nearby for the crossover route ahead. Photographing a yellow over yellow has completely eluded K.P.
Update as of July 19, 2012
Activity in Cajon Pass and the Area
Main 3 in the heart of Cajon Pass has had un-activated color light signals erected for over a year now. Passing the Stein's Hill area, a couple of containers were spotted (photo lower right). Presumably, they are railroad related, like for the new signal mast. It is unknown why any additional boxes would be need.
The below photo taken last month from the Muscupiabe Drive overpass at the I-215 Freeway in San Bernardino shows the walling taking shape . It is uncertain if an errant train would be retained by the walling and sand-fill trackside.
Union Pacific is adding additional trackage all over their system. It is unknown if BNSF is doing anything similar, but nothing further is taking place with the triple-tracking in Cajon Pass, like on the east slope where triple-tracking eastward presently ends.
KP: I see from your photos tthat BNSF uses speed boards for pass and freight in that area as well as Washington state.
KBCpresidentokay, thanks. So the tunnel was built by SP? What does the area where the tunnel was look like now ? Thanks agains
The Alray tunnels were on the northern BNSF (ex-ATSF) main. The newer SP line did not require any tunnels.
The area looks, er, very different due to all of the earthmoving. There are many pics posted earlier in this topic such as on this page (link). BTW Google search works better than the 'Search our Community' function below the ads.
okay, thanks.
So the tunnel was built by SP? What does the area where the tunnel was look like now ?
Thanks agains
The Beaverton, Fanno Creek & Bull Mountain Railroad
"Ruby Line Service"
KBCpresident ... snip ... 1) someone mentioned an old campground. Was it destroyed, if so, why?
The only 'old campground' I'm aware of is the one formerly near the Swarthout Canyon Road crossing (lat/long 34.275251,-117.452635). AFAIK it disappeared even before Interstate 15 was built. K.P. probably knows ....
KBCpresident 2) At the bottom of the first page of this post, i noticed a line comming out of a tunnel in the foreground as well as another line further off. is the tunnel the original ATSF line, or are they both originals?
That is one of the Alray tunnels that was removed for the third track. The original (unseen) ATSF steep alignment lies to the south. The rail line 'upslope' is the UP (ex-SP) Palmdale cutoff built in the 1960s. See the area around lat/long 34.333018,-117.471442 .
Sorry if these questions have been asked already or are common knowledge, but as an Oregonian I lack a lot of what would be common knowledge in southern california. Anyway, i was glancing over the photos of the pass and captions and a few questions came up:
1) someone mentioned an old campground. Was it destroyed, if so, why?
2) At the bottom of the first page of this post, i noticed a line comming out of a tunnel in the foreground as well as another line further off. is the tunnel the original ATSF line, or are they both originals?
Agains, sorry if these have been asked before
The Highland Jct. Area
In the December 5, 2011 post, Part J, a view was shown near the Highland Jct. area, of the I-215 Freeway construction. On February 11, 2012, K.P. returned, and found the Muscupiabe Drive bride east sidewalk's south approach still unfinished. Nevertheless, he braved all the vultures hanging around on the north side, and got this photo for the forum:
The view seems to show that the new revamped freeway in this area will be below track level and close to those tracks. A retaining wall is presently being built.
The Main 3 (the left track) in the above view was the first segment (early to mid-2000 to 2010) eastward of the triple-tracking of Cajon Pass.
Which Track is the New Third-Track? ... And about Freeway Widening
Part J (of A-J)
Some I-215 Freeway Widening Photos in San Bernardino
A north northwest view from the Highland Ave. overpass: The triple-track Transcon by lower Cajon Blvd. is seen, with a towering crane as a key photo composition element (for those among us that get turned on by big cranes).
Two transition roadways (upper middle left and upper right) are being built between I-215 (far right of center) and S.R. 210 (barely visible in background). Mains 2 and 3 (of 3 mains) are visible on the lower left.
A southeastward southbound I-215 view, with the big railroad curve that Cajon Sub trains traverse (towards the camera) in order to head northwestward towards Cajon Pass.
For years K.P. has fearfully imagine a train derailing on that curve and hitting his passing car on the freeway right next to the tracks. In light of the second photo in Part F, perhaps a new freeway alignment will be built farther from the tracks than previously.
For those not from the area, now you know how the new track shifting works around Cajon Pass, and the mad construction that visitors to the Pass may encounter on the far west (south) end of the Pass, in San Bernardino.
Up in the High Desert on the east slope of the Pass, the new color light signals between Lugo and Frost still are awaiting activation.
The same holds true in Cajon Pass itself, the steep Main 3's new color light signals between Cajon to Summit still have not been activated yet.
No further triple-tracking eastward seems to be planned, even though the Abo Canyon project in New Mexico is finish.
This 'changing sides' effort has been contemplated for the last couple of years, and now that the photos were finally taken, text composed, and posted, it could be many months, possible even years, maybe a decade or more before any reportable triple-tracking is presented herein.
Until then take care everyone,
Part I (of A-J)
Some Photos of the I-215 Freeway Widening in San Bernardino
From the new 5th Street Bridge, a northward view of how precarious and zigzag-like I-215 is now for motorists. The new bridge on the photo top is the new 9th Street Bridge.
Railfans that are accustomed to driving with one eye on the road and one on the tracks are advised that that trick doesn't presently work very well through here ... Both eyes MUST be on the road constantly!
The exiting transition "259 Freeway" to the Crosstown Freeway currently has a bizarre path for motorists to follow.
A temporary single-lane road was also improvised (left) for those southbound from the Crosstown Freeway over the 259. The northward view below was from the Baseline Rd. overpass.
Heavy rebar cross-laying is in place for the Baseline Rd. overpass by the 'Eastbound' (EB) 'Control Signal' (CS) of the CTC control station BASELINE.
Continued in Part J
Part H (of A-J)
Thereafter, Main 1 is the new track (the lower of the TWO photo center tracks) all the way up the Pass ...
... through Silverwood ...
... past Summit ...
... and on to MARTINEZ, over what was first the new Martinez siding before being melded into the present Main 1. At MARTINEZ, in the foreground are Mains 1, 2, and 3, in the background are Mains 1 and 2.
Because all the signals in the above MARTINEZ view are absolutes now, Main 2 in the background right can become Main 3 in the foreground right.
The above four photos were previously shown.
So, there we have it ... if any had wondered how all the alignment shifts worked.
Continued in Part I
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