Here are some shots from a high enough perspective to show both tunnels. Traffic is now on the shoofly ...
Warren
.....What an immense amount of earth and rock they have moved and are moving to make all this relocation and addition happen...!
Thanks for photos again Warren.
Quentin
Wow! Great photos, I live and work near this area and this is so much more than I can see from the road. Thanks for sharing, Warren. I don't know why I didn't notice this thread earlier.
Sleeper
garyla wrote: Not to get too far ahead of ourselves here, but are there any fresh rumors that the third-tracking will next be extended beyond Summit to somewhere in Hesperia?
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves here, but are there any fresh rumors that the third-tracking will next be extended beyond Summit to somewhere in Hesperia?
Garyla et al:
Reference further triple-tracking east of Summit, I know of no rumors, but examine the following photos ...
Between Summit and Lugo: Photo looks westbound toward Summit, and at triple-track. Paved road on left is Summit Valley Road. Cleared right-of-way on right seems wide enough for eight tracks! At top right, the severe-looking grade is the old Summit track alignment, changed in 1972. Since 1972, the old right-of-way had a remaining track on it called Martinez Spur. It is unknown if it still is in place or not.
Note two types of signals (tri-lights and targets) midway (where three-tracks become two) between Summit and Lugo . That the old targets remain tells this forum contributor that three tracks will eventually be extended east (to the right) to at least Lugo, but extension all the way to Hesperia or Victorville is likely.
From same location as the first photo, third photo looks eastbound at the now two-track line. Note wide, cleared right-of-way, camera side of tracks.
Between Lugo and Hesperia: Again, note wide, cleared right-of-way camera side of tracks.
Main Street overpass in Hesperia, looking south, or westbound. Note cement work that would hinder laying a third track.
Hesperia. No grading.
Hesperia, near Victorville, where the M.P. 42.9.detector is located. Graded area is present
My personal conclusions: The large, cleared right-of-way near Summit may be a fire break for the well known severe fire hazard area. Other cleared areas may be merely for maintenance roads, OR grading as time permits (i.e., when workers have nothing more pressing to do) for an anticipated possible future third-track. The present 2007-2008 Keenbrook to Summit construction project seemed to have been mobilized quickly after an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was OK'ed by government authorities. Nothing new may happen until a Summit eastward study (if required) is completed and the subsequent EIR OK'ed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Not in Cajon Pass per se, but on the western approach to the pass, at Ono, is a new University Parkway roadway bridge that was one of California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans') most wanted items.
Looking east (westbound, to the right) at old cantilevered signals. The tri-light signals that pointed the other way on this signal bridge were removed.
Looking west (eastbound, to the left), a new cantilevered bridge was erected and signal are now unobstructed for trains heading up to Cajon Pass. From left to right, are signals for Tracks 1 and 2. Track 3 signals are probably a half a mile beyond what the camera sees.
.....Enjoyed the photos....Thanks.
Railroad west of Cajon
Tracks coming toward camera are coming into Blue Cut
Following shots taken at Blue Cut
Swarthout Canyon Road, looking railroad east
Same grade crossing. Note new pavement and just put down dividing roadway center. The yet to be laid third track will be laid where the crossing gate is presently at
Looking railroad west at retaining wall under construction
Same wall as viewed from Cajon Blvd.
Retaining wall construction up close, looking railroad east
View looking railroad west
A few hundred feet railroad west of above shot, view is looking down on grading for third track
Close up. Are these concrete items for a future cantilevered signal?
View is looking railroad west. Cajon Blvd. is on far upper left, and the site of the famous lookout where every railfan stops the first time they visit Cajon Pass
A mile railroad west of Blue Cut ...
New as yet to be powered-up cantilevered signal bridge co-exists with in-use old target signals. On the other side of the tracks was the old Keenbrook siding during Cajon's double-track Automatic Block Signal days. In 1972, bi-directional CTC and powered crossovers were installed throughout what was then known as the "First District," and the siding was removed. In the late seventies or early eighties, an addition double-crossover was installed two miles railroad west (left) of this picture, and was also named Keenbrook. The new third track (to be identified as Track 1) will be laid over what was once the Keenbrook siding. The track in the above background is the ex-SP UP Palmdale Cutoff.
Those "concrete items" look more like prefabricated sections for a grade crossing surface--narrower ones outside the rails, wider ones between the rails.
Nice pix, by the way--can't wait to see it in real life next year!
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Sorry I haven't mentioned it before but have really been enjoying the photo's of the changes taking place at Cajon Pass. I can't wait for it to be completed so I can try my new Canon Digital. The camera is complete with tri pod and 300mm zoom lens so should be able to get some fairly decent photos.
So anxious I can hardly contain myself for tax season to be over (taxman) that I am already planning a trip to Tehachapi Loop just to try it out and get my feet wet with the new camera. I only hope to become as skilled as you and your really excellent photos and the story that has accompanied the construction.
Thx Al
.....Enjoyed the construction photos, again....Thanks.
Current happenings as of April 24, 2008:
PHOTO 1: Blue Cut. Construction activity continues at mid-left. New Track 1 bridge is at lower right. Looking railroad west
PHOTO 2: The final cantilevered signal upright section has been installed. Mile Post (M.P.) 65. Looking railroad east
PHOTO 3: Swarthout Road grade crossing gate will probably be relocated to between where dark low wall rises briefly and the background roadway on right. Looking railroad west
PHOTO 4: A closer view
PHOTO 5: Looking railroad east by Swarthout Road grade crossing
PHOTO 6: CP (Control Point) Cajon. Looking railroad west at new Track 3 bridge
PHOTO 7: New and old signals. Looking railroad west
PHOTO 8: Short track with a future absolute signal
PHOTO 9: A quarter mile railroad east of Cajon near where the 3.0% Cajon to Summit grade separates away from the ruling 2.2% grade (shown here). New bridge is for the soon to be laid Track 2
PHOTO 10: Looking eastbound down unto where the old westbound Cajon siding was 40 years ago in Automatic Block Signal days. It is unknown whether the as yet un-laid Track 3 will follow the old siding alignment or shift over to the present track. Cement work is from days of old.
PHOTO 11: Cantilevered signal "sections" here at Cajon proper will be installed between two and three miles to the left, side-attached onto the upright (at M.P. 65) that is depicted in PHOTO 2 above. In the below foreground, eastbound trains travel photo left to right and out of view swing over the bridge in PHOTO 9, and come back into view on the top center, where they swing to the right again and out of view. The particular "Mormon Rocks" in the upper background is the site of the many, many published photographs that depict the famous "Sullivan's Curve"
PHOTO 12: Proof these waiting cantilever sections will be going to M.P. 65
PHOTO 13: This "three-track" cantilevered signal bridge is NOT one piece, but is made up of "one-track" and "two-track" sections bolted together
(For those that may not know ... If any photo is too small, merely mouse click on it and it will expand for a better view.).
....Again....Thanks for sharing. Appreciate it very much.
Update as of May 8, 2008
The support walls and base are in place for relocating Swarthout Canyon Road crossing gate
Looking railroad east at new/old CP Cajon. New bridge is on left. In this view, as yet un-laid third track will be on right.
Grading equipment is still present, and will spend the night at Cajon where the 2.2% (left) and 3.0% (right) lines split
Remember this April photo? At this staging area, note the cantilever signal bridge single-track module in the rear right
The module has now been moved (upper left). Why?
The Answer: The module is now on a trailer, and ...
Movement two to three miles to MP 65.0's horizontal support structure must be imminent
Dan
....Thanks again, for update.
Thank you, K. P. Harrier, for the set of photos showing where the third track may continue. Nice work.
With construction possibly going on and on, this thread may get enough new material to run for several years. Fun for us railfans to watch!
FIVE photos taken just railroad east of CP Cajon
Watering the tracks
Measuring and adjusting for correct track position
Occasionally there are contorted equipment positions during adjustments
In this view, note that the rails are NOT connected, but severed where the concrete ties meet the wooden ties. Such allows track unrestricted movement during repositioning. The farthest track is a short siding that connects to the main just out of view on the right. Because tie replacement at turnouts is a time consuming and complicated affair, the wood ties will be replaced later at a more convenient time. (Click on photo for larger view)
That cantilever signal bridge section on a trailer is still at Cajon (background)
ONE revealing telephoto taken East of Summit:
Welded rail cars in Martinez Spur is a telltale sign that track laying for the third track between Keenbrook and Walker will soon start
....Thanks for the update.
As of May 18, 2008:
At CP Walker, the eastbound LEFT signal units had been turned away for months ...
But now ... Those "turned away" signals are facing forward and are alive, even though they govern no laid track yet. Somewhere in the vicinity of the camera, it is believed the visible present in use track will be alignment shifted to be associated with the left set of signals
Adjacent State Route 138 and the Mormon Rocks. The new additional track's bridge has been finished for several months now, and still is waiting for track laying. The bridge behind it probably dates to 1913, ninety-five years ago, when the Cajon-Summit segment was double-tracked
State Route 138 highway overpass supports. Is the solid extra concrete work to help prevent key support structure damage and/or bridge collapse in the event of a train derailment?
The Blue Cut walls are now complete. Note the roadway's new metal railings
Near Blue Cut, the completed rock cutwork here rises all the way up to the UP main.
Grading here for the new track was completed a number of months ago, and is where the eastbound Keenbrook siding was until 1972 when automatic block signals gave way to CTC. The dirt road grade crossing where the camera is at still has not been prepared for the third-track. While the railroad's right-of-way is pretty immune, the vicinity is in a somewhat precarious spot, as the dirt roadway leading to this location often gets washed out during rainstorms and snowmelts. Interstate 15 is the white slanted line on top left. The vertical hills-contour-following Cajon Blvd. is in the background just right of the center yellow marker board.
View from Cajon Blvd. Extensive cutting and wall work for the third track seems complete
The unincorporated community of Devore is at the westbound foot of Cajon Pass. The third track in this view (top track) was put in a few years ago. Previously, trains could easily be seen from Cajon Blvd. a few blocks away, but no more. Massive complexes, such as this very recent one for FedEx, is now blocking the view for train watchers
Thanks again, K.P.! More nice work.
As for new CWR awaiting installation, I saw a load parked up in Victorville last week, near the bulk oil dealer. Maybe that's for this project also.
....Appreciate the photo update.
Update as of May 23, 2008:
Cantilevered bridge part of signal structure has been attached after being transported from Cajon to Blue Cut
The old and new signals are nearly a quarter mile apart. Also, note the difference in retaining wall textures
Thanks for the latest photos on Cajon Triple tracking. I was planning on going their this weekend but guess I will wait for July 4th instead.
I have a question, what kind of camera and lens are you using for most of your shots ?
Al - in - Stockton
passengerfan wrote: I have a question, what kind of camera and lens are you using for most of your shots ?Al - in - Stockton
I've been borrowing my wife's 8 megapixel digital Sony that has some type of zoom capability. It is hardly a Hasselblad or Nikon, both of which I've owned in the ancient past.
passengerfan wrote: Thanks for the latest photos on Cajon Triple tracking. I was planning on going their this weekend but guess I will wait for July 4th instead.
Passengerfan:
If you are thinking about visiting on July 4, be mindful that Cajon Pass is normally dead as can be on THAT holiday, as it usually is on big holidays. If BNSF finally gets the third track laid, the dead July 4 holiday would be an excellent time to change the track alignments. While the photo below was posted previously, one can discern from it just how big that quick re-alignment project will be
Thx KP
I just bought a new Canon SLR with a couple of extra zoom lenses and am anxious to try it out. Thought I would give Tehachapi a try this weekend as I have to work today. Maybe watching and photgraphing the track realighment on the July 4th weekend might not be such a bad idea after all.
I only hope to come close to your photography it has been great, I have enjoyed all of the updates and look forward to your future photo endeavours .
As of Sunday, May 25, 2008:
The Track 1 (left) coming into the west end (foreground) of the new Walker crossovers has been alignment shifted, so Track 1 now aligns with Track 1. Track 2 is on the right.
Previously, Track 1 aligned with the Track 2 position. Note how close the unadjusted Track 1 WAS to the cantilevered signal support as opposed to the above photo.
As of Thursday, May 29, 2008:
Four photos at Cajon:
Workers have to clear the main for an eastbound (rightward) that includes a CSX AC pool power unit
Assembling a turnout
Attached switch motor
What is in the top background? Is it a row of turnout rail pieces awaiting assembly?
A photo between Cajon and Walker (formerly Alray):
View looks eastbound from a State Highway 138 overpass. Ribbon rail has now been loosely positioned
Nope - too short, too many, and appear to be too many bends / curves in them.
Typically, the shortest acceptable rails in a turnout are in the 20 ft. range, and there are usually no more than 2 of them in each turnout - perhaps 1 in each of the "closure" rails, which are the rails that connect between the heel ("pivot") of the switchpoint rails, and the toe of the frog.
From the amount of curvature and bends in these, they look like rails that have been cropped for scrap - although crops are usually in the 24" to 36" range, and these appear to be 6 to 8 ft. long. Are they laying on top of the rails of another track ? (hard to tell with the telephoto's foreshortening effect, the view angle, and the resolution of this image) Perhaps they have been set-up that way to facilitate scooping them up with the forks on a loader/ Pettibone/ lift-type machine ?
Alternatively, they might be stacked there pending being used as a skid (in lieu of the special purpose CWR rollers) for the CWR for the new track to be dragged and slid over into position. CWR is tough to move into position for a new track unless there's already an existing more or less parallel track nearby - say, less than 100 ft. and without any obstacles over say 5 ft. high. Depending on the location of the new track(s), would there be a need for this ? I've done it a couple times myself in years gone by - worked pretty good in dry ballast / cinders/ gravel conditions - not so good in wet clay & mud.
Anyway, for what it's worth.
By the way Kevin - thanks very much for your diligence in taking and posting these photos. Very unusal and informative "in progress" views of a fascinating major project at an important site that many of us can't visit in person - certainly not where you're able to get. Keep up the good work - look forward to seeing more, esp. as the actual track-laying gets underway !
- Paul North.
K. P. Harrier wrote: As of Thursday, May 29, 2008:What is in the top background? Is it a row of turnout rail pieces awaiting assembly?
Update as of May 31, 2008:
Westward from CP Walker, offloading continuous welded rail has reached Cajon
Track equipment is starting to arrive
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