K. P. Harrier wrote: Many, many years ago, "Aliens" ... ... from outer space TWICE landed spacecraft in Cajon Pass. (Such cryptic terminology should pacify Bergie ...)One spaceship's occupants, a "colony" of aliens, set up camp on the south side of what became railroading's Palmdale Cutoff (the photo upper track), and near what is now BNSF's KEENBROOK control point on the north side. (Note the cantilevered signal.) With or without a camera, railfans may attract the attention of the California Highway Patrol as possible alien chasers. A long time ago, when nobody minded, I walked with my then future wife the then Santa Fe main, and saw an ENGINEER-LESS Southern Pacific train go westbound (now UP northbound, towards the right) on the Palmdale Cutoff. Where was the engineer? All the crew was on the LEFT side of the cab looking the aliens over! (If necessary, mouse click the photo to enlarge.) The other group's spaceship landed at Blue Cut years later, and they've been there ever since too. Railfans, and other passerby, can often see (when on the foreground Cajon Blvd. that loops around by the trees on the far left and through the cut in the mountains in the photo's center) dozens and dozens and dozens of aliens socializing in pairs among the shady trees on the far left background. This poster never has had communication with them, and they don't seem to bother railfans or passersby. They just stay in there own little world. From outer space, they brought automobiles with them, and those many, many cars can often be observed parked all over Blue Cut!(The BNSF main and Swarthout Canyon Road are on the far right.)With all this said, if you are a railfan or railroader, and will someday be visiting Cajon Pass for the first time to see the triple-tracking first hand, don't be surprised if you see strange things beyond the weirdness of railbuffs with cameras. After all, there ARE aliens in Cajon Pass!
Many, many years ago, "Aliens" ...
... from outer space TWICE landed spacecraft in Cajon Pass. (Such cryptic terminology should pacify Bergie ...)
One spaceship's occupants, a "colony" of aliens, set up camp on the south side of what became railroading's Palmdale Cutoff (the photo upper track), and near what is now BNSF's KEENBROOK control point on the north side. (Note the cantilevered signal.) With or without a camera, railfans may attract the attention of the California Highway Patrol as possible alien chasers. A long time ago, when nobody minded, I walked with my then future wife the then Santa Fe main, and saw an ENGINEER-LESS Southern Pacific train go westbound (now UP northbound, towards the right) on the Palmdale Cutoff. Where was the engineer? All the crew was on the LEFT side of the cab looking the aliens over! (If necessary, mouse click the photo to enlarge.)
The other group's spaceship landed at Blue Cut years later, and they've been there ever since too. Railfans, and other passerby, can often see (when on the foreground Cajon Blvd. that loops around by the trees on the far left and through the cut in the mountains in the photo's center) dozens and dozens and dozens of aliens socializing in pairs among the shady trees on the far left background. This poster never has had communication with them, and they don't seem to bother railfans or passersby. They just stay in there own little world. From outer space, they brought automobiles with them, and those many, many cars can often be observed parked all over Blue Cut!
(The BNSF main and Swarthout Canyon Road are on the far right.)
With all this said, if you are a railfan or railroader, and will someday be visiting Cajon Pass for the first time to see the triple-tracking first hand, don't be surprised if you see strange things beyond the weirdness of railbuffs with cameras. After all, there ARE aliens in Cajon Pass!
So...is this where the Scientologists have hidden the Mothership?
Have fun with your trains
As of Monday, July 7, 2008:
This day, there is much in camera view ...
Swarthout Canyon Road at Blue Cut was NOT closed as the roadway signs said it would.
The roadway was NOT tore-up for laying the third track either, nor was the old crossing gate mechanism replaced
But, the tie laying train was photographed on the final approach to Swarthout Canyon Road
A BNSF train goes by, and the tie laying train keeps working
The last of the pre-stressed concrete ties for the day are offloaded
Train on top of a train is on one of its last movements for the day
A view showing surroundings
At end of day, rails between loaded and empty tie cars are removed so empty cars may be shuttled elsewhere for restocking
The cars are separated
This overview looks railroad west. See anything on the rounded hill above the white rightmost work truck?
A photographer! He must be a worker, or perhaps a documenting professional ...
Blue Cut looks different with a third track
There's those track ski-like machines again ...
In an unrelated matter, the rebuilding of the Blue Cut vehicular lookout parking area is nearing completion. Note between the trucks the new wall stonework that holds things up
This is where the tie train ended last week
Un-ballasted third (top) track railroad east of Keenbrook Road
The dirt Keenbrook Road grade crossing needs work
Laying ballast for the Keenbrook Road grade crossing
Work train with power (in far background) is staged to retrieve empty tie cars later at Blue Cut
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Great Photos....Appreciate seeing the progress....Thanks.
Quentin
Update as of Thursday, July 10, 2008:
On Tuesday the track laying train blocked Swarthout Canyon Road in the track laying project.
As of Thursday, the following was observed:
The new Swarthout Canyon Road grade crossing mechanism is up and running.
On the new track, looking westbound
Look eastbound
The tie laying train has reached the bridge just railroad west of CAJON.
Dan
KP heres my reasons bud:
I dont know about Warren Smiths pictures, im guessing he had a right to stand on railroad property?? Never said he did all tho he's a Cadastral Surveyor by looking at his profile.
And your pictures:
The sign clearly says it is, but i guess you wandered down there anyways by the looks of it.
Hanging out that close to the tracks and right off a highway? You got to question your own safety there. Thats what i dont like about this topic.
....In your {K P}, great photos showing progress....I see at the road crossing, the rails are higher where they cross the road because the ballast is not in place yet under the track structure right before the crossing....Question: How do they prevent bending the rails {vertically}, at the rather sharp angle with the "drop" in height....at the crossing, when the rail laying equipment "train" passes over that area.....?
UPRR engineer wrote:Eather way it still isnt right is it?
I dare to say that vandalism (see thread on here somewhere) is more dangerous and destructive to property than taking a picture. What's your thoughts on that topic/thread?
UPRR engineer wrote:No different then my thoughts on this one.
Really? I think there's a bit of a double standard here. Here in KPs thread you stated that it wasn't a great idea for him to be so close to the tracks yet according to one of your posts on the 1st page of the vandalism thread (which you started BTW) you seem to be "glorifying" vandalism/graffiti by "showing it off":
UPRR engineer wrote:... Reason i made this topic was to show some of the stuff i've saw at work that you will never see. I dont think anyone could call it your "run of the mill" glorified vandalism.
Here in this thread you're chiding someone for taking pictures that didn't involve property damage and may/may not have involved trespassing but started a thread that glorifies damaging property and trespassing. Seems to me that you have to be very, very close to the tracks (like on them!) to commit that vandalism.
you seem to be "glorifying" vandalism/graffiti by "showing it off":
Nope... i was just showing some things people probibly will never see. Graffiti artist and foamers that are trespassing or even standing too close to the tracks, even while standing on public property are putting themselves in danger. Standing a few feet off a paved road thats right next to a bunch of trained guys wearing hard hats, safety glass, orange vest, working next to moving eqipment... gawking. And then (by the looks of it) later when the work was done for the day, moving closer to where the action was when there was a sign posted that it was closed to the public. I fail to see where that is the same as me showing the Care Bear car i saw while i was at work. Had i been the one doing the painting.... that would make it the same. See the difference now.
No I don't. You/I don't know what power of telephoto/lens he has on his camera (KP) so for you to assume he's trespassing (and me to assume otherwise) is arrogant presumption IMO. He could be far off the ROW when he takes his shots but we don't know for sure. You can't be anywhere but on the ROW to vandalise/make graffiti. We're going to have to agree to disagree on this. Plus I don't want to continue to 'hijack' KPs thread with this.
Sorry KP.
UPRR engineer wrote:Did you even read my post, read the safety points again. Look at the pictures, along with the ones Warren took. Railfan 2 railfan you dont see anything wrong with it, the railroad looking at them, different story. You guys can get out there and get ran over for all i care, i get payed to put my life in danger. Even while at work you wouldn't see me standing that close if i didnt have to, let alone stand in the middle of the track or on a RR crossing taking pictures.
So on a track that's not being used (no equipment in sight from the at-grade crossing I'm standing on/near) on a road that has no traffic my life is in danger? From what, exactly? If I'm standing in the middle of a construction site then I'd buy your explanation. On an unused street? Nope. By your description of a "safe area" being more than 100 yards from the tracks then explain the Rochelle Railroad Park to me. Explain the railfan park that was constructed next to the CN line in IL.
By your description of a "safe area" being more than 100 yards from the tracks then explain the Rochelle Railroad Park to me. Explain the railfan park that was constructed next to the CN line in IL.
Where KP was taking pictures, was that a railfan park, no it wasnt. Even those railroad parks, have you ever saw a big derailment? ive saw empty auto racks shoot out 50 yards to the one side and then snake there way back into an industry on the otherside and knock over three adjacent tracks of loaded soda ash hoppers. Other things ive saw, truck springs fly off and shoot probibily 80 yards or more, heard brake shoes come off and nail the cars next to me, banding flying off the sides of lumber cars, MOW equipment fail... all kinds of things there, hydraulic hoses brake, work trains run into MOW machines, machines run into each other, cranes hit by trains.... I use to be a condutor pilot for a few years and i can tell you its not a safe place to be.
Im surpised by your stupidity about standing on the railroad tracks or a crossing, thats when you get hurt. Guys think that nothing will happen... and then it does. Do i need to paint a picture of things that could happen? Like i said, play on the tracks if you want to. Crossing are a place where you want to get on then get off.... with your car or truck, its not a place where you think you can walk out to and take pictures.
Willy
I would think that if BNSF had any problem with the photo taking, they would have warned K.P. to keep away by this point.
Its a little sad that no cared enough about his safety to tell him to move on, SURELY had someone higher up came by, or saw him standing on the crossing taking pictures would have done something. Railfans always seem to forget its not safe to play on or near the tracks, taking pictures is there main concern and safety takes a back seat. Right now since ive jumped on this topic theres probibily been quite a few calls into the law enforcement from train crews about foamers getting on the property or being too close.
Thanks for the updates KP and keep up the good work inspite of a little antagonism by some viewers. I have been in that same area and if you see one or two cars in half an hour I would be surprised. With a good telephoto no one would have to be on RR property to get the pictures.
Al - in - Stockton
UPRR engineer wrote:Hanging out that close to the tracks and right off a highway? You got to question your own safety there. Thats what i dont like about this topic.
So, let me see if I understand this correctly. It is ok for you to take photo's while you were supposed to be working, and if not working then you were trespassing, as most major companies have a policy that when you are done with work you are to get off the property. And I can assume like you did with KP, that you were closer than 100 yards. In my area, if CN even thinks the public is thinking of trespassing or acting in an unsafe manner, it has a fit. Surely your little upstart of a company has the same policies. Makes one wonder if sour grapes is more of a factor than you are letting on. Quit with your little pity party and enjoy the pix that KP is providing. BNSF will make sure that he is safe.
KP keep up the good work, and THANK YOU for the extra effort you are putting in to document this project for the rest of us.
Your points are messed up in your debate there Goober.
KP was wanting to know why i gave the rating on this topic as a zero, think ive explained myself pretty well.
In between my last two posts here, ive done my turn (dogcatch), well in behold.... i had to run a railfan off the property who thought it was gonna be ok to get on the bridge in order to get up close to the military tanks i had on my train. Why did i do it you ask? I dont show up to work to see some idiot get hurt or killed that doesnt know any better.
....As I understand it....Warren Smith was employed to the engineering crew laying out the "path" and changes for the new 3rd track thru the area in discussion. That was some time ago and in my opinion, he did a beautiful professonal job of doing his photography work too....and then in posting it here for the rest of us to follow. Being employed and legally allowed on site he must have practically had his camera with him on site most of the time. I'm sure most of us interested in this project, appreciated his work, both his engineering and camera work.
Recently, K P has recorded lots of the latest building process for us too. I have no idea where he is when doing his photo work, and as an adult I hope he is using good judgment. Enjoying his photos too.
As of Friday, July 11, 2008:
Two views in the Swarthout Canyon Road area after tie laying. The first, looking westbound.
The second, looking eastbound.
The short tie laying train was nowhere to be found, but a whole bunch of track equipment was parked at CAJON.
CNW 6000 wrote:Any idea how much further they have to go yet?
CNW 6000:
All the ties and rail is now laid except that immediately surrounding CP CAJON and probably a mile railroad west of there. Otherwise, it would appear that all that is needed is for the track between CP WALKER and CP KEENBROOK to be ballasted and the final aligning to take place, plus wiring attached to the new rails for the CTC. But that is TWELVE miles to ballast! Certainly that is NOT an overnight project. (The other four miles of track in the other direction between CP WALKER and CP SUMMIT was put in service several months ago.) Interestingly, yesterday I checked out Martinez Spur east of Summit, and it did NOT appear to have any ballast cars in it!
Note the following two pictures:
The BNSF cannot complete the laying of track at CP CAJON until the old signals and control boxes are removed. Matter of fact, the control boxes may be preventing the installation of an important crossover (turnouts shown). I believe the removal of those present signal boxes is THE thing to now watch for. But, that is just my opinion. Time will tell.
K.P.
Thanks once again KP looks like it was a good thing I didn't come down for the July 4th weekend as i had originally planned. Will probably be that way toward the end of the month to try my new camera eauipment. Only hope my pics will be half what you have been providing .
I recently came through the pass on a very late Southwest Chief (#3). The lateness gave us a nice well lit run through the pass.
We were routed through the tunnels...well I still call it the tunnel route
Anyway, I was amazed at the progress of the triple tracking. Both tunnels are completely gone, and the rails up to Cajon, appear to be almost finished. Some bridge work and ballasting seems to be all that's left.
The crews are doing great work out there. Glad to see it progressing so nicely.
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
As of Wednesday, July 16, 2008:
Loaded tie cars are now in a spur at CAJON. Notice the manual derail the shown signal will be interlocked with.
Mound of ballast at CAJON presumably foreshadows realignment of the track in foreground right to connect with the foreground track on left. All the track equipment that was photographed on the lower left track last week has mysteriously disappeared and was nowhere to be found this week
Improved lighting over last week's photo clearly shows newly laid Track 1 (right) railroad west of CP CAJON.
A bunch of workers are still working on a bridge at Blue Cut
Coincidental to the triple-tracking ... The famous Blue Cut lookout for motorists is now open again. Note the new, dark pavement on the right. Workers said unstable ground had necessitated closing the lookout for rebuilding of a section. The new M.P. 65 cantilever signal bridge is in the background left.
....As always, K P....appreciate the update.
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