Statuses of Things in the …
… Pomona-Colton, CA Areas
Part III (of I-V)
Apart from the yellow track markings, activity and power was as normal, except reportedly schedules have fallen wayside and trains are held for the maximize tonnage of what the power can pull.
The next stop was the Colton Signal Dept. where SIX new electrical boxes of some sort were within the gated facility.
A Colton Flyover westbound happened by in the short time K.P. was by the Colton Signal Dept.
Next stop is to go back and find out what that pile that looked like a huge ballast pile was all about.
Continued in Part IV
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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-V)
Those piles were found to be Cement Mountain related!
The site has a bit of a moonscape look to it.
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-V)
While up on the Rancho Ave. overpass, an eastward grab shot of the Colton Flyover was taken.
However, not so typical was the other direction, with one of two switches with not a green or yellow light, but red!
This will conclude the series.
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A halfway related photo review of the Rail Giants museum’s display of old and past generation power will be posted in a few days.
A Rail Giants Follow-Up
Part “A” (of A-D)
Close to four months ago, on November 20, 2016, kgbw49 inquired if K.P knew if the boxcar partially in exchange for steamer UP 4014 had been painted or not.
kgbw49 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=472858&nseq=1 K.P., might you know if UP ever repainted the replacement box car that they provided with the SD40-2 and the way car in exchange for the 4014?
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=472858&nseq=1
K.P., might you know if UP ever repainted the replacement box car that they provided with the SD40-2 and the way car in exchange for the 4014?
On December 4, 2014 a token reply to kgbw49 was made with outside the fence photos. This past Saturday, March 12, the Rail Giants museum was visited on an open house type visit. That boxcar had pretty much the same appearance, but was open and had been partially unloaded of plywood.
Apparently the Rail Giants people are conveniently using it for storage.
While there and inside the fenced perimeters, some of the other equipment was photographed.
One item was DDA40X UP 6915. Obviously, it never saw the Sunset Route, except where the LA&SL line crosses the Sunset Route in Colton (CA).
Continued in Part B
Part “B” (of A-D)
SD40-2C 3105 began life as Missouri Pacific 6027. It undoubtedly visited the Sunset Route after UP and SP merged nearly 20 years ago.
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-D)
Steamer 4-12-2 UP 9000, who never really saw the Sunset Route except in possibly coming to Pomona, caught K.P’s. attention because of its number.
Most of new SD70ACe-T4’s coming (reported somewhere around 60) will likely involve the 9000 number series.
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (of A-D)
Steamer 4-10-2 SP 5021 more than likely saw the Sunset Route from time to time.
The Sunset Route now has ‘entrance signals” at many spurs and uncontrolled sidings. The rather ancient counterpart was SP track occupancy or lined against indicators.
That should probably be it, since the above material is not two-tracking in itself, the theme of this thread. Somewhere down the road, the Rail Giants outfit, in K.P.’s opinion, should hope that a track and concrete tie laying machine would be donated by UP. Those things only last for so long. It is unknown if Rail Giants would want such a creature, but the close proximity (a mile or two away the way the crow flies) to Sunset Route two-tracking seems like Rail Giants would be interested, but a machine such as that would likely have to be fenced off, as there are too many things and places the public could be hurt with on those machines.
Presently, the only real thing on K.P.’s ‘to see’ list is El Paso, TX. Reportedly, there is some two-tracking east of El Paso, but there has been absolutely no confirmation of it. And, of course, it is desirable to document what the now open Santa Teresa, NM facility and operations look like.
Other than that, K.P. is going to try (“try”) curtailing his running around, as there is no two-track per se happening on the western end of the Sunset Route, at least right now. Of course, it is ironic that gas prices are nice and low but there is no two-tracking to go and see!
Great stuff, KP! It is most heartily appreciated! SP 5021 4-10-2 (Southern Pacific Type) most definitely saw service on the Sunset Route. I have numerous books on SP steam and the various SP divisions - those tomes include numerous photos of 4-10-2 locomotives in revenue service on the Sunset Route.
This apparently is a shot of a 4-10-2 5000 class unit heading west out of El Paso...
Here is a roster shot of 5045 steamed up and ready to head out. They were fine-looking units...
It's pretty incredible that you can't see any of Slover Mountain from the south coming up Rancho, only the unused buildings of the cement plant (some are still in use but most aren't). Note to myself and anybody else interested - get pictures / images sooner than later, they'll be taken down. Also noted how tall the spoil pile is on the southwest part of the property, that too will be leveled. You can see Loma Linda University hospital from Pepper avenue, might ("might")be able to see the headlights of westbounds when the mountain comes down a little more.
A10
The Mystery is Happening …
… at BNSF CP WEST RIVERSIDE
Riverside, CA
Something is brewing with at least one of those big piles of ballast in Riverside, CA on the BNSF Transcon (alternate Sunset Route), but it does NOT appear the switches themselves are being replaced, possibly just the ties therewith.
There was plenty of equipment, like skip loaders, etc., but little action. The floodlights suggest things are worked on at night, and might involve critical track that is free of commuter traffic late at night and wee early hours.
All the equipment and the partially used large ballast pile was NORTH of Cridge Street. The large pile of ballast SOUTH of Cridge Street remains untouched. Currently, there are NO switches south Cridge Street, so the pile of ballast there suggests some future switches will be coming soon.
A Second Section follows.
Second Section
The unfinished LA&SL bridge over the 91 Freeway in Riverside, CA seems construction-stalled. It may (“may”) have something to do with that fatal railroad bridge collapse over the 91 Freeway last year. If the contractor was simply following instructions, it seems they would win. If they were cutting corners, they might have problems. But, K.P.’s gut feeling is that the very experienced bridge dismantler will win.
K.P. was able to view underneath the south side, far side, in-service new bridge, and no tan paint has been painted underneath it. Compare both bridges underneath …
Hopefully, future new trackwork and pile of south side ballast will let us know if that extra 91-Freeway railroad will stay up or come down.
As both ballast piles are on the east side of BNSF's mainlines I doubt ("doubt") they'll answer the UP bridges over the 91 question (tan paint over graffiti and all).
I don't know my fellow foamers. It looks permanent to these eyes...but...we all know what can happen.
A few years back I heard talk about double tracking the bridge to reduce the bottle kneck with UP and Metra's trains. Now would be the time to do that as in double tracking the UP, LA&SL route. I think this is the only single section left on the way into L.A.
Just throwing this in here from the "For What It's Worth Department". Not much but it deserves a "Hummmm?"
I'd need to look at the over all track arrangement to make any kind of assessment or better said educated guess.
Have a good weekend. Oh, and yes...it's good to be back.
RickH
BarstowRick.com Model Railroading How To's
Random notes : The Kinder-Morgan 24 inch pipeline along the UP in Pomona goes from 12 feet down to 70 feet (via directional boring) for 1200 feet before returning to an average depth of 12 feet. "Some places it's only 2 feet if you can believe that" - on-site inspector moving fiber optic lines for future track work UP will be doing. A10 can believe that as it's in K-M's specs. The east-facing side of Slover (not very much of a) Mountain is quite shocking to see, lots of marble in the crushed gravel on that side. I'd love to get a truckload of that white for the garden walkway. A closer {"much closer"} inspection of the new, new UP bridge over the 91 reveals the inside of the curve west of the freeway approximately 100 feet west of the end of the bridge deck is quite slim in relation to the angle of the bridge. The middle of the deck lines up with the very edge of the ballast in fact. The small pile of ballast between the UP and BNSF tracks is for the UP, the bigger piles on the east side of the BNSF are for the tie project on that road.
A California-Texas Investigative …
… Trip like Few Others
During March 31 through April 4, 2016 K.P. was involved in a Sunset Route investigative trip from Colton, CA to the El Paso, TX area, returning to California basically via the BNSF southern Transcon route.
Early on what appeared to be an early NEW two-tracking effort was seen. In Imperial County an almost impossibly right-of-way access situation was encountered, a portion of which may (“may”) be involved in a two-tracking effort. East of Tucson, in the Marsh Station Road area, the report of power stored on the old line severed on one end was found to be true, and that power storage seemed to be relatively secure of vandalism. At Santa Teresa, NM the new and now operating facility was gone completely around. What an operation! At Anapra, NM just west of El Paso, TX border patrol personnel talked K.P. out of taking a few desired photos for safety concerns, and the photos that were taken are convincing in themselves as to why! In El Paso, the area of reports of two-tracking were found to be inaccurate, at least the area just east of the present end of two-tracks. Back in New Mexico, the Golden State Route to Vaughn was followed, with a special emphasis on bridges in comparison to the Sunset Route.
A fuller findings report should begin to be posted within two-weeks.
Cement Mountain … and What a Train Show!
Headway #1
After taking the Mrs. to Ontario International Airport on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, the intent was to just climb up on the Rancho Ave. overpass over the Sunset Route in Colton (CA) to take a picture or two of the ‘Cement Mountain’ new cement mound by the tracks, but it was found to have been greatly added to (bottom of the below photo).
Above, in the distance of the second photo, is a power shove backing of cars into a departure track. On first arriving at the Rancho Ave. overpass, K.P. missed by just seconds a green indicator light at the switch that now had returned to red and derail repositioned.
It soon became apparent a whole fleet of westbounds was passing.
Continued in Headway #2
Headway #2
For the first time K.P. saw a (above pictured) westbound traverse the west crossover at CP SP538 RANCHO
Above, in the third photo down, that left lower photo’s lower red derail switch light is seen
In the last photo (looking east), headlights kept popping up in the distance as a fleet of westbound trains kept coming and coming into view.
K.P. had hoped to take one or two photos of the now longer pile by the tracks near Rancho Ave., but took more photos than expected. Now, since this series’ is out of the way, work on the trip material and photos can begin …
This will end the two-post series.
“A California-Texas Investigative …
… Trip like Few Others” Schedule
East Fuel, Santa Teresa, NM
Tentatively …
Part I, 6 Sections (A-F): Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Thermal-Mecca, CA: Two-Tracking?
Glamis, CA
Eastern Ted Kipf Road, Imperial County, CA
Part II, 7 Sections (A-G): Friday, April 15, 2016
The Colorado River Crossing and the East of Yuma, AZ Fortuna Area
The Aztec Area between Yuma and Tucson, AZ
The Marsh Station Road Area, East of Tucson, AZ (Much stored power)
Part III, 10 Sections (A-J): Sunday, April 17, 2016
The New Santa Teresa, NM Facility (North)
Part IV, 8 Sections (A-H): Tuesday, April 19, 2016
The New Santa Teresa, NM Facility (Southwest)
Part V, 10 Sections (A-J): Thursday, April 21, 2016
The New Santa Teresa, NM Facility (South Central Intermodal)
Windmills
The New Santa Teresa, NM Facility (Southeast )
Part VI, 10 Sections (A-J): Saturday, April 23, 2016
A WARNING! The Border with Mexico, Anapra, NM
No Two-Tracking East from El Paso, TX
The Western End of the Golden State Route, NM
The Conversion to Color Light Signals on the LA&SL’s Cima Sub, CA
All posts are scheduled to be up by 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) on the date listed, but may (“may”) be posted up to (“up to”) 12 hours early.
Oh K. P. You do know how to tease us. I am reminded of the ketchup commercial ..."ANTICIPATION"
Part I (of I-VI), Section A (of A-G)
Thermal-Mecca, CA
Out of Indio (CA) about seven years ago the semi-double-track was fully two-tracked with a second bridge over a wash so there became two-tracks to the east switch of the old Thermal siding, which siding type switch remained at 30 M.P.H., a sore point for operations. Not too far east of that switch is the 62nd Ave. single-track grade crossing. K.P. had crossed this grade crossing often when going between Indio and Salton Sea, with nothing two-tracking ever seen. However, this time new grading was taking place in the area!
North side, looking westbound:
North side, looking eastbound:
South side looking westbound:
Continued in Section 2
GA California-Texas Investigative …
Part I, Section B (of A-G)
South side, looking eastbound:
All the above photos were taken in early morning light.
It should also be noted that the telecommunications giant MCI is burying cables (or something, possibly a manwhole route) along much of the right-of-way for miles and miles, but the grading in the above photos seems extraordinarily wide for such a cable effort suggesting this grading could mean a two-tracking effort.
That first photo in Section A (looking westbound) is highly blown-up below and it shows the grading goes all the way back to CP SP620 THERMAL (right), where two-tracking from the west presently ends.
It should also be noted that from Thermal to Mecca are ALL old signals, whereas from Mecca to Salton the INTERMEDIATE signals are modern color lights! The railroad may not want to spend money (in conjunction with Positive Train Control) to upgrade a single-track line with new electronics and it have a short life until two-tracked, thus it might be being two-tracked now. So much of the remaining Sunset Route single-track has modern SP electrical boxes and thus color light signals can be put in quickly and are reusable. But, the old electronics has to be completely replaced in this Thermal to Mecca stretch, so the railroad may just want to get the two-tracking over with there!
A point to keep in mind is that in the second photo in Section A the track goes under the Highway 86 overpass. The single-track presently is right next to the overpass’ SOUTH pillaring. Again, a highly blown-up view (looking eastbound):
Thus, eastward out of CP SP620 THERMAL the SOUTH side second main would have to alignment shift somewhere so the new track is on the NORTH side as it goes under that overpass!
Continued in Section C
Part I, Section C (of A-G)
As we approach Glamis, CA from the west, famous sand dunes are present. In the second photo below an eastbound is seen.
At Glamis (technically, at CP SP697 MESQUITE) the eastward progression of two-tracking stopped, and NOTHING suggests the eastward progress of two-tracking from there will continue anytime soon.
From Highway 78, looking west, at the CP where two-tracking presently stops:
Above, the track on the left is the Glamis siding.
Looking eastbound:
In theory, a second track should be laid left of the current main (the nearest track on the right).
Continued in Section D
Part I, Section D (of A-G)
The Eastern Ted Kepf Road Area
Glamis, CA East
Going east on the north of the tracks Ted Kipf Road … Horrorville! And, the horror just lasts and lasts and lasts … The sides of the dirt road are so high the Sunset Route can NOT be seen!
About halfway on the stretch of roadway a medium low spot is come upon, and the east switch of the Clyde siding is seen.
Above, a bunch of boulders and riprap is now present! Also, the CP box looks old. All this suggests (“suggests”) two-tracking might take place from here east to the Cactus universal crossover track arrangement (the present end of two-tracks from the east).
But, to verify any two-tracking in THIS area will be exceptionally difficult. Just look how high the road embankments are in this area:
Continued in Section E
Part I, Section E (of A-G)
The Eastern Ted Kipf Road Area
There is a few low spots, and apparently UP track maintenance workers have found them and squiggled their big track maintenance trucks over them.
Wow! A westbound train is seen (from that low spot in the road’s dirt sides)!
We are moving eastward now at a slow, bumpy pace, and something is spotted by the tracks. So, we back up a bit and walk around and shoot some photos.
Continued in Section F
Part I, Section F (of A-G)
The below views shows the terrain, road funneling, and signage on the route:
Continued in Section G
Part I, Section G (of A-G)
That was about it. We finally reach Ogilby Road after 20 miles (plus or minus) of a ruff dirt road seeing only an occasional glimpse of the tracks. What a letdown!
Al Ogilby Road, a westbound comes and takes a yellow over dark signal. It was hoped that a yellow over green could be seen, but apparently an opposing eastbound(s) was ahead.
This area had MCI markings parallel to the tracks too.
--------
Part II, 7 Sections (A-G), Friday, April 15, 2016 by 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time: The (1) Colorado River Crossing and the East of Yuma, AZ Fortuna Area; (2) the Aztec Area between Yuma and Tucson, AZ; and (3) the Marsh Station Road Area, East of Tucson, AZ (Much stored power).
KP- This is a very ambitious project and am looking forward to it. For us (me) who are miles away from the Sunset Route could you note on each posting how much has been double tracked and how much remains to be done. Hopefully UP has not given up on the double tracking due to the downturn in business and PTC costs.
The sand dunes can be problems especially on a windy day. In the back of my mind I remember reading that SP in early days spread oil on the dunes to keep them from blowing on the tracks. Any truth to this feeble memboy?
ccltrainsHopefully UP has not given up on the double tracking due to the downturn in business and PTC costs.
The recent downturn seems to be causing all class 1's to revert to that Navy expression: 'All Ahead Slow'. Besides the PTC mandate, the only current UP capital expenditure I've read about is upgrading the Spokane & Ayer subs to CTC with some siding extensions.
My Sunset Corridor tally shows:
- CP Thermal MP 620 to CP Salton MP 637 = 17 miles - CP Mesquite MP 697 to CP Cactus MP 715 = 18 miles - CP Yuma MP 732.1 to CP Yuma MP 732.4 = 1/3 mile - CP East Yard MP 738 to CP Fortuna MP 743 = 5 miles - CP Blaisdell MP 747 to CP Dome MP 753 = 6 miles - CP Wellton MP 771 to CP Colfred MP 785 = 14 miles - CP Mohawk MP 794 to CP Stanwix MP 819 = 25 miles - CP Sentinel MP 831 to CP Gila Bend MP 857 = 26 miles - CP Gila Bend MP 857 to CP Estrella MP 876 = 19 miles
Time will tell, but if they follow their existing 2MT construction pattern the longest single track segments in bold are the most likely to be worked IMHO. Barring a major upturn in intermodal traffic, this will take many years to complete if ever.
Still puzzled about the pictures between Thermal and Mecca, perhaps it is only tenant (fiber optic) work. Likewise the single track remaining near East Yard and the Yuma crew change point. Bottlenecks are hard for us outsiders to ascertain; a glance at Amtrak status history shows train 1 often makes up time between Yuma and Palm Springs but loses it on 2MT between El Paso and Tucson - wierd.
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! ***
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