The Diversion in Pomona, CA
The Missing Signal Bridge was Missing because …
… the Signals were Supposed to be on Masts!
Because of a tipoff the night before, K.P. visited Pomona Saturday, June 17, 2017 and found the NEW, huge CP AL514 HAMILTON now operational and the old CP by the same name now history.
The NEW, lit west eastbound signals by that wall erected about five-six years ago for the then future CP AL514 HAMILTON:
The above center (middle) right, new mast signal is a little misleading at this angle, but that B-track actually swings to the C-track alignment east of here but west of Hamilton Blvd.!
The B-track west of Hamilton Blvd. to west of Temple Ave. is out of service, and has been as such for months. But, the B-track should be back in service by the end of the weekend.
The new CP that is WEST of Temple Ave. has a LA&SL designation, CP C028 SPADRA, and NOT CP AL509 SPADRA as originally thought it would.
The active Main C currently with wooden ties will be taken out of service, and likely will stay that way for some time. That would explain why the wooden ties have never been upgraded to concrete ones.
A more thorough report with more photos will be forthcoming as time permits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Update as of June 17, 2017
The Big “Diversion” Powwow
Pomona, CA
Part “A” (of A-J)
K.P. got wind that a big something was taking place in Pomona. Upon arrival and contact with some UP personal involved, it was determined that a weekend event was taking place in which the old was being converted to the new in Pomona. The NEW big CP AL514 HAMILTON had been activated. The EAST westbound signal bridge on the east end of the Diversion, just west of Park Ave., was found to have the signals thereon lit.
West of Park Ave. is a south side industrial spur that crosses the parallel to the tracks 1st Street, protected with just flashers.
The previous eastern limit of the old CP AL514 HAMILTON had the signals turned aside.
Continued in Part B
Part “B” (of A-J)
At Hamilton Blvd. looking east, the east westbound signals bridge is seen, with the un-activated old signals seen with heads turn side. Note between the roadway bridge railings is the crossover track between Track A and Track C. Track B will not exist because there is presently NO bridge for the track over Towne Ave. far east
KEY photo looking WEST from Hamilton Blvd.:
Above, that squiggly track left of center is part of TWO crossovers, and is actually on the B-Track alignment between the A-Track (left) and the C-Track (right)
Above, the mast signal right of center has an “X” on it, and was taken down before K.P. left the area a few hours after the photo was taken.
Above, the foreground C-Track (right) curves leftward (as it goes back) and actually connects to a new track in the far background, our B-Track.
Well, well, well. The TRAINS forum website is malfunctioning AGAIN, and won’t let me post diagrams. Let me spend an hour revising everything …
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-J)
A diagram of the interim track arrangement: .
D---------------------------------------- / \C / \ ----------------------------- / / \B / / \--------- --- ---- / \ \A / \----------------------------------------
.
As one can discern from the above diagram, there are severe operating handicaps with the diagramed track layout.
The TRAINS website won’t let K.P. elaborate with other diagrams, so just the one will have to suffice for now.
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (of A-J)
Between the new CP AL514 HAMILTON on the east side and the new CP C028 SPADRA (west of Temple Ave.) is the intermediates at Humane Way.
Looking east, the east side westbound signals:
Above, from left to right, our Main “D” (un-laid, future SP Main 1), Main “C” (to be SP Main 2), Main “B” (presently out of service, to be LA&SL Main 1), and Main “A” (LA&SL Main 2).
The west side eastbound signals:
Continued in Part E
Part “E” (of A-J)
Still at Humane Way, looking westbound, that B-Track (photo center): On the verge of being reactivated, railheads are very rusty.
A wide angle looking west: A staffer is inside working on the box’s electronics.
Look what K.P. encountered ON THE SIDEWALK just to get photos.
Continued in Part F
Part “F” (of A-J)
Looking westbound from Temple Ave. the east westbound LA&SL signals of the new CP C028 SPADRA:
Above, track machine(s) are transitioning from Main 1 (background right) to our Main B in the foreground, for the second realignment of the mains. (Middle photo) Also, note the concrete tied switches on the right. (Third photo)
Continued in Part G
Part “G” (of A-J)
In downtown Pomona, in the western area of the new CP AL514 HAMILTON, the south side of the tracks paralleling First Street (State Street in Ontario), the once track (possibly a switch) was moved right onto the public street! The ties strangely alternate between cement and wood. Weird! A grader is moving ballast for the future Main B
Continued in Part H
Part “H” (of A-J)
Looking west from First Street:
A new GE AC threads through the area with the horn blaring ever few seconds:
A source suggested to K.P. that the signal system had been suspended. So trains could proceed regardless if on or off, or even red.
Where First Street ends (L-turned) looking west:
Continued in Part I
Part “I” (of A-J)
First Street looking east:
Just a bit east on First Street, looking back west where the Main A moves over slightly:
In that area, the old red over signal at CP 031 OAK is being lifted and taken down.
Continued in Part J
Part “J” (of A-J)
While a lot of turned aside OLD signals were present (some even NOT turned aside, and even LIT!), the old signals were systematically being taken down. About the same time as the above photo, the old mast signal by the west box of the new CP AL514 HAMILTON (left) was being taken down (dangling horizontally in the air, right).
The new west side eastbound signals by the wall:
All trains seemed to be routed via the Alhambra Sub. After all, the LA&SL (Los Angeles Sub) was all tore up, as the photos in this series shows.
Lastly, a view of the old LA&SL signal that is lying downward on that slope by the concrete-work put in to allow a signal to be in.
This will end the series.
It's good to see some progress on the 'diversion' project. Without more high speed turnouts showing up it's hard to imagine what the final configuration will be.
LA sub work continues today - radio chatter indicates a MOW T&T and Metrolink dance at MP 30-ish ....
I also just came across an article on the long delayed Monte Vista Ave grade separation project in Montclair: http://www.dailybulletin.com/general-news/20170425/montclair-to-build-bridge-over-troubled-drivers-waiting-at-train-tracks If the bids were acceptable, construction should start about August.
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! ***
A Follow-Up on the New CP AL514 HAMILTON
Part I (of I-III)
On Friday, June 16, 2017 the Pomona Diversion area big cutover powwow was checked out, where the new, huge CP AL514 HAMILTON was activated. Three days later, on Monday, June 19, K.P. returned for another look. Later, back at base, some surprising (very surprising!) conclusions were reached in reviewing the limited amount of new photos taken on June 19th. But, first, what is actually there …
Towards the WEST end of the new CP AL514 HAMILTON, the LA&SL old Main (Main 2, our Track A) had been rebuilt, and the second track (Track B) was laid RIGHT NEXT TO MAIN 2, and a train came right upon this contributor’s arrival!
Above, it is difficult to see the two LA&SL mains at that angle, but there ARE two tracks there.
In a second view, this time looking eastwardly, the new track is easy to see (the one with the train on it).
Now, at Hamilton Blvd., looking westbound (on the north side of the tracks):
Above, note the two background new west side eastbound mast signals (top, left and left of center), and how the C-Track (left, second track up) alignment shifts to become the B-Track in the distance.
A wider westward view: Note the left, second track up, and how the turnout route curves and parallels Main A and then turns into it in the distance.
A diagram is in the next post.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-III)
The previous post series showed a diagram, but the similar one below is a more accurate one. The track layout at CP AL514 HAMILTON is actually FIVE tracks wide, but putting in a through middle track is highly unlikely..
D W W---------------------------------------- / \C / \ W ------------------------------- / W / W W \ / / \ / / ----- / / \B / / \---- --- \ / \A / \-----------------------------------------
Above, technically, NOW present are TWO track routes from the LA&SL on the lower left to the SP on the upper right!
Note the switches with “W” by them. Those are WOODEN tied ones. At this point, don’t scratch your heads too hard, as an explanation is below.
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-III)
Two SP eastward views from Hamilton Blvd.: The crossover on the right is the old, 40 M.P.H. east side one. And it remains in service. Note the background upper left, and the turnout there (put in several years ago when this new CP first started to be assembled). It is a wooden tied switch. As THAT track goes back, it curves into LA&SL Main 2 by the signal bridge. But, that switch right by the signal bridge has concrete ties.
So, WHY are the switch installations inconsistent, some with concrete ties while other have wooden ties, even within the SAME crossover (or what appears to be a crossover)? We remember the same situation is at CP C028 SPADRA, west of the Temple Ave. overpass, also in Pomona. Note the wooden ties on the left (a crossover) and the uninstalled concrete tied ones in the photo center. (Previously shown)
K.P. has concluded that concrete ties are permanent (or associated with permanent track) whereas wooden ties are for only temporarily placed switches.
Take for example that key photo’s weird track (photo reshown below) from Main A (background left) to Main C (foreground right):
That connecting track may be only a temporary track, by reason of the fact that one end has a wooden tied switch.
Thus, with so many temporary switches, an interim situation arises. Regardless, now or in the future, PARALLEL crossovers will allow TWO TRAINS SIMULTANEOUSLY to crossover from the SP (east of CP HAMILTON*) to the two LA&SL tracks (west of the CP) and vice versa. There is only one crossovers route from the west SP to the east LA&SL
Having TWO parallel transitioning tracks between the LA&SL and the SP very much SOLVES a long standing mystery, and makes more logical a transitioning route. The CP is quite rigid (operationally), but it should be most interesting to see how CP AL514 HAMILTON continues to evolve, and become more flexible as a control point.
This will conclude the series.
-----------
* Technically, the C-Track east of Hamilton Blvd. is officially designated Los Angeles Sub Main 1, though it is on the SP Alhambra Sub Main 2 alignment east of San Antonio Ave. and CP AL515 RESERVOIR.
K. P. HarrierRegardless, now or in the future, PARALLEL crossovers will allow TWO TRAINS SIMULTANEOUSLY to crossover from the SP (east of CP HAMILTON*) to the two LA&SL tracks (west of the CP) and vice versa. There is only one crossovers route from the west SP to the east LA&SL
Operationally this makes a lot of sense, However the future CP also will have to accomodate movements between the Al sub and the LA sub east of Pomona, and the occasional local service next to West Pomona and WO Tower. Some speculation (only):
lead -------\ | | /--\-\---/---|----|------|--- AL1AL1 -d- / /---\-/--/-|-\--|------|--- AL2AL2 -c--/ / /-/ | -\-|--\ | / / | | \ |LA1 -b---/ /----/------|----|----\-|--- LA LA2 -a----/
Connecting LA1 directly to AL2 has a very interim look about it. At this point my crystal ball is quite smoggy .....
UPDATE - just noticed that Google Maps has been very recently updated to show the removal of the CP Roselawn turnouts and final connection of the 'A' track at CP Spadra.
NOTE - upon further reflection, an unexpected benefit of the diversion is observed. The LA1 and AL2 can be passing tracks for each other. More speculation:
CP Spadra <-- 3 miles --> CP HamiltonAL --\ lead --\ | | \ \-\--------|----|--/--- AL1 \ -/- -d- /-----\-----/-|-\--|-/---- AL2LA1 --\ \-/-/------------c--/ /------/--/ | \-|--\ LA2 -\ \-/---------------b---/ /----/------|----|---\-- LA \------------------a----/ Hamilton Ave -----^ ^----- White Ave
END OF THE LINE
It was just found out that an annual fee of nearly $400 is now required for a triangular operation, like with (1) K.P., (2) TRAINS forums, and (3) Photobucket.com. Obviously this ‘labor of love’ refuses to pay nearly $400 just so the forum can see photos. If K.P. can figure out something else, well, maybe, but for all practical purposes this was an assassination. The TRAINS forum has now changed forever!
Between that and the malfunctioning TRAINS website, K.P. basically gives up ...
K.P. is angry and rightfully so. It should be noted this particular problem has nothing to do with the TRAINS forum directly. The forum doesn't store photos itself, simply its links to a on-line photo sharing website of the posters choice. It this instance that is Photobucket. They now require a premuim account if one wants to do 3rd party hosting (which is what K.P. is doing). That type of account is $400 per year. That is an massive amount of money.
This is true tragic as EVERY, ANY and ALL pictures posted by KP on this thread and any other thread (there have been at least three) are now gone as well. They might be, MIGHT, a solution but it will take time to fix and every if this fix allows new posts to continue, the old pictures in the old posts will be gone forever.
This is a true sad day for those, like me, that have followed KP's adventures over the last several years.
Quite a shocker. A terrible loss for us...all those photos.
No such thing as a free lunch I suppose.
Now what?
I just checked my Photobucket account and it still allows third party hosting. Free hosting seems to end at 2GB now. The rate K.P. quoted seems to be for 502 GB (!!!) of storage annually.
That's an astonishing amount of storage usage. I would suggest that K.P. backup his photos offline ASAP and delete older ones to get below the 2GB limit. A 1TB external drive costs about $60 from Newegg.
I believe the Stench of photobucket.com is ...
... What Killed Me!
Coming to you from the afterlife …
At this point, somewhere in the vicinity of 9800 posted photos basically vanished and are no longer available to the forums! That is over nine years’ worth of photos and basically those photos are now being held hostage for ransom, for about $400 every year, and there is no guarantee it won’t rise next year. Well, K.P. simply is not going to pay any ransom. And, it is questionable if K.P. will pursue another photo hosting service, especially in the light that TRAINS’ sister magazine ASTRONOMY did away with its forums and all the work and travel in behalf of its forums went down the drain in a flash.
The Diversion: Technically, About the “D” Track
The previous diagram for CP AL514 HAMILTON showed a broad perspective. Technically, though, the SP track across Temple Ave. and Pomona Ave. (the track that will be eliminated) is still in effect. (K.P. hasn’t heard otherwise.) So, to reflect that true present way, the diagram should look as follows:.
---- THE DELETED CP \ AL513 POMONA \ . \ . \ . D \ . W W \ . ------------------------------------ \ . / / \C \ / / \ W- - - - --- ------------------------------- / W / W W \ / / \ / / ----- / / \B / / \----------------- --- \ / \A / \-----------------------------------------------------
W = Wood tied switch
With the track across Temple Ave. and Pomona Ave. eliminated (it hasn’t happened yet, as mentioned above), it would seem our Track C (west side of diagram, left) would be put back in service as the SP track. Then, Main D would be laid, and it would become the SP Track with the wood tied Main C possibly unused thereafter until the powers that be reveal the great master plan, possibly two-tracking the Alhambra Sub WEST, or triple-tracking the LA&SL WEST. In K.P.’s opinion, the latter is the more likely scenario.
Well K.P. for this photo thing to happen after all this time is a crime of sorts.. Just bear in mind that I for one have really appreciated all the effort that you have put into these forums over the past few years..Thanks Again for all the Hard Work..Seems like Union Pacific should put it in an archive or something..
Pomona area visit on 6/24/17
I finally had time to check out the construction progress seen since last weeks photos. What I didn't expect to see was ....
a gap in the existing / formerly used 'C' track! It is not clear how soon UP will finish the Alhambra sub 'diversion'.
I proceeded east and did not seen any other signs of new construction. Based on radio 'chatter' I visited Etiwanda Ave. at the west edge of Fontana:
It appears the Kinder-Morgan (the pipeline company) may be getting ready to install / replace pipelines between the west end of Ontario airport and Kaiser yard; there are several long sections of staged pipe along the ROW but not shown here. It is also not known if this is preparation for eventual two-tracking - guessing that would be two-ish years away.
K.P.,
I'm with Super Hunky in thinking Photo Bucket screwed you over big time. All the time and effort you have put into making this thread informative over nine years has just been sabotaged in the name of profiteering. We who have followed this thread from it's beginning are saddened and PO'd it has to end this way. Thanks for your hard work over the years.
Norm
MikeF90The rate K.P. quoted seems to be for 502 GB (!!!) of storage annually. That's an astonishing amount of storage usage.
That's an astonishing amount of storage usage.
I would suggest that K.P. backup his photos offline ASAP
Photo Hosting Test
Trying postimage.io … Unusual, but there are no limits to the amount of photos.
The switch motor was photographed in Pomona, CA on June 17, 2017 during the big CP C028 SPADRA-CP AL514 HAMILTON cutover. How about those wires ripped out of the switch motor tube!
K. P. HarrierHow about those wires ripped out of the switch motor tube!
With all that ballast piled on the track, I doubt that the switch needs to be operated for any trains in the near future.
Congradulations on finding a new photo posting site. Never count K.P. down. Hope you can recover your previous photos.
Electroliner 1935 (6-26):
That track with a switch motor on it was actually a removed cut apart switch section, and panel-like. Below is a wider shot.
The switch was once at the now gone CP C031 OAK, and actually laying in the street. When K.P. returned a few days later all those panels had been restacked OFF the street.
Take care,
K.P.
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