K. P. Harrier
Update as of January 14-15, 2018
Second Arizona Trip in less …
… than Two Weeks
And, the Findings
Part XVI (of VIII-XVI, Overall I-XVI)
A Time for Reflection … and Amtrak
The Positive Train Control regulation has very dramatically slowed two-tracking, and may have set it back for years to come. But, it should be known that the railroads’ very top management, in essence, wear female skirts totally drenched in blood and weep as females do, weeping for stockholders. Who cares about the countless bloodletting that has occurred for decades and decades and decades with head-on collisions, so often caused by sleep deprivation? Finally, the government said, “Enough!” Now, the railroads are paying the price; and the blood yells out, “Rightfully so!”
WITHOUT official word, though, it is difficult to second guess UP. But, one gets the distinct impression two-tracking may be basically over. A few areas could see two-tracking still, particularly around Yuma. The track around Fortuna, you will recall, has very deteriorated-looking ties, and thus Yuma-Fortuna may be two-tracked after Positive Train Control.
The replacement signals seemingly (“seemingly”) now showing up on the western Phoenix Line are there as per required by law.
BUT, has UP given up on two-tracking, and the effort will now be recouping the PTC money as quickly as possible? The western Phoenix Line could be brought up to usable standards for probably $50 million (based on previous statements by UP of, as K.P. recalls, $31 million), verses conjecturally $500 million to finish two-tracking in Arizona. K.P. envision UP reopening the Phoenix Line for slower traffic that would otherwise get in the way of hotshots
If that western Phoenix Line upgrading happens, would Amtrak leave the Maricopa stop …and reuse the Phoenix stop instead? It would be much more costly for Amtrak to do so, but politicians don’t always take the least costly option.
In the light of what TRAINS Magazine recently said, that Intermodal has been stagnant and without growth for years, it would seem UP would have little incentive for future two-tracking, and the most bang for the buck is reopening the Phoenix Line. And, NEW (“new”) Sunset Route CP boxes (suggesting the track won’t be changed) now on site but not positioned yet, such as at CP SP771 WELLTON, gives credence to the concept!
Previously shown, shot November 19, 2017
Of course, those new CP boxes are apparently upgradable, just like the ones (plural) at the huge CP AL514 HAMILTON in Pomona, CA, that will have the track and switches rearranged multiple times before everything is finished.
If that reopening the western Phoenix Line occurs, nevertheless, a few places on the Sunset Route would be in UP’s best interest to still two-track, namely, in the Yuma area as previously noted, and somewhere in the Theba area west of Gila Bend.
Thus, so much appears to be up in the air at this point. And, that includes a possible Red Rock Yard. (Remember the 30 M.P.H. crossovers at CP SP952 RED ROCK and space for another crossover too? And the crew change relocation plan idea?) Yes, up in the air indeed, at least for us outsiders!
The super unknown is the effect President’s Trump’s policies and contrivances will have on the economy and railroads within that economy. Reports that K.P. is getting is that trainmen are being worked almost beyond what is humanly possible, which suggests UP will start hiring on a massive scale, which theoretically is what Trump wants. That in turn suggests UP management may be rethinking everything again (“again”), and the possibility that UP could decide to do a big two-tracking project. Time will tell on all this.
K.P. also now wonders if it is about time for TRAINS Magazine to have Fred Frailey do an investigative article on the Sunset Route two-tracking matter … and, the issues that have been mentioned herein. It now has been over 10 years since Mr. Frailey did his last Sunset Route piece, so it seems we are due for such right now! Are you listening, TRAINS Magazine?
This will conclude the series. However, a very thought-provoking “Second Section” follows.