Update as of Sunday, March 31, 2013
Montclair-Pomona, CA
Part D (of A-E)
Up on the Ramona Ave. overpass, it was increasingly becoming more overcast … The east switch of the North Montclair siding could be seen (top), as well as the Monte Vista Ave. grade crossing (middle) where a single crossover is believed will be put in.
The west switch of the North Montclair siding could be seen also, but two-tracking forces severed the siding from the switch!
In the last photo above, on the upper left, a LA&SL creek bridging can be seem.
Continued in Part E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 E (of A-E)
That creek goes under the SP-line just east of the west switch CP of the North Montclair siding, making it electrically challenging for the two-tracking track layers.
It was probably easier to just take the siding out service and sever the CTC switch from the siding than go through all the electrical complications and high expense of inserting a switch into an in service CP.
Looking west from Ramona Ave. the newly laid track can be seen.
In a very heavy telephoto that was shot north of the Ramona Ave. fence’s small wire meshing, the yellow track laying machine can be seen, still minus tie cars. An approaching eastbound LA&SL auto-rack train is in the view.
Undoubtedly, nothing has transpired two-tracking-wise in the last week or so because of workers being on their scheduled time off and the Easter holiday, the latter of which may or may not be a factor.
K. P. Harrier Update as of Sunday, March 31, 2013 Montclair-Pomona, CA Part B (of A-E) South a ways on the Central Ave. overpass, looking east at the LA&SL yard: A NON-spring frog switch is on the siding (center of bottom, second track from the right). To see such is highly unusual for a railroad where spring frog switches are standard.
Part B (of A-E)
South a ways on the Central Ave. overpass, looking east at the LA&SL yard: A NON-spring frog switch is on the siding (center of bottom, second track from the right). To see such is highly unusual for a railroad where spring frog switches are standard.
I seem to recall a model-railroad design-planning article that said that prototype railroads would never allow a wobbly lead like this...Perhaps this is compressed a bit by telephoto, but it still looks like it carries potential for problems.
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)
Replies:
calzeph (3-25):
Hi there!
See the reply to blue steak 1.
blue streak 1 (3-26):
Others that have replied that are more up on your inquiry have hopefully answered your questions satisfactory.
Logically, as more two-tracking is completed, Amtrak’s Sunset Limited should have less congestion to encounter. The big problem I see is when, and its occurrence is unpredictable, a fleet of westbound trains meet a fleet of eastbound trains. No amount of dispatcher skill can overcome a logistical impossibility, and Amtrak would just have to grin and bear it until the opposing fleet passes.
Of course, I’m sure UP would absolutely guarantee a clear path if Amtrak forked out $2 billion to triple-track the Sunset Route beyond the two-tracking between Los Angeles and El Paso … but THAT will never happen!
Amtrak got lucky on Cajon Pass (at Verdemont, photo right, the new track) …
… when that BNSF line was triple-tracked with its own railroad money. Amtrak just won’t find such luck on the Sunset Route … at least not for decades to come …
MikeF90 (3-26):
I was in Colton last week, and there were no signs whatsoever about a cutover for the new CP RANCHO west of Rancho Ave. (Below is a previously shown file photo.)
Reportedly, there is only a few months left before Main 1 over the flyover will be in service. So, I’ve been expecting to see new signals erected in the Rancho Ave. area, but there have been none so far.
Last week the east slope of the Colton Flyover seemed remarkably clear of work, so it may be getting close to being track laying ready. But, when I saw it, many trucks were traversing it …
… Maybe they were cement trucks ...
ccltrains (3-27):
Aerials of the El Paso EAST to Sierra Blanca, TX area show that segment as hilly and full of cuts, so I question whether that portion will ever be two-tracked. The best I think UP could do there is to use scheduling skill and fleet trains one way, then the other.
mvs (3-28):
Thanks for the update clipping on the Peck Rd. overpass construction. I had been wondering how that area was coming along.
Take care, everyone,
K.P.
Carl,
You search long enough you will find a prototype for just about anything you want to build on your model railroad.
It's called an S curve and a lot of model railroaders would suggest you don't construct a layout using tight radius curves with this kind of construction. Keep in mind these curves are longer and wider with a straight section in the middle. Do able and work able.
I wouldn't build such unless I was using 36" radius curves and #10+ switches in HO scale.
KP you take care and keep the updates and photos coming.
RickH
BarstowRick.com Model Railroading How To's
And now back (by popular demand?) another ....
Montclair Yard area update!
Proceeding east from CP Reservoir in Pomona, we see that concrete ties have been emplaced all the way to the CP location at San Antonio Ave.
From Ramona Ave looking east through the 'ghetto' fencing, we see that the North Montclair siding west switch has been reconnected! Perhaps the ballast trains for the new main track will be a little delayed .
At Central Ave in the siding we find a train with about four miles of rail; unfortunately the tie laying train has disappeared ...
Looking west we see the west end of the new siding with ties. At center right note the fiber optic cable marker probably sitting on the ex-SP ROW boundary.
Continued in part 2 of 2.
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! ***
Another view from Central Ave looking east. The yard has quite a few loads of lumber on center beam cars.
At Mountain Ave looking west we see an unexpected sight - a turnout in the new siding. Note the new rail(s) without ties.
Looking east we see what might be the other end of this 'connector' with more ties laid. Also seen is the east end of Montclair siding (LA sub) and the rarely used 'old packing shed drill track' (my term) that extends to Sultana Ave; its future use has yet to be revealed.
Finally, looking east (Al sub side) the end of the new siding is seen. Two more sidings may be laid south of the future main 2, schedule TBD.
Not photographed was a new short length of track just west of North Ontario siding. Also noted were new ties and rail placed east of Bon View Ave near the (yet to be installed) turnout.
Construction geek, OUT.
Small update about the Sunset Avenue underpass in Banning:
A construction contract would be awarded in September 2013, with construction completed in September 2015.
http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/the-pass/the-pass-headlinesindex/20130410-banning-council-approves-updated-sunset-underpass-timetable.ece
KP- A little insight on your sand storm. We lived in Bakersfield from 1970-72 and had several sand storms hit town. Even though the windows of our house was tightly sealed after a sand storm we would have a layer of very sand on our window sills. Once while driving over the ridge route I was caught in a sand storm. Had to have the windshield replaced. Fortunately it was a company car.
The ‘Mini-Train’ Flyover
Colton, CA
On an overcast Sunday, April 14, 2013, reports were found to be true that the Colton Flyover was having track laid on it.
But that track laying (or whatever was happening) can best be described as UP using mini-trains. Typically, a long train of ties is used in laying concrete ties and attaching rails to them. But, with the Colton Flyover, things appeared to be very different!
K.P. has a grueling, many, many hours dispatch scheduled for deep in Riverside County for Monday, April 15, 2013, but afterward time can be devoted to sorting through 216 Colton Flyover related photos, and making a presentation for the forum. Look for a posting Wednesday or Thursday.
An Arizona Report with a Paradox
There is a north side siding and switches at Picacho, AZ with a timetable speed of 30 M.P.H. At the crossover between mains as well as between Main 1 and the siding at CP SP937 WEST PICACHO, plus the siding’s east switch off Main 1, have all been listed as 30 M.P.H.
The below is a previously posted photo of the trackage at CP SP938 EAST PICACHO, looking eastbound.
That crossover between mains was originally timetable listed as 40 M.P.H. Then, after some use, it was timetable changed to 30 M.P.H. Now, however, another timetable change has been made. The timetable advises crews that the speed through that crossover is now 25 M.P.H.!
While K.P. never saw it, the advance intermediate signal to the east, between East Picacho and Wymola, with a 30 M.P.H. crossover lined in reverse at East Picacho, the display should have been yellow over yellow on the east side westbound signals (right mast, right heads).
Theoretically (“theoretically”), those above mast signals should now have the Main 2 lower right head (right mast, lower right head) changed to lunar, with the Main 1 head (left mast, right lower head) remaining as yellow. What an onsite visual inspection would find is unknown, but that is what they should display theoretically.
Westbound trains that may utilize that 25 / 30 M.P.H. crossover / siding arrangement are NOT the typical, so the chances of actually photographing a lit lower lunar / yellow situation there is not good. Of course, this is all contingent upon the theoretical actually being the case!
Update as of Sunday, April 14, 2012
The Colton Flyover
Part I (of I-XI)
Previously, at CP SP541 ICE DECK (M.P. 540.1), the east side westbound signals for Mains 1 and 2 were on a signal bridge, and masts had been erected in preparation for that signal bridge’s elimination. Photo previously shown:
That signal bridge has now been removed, the temporary old mast signals that were brought to the site were activated, and the new cantilever horizontal portion of a new structure attached.
The left heads are for the Ice Deck sidings, the right heads are for Main 2. Main 1’s signals (future) are on the other side of the Santa Ana River.
Tie cars (left) were in the Ice Deck siding. The new cantilever signaling structure is on the right background. Looking west:
A view looking east:
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-XI)
SD60M’s UP 2494 and 2430 were the power for unusual tie train operations (more about that later).
Unballasted track now starts the climb up the east slope of the flyover.
For clarification, we will use the following description: From south to north, flyover locations Track A, B, and C. Above, the laid new track is Track B. Once the new Main 1 is in service over the flyover as Track B, the present Main 1 will be taken up, allowing construction to be finished, a short section currently occupied with Main 1 in the way … Main 2 (Track A) will then be laid on the completed flyover ends. The Colton Flyover will only have two-tracks, Tracks A and B with contingency room for a Track C if the railroad ever decides it needs a third track.
The room for that optional Track C is just left of the orange flyover structure-work on the right.
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-XI)
There presently is a rather severe dip between the present Main 1 ballasted track level (left) and the un-ballasted climbing Track B (right).
The tie train comes east, the switch is thrown, and the switch thrower jumps aboard, and enjoys a “scary” super slow backing onto and up the flyover over track that is all out of alignment.
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-XI)
As the empty and full ballast cars are slowly shoved up the east slope, a switch is encountered, a switch that allows the ballast train to get onto and up Track A
Now the tie cars are going through the switch and up Track A.
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-XI)
Those tie cars approach a tie laying machine.
Only four of the tie cars actually have concrete ties on them.
Continued in Part VI
Part VI (of I-XI)
The west of two boxes (left) for CP SP540 MT VERNON is now at its intended destination site west of the Santa Ana River, but east of Mt. Vernon Ave.
Just west of Mt. Vernon Ave. the middle of three new masts (with full needed signaling for the new arrangement) is still to be erected.
Continued in Part VII
Part VII (of I-XI)
We now go to the Colton Crossing area. In the vicinity of CP SP539 RIVERSIDE INDUSTRIAL LEAD (the center target signal) two two-bulb over two-bulb heads mast signals have been erected NOT associated with any track! A double-stack on the Mt. Vernon Connector (the transition track in the southeast quadrant) is visible on the right.
Those trackless signals above may (”may”) be for a future track, the future angled single-track that will cross the BNSF when trains are operating over the flyover.
A by the Colton Signal Dept. view:
The other (photo right, but left of the other one) of the two signals is closer to the Colton Crossing two interlocking signals (left).
In a rather strange sight, included with a container on a trailer is a grade crossing box. The box is placarded for Jurupa Ave. at M.P. 1.05, wherever that is, obviously on a branch somewhere.
Continued in Part VIII
Part VIII (of I-XI)
In South Colton, by 3rd Street and the present CP SP538 RANCHO, views of the flyover’s west slope:
The west slope’s missing section area (because Main 1 is presently in the way). Note the temporary fencing on the left.
Continued in Part IX
Part IX (of I-XI)
That temporary fencing (bottom, downward to the left) passes the Rancho Ave I-10 Freeway eastbound onramp under construction (downward top onramp to the right):
In the paralleling alleyway the flyover’s west slope can be seen, and the present CP box. What is unusual is that there are little yellow marker flags in the ground on the photo lower right.
The fencing over the BNSF Transcon, which had looked temporary and jerry-rigged, now appears well done and complete.
Continued in Part X
Part X (of I-XI)
The crane is still in the southwest quadrant.
The big, future CP SP538 RANCHO still has not had any new signals erected. The east side westbound signals will probably (“probably”) be erected just this side of the overpass.
The eastbound light power movement above went up the BNSF Connector for unknown reasons. On a personal thought, the last unit of the above consist was SD70M UP 4722.
K.P. saw that unit leading a northward train about a decade ago between Salt Lake City, UT and Pocatello, ID. The power passing the Colton Flyover site sure gets around the UP system! The reason K.P. remembers that particular unit so well is because he had a phone number once ending with those four digits. All us railroaders and/or fans have numbers like that that stand out for whatever reason. OK, back to something halfway meaningful …
Continued in Part XI
Part XI (of I-XI)
We leave the south area, and go to the north side again, to the east slope, by the 9th Street Freeway eastbound off and onramps. The four loaded tie cars have been attached to the track laying machine, and a train on a train is present that goes back and forth bringing ties to the tie laying machine.
Finally, we head back to Mt. Vernon Ave., and see the power that had pushed empty and full tie cars up the east slope now on the east side of the Santa Ana River, in one of two Ice Deck sidings.
This will end the series.
------------
On Monday, April 15, 2013, K.P. was involved in a 16-hour dispatch deep into Riverside County, and on some free time got some Perris Valley Line photos for those following that thread, as well as brief but update photos in Riverside of the 91 Freeway railroad bridge (railroad walling) and the Streeter Ave. underpass construction site (shoefly grading) on the LA&SL alternate Sunset Route. Posting them is pending.
On Tuesday, April 16, 2013 unexpected, surprise circumstances allowed K.P. to photograph briefly CP SP540 MT VERNON’s east side again, as well as dramatic developments involving the I-215 Freeway widening between San Bernardino and Riverside and the site of the planned replacement of a two-track railroad bridge in Grand Terrace / Highgrove with three single-track bridges. Events currently taking place in and between Pomona and Ontario were also recorded. Time was also taken to photograph important aspects of the I-215 Freeway widening in San Bernardino for the “Cajon Pass Triple-Tracking Updates” thread. Posting about all those matters is pending also.
In regards to the "little yellow marker flags in the ground on the photo lower right"
I would assume that is a utility locate - Yellow is the color used for natural gas lines.
Steve
LA&SL Happenings
Riverside, CA
Part “A” (of A-C)
The alternate Sunset Route, the Los Angeles & Salt Lake (LA&SL), from Colton to Riverside to Pomona, has two public projects of note now in process on it, both in the City of Riverside. Both were visited Monday, April 15, 2013.
The first involves replacing a LA&SL bridge over 91 Freeway, a project necessitated because the State is adding lanes to the freeway.
Both freeway sides of the current bridge are finally having obvious work take place now, especial a retaining wall forming on the left of the above views.
Even the BNSF tracks have barricades by them now.
Continued in Part B
Part “B” (of A-C)
In the second project, an underpass is currently in the works where the LA&SL and Streeter Ave. intersect. But first, a little background …
The following are August 5, 2011 photos.
An eastbound view looking down Dewey Ave. from Streeter Ave. (the cross street and crosswalk lines on the photo bottom), and the three mile two-track LA&SL section on the left:
From the southwest side … A view looking at the intermediate signals at the grade crossing. Note the switch stand.
The uncontrolled siding that the switch goes with:
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-C)
Now, in the effort to make a shoofly, graded dirt has been put actually on top of Dewey Ave. itself. View looks eastbound:
The uncontrolled siding has been pulled up, but the switch is still there.
This project, by its nature, will be a more difficult one to get photos of. But, as evidenced above, the long anticipate construction is now moving along.
Technical matters … In this thread K.P. has been spelling the track that goes around a construction site as “shoefly.” That is one accepted dictionary spelling for the railroad term. Union Pacific, however, consistently spells it officially as “shoofly.” Other railroad sources use that spelling as well. So, for this UP Sunset Route subject tread, K.P. has adopted that official spelling, “shoofly.”
Surprise Photo Time
Part I (of I-VII)
Colton and Grand Terrace-Highgrove, CA
As explained in the April 12, 2013 postings, K.P. had surprise things that cropped up on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 that allowed him to check out the happenings over a wide area.
The first area was Colton, and we start at the Sunset Route crossing of the Santa Ana River, in the general M.P. 540-541 vicinity.
A few days ago photos of the new cantilever structure on the east side of the river as seen from the east side were shown to the forum. Here is a this trip view from the WEST side. Unfortunately, a train hogged the view, but we all get the important part of the situation, the not activated yet cantilevered signals.
Above, from left to right, the train is on Main 1, the cantilevered signals are for Main 2 and the Ice Deck sidings
In the Grand Terrace-Highgrove area, the alternate Sunset Route via Riverside that utilizes the BNSF for a portion, the I-215 Freeway widening project has finally begun and is going forward at full speed. For miles freeway barricading has seemingly come out of nowhere, and the ground has been dug for a wider spanned railroad bridge over the freeway.
Part II (of I-VII)
Grand Terrace-Highgrove, CA
In accord with agreed upon matters between Caltrans, SANBAG, and UP related to the Colton Flyover and I-215 Freeway redoing, the old Riverside Industrial Lead is blocked, and the bridge that will not be replaced but done alway with is visible on the background right.
Looking the other way, north, cars are still parked on the line, but the trackage on the left has been pull up.
Above, the Barton Rd. overpass is seen in the background. It is unknown if the powers that be have decided or not what they are going to do about the foolishness of building a fully funded replacement for that overpass when the track underneath it will soon be abandoned and pulled up.
Ontario-Pomona, CA
The presentation will now be on a west to east basis, and starts at San Antonio Ave. in Pomona. The newly laid future Main 2 still has not been connected to the center foreground track. Thus, with the severed new track MikeF90 photo posted about recently, the future Main 2 here is presently totally isolated.
Part III (of I-VII)
We quickly move over to the Monte Vista Ave. grade crossings in Montclair. View looks east. The new yard-like track from Ontario goes under the Central Ave. overpass and turns toward the present main and siding track, where a new CP will likely be located.
Above, note the yellow marker flags in the center area.
Another eastward look from a nearby more southerly location:
Now, a view the other way, to the west:
Strangely, wood ties (NOT concrete ones) are stacked up just west of Monte Vista Ave.
Part IV (of I-VII)
Now we go up on to Mountain Ave. overpass, and look west. The left of two center tracks is the newly laid future Main 2. The far left track is that newly laid yard-like track.
As MikeF90 pointed out, the yard-like track has a switch inserted in it (center bottom). The track has a model train flex-track look that bends here and there.
Part V (of I-VII)
Two views looking east from the Mountain Ave. overpass.
In the just above view, note of smoothed out the ground has been graded on the right.
An eastward view of that new, presently single yard-like track, and its concrete ties:
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