MikeF90,
It's an AEI reader: Automatic Equipment Identification.
Thanks, everyone for your input on my reverse curve question.
John Timm
Update as of Monday, March 11, 2013
The Colton Flyover
Colton, CA
The Colton Crossing / Colton Flyover area in Southern California was visited briefly, the M.P. 538-9 general vicinity. The new Signal Dept. bungalows by the public street were found to be cleared out. The collection of stacked masts is still visible on the first below photo’s left. The Colton Flyover top orange concrete-work had a section with forms on it.
On the last photo above, note the signal shadow on the decorative mountainous flyover artwork.
At this point in time K.P. has nothing scheduled dispatch-wise concerning near the Sunset Route for the next four weeks, except something iffy towards the end of this week. But, the schedule excludes unknown surprises …
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
MikeF90mvsK.P., here is a link to a Palm Springs newspaper article that again mentions passenger rail service between L.A. and Indio. Hi mvs, I've seen that article before in another paper. Too bad it's mostly whining from the usual suspects. Reportedly Metrolink is studying the capacity issues since they will be allowed to serve the Palm Springs area; at least they care about a plan that integrates other modes like buses. Speaking of puffery, the draft 2013 California State Rail Plan info is available here (link). Unexpectedly, it is full of old data and a few errors. Not a good reflection on Caltrans Rail division.
mvsK.P., here is a link to a Palm Springs newspaper article that again mentions passenger rail service between L.A. and Indio.
Hi mvs, I've seen that article before in another paper. Too bad it's mostly whining from the usual suspects. Reportedly Metrolink is studying the capacity issues since they will be allowed to serve the Palm Springs area; at least they care about a plan that integrates other modes like buses.
Speaking of puffery, the draft 2013 California State Rail Plan info is available here (link). Unexpectedly, it is full of old data and a few errors. Not a good reflection on Caltrans Rail division.
Mike, thanks for the link to the CA State Rail Plan. I stopped looking at it because of errors and the general mindset of the document.
In my opinion, stuff like the Colton Crossing flyover; a siding between Santa Barbara and Seacliff; and double-tracking the Surf Line is more important than high speed rail in Chowchilla (but double-tracking the existing BNSF line in the Central Valley is okay with me)
Advertising Signs
Followers of this thread may remember these early-on post photos of advertising signs along the Sunset Route and I-10 Freeway in Fontana, CA that have since been removed because of the two-tracking.
West of Sierra Ave, in Fontana, CA:
East of Citrus Ave.:
Currently, the thread “Perris Valley Line Updates” has some photos of the semi- in process removal of such signs for any that may be interested.
LINK: Perris Valley Sign Removal
That Metrolink ex-Santa Fe San Jac Branch line, because of the proliferation of west side industries served by BNSF, has a second-track planned.
It is interesting that the signs on the Perris thread have the support post at one end and not in the middle. It seems a design like that may be employed along I-10 in the above photos to make room for an additional track.
Are the signs in Perris being removed or just converted to electronic signs?
Newsflash!
Track Layers Have Arrived!
Ontario, CA
From the North Ontario siding’s west end area, by CP AL520 NORTH ONTARIO, the second Main was being laid westward towards Montclair and Pomona yesterday, Monday, March 18, 2013.
And, preparation has taken place for laying some track rather weirdly for non-mainline trackage as well west of San Antonio Ave. (Ontario), which is just west of the above mentioned CP.
It is hoped a report on this can quickly be put together in a day or two, but a major, major problem has arisen in the use of photobucket.com that will greatly slow down putting together a presentation for the forum. There are short term fixes, but the continued use of that service is now in question. But, hang in there everybody … Track layers ARE now working in the Ontario-Montclair area!
K.P., sorry to hear about your photobucket.com woes. Ironically I just created a photobucket account to overcome Yahoo-Flickr stupid limits.
May I suggest that you open a new thread on the Trains.com Community Assistance forum (link) ASAP so we all can compare notes on this critical image hosting issue without cluttering up this great thread. Now back on topic ....
Good news indeed about the TLM - I guess that they have enough culvert work done to lay tracks in the immediate yard area.
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! ***
Update as of Monday, March 18, 2013
Part I (of I-XIV)
Two-Tracking Now Going On
This presentation will be on a west to east basis.
First, the Sunset Route grade crossing was checked out at Monte Vista Ave. in Montclair, but no discernible activity appeared to be going on at what is believe to be a future CP.
Next, the Mountain Ave. overpass in Ontario was traversed, and what a sight was seen!
Track was being laid westward! Sometime previous, rails had been positioned for the future Main 2, as well as in the background on the above photo!
An eastward head-on view from atop the overpass:
A few moments later, another machine arrives, and goes ahead of the first. Notice that the lead yellow machine has wheels for track travel.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-XIV)
Looking east still, a switch and spread apart rails have been positioned.
Above, note the water truck at the end of those new rails.
A headlight is seen.
Interestingly, above, the new track (foreground) does not line up with the North Ontario siding (background).
Looking the other way, the new rails (for the future Main 2) goes towards the North Montclair siding.
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-XIV)
Another eastward view: The track laying was proceeded by that rail travel capable yellow machine, with claws but the rail was NOT being moved.
Notice the large top yellow machine. It was travel back and forth on rails on top of the train, bringing concrete ties forward for being laid on the cleared right-of-way.
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-XIV)
That train in the distance now comes by.
Briefly, a very quick side trip – to another state! That westbound train undoubted passed Tucson, AZ a number of hours earlier.
Tucson is where concrete ties are manufactured for use around the sprawling UP system. The concrete ties for the track being laid in Ontario, CA undoubtedly came from that above Tucson facility.
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-XIV)
A heavy telephoto of that off-the-main switch, and the apart-from-each-other rails:
Ah, the ever present water truck to keep the dust down!
Note the unsecured rails on the far lower right. Also, the switch again on the lower left. But, make a mental note of the TWO switches above it, off the future Main 2.
Continued in Part VI
Part VI (of I-XIV)
The previously mentioned cleared diagonal pathway has spread apart rails in it now!
The giant boulders and those rails:
Continued in Part VII
Part VII (of I-XIV)
A far eastern overview … and those diagonal rails.
Other views of the odd swinging over to the LA&SL side:
Continued in Part VIII
Part VIII (of I-XIV)
An even heavier eastward telephoto again:
Above, make a special note of the leftmost switch’s laying position, particularly the tip closest to the camera, and consider it in relation to San Antonio Ave. (the grade crossing) and the future two main tracks. The situation of that switch is very different at ground level, and will be briefly mentioned in a further part.
Looking westward again, note the far left absolute east side westbound signal for the North Montclair siding.
Back viewing the east side again, the tie laying train now is getting very close to Mountain Ave. in its westward march
Continued in Part IX
Part IX (of I-XIV)
So close, in fact, a good down on view could be had.
That tie ‘train’ on flatcar rails is still shuttling back and forth.
Continued in Part X
Part X (of I-XIV)
Some more down on views.
Continued in Part XI
Part XI (of I-XIV)
The tail end approaches.
Have you ever wonder what Mountain Ave. looks like? Looking north, Holt Ave. is the background cross street with stop lights.
Finally, a looking southward and the Mountain Ave. overpass … and that rolling tie machine on rolling tie cars is about to go under the overpass.
Continued in Part XII
Part XII (of I-XIV)
We now travel over to San Antonio Ave (Ontario) … Looking east: The new crossover trackage has a straight section added (just above center), but still is disconnected.
Looking west:
That switch right off the Main 2 switch appears to be a derail, to make sure (“make sure”) nothing gets away from the facility. Make sure is said because this is the high end of the facility, with the other end of what is being built, the west end, being a little bit lower.
It was the west end area, by Monte Vista Ave., that a cut of just arrived yarded cars got loose circa 2004 and speedily ran downhill almost all the way to Los Angeles, but was deliberately derailed in Commerce. Because of that incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) ordered UP to install derails back then. But, this is the high end, so the railroad might be a little runaway shy …
That tie laying train in the background is now past Mountain Ave.
Continued in Part XIII
Part XIII (of I-XIV)
Some few remaining views:
A slanted view westward: That switch looks like a derail now.
Looking east: The centers on the new foreground track are definitely wider than on the background siding track!
Before we leave San Antonio Ave (Ontario), one last picture … There were a couple of manned, light flatbed trucks present with yellow flasher lights on them. Apparently the San Antonio Ave. grade crossing was block and the railroad was laying ties and rail westward.
While we don’t think about it much, but such tie laying trains have to tie up grade crossings when they very, very slowly traverse them.
Continued in Part XIV
Part XIV (of I-XIV)
The Main 1 Milliken Ave. Flyover
The location was visited again, and traffic was still a big giant mess. The new lanes and sidewalks still were under construction.
But, the final Main 1 Flyover decorative but full strength spans were finally attached.
Previously, the final, last northernmost spans were yet to be installed (upper left of the below photo).
Now, all the spans are present.
Your "rail capable machine" is called a Swingmaster, and can lift 20,000lbs without breaking a sweat. Go back to my video of cutting in Sabino, and you'll see them in use.
http://www.swingmastercorp.com/
The HARSCO train is facinating to watch. I didn't get any pictures of it in action, but did watch them in action one morning.
On the sections of track recently done in Tucson, the grade crossings were laid using pre-built track panels, dragged into place during closures of the crossing and covered with the roadway panels.
The track laying machine worked up to the panels, crossed, and started work again. They might have broken up the tie flats to keep the crossing open, but I can't confirm that.
Some Replies …
jeffhergert (3-10):
Thanks for your authoritative in-the-Midwest observations about coal trains east of Gibbon, NE and the two-tracking of the Blair Sub. That gives observers of the Sunset Route two-tracking something to compare with, especially in light of your connection to Omaha.
mvs (3-11):
About commuter train service … It is about 120 rail miles between Indio and Los Angeles, a corridor ripe for fast rail service. But, in my opinion, that commuter concept is dead on arrival! UP’s operations on Beaumont Hill are totally incompatible with fast commuter trains. Just look at the convulsions UP has had with a single Amtrak train a day on the route overall!
HOWEVER … IF (and it is a big if) those commuter interests are willing to pay for a third-track between Indio and Los Angeles that UP could use at its discretion, I’m convinced UP would leap for joy, as the Feds paying for a third-track in the West Colton Yard area of the Sunset Route and likewise for all the overpasses that would have to be modified for such a third track would make UP’s day. UP could then just give the LA&SL to whomever … Though knowing UP, I’m sure they would insist on retention of trackage rights …
rdamon (3-13):
The advertising signs on Metrolink’s Perris Valley Line are being removed for the same reason as the signs in Fontana were, to make room for another track.
MikeF90 (3-19):
Thanks for the invitation to start a community thread about posting photos. However, Mike, I don’t think I would have much to contribute.
The problems I’ve encountered recently with photobucket.com inspired me to do extensive testing, and I’ve concluded that that service is now an in order date and time photo oriented service, which may not be that bad. But, their lack of quick photo information retrieval I believe is absolutely atrocious and a disgrace to the Internet!
They were also sent a gutsy email, and soon afterwards, they did change a certain method of their presentations. It is unknown it that was coincidental to the email or not.
eolesen (3-20):
Thanks for the info on the “rail capable machine,” etc.
While I have you … How is UP doing on the two-tracking in Arizona between CP SP961 MARANA and CP SP967 RILLITO (M.P. 967.4)? Has anything advanced eastward from the latter CP?
Take care all,
K.P.
Track is installed all the way from Kino to Marana, and the remaining halves of the universal crossovers are in work at Marana and Sabino. There are also MOW sidings now in place on the new track just west of CP Sabino and Twin Peaks Rd, and tamping is underway.
I've also noticed crews putting together a pair of #24's at Stockham, with no visible yet changes at Kino, which makes me believe Kino is indeed going away when the alignment shift takes place.
That's as of a week ago. Been a bit tied up this week to do a line check, but maybe next week I can take a drive...
eolesen (3-22):
I just had to show you a never before posted photo from the February 7-8, 2013 trip, a photo by Ina Rd. in the northwest of Tucson, AZ area.
The track the yellow machine was on obviously ends currently. And as you logically concluded, there will be an alignment shift in the future so the foreground tracks will meet up with the background tracks.
Concerning nearby track to the southeast …
The best that I can determine, Eric, is that “Stockham” is just an ‘area’ of Tucson, AZ, but is a strange railroad place. The SOUTH side new grading from the west ends at the west switch of the NORTH side Stockham siding.
LINK: Aerial for West End of Stockham Siding
The east switch of the Stockham siding has an odd arrangement.
LINK: Aerial of East End of Stockham Siding
The east switch area of Stockham is where the old two-tracks have long ended from the east, making the siding’s use limited because it ends only onto Main Track 1.
You mentioned noticing “crews putting together a pair of #24's [i.e., crossover switches of the 50 M.P.H. type] at Stockham.” Where exactly were those switches being assemble at, the west end or the east end, or some else?
Towards the end of 2008 UP had TWO track laying machines laying track from the opposite ends in the about 10 mile section between Thousand Palms and Indio here in California. Besides your area, Eric, the railroad now has a lot of coals in the fire for those yellow track laying machines, with the big Santa Teresa, NM project; the many, many miles to be track-laid on the new grading east of Salton Sea, track laying concerning the PHIMF in the City of Industry, and the current activity in Ontario-Montclair. Plus, some freak track laying in San Gabriel (near Los Angeles) …
… for the trench now being constructed there as an extension of the Alhambra Trench (shown above) of 35 years ago..
The orchestrator and master scheduler of all this must have a sense of job security in his scheduling career!
Your future Arizona reports are eagerly anticipated. Thanks in advance, Eric!
Take care,
-------------
For those following the K.P. photobucket.com saga, just locating the above top photo once it was at Photobucket (to get the link) consumed an hour! I just don’t know about that outfit …
Just Checking Things Out
Colton-Pomona, CA
On Saturday, March 23, 2013, K.P. had a day totally to self and used it to extensively check out the Colton to Pomona, CA Sunset Route scene. A full findings report to the forum will be forthcoming in several days.
As a teaser … At Bon View Ave. (SP side) in Ontario the first of four CP mast signals has been erected. View looks east.
Bridging is also now being installed over the BNSF Connector (the northwest quadrant’s transition track) at the Colton Flyover / Colton Crossing site.
Second-track track laying westward has almost (“almost”) reached CP AL515 RESERVOIR in Pomona.
More details in the report.
Catch everyone later,
Here are a couple from the Colton Flyover taken on 3/17
This ought to be good for the Sunset Limited. No cure all for that train, mind you bur every little but really should help at least a little.
Schedule for Colton to Pomona, CA Update:
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 by 2 A.M. (PDT): The Colton Flyover Area
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 by 2 A.M. (PDT): The Etiwanda Ave. West to Pomona
Update as of Saturday, March 23, 2013
Colton to Pomona, CA
Part “A” (of A-G; Overall A-N)
This report will be on an east to west basis.
All the south side orange top strip walling seems complete now on the flyover’s east slope. The track on the lower right is BNSF’s cross Transcon.
The orange strip on the west slope is now only beginning to be constructed.
An interesting photo composition and equipment by the BNSF Connector (note signal):
Continued in Part B
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