The Sunset Route “Texas to California” Report
Part “G” (of A-H), Section 1 (of 1-12)
The Iris-Bertram Area of Southern California
Previously, sources reported that two-tracking westward would start in the Iris area. CP SP676 IRIS (M.P. 675.6) is the east switch of the Iris siding. As seen below, looking eastward at the M.P. 676 sign the right-of-way appears to have no new grading, especially the background center.
Mild grading (far side) is WEST of M.P. 676 as seen from up on a nearby hill south of the track, but that may have been from previous times and does not appear new.
A westward telephoto of CP SP676 IRIS from up on that mild hill:
Continued in Section 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 “G”, Section 2 (of 1-12)
A heavier telephoto of the north (far) side Iris siding area seems to show new grading.
But, the real telltale sign of two-tracking is toward the west end of the Iris siding (far background signals), with a universal crossovers type CP grading now present.
Above, the west switch, CP SP674 IRIS (M.P. 673.9) is seen in the background. The train visible is in the siding.
Just WEST of the west switch at Iris …
… is a public road that goes under the tracks, and a second-track bridging has been put in.
Continued in Section 3
Part “G”, Section 3 (of 1-12)
Some other views of the new (and old) bridging:
Continued in Section 4
Part “G”, Section 4 (of 1-12)
Further west, there is a set of intermediate signals.
There is bridging just west of those signals too, and that wood bridging had a concrete one build alongside it too.
Further west, near the intersection of Flower Wells and Nidar …
… a new second-track bridge has been installed too.
Continued in Section 5
Part “G”, Section 5 (of 1-12)
Further west is a dirt road grade crossing.
Looking east from that dirt road grade crossing:
A westward view:
Thus, all this section is all grading-prepared now for a second-track.
Continued in Section 6
Part “G”, Section 6 (of 1-12)
At the east end of Niland, looking eastbound, the grading for a second-track is all complete.
That grading is for the second main plus an access road. The north siding (the alignment of the second-track) is on the right.
That new access road continues west past the grade crossing.
Continued in Section 7
Part “G”, Section 7 (of 1-12)
On the west side of the town of Niland is the English Rd. grade crossing. From there looking eastbound, the grading for the south siding extension comes all the way to English Rd., but no farther.
The grading west of the North siding (center) is complete, which will be the alignment for Main 1 when the present Main (right) becomes Main 2.
A wide angle eastward view:
Looking west at the future Main 1 alignment grading:
Continued in Section 8
Part “G”, Section 8 (of 1-12)
Now we get into a most enlightening area, a CP grading location a few miles EAST of the Rogoza siding (which siding’s east end is by the Border Patrol stop).
The CP grading area now has a CP box at it!
And the box is placarded WISTER!
So, now we know the location will be called Wister and not the conjectured Rogoza. Mr. Rogoza will be forgotten, unless the Border Patrol area will be timetabled as Rogoza. For those unfamiliar with the area, just a few miles east is a siding called Wister, so the CP name has a certain relevancy to the general area.
Continued in Section 9
Part “G”, Section 9 (of 1-12)
At the Frink Rd. grade crossing, just east of the Border Patrol motorists stop, a new, uninstalled electrical box is present. By it there is a laying down data antenna related to Positive Train Control.
So, intermediate signals likely will be by the Frink Rd. grade crossing. Grade crossings in themselves don’t usually have such antennas, but signal locations usually do (at least Positive Train Control – PTC).
Continued in Section 10
Part “G”, Section 10 (of 1-12)
We now move westward to Hot Mineral Spa Rd. (the grade crossing box is mislabeled as Hot Spring Rd.). That grade crossing is having new crossing gates installed, and their spacing is for two-tracks. Having any type of train signals on a curve is questionable, but the high speed curves in the area are so long and swooping that the railroad may have figured it has little choice other than here.
That grade crossing is in the big, swooping curve. View looks westbound.
Above, while the site presently has intermediate signals there, there was no evidence it will be as such under two-tracks.
On both sides of Hot Mineral Spa Rd. ribbon rail is present, likely to replace the current rails. View looks eastbound.
The tracks parallel Highway 111 (the cross road in the background). Salton Sea is barely visible in this view.
Continued in Section 11
Part “G”, Section 11 (of 1-12)
New, two-tracking signals have been erected about, in a rough estimate, a mile west of Hot Mineral Spa Rd.
Above, the east facing westbound lower heads don’t seem to have a purpose, except maybe repeating the next signals to the west.
The next signals to the west are in the M.P. 650 area, and directly across from Bombay Beach.
Those above intermediates are kind of on or by a curve, which is questionable. Also, the lower east facing westbound heads have two-bulbs each (intermediates don’t have a lower red)! The next signals are a CP, a different one than most in that it has both 50 M.P.H. crossovers AND a retained 30 M.P.H. siding. So, if a westbound train got a yellow over green, it would know the high speed crossover lineup was ahead. On the other hand, if it was yellow over yellow, for either track, the train crew would know they had to prepare to go into the 30 M.P.H. Bertram siding.
Continued in Section 12
Part “G”, Section 12 (of 1-12)
In that K.P. did not do photographing in the Bertram area, this section only has previously shown photos, but they are posted only to ensure viewer’s connecting to the above post’s explanations and to solidify the area in viewers minds.
At CP SP648 BERTRAM, looking eastbound:
Looking westbound:
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Part H will deal with trackage off the Sunset Route, in El Centro, CA, and will be posted Wednesday, June 26, 2013 by 9:00 A.M. PDT
As K.P. already noted, the flyover was placed in service (on the No. 1 track only) yesterday afternoon. The first train used it around dinnertime. Lots of signal work coincided with the flyover cut over.
Control points SP 541 Ice Deck and SP 543 Bryn Mawr were retired from service. The siding switch on the No. 2 track at the west end of the Ice Deck siding has been folded into the new SP 540 Mt Vernon.
There used to be dispatcher controlled hold signals on the No. 1 track at SP 541 Ice Deck. These have been replaced with intermediates on the No. 1 track at MP 539.7 -- across from SP 540 Mt Vernon. Additionally, all of the hold signals at the old Bryn Mawr were replaced with intermediates.
At the west end of the flyover, none of the new switches or crossovers were placed in service. The flyover simply bypasses SP 538 Rancho and connects to SP 537 East Wye Bypass. In August, when the flyover is to be completed, the new SP 538 Rancho control point will be activated. At that time, SP537 will be retired.
Over the next couple months keep your eyes on the area near SP 539 Riverside Lead, and BNSF's West Colton control point. SP 539 will be reconfigured with new switches and the track realigned across the BNSF. This is why the new signals at SP 539 are in the middle of nowhere.
A new half-loop track will be built between the Santa Ana River and the lumber yard permitting UP to access the Riverside Lead without the street-running down the middle of 9th Street. To accomplish this, at BNSF West Colton the turnout onto the Mount Vernon connector will become a "crossover" to permit UP locals to access the Riverside Lead without occupying the main track. I haven't been down here in a while, so for all I know, maybe the loop track is already being built?
Clyde
Also, if my description of the flyover has you confused, or you'd simply like to watch live movements, I've published a new ATCS layout to the group which is available for download. Remember, ATCS Monitor is free, all you need is a computer running Windows.
UP Yuma Subdivision 6-23-2013.zip is the updated file in the data section of the ATCS_Monitor Yahoo group.
Update as of Saturday, June 22, 2013
Connected Track Ends at the Colton Flyover
Colton, CA
Flyover Post #4 (of 4-8, Overall 1-8)
Load after load of ballast is dropped.
Another load is dumped … Note the smoothed out ballast now by the photo left top.
To the west of Rancho Ave. is a stockpile of ballast, and loads are constantly being picked up and brought to the east side of Rancho Ave. and dumped
Continued in Flyover Post #5
Flyover Post #5 (of 4-8, Overall 1-8)
Then, everything stops, everybody leaves and the ballast moving equipment heads over the tracks and moves toward Pepper Ave.
A simple makeshift way of blocking the now out-of-service old ground level Main 1’s end:
It looked (“looked”) like it was time for K.P. to go … and a shot of the glowing flyover railing was too irresistible to not shoot another photo of.
Continued in Flyover Post #6
Flyover Post #6 (of 4-8, Overall 1-8)
But then a track machine's diesel engine started, and a different set of workers started converging on the area of the track equipment, and everything starting moving!.
Then the equipment starts moving westward under Rancho Ave.
The smaller machine gets in the act too …
Just above, it looks like markings have been put of the ties for additional rails to keep railcars on the flyover in case of a derailment.
Continued in Flyover Post #7
Flyover Post #7 (of 4-8, Overall 1-8)
Now, it WAS time to go, and a full moon was seen -- perfect for seeing trains ON the flyover at night in the next few days!
Continued in Flyover Post #8
Flyover Post #8 (of 4-8, Overall 1-8)
On the EAST side of the flyover, by the Mt. Vernon Ave. overpass, Main 1 from the Santa Ana River was now connected to the new track over the flyover too.
Scattered equipment was there as well.
The Main 1 signals by Mt. Vernon Ave. had reversed number plates now. The train on the Mt. Vernon Connector possibly awaits a crew change or a signal at twilight.
All the new signals are up now at CP SP540 MT VERNON.
A parked ballast train on Main 1 was in the vicinity of CP SP541 ICE DECK, to the east of the Santa Ana River. Also, an effort was made to check on the cantilevered new signals at CP SP542 LOMA LINDA, but Hunts Lane was found to be now closed for overpass construction.
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Update of an Update … After an urgent morning dispatch deep into Riverside County on Monday, June 24, 2013, in returning K.P. was able to check on the status of the Colton Flyover. The east slope (near Mt. Vernon Ave.) was still being worked on, and by the west slope a track crew was working on Main 1 by CP SP537 EAST WYE BYPASS. And the flyover track did not look shiny as if trains were NOT using it yet. The new signals by the Santa Ana River, however, WERE working and old signals removed (sort of anyway). A report on this will be forthcoming in a day or two …
While waiting for someone's pic of a revenue train on the flyover, I google-stumbled upon this AREMA paper on the flyover design - a good read and technical summary. Don't overlook the 'slide show' and pictures at the end.
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! ***
Part “H” (of A-H), Section 1 (of 1-5)
Off the Sunset Route: El Centro, CA
In our imaginary tour, we take Highway 111 (which here is a north-south highway) to the cross street Evan Hewes Highway. There was once a grade crossing at Highway 111 (background on first below photo). Views look east:
Looking west:
Those last two photos above look towards El Centro. As the abandoned line gets closer to El Centro proper, tracks never were abandoned, and are in use.
Part “H”, Section 2 (of 1-5)
That abandoned line that becomes active wyes into the north-south line from Niland, CA.
Just south of the above wye arrangement is some type of servicing facility, and strangely, wheels and axles are present!
The above photos were shot from Commercial Ave.
Part “H”, Section 3 (of 1-5)
A heavier southward telephoto:
A northward view:
AJUSTABLE LINK: The Wye and Commercial Ave.
Part “H”, Section 4 (of 1-5)
North of that Wye (to the east) is another wye (to the west).
AJUSTABLE LINK: El Centro Wyes Aerial
That wye is partially seen in the last photo in the post just above.
Two eastward views of that more northern wye:
One can tell the Southern Pacific heritage of this Union Pacific line by that “wye” switch. Reportedly, according to sources, UP has a disdain for wye switches, but tolerates some (i.e., not converting them to tradition turnout switches) for various reasons.
Such a wye switch (though of a higher number and speed) is in the ex-SP Alhambra Trench near Los Angeles, CA. (Reshown photo)
Part “H”, Section 5 (of 1-5)
Two westward photos:
The 6th Street grade crossing, looking northward:
The wye track again:
The line south from Niland is the Calexico Sub, whereas the line from El Centro west to Plaster City is the El Centro Sub. The line west from Plaster City is now in non-UP (ex-SP) hands, and runs through Carrizo Gorge and the famed Goat Canyon Bridge, into Mexico, and back out again to San Diego. It is not clear if that route is still passable or not.
K.P. years ago saw photos of EMD NW and SW switchers in the SP 1100 series (ex-4600’s) on that SP line, later the San Diego & Arizona Eastern (SD&AE) in the San Diego area. Those switch engines use to pass K.P.’s childhood residence in the Inland Empire of Southern California. If anyone has details on those operations of years and years ago, K.P. would love to hear about them.
In the not too distant past TRAINS Newswire ran an article about investors looking into rebuilding the Carrizo Gorge line for a through route to the east, which K.P. interprets as via El Centro to Niland to the Sunset Route. That seems like a stiff undertaking, but who knows. Cheap labor in Mexico may allow investors to see dollar signs. As far as K.P. knows, the verdict on that is still out.
It is hoped something of special value to thread followers was seen somewhere in this “The Sunset Route ‘Texas to California’ Report” series …
Update as of Monday, June 24, 2013
More on the Colton Flyover
Flyover Post #101 (of 101-109)
The most significant point to convey regarding this onsite visit was that the Colton Flyover Main 1 rails (railheads) actually over the flyover were still semi-dull – i.e., while the track is reportedly in service, trains were still NOT running over it, at least not regularly.
While no track equipment was seen actually on the flyover’s WEST slope, Main 1 was out of service with crewed work taking place.
Looking east from Rancho Ave. with a heavy telephoto, all the NEW signals at CP SP540 MT VERNON (note the far silver cantilever signal structure in the background) were IN SERVICE with heads facing trains!
Continued in Flyover Post #102
Flyover Post #102 (of 101-109)
The old Main 1 just this west side of the universal crossovers at the still in service old CP SP538 RANCHO has had its track pull up.
The flyover has an extraordinarily long section of track with center protective derailment rails to keep errant cars hopefully in a straight line.
Continued in Flyover Post #103
Flyover Post #103 (of 101-109)
The alleyway by the present CP SP538 RANCHO has many temporary orange markers now lining it.
Continued in Flyover Post #104
Flyover Post #104 (of 101-109)
At ground level … from bottom to top, the out and back switching track, Main 2, the pulled up ground level alignment of the old Main 1, and the new Main 1 where the sunlight meets the shadowing.
An eastward view:
A Main 2 westbound train passes on the only main that was actively in service now, by the present old CP SP538 RANCHO.
Continued in Flyover Post #105
Flyover Post #105 (of 101-109)
A wider view and those plastic orange marker posts (lower right)
A meet: The out and back switching track (left) and Main 2 (right).
The alleyway and those orange markers: The alleyway looks like had some of its pavement trimmed away.
Continued in Flyover Post #106
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