MikeF90 Hi, billio! K.P. must be out taking more pics. Thanks for the Google Earth tip, the satellite pictures are slightly newer than the ones currently seen in Maps. Your mileage estimate looks good; coincidentally I plotted that segment on my SR overview map (link). Technically the west end of the new Alhambra sub #2 should be at CP Oak (LH turnout next to Oak Ave). This should be temporary until the Al sub 'diversion' and 'ultimate' CP Hamilton reconfiguration happen. Upgrade of the latter CP was halted pending resolution of other issues and the design may change further due to the upcoming grade separation there. Sudden Burst Of Activity, indeed.
Hi, billio! K.P. must be out taking more pics. Thanks for the Google Earth tip, the satellite pictures are slightly newer than the ones currently seen in Maps. Your mileage estimate looks good; coincidentally I plotted that segment on my SR overview map (link). Technically the west end of the new Alhambra sub #2 should be at CP Oak (LH turnout next to Oak Ave).
This should be temporary until the Al sub 'diversion' and 'ultimate' CP Hamilton reconfiguration happen. Upgrade of the latter CP was halted pending resolution of other issues and the design may change further due to the upcoming grade separation there. Sudden Burst Of Activity, indeed.
Hello MikeF90. Glad to have been of help to a fellow railway construction geek! And thanks for your kind response to my query. It seems that some Google Earth-scapes, particularly in large metro areas, employ an older, not quite up to date view of an area, I conjecture because the Google Earth people have doctored the older view with 3-D ground photography so that voyeurs can play around with that feature. Updating newer satellite imagery is probably time consuming and expensive, which leads one to wonder how often the newer imagery will get overlaid with 3-D -- but that's another question. I stumbled across this some months ago while examining a landscape in my favorite railroad city, Chicago. And not knowing the Inland Empire at all but for the photo-reportage of (mostly) KP, everytime he files a new report, I get on Google Earth to see for myself where the action is occurring.
Incidentally, your overview map link gives the best graphic summary of two-tracking work on the Sunset Route. Thanks for sharing it -- and thanks, once again, to KP for his relentless persistence in following and documenting the construction happenings on the Sunset Route .
Cheers!! --billio
Update as of Saturday, October 26, 2013
Things Are Becoming Clearer
The Colton Flyover Area
Colton, CA
Part “A” (of A-H, Overall A-P)
Previously, this photo was shown to the forum of a strange development concerning BNSF’s CP29 GONZALES (just north of the Sunset Route) where ALL the signals were converted to pot signals.
That didn’t quite make sense to K.P. as he had never seen that before, but now things have become crystal clear. The pot signals are only an interim situation that allows the same old masts and cantilever structures to have their target heads changed out to color lights.
So, the BNSF tracks under the Sunset Route’s Colton Flyover will remain just two-tracks, at least for the time being.
Continued in Part B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 “B” (of A-H, Overall A-P)
By “K” Street and La Cadena Dr., at the EAST side of the new CP SP539 RIVERSIDE LEAD (at ground level and just south of the Colton Flyover), the westbound new color light signals have both been activated.
A westward view: The railroad bridging over the La Cadena Dr. underpass, with Mt. Vernon Connector track the across the view lower track. By the white truck on the left are the future Track 112 and the present trackless diamonds that will be eliminated.
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-H, Overall A-P)
On August 7, 2013 this previously posted photo was shot, with the Riverside Industrial Lead the curved cross track closest to the camera.
However, now …
Looking east from the La Cadena Drive underpass area, that west wye of the street running Riverside Industrial Lead has been severed from the Mt. Vernon Connector. The track that remains is seen on the right just below the makeshift orange fencing posts’ white tops.
The Colton Signal Dept. area of K Street was checked out, but nothing obvious stood out.
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (of A-H, Overall A-P)
By South 4th Street at the Sunset Route, the concrete switch ties have been moved up onto a sloping embankment.
There were concrete ties here and there, and those ties often were seen taking a wild ride down the sloping embankment.
Continued in Part E
Part “E” (of A-H, Overall A-P)
The ties were being brought to a progressively eastward track laying.
Continued in Part F
Part “F” (of A-H, Overall A-P)
An orange piece of equipment got into the wild ride act, and picked up a few ties.
Looking east, the new Mt. Vernon Connector is seen.
Just above, note the new uninstalled, angled diamonds now on site (lower left).
Continued in Part G
Part “G” (of A-H, Overall A-P)
From the cul-de-sac of South 3rd Street, an eastward view: Activity and ribbon rail.
Both a UP (on the flyover) and a BNSF on the Trancon simultaneously pass the area with neither one having to stop anymore.
Another eastward view:
Continued in Part H
Part “H” (of A-H, Overall A-P)
More views from 3rd Street.
---------
Continued in Parts I-P, and which is scheduled for posting Thursday, October 31, 2013 by noon Pacific Daylight Time.
Part “I” (of I-P Overall A-P)
From up on the Rancho Ave. overpass: Wood ties meet concrete ties on the new Track 112.
An overview looking east:
Continued in Part J
Part “J” (of I-P Overall A-P)
Strange wiring:
An eastward telephoto:
Another eastward overview with, from left to right, Mains 1 and 2, the BNSF Connector, and Track 112:
Continued in Part K
Part “K” (of I-P Overall A-P)
A telephoto again, with an auto-rack train on the Mt. Vernon Connector (upper right):
And, a heavy telephoto: Three trains are in view.
Down on eastward views by Rancho Ave. again: The north side flyover road has been paved (left)!
Continued in Part L
Part “L” (of I-P Overall A-P)
A westbound is routed over the BNSF Connector. That wild ride embankment is on the right.
A westbound intermodal (background) follows that auto-rack train on the Mt. Vernon Connector.
An abnormal amount of traffic was using the Mt. Vernon Connect this day. Main 2 on the flyover was having maintenance-of-way operations on it, but such equipment was not in clear view.
An important photo to remember for this series: From the Rancho Ave. overpass looking westbound.
Such pictured trains, if lined to crossover (“crossover”) get a yellow over yellow back at CP SP540 MT VERNON, by the Santa Ana River. Forum readers might want to make a temporary mental note for later of that yellow over yellow by the Santa Ana River for crossing over here at CP SP538 RANCHO.
Continued in Part M
Part “M” (of I-P Overall A-P)
While the Dispatcher and Corridor Manager orchestrate how the trains will get around each other or otherwise meet, in the narrow confines of the once Sunset Route mains (lower right), how does "non-train" equipment get around each other?
One simple way that seems to work: Through improvising and a quick side tour of the neighborhood …
Continued in Part N
Part “N” (of I-P Overall A-P)
Back by the flyover, the equipment backs into the alleyway, and eastwardly follows the newly laid track (or what will be track).
Continued in Part O
Part “O” (of I-P Overall A-P)
K.P. received a cell phone call, and after considerable discussion, went to the Cooley Ranch area of Colton (by South Mt. Vernon Ave.). After taking care of necessities, a return to the Sunset Route was made, by Mt. Vernon Ave., and K.P. just sat there in the lowering sunlight waiting to see if anything would come. Ah, something was coming!
Above, the westbound train was on Main 1 (with an intermediate signal behind the camera). The cantilever signaling structure (right) is for Main 2 and the Ice Deck siding.
The train was slowing down.
And, it came to a stop (with a YELLOW signal right in front of it). It then just sat there and sat. Hmmm.
Continued in Part P
Part “P” (of I-P Overall A-P)
Then a crew member climbed down
Then a crew bus showed up, made relief, and a new crew now manned the train! Why did the train make relief here instead of at the normal Cedar Ave. in Bloomington, across from the Admin Building at West Colton Yard? Surely an intermodal could make the Yuma, AZ to West Colton Yard, CA run within the twelve hours limited by law. Then more sitting and sitting and sitting.
Then, all of a sudden … the lower head lit! Yellow over lunar!
The train knocked the signal down (trainmen’s lingo for passing the signal and the indication immediately changes to red) and slowly moved west. Was this train destined for the Palmdale Cutoff? Yes it was!
So, a westbound gets a yellow over YELLOW by CP SP540 MT VERNON on either main to crossover over at CP SP538 RANCHO, but a yellow over LUNAR by Mt. Vernon Ave. to up ahead go up the slow speed Palmdale Cutoff route … (Top curving down track, last photo, Part L)
Now, we all know!
This will conclude the series.
----------
Watch for some brief (“brief”) update reports about Colton, Riverside, and the Puente Hills Intermodal Facility (PHIMF) area.
KP Congrats on 300 pages!!
Great series !
Keep an eye on the area west of Ontario airport, there's more planned (last I heard anyway) by UP in what was once a fairy decent neighborhood.
A10
KP: I would like to echo RDAMON's thoughtful congratulations. Your forum has been very much enjoyed, and is very informative. The efforts that you put into this are much appreciated!
JOHN
A Very Little Amount of Photos …
… In Covering a Whole Lot of Ground
Part I (of I-VI)
It was Monday, and except for a long dispatch Wednesday, nothing was on the lineup nor anticipated for the rest of the week.
When the Mrs. left for work very early Monday morning, K.P. had an uneasy feeling about it for an unknown reason. Less than an hour later the Mrs. called … Her car had been rear ended on the fast lanes of the freeway! She was mostly OK, but later that morning the doctor said she would be real sore for a few days …
So, K.P. put on much mileage in response to that unexpected development, and included travel within Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. In the far and few between non-urgent times, a few (“few”) photos could be had about thread related current matters. This short series is about those matters …
Two areas in Colton were focused on: The first, South 4th Street, where some turnout ties on the embankment (lower right) for the future manual switch had been positioned (lower left).
A northward view:
Note the location position of the yellow track machine (left). It will be referred to in Part II. The gentleman walking (right) is passing the new switch.
Track workers were still working on the future Track 112 from last report, but the rails had been attached the entire probably three blocks distance.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-VI)
That track machine on the BNSF Connector was working the BNSF Connector over.
The future crossover at this location is not in yet, so the yellow track machine could not be crossed over. Its movement was exclusive to the BNSF Connector.
From K Street looking north where the BNSF Connector goes under the Sunset Route. Groups of ties had been place for the future Track 112.
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-VI)
Second, on K Street in South Colton, EAST of the BNSF Transcon, the Colton Signal Dept. had a few new items of interest in it. A real of orange cable covering was on site.
Above, that box for CP AL525 GUASTI is still on site, but it is starting to show weather wear. As stated previously, K.P. is inclined to believe that the next section of the Pomona-Fontana two-tracking will extend from the Bon View Ave. area in Ontario to the new Milliken Ave Flyover area, and that above CP box will then be pressed into service, but that is just conjecturing. OR, the track laying could start in Fontana and head west to Guasti, but that seems less likely. Again, that is purely conjectural.
ANOTHER box (center) that looks a little worn has a very NEW placard on it.
CP C056 SCRRA JCT (SCRRA stands for Southern California Regional Rail Authority, or Metrolink) is for a side track to the commuter terminal in Riverside, by the LA&SL junction with the BNSF Transcon.
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-VI)
In the Los Angeles area, in the City of Industry, the LA&SL grade crossing at Workman Mills Road is now temporarily closed.
The Puente Hills Intermodal Facility (PHIMF) website indicates the closure will be through December (2013).
K.P. has never seen a road closure as extensive and complete as this one! It is unknown even how residents by the tracks can get away from or to their homes. One might think the PHIMF project unearthed a stash of gold … Is that why UP has reported such great earnings of late? Seriously, the atmosphere baffles K.P.
There appears to be no way to see the grade crossing and what is transpiring, nor if the signal bridge parts thereat are erected yet or not. Anybody know where K.P. can rent one of those flying around jet packs that can be strapped unto one’s back?
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-VI)
The new LA&SL Bridge over the 91 Freeway in Riverside (CA), from the northeast side looking southwestwardly:
The new bridge (left) and the present old one (right):
The BNSF Transcon (that the LA&SL junctions into) is the lower tracks on the just above photo.
East of the two side by side bridges over the 91 Freeway is the present old CP C056 SCRRA (M.P. 56.4) box:
Continued in Part VI
Part VI (of I-VI)
Currently at CP C056 SCRRA JCT, the west eastbound LA&SL signals is a single-bulb red over a four bulbs lower head.
So some Metrolink trains get a red over lunar to go straight unto their track to their Riverside Station stop, accounting for the lower four bulb head.
UP trains on the other hand take the turnout route (photo center).
Eastbound Metrolink trains (from Los Angeles via the LA&SL) get a yellow over lunar at the ADVANCE signal (about a mile away on the other side of the 91 Freeway) at CP C055 STREETER (M.P. 55.5), as in the below previously shown May 2, 2011 photo.
So, since presently the future track route eastward AFTER traversing the new big bridge over the 91 Freeway is not clear yet, AND a new CP box is at Colton for CP C056 SCRRA JCT, the CP trackwork for the area may or may not be altered to accommodate the new bridge’s track alignment.
In theory, under new signaling at CP C056 SCRRA JCT and with the new CP box (presently at Colton), an eastbound Metrolink should get, NOT a yellow over lunar as now, but rather a yellow over flashing red, in accord with UP’s newly adopted signaling policy.
The old and new CP C056 SCRRA JCT’s are completely separate from BNSF’s junction CP switch at their location called WEST RIVERSIDE.
But, CP C055 STREETER is an older new box, so the yellow over lunar may (“may”) continue as is.
K.P. how long are the departure tracks at West Colton?
K.P. I am sorry to hear about your wife's mishap; it is good to know that there was no apparent real damage to her. What about her car; can it be repaired?
Is there much, if any difference in the mileage on the Colton flyover?
Johnny
K.P., congratulations on page 300!
Hope your wife feels better.
Here's an interesting nugget about the closure of the Puente Hills landfill that I heard on the news the other night:
http://www.dailybulletin.com/environment-and-nature/20131031/puente-hills-landfill-will-close-forever-thursday
@mvs, great link to a surprisingly thorough article - the PHIMF project can coast to Restricting Speed.The need for an equipment cabinet marked 'CP AL525 Guasti' is puzzling. It seems unlikely that partial two tracking would end there instead of Etiwanda Ave. A fully 2MT Al sub shouldn't need a CP or a siding there, especially with a crossover next to a significant grade. Therefore, it may be either for other signaling upgrades (say PTC) or a misteak like the 'four track' signal bridges at CP Sierra and Hamilton . If UP continues in their parsimonious ways, they will build the next second main section east of Etiwanda Ave as there are fewer bridges to build. During the last two years many billboards have been removed to facilitate RR construction. West of Etiwanda I count four single track bridges not including the oddly narrow Grove Ave structure. Of course, I could be wrong ....
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! ***
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