A Cool Thursday Outing
Update as of May 8, 2014
Colton-Riverside-Ontario, CA
Part “G” (of A-G, Overall A-Q)
Over on the south (westbound) side of the new trusses, from Main St., it looks like the concrete-work just below photo center is where the track will have to swing back to the original alignment, by BNSF CP61 HIGHGROVE.
A bunch of activity!
The swinging of the tracks is hindered by a fence and an establishment’s property (lower right), and of course, the CP in close proximity.
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Continued in Parts H-O, scheduled to be posted Tuesday, May 13, 2014 before noon Pacific Daylight Time, which deals with the new LA&SL Bridge over the 91 Freeway in Riverside, CA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
K. P. Harrier A Cool Thursday Outing Update as of May 8, 2014 Colton-Riverside-Ontario, CA Part “B” (of A-G, Overall A-Q) More from the southwest side, looking northeast … Continued in Part C
Part “B” (of A-G, Overall A-Q)
More from the southwest side, looking northeast …
Continued in Part C
Question for our structural engineers. Is the box structure of the trusses stronger? As well is the steel weathering steel that will not need painting. With that kind of steel how often will the insides of the box need inspecting ?
As I vaguely recall from classwork dealing with metallurgy many years ago, Weathering metal is alloyed with Copper I believe, which helps to form a protective scale or rust on the surface. Also not painting allows for easier inspection of the structural members. As to the Boxed Members ,they are in fact stronger in both Bending and Torsional Loading. The cost would be much greater than an heavy flanged 'I' beam, so the strength must have been needed here.
Quick Reply to blue streak 1 (5-11):
Truss bridges seem to excel in wide bridging applications, and are cheaper than concrete ones in those cases. Which is stronger I’ll leave to the engineers among us, if any, but truss bridges seem to have a peculiar phenomenon associated with them.
The above Sunset Route truss bridge is in Yuma, AZ over the Colorado River. To stand on the sidewalk on a similar paralleling roadway bridge one hears a low pitch vibration tone when a train passes. One simply doesn’t hear that will a concrete structure. Maybe the concrete noise is above human hearing, or maybe there isn’t any noise, but with truss bridges the noise is quite pronounced.
Best,
K.P.
Second Section
Fred Perris Would Be Shocked
As discussed in “A Cool Thursday Outing,” Parts A-G above, a third BNSF truss bridge is currently being assembled, to eventually be put over the I-215 Freeway in the Grand Terrace, Colton, Highgrove, CA area.
On that Thursday, May 8, 2014 outing, track was actually being laid on the railroad east (north) side to the placed truss bridges.
The BNSF line at this location (and curving to the right in the distance) is also part of the LA&SL alternate Sunset Route via Riverside. But originally, in 1883, the Santa Fe subsidiary line then known as the California Southern DID NOT go to Los Angeles as BNSF does today, but rather to San Diego. In the below heavy telephoto, big GE power is coming northward on that California Southern route, now known as the San Jacinto Industrial Spur, the ex-San Jacinto branch, commonly known as the San Jac for short.
Fred Perris, the surveyor that laid out the California Southern route from San Diego, through Perrris, Highgrove, Colton, and over Cajon Pass to Barstow, would be shocked at seeing big GE power now on his line, as well as the new truss bridges over a packed freeway he had no concept would ever exist!
Note the water truck spray of water behind those truss bridges on the left.
K. P. Harrier A Niland-Salton Sea, CA Update Report Part II (of I-VIII, Overall I-XXVIII) Looking eastbound (billio edit: from Flowing Wells Road grade crossing east of Niland): Another eastward view: The concrete ties laid directly on the new grading, but ballast elevates the track on each side of the grade crossing.
A Niland-Salton Sea, CA Update Report
Part II (of I-VIII, Overall I-XXVIII)
Looking eastbound (billio edit: from Flowing Wells Road grade crossing east of Niland):
Another eastward view: The concrete ties laid directly on the new grading, but ballast elevates the track on each side of the grade crossing.
To those who wonder how far this second track effort extends, a clue from the Ames Construction Company website, About Us/Newsletters/2013 Newsletter, Page 41, "Union Pacific Sunset Route, Wister to Iris." From the foregoing, Iris appears to be at the eastern end of this segment.
The reason for the low pitched sound on the steel bridge is that it is resonating due to the train passing. Think of ringing a steel bell. Concrete does not resonate. Think of trying to ring a concrete bell. Thunk!! No resonating sound.
W R Watkins, PE (A retired professional engineer)
billio (5-11):
Nice find, billio, about the Ames website that identifies the grading stretch from Wister to Iris.
In the below June 1, 2013 photo, the WEST switch and signals of the present Iris siding is seen in the background. That CP is CP SP674 IRIS (M.P. 673.9). Just east of the switch the right-of-way is wide graded for what looks like a future CP.
Next time I go out by Salton Sea and Niland I should get a real early start, and will have the time to drive way out to the real boonies, to Iris. But, seeing that west Niland is only now having crossover turnouts starting to be put together, Iris probably (“probably”) doesn’t have them yet, and may not for at least a few months.
Take care,
Part IX (of IX-XVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
At English Rd. on the west side of Niland, a ‘Do Not Stop on the Tracks’ sign had a little mishap, probably (“probably”) from a UP truck.
Equipment is by English Rd.
Continued in Part X
Part X (of IX-XVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
Numbered concrete ties here and there are present.
A section of two widths two type ties track is by English Rd.
Looking east:
A new uninstalled switch is trackside:
Continued in Part XI
Part XI (of IX-XVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
By English Rd., a 'protected' electrical grade crossing box (Do you remember the bent over sign?):
Looking westbound: The ballasted new track through the grade crossing now lowered to laying on un-ballasted dirt.
Continued in Part XII
Part XII (of IX-XVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
Now we head west, and soon come to a strange construction site, with two signal burial bases.
And old stacked up rail. Or, are they new?
Continued in Part XIII
Part XIII (of IX-XVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
A switch is even in the early stages of being constructed at the site.
Strangely numbered ties are there too.
Those burial bases again by plenty of ballast.
K.P.’s estimation of the situation is that this is an emergency set out location, or where equipment can be temporarily stored, and will have two-bulb ‘entrance signals” only.
A number of miles west of Maricopa, AZ UP has two such tracks, on each of the two-track line there. (Previously shown March 12, 2011 photo)
Continued in Part XIV
Part XIV (of IX-XVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
A few miles to the west, bridge parts are on site, some almost cross-ways.
A gray crane is present there.
It looks like this old wooden bridge over a wash will be replaced or at least concrete sections put in for a second main. Shadowing indicates NO bridging is currently here for the second main.
The milepost is 650.54.
Continued in Part XV
Part XV (of IX-XVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
Up the way a high crane is stationed, by future intermediate color light signals. Precast bridge parts are also on scene.
The CP signals of the east switch of the Wister siding is seen on the upper photo right. A sign on the lower left shows that the siding name, Wister, is related to a historical location.
Continued in Part XVI
Part XVI (of IX-XVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
Close-ups:
The red crane looks monsterish.
The intermediate signals just east of the east switch of the Wister siding, looking eastward.
The actual east interlocking of the east switch of the old Wister:
Continued in Part XVII
Part XVII (of IX-XVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
At the new CP SP658 WISTER, a high green is seen.
The Wister CP again has the nameplate facing outwardly, instead of inwardly so it cannot be seen.
A wash goes under the two mains just west of the east signals at CP SP658 WISTER.
Continued in Parts XVIII-XXIII to be presented Wednesday, May 12, 2014 by noon Pacific Daytime Time
Part “H” (of H-O, Overall A-Q)
Over in Riverside where the UP (LA&SL, the alternated Sunset Route) branches away from the BNSF, the new bridge over the 91 Freeway is now in service. A westbound UP on BNSF Main 3 crosses all the way over to the LA&SL Main, passes picturesque palm trees (“palm trees”), and goes over the new bridge.
Continued in Part I
Part “I” (of H-O, Overall A-Q)
The UP train is long.
The new signals between the BNSF and UP are on separate masts now, whereas they shared a common mast previously.
The last double-stack car …
Continued in Part J
Part “J” (of H-O, Overall A-Q)
The two “palm trees” that align with the two masts are in reality cell phone towers!
A bunch of old track is off to the side.
The Metrolink signal (for the track that turns into the LA&SL) now only has the tall, new mast signal present. The short mast has been removed.
Just above, note all the UP workers still onsite by a UP truck.
Continued in Part K
Part “K” (of H-O, Overall A-Q)
An eastside overview of the junction area between the BNSF and the LA&SL:
The Metrolink trains now take the turnout route, and UP’s the straight route.
Previously, it was reversed, as per the below April 25, 2009 reshown photo.
Continued in Part L
Part “L” (of H-O, Overall A-Q)
Concrete tied panel-like track is stacked up by the new CP C056 SCRRA JCT CP boxz.
Now we go over to the westbound side of the new bridge, by Panorama Rd.
Note the rails between the rails on the bridge itself, designed to keep derailed cars in a straight alignment.
Continued in Part M
Part “M” (of H-O, Overall A-Q)
The old bridge has had the tracks removed, but there is plenty of ballast on it. A worker crosses the old structure.
Another UP westbound comes.
This is a “quite zone” grade crossing, but the trains traversing the area were blowing their horns frequently because of all the workers trackside and in the area.
Continued in Part N
Part “N” (of H-O, Overall A-Q)
The double-red west side eastbound signal at CP C056 SCRRA JCT. with the new and old bridges over the 91 Freeway in view.
Above, Metrolink trains going to the west platforms now get a red over flashing red signal. With the old arrangement Metrolink trains used to get a red over lunar.
The new bridge and a BNSF:
There was so much truck traffic going into and out of a trackside road that road almost needed a ‘dispatcher’ to coordinate movements.
Continued in Part O
Part “O” (of H-O, Overall A-Q)
Finally, we go west to the next CP at CP C055 STREETER between Magnolia Ave. and Riverside Ave. in Riverside.
The top right mast head has yellow and red bulbs. Now that the track arrangement at CP C056 SCRRA JCT has been rearranged, the right signal should be capable of displaying GREEN over red, but it is incapable of doing so.
Also, an eastbound Metrolink should get a yellow over flashing red here, but it still gets a yellow over lunar.
It could be that old type circuitry is used because of accounting wizardry. It may be that after everything is finished 91 Freeway-wise, the signals will eventually be revamped to the newer standards. K.P. has in the works a posting about yellow vs. yellow over yellow, and will highlight this very area and compare it to the Central Corridor’s flashing yellow.
A last look at the signals under discussion:
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Parts P-Q, just two parts about activity in Ontario, CA, will be posted Thursday, May 15, 2014 by noon Pacific Daylight Time
Part XVIII (of XVIII-XXVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
At Frink Rd., at M.P. 656.25, intermediate signals are again at a grade crossing, and both tracks are now in service.
Looking eastbound from Frink Rd.:
Looking westbound:
Continued in Part XIX
Part XIX (of XVIII-XXVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
The south side Main 2 signal comes alive with a green display.
The westbound comes, and passes the green signal, but in UP fashion remains green for quite a while before being knocked down to red.
Continued in Part XX
Part XX (of XVIII-XXVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
Frink Rd. is a bit east of the Border Patrol inspection stop, and a border patrolman in a green striped vehicle watches the train. Can you imagine getting paid to watch trains?
Both Mains have inspection laddering.
In the last photo above, milepost 656’s marker is seen by that inspection pole. Also, the what is now Main 1 (background), the ex-Rogoza siding (nee-Frink siding), is highly ballasted.
Continued in Part XXI
Part XXI (of XVIII-XXVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
The second intermediates WEST of the Wister crossovers
The Main 2 signal’s number plate … The background terrain sure looks inviting in this view.
Continued in Part XXII
Part XXII (of XVIII-XXVII, Overall I-XXVIII)
Now at Hot Mineral Spa Road (M.P. 652.90), looking east, at the intermediate signals just discussed in Part XXII.
Continued in Part XXIII
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