Second Section
MikeF90 Beats K.P.!
The PHIMF Area Lightning Speed Shocker
City of Industry, CA
Well known Sunset Route thread and forum contributor MikeF90 on Sunday, July 27, 2014 posted about his visit to the Workman Mill Rd. grade crossing on the LA&SL, near Los Angeles, CA, and subsequently also posted four great timely photos of his visit’s findings, two of which are reply quoted below.
MikeF90 [Edited ...] Main 1 has not been moved yet, but who knows what is next. Looking east from the crossing: Looking west, the former location of main 2 can be seen. Puzzling, very puzzling.
[Edited ...] Main 1 has not been moved yet, but who knows what is next. Looking east from the crossing:
Looking west, the former location of main 2 can be seen.
Puzzling, very puzzling.
Unbeknownst to MikeF90 K.P. had been there earlier in the week, on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, and saw nowhere near what MikeF90 saw! A K.P. photo looking eastbound, the new Main 2 alignment had NOT been cut over yet.
Looking westbound, the old Main 2 (middle track) was in service, and the future Main 2 (far left track) was still out of service, but K.P. thought it looks remarkably ready to just about be put in service.
In less than a week later, MikeF90 caught that middle-track without ties and rail, just old ballast, causing thread readers (including K.P.) to be puzzled like him!
This will conclude this post series.
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About “The California-Arizona Trip Report” posting, Part D will start at Toltec, AZ and go east to extensive coverage of the new Prince Road overpass area in Tucson, and the CP thereat. It will be presented before 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time Wednesday, July 30, 2014, but could be posted up to 12 hours early.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Thanks for the photos K.P. and MikeF90.
For the ATCS Monitor users of the forum, I just uploaded a new UP Yuma Subdivision layout [to the Yahoo group] with the new 2MT-CTC in service between Wister and Niland. Like before, we have excellent server coverage if you'd like to monitor live movements via the internet.
Additionally, if you want to receive new ATCS layouts via e-mail in the future, send me a private message. That way, you don't have to monitor the Yahoo group, or this forum, to know when I've updated the layout.
Clyde
Has anyone been through Grand Terrace to see what developments have occurred with regard to the third bridge installment?
RickH
BarstowRick.com Model Railroading How To's
The California-Arizona Trip Report
Filling In a Lot of Loose Ends
July 10-13, 2014
Part “D” (of A-H), Section 1 (of 1-12)
A Bias Situation is Seen!
Toltec, AZ
At the Toltec Rd. grade crossing, the eastbound Main 1intermediate signal was lit green.
So, right away in this now two-track trackage, a left-running situation was seen, just as was expected.
Continued in Section 2
Part “D”, Section 2 (of 1-12)
The Toltec Staging Area
Except for some grade crossing panels and a few other odd items, the Toltec staging area was pretty much cleared out.
On November 4, 2011 the following photograph of that area was shot.
It had a Maintenance-of-Way spur, probably more correctly a two-tracking staging area spur. This visit the spur seems to have been removed.
Continued in Section 3
Part “D”, Section 3 (of 1-12)
Eloy, AZ
The signal was suggesting a left running bias in Eloy.
Eloy is the location of the rather landmarkish water tower:
Continued in Section 4
Part “D”, Section 4 (of 1-12)
In the CP SP935 LA PALMA Area
East of downtown Eloy, there is a single-crossover CP named La Palma after a north-south street in approximate alignment with the CP.
Here too the left running signal was green
The Main 2 signal (left) and the strange not yet laid track (and signal) to the right:
The left running train comes.
As a side note, the first double-stack well-car has one of those new aerodynamically wedged containers on it.
Continued in Section 5
Part “D”, Section 5 (of 1-12)
By CP SP952 RED ROCK
Red Rock, AZ
The signals at Red Rock suggested a left running bias situation. The left signal is for the Red Rock siding, the center yellow signal is for Main 1, and the right signal for Main 2. View looks eastbound.
The left Main 1 signal went to flashing yellow …
… and then green.
Continued in Section 6
Part “D”, Section 6 (of 1-12)
The left running train came …
… and knocked the signal down (turned it to red). It changed rather quickly, unlike most UP signals.
The sun was now setting, and it was time to get lodging.
Both the town name street sign and Picacho Peak are seen on the right.
A mood shot showing the CP and the moon.
As K.P. had (“had”) theorized, the left green signals (plural) seem to suggest a left running bias. All trains seen in the lowering sunlight WERE left running. But, hold your horses about drawing conclusions on this! …
Continued in Section 7
Part “D”, Section 7 (of 1-12)
The Prince Rd. Overpass
Tucson, AZ
The next day the new Prince Rd. overpass was gone straight to, and much focused time was devoted to it The east side was climbed up first.
Looking east, and the east crossover
The east end changes from concrete ties to wooden ones.
As most often, movable point frogs are utilized.
Continued in Section 8
The California-Arizona Trip ReportFilling In a Lot of Loose Ends
Part “D”, Section 8 (of 1-12)
The counterpart crossover from the south side of the tracks still on the east side of Prince Rd.:
Both crossovers between mains are 50 M.P.H., but the above view is deceptive.
The freeway off ramp ‘blending in’ walling:
One of two CP boxes for the CP.:
Just above, orange temporary fencing suggests something construction-wise is brewing.
Continued in Section 9
Part “D”, Section 9 (of 1-12)
The east side of Prince Rd. strangely has a very, very large sidewalk area above the Sunset Route tracks.
While the following idea is probably too good to be true, maybe (“maybe”) the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) made a large viewing area for when steamer 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” UP 4014 has been rebuilt and is touring the UP system … (That will be the day!)
Looking eastbound over the tracks that finely meshed fencing is present.
A last east side view: Looking south at Prince Rd. Look at all the stop light heads on the right: Five! The far right one faces the westbound freeway off ramp, and doesn’t count.
Continued in Section 10
Part “D”, Section 10 (of 1-12)
On the WEST side of the Prince Rd. overpass now, looking westbound, from left to right, Main 2, Main 1, and the background Stockham siding.
Looking west, the I-10 Freeway onramp walling, and the second CP box:
Continued in Section 11
Part “D”, Section 11 (of 1-12)
A closer westward view: In single-track days the Stockham siding and Main (now Main 1) used to wye together and head east. Main 2 (the foreground left track) ended and wye tracked into the then Main. Got that?
An overview to comprehend the present scene for those unfamiliar with the track layout:
Oh no! A westbound comes on Main 2 and crosses over to Main 1.
K.P. has just gotten a very, very bad feeling about biases! (More later)
Continued in Section 12
Part “D”, Section 12 (of 1-12)
The old Prince Rd., unlike the mildly curving overpass, is traceable as having been straight
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The next California-Arizona posting: Ina Road west back to the Picacho area. That will be presented before 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time Friday, August 1, 2014, but could be posted up to 12 hours early.
I'm curious: what is the purpose to having signs indicating that the frog has moveable points?
Johnny
Deggesty I'm curious: what is the purpose to having signs indicating that the frog has moveable points?
BarstowRickHas anyone been through Grand Terrace to see what developments have occurred with regard to the third bridge installment?
BTW the last few days I've heard many detectors on the Yuma sub report temps of greater than 110. The commercial expression 'Hmmm, Toasty' comes to mind.
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! ***
Mike, thanks for the comeback . I have a feeling it won't be long and the third bridge will be up and in place. Will keep an eye on it.
There are two new sets of abutments going up. The uninstalled just completed bridge will be installed on the furtherest abutment, then bridge number two will be moved to the right, then bridge number one will be moved over. Don't know what will happen with the first abutments. The info is on trainorders.
john
All Day in the Los Angeles Basin
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Part I (of I-VI, Overall I-X)
The Vineyard Ave. Underpass
Ontario, CA
So that the Mrs. could have a day to herself, K.P. spent his day in the Los Angeles basin and nearby.
First stop, Ontario’s Vineyard Ave. underpass construction, by Ontario International Airport. The shoofly is operative. The new old signal that was north of the old track apparently has been moved so it is again north of the shoofly.
Since the lower heads are of the non-standard type, UP did not just use a new mast and signals as a temporary replacement, but used the one that has been onsite, which makes it difficult to prove the date of the photo because the scene looks little different than it did.
The San Gabriel Trench Construction
San Gabriel, CA
Thread followers will undoubtedly remember this Tuesday, July 22, 2014 photo from last week, of the Ramona Street grade crossing (M.P. 490.2) that was all tore up, with a shoofly track just raw-like laid through it.
Four days later, on Saturday, July 26, 2014, that grade crossing was open to vehicle traffic, with new crossing gates (right), new grade crossing panels, and a new roadway laid with raw curbing, and paint striped too.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-VI, Overall I-X)
A westbound view from Ramona Street:
Above, note the not yet put in service signal in the background. The above photo is shown because ANOTHER apparent signal base has been buried EAST of Ramona Street:
What arrangement is developing here is not exactly clear, at least to K.P.
A crossing gate base is in the new black sidewalk.
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-VI, Overall I-X)
Road closures within this project have not, and future ones should not, be a problem. However, San Gabriel Blvd. (M.P. 491.23) is a different story. The traffic is horrendous!
It is wondered if only half the street will be closed for trenching, while the other half is open and passes through the shoofly as a grade crossing.
West looking, the shoofly is partially laid, and close to buildings again too.
.Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-VI, Overall I-X)
Three eastbound views from San Gabriel Blvd.:
The last view above is that new angled bridge to the east.
An eastbound overview of the grade crossing, with half of the grade crossing closed.
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-VI, Overall I-X)
The Ramona Ave. Overpass
Montclair, CA
A number of miles east of Ramona Blvd. in San Gabriel is the Ramona Ave. in Montclair, where a few years ago an overpass was built.
An eastward view: The bottom tracks are the SP side, the top track the LA&SL, now all under the UP umbrella.
Right away an eastbound comes on the newly laid Main 2. Looking west:
The train gets a hard yellow at CP AL517 NORTH MONTCLAIR. To avoid blocking all the grade crossings in Ontario, the next town to the east, dispatchers will hold trains at San Antonio Ave. (Ontario) until opposing trains clear Hence the signal is yellow.
Above, note the signaled but still trackless Montclair relatively new facility on the right.
Continued in Part VI
Part VI (of I-VI, Overall I-X)
The eastbound train passes …
… and so does the last Intermodal car.
You didn’t know K.P. was a shadow, did you? (Above, lower right, by the fencing shadow.)
A more telephoto view: That passing train now in the distance and the new Montclair facility (right).
Just above, the grade crossing on the bottom is Monte Vista Ave., which reportedly is projected to have a grade separation put in in a few years.
Parts VII-X will cover a four hour K.P. visit to the Perrino Place (a road) area of Los Angeles, by the entrance to the Alameda Corridor, but at this point is unscheduled and pending.
An Important Reply to …
Deggesty (7-30):
Traditionally, trainmen focus on the switch points to ascertain if the switch is thrown properly for the route they desire. If a crew runs their train through an improperly lined switch, typically just the points-rod area is damaged. The train usually stays on the rails, at least for a little while. Moveable point frogs, however, add an UNFORGIVING element to a trainman’s career. If a train runs through a moveable point frog lined against them (at least in one direction), there are NO ifs and buts about it, a derailment WILL occur and the track will be torn up badly! The signs forcefully remind trainmen of that unforgiving situation, and that they are AT one of those places. Thus, with that knowledge, they can respond accordingly.
The saving grace in that is the moveable point frog is interlocked, so a signal will not clear if the frog is improperly lined. And, a flagging train would be moving slowly.
Three photos from out in the Thousand Palms area of the Low Desert in Southern California are reshown below; the first illustrating the unforgiving aspect of moveable point frogs. Just image a flange trying to get through where it is not supposed to be …
In the middle photo above those warning signs are barely visible on the right.
That location, by the way, was where the very first post and photo was shot at in this thread, back in 2008.
Since then, the overpass was built and two-tracking completed eastward all the way to CP SP620 THERMAL (M.P. 620.2). Another section of two-tracking way east of there is currently underway, in the Salton Sea-Niland-Iris area.
Best,
K.P.
cacole Deggesty I'm curious: what is the purpose to having signs indicating that the frog has moveable points? For maintenance crew safety so they (and trespassers?) will know that the frog may move at any time by remote control.
Part “E” (of A-H), Section 1 (of 1-9)
By the Ina Rd. Grade Crossing
Marana, AZ
Ina Rd. is a very heavily used roadway artery. When a train comes, things jam up everywhere, and it takes several minutes once a train is passed for the area to get free flowing again.
Ina Rd. is the location of the mystery Main 2 only west side LOWER eastbound signal head. The Main 1 signal (far side) doesn’t have such a lower head.
To the EAST, in a previously shown photo, the next signals at Joiner Road have lower west side eastbound heads.
Obviously, a yellow over green or yellow over flashing green here would indicate a crossover lineup by the Prince Rd. overpass to the east.
Above, too, the left lower head has a yellow bulb in addition to green, for yellow over yellow for a Stockham siding entrance lineup by Ruthrauff Rd.
At Ruthrauff Rd. again one sees a yellow over green …
… for crossing over at CP SP979 STOCKHAM, where the new Prince Rd. overpass is at.
So, eastbound on Main 1 has two advance signals with a lower green, whereas Main 2 has THREE advance signals with a lower green. Exactly why is unknown.
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