With the new Panama canal opening in the future there has been a lot of talk about increasing north-south capacity from the Gulf ports. Has the UP cut back on the double tracking of the Sunset route east of the LA basin to concentrate on the north-south lines? Being in Texas I have not heard of any significant track work. Most of the activity on the Sunset appears to be grade separation in the basin which is needed. My estimate is that the Sunset route is about 70% double tracked. Does anyone have a better update?
K.P. and all,
Some more grade separation news and notes:
Valley View Avenue/Stage Road underpass under the BNSF in La Mirada is now complete.
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/general-news/20141021/la-mirada-santa-fe-springs-officials-celebrate-opening-of-valley-view-railroad-underpass
Puente/Workman Mill underpass under the Alhambra Sub had a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this week:
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/c_s/news/Alameda-Corridor-authority-to-mark-grade-separations-start-in-LA-area--42334
ccltrainsWith the new Panama canal opening in the future there has been a lot of talk about increasing north-south capacity from the Gulf ports. Has the UP cut back on the double tracking of the Sunset route east of the LA basin to concentrate on the north-south lines? Being in Texas I have not heard of any significant track work.
ccltrainsMost of the activity on the Sunset appears to be grade separation in the basin which is needed. My estimate is that the Sunset route is about 70% double tracked. Does anyone have a better update?
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! ***
Also I would think some work is pending in and around Yuma due to the re-located crew change point.
Is K.P. planning another trip to have a look at the Phoenix Line? I am curious as to what additional work is happening out there.
New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPosting ScheduleMonday, October 27, 2014: Parts 1-9 -- Iris AreaTuesday, October 28, 2014: Parts 10-18 – West to the Niland WyeWednesday, October 28, 2014: Parts 19-28 – West Niland and Iris AgainPosts should be up by noon Pacific Daylight Time on the day scheduled.Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 1 (of 1-9, Overall 1-28)Circumstances arose quite quickly, an opportunity to visit the Iris-Niland area. K.P. was on scene at the new CP SP676 IRIS (M.P. 676.1), probably about 3:30 P.M. Pacific Daylight time, and the second Main WAS in service!At first arriving at Iris the NEW Main 1’s west eastbound absolute signal (left) was red over green.Above, on the lower right, between the ties and the right absolute mast signal, is a stopped off road dune buggy.Just moments later the eastbound on the new Main 1 zipped by:The IRIS CP is the new end of two-tracks (from the west), and trains on Main 1 (north track) need to crossover to the future Main 2, now just the Main.Above, by the CP box, if one looks real good they can discern the train crossing over.From the above Iris CP eastward (rightward), the future Main 1 has been laid, but is not in service yet, and workers have been known to speak of it as “the dead track” in radio chatter with the dispatcher.Continued in Part 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.
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 2 (of 1-9, Overall 1-28)The Iris CP itself, from the west side looking eastbound:Continued in Part 3
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 3 (of 1-9, Overall 1-28)More eastward views, of the new CP SP676 IRIS box:The electrical box isn’t in the typical cleared land, but the cleared land is surrounded by scattered bushes and trees.Continued in Part 4
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 4 (of 1-9, Overall 1-28)Maybe a half to three quarters of a mile west of the new CP SP676 IRIS is the old CP of the same designation, and the dismantling process is quite evident.Continued in Part 5
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 5 (of 1-9, Overall 1-28)One of two old, staggering, ‘drunk’ signals …A heavy telephoto of that old out of service, head turned aside signal.The dirt in the area is rather loose, and UP trucks have left there trail in it.Continued in Part 6
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 6 (of 1-9, Overall 1-28)A lot of debris from the past is scatter around in piles.Continued in Part 7
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 7 (of 1-9, Overall 1-28)K.P. saw maybe 20 UP vehicles heading west (leftward) at the end of the workers’ shift over the few hours he was in the area.Up on a slight hill and visually scanning the area, the new and old CP IRIS’s can be seen. From that hill a westward view and the lengthy public dirt road (left) that follows the tracks (right):Continued in Part 8
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 8 (of 1-9, Overall 1-28)Previously, the below photo has been shown, looking west at the area towards the west end of the old Iris siding.Since the NEW CP SP676 IRIS was a mile or so EAST of that above then new graded area, that graded area had a purpose other than a CP. On this trip, a track had been laid in the cleared land strip, and an exiting two-lamp “entrance signal” (to the Main 2) had been erected.That south side track was found to be a ‘spur’ as it dead ends on the west end, and does not connect back to Main 2.Above, two new intermediate mainline signals are seen beyond the end of the spur. An old, removed from service target signal is also seen back by those new signals.Continued in Part 9
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 9 (of 1-9, Overall 1-28)Some rails (lower left) are also seen by that spur’s east end.Just to the EAST of that above EASTBOUND entrance signal to Main 2 is a like WESTBOUND entrance signal for Main 1, but it is not yet in service and its head is turned aside.Those above spurs may (“may”) be for mainline trains to set out or pick up a bad order car or cars, or to park power in. Maintenance-of-Way spurs don’t usually have entrance signals, and trainmen don’t have switch keys to the special switch locks. But, the above switches likely will be accessible to trainmen.The paralleling public road was passable throughout this trip, with just a few short questionable sections.-------Continued in Parts 10-18 scheduled for posting Tuesday, October 28, 2014 by noon Pacific Daylight Time, about the eastern Niland area.
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 10 (of 10-18, Overall 1-28)An eastbound was passing (rightward) on the south side Main 2, and had gotten a red signal at the new CP SP676 IRIS. The tail end stopped by K.P., where a couple of wooden crates (among other things) were located.The crate’s location (in the M.P. 674 area) was obviously different from what was painted on the crate. This spur switch was a #11 size, unlike 30 M.P.H #15’s, 40 M.P.H. #20’s, and 50 M.P.H. #24’s.Other photos of this site:Continued in Part 11
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 11 (of 10-18, Overall 1-28)We now go west a bit, to near (“near”) where the west switch of the old Iris siding had been. The next intermediate signals are first come upon. Note the soft-like dirt UP workers must drive through in this area.The old, now out of service CP SP674 IRIS (upper right) and that previously impassible road area. Strangely, some ballast is scattered on the roadway here.The old signal and CP box for the deleted CP SP674 IRIS.Just above, note the Positive Train Control (PTC) antenna! The coiled cable on it indicates this antenna was never put in service, or even hooked up. Will this be a satellite location for PTC communications in the future, or will it be taken down now that the CP here is no more? Continued in Part 12
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 12 (of 10-18, Overall 1-28)Now we come west to a significant signal location.The NEXT signals to the west are of the NILAND interlocking plants. Because power can use the wye arrangement at Niland, one would think these above signals would be absolutes, i.e., holding signals. But, not so! If one looks real good, the masts have number plates visible about a quarter of the way up. So, the signals ARE intermediates.K.P. thought that the near mast would have the lower head replaced to a two lamp unit, but it is now in service as only a single-lamp unit still. Therefore, he still cannot reconcile the routing possibilities ahead (leftward) with the heads here at. We go into Niland itself, and cross the Calexico Sub, that runs from Niland south to the international border with Mexico. A northward view of the Calexico Sub, of the wye signal with the new color lights:Just above, note all the Signal Dept. trailers by the Sunset Route two mainlines!Continued in Part 13
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 13 (of 10-18, Overall 1-28)At the two legs of the Niland Wye, with a southern view slant.Since trains southward go into dark territory, the two lamp heads probably have only lunar and red.The above CP is CP SP668 NILAND.Continued in Part 14
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 14 (of 10-18, Overall 1-28)At the Main Street grade crossing, looking at the east leg of that wye, with the two Sunset Route mains on the photo bottom in lowering sunlight.The west eastbound signals of CP SP669 NILAND:The box for CP SP669 NILAND by M.P. 668:Looking eastbound, the two east side westbound mast signals of CP SP669 NILAND.Just above, by those mast signals, is the single 30 M.P.H. crossover.Continued in Part 15
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 15 (of 10-18, Overall 1-28)The west side eastbound signals again.Finally, the drainage by that CP:Continued in Part 16
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 16 (of 10-18, Overall 1-28)From that Main Street area, looking loosely north found a bunch of signal equipment trailers and containers.A hi-rail capable truck, the expensive type:A last Main Street view, looking westbound, at the signal upgraded CP SP667 NILAND. Note the CP does NOT involved Main 1, the rightmost track, but only Main 2 (center) and the Niland trackage (left).Continued in Part 17
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 17 (of 10-18, Overall 1-28)A south side closer view of CP SP667 NILAND:Above, note that the left top head only has two colors instead of the normal three.The west side eastbound signals are on a new cantilever structure.Continued in Part 18
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 18 (of 10-18, Overall 1-28)From near CP SP667 NILAND, on the north side of the Sunset Route, old signals and electrical boxes have been brought to the site.Among all the old boxes was this box with its CP identification placards turned inward.Is that for the next CP way east of CP SP676 IRIS?--------Continued in Parts 19-28 scheduled for posting Wednesday, October 29, 2014 by noon Pacific Daylight Time, about the western part of Niland, and some thoughts about the Iris area.
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 19 (of 19-28, Overall 1-28)A westbound ballast train was in the south side Niland siding, with three units. It was also manned, but remained just parked there.The last unit of the consist was UP 4725, an SD70M.That unit seems to travel much on or by the Sunset Route. Thread readers may recall it was on a westbound in Riverside, on the LA&SL, back on May 8, 2014, and went over the new bridge over the 91 Freeway. Continued in Part 20
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 20 (of 19-28, Overall 1-28)The middle unit in the consist in Niland was a CSX GE unit.A lot of off line power seems to visit Niland, some on work trains, including power from CN, KCS, and now CSX.The lead unit was UP 4516.That power (and train) caused the new signals at the west end of Niland (at CP SP665 NILAND) to be lit:Continued in Part 21
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 21 (of 19-28, Overall 1-28)The parked, but crewed train was photographed by the WEST end of Niland, not too far from the English Road grade crossing. Note the background RIGHT signal is shining through the power’s exhaust.
The new, now in service crossovers of CP SP665 NILAND:Continued in Part 22
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 22 (of 19-28, Overall 1-28)A wider, eastbound shot:The east side westbound mainline signals: It is almost too dark for handheld photography now.
Ooh, the right signal (for Main 2) turns to high yellow!Within moments, the eastbound comes.Continued in Part 23
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 23 (of 19-28, Overall 1-28)The eastbound crosses English Road and takes the signal.The train is moving slowly, with what looks like a red over green ahead, which makes little sense, as there are insufficient signals ahead for transitioning to the Calexico Branch. The signal must be red over lunar.Continued in Part 24
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 24 (of 19-28, Overall 1-28)Another view:IF (“if”) the DS had been on his toes that yellow over red at English Rd. could have displayed yellow over LUNAR! And someone was there to photograph it! But sadly, it never happened …The DPU comes. That was a shorter train than normally seen on the Sunset Route.K.P. really needs to bring his old tripod along. Handheld shots at dusk certainly have limitations …Lastly, at least at English Road in Niland, a westward mood shot, of the orange rays coming from the setting sun. Barely visible horizontally just below photo center, is the reflection of Salton Sea in the distance to give the forum and those not familiar with the area a spatial concept of the vicinity.This whole area is a few hundred feet below sea level, and the Sunset Route now gradually elevates out of the Salton Sea area eastward to Iris and area points east.Continued in Part 25
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 25 (of 19-28, Overall 1-28)Back to Iris, and a Look at Something Fun …… and another but Odd ThingFirst, the fun thing at Iris! Almost too fast for a slow camera, AND camera operator!
K.P. doesn’t have a dune buggy but freewheeling by roaming the desert on one looks fun!Over forty years ago K.P. talked to an acquaintance, a 70+ years old man, and learned that the man’s great fun in life was to come out in this area, especially around Glamis, CA that is towards the east, and with one of his two dune buggies was to drive out to near here and get himself lost, and spend two days trying to figure how to get back to civilization! Getting lost doesn’t appeal to this poster, but to him it was the most fun thing in the whole world!In the last photo above, it looks like some two-tracking related equipment is parked in the background.Previously, on the north (photo far) side of the tracks (like with the dune buggies), access from the west ended right about in this area. The fact that dune buggies and UP trucks were passing through the area on that north side tells K.P. a dirt road that follows the tracks EASTWARD is now present. K.P. hopes to check out that north side possible access road sometime in the future, and maybe follow the two-tracking to the east …Continued in Part 26
Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 26 (of 19-28, Overall 1-28)Back to Iris, and a Look at Something Fun …… and another but Odd ThingNow, the odd thing (maybe)!Several hundred feet west of the west end of the new CP SP676 IRIS, note the railing on the photo’s lower left.Back over three years ago this May 2, 2011 photo was shot and a similar view of that date was posted in this thread. It showed a BRIDGE with protective railings (lower center) over a concrete lined WASH, at least concrete lined by the railroad bridge.That wash has a dirt road going through it and that road was photographed this trip, and is shown below.As one can see above, that wash is not a minor, almost ground level wash, but is rather a pronounced, deep one, and has been such for years.Continued in Part 27
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