BaltACDThe cost of the box itself is inconsequential to the equipment that is installed in it.
Many cell sites use pre-built concrete (yes, concrete) buildings that are set on a pad poured at the site. At the very least, HVAC and power are already configured. Drop it in, hook up the power, and install the racks.
I've seen a fair number of new shelters installed along the lines I see on a regular basis.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
BaltACD Don't bet you lunch money on that. Economies of scale and 'production line' type assembly of pre-configured bungalows are big advantages over replacing components in a existing box. The cost of the box itself is inconsequential to the equipment that is installed in it.
Don't bet you lunch money on that. Economies of scale and 'production line' type assembly of pre-configured bungalows are big advantages over replacing components in a existing box. The cost of the box itself is inconsequential to the equipment that is installed in it.
The Pomona, CA Presentation
Things have been slow going on the Pomona material. It didn’t help that the trainsmag.com website was visited once while DeepFreeze was in unprotecting mode, and the computer went berserk! It took probably ten hours to straighten out that mess! Anyway, hopefully sometime tomorrow the Pomona material will be ready and can be presented.
Falsehood, Truth, and Surprises
During a dispatch to San Bernardino and Fontana (CA) Wednesday, March 2, 2016 the status of things in and between Colton and Riverside was checked out. In Colton a falsehood was uncovered and situation clarified. Things pertaining to the Colton Flyover agreement, after two and a half years of the flyover being finished, are finally being taken care of, and earthmoving equipment is present and rip-rap is in very, very great quantities! (The truth …) And, the 91 Freeway / LA&SL Bridge side walls on the alternate Sunset Route is partially looking (“looking”) very differently! These things and more are now on the ‘stack’ and waiting their turn to be worked on and presented …
Take care all,
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Surprises and Developments …
… Related to the Diversion
Pomona, CA
Part I (of I-VI)
The Pomona Diversion area was visited Saturday, February 27, 2016. This post series documents the findings.
The first order of business, west of downtown Pomona, the pipeline relocation on the surface of things appears much the same as it has been, with piles of dirt of the SOUTH side of the SP Alhambra Sub.
The above view is from the northwest side looking southeast. Make a mental note of the industrial trackage on that above photo’s lower part.
What is sort of (“sort of”) new with the pipeline relocation this time was that the piles of dirt are now on the north side too! The below westward view is from the north side Myrtle Ave., which is two blocks west of Hamilton Blvd.
“Sort of” was used above because on the visit on January 31, 2015, from Hamilton Blvd., the pile of dirt was blocked by electrical boxes, but file photos show only a glimpse of it. So, the pile of dirt on the north side has been there for over a month.
The above photo’s pile of dirt appears to be just east of the SP side CP AL513 POMONA.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-VI)
Towards the western side of the Diversion is the key six lane divided highway known as Temple Ave. The elimination of that grade crossing is a key element of the Diversion. The roadway view looks southbound.
Northbound:
Previous views showed mostly OLD crossing gate devices, but last visit one was new, as if it had to be replaced because of being struck by a vehicle. This visit, ALL the crossing gate devices were new … on a grade crossing that soon will be eliminated!
Foothill Transit buses also traverse the area.
Years ago K.P. was associated with transit for nearly a decade, and knows firsthand how disruptive trains can be to maintaining headways! When the Diversion is actually in service, it will be a boon to railroaders, transit operators, and bus riders!
The above bus was No. F1411. K.P. rode another one out of Pasadena, No. F1401, a few years ago with the Mrs. to a great concert in the Hollywood area!
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-VI)
Views of a line that will soon be eliminated:
Westbound:
Above, the grade crossing in the distance, Pomona Ave., will also be eliminated by the Diversion.
An old (“old”) grade crossing electrical box interlocked with the traffic signals.
Just above, K.P. is reluctant to show such-like photos for fear of inspiring pranksters, but pranksters should know the railroad knows who is calling! An associate not too long ago called that hotline number about an unsafe grade crossing situation, and THEY told him what HIS name was! Need K.P. say more?
A super significant eastbound view from Temple Ave, with the straddling the track Valley Blvd. in the background:
Why super significant? On the far right is an entrance signal. Its industrial track has been severed from the mainline! So, the present whole track can be eliminated as there are no longer any customers on the line!
Above, too, one has to laugh at the billboard on the left. Big Boy! Instead of that nice gentleman, a photo of steamer UP 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” No. 4014 might be more eye-catching to readers of this thread.
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-VI)
Views of the severed industrial spur area:
The high speed curve now on borrowed time:
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-VI)
Just east of the 71 Freeway the current SP Alhambra Sub has a short siding, starting at CP AL512 WEST POMONA.
As per the last photo, about center, is a switch with an industrial track branching off the straight through industrial track. In earlier days of this thread, tank cars of some sort were on that branching off track, but no more. Likely, all this trackage will be taken up soon.
In the nameplate photo (second down from the top), look at that old, rusted cooler! If by some freak chance a derailment wiped out that CP box, I wonder if the CP would be done away with seeing that it has little of a future remaining and only a short train can fit in the siding.
Continued in Part VI
Part VI (of I-VI)
Another eastward photo: This time with an angle of view that shows the background area of the tracks.
Before UP merged with SP and took control of it, this CP was a popular one, and saw many black widow F-units, GP9’s, and later scarlet and gray SD45’s go into or out of the then three CP continuous siding, WEST POMONA (west), HAMILTON (center), and SAN ANTONIO (east, now renamed RESERVOIR). Often one end was blocked by locals doing pickup or setout switching duties. Oh, how times have changed! And, now part of that will disappear altogether with the Diversion.
To the west of the above photo, the road that goes under the 71 Freeway, and the current SP-side mainline:
The bridge in the background is the Humane Way overpass.
So, all this original Sunset Route trackage west of downtown Pomona should eventually be pulled up and done away with, with trains rerouted over the Diversion instead. Previously, because the spur near Temple Ave. had freight cars in it and gated, it was thought the trackage westward up to Temple Ave. would remain, but since the spur(s) has been severed, obviously the whole SP line will be eliminated.
Instead of SP-side single-track, the Diversion calls for it being two-tracked, for a total of four-tracks between both ends. Even though, the majority of trains on either end of the Diversion will be crossing over, making for an interesting free-flow hindrance situation. West beyond the Diversion is LA&SL universal crossover CP C026 GRAND. K.P. is betting Main 2’s west side eastbound mast signal will be changed out to a three-headed one. (Ever see a red over yellow over green aspect?) Unless something gets in the way, the Diversion should be operational and everything purring by the end of the year.
This will end the series.
In K.P.'s shots of the Al sub near Temple Ave, note the extensive pole line still in place. IMO this will be the first infrastructure to be recycled.
We may get to see some more 'pipeline protection' related construction soon. ACE has issued a Request For Bids on the storm drain reconfiguration near Humane Way. Bids are due later this month and one stipulation implies that construction should begin within four months.
The puzzling part of this matter is that the storm drain is on the LA sub north ROW edge and the known pipeline is on the south edge. Hmmm. Fortunately this area is easy to photograph from public streets.
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! ***
Colton-Riverside, CA
Part “A” (of A-J)
On Wednesday, March 2, 2016 San Bernardino and Fontana were the dispatches. The first was at a set time, the latter anytime. The following are the results to checking out Colton to Riverside.
The Colton Signal Dept. was stopped at, but nothing new was found there.
Next, the BNSF (alternate Sunset Route) bridge over La Cadena Drive was stopped at. Work had shifted to the northbound traffic lane side (right) abutment area.
A couple of block to the south is Fogg Street, where more work is at, but K.P. has never seen workers at this site.
Continued in Part B
Part “B” (of A-J)
A return to the La Cadena Drive overpass modification site was made, with the object of talking to someone.
A super nice supervisor was found, and he said that the city (NOT BNSF) was earthquake reinforcing five bridges in town, two of which were the BNSF’s. Note the north side new concrete-work.
So, the false was the speculation that the BNSF might be triple-tracking Colton to Highgrove, but the truth is the City of Colton is reinforcing five (“five”) bridges. Why is unknown, but they may have gotten a Federal grant.
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-J)
One of the five Colton bridges was the pedestrian walkway over Rancho Ave. that is part of Colton High School.
The gentleman back at the La Cadena Drive site spoke truth, so his words are deemed very credible.
The gentleman also said one of the five bridges was another railroad one, but he did not know which one, but said things are presently tied up in the permitting stage. Other BNSF bridges are at “C” Street, “N” Street, and Barton Road, the latter one being the oldest, built in 1936. The UP Sunset Route’s bridge over the Santa Ana River might be a possibility. One will surely surface soon as the one …
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (of A-J)
Perhaps just under a mile south of where the nice gentleman was at, but just north of the Santa Ana River BNSF bridges, grading equipment was spotted.
The relocation of UP’s Riverside Industrial Lead track, as per the Colton Flyover agreement, is finally taking place.
The below northward view from Grand Terrace shows BNSF’s CP WEST COLTON with a signal on far left, and cantilever bridging on the right. A path has been graded for a new right-of-way north of the river, which route is elevated, and a whole bunch of riprap boulders separate the future track from the Santa Ana Riverside.
Continued in Part E
Part “E” (of A-J)
Head-on northward side views from the Grand Terrace area: Look at all those rip-rap boulders!
Where the future track will curve into the old, original Riverside Industrial Lead track:
Above, the SP bridge ends (right) and right-of-way lowered, with the riprap boulders presently ending (left).
Another northward view
An aerial view of the area as it was previously:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Colton,+CA/@34.0470727,-117.330269,796m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x80c4a685df718ced:0x674a567510e91e3f
Continued in Part F
Part “F” (of A-J)
That bridge and also the old right-of-way are now trackless.
The now trackless right-of-way curves slightly …
… and heads towards Riverside …
… but because of the just out of view on the background left the railroad bridge over the I-215 Freeway, as per agreement, was never replaced in the freeway widening project. Continued in Part G
Part “G” (of A-J)
Over in Riverside on the 91 Freeway, the bridging's walling is being painted (or possibly staining) a darker gray tone.
Continued in Part H
Part “H” (of A-J)
By the new Riverside Ave. LA&SL underpass in Riverside, alongside the track, a strange, gated fencing has been put in. With such drastic pointed, thick black fencing one has to wonder if some precious mental is stored at the site, but K.P. seriously doubts it.
The underpass itself is open, as viewed northward from the south side.
Continued in Part I
Part “I” (of A-J)
A closer south side view:
Underneath, the bridging is a UP tradition, welded together in-lieu-of rivets.
A close-up of the welding in-lieu-of rivets:
Continued in Part J
Part “J” (of A-J)
Looking south from underneath:
Parapet-type railing is on top.
The side walling design:
So, the LA&SL Riverside Ave. underpass in Riverside is now open. The bridging over it is wide enough for two-tracks, as if ("as if") the short section from here east to the 91 Freeway bridge and the connection to the BNSF would be two-tracked It remains to be seen if one of the LA&SL new bridges over the 91 Freeway will be taken down or not. It has been posted in this thread that one will be taken down, but all the ballast at BNSF’s CP WEST RIVERSIDE suggests (“suggests”) otherwise. Makes for a good guessing game … And, for pondering too, the third photo down in Part G has a good sized splotch of TAN paint on the bridge side. It could be someone was just cleaning their spray paint gun, or it might be a sign the bridge will be permanent. As above, all this makes for a good guessing game.
This will conclude the series.
Good to see you are still informing us of the most recent rail acitivies. I haven't been able to tune in as I had a computer crash.
Thinking back: The first time I reported on the LA&SL, Riverside Ave. bridge it appeared they were installing two bridges over the freeway, Like everyone else here, I wasn't sure if that was a keeper. However as the footings and supports went in, it started looking more and more permanent. Now we all know that can change as noted by Grand Terrace Bridges. It would be to the U.P. and Metro Link R&R's best interest to double track that area to relieve congestion over the single track main. Keeping the commuter trains and freights moving freely through the obvious bottle kneck. Or what I like to call a choke point.
Thanks for the updates, heads up and keeping us foamers advised of the latest construction. Watching with interest what happens to the old SP bridge over the Santa Ana River.
Appreciate the reports and pictorials.
RickH
BarstowRick.com Model Railroading How To's
BarstowRick (3-6):
As you know, Rick, until things are rearranged and put in the final way, things are sort of up in the air at BNSF CP WEST RIVERSIDE in Riverside, CA. However, this situation is known, assuming everything stays as is: The Perris Valley Line in the Highgrove area will connect to BNSF Main 3. BNSF Main 3 is the normal westbound biased track. That means there will be congestion on Main 3 as the westbound Metrolink fleet passes in the morning. Likewise, in the afternoon / evening as BNSF westbounds will be in conflict with eastbound Metrolinks.
All of the ballast at BNSF’s CP WEST RIVERSIDE might (“might”) be to lesson that problem. But, nothing seems to be taking place in the Highgrove area, where a new counterpart arrangement seems logical, but there is NO evidence of that coming about. Maybe (“maybe”) BNSF is waiting for things to gridlock, and magically money (from Metrolink) will come to the rescue. I would imagine that brainstorm solution will happen not too long after the Perris Valley Line trains start running. On the other hand, maybe BNSF is waiting for some sign from heaven! (Yah, right …) Your guess is as good as mine!
Best,
Like everything else it's a wait and see situation.
Hahaha "sign from heaven". I don't think the big guy is much concerned about BNSF's plans for the future.
I was reading back a page or two where the Panama Canal may or is already having a negative affect on freight traffic. That's possible but the ports on the east coast will need some serious upgrades to handle the number of boats that may end up passing through the canal.
Over the years those of us who watch the railroads have used the increase in train traffic as a positive sign the economy is either on track or declining.
Then I noted your response with regard to a new thread "Single Tracking." Wouldn't that be irony. My first thoughts are that traffic will still need to come into the western ports if for no other reason then to deliver products to the pacific coast as well as the mid-west. Just my gut talking but I don't think the Panama Canal will make that great an impact on train traffic on any of the western mainlines.
What's this about CP and NS courting each other? Last I heard was NS and BNSF was waving at each other with friendly jestures.
Just curious!
Ticklers and a Hilly Moonscape
Yesterday, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Pomona (including the Rail Giants museum therein) and Colton, CA were visited.
In Pomona, a construction fence has been erected around a pipeline on-off valve location on the eastern end area of the Diversion, just west of Hamilton Blvd.
In Colton, while K.P. has not been at West Colton Yard for a while before this visit, it is unknown when it occurred, but across from the switch position lights now are, I assume, yellow fouling paint marked on the rails. And, the derail switch west of the Rancho Ave. overpass has a light OTHER than yellow or green, but rather RED! And, for those that get excited about ‘Cement Mountain” in Colton, also known as Slover Mountain, the hilly moonscape has landed! Absolutely unreal!
Off the Sunset Route in nearby San Bernardino, for the new thread “Metrolink -- New Happenings in San Bernardino, CA Area,” that area was visited too, and the western end of the old Santa Fe ‘Redlands Loop,’ AN OLD BRANCH LINE, is actually being two-tracked right now! Of course, that two-tracking is partially funded by Uncle Sam, whereas the Sunset Route’s two-tracking is basically railroad funded.
Both threads will have postings on these matters sometime within a week, hopefully sooner than later
Stay safe,
Quoting K.P.: "...yellow fowling paint marked on the rails."
Does this show where you are to stand when shooting birds?
Sorry, K.P; I just could not help it. In years past, every English gentleman had his fowling piece which he ued when shooting birds.
Johnny
Deggesty Quoting K.P.: "...yellow fowling paint marked on the rails." Does this show where you are to stand when shooting birds?
No, just when flipping the bird. LOL
That was good and got my attention.
Returning now back to our regularly scheduled program. I went to Bakersfield last weekend, to attend a train show. On the way over and back I noted construction advancing up and near the loop. It appears the double tracking on Tehachapi is going well. Hopefully they can realign some of those serpintine curves to prevent string lining that has occurred a number of times on the mountain.
For clarafication: Double tracking does not apply to putting in a siding or a run around. It's simply a siding like Walong Siding. Double tracking the main is where they double track for the purspose of continued operation in either direction Most sidings require a stop to allow the opposing train to get by. Just thought you might want to know.
Deggesty (3-14):
Caught me! I knew I should have gotten a good night’s sleep before I posted that misspelling.
To All:
Things are moving along faster than expected on the upcoming post series, but the hard photo part is next. The Pomona-Colton posting looks to be five parts. Sometime afterwards, the Rail Giants material will be worked on. The Metrolink material in another thread looks to be 14 parts for those interested.
Enjoy life,
You are the best, K.P.! Thanks for all of your excellent photos and prose chronicling the happening around Southern California!
Statuses of Things in the …
… Pomona-Colton, CA Areas
Part I (of I-V)
In Pomona the Diversion pipeline relocation is slowly moving forward, with piled up dirt on the north side of the LA&SL and SP routes. The rather landmark-like church on Holt Ave. is in view. That background church (being level) proves the photo is not tilted, but the angle across the tracks gives a strange upward to the right feel.
By the Hamilton Blvd. grade crossing, just to the west of, fencing is now around the rather large yellow turn-off valve.
The west sidewalk along Hamilton Blvd. has new markings on it, likely about the pipeline relocation.
Part II (of I-V)
The Pepper Ave. overpass was stopped at, and for the first time the yard tracks were noted as having bright yellow markings, as if (“as if”) insulated joints were installed there, but the below view shows white insulated joints, some right near where those yellow markings are at.
In the above view, too, scattered concrete ties are next to Main 2.
Looking east from Pepper Ave. what looks like a light weight radio tower is lying down within the Balloon, and possibly a new electrical box.
A telephoto of a westbound starting under the shadow of the Rancho Ave. bridging:
But, something new is seen in the above view. What looks like (“looks like”) a higher than the train pile of ballast (right of center) is present!
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