Update as of Saturday, May 21, 2016
Part “I” (of F-N, Overall A-T)
The San Gabriel Trench
San Gabriel, CA
At the San Gabriel Blvd. the view westward shows that smooth walling has not reach here yet in the construction, but the walls are the crude, vertical cylinders still.
Above, note the heavy bracing across the trench. Also, note the dirt still in this part of the trench.
That bracing:
A north side westward view:
Likewise, from the south side.
Continued in Part J
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 “J” (of F-N, Overall A-T)
From the east side of San Gabriel Blvd., a northward view of the grade crossing and temporary pedestrian walkway.
An eastward view:
That above dump truck gets closer.
Continued in Part K
Part “K” (of F-N, Overall A-T)
A closer telephoto showing the Walnut Grove Ave. grade crossing in the distance:
A blow-up view seems to show a cement floor bridging over Rubio Wash.
The present shoofly railroad bridges:
Above, note the crude walling on the lower left.
Continued in Part L
Part “L” (of F-N, Overall A-T)
Some equipment parked.
The bracing on the wall:
Side bracing items laying on the still partially dirt fill trench floor.
A final back westward view:
Continued in Part M
Part “M” (of F-N, Overall A-T)
Now, on the north side of the Sunset Route (between San Gabriel Blvd. and Walnut Grove Ave.), a south view of the Rubio Wash area and where the house used to be (left) that had to be demolished account of the flash flooding several months ago.
Continued in Part N
Part “N” (of F-N, Overall A-T)
The cement-work looks heavy for the Rubio Wash area.
At Walnut Grove Ave. now, a westward view:
The San Gabriel Blvd. Bridge over the trench is clearly seen in the distance now.
This will end the San Gabriel Trench posting.
----------
The segment on the now open Sunset Ave. underpass in Banning, CA (6 posts) is scheduled for posting by 3:00 P.M. (Pacific Daylight Time) on Monday, May 30, 2016.
Excellent coverage of the trench KP. The work crossing the flood control channel looks interesting. Curious to see the end result in that location.
K.P., it looks like your deductions a month or so ago from the data you gathered in your "boots on the ground" circle trip about the slowing pace of double-tracking the Sunset Route were very prescient!
UP apparently has no double track scheduled in Arizona this year.
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/union_pacific/news/UP-charts-infrastructure-projects-in-Missouri-Arizona--48399
Remind me not to ever get into a game of "Clue" with you for money!
Thanks for the link ...
According to this:
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/union_pacific/article/Part-2-2016-MOW-Spending-Report-mdash-Class-Is--47895
BNSF is the only one with any double tracking project in 2016. I wonder if there are just new projects.
Double track: Construct about 9 miles of double track.
Double-track projects: Build double track near Fort Sumner, N.M.; and construct about 6 miles of double track on the Ravenna Subdivision between Pleasant Dale and Milford, Neb.*
kgbw49 K.P., it looks like your deductions a month or so ago from the data you gathered in your "boots on the ground" circle trip about the slowing pace of double-tracking the Sunset Route were very prescient! UP apparently has no double track scheduled in Arizona this year. http://www.progressiverailroading.com/union_pacific/news/UP-charts-infrastructure-projects-in-Missouri-Arizona--48399 Remind me not to ever get into a game of "Clue" with you for money!
What part of the Sunset in Arizona is not doubled yet? The only spot that I can think of is the bridge over the San Pedro River.
Here is a map put out by UP in their annual Fact Book.
It shows where their system has single, double, triple and quadruple track.
See page 4 of 52 in this PDF...
http://www.up.com/cs/groups/public/@uprr/@investor/documents/investordocuments/pdf_up_invest_2015_factbook.pdf
K.P., you got some especially great photos this trip. Good to see they're finally starting the Alhambra Wash bridge; it still isn't clear if they'll keep the existing one or demolish it for a new one. At the east end it looks like they are using the ROW as a haul road so the old exit can be closed for wall construction. The most puzzling view is west from Walnut Grove Ave, they need to grade to Rubio Wash but the main track looks in the way!
tdmidgetWhat part of the Sunset in Arizona is not doubled yet? The only spot that I can think of is the bridge over the San Pedro River.
See the overview and Gila sub maps in my sig for details. BTW where does the San Pedro River cross the ROW?
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! ***
MikeF90, I have been meaning to thank you for a while now for the great map resource. It is really good stuff! If I added right it looks to be approximately 118 miles of single track left. Is that about right? Again, thanks for a great resource!
BNSF double tracking in 2016 consists of a second bridge across the Pecos River at Fort Sumner, NM along with approaches to the new bridge and six miles in Iowa on their former CB&Q Denver-Chicago main.
MikeF90 K.P., you got some especially great photos this trip. Good to see they're finally starting the Alhambra Wash bridge; it still isn't clear if they'll keep the existing one or demolish it for a new one. At the east end it looks like they are using the ROW as a haul road so the old exit can be closed for wall construction. The most puzzling view is west from Walnut Grove Ave, they need to grade to Rubio Wash but the main track looks in the way! tdmidget What part of the Sunset in Arizona is not doubled yet? The only spot that I can think of is the bridge over the San Pedro River. See the overview and Gila sub maps in my sig for details. BTW where does the San Pedro River cross the ROW?
tdmidget What part of the Sunset in Arizona is not doubled yet? The only spot that I can think of is the bridge over the San Pedro River.
I can't make heads nor tails of the site you linked to. The San Pedro river crossing is at Benson, AZ, a steel truss bridge about 1/2 mile east of the station there.
BNSF6400 (5-26):
Thanks for the information on the past whereabouts of the EAST switch of the old LA&SL Spadra siding in Pomona (CA). Back in 1971 when I rode the second to last eastbound City of Los Angeles and it went into the Spadra siding to meet the westbound counterpart, I remember the train coming back out of the Spadra siding after the meet, but I was not as geographically aware of my surroundings back then, and never really understood where that east switch was. Your reply post set matters straight in my mind. Thanks.
Yesterday, Saturday, May 28, 2016, I was in Pomona and walked both sides of the Temple Ave. overpass over the LA&SL (and Diversion) near where the WEST switch of the Spadra siding once was. At least I think I walked the bridge … My uncertainty about if I actually did walk both sides of the bridge or not (and I have the photos suggesting I actually did) stems from the fact that that overpass does NOT seem to exist on official Caltrans registries and bridge listings!
That number on the above photo’s lower right doesn’t machine any date or location about that area!
It is hoped in the next few days (when they are back to work after the weekend) to make contact with Caltrans to make the bridge real, that or maybe they will be able to pinch me and snap me out of a dream … Anyway, I have other photos in response to your reply, and it is hoped they can be shared with you and the forum in a few days.
Other Replies
It is hoped other replies can be gotten to also in a few days.
Take care all,
K.P.
Part “O” (of O-T, Overall A-T)
The Sunset Ave. Grade Separation
Banning, CA
A return to the Sunset Ave. underpass site in Banning was made to document a few loose ends that were previous not covered because of darkness setting in. From the southeast side looking north:
The sidewalk almost needs a railing to prevent high up walkers from tumbling into the street.
A southward (leftward) lower roadway gives one a strange feeling.
Continued in Part P
Part “P” (of O-T, Overall A-T)
The four-track bridging is on a swooping railroad curve with a super elevated slant, so the bridge itself sort of slants slightly, intensifying a visual warpness, but in person one doesn’t really notice the bridge’s slight slant.
From the north side:
Interesting bridge fencing …
Continued in Part Q
Part “Q” (of O-T, Overall A-T)
K.P. guesses (“guesses”) this is a north side railroad right-of-way access spot.
By the freeway itself looking south:
Continued in Part R
Part “R” (of O-T, Overall A-T)
Previously, upon first arriving, an eastbound coal train (yes, a coal train!) was stopped on the underpass railroad bridge, but moved on (leftward). Now, a boxcar freight goes by and stops for a long time.
Continued in Part S
Part “S” (of O-T, Overall A-T)
Views of a few more odds and ends:
Continued in Part T
Part “T” (of O-T, Overall A-T)
Just as early as a few weeks ago there was an eastside wide path from the southern cross-street to the tracks for construction purposes. Now, it was tilled over, but a small pathway was found. So, K.P. traversed it and got halfway close to the tracks.
In the last photo above, note the concrete strip that divides a trackless TWO-track area from the laid two-tracks!
The only thing K.P. can come up with for a four-track wide bridge is that maybe UP has in mind temporarily storing Intermodal cars out this way until needed in the Los Angeles basin. If the railroad eventually does that, they could put in CTC switches and signals or mere hand-throw switches protected by “entrance signals,” you know those generally half-mast two-bulb uncontrolled signals. And, of course, derails. Time will tell …
The boxcar train we saw a little bit ago that stopped on that bridge was still with us, and waited a long time at the intermediate signals (photo right).
Since all the eastbound trains were stopping and stacked up, K.P. was tempted to head east on I-10 to see if a train wreck had occurred, with trains single-tracking around the site. But, the agenda won out, and he headed to Perris via Hemet to document the Perris Valley Line commuter trains at the “Perris South” end of the line overnight layover facility for train sets. So, overall K.P.’s long day was quite success and much was documented.
This will end the series.
A Little (“Little”) Off Topic but …
… the Similarities are Striking
Remember the new City of Industry (CA) and Milliken Ave. Ontario flyovers of several years ago, even the Colton Flyover in Colton all on the Sunset Route? Another ‘Up and Over’ type structure is being built not far from Los Angeles, but this time off the Sunset Route.
Burbank, CA area
That above Metrolink shoofly intermediate SIGNAL (right, used by UP trains also) is slightly different from what is used on the new Metrolink Perris Valley Line, BUT sort of (“sort of”) similar to the Sunset Route.
Metrolink’s Perris South
Details in a few days, and even a thought to ponder about Maricopa, AZ …
K.P., you made it out to Burbank! What's happening at Buena Vista is something I thought I would never see -- but with the widening of Interstate 5, it only makes sense to build that flyover at the same time.
K. P. HarrierA Little (“Little”) Off Topic but … … the Similarities are Striking Remember the new City of Industry (CA) and Milliken Ave. Ontario flyovers of several years ago, even the Colton Flyover in Colton all on the Sunset Route? Another ‘Up and Over’ type structure is being built not far from Los Angeles, but this time off the Sunset Route. Burbank, CA area
Part “A” (of A-E)
In the last half decade the building of two flyovers have been covered extensively in this thread, the Milliken Ave Flyover in Ontario, and the Colton Flyover in Colton, where the Sunset Route now goes over the BNSF Transcon, both in California. Both had construction design methods that were similar.
The Milliken Ave. Flyover:
The Colton Flyover:
Both used thin concrete building squares.
Continued in Part B
Part “B” (of A-E)
In Burbank, CA there is a 10 plus mile section of two-tracks railroad northward from the Sunset Route that splits into two-routes, one follows the Coast to the Bay Area, the other the Central Valley (via Tehachapi Pass). Metrolink now owns that trackage through Burbank. A short distance north of Burbank Jct. is a flyover that is being constructed using the same thin walling squares technique.
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-E)
More …
It is unknown to K.P. if that flyover will be for single or two-tracks, but Metrolink upgrades its tracks from time to time. Such an upgrade further north on Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line will soon be covered briefly in the “Perry Valley Line Updates” thread.
So, flyovers seem to be favorite techniques in grade separations in tight quarters where there are little alternatives.
It is understood that in Arizona, in the City of Maricopa, an overpass for Highway 347 will be built sometime in the future. That future bridging is in tight quarters, and as K.P. understands it, Highway 347 will be rerouted slightly on the south side of the tracks. While the Sunset Route line was two-tracked through there not too terribly long ago, the specifications for the roadway overpass is for at least, I believe, five or seven tracks, so UP might have things in mind for the line we are obviously not privy to.
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (of A-E)
By that Burbank, CA flyover, a major cross street (Buena Vista St.) at ground level will go under the higher flyover. Presently, the shoofly has a single mast with signal heads facing both directions.
Continued in Part E
Part “E” (of A-E)
That Burbank mast signal suggests when trains are operating over that flyover it will be similar to the ‘Up and Over’ Flyover in the City of Industry that was covered early on in this thread.
Those above over five years ago March 17, 2011 pictured ‘Up and Over’ signals in the City of Industry have yet to be activated.
On the Perris Valley Line, Metrolink at the Perris South end of the line stop has signals that follow the PATTERN of the previous owner BNSF Railway, where signals have THREE lamp positions regardless of how limited the indications used may be. While K.P. has not seen the displays at CP MAPES (below), it is believed only flashing red over red, red over flashing red, and red over red can be displayed, and of course off, on the right signal.
Union Pacific, on the other hand, has such signals limited to head positions actually used, such as at the Mesquite landfill area near Glamis, CA. Only red lamps are used, for combinations red and flashing red.
Since the flyover under construction in the Burbank area is on ex-SP trackage (UP), the signals are NOT like in Perris, but as on the Sunset Route, where intermediate lower heads are limited to what is actually needed, such as yellow over yellow, and when a train passes the signal it changes to red over red. (See first and second photos in Part D.)
That is slightly different from the Sunset Route, though, in that the two-head intermediates on the Sunset Route go to red over dark when passed.
On that Metrolink Antelope Valley Line in the Vincent-Acton area, the siding has been extended south, and a crossover installed.
K.P. is unsure if this area is considered two-tracks now or just single-track with a crossover in the siding.
Metrolink is partially funded by the taxpayers and has to answer to them, which rarely is a problem. UP, on the other hand, in two-tracking the Sunset Route, has to answer to its stockholders, which is a whole different ballgame of sorts.
This will conclude the slightly off topic series.
K. P. Harrier A short distance north of Burbank Jct. is a flyover that is being constructed using the same thin walling squares technique.
This appears to be the popular mechanically stabilized earth wall design. Those precast panels can shift slightly due to forces from settling or moderate earthquakes. Casting the panels offsite makes for quicker and less disruptive construction.
Based on newer Google aerial pics, the approach and flyover are wide enough for two tracks. Metrolink removed the short 2MT section siding north of Burbank Jct for the construction, and replacement 2MT could be laid north as far as the Sunland Blvd Arvilla Ave grade crossing (about 2.6 miles).
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