It still seems odd that UP didn't push a few miles eastward from "new" Araz to old "Araz" (now known as Araz Junction)
Quick Roundup
On Thursday, March 15, 2012, K.P. had a few hours of free time layover in the Fontana, CA area, and was able to checkout four areas mentioned previously in this thread: (1) the SP Colton Flyover, Colton; (2) the SP Milliken Ave. Flyover, Ontario; (3) the LA&SL Magnolia Ave. underpass in Riverside, and (4) right-of-way room issues by the LA&SL Campus Ave. grade crossing, in Ontario.
It will take a day or two (or three) to compose everything and post the posts.
In the meantime, an advance view of the Colton Flyover effort: A newly graded area BETWEEN Mains 1 and 2, where the Palmdale Cutoff East Leg of the Wye (top and bottom track) curves around to Main 1 (unseen on the bottom right).
In the above telephoto, the actual flyover will be towards the lower right and behind the camera.
The Milliken Ave. Flyover had dramatic progress since the last update report.
At Magnolia Ave, all four underpass lanes are now open, and maintenance-of-way forces have returned!
And, with the Campus Ave. grade crossing, is there enough room for a second-track?
So, that is what is on the agenda ...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Thursday, March 15, 2012
Focusing on Four Areas
Part I (of I-IV), Section A (of A-C)
The Colton Flyover
Colton, CA
A westward view from Rancho Ave. of new grading on the west side of Colton: Main 2 is on the lower left. Main 1 goes under the Palmdale Cutoff on the upper right.
Looking east: Water trucks roving around the area are a common site.
As seem from the Rancho Ave. overpass: A bunch of north side activity west of the BNSF Transcon cross tracks.
Continued in Section B
Part I, Section B (of A-C)
A ground level northward view of the last photo in Section A from near the diamonds' southwest quadrant:
A closer view ... and a somewhat strange sight: Rebar cylindrical structures on the photo's lower left.
Back up on the Rancho Ave. overpass: A couple of dump truck backup to use the makeshift grade crossing.
Continued in Section C
Part I, Section C (of A-C)
With a telephoto looking east: The leftish mid-background across the view railing is where the La Cadena Drive underpass is located.
A heavy telephoto: In the background is the Mt. Vernon Ave. overpass. The tracks on the upper right are the beginning of the ascent up the west side of Beaumont Hill. The cross-wires relocation is pending.
Finally, a water truck takes on water a block south of the Sunset Route, on a residential street near Rancho Ave.
The water truck driver agreed with K.P. that he WAS happy his job was secure for the couple of years that it will take for the Colton Flyover to be constructed!
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The posting schedule for the remaining three areas:
Part II: "Dramatic Progress at the Milliken Ave. Flyover," Ontario, CA, Sections A-E, will be posted before noon (Pacific Daylight Time [PDT]) Sunday, March 18, 2012.
Part III: "The Magnolia Ave. Underpass," Riverside, CA, Sections A-E, will be posted before noon (PDT) Monday, March 19, 2012.
Part IV: "A Photo Review of IF it is Realistic to Lay a Second Track across Campus Ave," Ontario, CA, Sections A-C, plus two PS memos, will be posted before noon (PDT) Tuesday, March 20, 2012.
Part II (of I-IV), Section A (of A-E)
Dramatic Progress at the Milliken Ave. Flyover
Ontario, CA
The flyover gap where the just below photo's center industrial switch is has quickly been filled.
Previously, back on February 29, 2012, it had looked like this ...
Looking the other way, east, the flyover's east end still drops off by an industrial track in the way.
Part II, Section B (of A-E)
The now severed industrial track has some severed track pieces stacked up around the curve (lower left).
Oddly, though the industrial track has flashers and gates at the Airport Drive grade crossing, trains had to make a stop before crossing the roadway!
The grade crossing flange-way is full of leaves and other debris.
On the below photo's upper left, even though the industrial track is severed now from the mainline, a customer still has a gated car on its spur.
In that light, it is wondered if the track is even used now by shippers!
Part II, Section C (of A-E)
The flyover has temporary wood to keep ballast from falling, but over Milliken Ave. itself there are now concrete barricades.
The west flyover's north side: Even though there are "No Parking" signs everywhere, apparently merchants have an agreement with the City so that truckers can park on Guasti Rd. without being ticketed.
In the above view, the flyover certainly looks well along now.
Continued in Section D
Part II, Section D (of A-E)
Views of the lowering (left to right) west end's north side:
Continued in Section E
Part II, Section E (of A-E)
At Milliken Ave. on the south side ...
Looking west:
A non-telephoto eastward view:
A telephoto looking east:
This date there was NO flagman present at Milliken Ave. While on site, however, a worker in a pickup truck came east towards the camera on the south side in the first photo of this section, and got out. He advised of a non-railroad special movement ... He then blocked Milliken Ave. and the special movement followed his tracks and went from the south side to the north side ...
... and headed west towards the Guasti siding.
This is certainly NOT a dull place ... During the work day there is always something going on!
The posting schedule for the remaining two areas:
KP- The odd round rebar in your photo are the basis for a pylon for a bridge. A circular form will be placed around the rebars and the form will be filled with concrete. The rebars are in the ground to bedrock or other competent formation in an unlined hole. Concrete will be poured in the hold to give the structural stability then more rebars will be installed above ground and the circular form installed etc.
ccltrains (3-18):
I should have clarified it, but the strangeness of the rebar cylindrical items (lower left of the following reshown photo [shot at Colton, CA]) ...
... had reference to the LOCATION of them, and their placement PARALLEL to the eastbound lanes of the I-10 Freeway.
EAST of the rebar placements (towards the right in the above photo), and NOT at, a flyover bridge over the northwest BNSF connector will need to be constructed. In the below southwestward looking photo from Valley Blvd. the present freeway confining connector is shown (bottom), with the Sunset Route being the background cross tracks and signals (Los Angeles is towards the background right).
But, it would seem that connector's bridging rebar placements would be diagonal to the Sunset Route, and not parallel to it.
While I've seen south side artist concept drawings of the bridging over the BNSF northwest connector, I have never seen any diagrams indicating there would even be parallel to the freeway cylindrical supports present.
The fact that such is being constructed early on tells me that they are important to the overall construction scheme of things, but for exactly what I have no idea.
Best,
K.P.
Part III (of I-IV), Section A (of A-E)
The Magnolia Ave. Underpass
Riverside, CA
All lanes of the new Magnolia Ave. underpass are now open. Looking northeast:
A southwestward view:
Surprisingly, a side walkway is present to a back parking area. The railroad tracks are right behind the camera.
Part III, Section B (of A-E)
While both directions of traffic are now open, there are still a few loose ends left to take care of. Roadway cones, a truck, and lime vested workers are in this view.
A northeast side view:
Underneath, the ANGLED center support makes for an odd appearance.
Part III, Section C (of A-E)
Planted trees make for an attractive setting.
Walling is attractive too.
Why these lights were on is unknown.
K.P. hopes the above sidewalk will eventually have railings installed. Can't you just image a kid, or a distracted adult 'railfan' walking the sidewalk and trying to watch a passing train above walk right off the sidewalk and rolling down into traffic? Yes, railings are needed!
Part III, Section D (of A-E)
By the new underpass, maintenance-of-way equipment was strangely parked on Main 2, the straight, non-turnout route track.
In the just above photo, the lower dirt area is where two lanes of Magnolia Ave. use to be during the underpass construction. Compare it to the bottoms of the two below previously shown views from last year.
A previously shown north side view ...
Part III, Section E (of A-E)
Looking westbound by the underpass, the lower grade crossing is Brockton Ave. The orange cones are is by Palm Ave. A Quiet Zone horn is visible.
K.P. did not have the time to investigate the trackwork and what was transpiring.
Before leaving the Magnolia Ave. underpass site, it was noted that the eastbound Main 1 (turnout route TO single-track) signal at CP C055 STREETER was lined, and had a red over solid yellow displayed.
Apparently the signal was lined long in advance. If the next signals east were lined also in order to get onto the BNSF, the signal would display red over flashing yellow.
It is good to see the Magnolia Ave. underpass is just about finished, and the railroad is keeping its rail line well maintained.
Part IV (of I-VI), Section A (of A-C)
A Photo Review of IF it is Realistic to Lay a Second-Track across Campus Ave.
The location in question is the bisecting of the east-west State St. with the north-south Campus Ave. to the south of the LA&SL single-track rail line in conjunction with the branching off of Ontario Ave. to the east just north of the track.
A north side of the track westward view of how close Ontario Ave. is to the track:
In a previously shown October 15, 2011 photo, Ontario Avenue's north side has a high business platform (lower right), so the roadway cannot be moved northward a bit.
In an eastward view: Ontario Ave. is on the background left (north). State St. is on the right (south).
That State St. is also not very wide.
Part IV, Section B (of A-C)
If it wasn't for Ontario Ave. out of view on the right, far side of the track, there would be plenty of room for another track.
East of Campus Ave., while narrow, there appears to be sufficient room between the track and State St. for another track.
A north side eastward view: CP C039 BON VIEW is in the background.
An alignment shift theoretically could be made from CP C039 BON VIEW rightward towards Campus Ave. (behind the camera).
In the above view, a couple of the famous laying trackside old tires are present (bottom left).
Part IV, Section C (of A-C)
West of Campus Ave. there is plenty of room to the north (right). The Ontario Signal Dept. is on the upper right.
As seen from Sultana Ave., two or three blocks west of Campus Ave., in a March 9, 2012 eastward view, there is sufficient room on the north (left) side for a second main.
To the west, there is already a paralleling lead-like track (right) from the Montclair Yard that ends here by Sultana Ave. The previous shown June 2, 2011 view below looks west.
K.P.'s gut feeling after reviewing the photos is that Ontario Ave. will be cul-de-sac ended (or made one lane), and a second-main will be laid to the north (right) in the first photo of Section A. (Also see the second photo in that section.)
Just for the record, as with most railfans, grade crossings are commonplace and don't faze them. Every once in a while, though, we come across a grade crossing that makes even the most callous individual very leery. K.P. becomes nervous in making a left turn off Ontario Ave. unto Campus Ave., and crossing the tracks, EVEN WITH the knowledge the gates are up and flashers off, and the new signal just to the west is dark. It is that spooky of situation. So, K.P. is betting the solution is what is stated in the paragraph above this one.
In the above previously shown July 10, 2009 photo, the fact that the even now not in service yet big CP AL514 HAMILTON's east signal bridge has heads for FOUR tracks (two for the SP and two for the LA&SL) tells K.P. that the second Main across Campus Ave. may not be that far away.
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A PS memo follows ...
A Side Note about the New Signal at Campus Ave., Ontario, CA
The SP actual Sunset Route just a few blocks to the north last year had the target signals all replaced with the new color lights. All those new color lights have large diodes as the below photo shot at the nearby west switch of CP AL520 NORTH ONTARIO.
But, the new LA&SL color light signal by the Ontario Signal Dept., again just a few blocks away, has a smaller, closer pattern arrangement of diode lights.
While K.P. was too rushed at the time to focus on diode patterns, the LA&SL signals were undoubtedly one of the below types shot in the Maricopa, AZ area last year.
So, at least three types of diode light patterns are prevalent on the UP. It is just so strange that two glaringly different types are on UP lines just a few blocks away from each other.
Another PS memo about signals follows ...
Another Side Note about Signals
There has been some question about 40 M.P.H. crossover switches at and to each side of CP SP938 PICACHO in Arizona. The intermediate lower heads in that area don't seem to match 40 M.P.H. switch operating rules.
Interestingly, the below west eastbound signal governs eastbound movements at CP C039 BON VIEW on the LA&SL in Ontario, CA is a case example to compare with Arizona. The single switch thereat is KNOWN to be of the actual 40 M.P.H. type.
Yet, the advance eastbound signal to the west, at CP C038 ONTARIO, shown previously is ONLY of the single head type, which IS absolutely consistent with the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) and past UP signal displays in advance of a CP with 40 M.P.H. dual-control switches.
So, whatever is presently going on signal- and track-wise near-concurrently in the Picacho, AZ area, K.P. is inclined to believe more time needs to transpire in order to see what fully develops there.
K. P.
It is my guess that due to the fact that between East Picacho and Wymola there is only about 4 miles, it is basically a 11,000' siding, they may wish to keep the diverging speeds to below 40 MPH to shorten stopping distance. Both of these locations were built with Movable Point Frogs and when Two Main tracks are completed on both ends, it is my guess that the speed will be brought up to 50 MPH.
It is my guess that at a future West Picacho will include a powered switch to the Phoenix Sub. Signaling there needs to include the option of going from Trk 2 to the Wye and I doubt if the wye switch will be very fast.
John Kluender
Tustin, CA
Looks like they may have selected several vendors for the LED bulbs. Here is an intersting article from 2008. I am sure they are done with their field tests by now.
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/pr/article/LEDs-An-illuminating-experience-for-suppliers--15031#
Robert
I have 237 images to sort through from my trip a few days back, but it should be up in a few days. I got pictures of almost all the signals from CP SP854 GILA to CP SP904 ARIZONA GRAIN. The only ones I missed were the eastbound signals at the east ends of GIla and Shawmut sidings, and a couple around Maricopa. Other than that, everything else is accounted for in photographic form!
K.P. in Arizona!
On Wednesday and Thursday, March 21 and 22, 2012, K.P. was in Arizona seeing for himself what had been and is transpiring on the Sunset Route two-tracking! On arriving at the first key location of Eloy, at the Sunshine Blvd. grade crossing (M.P. 933.62), right away all the new, not activated yet, turned aside signals heads were found to be actually lit!
Also, the Main 2 lower missing signal head (right) was found to have had finally been attached.
The new north track (future Main 1) in Eloy is well manicured now, and looked ready to be put in service, which may be imminent.
On the way to Arizona from California, the Salton Sea area was passed, and there is much to report about out that way.
Also, K.P. checked out the out-of-service Phoenix Line in the Hyder area. What was found was a somewhat shocking state, i.e., the absence of something on the route, which put a whole different dimension to ever reopening the mothballed route section.
It will take several days to organize and prepare post-ready material. In the meantime, followers of this thread can know they have something first hand now to look forward to ...
Replies:
John Kluender (3-20):
I concur with you about the 40 M.P.H. speeds in the Picacho-Wymola area. In my just a few days ago visit to the Picacho area, I took allot of photos, and they seem to substantiate the validity of your opinion.
rdamon (3-20):
Red Flag Rises about Diode Lights!
Those were good informative links you provided about the diode lights for color light signals.
I don't know what your experiences have been with color light diode displays, but when at CP SP938 EAST PICACHO on last Wednesday's darkening evening visit, about 500 feet to the west, a red over flashing yellow was seen to be displayed. Unbelievably, and in an appalling spirit, I found I had much difficulty distinguish between red and yellow!
In the first quarter of the last century, the railroad industry did much testing with signal colors, and the colors were scientifically fine-tuned so that there was absolutely no confusion. In past decades, occasionally (but not much), green vehicle traffic lights had a confusing yellowish look. But, apparently they found following the railroad's example was beneficial (especially to avoid lawsuits), and virtually all vehicle traffic lights (at least here in California) have proper, un-confusing colored lenses now.
I'll bet my boots the new diode light signals will yet evolve further into a very scientific degree like the old incandescent bulbs have displayed for years.
The above photo is of BNSF's new color light signals yet to be activated on the far eastern slope of Cajon Pass in Southern California. While UP is using diode lights now with gusto, BNSF may ultimately prove wiser in their use of incandescent lamps until the diode lights have been perfected to an absolute degree.
ANDY117 (3-24):
While the area of your coverage has been two-tracking completed a few years ago, your upcoming photos should add to the forum's ever broadening understanding of the Sunset Route's two-tracking territory.
Take care all,
After delaying my trip a week due to illness, I finally made it out to the Gila Sub to document one of the last stretches of single track in Arizona. Without further ado, on to the pictures!
No evidence of a double tracking project here. Just old SP searchlights and waiting trains.
Eastbound signal
Westbound signals
Overall view
Continuing east, the next set of signals are the intermediates at MP SP855. I tried to get a few of the details of the area as well.
The other end of the siding I couldn't get to. ADOT is doing some crazy realignment project in Gila Bend, and has made it difficult to get over there. I tried to get shots from across the highway, but they aren't the greatest.
Eastbound signals
Westbound signal (framed by a construction barricade!)
Westbound signal
That's a wrap on Part I. Sorry about some images being not so great, a bunch of pictures were taken at 55 MPH due to traffic. On to Part II!
This is an interesting one. Track 2 isn't affected by the interlocking at all. There's a signaled siding that splits off of track 1, and runs down to CP SP884 MOBILE.
Eastbound signals:
Control box:
New signal bridge for the signaled siding and track 1 going westbound:
Eastbound signals for the signaled siding and track 1:
Westbound signal for track 1 & 88392
This didn't come out too well. Pardon the junk in the foreground!
Westbound signals:
On to the last and final chapter!
These first couple pictures I got on my last trip, but just to refresh your memories:
I couldn't find a way to the signals at 897 until I got back to NY. I'll get them next time I head out.
The track into the elevator split off a half mile back, so now there's 2 main tracks, and the track through the facility.
Eastbound signals for the elevator and track 2:
Control box and eastbound signals with UP 5482 East in the background:
Westbound signal and 904?1
Some detail shots of the signal heads:
That's a wrap! I'm anxious to see what KP came up with!
ANDY117 (3-27):
I especially liked the two close-up detail shots of the signal heads, the latter photo of which showed excellent detail of the ladder. Those particular ladder cross-rods have a spiral reverse-grooving design! I have never seen THAT before. I wonder if that is for good footing ... On the other hand maybe the reverse grooving is to discourage trespassers from climbing on the signal. They probably would rarely have gloves with them for such spur of the moment adventurous ideas ...
Thanks for sharing the photos.
I still wonder if Estrella (M.P. 876) to Gila Bend (M.P. 854), right up your alley, will be next for two-tracking after the present Toltec to Tucson area is totally two-tracked.
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The series "An Exciting Trip to Arizona!" begins right after this post.
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