Update as of Sunday, August 4, 2013
Part II, Section E (of A-J)
Colton-Rialto, CA
Here comes another westbound over the flyover …
And, as seen just above, another northbound goes up the Palmdale Cutoff! More on THAT later, but suffice for now K.P. has never seen an eastbound on the Colton Flyover; everything has always been westbound over it.
Continued in Section F
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 II, Section F (of A-J)
We now make a brief detour to South Colton, where the Riverside Industrial Lead (background) heads to Riverside. A southeastward view of an industrial track curving into an industrial complex:
A westward north side view:
Above, the industrial track is barely visible in the pavement on the left, by the building.
Continued in Section G
Part II, Section G (of A-J)
A lumber railcar is visible just below photo center.
To the complex’s west, a BNSF westbound (leftward, physically southward) passes.
So, a new connection to the BNSF so the Riverside Industrial Lead street-running in South Colton can be eliminated is feasible.
Back to Rancho Ave. again … Outside of the new signal being erected and orange walling being completed, nothing obvious popped out to K.P.
Continued in Section H
Part II, Section H (of A-J)
An inordinate amount of small equipment was in the whole Colton Flyover area and not just by the alleyway here.
Pepper Ave. was gone to, but again, nothing seems to have taken place there.
Continued in Section I
Part II, Section I (of A-J)
There was some power by the West Colton Yard shops:
Continued in Section J
Part II, Section J (of A-J)
The real focus, however, was the new replacement mast signal for Main 1 by the east side of Riverside Ave.
There is still a large dead line of power that reaches back to near Pepper Ave. That might explain why UP is still less aggressive with the two-tracking than it was in the first half of 2001-2010.
As seen above, by the Pepper Ave. overpass in the distance, NO additional signals have been erected for Main 1, so as mentioned in the previous post series a week ago, UP seems to be going with one signal block for Main 1, two signal blocks for Main 2.
Eastbouders and the Colton Flyover
While up on the Riverside Ave. overpass in Rialto, K.P. noticed an eastbound approaching. It had stopped and changed crews by CP AL534 CEDAR (M.P. 534.7).
The train was on Main 2 … and eventually took the Palmdale Cutoff route way behind the camera in the above photo.
So Sunset Route westbound trains, as a rule of thumb, tend to presently go over the Colton Flyover to the Alhambra Sub, while eastbound trains are going via the Los Angeles & Salt Lake (Los Angeles Sub) through Riverside, WITH eastbound trains destined for the Central Corridor coming to Colton on the Alhambra Sub and going up the Palmdale Cutoff (below, top track in a reshown photo from THIS series) …
… to Silverwood in Cajon Pass and up to Salt Lake City and points east.
At this point in time it is unclear how opening Main 2 over the Colton Flyover will affect these traffic patterns.
This will conclude the series.
Typically orange cones or similar protective devices are put on rebar or pipes sticking out of the ground to protect a worker who might fall on it. Being impaled by a rebar or pipe would not make your day. For rebars the protection is a plastic ball that fits over the end of the rebar. Larger items as the picture indicates would take a larger protective device such as the traditional traffic cones. I have no idea what the things sticking out of the ground are for.
The orange objects protruding out of the ground look to me to be the ends of heavy cables of the type used to connect signals into the system.
John Timm
Could be that the Orange Conduits are for relocating the AEI reader in the photo.
Taking Care of a Couple of Matters
In taking care of a couple of arising matters, K.P. made an effort of check out the Colton Flyover in Colton, CA, with an emphasis on the status of what appears to be non-conforming signals.
While in Colton, a local resident across from the flyover was talked to at length. He pointed out new things that K.P. had already just photographed, new view-blocking trees!
And, he had a mouthful of other things to say, too!
What the local resident mentioned and K.P.’s findings (little that is new) will be posted about in a day or two. At this point, it looks like the material with be in six Parts, A-F.
Update as of Wednesday, August 7, 2013
The Colton Flyover Area
Colton, CA
Part A (of A-F)
K.P. had personal business in the Inland Empire, and stopped at several key spots in Colton to check on the status of some things that are in question. The first target area was the new signal by “K” Street just east of the La Cadena underpass.
Since the above signal is for the future CP SP539 RIVERSIDE INDUSTRIAL LEAD, K.P. cannot reconcile the signal with the known track layout of the future.
Also above, the La Cadena Drive underpass (railing far left) has a many tracks wide old bridging, and an on the bridge dirt road currently straddles the tracks on the south side.
An eastward view:
A heavy telephoto looking east towards the Mt. Vernon Ave. overpass:
Above, note the tracks in the background after going over the Santa Ana River bridge starts climbing to go up through San Timoteo Canyon and over Beaumont Hill. Also note the concrete ties stacked up on the right.
Please make a mental note WHERE the above photos were shot from, as we will post-return to this location to relate a lengthy, enlightening conversation with an area resident …
Continued in Part B
Part B (of A-F)
In the fenced Colton Signal Dept. Yard, though thinned out quite a bit, there are still many spools of signal cable. They are very dusty after a few years of being in the open inside the fenced yard, and the wood spools are becoming severely rotted.
In a strange development, the new CP AL525 GUASTI signal bungalow that has been on site for many months has been moved to inside the fenced area, with other lesser sized boxes as well.
Just above, one smaller grade crossing box came from Hunts Lane, which grade crossing is now closed account of new overpass construction.
Continued in Part C
Part C (of A-F)
East of the Rancho Ave. overpass, by the residential alleyway south of the tracks, even more equipment was spotted parked trackside.
The flyover’s western slope’s orange south walling is having the protective railings attached, but is incomplete.
Continued in Part D
Part D (of A-F)
The new, not activated yet signals just east of the Rancho Ave. overpass: K.P. still believes the two left signals should have four-bulb lower heads and not three.
The alignment of the future Main 2 over the flyover still is trackless towards the fryover ends.
Continued in Part E
Part E (of A-F)
At Pepper Ave. looking eastbound, a departing train was going around the Balloon track (upper left).
K.P. believes the Main 2 signal will have the lower head changed out for a four-bulb one with a lunar.
That the lower head’s top bulb is green is shown by this August 1, 2009 nighttime view of the Pepper Interlocking with a red over green!
Continued in Part F
Part F (of A-F)
An Enlighten Discussion
A number of moons ago, on July 18, 2012, this north of the Sunset Route north-south 9th Street southward photo was taken showing the under construction east-west Colton Flyover getting higher. In the background of that view local residences were seen in South Colton.
On the date of this series, a longtime resident of one of those above string of houses spoke to K.P., and a lengthy discussion ensued.
He complained that the now high flyover ruined his nice view of the San Bernardino Mountains, which mountains were sometimes snowcapped.
He also stated that trees had been planted on the north side of “K” Street and those trees blocked the northward view further.
(Such trees had also been planted on “K” Street on the WEST side of La Cadena Drive, by the Colton Signal Dept.)
He also complained of the noise of trains on the flyover, as well as BNSF trains going over the diamonds about a half a mile to the west. I point out in a consoling way that soon the diamonds would be at an angle, so the noise should be greatly reduced. He seemed to like that idea!
He though it would have been better if the flyover would have gone under the BNSF instead of over. K.P. had posted about that possibility a year or two ago. If that option had been chosen instead of a flyover, he would not have lost his nice view of the mountains. Obviously, he wasn’t a railroader or railfan, but was most interesting to talk to nevertheless. He did say that it was his understood that the work of removing the street running on 9th Street …
… in conjunction with building a loop off the BNSF by the Santa Ana River …
… and presumably going over to the present Riverside Industrial Lead track …
… would start in September, about a month away. Obviously, the loop would have to come on scene first, and then the removal of the street running track could take place.
In the discussion I threw at him the concept of running a connector along the Santa Ana River so the Mt. Vernon Connector would have bypassed his residence altogether. The resident said that City officials in an unrelated matter were going to build a public park south of town by the Santa Ana River. But, an endangered species blocked the effort, so they gave up. That may have been a contributing factor in keeping the going up a hill and down a hill on the same Mt. Vernon Connector instead of a more fuel efficient water level route along the Santa Ana River.
Anyway, we have a number of things remaining to see related to (or as a result of) the Colton Flyover construction.
-------
K. P. Harrier Update as of Wednesday, August 7, 2013 The Colton Flyover Area Colton, CA Part D (of A-F) The new, not activated yet signals just east of the Rancho Ave. overpass: K.P. still believes the two left signals should have four-bulb lower heads and not three.
My apologies for wandering away from the flock of followers you've had for a while. This has resulted in me (pardon the expression) losing track of things.However, perhaps some enlightenment on signal practices might be in order. I assume that you wanted to see fourth head on the lower portion of these signals, displaying a lunar light, to help provide a Restricting aspect, allowing a train to proceed past this signal at restricted speed without stopping.I should know (but don't) whether this is a home signal at a control point. I don't see any number plates, so it might be (but the lack of number plates could also be fixed when the signal is placed in service). If the signal will receive a number plate (number of heads means nothing--we have three-headed signals with number plates by us), a lunar-white light would add nothing, as all reds would allow a train to proceed at restricted speed without stopping.So, if this is a home signal, all reds would mean "Stop" (and stay). Although a lunar-white light would allow a Restricting aspect to be displayed, this could also be accomplished with a flashing red on the bottom head.We have two control points within six miles of me where new signals were placed in service within the past two years. One has four lights on the lower head (of two) on all three tracks; one (also with two-headed signals for three tracks) doesn't...and I've seen the flashing red on that one.Now the rule for lunar-white and flashing-red is the same. So why the difference? I really don't know for sure...but can make a suggestion. The control point at Grace displays a flashing red, because the possible routes that trains can take consist only of other mainline tracks. So the reason for trains to receive this signal would only be for following another train closely in the block ahead. As far as I know, a dispatcher has to permit this signal--under normal circumstances the signal would remain at stop. If one of the other causes for traveling at Restricted Speed applied (broken rail, switch not properly lined [there are no switches in the block beyond the control point]), I suspect that the flashing-red could not be displayed.
Meanwhile, the control point at Park displays a lunar-white signal from any track for any train that is lined into any of the four tracks headed into the yard, where rules similar to Restricted Speed apply at all times (Restricted speed rules only apply in signaled territory). Whether these signals would display a flashing red for a train following another train on the main line remains to be seen...if I ever get up again early enough in the morning, I might check for that. If I see a flashing red, this is the answer. If I see a lunar-white signal given to a following train on the same route, then there has to be another reason for the difference.
Capiche?
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
To help out the low information people (me) does anyone have a link to a web page that explains what the various aspects of railway signal mean. Thanks for the help.
Replies
CShaveRR (8-9):
Part I (of I-II)
Hi, Carl!
In the West Colton Yard area, as well as other locations on the Sunset Route, a UP color light yellow over lunar is most often used (1) in advance of a red over flashing red, OR (2) in advance of a special turnout route application.
The specific situation you replied to concerns the first case above, a yellow over lunar at the future CP SP538 RANCHO (two left masts in the northwestward view below) …
… in advance of a red over flashing red at CP SP535 PEPPER (view looks east with the mast of interest on the right).
But, as it stands presently (as seen in the top photo above), the east side westbound signals at the future CP SP538 RANCHO are incapable of displaying a yellow over lunar (the not there fourth bulb).
There are several examples of the second case in the West Colton Yard area, and some involve advance signals before CP SP538 RANCHO.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-II)
(Continued)
Concerning incorrect installations, on the east slope of the Colton Flyover in recent months was a new mast signal put up lacking sufficient lower heads and stems (left mast below).
When the error was assumedly ‘discovered,’ the erroneous not activated yet signal was quickly traded out for a correctly equipped one.
Whether the signals in the post you replied to, CShaveRR, are in error or involve something tricky, exotic, and unheard of before, we should all find out soon, as reportedly the second main over the Colton Flyover will open by September, less than a month away, with all the area’s new signals up and operating.
ccltrains (8-10):
Earlier today a quick search on the Internet was made for what you requested, but I could not locate any diagrams that would satisfy your request, not that there isn’t any out there. Official UP documents that I’ve seen when visiting sources HAVE such diagrams. Once, when looking at a source’s material, I observed a copyright notice. That may or may not explain why I could not locate diagrams for you on the Internet.
Take care all,
K.P.
When the dispatcher (control operator) lines up a controlled signal, it will display the "best" indication for the conditions in the block. If it is occupied, or shows an occupancy due to broken rail or open switch etc, it will show a restricting. That is, if it is set up to display a restricting. (Depending on the signal, it can be either using a lunar or flashing red aspect.) It seems some controlled signals can't give a restricting. If the dispatcher wants you to pass one that won't, they have to talk you by it.
An Approach Restricting can either use a yellow over lunar or yellow over flashing red. The Y/L is more common, but Y/FR is being used. It seems that on new or upgraded installations in my area they are going away from using lunar aspects. It used to be at a few areas near yards, where you were lined down a signaled track that was occupied by a preceding train you received a flashing red. If you were lined into the yard onto unsignalled track you received a lunar. They have ( a few years ago already) changed the signals to only use a flashing red for all routes and removed the lunar aspect completely.
Lunar capable signals (restricting or approach restricting) are by no means gone, but it seems like they are on the way out. At least until the next person in charge of standards takes office.
Jeff
KP, or anyone else in the know, is the Milliken Avenue flyover finished? I'd think that by now, it ought to be.
I was by that way yesterday and it looked complete in just passing by. All the sidewalks and traffic lanes were back in place and in use. I also noticed a Up crew laying rail up the west slope of the Colton Flyover and a fully loaded rail train parked nearby. So maybe they are going to lay the second main over Milliken soon. Didn't notice any activity at Vineyard ave, so that will be possibly the last grade separation between Colton and Pomona. At this point it looks like they can complete the Double Tracking between Colton and Pomona except for the section at Vineyard ave.
A Brilliant Flash of Light!
Forum contributor and UP trainman Jeff Hergert posted on Saturday, August 10, 2013 firsthand signal information involving both yellow over lunar and yellow over flashing red. K.P. saw that as a brilliant flash of light that would explain some of the odd, new signal developments in the Colton and West Colton Yard areas of Southern California.
It should be noted that in recent times yellow over lunar could be interpreted TWO different ways, and the correct interpretation was dependent upon a train crew’s knowledge of the territory. Things have apparently changed so that there is NO interpretation necessary now, at least on new signal installations.
In short, (1) a yellow over lunar is an advance advisory that the next signal is lined for the turnout route into SIGNALED track, whereas (2) a yellow over flashing red is an advance indicator of a turnout route into UN-SIGNALED track.
Case examples:
(1) The west facing eastbound intermediate MAST signal for Main 1 by Riverside Ave. in Rialto, which road bridges over West Colton Yard.
TWO bulbs are present on the new, not activated yet, and turned aside lower head. So, a yellow over yellow is, in the future, for crossing over BETWEEN Mains at the next signal and then going over the Colton Flyover, whereas a yellow over lunar is to crossover at the next signal and go into the SIGNALED side track off the mains, in this case, the track that would be at ground level going either (a) across the BNSF and accessing the Old Colton Yard, or (b) the route curving north on the BNSF Connector before the diamonds.
(2) The other situation, just east of Rancho Ave, at the east end of the future CP SP538 RANCHO, the new east side westbound signals that have three-bulb lower heads (instead of four-bulb lower heads) …
… with a yellow over flashing red, which would advise trainmen that at the next signal the interlocking is lined with a red over flashing red and that they will be going into dark, UN-SIGNALED trackage.
While the above is unofficial and unverified, the description and logic for it seems sound.
A Memo to billio (8-11):
My personal schedule calls for one of my super long, infamous dispatches south, deep into Riverside County this coming Tuesday. It is unknown exactly how things will work out and the timing, but I see a possibility (“possibility”) of dropping by the Milliken Ave. Flyover for a good look and maybe take a few update photos.
… and Super Hunky (8-11):
There were a lot of odds and ends to complete the last time I was by the Milliken Ave. Flyover, so if all traffic lanes are open now, that is good news indeed!
I was by the Colton Flyover this past Wednesday, and was disappointed that nothing seemed to be advancing track-wise. If you are seeing activity there, well, that sounds promising.
If you read the memo to billio above, this coming Tuesday I will be running around, so will try to drop by the Colton Flyover too.
About laying a second main over Vineyard Ave. in Ontario, while maintenance upkeep track work was taking place on the single-track Main on December 13, 2012 as below …
… the line has a few areas needing major bridge additions, as over the flood control waterway between Grove Ave. and Vineyard Ave. pictured above Whenever that particular bridgework is started, it will be a sure sign two-tracking that area is imminent!
ccltrains To help out the low information people (me) does anyone have a link to a web page that explains what the various aspects of railway signal mean. Thanks for the help.
Here's a link to a web site I found (or was pointed to) some years ago. It's supposed to cover most forms of North American signalling. There are links to several different railroads including Union Pacific (1988) and Southern Pacific (1995). Hopefully one of these will be of help to you.
http://www.lundsten.dk/us_signaling/index.html
Mike
I'm not sure that a difference in aspects for the approach restricting actually mean anything at the next signal as far as route is concerned. For the time when the controlled signal used a flashing red for main to main moves and lunar for main to yard moves, the preceding signal could only give a yellow over lunar for an approach restricting. Then it only gave the A/R when lined for they yard. The only time we (one exception at an old and quirky signal arrangement) normally get the approach restricting is when we are lined through either a 15 mph crossover or switch leading into unsignalled track. If we are lined main to main with a restricting (our slang for such "come along") to follow the train ahead the preceding signal, even if able to give an approach restricting will still give an approach.
As I've said, it seems they might be phasing out the lunar aspect. I wonder if it has something to do with going to LED bulbs. All new (as opposed to recycled signals, yes they have at times done so) signals that have been installed have all LED bulbs. All the lunars we have are still with incandescent bulbs. I wonder if there is, or they think there could be, a problem with the way the lunar aspect looks using an LED? That maybe an LED lunar might be mistaken for a yellow aspect at a distance and leading the crew to believe that they could go at a higher speed?
jeffhergert (8-12):
You mentioned a possible phasing out of lunar aspects. That both is and is not happening, i.e., the thought needs a clarifying qualifier.
What seems to be being phased out is: (1) Red over lunar at absolutes governing a turnout to unsignaled, dark trackage beyond, and (2) advance signal yellow over lunar regarding going through a turnout at the NEXT signal and into dark territory.
PHOTO #1:
What is NOT being phased out is: Yellow over lunar in advance of a SIGNALED turnout route that is not the norm
A yellow over yellow would be for the normal crossover route, and yellow over lunar for the SLOWER signaled route. (In the above photo, note the number plate on the mast, suggesting there is NO lower red.)
PHOTO #2:
This photo shows those two possible TURNOUT routes regarding the RIGHT track. A yellow over lunar (Photo #1) involves the going left and heading back right OVER Main 1 (right top, NORTH side of the Balloon, behind the embankment on the top). A yellow over yellow (again, Photo #1) would indicate the train would take the crossover route and head west on the SOUTH side of the Balloon Track. (Excuse the trickiness of this, but the ‘going over’ route starts WITHIN the crossover between Mains, truly a radically different and untypical situation.)
PHOTO #3:
Photo #1 above was of Main 1’s intermediates on the WEST side of the Santa Ana River. The below photo is of absolutes (hence the four red bulbs on the cantilever structure) for Main 2 and the Ice Deck siding (right) on the EAST side of the Santa Ana River.
The lower heads are deceptive and not the normal green-yellow-red, rather the lower greens are replaced by lower lunar bulbs. So, the signals display yellow over yellow as well as yellow over lunar, just like the Main 1 westbound intermediate.
Since these (Photos #1 and #3) are very NEW signals, this is proof that the lunar is NOT disappearing. What is disappearing, though, is yellow over lunar in advance of a red over lunar to go into dark, unsignaled track, replaced with yellow over flash red in advance of red over flashing red at the actual turnout..
PHOTO #4:
However, there is a glaring monkey wrench to all this that makes one wonder if we will have to go back to square one! At CP SP542 LOMA LINDA there is a 30 M.P.H. universal crossovers arrangement ALSO with a turnout to the DARK Ice Deck siding. East of there are an intermediate set. View looks westbound at those intermediates.
If yellow over flashing red was the advance display for going into dark territory at the next CP signal (CP SP542 LOMA LINDA), in theory, these intermediates should have a lower red also, but they don’t! Maybe the yellow over flashing red is displayed only at absolutes! Eventually (hopefully anyway), through time someone will see what all these signals display in odd modes, and share their findings with us
On another matter, Jeff, a big difference between you and I is that I am an unpaid observer that can mold over situations and hopefully figure things out at my leisure. You, on the other hand, as a trainman, are faced daily with a multiplicity of old and new signals based on sometimes old and new rules that sometimes overlap or may even be contradictory, and in that environment you have to often make split second decisions about your train’s continued movement. I have to hand it to you: You DESERVE every dollar you earn in the cab!
Take care,
In a Day or Two …
Updates as of Tuesday and Wednesday, August 13 and 14, 2013: Colton and Ontario, CA
Two separate days of somewhat brief Colton Flyover visits (Colton):
K.P. actually saw an EASTBOUND go over the Colton Flyover, but unfortunately, was not in a position at the time to get good photos.
And, from Ontario … Where on earth did THIS Milliken Ave. Flyover come from?
In the Works …
The TWO “Southern Pacific” M.P. 538’s of Colton (Very, Very Enlightening!) and the Possible Consequences Now and for the Future … One M.P. 538 does NOT even start from San Francisco!
And the Crystal Ball Says … The Next Great Derailment (Local TV News-Wise) Just Might Be In Colton!
The old Ice Deck siding is not dark or unbonded. CTC-controlled siding before and after the recent signal upgrades.
Update as of Tuesday and Wednesday, August 13 and 14, 2013
Part “A” (of A-L)
The Colton Flyover
Upon arrival Tuesday, August 13, 2013, the future CP SP538 RANCHO east side westbound signals were lit, but turned aside.
It has been K.P.’s experience such UP lit turned aside signals are on the verge of being put into service.
Up on the Rancho Ave. overpass, a ballast train was seen to the west on Main 2 (now track aligned to go over the flyover).
Main 2 over the Flyover had had several droppings of ballast laid on it, and tampers and other track equipment were seen moving in the photo far background.
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