Update as of Saturday, January 11, 2014
Quick Survey of the Colton, CA Area
Part “A” (of A-B)
A multiplicity of matters caused K.P. to be in the area of Colton, and while in that area, key news areas were checked out.
The overpass construction over the Sunset Route at the closed Hunts Lane was very briefly examined. This is one visit K.P. isn’t sure of what he actually saw! Looking south:
A wider overview:
The BNSF grade crossing at Valley Blvd was stopped at, and equipment was lined up there.
Continued in Part B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 “B” (of A-B)
Another view by Valley Blvd.:
An eastbound BNSF train came by with virtually every car a tank car:
As above, the new color light signal heads at BNSF’s CP29 GONZALES are still turned aside.
The Rancho Ave. overpass was went over, but nothing stood out to K.P. The new manual crossover by 4th Street still has a section missing, and the future Track 112 is still unballasted.
The Colton Signal Dept. area was passed, and everything there was all locked up and quiet.
Reportedly, Sunday, the new style OWLS crossings will be put in, but the quietness of the area and lack of activity makes K.P. wonder if it really will happen this weekend.
This will conclude this two-part series.
Does anyone know for sure whether or not any work actually got done over the previous weekend.
Being a retired mortician I do expect things to be dead....eventually. What's my point? No one seems to know, on any of the other semi-active websites, what actually got done and certainly no one is out documenting it. Me included. Oh well, it is what it is.
I know there are a number of other bridge or flyover's going in along the old SP and UP routes, into Los Angeles. I think that's what K.P. is looking at in the pictures posted above. Other locations are seeing either over or under passes. About time the railroads and local governments get their act together.
RickH
BarstowRick.com Model Railroading How To's
The second main track was placed into service yesterday between Reservoir and North Ontario on the Alhambra Sub. New control points:
West Montclair AL517
East Montclair AL519
North Ontario AL521
Reservoir AL515 was reconfigured with new signal equipment and a single turnout off the No. 2 track.
Good News, BarstowRick! Very Good News!
In conjunction with a previously anticipated dispatch to Santa Monica, CA, on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 K.P. visited the Sunset Route activity centers of Colton and Ontario-Pomona. In Ontario, the dispatch was cut back to Pomona instead of Santa Monica. In Pomona the dispatch was cancel altogether! But, K.P. had already finished taking all the photos, and just before darkness set in!
An effort will be made to expedite a presentation on the findings. But, a few tidbits without photos should suffice until posts can be worked up.
A clear view (“clear view”) of Colton Crossing (NOT the flyover) could not be had because of work vehicles in the way, but a BNSF eastbound passed and there was NO noise, NO customary boom-boom / boom-boom and boom-boom / boom-boom of the old diamonds, so the new OWLS diamonds must be in place now. Because of the mysterious rather sudden disappearance of ‘No Trespassing” signs, K.P. managed to get closer to the tracks than previously. While the angles were not good, photos seem to support the OWLS installation.
K.P. had gotten wind from a multiplicity of sources that the second main was now in service on the SP side (Alhambra Sub) between Ontario and Pomona, and that second-track in service tipoff was found to be true. On the LA&SL side, there was a vehicle roadway sign advising that Sultana Ave. at the LA&SL tracks would be closed for two days, January 24-25, 2014, so the installation of the new future CP C038 ONTARIO switch just west of Sultana Ave. may (“may”) be imminent.
In Pomona, there is a strange “cutover” situation concerning signals, and there are several possibilities as to its interpretation and what is going on.
These and other things will be covered as soon as possible in future posts. Also on K.P.’s future presentation list (mentioned a few days ago) is an interpretative diagram of what the new LA&SL CP C014 WORKMAN may (“may”) look like near the Puente Hills Intermodal Facility in the City of Industry.
The Tehachapi series is now being posted, and the latest on the Los Angeles Gold Line Foothill Extension Updates (in the TRAINS Transit forum) is in the works still.
Best,
K.P.
It all sounds good. Our stimulus money at work.
K.P. I will be looking forward to your reports.
This presentation will be in two groups, Parts I-IX and Parts X-XVIII.
Update as of Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Significant Happenings
Part I (of I-IX, Overall I-XVIII)
Colton Crossing (Not the Flyover)
Colton, CA
From South 4th Street looking east, the future Track 112 still has not been laid up to the diamonds.
Unfortunately, equipment and vehicles were in the way to see if the OWLS diamonds had been installed.
But … a BNSF Transcon eastbound came by, and there was NO pounding noise typical of going over diamonds!
Just above, it is starting to get K.P.’s curiosity as to why so much land has been graded flat south (right) of the Sunset Route Colton Flyover (left).
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-IX, Overall I-XVIII)
The BNSF Transcon goes under a number of bridges, including the brown one for the Sunset Route Colton Flyover. A cross-track (Track 112) seems in place now, with OWLS.
As seen above in the last photo (right of center), the necessary gaps in Track 112 rails are so the BNSF Transcon tracks are seamless, and seem extraordinarily wide. If so, UP train crews will receive a joltingly bumpy ride in the cab of an engine.
Hopefully, a better photo can be provided sometime in the future
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-IX, Overall I-XVIII)
The BNSF Transcon modified signals (south side for eastbound trains) still have not had the lower heads turned forward and activated.
That goes for the BNSF signals at CP29 GONZALES a couple of blocks north of the Sunset Route Colton Flyover.
The panel track and other odds and ends in the southeast quadrant may (“may”) be for completing UP’s Track 112. All the piles of ballast are still piled up by the flyover (just left of photo center).
A strange presumably drainage concrete piece is in the southwest quadrant.
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-IX, Overall I-XVIII)
A number of portable floodlight stands were still in the Colton Crossing area.
Another all night revamping of the area may or may not still be in the works.
Under the freeway bridge in the second photo in this Part IV, an AMR ambulance is parked under the I-10 Freeway. AMR stands for American Medical Response. The spot is a favorite place for ambulance staffers to wait for an emergency call. The police tend to wait here also, or do paperwork.
The OWLS crossing is also seen in the wider second photo above than the close-up view in Part II.
Now, we head west …
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-IX, Overall I-XVIII)
Ontario, CA
When arriving in Ontario, by Ontario International Airport, at the Sunset Route track that crosses Vineyard Ave., nothing overly interesting was seen about the pipeline relocation and shoofly for the underpass going in there.
At Cucamonga Ave. the signal for the Main (future Main 1) had a worker on it. The future Main 2’s signal remains trackless and heads turned aside.
And the worker came down …
Continued in Part VI
Part VI (of I-IX, Overall I-XVIII)
The new CP is in fact CP AL521 NORTH ONTARIO as seen by the box’s label.
And, mentioned before, the new CP box is kind of in a strange picturesque setting now devoid of houses, but UP may own the property.
Continued in Part VII
Part VII (of I-IX, Overall I-XVIII)
Looking east from Bon View Ave. the now facing forward west eastbound signals of the CP is seen, and they were lit too!
An eastward telephoto, with the east side westbound signals in view.
Just above, the milepost marker here, as well as in other locations, still have not been relocated yet.
Looking west from Bon View Ave.: Main 2 (left) is connected now and goes straight through the old North Ontario siding.
Continued in Part VIII
Part VIII (of I-IX, Overall I-XVIII)
One old style box, signal (left) and two burial stands without masts (lower right) are left to be removed from the old CP AL521 NORTH ONTARIO..
Continued in Part IX
Part IX (of I-IX, Overall I-XVIII)
A westbound light engines move (such was call a “cab hop” years ago because of the caboose that generally accompanied it) …
… stopped for a few minutes (AS IF waiting for the new signal BEHIND it for permission to continue forward again – but that just doesn’t happen) …
… and resumed its westward travels.
--------
Continued in Parts X-XVIII to be posted by the morning (9:00 A.M. Pacific Time) of Sunday, January 19, 2014, but may be posted up to 12 hours early.
K P,
You are surely correct about the bumpy ride over the diamond on the low speed track. I've been next to one when a train has grossed and can say the noise level is about the same as a standard diamond. Thankfully, for the neighbors, traffic on the low speed rout is much less than on the main.
Norm
Part X (of X-XVIII, Overall I-XVIII)
At the LA&SL Sultana Ave. grade crossing a sign advised of a street closure.
Just west of Sultana Ave. is that not installed switch. (Reshown)
So, apparently, the grade crossing will be redone AND the switch will be installed all at one time
Continued in Part XI
The diamonds at DT junction and Los Nietos were also changed out for flange-bearing crossings the same time Colton was done except in those two cases a third diamond was added to accommodate triple-tracking of the SB sub in the area.
A10
Part XI (of X-XVIII, Overall I-XVIII)
Back on the SP side, at Vine Ave., M.P. 519.8, looking east to where we were a few minutes earlier, at North Ontario, a westbound is coming.
The new signals of the new single crossover CP AL 519 NORTH MONTCLAIR (east end CP) are seen. The right one is flashing yellow over red.
Continued in Part XII
Part XII (of X to XVIII, Overall I-XVIII)
That whole train was of empty well cars.
San Antonio Ave. (Ontario) is the grade crossing seen in the near distance (center), with the Mountain Ave. overpass in the background.
Just above, the new 30 M.P.H. crossover reflects of the sun.
Continued in Part XIII
Part XIII (of X-XVIII, Overall I-XVIII)
We now go a few blocks west to the San Antonio Ave. (Ontario) grade crossing …
… and see that the new CP is labeled CP AL519 NORTH MONTCLAIR, an odd name for a box within the City of Ontario.
Forum contributor Clyde Acolita recently advised us CP AL519 was officially EAST MONTCLAIR, even though the box says NORTH MONTCLAIR. K.P. dropped in on a source recently, and was shown official timetable information, and the CP is listed therein as EAST MONTCLAIR.
Continued in Part XIV
Part XIV (of X-XVIII, Overall I-XVIII)
In a reshown March 23, 2013 photo just east of San Antonio Ave. (Ontario), you may recall the oddity of gapped frogs being installed on the switches for the crossover.
Apparently, those switches are a new type of spring frog switches, and have two modes, an open one and a closed one that the wheel flanges open, because now that the switches are in service, they definitely are in a spring frog mode.
Continued in Part XV
Part XV (of X-XVIII, Overall I-XVIII)
From San Antonion Ave. (Ontario), westward views, and the signals turned towards approaching trains and no longer turned aside anymore. Note the half mile marker BETWEEN the tracks.
Even the complex’s signals now face forward.
Underneath that above picture Mountain Ave. overpass, looking northeastward, those activated west side eastbound signals.
K.P. went over the Mountain Ave. northward and southward, but nothing outstandingly new was observed with the new Montclair facility. And, the sun was alarmingly getting lower in the western sky …
Continued in Part XVI
Part XVI (of X-XVIII, Overall I-XVIII)
Montclair, CA
Looking east from Monte Vista Ave. (M.P. 517.37), the new cantilever east side westbound signals are facing toward trains, and active.
Above, the overpass is Central Ave., the far, background overpass is Mountain Ave.
Looking west:
The new CP box’s placards face trains now.
The above CP box’s placard is at variance with what Mr. Acolita and official documents say too. i.e., CP AL517 WEST MONTCLAIR. It is unknown what dispatchers, maintenance-of-way staff, and train crews use, but likely WEST MONTCLAIR. Long term, K.P. feels the boxes’ placard names will ultimately prevail and be used.
Continued in Part XVII
Part XVII (of X-XVIII, Overall I-XVIII)
Pomona, CA
At San Antonio Ave. in Pomona, where the new, second track from the east meets the LA&SL Main 1, that well-car train was stopped on the grade crossing.
K.P. was hoping to photograph the new track and old track now put together, but going past downed crossing gates is totally inadvisable. The photos can wait for another time.
Come to find out the well-car train was waiting for a Metrolink commuter train to eventually pass on the LA&SL track across the photo bottom!
Continued in Part XVIII
Part XVIII (of X-XVIII, Overall I-XVIII)
On the west side of the current CP AL514 HAMILTON are two SP signals facing west for eastbound trains. With the new Main 2 east of San Antonio Ave. (Pomona), the signals in theory should have some two-bulb heads replaced with three-bulb ones. Two previously shown views:
On Wednesday’s visit, those signals were exactly the same as they have been for a number of years, and unchanged! (That Metrolink train had gone by, the UP well-car train was now zipping by (leftward).
The un-replaced head at the present CP AL514 HAMILTON that corresponds to the new Main 2 east of San Antonio Ave.:
So, the above signals now no longer conform to UP signaling standard! Three possibilities pop out in K.P.’s opinion: (1) The railroad forgot those had to be changed also, (2) the conversion from the old CP to the new one is imminent, or UP is willing to wait for the Kinder-Morgan pipeline to be relocated and thereafter the CP will be rebuilt. So, what the situation really is is unknown.
This will conclude the series.
The new second main track section pictured is in use, barely. Since last Tuesday I've only here the MP 516 detector for track 2 sound off twice. This may be the norm for the occasional locals and eastbounds to pass the predominant westbound traffic on the Al sub here.
BTW the crews and DS never seem to use the ambiguous / long CP names near there, only the CP identifier (ALnnn, Cnnn).
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! ***
Sorry guys, but my eyes are playing tricks on me.
What happened to the 'Delete' button?
More on the Future CP C014 WORKMAN
City of Industry, CA
This short series will elaborate more on K.P.’s findings on a visit to the Workman Mill Rd. area on Friday, January 3, 2014
On the west side of Workman Mill Rd., the forum will recall, is a lone (“lone”) not assembled yet signal bridge’s horizontal section resting trackside, sans any legs.
Also, in light of the spacing of the heads (i.e. from left to right, the PHIMF track, Mains 1 and 2) the bridge should be an east side of the CP signal bridge. In theory, it should be erected between the CP C014 WORKMAN box (lower right) and the 60 Freeway in the photo’s background.
Just above, note the slight landfilling necessary (lower right) to position the new CP box.
The leg burial parts of a signal bridge, presumably another one not yet on site, is on the westbound side of the future CP C014 WORKMAN, west of Workman Mill Rd.
Thus, K.P. suggests the below diagram may (“may”) be the track arrangement of CP C014 WORKMAN:
Just to the west of Workman Mill Rd. is a whole bunch of Continuous Welded Rail (CWR).
On November 11, 2012 this previously shown photo was taken.
Over a year later, on January 3, 2014, this is what the curve looked like.
The walling was in place and the ground all wide-leveled. That suggests to K.P. that a new track will be laid, to become Main 2, with the present Main 2 becoming Main 1, with the present Main 1 being pulled up and the alignment trackless. That would allow a train on the future Main 1 to be able to be walked if necessary while the PHIMF cars are being shuffled on the not laid yet PHIMF track, where the orange cone is at in the just above photo.
This will end the two-part series.
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