Update as of Saturday, March 1, 2014
Ontario West to Nearly Los Angeles, CA
Part IX (of VIII-XIVI, Overall I-XIV)
In conjunction with the new Puente Hills Intermodal Facility (PHIMF) in the western throws of the City of Industry, the Workman Mill Rd. grade crossing (LA&SL M.P. 13.92) south side was being modified for a relocation of the crossing gate (right) for a presumed future track to the south (left).
Three quarters of that grade crossing is in the City of Industry, but the northeast quadrant is in Los Angeles County.
Looking eastbound, a telephoto: The new walling base (lower left) step increases higher as it goes back. Underneath the 60 Freeway, a higher concrete slab seems to have been put in.
Note the below previously shown January 3, 2014 view of the new CP box for the future CP C014 WORKMAN:
And, the never shown before photo from that date:
That future CP box, in theory, should be midway between signal ends of the CP.
Continued in Part X
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 X (of VIII-XIVI, Overall I-XIV)
But a new development (observer wise) has arisen. A new switch!
Another view (new switch on lower right):
So, the new east side westbound signal bridge will be relatively close to the 60 Freeway. At this point in time, it is unknown if the freeway will cause sight of signal problems for westbound trains.
Looking westbound from Workman Mill Rd., the long stack of ribbon rail, with that rail barely visible in the bottom overview photo.:
Continued in Part XI
Part XI (of VIII-XIVI, Overall I-XIV)
We now go back to the original Sunset Route, at the Walnut Grove Ave. grade crossing, M.P. 491.67, where the deep San Gabriel Trench (with a track in it) will be eventually elevating eastwardly. A new grade crossing electrical box is being put in (lower left).
It is the site of the high and wide detector.
Some of the ground is now torn up.
And, some type of drainage reroute is taking place there.
Continued in Part XII
Part XII (of VIII-XIVI, Overall I-XIV)
Looking eastbound:
Above, it is hard to believe a mainline will be kept in service as a trench is dug down in the confining right-of-way path.
An eastward telephoto:
In that telephoto, a new two-direction signal has been erected. Also, a new high and wide detector is now in place, but blends in visually with the surroundings. That will probably be near when the trench finally ends.
K.P. went a roundabout way to the site of that future high and wide detector.
Unfortunately, because of the bushes and fencing, the future, new signal could not be photographed.
The new detector, which looks used and transplanted, is at M.P. 492.0.
The above photo was shot under very adverse conditions, through a chain link fence that had little room for composing, with stake-like square rodding in the way.
Continued in Part XIII
Part XIII (of VIII-XIVI, Overall I-XIV)
In was getting darker. And, traversing the area was an obstacle course at best, with lane and road closures everywhere.
A project sign was semi-hiding in the trees:
A few views in the Mission Rd. area:
Continued in Part XIV
Tucson Update....
The overpass at Prince Road and I-10 is set to open on March 11th, which is next week. This will give a birds eye view of the east end of CP Stockham.
I know KP had expressed some interest in this before...
Part XIV (of VIII-XIVI, Overall I-XIV)
K.P. headed north in an effort to photograph the Los Angeles Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension construction now underway, and practically got himself lost on all the wacky residential streets that eventually led to Pasadena. It was way dark when K.P. arrived at Santa Anita Ave. in Arcadia, where a new bridge is under construction for the Foothill Extension.
It is unknown if an SP Sunset Route train detoured over this now ex-Santa Fe Super Chief line years and years ago when a grade crossing existed.
That was possible, but considering the close ties SP and UP had in years past when they were separate railroads, likely any detour off the SP took the LA&SL line back then, but who knows …
We end back on the Sunset Route in Ontario, with the teaser photo announcing this series, a photo from the Mountain Ave. overpass looking towards San Antonio Ave. (Ontario) and the yellow over green brilliant mast signal.
This will end the series.
Holy Mackerel!
A Giant Truss Bridge Falls Out of the Sky
Perhaps not THAT dramatic, but close to it!
In Grand Terrace, CA, south of Colton, humungous railroad truss bridges (plural) are quickly being built right alongside the I-215 Freeway and its widening project, and are about a half a mile northeast of the BNSF Transcon, this BNSF Transcon portion being the alternate Sunset Route via the LA&SL.
In K.P.’s assessment, the new railroad truss bridges are in reality only one, with two sections.
A more thorough findings report and more photos will be forthcoming possibly tomorrow.
K.P. I was in the area a couple of days ago and had a look around. The I-215 Truss Bridges should look interesting once installed in that there will be two parallel single track spans which are offset about 5' length-wise. If they add a third lane I would think it will be on the south once the old bridge is removed....Over at Vineyard ave the crossing is now closed and also the east bound side of Airport dr is closed with all traffic diverted to the west bound side. Looks like construction will proceed simultaneously on the rail bridge and the portion of the trench in the area of the east bound side of Airport dr.....Also a comment on the narrow area over at San Gabriel. Might be that the trench will have to be built in two halves. Once the first half is built, put the tracks in the trench and build the other half. Should be interesting to see how they do it.
Take Care
S.H.
K. P. Harrier Holy Mackerel! A Giant Truss Bridge Falls Out of the Sky Perhaps not THAT dramatic, but close to it! In Grand Terrace, CA, south of Colton, humungous railroad truss bridges (plural) are quickly being built right alongside the I-215 Freeway and its widening project, and are about a half a mile northeast of the BNSF Transcon, this BNSF Transcon portion being the alternate Sunset Route via the LA&SL. In K.P.’s assessment, the new railroad truss bridges are in reality only one, with two sections. A more thorough findings report and more photos will be forthcoming possibly tomorrow.
Despite all the advances in technology, it's interesting to see that they are still using the good old reliable truss bridge when necessary. Nothing beats the laws of physics and good engineering practice.
John Timm
The Mrs. Asked …
… and All Us Males Scrambled
After a good night’s sleep, K.P. was about to start composing something on that bridge he photo-documented, the new one to be placed over the I-215 Freeway in Grand Terrace / Highgrove, CA on the alternate Sunset Route.
The Mrs. asked if I needed to go anywhere …To make a long story short, she wanted some quiet time, and all us guys scrambled to accommodate her. K.P. went back to Grand Terrace with all the time in the world!
So, the posts on the new bridging got delayed, but a whole bunch of extra photos were taken, even some rather close-up!
So, hang in there guys …K.P. has more to work with now, and has a better picture of what is going on. Even expediting matters, it may take a day or two to post a series.
Super Hunky (3-8):
Photographing the two pier sets (for two bridges with reference the above mentioned bridge) was extremely difficult, but I managed to end up with at least one halfway decent photo, though very crude as it may be. Yes, there will be TWO tracks to the physically east side of the present bridge.
The SANBAG website in the past said that there would be three-tracks over I-215 Freeway. From a portion of the photos taken today, I have to wonder if there won’t now be four tracks! When the photos taken today are posted in a day or two, I would be most interested in hearing what you perceive out of them.
About that San Gabriel Trench … It shouldn’t take long now (hopefully) before we start seeing what sequence designers had in mind.
Replies …
… are again stacking up, but developments are taking place too fast right now. Hand in there guys on this too, I will eventually get to them …
Take care,
K.P.
Updates for March 7 and 8, 2014
Colton, Grand Terrace, Highgrove, CA
Part “A” (of A-J)
The most prominent development is the humongous railroad truss bridge being built right alongside the I-215 Freeway in Grand Terrace, CA.
Workers can be seen on it.
Another truss bridge is being built nearby, farther from the freeway.
Continued in Part B
Part “B” (of A-J)
The northeast end of the bridge (where it was laying), close to the freeway:
A slightly different angle reveals the END sides do NOT match, but are offset.
At photo time, the freeway was slow moving, and the autos look dwarfed.
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-J)
Besides passing on the freeway, a person can get real close to the bridge off of De Berry Street in Grand Terrace.
A bunch of buckets are nearby, apparently with important bolt-like parts.
A base for one of the future bridges:
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (of A-J)
A close-up of the bridge by the freeway:
The new center piers (as seen from the I-215 Freeway):
Just above, behind the pier-work is another one for a second bridge.
At this point in construction, K.P. finds the future south abutment construction inconclusive as to the number of tracks.
Also above, strangely, the future south abutment seems to look no roomier (for more freeway lanes) than the old abutment. One would think for widening the freeway, the abutment would be farther away from the freeway, and more south.
Continued in Part E
Part “E” (of A-J)
The center piers again (the visually little higher second one is barely visible on the right).
A southward (westbound) view from the Barton Rd. area (north of the I-215 Freeway) shows grading now (left).
An eastbound BNSF approaches Barton Rd. and the camera. It previously was thought that one new track would be built on the left, one on the right, with the present bridge replaced with a center bridge, but now that two bridges are being built to the east (left), K.P. is not certain what the powers that be have in mind now.
The Barton Rd. overpass is that old, curved bridge that prevents BNSF from putting a third or fourth track through here.
Continued in Part F
Part “F” (of A-J)
In conjunction with the Colton Flyover, the street running of the Riverside Industrial Lead was supposed to be eliminated.
But, loaded railcars are still being used on it …
… though not as much.
Continued in Part G
Part “G” (of A-J)
East out of West Colton Yard, Track 112 still needs a bit more ballasting, and piles of ballast and track equipment are now by the Rancho Ave. overpass.
At Colton Crossing (just south of the Colton Flyover), a bunch of BNSF signal personnel and vehicles were on site.
At the Colton Signal Dept., parallel to Track 112, the Mt. Vernon Connector, and the Colton Flyover, three signal trailers are in the fenced, locked gate yard.
On the last several passing by visits, heavy equipment blocks access at the closed gate.
It is a shame the railroad has had to resort to such efforts to protect its property. Thieves would steal the reals of copper signal wire stored there in a minute if they could.
Continued in Part H
Part “H” (of A-J)
At “H” Street and the BNSF Transcon, the color light signals at BNSF CP29 GONZALES are still turned away.
But, a bunch of BNSF signal dept. workers and vehicles were on site, more so than the below photo would suggest.
That westbound UP train above was taking the BNSF Connector.
Continued in Part I
Part “I” (of A-J)
A mile or so to the north, BNSF’s CP RANA by Laurel St. is having a two-lane underpass put it, but progress is slow.
That train above going over the BNSF Connector had originally waited at Laurel St. for a clear signal. Dispatches hold westbound BNSF Connector trains here for a through route. If they didn’t, Colton grade crossings would become blocked.
Continued in Part J
Part “J” (of A-J)
Quite a bit off the Sunset Route, but related, is the Palmdale Cutoff that heads north from the West Colton Yard area (on the Sunset Route). In Cajon Pass, at the north end of the Canyon siding, a bunch of workers’ cars were parked. Some type of area activity was taken place, but K.P. has no idea where. Vehicles were just left at this site.
Above, a container is present. So, whatever activity was taking place it needed a large container for parts! Are CP target signals nearby being upgraded to color lights?
A stack of concrete ties has sprung up near the Canyon siding, by Highway 138 through Cajon Pass.
As the BNSF does, UP’s line winds through Cajon Pass.
Signal crews, or whatever department they are from, seem to work for a while on the Sunset Route, a little in Cajon Pass, the LA&SL on the route to Salt Lake City, UT, and then somewhere else, and return to the Sunset Route again for a while. This may be related to Positive Train Control. But, who knows!
K.P. It will be interesting to see where the ends of the Truss Bridges with the off-sets go. Your photos show the center piers at an angle and not parallel to the highway lanes,so the offset doesn't appear to go there. I looked at the abutment on the east side as I drove by and based on the size and layout it clearly is set up for two single track bridges with square ends. Perhaps the offset goes on the west side. Did you get any pics of the foundation on that side. As to the widening aspect, I think you might try a different angle, because as I recall driving by it appeared to be set back further than the existing bridge.
Actually after taking another close look at your photo of the section with the offset it is clear that it won't work on the west side. It would have to be on the center since they would be trying to keep the center pier as narrow as possible. It wouldn't make sense to offset the ends since there is room on the outsides to build the abutments to be perpendicular to the truss span. Wish I had some time to go take an extended look as now I am curious as to how they are going to do it.
Super Hunky (3-10 / 3-10A):
In my haste to post photos, I failed to point out that BOTH ENDS of the single-track big truss bridge that is temporarily being built right near the I-215 Freeway and De Berry Street have NON-matching side-to-side end structuring, i.e., one SIDE is triangle shorter than the other side on BOTH opposite ends!
Examples, the southwest end:
(Talk about a visual double-take, that is NOT a religious cross right of the tannish box, but a standing up tank!)
… the northeast end:
(Both photos are new to the forum, and have NOT previously been posted.)
So, in other words, both ends of the future truss bridge to span the freeway are to have some kind of angled support and abutment (or pier-work)! But, Super Hunky, I have a really awful feeling right now, because it seems to be like each team of construction workers are working off of different plans and blueprints, and if that is the case, I fear what will happen when the square peg is tried to be put in a round hole!
If you go visit the site, Super Hunky, be super careful on (“on”) the I-215 Freeway. The freeway is a super precarious drive in itself that allows very little room for sightseeing and trying to figure out bridging! Matter of fact, on one pass Saturday I didn’t take any pictures at all because the traffic demanded my full and undivided attention, and I had to go around again! Parking on De Berry Street on both the west and east sides of the freeway and looking things over may be the safest thing to do.
Best,
First post (anywhere). Since this post is not really a reply to any specific previous post, I am just using the last one to get started. Maybe another way would be better?
On 1/6/14 the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association held a conference in Palm Desert, CA. The U.P. made a presentation and handed out a booklet available here: www.nrcma.org/download.cfm?ID=28231 . On page 9, they cover the plans for double-tracking this year, apparently 43 miles. On that page they say they "Plan to continue on current pace to completion of 2MT" At that rate it could take another 3 or 4 years.
It would be interesting to know if the 6 miles from Pomona to Ontario, completed in mid-January, is counted in 2014 or as a delayed 2013 item. In any case, aside from the 20 or so miles from Bertram to the Niland area (an assumption on my part, based on available information on this thread), where are the other miles?
Finally, thanks to K. P. for all the hard work, obviously a labor of love. Since I live on the east coast I can't personally contribute as an eye-witness, but I must say that because of this thread, I've learned a lot more about Southern California geography than I ever expected. As for the reason for the interest, I spent about a year and a half at Fort Huachuca, AZ in 1968-69, not far removed from the Sunset Route at Benson. So, I did a little railfaning in the area on my weekends.
Pete-M3 First post (anywhere). Since this post is not really a reply to any specific previous post, I am just using the last one to get started. Maybe another way would be better? On 1/6/14 the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association held a conference in Palm Desert, CA. The U.P. made a presentation and handed out a booklet available here: www.nrcma.org/download.cfm?ID=28231 . On page 9, they cover the plans for double-tracking this year, apparently 43 miles. On that page they say they "Plan to continue on current pace to completion of 2MT" At that rate it could take another 3 or 4 years. It would be interesting to know if the 6 miles from Pomona to Ontario, completed in mid-January, is counted in 2014 or as a delayed 2013 item. In any case, aside from the 20 or so miles from Bertram to the Niland area (an assumption on my part, based on available information on this thread), where are the other miles? Finally, thanks to K. P. for all the hard work, obviously a labor of love. Since I live on the east coast I can't personally contribute as an eye-witness, but I must say that because of this thread, I've learned a lot more about Southern California geography than I ever expected. As for the reason for the interest, I spent about a year and a half at Fort Huachuca, AZ in 1968-69, not far removed from the Sunset Route at Benson. So, I did a little railfaning in the area on my weekends.
Thank you for posting the interesting link to the UP presentation.
The map of completed 2MT appears to be inaccurate, or at least outdated with regard to the area east of Picacho into Tucson. It shows large gaps, but for all practical purposes, the second main project is complete in that area.
http://www.nrcma.org/download.cfm?ID=28231
FTFY.
Norm
@Pete-M3, thanks for the presentation link. The page 9 slide refers to the 'Sunset Corridor' as 760 miles, which I believe is the approximate mileage from Colton to El Paso. If I did the math right from my two tracking overview map, I get about 190 miles single track remaining - not too far off the 183 miles reported on the slide.
IMO that '30 mile' 2013 total includes Salton - Bertram (Yuma sub) and Marana - Stockham (Gila sub). Bertram to Niland is only about 20 miles, not sure how much of the prep east of Iris siding is complete enough for track laying in 2014. Perhaps some stealth prep on the western Gila sub has happened, or those short 'gaps' near Yuma will be filled. A Big Hmmm .
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! ***
Thanks, I should learn how to do that. Much more convenient.
Another thought: there appears (from Google satellite views) to be an approximately 10 mile stretch west of CP SP697 Mesquite, where the grading is substantially complete for a second main (and may have been for some time, since these views aren't always all that recent). Interestingly, the part of it that includes the Acolita siding has culverts that appear to have room for a third track. Anyway, maybe that explains another 10 miles.
Pete M.
A Thursday Running Around
Grand Terrace and Colton, CA
In taking care of matters, on Thursday, March 13, 2014 Grand Terrace and Colton were visited.
The second Grand Terrace BNSF truss bridge (background) is very quickly taking shape.
In Colton, Track 112 was all together now and did not have missing pieces anymore. Track equipment was working it over.
Over 150 photos were taken, and in the next day or so it is hoped a post series on all this can be put together.
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