The California-Arizona Trip Report
Filling In a Lot of Loose Ends
July 10-13, 2014
Part “E”, Section 2 (of 1-9)
By the Ina Rd. Grade Crossing
Marana, AZ
The crossing control box had its air condition working, undoubted to keep the circuitry inside cool. The temperature outside was quite hot.
Oddly, the very nearby west to east milepost marker said 974 (lower right), but yet the east side westbound signal number just east of the milepost marker was number plated with a 973 number!
The west side eastbound number plates, however, were normal with a 974 plate number.
Continued in Section 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 “E”, Section 3 (of 1-9)
CP SP967 RILLITO
The east end of the Rillito siding was a combo CP, with both absolute (left) and intermediate signals (right).
A westbound came along, RIGHT running … on Main 1:
Continued in Section 4
Part “E”, Section 4 (of 1-9)
The west side CP signals had a cantilever structure for the siding signal. From left to right, a storage track, the Rillito siding, Main 2 and Main 1:
The CP box and a track that goes under the paralleling I-10 Freeway:
Continued in Section 5
Part “E”, Section 5 (of 1-9)
Park Link Drive
Red Rock, AZ
At the Red Rock grade crossing of Park Link Drive, M.P. 950.22, again we have split signals, both absolutes (left) and intermediates (right). View looks eastbound.
The absolutes are because of the north side Red Rock siding.
A strange shipment went across the grade crossing, WITH a red truck cab with a familiar to railfans and railroads decal on it, “A” for Ames Construction.
Above, note the yellow truck on the left zipping rightward along the road that parallels I-10 and the tracks. That zipping shipment was a windmill movement.
K.P. hasn’t seen any windmill train shipments of late.
Continued in Section 6
Part “E”, Section 6 (of 1-9)
West of Park Link Drive
In the last few years K.P. has neglected to shown the intermediates midway between CP SP950 RED ROCK and CP SP943 WYMOLA. So, here they are:
While by the single-head intermediates another windmill went by, with a police escort.
Continued in Section 7
Part “E”, Section 7 (of 1-9)
The Wymola Staging Area
Wymola, AZ
The staging area that has had a prominent role in the two-tracking is now mostly cleared out.
Continued in Section 8
Part “E”, Section 8 (of 1-9)
Bias Confusion
At CP SP943 WYMOLA (M.P. 942.7), a 40 M.P.H. universal crossers situation, the right signal was high green.
A westbound with a CSX unit passes, on Main 1.
Maybe this left running bias thing isn’t so for this territory. Last night everything was left running, but today seems to be right running. On this Gila Sub, do the dispatches flip coins to decide the bias for the day?
Continued in Section 9
Part “E”, Section 9 (of 1-9)
The Great Slow Speed Turnouts
Picacho, AZ
At Picacho Blvd., M.P. 938.52, the three headed monster (left) is still standing.
The mainline crossover switches were originally 40 M.P.H., but then were reduced to 30 M.P.H. Last K.P. head they are now 25 M.P.H.
Tracks are clearly designated: From top to bottom, the Siding, Main Track 1, and Main Track 2.
A last heavy telephoto, a westbound look from Picacho Blvd.: Phoenix auto-racks are up by CP SP937 WEST PICACHO, likely off the CTC circuits.
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The next California-Arizona posting: The Phoenix Line connection all the way to Thornton Rd. in Casa Grande, AZ, including the future very long Casa Grande switching track. That will be presented before 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time Sunday, August 3, 2014, but could be posted up to 12 hours early.
Replies
desertdog (7-25):
This old EMD liker a quarter of a century ago fell in love with the C40-8 / C41-8 from GE. Their absence for years out west has been sort of a mystery. But, it is like they are attacking Southern California now!
One reportedly even led a train out of West Colton Yard (CA, on the Sunset Route) over Cajon Pass to Mojave on the Mojave Flyer.
All this may be a sign that the economy is getting better. Word that two-tracking is moving east from Iris (east of Niland, CA) seems to give further evidence about the economy
ccltrains (7-26):
UP CP boxes have always been large. A lot of SP CP boxes on the Sunset Route are smaller, but those are progressively being replaced in the two-tracking effort.
There are tremendous amounts of wires in CP boxes, much of it for the redundancy of the failsafe nature of the circuits.
Replies continued …
Replies (Continued)
Clyde Acolita (7-26):
Yes, I remember that very well.
But, I cannot match the mast signals in question …
… with the physical plant to the west.
It has been my experience that when that happens eventually the signal mysteriously gets changed out, as if someone knows some hocus-pocus tricks! Now, if I can just time it right and photograph a signal hocus-pocus floating around in midair …
Thanks for the technical information about the future new CP just east of the east switch of the Iris siding. The below is a file photograph from 2013, and is basically right in that future CP area you identified.
When reviewing the above photo I thought it was strange the grading (right) was cross-slanted. Perhaps that has since been modified.
Also, from the above 2013 photo, it looks like the new Iris CP will be on a grade, in a rollercoaster type environment.
BNSF on their Cajon Subdivision put some of the CP’s in hole-like environments, where a stopped train has the weight of the train behind them to help them get started and save fuel, as at East Oro Grande …
… and Lenwood …
Surely UP has their reasons for locating their CP’s where they do, but the logic in it isn’t always clear. The most important factor in the Salton Sea-Iris area seems to be somewhat equal spacing, in the neighborhood of ten miles apart.
BNSF6400 (7-27):
Thanks for the tipoff that the second main from Wister to the western CP at Niland was in service now.
When I was out that way recently the track EAST of Niland looked very good, and almost ready to be put in service. It wouldn’t surprise me if putting the second main between Niland to Iris in service will only be a month or two away.
billio (7-28):
A source advises that the new section of second-track between CP SP658 WISTER and CP SP665 NILAND is 9.9 miles.
Clyde Acolita (7-29):
As you know, MikeF90 was able to photograph updated circumstances more timely than my visit’s photographs of Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Not long ago you had mentioned the future CP C016 INDUSTRY to the east might be put in service somewhat soon. Because of that I made it a special point to drive into that area. This is what was found:
The west signal bridge:
The east signal bridge:
Most timely, though, was that the siding related to the PHIMF project was NOT laid yet.
All the new signals were on a signal bridge or a cantilever structure, except this side track signal:
Thus, as a guestimate, I would say that when the track (the siding) is laid and all ready to go, both CP C014 WORKMAN and CP C016 INDUSTRY would be put in service then.
BarstowRick (7-29):
When I was last by those BNSF truss bridges in the Grand Terrace (CA) area, much work needed to be done with the future abutments now that the old BNSF two-track bridge is gone. But, hypothetically, if the supports were concrete filled today it would still take a month to dry and set. I haven’ been out that way for a week or two, so am unaware of the status of things, but at a minimum September or October is the earliest the truss bridge spans could be moved around. (See memo to MikeF90 below.)
MikeF90 (7-30):
“Time for a KPH drive by …”
The schedule suggests this weekend I might be by those truss bridges in Grand Terrace. But, the bad news is that my camera is up in Las Vegas, at a Star Trek convention my hard core Treky wife is attending! I have a backup camera, but I don’t expect anything earthshattering in Grand Terrace to use it on.
Now, if she could just bring home a transporter to beam me around the UP Sunset Route …Can you image, Mike, posting photos from the San Gabriel Trench here in California, the latest in Arizona, and from the new facility in Santa Teresa, NM by Texas, all taken within just a few hours!
BNSF6400 (7-30):
About diagraming … I use the Courier font (only for the diagram), and “Unordered.” With the latter, X’s are used as placeholders. Otherwise, the display mechanism acts as drunk as a skunk …
Take care all,
K.P.
K. P. HarrierThis old EMD liker a quarter of a century ago fell in love with the C40-8 / C41-8 from GE. Their absence for years out west has been sort of a mystery. But, it is like they are attacking Southern California now!
For the past few years, they've been stashed in the famous mile long deadlines in Colton and elsewhere, or sold to CREX and CN. With the economic downturn as well as hundreds of young SD70Ms, there was no need for them. The youngest units are 22 years old....
Good to see them on the road! May they last a long time yet.
All Day in the Los Angeles Basin
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Part VII (of VII-X, Overall I-X)
Perrino Place (a Road)
Los Angeles, CA
Four hours was spent at the Perrino Place grade crossing in Los Angeles. That is by the UP entrance to the Alameda Corridor that goes south down to the ports for container shipments to or from oversees.
An eastbound is seen going onto the LA&SL (leftward).
That location is aerial linked below:
LINK: The Perrino Place Track Triangle
A three headed LA&SL signal is at the eastern edge of that triangle.
LINK: Location of Simple CP with Three Headed Signal (Right)
Continued in Part VIII
Part VIII (of VII-X, Overall I-X)
The goal was to see the counterclockwise running (as reported in TRAINS Magazine), and to find out how extensive it was.
Right off the bat a local train (with low emission switch engines for power) used that track along the Los Angeles River, but running clockwise.
That was the only train to use the route by the Los Angeles River. Can K.P. ever see if the counterclockwise report is true?
A local trespasser came by and asked what I was doing, as if the TRESPASSER was acting as a police agent for the railroad! I explained I was just taking pictures of trains. He said I should have been here yesterday, as there were all types of trains everywhere! (Hmmm.)
Continued in Part IX
Part IX (of VII-X, Overall I-X)
Now, for some odds and ends …
Trucks were a very, very frequent passer, many (“many”) of which even backing into facilities after stopping ON THE TRACKS and jockeying for position!
A westbound UP 4799 comes … and sees K.P.’s pointed horns and red tail, stops, and spins its wheel in backing up!
Seriously, there must be some unloading facility nearby.
Continued in Part X
Part X (of VII-X, Overall I-X)
Westbound UP 8412 comes (again, not along the Los Angeles River), and stops at a flashing red signal. Note the red over green eastbound signal on the upper left.
The signal goes green, and the above train moves toward the Alameda trench.
Another westbound comes (dazzling and sparkling clean, very new UP 8114); again not by the Los Angeles River route, but via the LA&SL.
Might this be why there were no counterclockwise trains along the Los Angeles River?
Finally, a high green by the old AT&SF Redondo Tower.
This visit saw a lot of nails and screws where cars park, towards the northwest side, so the visitor to the area should be forewarned, and cautious as to where they park
This will conclude the series.
KP,
You have a fascination with signals and what they mean. Actually a good thing. It's the signals that make the difference between life and certain death on the railroads. The same can be said for traffic lights.
As a groupie of yours I can't help but check in on a daily basis and see what's happening. Looking forward to new stories and tid bits of news.
Thanks for your input here and keep it coming.
Don't work to hard and stay safe.
RickH.
RickH
BarstowRick.com Model Railroading How To's
657 drive-by -
There are three new center pylons in the rebar stage in the middle of the 215 - all three are west of the two trusses installed. There are also there separate angled abutments on the NB side of the 215.
When the pylons and abutments are ready the final two trusses will be installed on the furthest west and the other two shifted according straightening the tracks over the freeway (well, much straighter than they are currently)
A10
Part “F” (of A-H), Section 1 (of 1-9)
By the Phoenix Connection
A rather obvious Arizona view: The east cantilever signal bridge at CP 937 WEST PICACHO (left), with the auto-rack cars (right).
Those Phoenix auto-rack cars seemed to be empties, so likely awaited a pick-up from an eastbound.
The signal from the Phoenix line goes straight through to the Picacho siding, so only has a two-bulb top head.
Continued in Section 2
Part “F”, Section 2 (of 1-9)
While in Picacho the windmill truck seen earlier was found parked, with a lot of official badges for escorting.
About that time the windmill truck move began anew!
What was funny, the windmill move got hung up trying to negotiate a tight curve. A stop sign had to be temporarily removed. But, the windmill made it out of town. When the Sunset Route trains host such moves, undoubtedly the windmill train has to take a siding, and only one of two mains a train can pass on.
Part “F”, Section 3 (of 1-9)
Highway 87 and CP SP935 LA PALMA
In recent times there has been some forum discussion about what has been seen as some type of setout tracks just east of CP SP935 LA PALMA. K.P. went all around that CP, and mostly in vain. Law enforcement had a strong presence in the area for an unknown reason. As a last resort, K.P. tried the Highway 87 overpass, and it worked! Moderately, anyway!
Above, looking westbound, the north track (lower) with a west connection is seen.
Also above, the south track, above the others, is on the left. The connection to Main 2 is seen below.
There is a parking lane, but it narrows as one gets closer to the bridging over the Sunset Route.
Looking eastbound, those empty auto-rack cars are seen parked in the Picacho area.
Part “F”, Section 4 (of 1-9)
Sunland Gin Road
Toltec, AZ
K.P. had gotten off I-10 at Sunland Gin Rd. and headed north a mile to the Sunset Route Before he could get to the grade crossing a left running eastbound went past on Main 1, and crossed over at CP SP927 TOLTEC.so that it was right running. When it was past the CP, a westbound waiting on Main 1 got a clear signal, and approached the camera.
The rear DPU of the corn starch train was a BNSF unit!
Part “F”, Section 5 (of 1-9)
The Non-Mainline Track
Casa Grande, AZ
For the first time K.P. stopped at the Keeling Road grade crossing, at M.P. 920.7.
Looking eastbound:
Looking westbound:
Part “F”, Section 6 (of 1-9)
At Trekkell Rd. (M.P. 919.9), looking eastbound, that switching track ends and an ‘Entrance Signal’ is present as has been the case for some time.
The plan is to have that switching track on the east extend westward over Trekkell Rd. to connect with its counterpart further west.
If K.P. is not mistaken, more track pieces are onsite now, but after months things still seem to be snail-paced.
Just above, note all the ties for the switching track going all the way back to the next grade crossing.
Part “F”, Section 7 (of 1-9)
At Hermosilla Street things are prolonging too. View looks eastbound.
Looking west:
That ‘Entrance Signal’ above with a railcar in front of it is lit, and the derail set to derailing. Without specific insulated joints (as regular interlocking and intermediate signals have), K.P. is unsure of exactly what activates such a signal to light.
Hermosilla St. is that grade crossing location with three mast signals for two mainline tracks.
Part “F”, Section 8 (of 1-9)
Status of the Fenced Signal Dept. Yard
The once full fenced Signal Dept. yard is quite empty, with only a few odds and ends present now.
Thornton Road
The interlocking plant at Thornton Rd. is a two electrical box CP. In the past the east box was placarded CP SP918 CASA GRANDE, while the west box was labeled CP SP917 CASA GRANDE, one digit different for the SAME CP. K.P. hadn’t seen that for decades and back then mainly on the Central Corridor in Wyoming and Nebraska. All the new, large, two-box CP’s on Sunset Route had a single CP placard identity. But, the Casa Grande situation was different.
Two views from September 21, 2011, first, the east box:
The west box:
Part “F”, Section 9 (of 1-9)
This trip, it was glaringly noted that the west box’s placard had been modified, so that both boxes now have the same CP designation, though the west box looks jerry-rigged.
That change may have occurred recently or months ago … But, whenever it happened, they are the same now!
A few years ago when this area was two-tracked, the yard entrance west of Thornton Rd. had a new mast signal governing entrance to the mainlines. Then, the mast signal was changed out to a ground dwarf unit and accompanying new base..
As seen just above, the replaced mast signal’s burial base is still in place and has never been removed.
We end the Casa Grande visit with a mood shot, looking westbound from Thornton Rd.
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The next part of this California-Arizona series will deal with the BNSF Transcon in the key location of Winslow, AZ, scheduled to be posted Tuesday, August 5, 2014 by 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, but may be posted up to 12 hours early.
K.P.,
Those empty auto racks you photographed at Picacho, shown in Part F of your July 10-13 Trip Report, were still there on Friday, August 1st, so UP may be using that track for storage of excess equipment.
KP Was that Wind Tower section going East or West? Looks like it is too big to transport by rail, so I'm thinking it is part of a 3.5 MW windmill, and I wonder where it is being placed. Those 3.5 MW turbines are huge and I would like to see one.
Joint Update as of Saturday, August 2, 2014 …
… and Reply to BarstowRick (8-2):
The Grand Terrace, CA area BNSF truss bridges (on the alternate Sunset Route) were went by yesterday afternoon / evening, and the two west side future bridges were having their abutments and pier concrete-work worked on.
The north construction (eastbound side):
The center piers:
The south abutments:
Reply continued …
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