Update as of Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 27 (of 19-28, Overall 1-28)Back to Iris, and a Look at Something Fun …… and another but Odd ThingThis trip, however, K.P. had a bit of difficulty locating that deep wash! Some railings were present, but the wash seemed to have disappeared!Apparently, the two-tracking effort did NOT put in another bridge for the second main track, but rather a LANDFILL, with a single drainage pipe through it.In a massive flash flood (like have been known to occur in this area) the strangely single drain pipe might become overwhelmed, and the backing up, rising water could saturate and eat away the ground-work, and it seems the tracks could end up suspended in midair for lack of ground beneath them, with electrical continuity of the track signal pulses maintained, i.e., there could be a green signal and no land beneath the tracks. And, you know what will disastrously happen if a train would then come racing by …Time will prove how wise or not the putting in a single drain pipe was instead of a bridge, but such is a rather new approach to drainage on the Sunset Route two-tracking.A search of K.P.’s photo files shows that when the Niland-Iris section was graded for the second track, the present arrangement came about. On the way to Arizona back on June 1, 2013 an out of the way side trip to Iris was made. The following never posted before photo shows that the present fill dirt arrangement under the bridge (right) existed back on June 1, 2013. The photo shows the two-tracking grading (left) was in place.Continued in Part 28
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Saturday, October 18, 2014New Now In-Service Two-Tracks …… between Iris and Niland, CAPart 28 (of 19-28, Overall 1-28)Back to Iris, and a Look at Something Fun …… and another but Odd ThingAnother view of the grading from back on June 1, 2013:A similar angle to the last photo in Part 27: The then new paralleling grading (background) for the second main was present.No drainage incidents have occurred so far, at least not any that K.P. knows of. Back then, on June 1, 2013, the following photo was shot. East beyond the grading shown above, there was no grading present. But the roadway crossing (remember the dune buggies?) was semi-present back then.Now you have what the present situation looks like in the Iris area, and from that you likely will be able to draw your own conclusions about there not being a bridge for the second main.This will end the series.
K.P.,
First, I love your twilight photos. I've often railfanned at that time of day. They effectively capture the feeling of nightfall on the railroad.
As to the washout potential of substituting a single culvert for a bridge, I would expect that any such substitution would first have had to be approved by whatever government authority oversees flood control in the area. Their determination would (hopefully) depend on historical water flow data.
John Timm
The railroad has been there since about 1880 and they will have a history of water flows at this location so it is very unlikely they would risk a disruption of service because of high water. For us to judge the risk of a washout after looking only at the immediate location near the track would be superficial. The entire drainage area would have to be examined and analysis of what has occurred over 130 years would be the governing factors.
The “Sunset Route Two-Tracking Updates” Thread, the Revised TRAINS Magazine Forums, and Horrendous Secret Agendas (Plural)!
First, a deception … (and towards the end of this post you will perceive this forum thread’s future.)
Inspired by a TRAINS Magazine article, earlier this year (2014), a colleague visited the “San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum” not too far from Cajon Pass in Southern California. In the museum this pictured poster board photo was then on display:
Also, this photo of the old CTC machine for the Santa Fe Fresno area’s territory was shot.
The just above photo is irrelative to this discussion, but is shown nevertheless to illustrate just how interesting that museum is within the old Santa Fe depot.
That above top, first pictured photo supposedly (“supposedly”) shows a California Southern (pre-Santa Fe) bridge under construction in Cajon Pass, maybe 25 miles north of the Sunset Route. THAT photo’s top dirt ridge’s elevation is nearly 5000 feet, in a rugged area THAT NO TRAIN COULD EVER PASS THROUGH, OR EVEN GET TO! BNSF’s Summit crossing of Cajon Pass is in the 3800-3900 feet range. (Got all that?) In other words, that picture simply is a very, very real deception of SOME SORT, so much of a deception it seems to have fooled the museum, and I guess the TRAINS Magazine’s editors too who published the photo over a year ago without doing their homework
NOW, ABOUT THE FORUM … Amtrak was formed in 1970-1971 because passenger trains were a terrible drain of the railroads profits. The railroads correctly prioritized their operations, with profitable freight operations first and put money-losing passenger trains last; and with that any good management would kill off, if it could, what was a drain on the corporation’s profits. In America, government can’t force a business to lose money! (At least not for long …) K.P. believes the current ruckus at the TRAINS forums is to do like what the freight railroads did with their money losing passenger trains, but do it in such a way as to NOT alienate there bread and butter customers (hopefully). But, that may be failing.
Above, a photo of a TRAINS Magazine forum thread with an ad that was inserted by what K.P. believes was a virus or malicious malware.
It is NOT clear if the TRAINS Magazine website is spreading a virus, or it, K.P., and others are victims of some maliciousness. But, all that K.P. knows is that something virus-like seemed to have extreme (“extreme”) passion for the trainsmag.com website
The colleague mentioned earlier plans on not renewing his TRAINS subscription, which subscription has or is expiring about now. In his assessment, he concluded that forum advertising revenue might NOT have kept up with the forum’s cost to Kalmbach; thus it is trying to cut perhaps minor loses by making it very inconvenient for hard core users of the forum to use. Part of my colleague’s reasoning in not re-subscribing to TRAINS Magazine is that there must be some reason Kalmbach has taken such drastic forum action (perhaps with a secret agenda) and that drastic action might point to a questionable financial situation. While subscription costs are modest, to my colleague it is principle, as he is not willing to lose money in any publishing company’s possible bankruptcy. That is not to imply the financial viability of Kalmbach is questionable per se, but such a drastic forums revision makes one wonder.
That brings us to the “Sunset Route Two-Tracking Updates” thread … Since TRAINS Magazine has made it so difficult to use the forum now, K.P. will accommodate what he believes to be their desire, a great reduction in his posting efforts, as well as all the other update threads K.P. started, most of which are now mysteriously floating around somewhere (“somewhere”) buried too hard to find.
By CP C055 STREETER in Riverside, CA on the LA&SL, near the Riverside Ave. underpass construction -- Photo dated October 24, 2014.
So, K.P. will try to keep up with the Sunset Route two-tracking and related matters in this thread, but will do so very token-like, IF he can find it if it gets buried among all the other threads.
I am curious why you question the Cajon Pass bridge photo? Also where did you get the 5000 foot ridge information from? From what I understand, the photo is of a very deep chasm that was located just east of Gish on the original main (later called the South Track and today is BNSF's Main 3). From what I gather, this chasm was later filled in by a combination of natural siedment flows during a couple major flood events and action by Santa Fe to replace this bridge with a fill. There is still a significant dip east of old Gish that the tracks cross on a wide fill that looks almost natural these days.
BNSF6400 (11-3):
In answering your several questions …
The Cajon Pass high bridge photo’s background (see two posts above) does NOT seem to have mountains in view, but yet photos of the bridging that once was in the Gish area clearly shows the location to be deep within mountains.
Also, as just above, the Gish area bridge was not structurally high per se, but the questioned bridge was indeed high, and had more tears of construction to it. Since there was only one such-like bridge in Cajon Pass, but photos show two DIFFERENT bridges, now you hopefully know, BNSF6400, where I’m coming from.
Compare the above poster board's center top and bottom photos
Interestingly, from talking to a couple of historical groups’ personnel, the name of a certain female (“female”) with historical ties to the Cajon Pass area reportedly identified the location of the high bridge as in the Gish area. Various people have various gifts in comprehending things, and those gifts tend to follow gender lines, with each gender exceling in certain areas of comprehension. Somehow I feel you know what I’m trying to say …
Cajon Pass is between the San Bernardino and the San Gabriel mountain ranges, and U.S. Geological Survey topography charts show quite a difference in elevation of various locations within a wide nearby area. It was based on them that the 5000-foot figure statement was made, as well as from longstanding personal knowledge of the area, which area I consider home turf, if that means anything.
For you and the forum’s information, there IS a very, very distant historical connection to the Sunset Route in the subject of that ‘high bridge’ photo, for any that may think we have gone way off topic. Maybe a little off topic, but not way off …
Take care,
K.P.
(The above photos were shot at the San Bernardino History and Railroad Musium, San Bernardino, CA)
Not sure whether this comes under 'cause' or 'effect', but for the last few days the east end of the Yuma sub has been amazingly congested (at least as seen on ATCSMon). Traffic is certainly bunched up, probably compounded by ongoing construction and a reported accident near Yuma on Sunday (rear end collision? East Yard?).
So, no, I don't see UP cutting back in Sunset Route capex in the near term.
Since we don't have an active Yuma area poster, perhaps there is a visiting 'snowbird' that can help keep us up-to-date. TIA!
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! ***
Here is a link to the EIR meetings for a freeway from Palmdale to Apple Valley. http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/HDC/ I looked at some of their maps and photos, but could not figure out how this would interface with the railroads.
David1005Here is a link to the EIR meetings for a freeway from Palmdale to Apple Valley. http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/HDC/ I looked at some of their maps and photos, but could not figure out how this would interface with the railroads.
Perhaps you were thinking of something else to bring up in the Passenger or Transit forums. The fantasy known as Cal-HSR may or may not extend across the desert to Las Vegas, or might not even be completed.
Update as of October 24, 2014
A Few Points of Interest and …
… Knocking Off Some Loose Ends
Part “A” (of A-J)
The Riverside Ave. Underpass Construction
Riverside, CA
Between Pachappa Hill and LA&SL CP C055 STREETER (M.P. 55.5) is the Riverside Ave. underpass construction, and a shoofly is presently in effect. Concrete ties for relaying the mainline are now just east of the CP.
Some concrete piping is also present.
Above, note the high up “Quiet Zone” electrical sign in the background (upper left of center) that reminds engineers NOT to blow their horn. Even though Riverside Ave. is no longer a grade crossing, the flashing sign is still up and present.
On Riverside Ave., from the south, looking north:
Above, the white barricade-like long horizontal walling might (“might”) be shoofly related. The rebar pillars (future concrete filled) seem too close to the camera, but that may be an illusion. In theory, there should be a two-track bridge over the being built underpass, but at this point it is unclear if it will be only a one- or two-track bridge.
Continued in Part B
Part “B” (of A-J)
The Railroad Bridge over the 91 Freeway
The new, now in service LA&SL Bridge is continuing to be finished.
It is still strange to see the walling on the southeast side so close to the tracks.
The northeast abutment under construction (center, background) is still unclear as to a second-track being possible.
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-J)
The old center supports are still in place.
Where K.P. was photographing from a lot of construction items was present. The white barricade (bottom) indicated something rather wonderful for onsite railfans!
Look! Just for railfans! Well, maybe not just for, but for locals too:
A U-turn facility has been put it. Previously, it was unsafe and sometimes impossible to U-turn on the two-lane residential Panorama Rd., and one would have to continue east for half a mile, go over the 91 Freeway, and hopefully traffic would allow a U-turn.
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (of A-J)
Wow! Two trains going westbound to Los Angeles via different routes, at BNSF’s CP WEST RIVERSIDE.
Do graffiti fools hang off the bridge on special scaffolding or ropes to do this kind of art?
Continued in Part E
Part “E” (of A-J)
A new southward view from the north side Cridge Rd. area:
Finally, K.P. was able to get a telephoto from the Cridge Rd. area of the northeast abutment under construction.
K.P. was unable to come to any conclusion relative to a second main in the future.
Continued in Part F
Part “F” (of A-J)
The Truss Bridges over the I-215 Freeway
The Grand Terrace, CA Area
Previously, this October 13, 2014 photo was posted, showing the NEW center pier-work for Bridge A starting to be demolished.
On October 24, 2014, from the north east side, an overview, and progressively closer views:
As seen above, the new A and B center piers have been demolished and removed. In the middle photo of the three just above, hard to see concrete rubble is visible left of the yellow equipment between the northbound and southbound freeway lanes.
While onsite, a NEW mold imprint was found to have been put on the walling just northeast of those trusses, on the northbound lanes side, of a modern GE unit! The decorative walling and train also resembles a black and white negative.
Did you notice that lead GE unit has BOTH top and nose headlights? Now, all it needs is a red gyralite to be a scarlet and gray SOUTHERN PACIFIC year 2014 GE unit!
Continued in Part G
Part “G” (of A-J)
The Barton Rd. 1936 Built Overpass …
… and Historic Roadway Alignments
The Colton-Grand Terrace, CA Area
About half to a mile north (railroad east) of the new truss bridges discussed in Part F, the old, curved, two-lane roadway bridge goes over the BNSF, which trackage the UP has trackage rights over, our alternate Sunset Route.
In the last photo just above, note the near automobiles on the SOUTHBOUND lanes of La Cadena Drive, a DIVIDED HIGHWAY, with those southbound lanes divided off with curbing from the northbound lanes.
There has been some forum discussion in recent times of when Barton Rd. went straight OVER the tracks on some kind of bridging before the present 1936 bridge was built. That must have been before La Cadena Drive was a divided highway. In studying that second, lower photo above, IF the previous TWO-LANE La Cadena Drive was on those southbound, near to the camera lanes with traffic going both north and south on just those two-lanes, there would be sufficient room for the original bridge to go over the then AT&SF tracks and lower into an intersection.
Look how Barton Rd. (in the distance) lines up with the present Palm Ave. (forefront).
Above, the BNSF goes through the cut on the other side of that stopped red car on La Cadena Drive.
Continued in Part H
Part “H” (of A-J)
Interestingly, there is still evidence even till now in 2014 of a straight, narrow overpass once being there.
As far as the present bridge being replaced, BNSF may be caught between a rock and a hard place, as maybe way back in the 1930’s contingencies (“contingencies”) were probably not even thought of with the cities and the railroads. Contingencies?
Continued in Part I
Part “I” (of A-J)
Contingencies?
Below are FOUR reshown photos, of TWO Grand Terrace area situations (“situations”). K.P. finds them both rather unorthodox and non-traditional.
The Barton Rd. overpass is structurally sound, but BNSF needs to put a third track under the bridge. Who do you think will move first, the City of Colton or the BNSF in this possible cat and mouse game? K.P. is inclined to believe neither, but a spaceship will come by with ‘beam me up Scotty” ability and steel the whole Barton Rd. Bridge! Have you ever been to Mars and seen the Bridge Museum collection on display there?
Hey, if THIS website can do weird things (like changing the forum perhaps by mad men), K.P. feels that is a license to say weird things … All WITH a certain sense of insight and visions of the future … …
K.P. has NOT been in that area of the above photos for a few weeks, but likely spaceships have not been by …
Continued in Part J
Part “J” (of A-J)
LA&SL Signals
The photos in this Part J were previously posted in the last several months.
In the Pedley-Riverside, CA area of the LA&SL, the signals are color lights, but generally old ones. Some new signals were erected and put in service relative to the 91 Freeway widening and the new railroad bridge that that necessitated.
But, while the signals and CP boxes may be new, they use the OLD signaling rules, i.e., flashing yellow instead of yellow over yellow in advance of a 40 M.P.H. turnout route. (See above May 8, 2014 pictured signal with only ONE head. The signal is for Metrolink commuter trains to get onto the LA&SL at CP CP C056 SCRRA JCT).
A number of underpasses are being (or have been) put in in the Pedley-Riverside area, such as at Clay Street.
Two-tracks may or may not be extended east from Pedley, and the Clay Street underpass railroad-bridge (when trains are running over it) should give us an indication of what the railroad might have in mind. Possibly (“possibly”) in the next few years when all the bridges and underpasses are in between Pedley and Riverside, additional track will be laid and the signals will be upgrading to the current standards.
This will end the series.
David1005 (11-4):
The reason why you could not figure out how that projected highway between Victorville and Palmdale would interface with the railroads is because it would not per se, especially the Sunset Route which is many miles away.
Nevertheless, after reviewing the highway proposal, I found it a most fascinating one. It would take much traffic off I-10 near Los Angeles, some portions of which closely follows the Sunset Route, which would make it easier for railfans and railroaders needing to traverse alongside the Sunset Route. On the other hand, I perceived more congestion on I-5 and Highway 14 closer to Los Angeles, unless Caltrans plans on adding more lanes to those throughways.
It is hoped someday Caltrans builds a road of some sort from Niland (CA) to Yuma (AZ), alongside the Sunset Route. THAT would be a boon for railfans, as well as Los Angeles-Tucson vehicle traffic (including truckers), and totally bypass the Phoenix, AZ congestion in a very timely way.
About Other Replies
Many have inquired about many things, and K.P.’s replies have been hung up by what is best described as chaos of late at the forums. K.P. hopes to get to those replies in the next few days, if any of those inquirers are still left at the forum.
Take care all,
About Replies
A bunch of replies are a now being worked up. Watch for them in a few days.
Mrs. K.P., Very Limited Poster grinnell, and Blowing One’s Mind!
My Mrs. said something unbelievable the other day, that is now in the Inland Empire (east of Los Angeles), your old tromping ground, grinnell. I checked it out personally Friday, and what my wife said was indeed true! You may or may not know of it, grinnell, but I sure didn’t. It has a roundabout connection to the Sunset Route, but is off the beaten path a little bit, which leads me to feel it will surprise you. If you are interested in ‘fixes,’ watch for this one in a few days …
Take care all.
KP
A call out of my longtime lurk mode, that was a suprise in itself. Looking forward to your real suprise. I used to commute from Calimesa to UC Riverside via San Timoteo canyon, just to watch the trains. I enjoy your threads on Cajon, Perris and the Sunset route from here in Oregon.
Grinnell
Reply Status
The replies from K.P. are basically all composed, but very recent positive developments about functionality at the forums suggests that a few replies need to be rethought. Hang in there guys …
The Promised Memo to grinnell (10-15):
The Mrs. told K.P. a few days ago about a roadway route she takes between San Bernardino and Redlands (CA). K.P. thought that there is NO road there, only an old, abandoned Pacific Electric truss bridge that crosses over the usually dry Santa Ana River.
As seen above in that March 20, 2011 photo, San Bernardino International Airport is clearly observable. That formally was Norton Air Force Base.
On the Friday, November 7, 2014 visit that was inspired by Mrs. K.P., everything had changed, with a five lane overpass where the truss bridge was and buildings galore that now block the view of all the jets there.
The truss bridge was probably between the yellow roadway striping and the left, west fencing.
K.P. thought that old truss bridge would last forever. Seemingly it was on its way to that end. But, progress minded people thought otherwise. And the last vestige of the old railroad line is now gone.
Anyway, grinnell, it is hoped all this made your day, and brought back memories of your long gone Inland Empire days.
Enjoy the forum from up in Oregon,
Over the Weekend I had to go to a Friends Wedding in Arizona, so I took the roundabout route through Yuma. The grading, drainage and bridging work is now well under way on that last single track segment at Algodones just west of Yuma, running west from the canal to the new control point at the end of double track. Also I noted that the New Crew Change point in East Yard is complete and looks ready to put in service. No grading is started east of the new crew change building to Dome
Super HunkyThe grading, drainage and bridging work is now well under way on that last single track segment at Algodones just west of Yuma, running west from the canal to the new control point at the end of double track.
Super HunkyAlso I noted that the New Crew Change point in East Yard is complete and looks ready to put in service. No grading is started east of the new crew change building to Dome.
BNSF6400 I am curious why you question the Cajon Pass bridge photo? Also where did you get the 5000 foot ridge information from? From what I understand, the photo is of a very deep chasm that was located just east of Gish on the original main (later called the South Track and today is BNSF's Main 3). From what I gather, this chasm was later filled in by a combination of natural siedment flows during a couple major flood events and action by Santa Fe to replace this bridge with a fill. There is still a significant dip east of old Gish that the tracks cross on a wide fill that looks almost natural these days.
Look very closely at the last picture. Many, many years later SP would grade a line through in the middle distance and the Santa Fe bridge would have long been replaced by an arch ....
A10
Replies
cacole (10-6):
I hear the Microsoft CEO who was responsible for Windows 8 got fired over it. Then, Windows 8.1 came out soon after the new CEO took over. Such things could be avoided if they actually tested the market first instead of saying ‘I am a god and know everything.’ The CEO that got fired found out real quick he wasn’t a god.
john_edwards (10-10):
The folks at Kalmback responded one time, but I followed up at the poor reply, and I never heard anything from anyone thereafter. The peons probably realized my complaint was over their head. From that the concept of the advertising return was behind the cost of having the forums. While things are somewhat stabilizing, I have no idea of how to find now threads I started that are buried way back somewhere in the thousands of threads now that the ‘Search’ feature was eliminated.
Super Hunky (10-12):
“Withdrawal systems”! Good way of putting it.
desertdog (10-14):
Well written post, but what you suggest I believe goes contrary to the financial objectives of Kalmbach. Concerning a subscriber here at the office, Kalmbach seems to have made a connection between him and I, and he has received no subscription renewals, which suits him just fine. He doesn’t dare give them a year’s subscription money if he has the slightest hint of them not being here sometime in 2015.
SP657E44 (10-16):
Recently I looked for the switch turnout you mention in the old Lilly Cup area along the triple-track BNSF mains (on the alternate Sunset Route), but found no turnouts. Maybe next time a walk up on the Iowa Ave. Bridge may be in order.
mvs (10-17):
Ah, you had a real bird’s eye view of the new two-tracks in Ontario flying out of that town! And to see a fast westbound on the Alhambra Sub was a bonus too!
MikeF90 (10-19):
You mentioned bids for the Acolita to the Mesquite area being let first. When I was west of CP SP676 IRIS recently the grading east seemed to have been already completed. So, bidding the grading east from Iris had already been done.
Clyde Acolita (10-22):
That 9000-foot siding in the M.P.’s 687 and 689 area never quite made sense to me. Maybe the powers that be realized the siding would NOT be used regularly until the Mesquite Landfill Facility was in operation several years from now, hence, UP decided to use its money where they could get an immediate return on investment.
mvs (10-25):
Thanks for the update news on grade separations.
I actually went under the Valley View one that is on the BNSF in early October, and it has a presence rarely seen.
The Puente Ave. / Workman Mill one actually on the Sunset Route will be an interesting one to witness. To the east we have the coming down ‘Up and Over’ flyover, and to the west is the 5429-foot Bassett siding. Will the siding be shortened or will the shoofly include the siding? I’m all ears and eyes on that one.
And too, how the two high trafficked roads crossing there will be handled during construction will be a good logistics education.
Super Hunky (10-25):
Yes, it would be interesting to find out about that new crew change location in Yuma, and any track-work changes thereat. K.P. has no plans on getting out that way, but sometimes a whim arrives out of the blue. (See the reply to you below.)
One of the things it would be good to check out is the NORTH side of the Sunset Route dirt road in the Iris area. When I was out that way a couple of years ago the eastward dirt road just ended, but last month UP trucks were traversing a roadway on the north side, so that road must go through now.
desertdog and diningcar (Both 10-29):
I tend to agree with both of you on the landfill vs. a bridge and the water flow history. But, somehow I envision a problem arising sometime in the future … If California can ever get out of this dreadful drought. Maybe what occurred in California in 1969 will happen again. As I recalled it rained almost for a month, and river bridges of the railroads were taxed to the limit everywhere. I wonder how that mild sloping landfill would fair in something like that.
Super Hunky (11-9):
Your onsite report that the short distance (2.1 miles) from CP SP724 ARAZ (M.P. 723.7) and CP SP726 ARAZ JCT (M.P. 725.8) is now being graded certainly is significant news. Thanks for your firsthand report.
Both July 3, 2010 views
My question about that new grading, when finished, is will it sit trackless for a few years like the ten miles or so of grading west of CP SP697 MESQUITE (696.8) has.
Right now I’m sick as a dog and passing back and forth between this life and the afterlife, if you get my gist … Seriously, maybe in the next few months I can get out that way and follow the tracks that can be followed west of Yuma. That might afford an opportunity to see what the road situations are just west CP SP676 IRIS (M.P. 676.1) and that mild sloping that replaced the railroad having to put in second bridge.
Maybe when I do get out to Yuma the new crew change building will be in operation, and we can get a feel of how things are handed by changing crews practically within a CP.
MikeF90 (11-9):
Renting a dozer and putting in a bid was funny. That certainly would give us ‘inside’ information …
One gets the impressing, at least I do, that two-tracking is shunning Arizona, and it will only be after two-tracking in California is finished that additional two-tracking in Arizona will take place. Maybe someone that has driven I-8 from Yuma to Gila Bend can verify that no two-tracking is taking place out that way.
SP6577E44 (11-9):
Your post was confusing, and it is unclear how it should be interpreted.
The bridge photo that started the questions in the first place, in my opinion, dates back to the 1870’s, some years before the California Southern (AT&SF) came to Cajon Pass. The photo does NOT involve either the Southern Pacific or the Santa Fe.
Apparently, the bridge design was contemporary to the time. It is unknown if it was from a local company back then, or the company was national in its sales.
To All:
After checking out that once truss bridge crossing of the Santa Ana River in the San Bernardino area, that I made a memo to grinnell on, the Hunts Lane overpass west of CP SP542 LOMA LINDA was checked out super briefly. It was found that the overpass is NOW open! They had the west-most southbound lane closed for whatever reason, but the overpass IS now open. In going over the overpass, I found the never before high up view of CP SP542 LOMA LINDA and its cantilever signal bridge absolutely spectacular!
That overpass is now hot on K.P.’s list to photograph from when he has some free time out that way, if he can somehow deal with the fine wire meshing of the fence there.
Best,
Is there any recent news on the fate of the West Phoenix Line?
Regards,
Fred M. Cain
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.