Update as of Saturday, January 3, 2010:
LA&SL: Montebello, CA
Part B (of A-B)
Looking east. Note the overpass in the far background.
Montebello in the Sunset Route Scheme
In the November 2009 TRAINS (the one on electrification), "Directional running," pages 46-7, a SMALL Los Angeles area map was shown, with a counterclockwise orientation, i.e., with westbounds via the SP (through Alhambra, hence the name Alhambra Sub) and eastbounds via the LA&SL (i.e., through Montebello). The map diagram is a generalization of current practices, but this forumist can say from personal observation that such a pattern seems to be in play as a general rule of thumb.
When Red Rock Yard in Arizona is finally built and operational, and the SP switching yard in the City of Industry (between Los Angeles and Pomona, on the SP side, the Alhambra Sub) takes on a reportedly car gathering nature for mass indiscriminate transporting of freight cars east to Red Rock Yard in Arizona for sorting and classifying, it will be interesting to see if the counterclockwise nature will be converted to a clockwise orientation. If it does, the operations from Los Angeles, CA to Cienega Creek in Arizona will be left hand running biased (assuming two-tracking all the way through California and Arizona is finished by then), and Cienega Creek to El Paso, TX will have, as at present, a right hand running bias.
The Montebello trackage that now sees a predominance of eastbound traffic will then see much more westbound freights.
A Note to Desertdog (12-30):
Thanks for the news link you posted at the end of December. It was more comprehensive and enlightening that most newspaper clippings generally are. Good choice for posting.
K.P.
desertdog Here is a story from last week's Maricopa Monitor. It does not tell us a lot more than we already know about construction along the Sunset Route, but it confirms a lot of speculation: http://www.trivalleycentral.com/articles/2009/12/30/maricopa_monitor/news/doc4b325f8c32826505550167.txt John Timm
Here is a story from last week's Maricopa Monitor. It does not tell us a lot more than we already know about construction along the Sunset Route, but it confirms a lot of speculation:
http://www.trivalleycentral.com/articles/2009/12/30/maricopa_monitor/news/doc4b325f8c32826505550167.txt
John Timm
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
New Ties are being installed on the Gila Sub, in the area of CP Estrella and CP Mobile, moving to the East, current location is just west of CP Mobile. Equipment is the "TRT 900". several work trains in the area, Ballast trains, Tie Trains, Equipment Trains ETC....They are replacing the ties on the "old main" track. Picture link:
http://www.westcoastrailforums.com/view_topic.php?id=3492&forum_id=73
Update as of Friday, January 8, 2010:
West Colton Yard, CA
Part I, Section A (of A-B)
You may recall the below previously posted photo of a NEW, small, possible sign on a pole. It was thought that the item could be a tote board that authorizes movements eastward past Pepper Ave.
A new like-sign has been installed on the east side of Pepper Ave. also. It looks dinky when one thinks about the original totes from 1973.
The revealing photo-angle possible on the east side of Pepper Ave. and with a telephoto lens seems to indicate that it is in fact a tote.
No numbers were observed lit or flashing on the thin flat-like board, even though a number of yard movements passed by it. However, the above close-up photo seems to show unconnected wires hanging from it..
Continued in Section B
Part I, Section B (of A-B)
A mile to the west, over at Riverside Ave. (looking west), in some type of big outdoor storage department, a group of concrete ties is present. Two flat hauling trailers were parked. The track in the background photo top is the Wye by the fueling facility.
One of those types of flat hauling trailers was utilized back on June 6, 2009 during the big signal cut over pow-wow. In the below view, preparation was being made for one such trailer to cart off the old signals at Slover siding. As with the old signals, the new signals govern movement to each leg of the Wye at West Colton Yard.
There appears to be 42 wood-tie panel tracks stacked (2 sets of 3 groups that are 7 high). It is unknown if such is in case of a derailment or for a planned project (like an underpass). Maybe they are for relocating the Colton Crossing diamonds for the possible flyover construction. One of Union Pacific's white, yellow-decal striped buses for transporting large amounts of track workers is parked on site on the photo left.
Some heavy I-beams and related steelwork are present.
Continued in Part II, to be posted Monday afternoon, January 11, 2010, and will show a very long, yellow, track machine working by the bowl near the Trim Tower.
Last weekend we took a short trip down to Casa Grande and Maricopa to check on the resurfacing and tie project. A westbound stacker was preparing for a meet with a set of light power in the Casa Grande siding. Once both moved on, Susan took this shot of some Plasser American ballast equipment that was parked in the C.G. yard. The conveyor can rotate 180 degrees side to side.
Further west at Bon Siding, the material yard was stacked with piles of new wooden ties. There was too much traffic to allow a stop for pictures.
locomatt63 New Ties are being installed on the Gila Sub, in the area of CP Estrella and CP Mobile, moving to the East, current location is just west of CP Mobile. Equipment is the "TRT 900". several work trains in the area, Ballast trains, Tie Trains, Equipment Trains ETC....They are replacing the ties on the "old main" track. Picture link: http://www.westcoastrailforums.com/view_topic.php?id=3492&forum_id=73
So they're replacing the wood ties on the old line with concrete ties, by the looks of things?
Once we got to Maricopa, the material yard there was buzzing with activity as crews returned from Shawmut at day's end. Besides a lot of machinery and trucks, there were several private vehicles with out-of-state license plates. The small trailer to the right reads "Tie North" which I imagine is / was a similar project in the frozen North. We only took one shot as we were being observed closely by a couple of UP supervisory employees who no doubt wondered why anyone would want to take pictures of a parking lot.
Part II, Section A (of A-B)
This view is from Riverside Ave. looking west, toward the hump bowl tracks and the Trim Tower: Yellow track machinery equipment seems to be working in a very confined area, amidst piles of dirt and old ties.
Exactly what such equipment was doing is unknown to this poster, but there seems to be a striking semi-similarity to the equipment photo that desertdog (John Timm) included in his 1-10-2010 9:46 PM post.
K.P.,
I would say we are looking at the same machine. It's a ballast cleaner. Plasser has a full description at this link:
http://www.plasseramerican.com/en/p_cleaning/mfs.htm
I'm guessing that it may be a muli-stage process, hence the car-to-car conveyors. Someone who makes their living on the railroad will straighten me out, I'm sure.
J.T.
Part II, Section B (of A-B)
It is not known if that welded rail train came from the Diversion at Pomona, was laying rail somewhere by West Colton Yard, or what.
Lastly ...
Back at Pepper Ave. on Friday again, looking eastward ... For those that have never seen a train on the East Leg of the Wye, and didn't think that that track was ever used anymore ... Proof that it is indeed used now and then ...
The lowering track (shadowed) is the West Leg of the Wye. The southbound Palmdale Cutoff train has gone OVER the bridge over the Sunset Route Main 1 (out of view on the left) and curved around on the East Leg of the Wye, and switch-merged into Main 1 (the junction switch is out of view also) and then stopped (as shown in the lower above photo), blocking any other trains from using Main 1. That train parked there for a long time, and for unknown reasons. Sunset Route Main 2 is out of view on the lower photo right.
All the questions about the UP signals especially the flashing red can be answered at:
http://members.cox.net/tsimsig/signalrules.html
blue steak 1 (1-11):
The link you referenced was the most comprehensive that I've seen. Thanks.
The most troublesome signal aspect, and elusive, has been two double headed intermediates in a row. Reference material and railroaders both can't seem to explain the matter.
Hopefully, given enough time, I will visually stumble across the answer to the mystery (and be able to photograph and post it).
desertdog (1-10/11):
desertdog Further west at Bon Siding, the material yard was stacked with piles of new wooden ties. There was too much traffic to allow a stop for pictures. John Timm
Those new wooden ties stacked up at Bon, Arizona MAY be merely for maintaining the single-track line in that area.
As seen in the below photo shot and posted only slightly over a year and a half ago, the SP side Sunset Route through Pomona, CA had many wooden ties replaced with like types. Yet now, that track will soon be eliminated completely by the Pomona Diversion Project.
So, I wonder if the new ties at Bon are simply for maintenance upkeep like those ties photographed in Pomona were.
When UP finally starts two-tracking again in Arizona sometime in the future, I wonder, too, if old and very new wooden ties will all then be replaced by the concrete ones.
desertdog I would say we are looking at the same machine. It's a ballast cleaner.
I would say we are looking at the same machine. It's a ballast cleaner.
One big noticeable difference is that the West Colton machine seemed to have a cab at each end, whereas the Arizona unit did not.
Take care.
From time to time there has been speculation in this thread (e.g., the 11/12/09 posting) as to whether or not there would be a third track at Maricopa to accommodate Amtrak. Yesterday, I stopped briefly at the "Amshack" on the way to Tucson. Lo and behold, they have laid several hundred feet of rail on concrete ties on both sides of the depot directly in line with the gravel area between the concrete platforms. It looks like Matthew may turn out to be correct after all. If that turn out to be the case, it may explain some of the track work and signal configurations east of town.
K. P. Harrier blue steak 1 (1-11): The link you referenced was the most comprehensive that I've seen. Thanks. The most troublesome signal aspect, and elusive, has been two double headed intermediates in a row. Reference material and railroaders both can't seem to explain the matter. Hopefully, given enough time, I will visually stumble across the answer to the mystery (and be able to photograph and post it). desertdog (1-10/11): desertdog Further west at Bon Siding, the material yard was stacked with piles of new wooden ties. There was too much traffic to allow a stop for pictures. John Timm Those new wooden ties stacked up at Bon, Arizona MAY be merely for maintaining the single-track line in that area. As seen in the below photo shot and posted only slightly over a year and a half ago, the SP side Sunset Route through Pomona, CA had many wooden ties replaced with like types. Yet now, that track will soon be eliminated completely by the Pomona Diversion Project. So, I wonder if the new ties at Bon are simply for maintenance upkeep like those ties photographed in Pomona were. When UP finally starts two-tracking again in Arizona sometime in the future, I wonder, too, if old and very new wooden ties will all then be replaced by the concrete ones.desertdog I would say we are looking at the same machine. It's a ballast cleaner. One big noticeable difference is that the West Colton machine seemed to have a cab at each end, whereas the Arizona unit did not. Take care. K.P.
Now as to the question of wooden versus concrete cross ties on the existing main, a railroad employee had told me back at the time that construction first started that they were going to use wooden ties as replacements. He had no reason other that to speculate that it was a question of cost. Meanwhile, the recent photos Matt posted clearly show concrete ties being installed and there was a long string of flat cars at Casa Grande yesterday, all loaded with concrete ties. On top of that, I drove past the L.B. Foster / CXT tie plant in Tucson today and they were busy loading two more lines of flat cars with concrete ties.
As to the purpose of the wooden ties at Bon, the pile had shrunk since my visit two weeks ago, so they must be using them somewhere, maybe on a set out track or industry lead somewhere along the way.
Two other items, the first another mystery:
There are seven bulkhead flats at Toltec on the old Bush Farm Supply siding that had brought in a fresh load of precast concrete bridge sections. Since the grading appears to be complete, where they are headed is anyone's guess.
Down in Tucson, no one seemed to be working on the new bridge at Rillito Creek today, but there was a crane and other miscellaneous equipment down at the bottom of the embankment.
Update As of Saturday, January 16, 2010:
The Diversion, Pomona, CA
On a visit yesterday, it did not appear that anything obvious has been done. No welded rails have been laid, though the ground appears ready for such.
The two large, new CP SP514 HAMILTON control point boxes are still at the Colton signal department facility, and have NOT been transported to Pomona yet. That Colton facility, though, appears to have had a dramatic increase in the number of signal cable spools on hand.
There also appears to be more signal equipment assembled.
Additionally, there appeared to be more signals assembled at the LA&SL signal facility on Campus Ave. in Ontario. It is unknown if such signals will be used at [CP] HAMILTON in Pomona, or somewhere else on the LA&SL. Workers on the LA&SL go up to Las Vegas, NV, so any signals spotted in Ontario could be somewhat misleading.
Up in Utah, on UP's Central Corridor, in the two-track Weber / Echo Canyon area on a rocky ledge curve, there are two pared masts, one south of the tracks, and one BETWEEN the tracks. Thus, eastbound trains there have both tracks' signals on the right, but westbound traffic sees both signals on the LEFT of the tracks.
Please examine the following photo:
It was shot very recently on the eastern slop of BNSF's Cajon Pass, in Southern California on the Transcon, and not too terribly far from the Sunset Route. The walling structural design (photo lower left) is very similar to UP's Pomona walling, though shorter. But, it was built years ago with more room between the wall and the two-tracks.
Hopefully, we will find out soon exactly what UP has in mind both signal-wise and track-wise at the future [CP] SP514 HAMILTON in Pomona.
Update on the TRT900, it is currently working in the area of CP Enid, about 5-7miles west of Maricopa AZ, it is still proceeding East, and replacing rail on the "old north main", and is approaching the Rio Bravo Rd crossing. Also about 3/4 of a mile behind the TRT900 are 2 ballast cleaners (plesser), one is working the north side of the roadbed, and the other the south side. All of the machines are AMAZING to watch at work, and a good photo/video shoot if you get the chance. This was as of this morning 1/18/10.
DESERTDOG - Thanks for your view of the amtrack third track placement, I also thought that there is a general alignment with the gravel area and the station. However I think that "if and/or when" that is how it will be set up, it will be many years in the future, so it will be a "wait and see game" as to what happens at the Amshack.
As of Wednesday, January 20, 2010:
Rain, Rain, Rain
On personal business, this poster had opportunity to traverse through the Colton, CA vicinity, including West Colton Yard, plus the Cajon Pass area.
The re-ballasting equipment previously reported at West Colton Yard ...
It was also rainy in the Colton / West Colton Yard area.
The two [CP] SP514 HAMILTON boxes for Pomona are still at the Colton Signal Department site. Weather was so inclement that it was difficult to determine exactly what had changed, but things look different.
The two old, large tote boards laying by the signal facility did not seem to be present anymore. It is unknown if they were scrapped, purchase by some railfan, or met some other fate.
The support woodwork for the new Cypress Ave. overpass in Fontana is still in place, and the north end of the new overpass seems to be progressing unusually slowly. You may recall that support woodwork is in the way of future tracks being laid west of Sierra Ave.
Finally, all those 85-foot flats (above) are still in the Receiving Yard at West Colton Yard, and being drenched with the rain.
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)
As of Friday, January 22, 2010:
Pomona, CA
The Pomona Diversion Project area was briefly checked out, and it did not appear that any new progress has occurred. Pomona now seems to be in an extended holding pattern, and waiting for rail, ties, and a number of turnouts to be brought to the four- to five-mile long project site.
The area was being drenched with rain, as it has been for the last several days.
K. P. HarrierAs of Friday, January 22, 2010: Pomona, CA The Pomona Diversion Project area was briefly checked out, and it did not appear that any new progress has occurred. Pomona now seems to be in an extended holding pattern, and waiting for rail, ties, and a number of turnouts to be brought to the four- to five-mile long project site. The area was being drenched with rain, as it has been for the last several days.
K.P., thank you as always for the great updates.
When you get a chance, take a look at the agenda for the January meeting of the Alameda Corridor East project (caution: it is a big PDF file). On page nine is the update about the Pomona Diversion Project. It claims almost everything is complete.
Further down, on page 35, it shows a quarterly progress report of the project where February 2010 is the revised completion date.
One would think they are almost done.
mvsK. P. HarrierAs of Friday, January 22, 2010: Pomona, CA The Pomona Diversion Project area was briefly checked out, and it did not appear that any new progress has occurred. Pomona now seems to be in an extended holding pattern, and waiting for rail, ties, and a number of turnouts to be brought to the four- to five-mile long project site. The area was being drenched with rain, as it has been for the last several days.K.P., thank you as always for the great updates.When you get a chance, take a look at the agenda for the January meeting of the Alameda Corridor East project (caution: it is a big PDF file). On page nine is the update about the Pomona Diversion Project. It claims almost everything is complete.Further down, on page 35, it shows a quarterly progress report of the project where February 2010 is the revised completion date.One would think they are almost done.
From reading this report I assume all the previous work has been done, not by UP, but contractors working for the Corridor Project. If all the work is finished by Feb perhaps UP will be bringing in the track, etc which seems to go faster than the getting ready part.
And thanks KP for continuing to bring us updates on a project some of us probably will never see except through your camera. Good work!
John
As of Saturday, January 23, 2010:
Frogs Within CP AL533 SIERRA
Fontana, CA
At the western edge of West Colton Yard is [CP] SIERRA, the CP where two-tracks presently become just a single-track mainline on the Sunset Route's westward trek toward Los Angeles.
You may recall the below photo shot back September 2008. Going away from the camera, Main 1 on the right, became an incomplete track installation under the jurisdiction of track installers.
Of special note in the photo above is the frog on the bottom of the photo. It is of the spring frog type, a type discussed previously in this thread.
But, something has happened to that frog!
Apparently, UP figured out (when is unknown) with Main 1 incomplete and not laid westward, and ALL trains that transition to or from the present single-track Main (the future Main 2 westward), they were needlessly putting wear and tear on the movable parts spring frog, so they removed it and substituted a bridging straight rail in its place!
------------
In the works: (1) A very brief photo examination of the future, very obvious two-tracking layout for Pomona-Fontana (CA), including a photo that will make you wonder if the Sunset Route is now sliding into the Pacific Ocean; and (2) something non-railroad, and may continue, that is very, very unsettling for railroad photography in the West Colton Yard area.
A Look at the Future Two-Tracking of Pomona-Fontana, CA
Part I (of I-III)
The present, east end of two-tracks in Pomona, at CP AL515 RESERVOIR. View looks east. The LA&SL CP box for C033 WO TOWER is on the right. (Previously shown)
The east switch of NORTH MONCLAIR, looking east. (Previously shown)
The east switch of NORTH ONTARIO, looking west.
This poster has no photos of the GUASTI siding. Altered street design and a new underpasses in the last decade has made photography difficult.
The three sidings above (NORTH MONCLAIR, NORTH ONTARIO, and GUASTI) are ALL on the SOUTH side of the Main. Thus, undoubtedly, the second track will be laid on the south side, connecting sidings.
Continued in Part II.
Part II (of I-III)
The SOUTH FONTANA siding's west switch location is shown in the photo below (in the distance). This siding is the last one on our eastward trek, and is on the NORTH side.
It is possible that the two-tracking will alignment shift in this area, probably by the overpass. Of course, the Kaiser Lead could be extended to include the present SOUTH FONTANA north side siding.
The above photo looks somewhat strange. No, the land is not tilting and sliding down to the Pacific Ocean! The poles are leaning to the left undoubted because of the super strong Santa Ana winds that often buffets through the area (photo leftward). The freeway light pole (left of the first telephone pole on the right) and both the signal mast and advertising sign (left of the second pole on the right) stand upright correctly, undoubtedly because of their concrete bases. The overpass is rising to the right in order to go over the I-10 freeway. What an illusion the photo gives!
Such possible alignment shifts as described two paragraphs above are common, as by RIMLON, near Indio, way down in the Lower Desert. The previously shown photo of RIMLON below looks westbound.
Continued in Part III.
Part III (of I-III)
The two-tracking probably will need to alignment shift slightly for clearance at Citrus Ave. (The following photo was previously shown)
The east side of Citrus Ave., looking eastward (previously shown). The present advertising signs are in the way of the future Main 1 on the photo left.
At Sierra Ave. in the background of the above photo, two-tracks resume eastward.
A side note about alignment shifts. At Cedar Ave. in Bloomington, two miles east of Sierra Ave., Mains 1 & 2 alignment shift on each side of the overpass so they can go under it.
Looking west (in a previously shown old photo).
Looking east (also previously shown during signal transitioning).
It is hoped this three-part series helps those unfamiliar with the area, and even those that are, to comprehend how the future two-tracking MAY likely be laid out from Pomona to Fontana.
---------
Planned for the afternoon of Thursday, January 28, 2010: A look at overpass fencing in the West Colton Yard area. Documenting photographically the Sunset Route two-tracking is becoming ever more difficult.
A Photographic Turn for the Worse
Part A
This poster in his Sunset Route photographic documenting efforts has been oriented mainly toward track and railroading aspects. Such photography is often hindered by overpass fencing with the newer small wire meshing, such as on the east side of the Sierra Ave. overpass in Fontana, CA at the west end of West Colton Yard.
Shooting the likes of the below photo looking west from Citrus Ave. is no longer possible with traditional lenses. Small link fencing was very recently installed thereon, just as at Sierra Ave. in the photo above.
It is unsettling that more and more overpasses over the Sunset Route are having such fencing installed.
Less hindering is traditional chain link wire fencing that a lens often can fit through, such as at Rancho Ave, in Colton, looking east. It was photographed on April 30, 2009. The photo was taken when the old CP and track arrangement was still in effect.
Continued in Part B
Part B
The following photo, shown several times in this topic, is of the east side track arrangement in Tuscan, AZ. The overpass there has that small wire meshing. Because of that, the regular camera was left in the car and a small lens camera that doesn't see much use anymore was pressed into service.
The granddaddy of all interfering protective wire meshings is with the overhead pedestrian bridge in Pomona, CA. If one walks through it one will observe that it is actually quite dark inside compared to outside. The Sunset Route tracks are on the photo left, half way up; the LA&SL is the track in the lower middle to the right.
It is unknown how long the great overpass at Pepper Ave. at the eastern side of West Colton Yard will remain without any fencing. It could do so indefinitely. But, the proliferation of railfans that frequent the site probably has kept away those with evil intents, thus reducing the need for a protective fence there.
Forum readers will likely agree that it is unfortunate that all those that visit and photograph the Sunset Route two-tracking have had to put up with such fence hindrances, but it is better than not having access at all to great overpass views.
mvs & john edwards (both 1-23):
Thanks guys for your kind words. Sorry for the belated reply.
It would be great if February ended the Diversion Project and all was finished and operational. But, I've gotten to the point that I'll believe it when I see it.
The Sunset Route two-tracking signal departments have gotten the reputation for early arrival. The below photo shot on March 3, 2008 shows that the then future CP RIMLON had signals erected BEFORE track was laid. Matter of fact, the old single-track main was having work done on it at the time tying up everything. An easily seen, not-in-service-yet mast signal is in the upper left quadrant of the photo.
So, I guess, we'll know things are for real when the CP AL514 HAMILTON boxes are brought from Colton to Pomona and new signals are erected west of Hamilton Blvd. in Pomona.
KP: Ever tried to use an extension pole or extension tripod?
blue streak 1 (1-28):
blue streak 1 KP: Ever tried to use an extension pole or extension tripod?
No, I haven't tried a camera on a pole. Years ago, a large portable ladder was tinkered with unsuccessfully. But, I suppose today a separate monitor could show the view of a camera up on a pole. Interesting concept.
Just Back ...
... from Arizona ... with a bunch of new photos to share.
With as much activity that is going on track-wise in Arizona, one would think the economy was booming ...
Watch for "Revisiting Arizona - Early 2010," a multi-part, mult-day posting series.
But, before that ... "California Shocker." Relatively new finished grading for miles was stumbled upon quite by accident. Coming probably tomorrow.
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