As a railfan of the U.P. and a resident of Arizona, I'm severely disappointed that the state is dragging its feet on Red Rock. With the U.P. looking at investing $600 million in Texas yard, this state can ill afford to loose this opportunity. I was looking forward to posting updates on that rail yard. Time to start writing letters and making calls.
Your words, not mine : "Replies MikeF90 (1-28): That was interesting news that the Cherry Ave. overpass construction in Fontana (CA) is finished. Unfortunately, one has to park a half a mile to a mile away to hike up on it! One of these days I might brave the hike …" Now maybe I'm missing the some phantom disticntion between the above statement and the picture posted showing the Milliken overpass .... but I doubt it.
A10
SP657E44 (2-8 or 2-9 Depending on the Time Zone One is In):
Oh, I see where you are coming from …and the confusion.
SP657E44 Your words, not mine : "Replies MikeF90 (1-28): That was interesting news that the Cherry Ave. overpass construction in Fontana (CA) is finished. Unfortunately, one has to park a half a mile to a mile away to hike up on it! One of these days I might brave the hike …" Now maybe I'm missing the some phantom disticntion between the above statement and the picture posted showing the Milliken overpass .... but I doubt it. A10
The reference to the ‘Up and Over’ (a flyover) in the memo to MikeF90 is technically in the City of Industry (CA), east of Puente Ave., east of the east switch of the Bassett siding, which switch is at M.P. 498.2. The Milliken Ave. Flyover is in Ontario, east of the east switch of the Guasti siding, which east switch is at M.P. M.P. 524.7. Cherry Ave., on the other hand, is in Fontana, and most closely associated with the west switch of the South Fontana siding, which switch is at M.P. 529.3. Cherry Ave. merely goes OVER both the Sunset Route and the paralleling I-10 Freeway.
The pictures posted in the reply to MikeF90 were of the ‘Up and Over’ in the City of Industry, and NOT the Milliken Ave. Flyover in Ontario.
With the above, I think there will be no further confusion … hopefully anyway!
About BNSF’s CP RANA and the Laurel Ave. Underpass
A two-part posting on the just above description should be posted sometime late Monday morning, Pacific Time.
Best,
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Friday, February 6, 2015
The Future Laurel Ave. Underpass
Colton, CA
Part I (of I-II)
To set the stage for posting on the underpass construction at Laurel Ave.:
This is a February 25, 2009 photo from Laurel Ave. looking south, or westbound, at BNSF’s CP RANA, where six tracks (two industrial and four mainlines) become three:
Towards the middle of the CP, at Olive Ave., looking north, eastbound on the same date, the six to three tracks:
Now that we have the track background, what is presently going on there?
Shooflies are being constructed, panel track is stacked up, and target signals are now turned aside.
All in preparation for building the Laurel Ave. underpass!
Continued in Part II (of I-II)
Part II (of I-II)
Shoofly tracks are now being put in.
Vertical I-beams have been put in to stabilize the shoofly tracks at the actual underpass site.
Workers are bolting the shoofly together:
Another northward (eastbound) view … Note the new switch left of photo center.
The future Laurel Ave. underpass will only be for two-lanes, but yet its creation will likely be an expensive project with so many of the railroad signals and switches relocated. And, then, everything will likely (“likely”) have to be put back the way it was track-wise once the underpass is completed. It was to avoid such a mess that the planned Hamilton Ave. underpass in Pomona on the Sunset Route was canceled, at the half-way in-place big CP AL514 HAMILTON that involved both the SP Alhambra and LA&SL Los Angeles Subs.
This will end the short series.
K.P. et al:
Tried to post this earlier but don't believe it went through. Will try again and if you receive this twice, I'll apologize now. Anyway, discovered an interesting planning summary that includes a UP presentation on proposed improvements along the Sunset Route in the El Paso area. In particular, note page 12 of 14 that suggests a schedule for double tracking of the El Paso to Sierra Blanca stretch:
http://www.elpasompo.org/TPB%20Items/2014/12-05-14/Item10.pdf
I can't recall seeing any specific scope/dates for this work before.
Update as of Saturday, February 7, 2015
Part “A” (of A-E)
Puente Hills Intermodal Facility Track at …
… Workman Mill Road
City of Industry, CA
The last visit concrete ties were being carried from a parking lot just west of Workman Mill Road and positioned in tie stacks. This visit, those west side ties were positioned on the future PHIMF track alignment, and rails attached. Nothing else popped out as new, so a stop was not made for photos.
The San Gabriel Trench
San Gabriel, CA
In very recent times reportedly there was an important archaeological find at the trenching site, and archaeologists converged on the area. They seemed to have finished their work and left, but there was darker colored dirt present in the Ramona Street area, and that may be where the archeologists converged at. Two views looking westbound:
East of Ramona Street, there is dark dirt also. If that was the result of that archeological find, it stretched to about Mission Road in the background.
According to the Invisible World Map Company, the railroad put up these crossing flashers to warn low flying spirits of approaching trains! Seriously, the flashers don’t appear to have a use presently, but will in the future. More in a bit …
Continued in Part B
Part “B” (of A-E)
The next grade crossing to the east was (“was”) Mission Road, but a bridge is being constructed now over the future trench.
Just above, there are more of those flashers!
While K.P. did not hike in to check on the flashers, it appears the flashers are for a pedestrian walkway for locals so they don’t have to walk a mile just to get on the other side of the track during trench construction. When the bridge here at Mission Rd. is finished and open, likely Ramona Street will be closed for its bridge-work, but pedestrians should be able to get through with a makeshift grade crossing for them that will be protected by those flashers.
From Ramona Street looking eastbound, those flasher and pedestrian walk-path is seen at Mission Road.
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-E)
West of Del Mar Ave. (and away from the grade crossing) another crossing flasher is present, likely for a sidewalk for locals when the bridging here is being constructed.
The trench construction west of Del Mar Ave. is now quite enlightening. On both sides vertical rebar form cylinders have been buried with the tops exposed.
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (of A-E)
More westward views from Del Mar Ave.:
East of Del Mar Ave., it appears the eastward progression of vertical burying of those rebar cylinders have not progress eastward yet.
Continued in Part E
Part “E” (of A-E)
Now at San Gabriel Blvd. looking eastbound: Not much here has changed either from the last visit. Ah, but a headlight is coming on the upper right!
The westbound approaches and goes by …
When trains pass the already jammed four lane road that is now only two lanes during the trench construction traffic backs up terribly. Even before the trench construction, San Gabriel Blvd. was a heavily trafficked route.
So, this basically ended the trench visit. K.P. headed northeast to the nearby L. A. Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension and found some dazzling things up there, but that will be posted in the Transit Forum in a few days.
This will end this series.
hbchrist...snip... http://www.elpasompo.org/TPB%20Items/2014/12-05-14/Item10.pdf
Good work on this find! The 'El Paso to Sierra Blanca' project description is a little muddy but it confirms previous speculations. The east end of that single track stretch includes some pretty challenging terrain.
Page 7 shows 'L.A. terminal expansion'. Hmmm.
@KPH, the latest series on the SGV trench is construction geek gold. I've read elsewhere that the first section of the trench built in the 1970's used the same 'CIDR wall' technique.
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! ***
In the Laurel Ave pictures three passenger coaches are shown. Are they former New Jersey coaches that Metrolink owns.
Replies
Bruce Ellefritz (2-8):
It is difficult to evaluated what is taking place concerning UP’s desire for a West Colton Yard-like counterpart at Red Rock, AZ. Is it just an unorthodox situation that has to run its entire course, or is there political hanky-panky going on? One would think that the money brought into Arizona for building Red Rock Yard and its increased employment for the State would get someone’s attention. But, if the ‘will of the people’ is different from UP’s will, UP will just have to live with that. Quite a reversal from the SP days of the latter 1800’s.when everybody wanted the railroad to come through their town.
hbchrist (2-9):
Great find! The most significant parts, in my opinion, were (1) the projected finish in 2018 (i.e., FOUR complete years from now), and (2) that only 60% of the El Paso to Sierra Blanca section would be two-tracked.
The link for the presentation gave my computer much trouble and convulsions, but seemed to work fine if only the section BEFORE Item10.pdf was used, which gave me a number of choices, of which I chose Item10.pdf.
MikeF90 (2-10):
You pointed out, “Page 7 show ‘L.A. terminal expansion’ and then you put in ‘Hmmm.’ I’ll say ‘’Hmmm’ too. (Technically, that was Page 7 of the Adobe Reader display, but Page 6 of the presentation display, in case any are confused.)
Exactly what UP has in mind with ‘terminal expansion’ is unclear. Interestingly, I’ve seen charts showing a rebuilt LATC complex in downtown Los Angeles, with the tracks all different than the way they are now. BUT, I’ve also seen on television very recently that the City of Los Angeles wants to turn the whole area and beyond into a glorious park with the help of federal funds, of course. I guess, MikeF90, we all have reason to say ‘hmmm’ too.
As far as the construction technique used on the Alhambra Trench just to the west as opposed to the San Gabriel Trench, they may very well be the same, but they look so different! One has slanted walls while the other will have vertical ones.
Alhambra Trench views from March 30, 2011:
Maybe one of us, Mike, will stumble upon a ‘friendly’ construction worker one of these days willing to share some info. Unfortunately, circumstances dictated I visit on a Saturday this time, and nobody was available to talk to.
usmc1401 (2-10):
Good question. There have been some of those ex-NJ cars there in the past (like on October 13, 2014) …
… but I have no idea if the ones you inquired about specifically were such, but they probably were. The next time I’m out that way I will check for you, if the access street is still open.
hbchrist (2-11):
There seem to be more questions than answers on LA area terminals for the future. Maybe a contact will have information. But, contacts are skip and miss type things …
To Everyone:
Hopefully K.P. can get to the new ‘Cement Mountain’ photos today or tomorrow, but that is what is next on the lineup.
Have a great day, everyone!
K. P. Harrier Replies hbchrist (2-9): Great find! The most significant parts, in my opinion, were (1) the projected finish in 2018 (i.e., FOUR complete years from now), and (2) that only 60% of the El Paso to Sierra Blanca section would be two-tracked.
KP, if what you're saying here is that the second-tracking of the Sunset Route, West Colton to El Paso, will be completed, I read it differently. I see no reference (in the link posted most helpfully by MikeF90) that refers specifically to the completion of this stretch of railroad. While UP may actually add steriods to its efforts to complete it, I suspect the last bits of two-tracking (except for the Colorado River Bridge west of Yuma) may take an additional year or two.
Second, regarding adding second track between El Paso and Sierra Blanca, the four phases of work projected to be complete by year end 2018 can easily be continued in the years following 2018. One assumes that the segments along this stretch that would be last to receive two-tracking feature the most difficult terrain to build a second track through, and, thus, are the most expensive to build through.
Finally, thanks to KP and others who have shared their photos and knowledge to this mammoth project. It makes this thread all the more enjoyable to read.
billio (2-12):
One of the hazards of ‘quoting’ a small portion of a post is that the context isn’t seen. BOTH items (Nos. 1 and 2) in my quoting reference had to do with the El Paso-Sierra Blanca, TX section. My interpretation was that that section would be four-part finished by the end of 2018, with only 60% two-tracked. As I recall from viewing aerials in the past, there are a number of locations between El Paso and Sierra Blanca where the cost factor would escalate considerably if it was two-tracked, like in narrow, rocky cuts. Thus, 40% of that El Paso to Sierra Blanca stretch will remain single-track permanently after the four year two-tracking project is completed with nothing further two-tracking-wise expected.
To All:
It looks like the Cement Mountain material will be ready for posting tonight or tomorrow morning.
The Cement Mountain Review
Part I (of I-VI)
Cement Mountain (known as such by many locals) is also officially known at Slover Mountain. Upon first arriving at the Rancho Ave. overpass over the Sunset Route in Colton, an eastbound intermodal with a single lead GE unit was observed.
Once the rear, single DPU passed, K.P. went to the work of photo documenting Cement Mountain from the east looking west.
Just above, note the steep road up the mountain on the left.
A close-up of that steep road:
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-VI)
Other east side westward views from the Rancho Road overpass area:
From the south slope of Rancho Ave., a southwest view:
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-VI)
Closer southwest views, with a powder falling from the upward ramps:
After hiking back to the auto, we go south to the old Santa Fe grade crossing. Looking west:
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-VI)
Looking east from the grade crossing:
Above, while it is not seen in the photo, the old track to the old Santa Fe (now BNSF) mainline is actually severed without a switch connection. A contributing factor to the demise of the Santa Fe connection may have been traditional reciprocal switching agreements in Colton between SP and AT&SF, especially since BNSF power is frequently seen at West Colton Yard for transfer runs between West Colton Yard and BNSF’s Barstow Classification Yard way out in the Mojave Desert on the Transcon.
Looking back southwest, a cement plant (presumably anyway) is seen by the track.
Cement cars are stored on a weird curving track away from the old Santa Fe connection.
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-VI)
We now go to Pepper Ave. on the west side of Cement Mountain.
The Rancho Ave. Bridge over the Sunset Route is on the left, the Palmdale Cutoff across the photo center, the Balloon on the bottom. And, of course, the Cement Mountain operation of the right:
Southeast views:
Continued in Part VI
Part VI (of I-VI)
There seems to be more roadways up the hills as one visually points the eyes southward.
So there we have it, Cement Mountain and its immediate area.
In Tucson, AZ there is a tie manufacturer that UP tends to purchase from..
It is unknown WHETHER OR NOT that high quality tie manufacturer in Tucson gets its cement from the California-Portland Cement Mountain in Colton, but IF (“if”) it does, there would be a strong connection to the two-tracking of the Sunset Route and Colton. If not, at least a connection to a cement industry sort of relative.
This will end the series.
-------
K.P. has nothing on the Dispatch lineup along the Sunset Route for the next several weeks, so things may be rather slow in this thread for a while.
Reportedly, the UP two-tracking on Tehachapi has been stalled for months, and it looks like that will continue indefinitely.
The Mohawk area of Arizona is known to have Sunset Route two-tracking in process, and it is unknown if the new crew change spot in Yuma is open yet. When K.P. can get out that way for some status photos is questionable, but those are some of the things on the hit list for checking out, but at this point it is just a list.
K.P.,
There is a large Cal-Portland cement plant along I-10 west of Tucson in Marana that is probably where the cement for the concrete tie plant in Tucson originates.
There is a large, adjacent truck terminal of 'CTI' trailer trucks that deliver cement throughout SE Arizona.
K.P.:
A very interesting review of the Cement Mountain operation. THANK YOU for the effort! The info and photos were of benefit to modelers like me who can't get enough of stuff like this!
BTW...it was great to see some more photos of the Flyover from the Ranchero bridge! They reminded me of what the area looked like before construction and how it seem like it would take forever to build-- how time flies!
John
Looks like Mt. Concretia, is looseing her head. Plenty of call for sand and gravel and that's what looks to be taking place there.
Thanks for the reports Mr. K.P. Harrier
RickH
BarstowRick.com Model Railroading How To's
Of Ghost Parties!
While in Colton (CA) the other day to photograph the ‘Cement Mountain’ series K.P. stumbled across a ghost party at the Colton Signal Dept., with loud music and glasses of champagne just floating around in thin air, and this Colton Signal Dept. sign was with a ghostly appearance!
Seriously, K.P. does not know what happened to the blue, but without blue that sign sure looks like something that would be at a ghost party!
cacole (2-14):
Thanks for reminding me that California-Portland has a facility near Tucson. That facility could very well supply the cement for that tie manufacturer in Tucson.
Over the years of reporting on the Sunset Route two-tracking updates, one thing I’ve noticed is that the concrete ties UP uses seem to be of a better quality than of other railroads and commuter outfits use. I see very little rejects. Other railroads often have a whole pile of rejects trackside, but not UP.
John Simpkins-Camp (2-14):
Yes, it is hard to believe the Colton Flyover has been in service on both tracks for at least a year and a half. And it is hard to believe that time and beating down sun has faded the black hot-top access road already (left of center).
The time is moving too fast! Hold your horses, Time!
Sometime in the future, if a third-track is put over the Colton Flyover in accord with its designers, as seen with the path for it above, I don’t know how another mast signal could be put on the Rancho Ave. end of the flyover. Maybe that opening on the left is so a cantilever structure could be put up with an additional signal on it. But that may be one or more decades away!
Just for nostalgia for you, John, a couple of Colton Flyover construction views from the past …
February 27, 2013:
February 5, 2013:
Last Sunday and the Mrs.
The Mrs. had to work till a rare 3 A.M. She slept till 9 A.M. The boys were going to be gone for the day, so I asked if she wanted the day to herself. She said yes! So, I went to Anaheim to document the place where something tragic had happened nearly 50 years ago involving a Santa Fe Warbonnet Alco PA-1 (the subject of a future thread). Afterward, the PHIMF area was visited in the City of Industry. Lastly the San Gabriel Trench construction area was visited too. The findings on the latter two will be presented in an upcoming short (“short”) presentation, probably in a day or two.
Take care all,
this Colton Signal Dept. sign was with a ghostly appearance!
K.P., isn't that an owl showing its teeth? Ghost owls do have teeth, don't they?
Johnny
[quote user="K. P. Harrier"]
Well, maybe it isn't the quality of the ties. It's the soil conditions underneath the ties. Out here in Iowa they don't seem to last as long as it was said they would. Every few years they have a large tie gang come through and replace them. (Not to mention when the section gangs do spot replacements to keep the line open. Four bad ties in a row and the track is out of service.)
The first time, it was blamed on bad ties that were substandard. Maybe they were, but it seems like it's always the same spots and stretches of track that have the problems. You should see the piles of old ties then.
Jeff
A Quick Revisiting of Two Construction Areas
Part “A” (of A-F)
The PHIMF Area
The City of Industry, CA
On Sunday, February 15, 2015 two areas were visited in the Los Angeles basin. The first one for this series was the area of the Puente Hills Intermodal Facility (PHIMF) in the City of Industry. As anticipated, there was little vehicle traffic on Peck Road, and that afforded being able to jokey position for photos of the future bridging thereat, which bridging goes west way beyond the roadway.
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