Out of the Blue: From California to Arizona and Back
Part IV (of I-VI), Section A (of A-H)
Maricopa to Bon, AZ
From John Wayne Parkway (State Route 347) feet away from the Maricopa Amtrak station stop, looking east at a completed and fully operational CP SP899 EAST MARICOPA:
(More will be brought up about the above mentioned grade crossing and signaling west of there in Part V.)
From a couple of miles further east, looking back west from Porter Rd. and the intermediates there: As reported by desertdog, both mains are in service now. The track on the left was the original single-track Main.
In the first and second photos above, a yellow piece of track equipment is visible in the backgrounds of those photos. The yellow item is the below right machine on a spur for UP's use.
Previously, desertdog reported one of the two-bulb automatic absolute short mast signals was lying down by that spur. Back in March K.P. actually saw it laying down where desertdog said it was. However, on this visit, no such absolute automatic signal was present, which was somewhat baffling.
Continued in Section B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Thursday, July 21, 2011
Part B, Section 2 (of 1-2)
The Milliken Ave Flyover
Ontario, CA
Looking west, allot of cement trucks were cycling through.
Cement seemed to be offloaded and went up a ramp.
It is almost as if the foundations for two track strips are being built and a shoefly would NOT be needed.
That was "as if." K.P. has no knowledge of official blueprints, so it is a 'wait and see' game at this point about what develops.
Part B (of A-B), Section 1 (of 1-2)
What had been done on the right-of-way on the west side of Milliken Ave. is now being done on the east side, the putting together of a burial concrete framing.
A supervisor (white hat) converses with someone of his company cell phone while a lift operator positions a concrete piece (top) between the supervisor and the lift operator.
The concrete structuring goes back farther than the above two photos depict.
Continued in Section 2
K.P.:
Even though it's some distance from the west end of the proposed new Red Rock Yard, do you think it possible that the new signals for a crossover at Toltec are in preparation for the future yard?
It seems only logical that they would install any required crossovers now instead of having to go back later and modify the trackwork when yard construction commences.
Is it true that Eloy was originally settled by Hispanic Jews, and the name was originally written "El Oy!"?
Please forgive me...the storm woke me up early.
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)
Part III, Section H (of A-H)
The Toltec, AZ Area and Eastward
Lastly for this Part III, the I-10 Red Rock exit was stopped at. As stated, no activity was observed. But, the graded area is starting to mildly be overgrown with weeds. A westward view:
An eastward look:
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Part IV: "Maricopa to Bon, AZ" is scheduled to be posted Monday morning, July 25, 2011.
Part III, Section G (of A-H)
That presently un-ballasted track passes old target signals with Picacho Peak in the background. Note the piles of gravel. New intermediates have not been installed here, so likely such a signal view is on borrowed time.
The above north side new track (as well as the south side present single-track Main) goes under Highway 84 and somewhere east of that overpass alignment shifts to the south side.
Looking west at the east end of the Picocho sidings at CP SP938 PICACHO, the future Main 2 will be laid over the alignment of the left siding. In the background is signaling pertaining to the Main as well as the Phoenix line that branches off to the photo right.
An eastward view: The grading on the right is where Main 2 will be laid.
From here to Tucson (ahead) no track laying was observed, but the two-tracking (from behind the camera) is slowly marching that way.
Continued in Section H
Part III, Section F (of A-H)
Again from Main St., looking east towards the Sunshine Blvd. grade crossing, with old target intermediate masts on the west (near) side and new, un-activated color light intermediates on the east (far) side of Sunshine Blvd.
In the background of the above photo is the Highway 84 overpass, which highway we have been post following eastwardly.
In the above photo, also, the new signals have west facing eastbound stems for lower heads, but those lower heads apparently have not been installed yet. So, somewhere east of here a double-crossover will be put in.
Eloy is an interest town in itself, one with unusual visual properties about it, and most memorable. As an example, a westward view towards Sunshine Blvd. with trees right down the center of Highway 84. One of the new, un-activated intermediates is visible.
Of course, that stilt-like legged object on the upper left of the photo above is the famous towering landmark in Eloy. The lower foreground track is the future Main 1.
Of course, too, that future Main 1 is still un-ballasted and drops down to dirt level as it heads east towards the Highway 84 overpass in the background..
Continued in Section G
Part III, Section E (of A-H)
That ballast train was parked right in Eloy, alongside the divided paralleling highway decoratively lined with trees (see photo bottom):
The red unit was from Mexico.
Note the un-ballasted track that the above unit and ballast train is parked on.
The unit again, from Main St., M.P. 933.31: The green ballast cars blend well with the color scheme of the unit from Mexico.
In 2008 K.P. visited this area, and was struck by the need, just west of Main St., to move the high pole in the way of a future track.
In comparing the last two above photos, well, the pole obviously got moved out of the way!
Continued in Section F
Part III, Section D (of A-H)
In Eloy, at Battaglia Rd. (M.P. 931.95), looking west:
Again, the second-track, the future Main 1, is un-ballasted.
Looking east from Battaglia Rd.:
But, an eastward telephoto shows a parked ballast train ahead!
Continued in Section E
Part III, Section C (of A-H)
A westward view from Houser Rd., M.P. 930.28, a few miles to the east:
An eastward view:
A telephoto from Houser Rd. looking east, towards Eloy:
Continued in Section D
Part III, Section B (of A-H)
Looking west at the staging area from Toltec Rd. now, K.P. saw some activity taking place.
This view shows those new, not activated yet intermediate signals erected between Toltec Rd. (camera location) and the end of the Toltec siding just a few hundred feet away out of view to the right.
Actually looking eastbound from Toltec Rd. one sees the end of the Toltec siding, and in the background recently laid, still un-ballasted track is evident.
Continued in Section C
Part III (of I-VI), Section A (of A-H)
A couple of miles east of Sunland Gin Rd. is a new universal crossover CP of unknown name. Because it is just west of the west switch of the Toltec siding (CP SP927 TOLTEC), K.P. envisions the new CP as CP 926 TOLTEC. But, that is only unofficial conjecturing. If one looks real good at the below photo, the old west eastbound signal is high green. Picacho Peak is in the background.
There is no grade crossing in the area, so the new CP will not easily be photographed, except from the paralleling Jimmie Kerr Blvd., or simply Highway 84.
From just west of the Toltec staging area recently erected intermediates near Toltec Rd. were visible. Also visible were worker vehicles ...
... like many, many worker vehicles!
Those many worker vehicles at the Toltec staging area are reminiscent (at least to K.P.) of the Cajon Pass Triple-Tracking in 2008.
The above 2008 photo was shot just railroad west of BNSF's CP CAJON with the westbound Amtrak #3 passing an eastbound freight.
Part A (of A-B)
The Magnolia Ave. Underpass
Riverside, CA
Since our last visit weeks ago, stunning progress has been made in the construction project under the two-track LA&SL mainline. A south side view:
A local affected businessman volunteered information to K.P. that two lanes of the underpass will be open by the end of the month. So by August 1, just nine days away, two of the four or five lane underpass should be in public use.
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Schedule information:
Part III: "The Toltec, AZ Area and Eastward" of the "Out of the Blue: From California to Arizona and Back" series is scheduled to be posted Saturday morning, July 23, 2011
Part B of the "Update as of Thursday, July 21, 2011" should be finished and ready for posting Sunday morning, July 24, 2011, and concerns more developments at the Milliken Ave. flyover project in Ontario, CA.
In the posting works: (1) The New Color Light Signals at Colton Crossing in Colton, CA (Does a Decades Old Signal Display and Wiring Error Continue?), and (2) The Jewel of the LA&SL!
Paul_D_North_Jr ... snip .... Good eye, too - that's a "spring frog", no machine needed. The spring is in the housing just to the left of the frog. ... snip ....
desertdog ....snip .... The stacks of wooden ties that continue east past Hermosilla Street tell me that the industrial track that currently leads into Arizona Grain will continue alongside Mains 1 and 2 all the way down to the industries at Peart Road. In addition, there is provision for that new third track at the Trekell Rd., the crossing that sits between Peart and Hermosilla. .... snip ....
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! ***
K. P. Harrier Out of the Blue: From California to Arizona and Back Part I, Section F (of A-G) The Western Casa Grande, AZ Area Some further views, looking west. The old Casa Grande siding has been torn out in preparation for laying Main 2. That branching-off track on the lower left of the above photo goes to background yard-like trackage. So, an eastward movement (towards the camera) in the above photo can actually cross Thornton Rd. without fouling the CTC trackage, though it is a little curvy. In the above photo, note the purple derail sign on the left. Continued in Section G
Part I, Section F (of A-G)
The Western Casa Grande, AZ Area
Some further views, looking west.
The old Casa Grande siding has been torn out in preparation for laying Main 2.
That branching-off track on the lower left of the above photo goes to background yard-like trackage.
So, an eastward movement (towards the camera) in the above photo can actually cross Thornton Rd. without fouling the CTC trackage, though it is a little curvy.
In the above photo, note the purple derail sign on the left.
Good eye, too - that's a "spring frog", no machine needed. The spring is in the housing just to the left of the frog.
Love those curves around the signals in the 2 other photos above, too. Hope those are temporary only. Glad K.P. got photos - it'd be hard to convince anyone that they're real without them.
- Paul North.
MikeF90 @K.P., excellent and thorough coverage as usual. BTW you've captured a pic of something I've rarely seen - the turnout off of future main 2 to the new south industry lead (photo link here) just west of Thornton Road appears to be the moveable point variety. A very busy future switch indeed. Two other puzzlements came to mind: - How are the 'south' sidings west of Thornton Rd being served? Perhaps the former west switch of C.G. siding is a temporary hand throw complex. - The new south lead can't extend beyond the Hwy 84 bridge (map link here) unless the north lead is cut and track shift happens. Alternatively, the new grading and signals near Hermosilla St may indicate that a new switch off new main 2 will be placed nearby. @desertdog, John, it's good to hear from you. Hopefully the monster dust storm two weeks ago didn't impact you too much. EDIT - clarified photo link and language.
@K.P., excellent and thorough coverage as usual. BTW you've captured a pic of something I've rarely seen - the turnout off of future main 2 to the new south industry lead (photo link here) just west of Thornton Road appears to be the moveable point variety. A very busy future switch indeed. Two other puzzlements came to mind:
- How are the 'south' sidings west of Thornton Rd being served? Perhaps the former west switch of C.G. siding is a temporary hand throw complex.
- The new south lead can't extend beyond the Hwy 84 bridge (map link here) unless the north lead is cut and track shift happens. Alternatively, the new grading and signals near Hermosilla St may indicate that a new switch off new main 2 will be placed nearby.
@desertdog, John, it's good to hear from you. Hopefully the monster dust storm two weeks ago didn't impact you too much.
EDIT - clarified photo link and language.
MikeF90:
As things stand now, they mostly use the present long industrial lead on the south side of Main 1 to build unit grain trains from Arizona Grain that eventually head off to Galveston for export. When Track 2 takes over that part of the ROW, my assumption is that the new south lead will have to be built almost back (west) to the Highway 84 overpass in order to perform the same function due to the length of those trains.
Over time, the railroad has eliminated everything that would have stood in the way of doing that. With that in mind, I would expect that from an operating standpoint they (engineering) would prefer to avoid any kind of track shift that would be necessary to accommodate extending it over the highway bridge. We are planning to be in Casa Grande next week and will check to see if there are any telltale wooden ties in the area in question.
I also plan on taking a close look at the west siding switch at Casa Grande to see how trains are getting into the yard from the west.
BTW, thanks for providing the update on miles constructed so far.
As to the dust storms, we just learn to live with it. And as to the heat, it’s a dry heat. But then again, so is a blowtorch...
John Timm
@PDN - Paul, the turnout in question is seen when viewed westward from Thornton Rd (see link in my last post). I hate to repost inline pics since they take up so many column inches .
The photo below is the one that shows the movable point frog - note the switch (?) machine to operate it near the right border:
K. P. Harrier Out of the Blue: From California to Arizona and Back Part I, Section G (of A-G) The Western Casa Grande, AZ Area Looking eastward from Thornton Rd.: The present Main is on the left, the future Main 2 is on the right. The counterpart crossover (to be in the background but this side of the two mast signals) has not been assembled and laid yet. [photo snipped out] A closer, more powerful lens view eastward on the future Main 2: [snipped]
Part I, Section G (of A-G)
Looking eastward from Thornton Rd.: The present Main is on the left, the future Main 2 is on the right. The counterpart crossover (to be in the background but this side of the two mast signals) has not been assembled and laid yet.
[photo snipped out]
A closer, more powerful lens view eastward on the future Main 2:
[snipped]
K.P.,
The stacks of wooden ties that continue east past Hermosilla Street tell me that the industrial track that currently leads into Arizona Grain will continue alongside Mains 1 and 2 all the way down to the industries at Peart Road. In addition, there is provision for that new third track at the Trekell Rd., the crossing that sits between Peart and Hermosilla.
Interestingly, the industrial track that Main two is replacing used to continue east, perhaps all the way to Peart Rd. It was cut back at some point in the Southern Pacific era. In a sense, history is repeating itself.
Part II, Section F (of A-F)
The Eastern Casa Grande, AZ Area
Now, looking EAST from Cox Rd., the single-track present Main goes under I-10. The second-track grading is on the photo right (south); however, on the other side of I-10 the grading is on the left (north).
Cox road dead ends a block or so south (right) of the track, but provides access to important businesses. It cannot be closed! So, apparently, a temporary road has been graded that would allow Cox Rd. to be closed so a second-main can be laid through it.
East of I-10, no second-track has been laid, but the graded area to the north of the present Main is where it will be laid in the future.
The above photo looks westbound from Sunland Gin Road.
That grade crossing at M.P. 924.92 is the site of presently un-activated intermediate signals.
Part III: "The Toltec, AZ Area and Eastward" is scheduled to be posted Saturday morning, July 23, 2011.
Part II, Section E (of A-F)
The next intermediate signals east break a seemingly new tradition, and are NOT by a grade crossing.
The above "tie" train was the right side train in the mood shot of Section D (second photo).
Then the Cox Rd. grade crossing comes along, looking west. The previously shown tie train and above noted signals are visible in the background.
Kind of an interesting reason the track laying didn't continue eastward (towards the camera) ...
Part II, Section D (of A-F)
From Peart Rd. looking westward: All the industrial switching track in the photo center will have to be moved southward (leftward) and rebuilt, and put on wider centers:
From Peart Rd. looking east was that mood shot several posts ago announcing this "Out of the Blue" multi-post series.
As an empty double-stack well-car train flies by, it was noticed that insulated joint installations are now colored white instead of light blue. Also, the rail is stenciled as 141 pounds per yard, higher than the old standard of 133 and 136 pounds per yard various railroads have used for years.
Peart Rd. is also the location of new intermediate signals that have westbound east side lower heads to repeat the indication back at Hermosilla St. (leftward).
On the above photo's left are stoplights for Jimmie Kerr Blvd. (Highway 84) that parallels the tracks.
Part II, Section C (of A-F)
A new grade crossing control box with complicated wiring (and door open) was at the northeast side of Hermosilla St.
Union Pacific workers were all over the place, and running wires underneath the street, etc. K.P. found them friendly and conversational, though somewhat apprehensive because I had a camera and WAS using it. It is hard to convey to those very leery souls that railfans are not lawyer-happy enemies but are generally on their and the rail industry's side.
Anyway, looking west again from Hermosilla St., a telephoto. The track on the left will be rebuilt to Main 2, and assumedly the industrial track built anew to the left of that.
An eastward view: Bundled ties, a number of piles of crushed rock, and a new stretch of repeatedly being ballasted future Main 2's track.
Part II, Section B (of A-F)
Looking the other way from Hermosilla St., eastward, two of three new signal masts are visible.
Normally, masts would be erected on the outside of two-tracks. But, above, the future Main 2 has masts on both sides of it. As in a few other areas, the left, east westbound mast is placed between Main 1 (left) and the future Main 2 (center) because of a future industrial track that will be built on the right and to avoid signal confusion by approaching westbound trains on that industrial track.
Main 1 still does not yet have a mast erected (with signal heads facing BOTH directions), but a buried base is waiting for it.
The present single-track Main with that base (left) and mast (right) visible: View again looks eastward.
Part II (of I-VI), Section A (of A-F)
In downtown Casa Grande and eastward much is currently taking place. The big collection of new signal masts at the Casa Grande Signal Dept. (at Florence St. and Main Ave.) has seeming dwindled a bit. It is unknown if the stacks are being replenished or not.
Looking eastward down along Main Ave. a small portion of the several miles of stacked wooden ties are visible. Not only will the future Main 2 replace the south side industrial track, but the industrial track will have to be replaced with a new alignment. Just to the right of photo center, new signals have been positioned.
Looking west from Hermosilla St.: A pile of gravel-ballast is now actually on that old industrial track:
K. P. Harrier Out of the Blue: From California to Arizona and Back Part I, Section D (of A-G) The Western Casa Grande, AZ Area Between Ethington and Thornton Roads, along the main highway between Maricopa and Casa Grande, is a north side customer, the famous Frito-Lay Company, most noted for potato chips. The Frito-Lay spur curve-crosses the highway to the mainline. But, the point in showing the forum this is the connection to the main(s) and the signal protection at that connection! The two-bulb automatic absolute signal is not on a typical short mast, but rather, on a normal signal height one. This is the first time K.P. has ever seen that. Maybe that was done to give trainmen a clear view of the signal from across the highway. Continued in Section E
Part I, Section D (of A-G)
Between Ethington and Thornton Roads, along the main highway between Maricopa and Casa Grande, is a north side customer, the famous Frito-Lay Company, most noted for potato chips.
The Frito-Lay spur curve-crosses the highway to the mainline.
But, the point in showing the forum this is the connection to the main(s) and the signal protection at that connection!
The two-bulb automatic absolute signal is not on a typical short mast, but rather, on a normal signal height one. This is the first time K.P. has ever seen that. Maybe that was done to give trainmen a clear view of the signal from across the highway.
Great updates! I'm looking forward to your next posting.
As to the height of the absolute signal mast across the road from Frito-Lay, I would concur that it is likely in order to give the crews a clearer view since they manually operate the flashers and gates and flag the crossing on foot, as well. They need to be sure they have permission to enter the main before doing so.
Did you happen to note the height of the absolute signal on the parallel spur just up the road that serves Abbott Laboratories? It should be even further from the highway because the railroad moves away at an angle towards town. If it is on a tall mast, as well, that likely confirms the reason for the added height at Frito-Lay.
The closeness of downtown Casa Grande is seen in the background of the above photo.
The new yard-like track that extends eastward curves for an unknown arrangement to K.P.:
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Part II, "The Eastern Casa Grande, AZ Area," is scheduled to be posted Thursday morning, July 21, 2011
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