Earlier this week, I took a midnight drive to check out the progress of the San Gabriel Trench construction. As it was a midnight drive, detailed progress was tough to see, but I have a couple of thoughts:
San Gabriel trench construction update
UP has started installing track! I only had time to visit the west end of the project before light disappeared. A (probably temporary) switch has been installed, as seen from Chapel Ave:
Long-Arm-Cam reveals another view:
Apparently rail has been pulled far ahead of the tie placement, which currently ends at the wash. The tie train takes up most of the completed (but unballasted) track:
Part of the tie placing equipment:
The head of the 'train' where the rails splay apart:
Hopefully @mudchicken will get some better photos during his visit. This is my first attempt at using a smartphone camera, noticably blurry and with lower resolution.
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! ***
Seen on the wire ... I-10 was closed for about three hours
Railroad officials say that more than 20 of the railcars being towed from Fort Worth to West Cotton, California, derailed about 6:30 a.m. Monday about 40 miles east of Van Horn. The cars contained a variety of cargo.
The RIL Street Running is History …
… and Some Odd Quirks
From the January 27, 2017 Visit
Part “D” (of A-D)
That new railroad bridge over La Cadena Drive has graffiti on it, glaringly so.
The walling steps now have cross fencing at the top.
This will end the series.
-----------
Persistent problems continue to plague the photo posting, so alternative outfits now are being looked into.
Some time is going to be spent by K.P. in learning the finer points of his camera, so postings will probably be reduced for a while.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
Part “C” (of A-D)
The Fogg Street bridge that BNSF (and alternate Sunset Route) passes over is still closed and braced. Maybe the contractor found some defect in the bridge.
Through the opening and in the distance is the cross street, La Cadena Drive.
Continued in Part D
Part “B” (of A-D)
On Congress Street, a sidewalk replaced the tracks. View looks east.
The new end of the line:
Continued in Part C
Part “A” (of A-D)
The Riverside Industrial Lead street running is history now, and the temporary crude paving has been paved over now so everything is smooth for vehicles.
From K and 9th Street, looking south:
Looking northwest:
K Street has the railroad markings for vehicle ‘ground’ off.
For the forum’s information, a portion of the entire concrete tied panel tracks at K and 9th Streets has been taken away, apparently used in the area.
Continued in Part B
Beating a Horse Named Colton to Death
Symbolically, of course! Updates (plural) about activity in Colton, CA, such as the street running elimination on 9th Street as part of the Colton Flyover agreement (the flyover was completed in 2013), seem to never end. On a visit to Colton Friday, January 27, 2017, however, it was found that almost everything appeared to have been completed pertaining to that agreement. While in Colton, too, the closed Fogg Street with a bridge (BNSF-alternate UP Sunset Route) over it was found to still be closed. And, lastly, something rather unbelievable was seen relative to the La Cadena Drive multiple grade separations, graffiti on the new, rust colored three-track Sunset Route railroad bridge. The following photo shows that multiple grade separation arrangement, with the railroad bridge with graffiti on it on the background right.
Photos of all this will be posted sometime next week.
The latest Alameda Corridor East meeting agenda has been uploaded to their website. It included the minutes of the December 2016 meeting, which included a quarterly update on all the projects.
What piqued my interest was the picture they included in updating the San Gabriel Trench. It appeared to show a switch being installed in the trench, near the San Gabriel Mission.
Does that mean that the second main track would be extended eastward from Alhambra to San Gabriel? (If yes, at what point does UP consider "closing the gap" from El Monte westward to the trench?)
Diningcar's post makes perfect sense, particularly when you consider that the cost of extending a bridge to include the possibility of future tracks is borne by the government, not by the railroad.
John Timm
K. P. HarrierThe ACE minutes were seen in the past. The currently one was attempted to be seen, but it made my computer go crazy.
The minutes are just a link to a PDF file. Looking at a PDF within a browser window can be problematic, so I would change the settings to use an external viewer for PDF links.
BTW the latest ACE minutes state that UP has accepted the 'main trench work' and that their track laying now paces the rest of the construction (look out for ballast trains!). From the trench cam it appears that the switch under Ramona St has been moved; time for a new field investigation after the rain ....
The Trinity Rail Express goes through a rapidly growing area between Dallas and Fort Worth. We are constantly receiving requests for new grade crossings. Our policy is if you want a new one you must close two old ones. This has worked.
The current discussion about NEW grade separations would be helped if all understood that:
Each is a separate negotiation between the RR (who owns or has rights to the RR ROW) and the public entity who desires to cross either over or under the ROW and in doing so reduces the owners (RR's) current rights.
The AGREEMENT which results from the negotiation addresses the unique needs of the RR which only the RR can identify. The RR may, or may not, benefit from what ever the public entity is wishing to accomplish. Each situation is unique; and if the RR wishes to eliminate a grade crossing then they may benefit substantially by the grade separation. But we bystanders should understand that in all likeleyhood the RR was operating at that location before the public created infrastructure that desired or necessitated a crossing of the tracks. And the public now wishes to alter the previous agreement which first allowed the crossing.
Almost all existing crossing AGREEMENTS have a history which identifies the uniqueness of that location. We bystanders cannot comment with any accuracy unless we are informed of the background information pertaining to the specific site.
K. P. Harrier I guess the railroads learned the hard way and now protect themselves by specifying four or more track bridges or underpass bridging. Best to all, K.P.
I guess the railroads learned the hard way and now protect themselves by specifying four or more track bridges or underpass bridging.
Best to all,
K.P.
That may explain a bridge problem here in LaGrange Ga. A previous state overpass that was transferred 20+ years ago to city has been condemmed after CSX inspected the bridge over two MTs. It was reported that funds were available to replace bridge but suddenly project has been quietly put off.
Part of these 2MT tracks ( ~ 2 -1/2 miles ) are combination of A&WP and Lineville subs. There you have Montgomery - Manchester, BHM - Manchester, Montgomery - ATL, BHM - ATL trains mixing it up. As such there has been a lot of jam ups lately with many trains having to hold out and a DS's nightmare. Ongoing signal work indicates CSX would like 3 MT ( + ) as side signals being replaced with overhead signal bridges ?
Complicating factor is that the condemmed bridge roadway goes over the RR track at ~ 25 degree angle making span(s) much longer especially if CSX wants 4MT space..
Replies
mvs (1-13):
The ACE minutes were seen in the past. The currently one was attempted to be seen, but it made my computer go crazy.
About the Maricopa, AZ depot, it most certainly would be beneficial to all concerned if the ‘platform’ was extended. But, somehow I’ll bet they won’t even try …
desertdog (1-13):
Diningcar’s input (see below) I thought hit the nail on the head. I’d be curious what you think about it.
diningcar (1-19):
You wrote on January 19, 2017:
diningcarBecause they will never have another opportunity to provide for their future at these grade separations, and because it is their property that is being constrained by the new structure, they opt to protect themselves for whatever the future may bring. RR's have been doing this for a long time, I know of one that has been in place for more than fifty years without another track being built. Most of us as individuals would (should) negotiate for our best future interest if we were giving up property to some government agency.
Most of us as individuals would (should) negotiate for our best future interest if we were giving up property to some government agency.
A case example of who pays for what (a situation) comes to mind. Between Pico Rivera and the City of Industry, east of Los Angeles, the 605 Freeway goes over the LA&SL (UP). Originally, it was a two-track opening but only one-track passed though the opening. Now, two-tracks go through there.
If your concept is right, UP would have to pay a whopping amount of money to widen that two-track opening and add an additional track(s).
(If Metrolink pays for flyovers – a very distinct possibility on the LA&SL – they might pay for another track opening under the 605 Freeway.)
On another matter … Your posts, and anyone else’s, look more correct if REPLIES TO ARE MADE FROM THE POST YOU WANT TO QUOTE. In that case one’s composition can include the quote by pressing the quote button, and the finished product shows quotes as indented and shaded. If quoted using a new post one can’t usually distinguish between the quote and the poster’s main message, and readers are baffled. However, that can be circumvented by starting but never finishing a new post FROM the post you want to quote, and pressing the quote button, then copying what comes up, then afterward closing THAT post effort. In then composing for a new post, all one has to do is paste what you copied. Or, if a confusing post is wanted to be corrected, just paste what was copied as mention above, and erasing the confusing part. Obviously, the Edit button is utilized. I’ve corrected a lot of ‘dumb’ typos that way, if you know what I mean.
SP657E44 (1-19):
A colleague here in the office contacted the Redlands (CA) located San Bernardino Country Museum’s Museum Curator Jennifer Dickerson, and she advised that the museum ‘did NOT receive a railroad wigwag in the last few months,’ which official word obviously seems to be at odds with your post.
Wig-wags: Obviously the one on display isn't the one from 9th street as it's been at the museum for over a decade. The one from 9th street and another from Texas street in Redlands are Not on display at the museum.
A10
[quote user="K. P. Harrier"]
A Quirky, Nearly Off Topic Postings Series
This post series is an odd one, on things pertaining to oftentimes seemingly non-Sunset Route ‘two-tracking’ matters.
Part I (of I-VI)
West Colton Yard and Off Roaders
The Pepper Ave. Bridge over the east end of West Colton Yard (on the Sunset Route at Colton, CA) was visited on Sunday, January 15, 2017. A number of things which K.P. finds odd were seen. But since that location wasn’t visited at length for a while, maybe a few things seen are a new normal.
First, a train OUT of West Colton Yard and beginning its run, before reaching the CTC signal to get on the mainline, CHANGED CREWS!
Is that the new norm, giving train crews more time on the mainline instead of starting their run consumed with duties just getting out of the yard?
That train entering the mainline had a high green signal. It was going to Arizona and parts east.
THAT reminds us of the so far never build Red Rock Yard in Arizona. K.P. thinks the effort was a ruse on UP’s part, as an eastbound yard there just didn’t make sense, at least to K.P. But, in light of the four-track grade separations in Southern California and Arizona that are popping up, it has to make one wonder.
Continued in Part II: Since I have experience with a Class I RR I will offer this in response to the speculation by some about four (4) track spaces beneath newly constructed overpasses.
Because they will never have another opportunity to provide for their future at these grade separations, and because it is their property that is being constrained by the new structure, they opt to protect themselves for whatever the future may bring. RR's have been doing this for a long time, I know of one that has been in place for more than fifty years without another track being built.
Part VI (of I-VI)
Back to the Pepper Ave. Overpass Area
BEFORE the train towards Arizona with a green signal in Part “A” was photographed, the train right before it, another eastbound out of West Colton Yard, had a high green too.
If it had been routed to the BNSF Connector to go to Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and possibly North Platte, it would have had a yellow over yellow.
It is unknown if trains before or after these two did the same thing, but UP is known for fleeting trains. Fleets make it easier for dispatchers, because opposing trains generally go into just a single siding and wait for the opposing fleet to go by Fleeting trains makes it easier for dispatchers to get trains around the other, except when a fleet meets a fleet. In that case, jockeying train positions with a fleet needs to be done BEFORE or after meeting a fleet.
Part V (of I-VI)
The Wig-Wag that is NOT!
It has been said in this forum that the wigwag that was (“was”) on 9th Street at “M” Street in Colton, CA and taken down with the elimination of street running thereat …
Photo dated November 11, 2016
… is now at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands, less than 10 miles to the east.
Investigative K.P. visited that museum, and found a wigwag there all right, but museum staff indicated it has been there for years. It also is on a metal pole whereas the 9th Street one had a telephone pole type arrangement. (Compare the top photo with the ones below.)
A reply email from the museum’s Curator is pending. A very unlikely possibility is that the museum received another wigwag (the one that was in Colton) and it is in storage somewhere, but that seems unlikely.
Continued in Part VI
Part IV (of I-VI)
A Rebuilt Bridge and another Bad Sign
From that south side, an eastward view (railroad southbound) shows the Oasis Road grade crossing in the distance, just past M.P. 442.
Above, note that road (“road” if we can call it that) on the lower right.
On the northeast side, a westward view towards Palmdale.
Looking south towards the Palmdale Cutoff track with the San Bernardino Country “County Line Road” on the left half, and 263rd Street on the right Los Aneles County half.
That road is so bad your fillings might come out, so avoid it if you visit the area, just twenty minutes northwest from Cajon Pass.
The point, though, is the embankment that was put in is just another example of how railfans are finding it harder and harder to photograph trains. ‘No Parking’ signs, walls, and now embankments are making views of the track scarcer and scarcer. Of course, one might think the long stretches along the Sunset Route on Interstate 8 would be available, but one cannot stop on an Interstate freeway. And those long stretches are where the next two-tracking most likely will be carried on at. Thus, the documenting of two-tracking in the future is going to have challenging moments, more so than not.
Continued in Part V
Part III (of I-VI)
K.P. operates out of the High Desert in Southern California. Therein, technically in Llano (pronounced yah-no), is a bridge over the Palmdale Cutoff in the M.P. 441 area. The Palmdale Cutoff wyes into the Sunset Route at the east end of West Colton Yard in the Colton (CA) area.
The old bridge was rebuilt, and just recently was opened to vehicle traffic again.
It has all the earthquake reinforcements, and I suppose for derailments too.
In the just above photo, did you notice the track is not seen clearly, especially on the right?
It was graded in such a way, with a two-sided embankment that non-railroads and non-bridge maintenance people would be discouraged from going over to reach the track.
Continued in Part IV
Part II (of I-VI)
Off roaders, you wonder? Yes, ATC’s and the like. Just south of the Departure Yard at West Colton Yard there were a bunch of parked vehicles with ATC’s running around.
Was that a new off roader’s convention of an annual meet, or a weekly event, or something else? K.P. has never seen that before. And he has visited the area for almost fifty years!
The middle photo of headlights coming towards the camera was one of those cases the headlights fooled the camera light meter!
Roving around on Pepper Ave. the new bridge over the I-10 Freeway was seen to be moving fast in its construction. The west new part is open, and the east OLD bridge was removed and the new one has started to be visibly obvious.
Continued in Part III
Continued in Part II
mvs K. P. Harrier Finally, Getting to Replies If someone was missed … … and would like a reply, want details, or an opinion, please speak up. An effort was made to included everyone that had questions or reply thoughts, but things get missed. Take care all, K.P. K.P.: Have you seen the monthly meeting agendas posted to the Alameda Corridor East project website? Each month's agenda includes the minutes from a previous month; on a quarterly basis there are detailed project status updates. It's a good read (www.theaceproject.org/current_bmagendas.php). +++++ By the way, K.P. and desertdog, I'm surprised that the Maricopa Amtrak station won't relocate. I'm glad they are starting construction on the overpass soon. I sure hope they lengthen the Amtrak platform, if they keep it at its current spot.
K. P. Harrier Finally, Getting to Replies If someone was missed … … and would like a reply, want details, or an opinion, please speak up. An effort was made to included everyone that had questions or reply thoughts, but things get missed. Take care all, K.P.
If someone was missed …
… and would like a reply, want details, or an opinion, please speak up.
An effort was made to included everyone that had questions or reply thoughts, but things get missed.
Take care all,
K.P.: Have you seen the monthly meeting agendas posted to the Alameda Corridor East project website? Each month's agenda includes the minutes from a previous month; on a quarterly basis there are detailed project status updates. It's a good read (www.theaceproject.org/current_bmagendas.php).
+++++
By the way, K.P. and desertdog, I'm surprised that the Maricopa Amtrak station won't relocate. I'm glad they are starting construction on the overpass soon. I sure hope they lengthen the Amtrak platform, if they keep it at its current spot.
K.P.: The request for space to accomodate four tracks is indeed made more interesting by the fact that the railroad has already requested this in another location.
mvs: As to extending the platform, once SR347 is closed off, there should be no reason / excuse not to do so. Assuming the city owns the land or gets the required easements, it could be lengthened in either direction.
That said, I wonder if there are any plans to replace the present "Amshack" with a more permanent structure.
K. P. HarrierFinally, Getting to Replies If someone was missed … … and would like a reply, want details, or an opinion, please speak up. An effort was made to included everyone that had questions or reply thoughts, but things get missed. Take care all, K.P.
Finally, Getting to Replies
desertdog (1-10):
That most certainly was surprising news, that the Maricopa, AZ Amtrak station would not have to be moved nor the CZ tail dome cars thereat either because ADOT redesigned the future Highway 347 overpass as per the people’s request.
It’s great that the overpass will begin construction the fall of 2017 (THIS YEAR) and end by the end of 2019.
That belated news clip indicates the specifications from UP for the Highway 347 Highway overpass in Maricopa, AZ is for FOUR tracks. Since the new Sunset Route over and underpasses in Southern California are likewise for four-tracks, I am so curious if the great master plan is to four-track the Sunset Route between El Paso, TX and Los Angeles, CA? Wouldn’t that be something?
ChuckCobleigh (10-27):
Your “idle speculation” is a good one. However, there were some trains moving on the Transcon. Baffling situation …
diningcar (10-27):
What you saw on the Trancon during your multi-state trip is exactly what I was expecting, but what I saw was very different. Surely it was just a fluke.
matthewsaggie (11-30):
Yes, there is actually a grade crossing there, more for pedestrians than anything.
Sometime in February the historical group involved with the Spadra Cemetery will be visiting the Cemetery (out of view on the above lower photo’s right account of the 57 Freeway). At that time it is hoped I will be able to get close-up photos of that grade crossing.
kgbw49 (12-4):
I’ll let you know if I see any ghosts on the visit to the cemetery in February. I’m betting against it, but my camera will be ready …
Pete-M3 (12-5):
That section between North Ontario and Fontana (CA) lingers on as single-track. The LA&SL two-tracks to the south takes the urgency away from two-tracking that North Ontario to Fontana section
ccltrains (12-5):
Do you know if that Dallas, TX two-tracking of the ‘Kessler Bypass’ is finished now?
Some 100 years ago the Missouri Pacific predecessor must not have had much clout, because they allowed Kessler to add mileage and operating expense to their operations. Amazing!
While the Dallas track is technically not on the Sunset Route, it makes for broadening our perspectives and awareness. If I can ever get over to that Brazos River ‘sinking’ Sunset Route bridge in Richmond near Houston I should include the Dallas two-tracking on my itinerary.
BNSF6400 (12-5):
Interesting perspective!
One of the nice aspects of diesel power is that units can go anywhere, including other railroads. The concept of “run through” would be severely handicapped with electrification, and that power could only go from Point A to Point B. All the other “Points” in the country, say C through Z, electrified locomotives could not visit, at least in revenue service.
mvs (12-6):
Thanks for expanding on ccltrain’s Dallas thoughts. I learned something new on all this.
eolesen (12-7):
Yes, you’re probably right! Probably very right!
ccltrains (12-7):
Thanks for elaborating.
kgbw49 (12-7):
Yes, a tax credit would be an incentive for additional two-tracking. So would doing away with the Positive Train Control regulation, sort of. The railroads have spent so much money and are so far along with it now that staying on course may be the only practical thing to do.
MikeF90 (12-7):
Yes, a switch will have to be cut in ‘somewhere’ in the San Gabriel Trench. Your mention of Chapel Ave. is a good guess. I think the only reason that switch is by Ramona Street is that that spot was a convenient place to stage it. It is too confining in to store it in the area where it has to be cut in at.
rdamon (12-12):
Wow! Those were great artists conceptions of what is planned at Ruthrauff Road in Tucson, AZ, an overpass Forum contributor eolesen was right! Man, is that going to take a lot of bucks to do that!
One thing conspicuously absent in the artist’s conceptions is the signaling that is currently present. That is the location with an odd east side westbound Main 1 LEFT mast signal BETWEEN Mains 1 and 2.
Norm48327 (12-18):
I’ve had mixed result with the Nikon in Aperture mode, very mixed results
Some time (more like a bunch of time) is going to be devoted to getting the digital camera thoroughly understood. My film (“film”) Nikons and Hasselblad of the long ago past were simple in comparison. Complicating photography is the photo hosting service I’ve been using is going crazy, apparently with some type of virus. The problem resurfaced after I thought it went away. And, my word processor for composing posts has taken a radical turn towards the mysterious. So, if I’m mysteriously gone for a while, you will know why … I’ll be trying to unscramble everything …
Hey, Norm! A problem that has reoccurred more than wanted is auto exposure of trains nearly head-on. The bright headlight makes photos very dark. Do you, or anyone, have a hocus-pocus solution to this? A manual presetting the settings is the only thing I can think of to solve the problem.
Electroliner 1935 (12-18):
Ah, a drone! My youngest boy, of drinking age now, HAS a drone! Maybe him and I, the next time he visits, should go alongside the Sunset Route and see what kind of aerial shots can be gotten. Now watch … The drone’s batteries will die and the drone will crash in West Colton Yard and be run over by a freight car being humped …
Pete-M3 (12-20):
Yes, it’s a DSLR Nikon. I haven’t checked the settings in a while because I’ve just been too busy, and most of the settings don’t have to be adjusted on the typical photography I do. As mentioned to Norm48327 (12-18) above, I’m going to lay low for a while and try to resolve and perfect several troublesome areas, including that maddening photo hosting service I’ve used.
ccltrains (12-23) and SP657E44 (12-26):
News of that wigwag that was on 9th Street in Colton (CA) being at the museum in Redlands was most interesting news. Now, THAT I want to get a photo of!
I was in the museum vicinity just Wednesday, but didn’t have the time to stop.
Electroliner 1935 (1-6) and mvs (1:7):
The San Gabriel Trench’s fence gates for access to the trench’s bottom seem to have a future lock position.
My guess is that eventually there will be one way locks on those door gates, so anybody would need to have a key to open the gate to go down into the trench, but in an emergency anyone down in the trench could open the gate to get out.
Number Three 1950 (10-18):
The upgrading the ABS signals west of Phoenix on the Phoenix Line may be a lessor of two evils type thing.
Even more crazy is the ex-BNSF (Santa Fe) line through Azusa, CA, once used by the Super Chief. The Gold Line commuter people relocated and rebuilt that freight line, and put in new ABS signals as before which were old ones.
In both cases, it would probably cost more to get government permission to darken the line than just to put up cheap new ABS signals. With simple ABS, not even expensive CP boxes are needed.
SP657E44 (10-18):
All the signals on the east slope of Tehachapi are working.
Photos dated June 1, 2016
MikeF90 (10-9)
If I’m not mistaken, all that single-track territory in Arizona (and even the old two-track sections) has the newer SP style CP boxes. Thus, in theory, only the old heads need to be changed out to the color light type.
MikeF90 (10-11):
I’ve been pondering posting photos in a larger format, but the biggest probable would be the ADDED time for ALL the photos to come up in posts. It is bad enough now with small photos.
ccltrains (10-13):
Was glad that the posted photos of original California Zephyr dome car Silver Horizon at Maricopa, AZ brought back pleasant memories of your experience on a VIA trip Montreal-Halifax (Canada) roundtrip a few years ago.
There are few things like riding in a dome car. The wife and I rode the Rio Grande Zephyr in 1982 between Salt Lake City, UT and Denver, CO roundtrip. At the time I never imagined the Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) would eventually become part of the Union Pacific system, and that power that goes through Maricopa could roam the system and eventually visit that D&RGW route. It is unknown how often it happens, but Sunset Route power could conceivably pass over that Via route in eastern Canada you traversed.
Talking about pool power, a colleague and I recently were tipped off about a train out of West Colton Yard (on the Sunset Route) going over the Palmdale Cutoff and the through what is known as the High Desert. It had NS and CSX power in the consist.
Ironically, the lead UP unit lost its dynamic brakes, and the train was stopped. The line was blocked for almost 12 hours Reportedly the train eventually continued north to the next siding with the engineer running the train from the second unit, while the conductor in the lead unit blew the horn at grade crossings and called back signals. In the siding the train was tie down and the crew waited for a ride to their home base.
Anyway, the above was quite a mouthful after an intended short reply …
ccltrains (10-13A):
Yes, the power plant on the Phoenix Line west of Buckeye is the Palo Verde plant.
You say the SPV map shows the line west of there to Roll “abandoned,” but I’ve only heard it was ‘out of service.’
Personally, I can’t imagine Amtrak ever running Nos. 1 and 2 via Phoenix again, especially if a new station in Maricopa is built or the walkways of the same one lengthened. The present route bypassing Phoenix is way cheaper to operate for Amtrak. Going through Phoenix would be nice, but I think the practicality of the present route bypassing Phoenix will win out
Of course, who knows what will happen when Trump becomes President in latter January. Maybe he will foot the bill to restore the out of service Phoenix Line. Maybe he will fund the remaining two-tracking of the Sunset Route. A lot of question and possibilities right now …
blue streak 1 (10-15):
Question Group 1: The last signal block on the west (somewhere west of Buckeye, AZ), out of it in both directions, had lit red signals, with the heads having three lamps It is unknown whether the signals west of that last signal photographed are in place or were removed.
Question Group 2: I have no knowledge of past pole lines. When you say bungalows, there is NO bungalows out that way. Smaller intermediate and grade crossing boxes yes, but no CTC bungalows as the line is only Automatic Block Signals (ABS).
Question Group 3: The familiarity with your terminology is lacking on my part. But most of that line is jointed rail, if that helps.
The photos taken on my last visit to the area show all jointed rail, with the exception of grade crossings, with seems to have welded rail through them.
Questions 4 and 5: Modern welded bond wires connect the rails.
MikeF90 (10-16):
A commuter train from Phoenix west to SR-85 and then south to Gila Bend doesn’t sound like a ‘medical weed’ matter to me, though that is kind of funny. It is possible someone (“someone”) or a group has bought up a large portion of that land, and is promoting the concept, standing to make a killing if the idea catches on.
ChuckCobleigh (10-16):
Such an overall high average may be a little misleading, as nowhere near that is currently reading this thread. It may be because there is no two-tracking going on, and two-tracking may be what viewers want to read about.
It is wondered if Trump will unintentionally increase the viewers of this thread …
ChuckCobleigh (10-16A):
Yes, Calipatria!
That north-south track at one time was ABS. I guess SP got permission to make it dark. Even if those south of the border investors get the Carrizo route open and trains traverse the famed wooden Goat trestle, at THIS time I don’t see much promise of the Calexico Sub running more trains through Calipatria. But, I’m all eyes about what Trump will do (for America and NOT Mexico) and if he is successful.
eolesen (10-17):
Agreed! And I would like to get out to Maricopa, AZ and see and photograph that heavy backing up of cars on Highway 347 when Amtrak Nos. 1 and 2 shows up. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that will happen, and unless a miracle happens, it will be in spring or summer before I can get out that way again. And, then it will be dark again …
rdamon (10-17):
Interesting article!
Again, I will believe it when I see it.
The Trump factor may affect the situation as with ‘the best laid plans of men and mice.’
Breathing Fire
In recent times the photo service K.P. uses to post photos in this thread and others had dramatically degraded and was severely troublesome. Even the Internet was abuzz about that company! In the last few days, through emails, K.P. breathed fire on the photo service in absolute no uncertain terms. Such must have terrified their corporate management, as they could see the writing on the wall. One of the most effective threats anyone could ever use struck a chord! Just a little while ago, the “Cajon Pass Triple-Tracking Updates” thread was posted in, just after new photos were uploaded to the photo service. That uploading was trouble free. All the maddening popups that would take over the computer and make it useless were gone. (K.P.’s computer is protected by DeepFreeze that protects the computer from permanent damage.)
In case any are wonder what was posted, a crane was a key item in rebuilding a winding road. Also, a cantilever signal structure was in the last photo. Numerous LA&SL trains get off the BNSF tracks there and take the Palmdale Cutofff to the Sunset Route.
So, hopefully, that photo posting problem was permanently fixed.
The replies preparation is coming along nicely. Expect something in a week to as little as a few days.
Best,
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