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Sunset Route Two-Tracking Updates

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Sunday, November 14, 2010 6:51 AM

Status Overview as of Saturday, November 6, 2010:

City of Industry to Pomona, CA

Part III, Section A (of A-D)

Reconciling Inconsistent New Signaling

PHOTO "A":

From downtown Pomona the SP Sunset Route presently heads west on single-track (towards the camera). 

PHOTO "B":

That SP track will be relocated over to the LA&SL line, which is being expanded from two to four tracks, with that whole project called "The Diversion." 

In the above photo, our Main "D" designation is the left graded strip, whereas Main "A" is the visible track on the upper right.

PHOTO "C":

Toward the western end of the Diversion, the SP-side tracks will swing back to the original Sunset Route Line.  That swinging back starts on the far right of the below photo. 

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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Sunday, November 14, 2010 7:26 AM

Status Overview as of Saturday, November 6, 2010:

City of Industry to Pomona, CA

Part III, Section B (of A-D)

Reconciling Inconsistent New Signaling

PHOTO "D":

Back unto the original SP Sunset Route now, the line passes the below new mast.  Westbound is towards the camera, which was positioned on the Grand Ave. overpass. 

It previously was pointed out that that signal would need a lower head for eastbound trains (going away from the camera) when the Diversion is in effect, because there would be a diverging route west of Temple Ave. (See PHOTO "C" top right)

So, how can the signal in PHOTO "D" that does NOT have a west side eastbound lower head be reconciled with the fact that such would be needed after the Diversion was in effect?

This poster now believes the single-track SP Main that comes in from the west will be routed over the Main "C" alignment in the Diversion, and head east.  After passing the present [CP] C030 ROSELAWN, as Main C approaches the straightaway to the present [CP] AL514 HAMILTON on the Diversion's east end, it would transition to and hookup with Main "D" just WEST of the present old [CP] AL514 HAMILTON, and thereafter head east.

At the western edge of the Diversion, west of Temple Ave., LA&SL Main 2 will be transition shifted to Main "A," and LA&SL Main 1 would be transition shifted over to Main "B."

At the east part of the Diversion, as previously indicated, Main "C" would transition to Main "D" and continue eastward as SP Main 1; and Main "B" would transition to Main "C" and continue eastward as SP Main 2 (in the future, presently identified as LA&SL Main 1).  The present old [CP] AL514 HAMILTON could remain in effect.  Basically, all that would be needed would be a left hand switch west of Hamilton Blvd. to connect with Main "A" at [CP] C031 OAK.  That new switch likely would be a concrete tied switch on the otherwise wood tied Main "C." (There will be more on that later.)

Diagram 1:  Conjectured Future Temporary Arrangement

  •  
  •  
  •                                     POMONA
  •  
  •                              Old CP AL514 HAMILTON
  •  
  •  
  •                                              Main "D"
  •                          ---------------------------------
  •                         /            / \    Main "C"
  • -------                /    -----ooo----------------------
  •        \              /    /      o New
  •         \            /    /      /  Temporary
  •          \  Main "C"/    /      /   Turnout
  • ----      ----------    /      /
  •     \      /  Main "B" /      /              Main "A"
  • --   ------------------    -------------------------------
  •   \         Main "A"      / Old CP
  •    -----------------------   OAK
  •  
  •  

That would get the Diversion up and running.  In the Diversion itself, the graded-only Main "D" would remain trackless.

With Main "D" unlade, the missing lower west facing eastbound head on the mast east of Grand Ave. would not be needed (PHOTO "D"), explaining the head's present absence.

PHOTO "E":

The "New Temporary Turnout" would NOT be the one installed earlier this year on the west side of Hamilton Blvd.

 

PHOTO "F":

Rather, the "New Temporary Turnout" would be just beyond (west) of the present west limits of the CP, and the present signal would need to be reposition further west and an additional eastbound signal added to protect the turnout route.

As a memory aid, the following PRESENT track layout is diagrammed:

Diagram 2:  Present (November 14, 2010) layout and CP AL514 HAMILTON. 

  •  
  •                                      POMONA
  •  
  •    SP Main                                   SP Main
  • -------------------------      ----------------------------
  •            \      /      \    /       / \    LA&SL Main 1
  •             ------     -------      -----------------------
  •                       /            /
  •                      /            /
  •    LA&SL Main 1     /            /
  • --------------------            /
  •    LA&SL Main 2                /             LA&SL Main 2
  • -----------------------------------------------------------
  •                          CP C031 OAK
  •  

Continued in Section C

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Sunday, November 14, 2010 7:40 AM

Status Overview as of Saturday, November 6, 2010:

City of Industry to Pomona, CA

Part III, Section C (of A-D)

Reconciling Inconsistent New Signaling

PHOTO "G"

The following previously shown view (from 2009) looks westward from Grand Ave. 

This forumist is inclined to believe when Main "D" is laid in the Diversion, it will continue westward (where the telephone poles are) and follow the curve in the background of the above PHOTO "G," and ...

PHOTO "H":

... will connect unto the east end of the WALNUT siding, with the siding becoming Main 1. 

PHOTO "I":

The west end of the WALNUT siding (left) goes over Lemon Ave.  View looks east down the present Main, the future Main 2. 

Continued in Section D

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Sunday, November 14, 2010 8:10 AM

Status Overview as of Saturday, November 6, 2010:

City of Industry to Pomona, CA

Part III, Section D (of A-D)

Reconciling Inconsistent New Signaling

PHOTO "J":

This is the actual present west end of the WALNUT siding, looking westward: 

In the above photo, note the familiar advertising signs in the background that limits use in the right-of-way. (Such signs presently also block a second main west of Sierra Ave. in Fontana, at the western edge of West Colton Yard.)

This forumist believes the west end of WALNUT will be rebuilt, with the background Main alignment shifting to the present siding (which will be rebuilt too) and become Main 1, and continue eastward and become Main "D" in the actual Diversion trackage.

PHOTO "K":

In that scenario, the physical plant of the old [CP] AL514 HAMILTON will be rearranged slightly, and the two new CP boxes presently at the Colton Signal Dept. will finally be brought to Pomona and installed. 

The above photo was shot before the Colton Signal Dept. area had a new module brought in, hence both CP boxes are rather clearly visible.

Diagram 3:  The Conjectured (Almost) Final Arrangement

  •  
  •  
  •                                         POMONA
  •  
  •                                 New CP AL514 HAMILTON
  •  
  •  
  •                                               
  •            Main "D"                          
  • ---------             -----------------------------------
  •          \          /               \         /
  • -------   \        /   ----------------------------------
  •        \   \      /   /              /       \
  •         \   -----    /              /      ---------
  •          \Main / "C"/              /      /         \
  • ----      ----------     ----------------            \
  •     \       /  Main "B" /       /                     \
  • --   -------------------   ------------------------------
  •   \         Main "A"      / 
  •    -----------------------

"(Almost) Final" because the combination of CP AL515 RESERVOIR and CP C033 WO TOWER (both east of CP AL514 HAMILTON) will probably remain until the SP Pomona-Fontana segment is two-tracked, and the LA&SL Pomona-BON VIEW segment is two-tracked as well.

The temporary new turnout designated by o's in Diagram 1, after it no longer was needed, could be relocated to the most eastern switch position on Main "D" in Diagram 3.  That would explain the present absence of a most eastern concrete tied switch for Main "D."

In PHOTO "E" a background curve to the right is seen.  The mast signal in PHOTO "D" would probably be eliminated and two intermediate mast signals erected visually somewhere before the background curve in PHOTO "E."  The intermediate signal for Main 2 (that would become Main "C" in the Diversion) that faces west for eastbound traffic WOULD HAVE a lower single-bulb head, unlike the probably temporary signal in PHOTO "D."

The mysterious absence of a signal bridge or four masts for the west side of the future CP AL514 HAMILTON is probably to allow for an unobstructed right-of-way for the massive track realignment that will be needed just WEST of the present CP AL514 HAMILTON.

Finally, please, please remember that all the above is only conjectural and NOT official.  But, it is believed the logic in its development is meritorious.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by MikeF90 on Sunday, November 14, 2010 4:55 PM

K.P., much thanks for the close up photos of the Al sub Nogales St. bridge. That's very bizarre that it doesn't look very 'two track' ready at all, especially after spending all of those taxpayer $$$ Angry .

I'll be extremely surprised to see any 'temporary'' facilities installed near CP Hamilton. The thought of reconfiguring existing active signaling equipment and possibly add a few more masts to that forest is definitely head exploding. IMO it's just a short term budgeting issue - a new signal bridge will allow Serious track shifting and cutover in stages (less disruptive).

Latest first steps guess - Complete new signaling equipment installations, temporarily single track the LA sub east of CP Grand, remove 'obstacles' , cut in the new main 'A'.

mvs
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Posted by mvs on Sunday, November 14, 2010 6:32 PM

K. P. Harrier
mvs (11-12):

The CP that I'm dying to find out about is CP AL501 NEW SIDING.  When the 'Up and Over' is two-tracked, there will no longer technically be a siding.  Will the CP be renamed to CP AL501 WEST MARNE?

rdamon (11-13):

Just north of the LA&SL two-track line at Nogales St. is Railroad St.  With the new underpass, I wonder if they will dig it down also for a lowered "T" intersection, or close it

K.P.

Thank you K.P. for the photo essay and guesswork.  The Walnut Siding will need upgrading from jointed rail.

 

Regarding Railroad Street, I think Railroad Street will no longer connect to Nogales and will be a dead-end cul-de-sac.

 

Now, for an interesting tidbit:

According to the website linked here, the area around New Siding, at Milepost 501, used to be known as the Twenty-Seven X-Over in the days of SP.  What is the significance of the Twenty-Seven?

The Twenty-Seven X-Over was 32.5 miles west of what is now the Nine X-Over, as shown on a slightly old UP railfan-made timetable here.

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Posted by MikeF90 on Monday, November 15, 2010 3:05 PM

Here's my speculated 'stick turnout' diagram for an upgraded CP Hamilton. Not to scale, hopefully the text coloring is readable. FYI diagram uses 10 pt Courier New font.

--- lead/former MT ------/-------\------/---------D--- Al sub
                          /-------\-/--/--\-------C--- LA #1 to CP Reservoir
--- future Al sub -  D   / /---/---/-------\-\    B  - future LA sub
--- Al    -----------C--/ /   /               \  
--- LA #1 -----------B---/   /                 \   
--- LA #2 -----------A------/-------------------\-A--- LA #2 to CP WO Tower

UPDATE: after studying K.P.'s layout more, I bow Bow to the master. I like the traffic flow even better than a pure symmetrical layout.

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Posted by locomatt63 on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 12:48 PM

Hey K.P.,

  Just letting you know that the "Two Tracking" here in AZ is alive and moving along again, however the UP article said 9miles worth, well this is I think a little off, I was in the Maricop/Casa Grande area yesterday (Mon) and they are laying track from just west of Casa Grande (near the Frito-Lay Plant), and tracking WESTWARD towards CP East Maricopa, it seems to me that UP has re-surfaced/tamped the siding at Shawmut and are making preparations to hook the new rail with the CP and therefore will displace CP Shawmut as a passing siding similar as to what happened at CP Mobile passing siding.

I took pictures, however have not been able to figure out how to post on this site, so I have them posted on the Trainorders site, under the Sunset Route Two Tracking byline, under the Western Railroads Board..

Matthew Stull
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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 2:02 PM

locomatt63 (11-16):

That is absolutely super news, Matthew!

Thanks for the tipoff.

K.P.

PS:  I just checked trainsorders.com where your photos are at, but it looks like there is an annual fee to even access the photos you mentioned.

For posting photos here where everyone can see them for free, if you have a photobucket.com account, once you post a photo thereat, hold the mouse over the photo and a pop-down will display.  Copy the SECOND of four links (the direct link), and "Paste" it onto your trains.com composition; then "Cut" it and use the greenish-blue window-like button to bring up a display box, "Paste" the photo link there, and close the window.  If the composition looks OK (and the photos), you are ready to post the composition for everyone to see.

PSS:  It is hoped you try the above ... Many at this forum would love to see what you photographed in Arizona!

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Thursday, November 18, 2010 11:07 AM

Time Warping to New Mexico

In May 2009 K.P. made a rather bizarre whirlwind California to New Mexico and back trip.  With the recent news that two-tracking has resumed in both California and Arizona, a review of photo files was made, and a few photo locations were found that are believed to have never been photo-posted about here in this thread ...

Deming, New Mexico

From the Ruby Street grade crossing (M.P. 1208.20), looking east: 

In the above photo, Main 2 is on the right, and is undoubted the new track.  Intermediate signals are in the background.  Just left of the green grain car on the left is a signal.  This poster is uncertain exactly what that signal's relationship is to the Sunset Route, but a parallel north side BNSF branch is present that hooks onto the BNSF north-south Albuquerque, NM to El Paso, TX main.

A view looking west from Ruby Street:  Amtrak #1 (the Sunset Limited) is headed into the sunset.  The background signals are at [CP] S1107 DEMING JCT (M.P. 1207.0). 

Lisbon, New Mexico

At [CP] S1160 LISBON (M.P. 1160.0) is the east end of the south side 8457-feet long LISBON siding off Main 2. 

At the west end of the LISBON siding is a double crossover, CP S1158 LISBON (M.P. 1158.3).

Main 2 is eastbound biased, so, while all the tracks here are bidirectional, most siding exiting trains likely are from left to right in the photo above.

California-Texas

Now that two-tracking has resumed, it is K.P.'s desire to revisit the line within the next six months, under a not-so-whirlwind of a travel situation.  If I can pull that off, hopefully I'll have some photos to share with the forum, unless, of course, someone beats me to it (hint, hint).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Monday, November 22, 2010 10:38 AM

Update as of Sunday Night, November 21, 2010:

Ontario-Riverside, CA

The following observations were made during a few hours of free time during an unexpected nighttime dispatch to the above noted area.

In Ontario at Bon View Ave., M.P. 520.98, the new tri-light signals are still NOT in service.

Further east, at Milliken Ave., M.P. 525.40, at the site of a future flyover grade separation, no discernable flyover activity seems to have taken place.

In Riverside on the LA&SL, at the Magnolia Ave. grade separation (underpass) construction site, there was a higher mound of dirt present.

As a time reminder ...

The whole "Up and Over" in the City of Industry is scheduled for completion by winter, which only is a month away.  So, two-tracks should (theoretically, anyway) come to exist within a month between the west end of the present BASSETT siding (M.P. 497.1) and E. MARNE (M.P. 503.9).

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Thursday, November 25, 2010 9:50 AM

Update as of Wednesday November 23, 2010:

Ontario, CA

Part A (of A-B)

Did bin Laden Blowup a Sunset Route Grade Crossing?

This forumist does NOT really think so!  Nor does he have specific evidence that a grade crossing was blown up.  But, by checking out the following photos you may wonder ...

This previously shown photo looks east from Milliken Ave. (M.P. 525.20).

In the above photo, note the cement panels between the rails, and the pavements on the outsides of the rails.

Yesterday, when checking out the Milliken Ave. grade crossing for any progress on the future flyover there, I ran into a railbuff (who wishes to remain anonymous) who had a laptop ... and since I had a flash drive ... I was able to obtain the following photo ...

He said the photographed grade crossing panels were about five inches above the railheads!

In that other railfan's photo just above, note how deteriorated the old roadway pavement is.

However, the grade crossing was found yesterday to have seemingly been nicely rebuilt!

Note the new concrete panels that are now on the outsides of the rails.  Also, there are red outline markings by the panel edges that were not present previously.

Had a fast train pricked and blown-up the panels in a spectacular grade crossing show for waiting motorists?  Or, had someone called the grade crossing hotline and advised UP of the danger?  Whatever the situation, the panels are now in a very safe status ...

Continued in Part 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Thursday, November 25, 2010 10:26 AM

Update as of Wednesday November 23, 2010:

Ontario, CA

Part B (of A-B)

The Milliken Ave. Flyover

As you can see in the third photo in Part A, very little has taken place regarding the future flyover there.  However, a new crossing gates control box was placed AWAY from the track on the southeast side of the grade crossing.

So, apparently, a shoefly will be built on the SOUTH side of the track, very close to the tan background building in the above photo.

A couple of continuous welded rails have been at the site for some time.  The following view looks west towards the nearby GUASTI siding.

When the flyover is finished, a future second-main could be laid on the below previously shown photo's left (south) side, and would align with the GUASTI siding visible in the distance.

Logically, then, two-tracking the Sunset Route between Pomona and West Colton Yard ([CP] AL533 SIERRA in Fontana) would seem to be at least a few years away, to allow time to build the Milliken Ave. flyover.  Perhaps that is why the big advertising signs in the way of a second main west of Sierra Ave. (photo background) ...

... have not been taken down yet!

------------

Everything is pretty quiet in the Pomona-Industry area.  However, Sunset Ave. under the new 'Up and Over' in the City of Industry area is NOW open!  And, K.P. has photos of never before posted views and angles!  Look for a selection in two to three days ...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by narig01 on Thursday, November 25, 2010 12:41 PM
K.p. One thing that probable conributed to the situation. Milliken Av is the of 2 of the largest truck stops in the area. In addition to the huge number of warehouses across the tracks from those truck stops(/ travel centers). Also the location of the nearest public scale. The amount of wear and tear is quite heavy.I will state that I think the whole intersection needs a serious rethink. (In my opinion ). The grade crossing it self should be eliminated. Part of the problem is the city of ontario . The city seems to want the tax revenue that comes with the development but has been unwilling to deal with the lack of places for trucks to park . Thx ign
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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Friday, November 26, 2010 5:33 PM

MikeF90 (11-14/15):

About the west end of the future CP AL514 HAMILTON, its signals, and track rearrangements thereat:  Your recent posts caused this poster to reevaluate matters, and that reevaluate changed his thinking slightly, and opened up an explanation for the present absence of new signals on the west side of the CP.  But, it will take some time to put together a case and prepare a post.

rdamon ...

You may be interested in the reply to mvs below.

mvs (11-14):

In response to my reply to rdamon on November 13, you, mvs, suggested that Railroad St. (in the City of Industry that presently "T" intersects into Nogales St.) would be turned into "a dead-end cul-de-sac."  I now concur, especially after reviewing the Alameda Corridor East artist's conception of the future Nogales St. underpass that will go under the LA&SL mains.

(For any forumist that may be reading this reply to mvs, the artist's conception can be found at the following link:  http://www.theaceproject.org/nogalessouth.htm.)

After looking at aerials of the subject streets, I must confess that I had gotten north-south streets mixed up in my mind.  And getting things mixed up and saying weird things is a sign of having too many coals in the fire, at least for me.  My wife will be going to Hawaii for a week soon.  Maybe I should just buy a ticket and go with her ... That should give an over taxed mind some rest, if you, mvs, have ever had the experience ...

narig01 (11-23):

Things economically are reportedly getting better and increased freight car loadings seem to substantiate that.  Maybe sometime in the future Ontario will finally have some money to pump into improving the very bad situations you mentioned around Milliken Ave. and the M.P. 525.40 area of the Sunset Route.

Take care all,

K.P.

PS:  It looks like the "Up and Over" Sunset Ave. being open material should be ready for posting Sunday morning, November 28, 2010.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Sunday, November 28, 2010 4:18 AM

Sunset Ave. is Now Open!

The 'Up and Over'

The City of Industry, CA

Part I (of I-VI)

From the north side looking southward:

Auto traffic is already heavy on the reopened road.


Underneath looking at the grade crossing signals:

Continued in Part II

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Sunday, November 28, 2010 4:24 AM

Sunset Ave. is Now Open!

The 'Up and Over'

The City of Industry, CA

Part II (of I-VI)

The north side industrial lead, looking west:  Right next to the structure, the 'Up and Over' looks incredibly long.

A more telephoto westward view:  Note one of the 'Up and Over' signal masts is on the upper left.

Continued in Part III

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Sunday, November 28, 2010 4:32 AM

Sunset Ave. is Now Open!

The 'Up and Over'

The City of Industry, CA

Part III (of I-VI)

Looking eastward in normal lens mode:

Looking eastward in telephoto mode:  Odd red (forefront) and blue (in the distance) flags are present.


To give perspective:  A previously shown photo looking west at that north side industrial lead track from the east end, from California St.:

Continued in Part IV

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Sunday, November 28, 2010 4:38 AM

Sunset Ave. is Now Open!

The 'Up and Over'

The City of Industry, CA

Part IV (of I-VI)

The massive structure, looking southeastward:

Looking eastward from underneath.


Looking up at the west side:


Continued in Part V

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Sunday, November 28, 2010 4:44 AM

Sunset Ave. is Now Open!

The 'Up and Over'

The City of Industry, CA

Part V (of I-VI)

A normal lens' view looking westward (from Sunset Ave.) on the south side:  Valley Blvd. (left) was widened to three lanes in each direction, and new concrete light standards now line the roadway.

The above in heavy telephoto mode:  In the center is the electric box for the intermediate signals at the top of the 'Up and Over;' to the box's left is where the shoefly had been.

This time looking eastward:  A headlight from a westbound SD70ACe is approaching in the distance (center):


Continued in Part VI

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Sunday, November 28, 2010 4:52 AM

Sunset Ave. is Now Open!

The 'Up and Over'

The City of Industry, CA

Part VI (of I-VI)

A previously shown photo from California Street (on the east side) looking west at the now gone shoefly that was north of Valley Blvd (left) but south of the 'Up and Over' (right).  Fencing was between the track and the 'Up and Over.'  In shoefly days temporary wooden telephone poles were used in street lighting.

An out from underneath view of the south side looking northeastward:  The stoplight pole gives a feel for just how close Valley Blvd. is to the 'Up and Over.'


The Sunset Ave. Bridge is impressive in photographs; but in person, right by it or actually underneath it, the structure is absolutely awesome and almost overwhelming!  If you visit the site and experience its awesomeness first hand, you will never forget the experience and the feelings it gave you!  It is that impressive!

-----------

On Tuesday, November 30, 2010, a very brief follow-up to recent information about CP AL504 E. MARNE and the two control boxes presently thereat.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Sunday, November 28, 2010 9:00 AM

The red flag on the industry in Part III is attached to a derail, probably to keep errant cars in the spurs from rolling out and clobbering cars on Sunset.  Can't explain the blue flag, unless there is a locomotive or car being actively worked on beyond it.


The massiveness of that bridge is probably determined by the incredible number of traffic lanes that a single span is required to cross (what have we got there...five lanes in each direction, plus a median and sidewalks?).  Were there a center pier in the median (probably not feasible due to safety concerns and/or lane configuration), the two spans used to cross the street wouldn't look nearly as impressive.

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)

mvs
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Posted by mvs on Sunday, November 28, 2010 2:09 PM

K. P. Harrier
mvs (11-14):

 

K.P., thanks for this latest update.  No worries as I always have to check out Google Maps.

 

SANBAG, the government agency that deals with the North Milliken Avenue up-and-over, has a web page about the project.

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Posted by desertdog on Monday, November 29, 2010 9:07 PM

 

Here is a shot from a month  or so ago, taken just west of Casa Grande, AZ.  Rail had been laid down, I thought, in order to replace that of the single existing main track.  I was wrong, as we shall see shortly.

John Timm

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Posted by desertdog on Monday, November 29, 2010 9:08 PM

 

The following sequence of photos was taken today between Casa Grande and Bon siding, where track laying on the Gila Sub has resumed. 

John Timm

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Posted by desertdog on Monday, November 29, 2010 11:08 PM

Here is how things looked at the same location today:

Note the tumbleweed in the distance.  It was very windy out on the desert today.

Next is a shot to the east, towards Casa Grande.  There is a red "stop" sign to the left, no doubt because the crossing signals circuits are not yet wired in.  Also, there is a pretty abrupt vertical curve, as you can see.  I would not want to go over it very fast with anything riding on flanged wheels:

 

These gentlemen and their truck showed up just as we were leaving the site.  I was surprised at how little equipment was around, compared to when they were grading the roadbed.  Laying track is comparatively simple and seems to be moving along quickly now that the basic infrastructure is in place.

A couple of miles to the west and within sight of Bon, we caught up with this outfit.  The ties move forward on a conveyor from the flat car and are deposited on the bare roadbed.  The crawler tractor in front aligns the rails and they are guided into place over the ties, set down on top of them and then clamped with the Pandrol clips:

 

John Timm

 

 

 

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Posted by desertdog on Monday, November 29, 2010 11:20 PM

Here is the flat car.  The crew was finished for the day and had just a few more ties to go before needing a fresh load:  

And further to the east, about where Frito-Lay is installing a solar enegy farm to power its local plant, a long string of ballast hoppers awaited a new work day.  Note the SI (Spokane International) reporting marks.  I had not seen that before.  Lots of CHTT, CMO and the like, but never SI:

 

John Timm

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 2:47 AM

A Tidbit about E. MARNE

After photographing the 'Up and Over' in the City of Industry recently, Valley Blvd. was followed eastward. 

At Fullerton Rd., where two-tracks become one at CP AL504 E. MARNE, there are TWO control boxes.  Previously, it was suggested that BOTH boxes might be in use because this CP is where presently the new tri-light signals (at and to the east) transition to the old target signals (to the west).

As seen in the below previous posted photo, the easterly box (foreground) has an identification label on it, which now reads CP AL504 E. MARNE, facing east for westbound trains.


The westerly box (above photo's background) ALSO has the CP AL504 E. MARNE label attached to it, and that label faces westward towards approaching eastbound trains, confirming that BOTH boxes are in use at this current signal system transition point.


The above grab shot shows that second box that also has the CP AL504 E. MARNE label on it, but that label faces west.  The expression "grab shot" is used because the hardly composed photo was shot at a stop light from the driver's seat looking out through the passenger window opening just after the stoplight turned green!

And K.P. did not have time to 'hike in' for a better shot ...

mvs (11-14/28):

Reference your "interesting tidbit" about the old designation "Twenty-Seven X-Over" (now CP AL501 NEW SIDING) that is "32.5 miles west" of the "Nine X-Over" ... Honestly, I was a bit confused by that.  Perhaps (?) you were saying that the "Twenty-Seven X-Over" was non-conformingly WEST of the "Nine X-Over," whereas normally CP's are numbered EASTWARDLY.

It is still hard to believe the Nine X-Over is gone.  I guess the Nine X-Over to Track 201 and a chain of crossovers to Track 208 or 209 (all in West Colton's Receiving Yard) were not compatible with remote control operations.

Years ago Los Angeles to West Colton Yard was under the jurisdiction of Dispatcher 54 (formerly West), and the Twenty-Seven X-Over" was under him.  The West Colton Yard segment (Nine X-Over) was under a control operator at the top of the Administration Building near Cedar Ave. in Bloomington.  Then, Dispatcher 55's (former East's) territory went east from Colton Crossing to Indio, possibly to Yuma, AZ, but my memory about that has failed me.  Anyway, because the two locations you mentioned, mvs, were controlled by two different authorities, the seemingly leftward number I.D. sequencing was not an issue.  However, when both locations came under the jurisdiction of only one authority, yes, the implied leftward number sequencing was non-conforming.  So, mvs, I hope I didn't just do a hatchet job on what you were trying to say ...

Maybe you, mvs, may know the answer to what I've been racking my brain over of late ... Years ago there was a Forty-Seven X-Over.  To be a crossover, that could only mean either MARNE (by Azusa Ave.) in the City of Industry or HAMILTON by Hamilton Blvd. in Pomona.  Back then the arrangement at Hamilton Blvd. had 25 M.P.H. crossovers, whereas today it has 40 M.P.H. crossovers under a whole different track schematic.  If you or anyone here at the forum is able to unscramble the mystery and would be willing to share it, it would be most welcomed.

About the Milliken Ave. flyover ... Thank you so much, mvs, for the very new "web page" link.  The artist's conception of the future 'Up and Over' flyover at Milliken Ave. was great, ritzy, and the bridge drawing looked better than I had ever imagined.  Its wideness and center support design caught my eye.  That should be quite a project!

CShaveRR (11-28):

Based on photo files this poster possesses, Sunset Ave. (M.P. 499.20) appears to have three southbound lanes with a fourth as a left turn center lane under the 'Up and Over,' whereas northbound only has two lanes, with a third lane for a left turn center lane that complements the southbound left turn center lane.


The above reshown photo was shot back on August 14 of this year, before the northbound lanes (left) were completely paved.  The overhead flasher bridge had not yet been installed and was laying on roadway pavement on the photo right.

desertdog (11-29):

Welcome back to photo-posting at the forum, John! 

Great photo documentation of the two-tracking that is now going on between Casa Grande and Bon, AZ.

The SI reporting mark on the ballast car was a good find!

Stay safe everyone,

K.P.

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Scheduled for Thursday, December 2, 2010 is a slight revision in the K.P. thinking about the future CP AL514 HAMILTON and the missing signals on its west end.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 8:51 AM

John and K.P., It appears from here that all of UP's ballast cars (at least the power-dumping ones) have been or will be relettered SI.  Don't know why that is necessary or desirable...maybe because they're "Stone Importers"?  I only ever remember seeing a couple of SI flat cars when revenue equipment lettered for Spokane International was still around.

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)

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Posted by billio on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 9:25 AM

K.P. and John, you both spoil us by so thoroughly documenting progress on the Sunset Route. Thanks again!

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