Update as of Friday, September 16, 2011:
Part E (of A-G)
Happenings and a Revelation (Continued)
The Milliken Ave. Flyover
Ontario, CA
Then they started lifting the other structure. Note the slight bending on the lower right.
It was then moved northward for positioning:
Continued in Part F
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 F (of A-G)
Finally, it was placed in its final location.
Early next week, the erected structures should have the concrete poured in them.
In the last photo, note again the iron rodding in the background. It does NOT look wide enough for two-tracks! That is because it isn't!
The structure south of the present main will be only a single-track flyover bridge [the revelation]. However, once trains are actually operating over it, the present trackage will be tore out, and ANOTHER, duplicate flyover bridge will be constructed, immediately to the north, over what is now the present single-track alignment.
A source advised K.P. that next month (!!!) the actual bridges over Milliken Ave. will be placed and positioned on the present under construction south flyover.
Continued in Part G
Part G (of A-G)
There was a constant flow of dump trucks piling up dirt, which dirt eventually was being damp dropped into the flyover structure to the west.
As K.P. left the scene, a quick grab shot was taken from his car window looking north at the present grade crossing.
The ex-Southern Pacific grade crossing is in a highly congested environment.
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Parts H to L will be posted the afternoon of Tuesday, September 20, 2011, and will deal with the Puente Hills Intermodal Facility, the SP Fairway Drive flyover, both in the City of Industry, and a future signal at the LA&SL Montclair siding.
Part H (of H-L)
The Puente Hills Intermodal Facility
City of Industry, CA
Inspired by MikeF90's recent photo report, K.P. visited the PHIMF construction vicinity.
As reported by MikeF90, a bunch of welded rail was present.
A row of ground stabilizing items has been installed on the photo's background side of the tracks. Photo was taken from Workman Hills Rd.
Another view:
The ground stabilizing items are reportedly being installed all along the north side of the 3.5 miles of the future PHIMF track, and then a paralleling set of stabilizing items will be placed on the south side of the two UP mains.
Continued in Part I
Part I (of H-L)
Digging was taking place ...
... and the unearthed ground was being carted off by a steady stream of dump trucks.
A construction worker was uncertain how a third track would fit through the two-track 60 Freeway opening, but we both concluded the slanted side walling (left) would probably be cut through ...
... as was done early on with the Diversion at the 57 Freeway in Pomona.
Continued in Part J
Part J (of H-L)
When the construction worker was asked about the two-track bridging over Peck Rd. and if it would be three-tracked, he said that hasn't been decided yet. A photo of that bridging is in MikeF90's post of September 11, 2011, found on thread page 129.
It is unclear to K.P. how a PHIMF train could be assembled with switching movements OVER Workman Mill Rd. (south sidewalk is visible on the below photo's bottom).
In the above photo an overview is seen of the highly compacted construction area.
Continued in Part K
Part K (of H-L)
The Fairway Drive Flyover
MikeF90 also alerted us to the news that Fairway Drive's grade separation would be a flyover. K.P. made it a point to photograph that area, and the flyover will be constructed on a curve.
Views looking westbound: Valley Blvd. that follows the rail line is on the right.
Looking eastbound:
Continued in Part L
Part L (of H-L)
City of Industry, Pomona, Montclair, and Ontario, CA
There is still no progress on connecting the Bassett siding to the New siding via the 'Up and Over' for two-tracks all the way through that area.
There was again nothing that appeared to be taking place in Pomona.
On the LA&SL, ditto for the new signals being installed in Montclair and Ontario.
Exactly why a new future mast for color light signals (at CP C035 MONTCLAIR) would be placed on the normal RIGHT side (see base placement) when the old searchlight target signal is on the LEFT (with a better view for eastbound trains) is unknown. Maybe the mast placement is with two-tracking through here in mind for the future
K.P., as usual your timing is impeccable. I've never been able to capture construction 'in action' near the PHIMF. We'll have to see if those 'stabilizing items' will be part of retaining walls for ballast.
BTW here's another older view from Workman Mill Rd looking east. The 'gap' under the freeway looks wide enough to me.
I'm unimpressed by the PHIMF project management - Important seemingly non-related construction tasks are not taking place 'in parallel'. They are not up to the pace that the amazing Milliken Ave contractor is running. Paging C.C. Myers!
The switching for the PHIMF trains may not block Workman Mill Road much. The sidings within PHIMF will be 800 ft long and the distance to Workman Mill is over 1000 ft, so trains could be made up or broken down in the 5000 ft of siding west of PHIMF. The residential neighbors are getting a Quiet Zone at WM Road and other mitigations.
Not previously shown, the west end of the siding is supposed to be at Mission Mill Road. This view looks east.
The LA sub ROW here doesn't appear wide enough for more than three tracks. Presumably they will build a new concrete tie supported track, shift the mains and use part of the existing main #1 for the west end of the siding. Hmmm, looks like some track realignments west of WM Road ....
- Mike
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! ***
Union Pacific crews installed a temporary turnout and began laying track at the Marsh Station Road / Cienega Creek track realignment project site east of Tucson, Arizona earlier this week.
A turnout has been installed at the east end of the project site near the Empirita Road exit off I-10, the CWR has been positioned along the new roadbed from the new turnout to the new Marsh Station Road exit, and a tie-laying machine loaded with concrete ties is sitting on the new track as of Wednesday, September 21st.
The CWR that was pre-positioned at the west end of the project site has not yet been put into position along the roadbed, but survey crews and a crew from the local electric utility were busy along that portion of the new roadbed. Two new signal stands and control boxes have also been positioned along the route.
The new line should be completed within two weeks, since it involves only 3.5 miles of tracklaying.
The west end of the new track, which is going to tie in at an old bridge, may be cut in without the need to install a temporary turnout.
In the Heat of Arizona!
Climate-wise, Arizona is very, very hot, even a few days before fall (which this year starts today, Friday, September 23, 2011). Two-tracking-wise, it is hot also! K.P. knows it is in fact hot two-tracking-wise, because he was involved in another whirlwind visit to the Arizona and saw it firsthand!
Arriving trackside at dusk at CP SP938 PICACHO after a long trip from California, the following eastward view was seen and photographed:
Note the grading on the LEFT (north side), and how it does NOT continue eastward, but the RIGHT (south side) grading does. An end-of-train device flashes in the distance.
I-10 (with all the headlights) is on the photo right of the above two photos.
In daylight hours the next day, what was found a few miles on each side of CP SP938 PICACHO has caused K.P. to come to some surprising conclusions. You may conclude those same things too.
Also, the second-track between CP SP906 BON and CP SP917 CASA GRANDE is now in service! There was also a related "917" surprise too!
It would be quicker if it could be done, but it will take several days to sort through everything and prepare a full photo report and post series for the forum. Watch for it!
MikeF90 (9-20):
You make a good case for the PHIMF using the present LA&SL Main 1 as their switching track in the City of Industry, CA, and aerials seem to substantiate that. Interestingly, the present Main 2 is the original single-track Main.
If a trash train is built by EACH section being backed unto the new switching track parallel to the mains ... that sure would be a somewhat cumbersome and time consuming process!
cacole (9-21):
Reference the above Arizona trip, I got back to California only to find your post about activity on the reroute in the Marsh Station Rd. area! If I had only known ... Oh, well. Time was working against me from the word 'go' for the trip. A truck fire on I-15 in Cajon Pass delayed me several hours with a circuitous and time consuming detour resulting. Again, oh well! Nevertheless, thanks for your report, as surprising and ironic as it was. What timing!
Take care,
K.P.
The Posting Schedule for the 'Two-Tracking in the Heat of Arizona' Series
Tuesday, September 27, 2011: Part I -- Wymola to Eloy, AZ
Thursday, September 29, 2011: Part II -- Toltec to Casa Grande, AZ
Saturday, October 1, 2011: Part III -- More on Casa Grande, AZ
Monday, October 3, 2011: Part IV -- Casa Grande to Shawmut, AZ
Romantic Wonder
Something for the Mrs. (and the Kids Too)
On the long journey back to Southern California from Arizona, K.P. followed the Sunset Route past Salton Sea, by where preliminary things are underway so two-tracking can take place. It had gotten dark in that middle of nowhere place, and what a spectacular sight was seen!
For those in Southern California, or for those just traveling through, such an evening visit to the Salton Sea area is highly recommended. It can add romance to you and the lady in your life, and make the kids marvel (if they can get away from thinking about the video games). And, for the shopping minded Mrs., beforehand there is a big outlet mall in Cabazon, an hour or so away. By Salton Sea, railfans will probably have to act coy and pretend they are not train watching, but that can be easily done as the 65 M.P.H., two lane Highway 111 follows right by the tracks for miles and miles and miles, and trains often move at 70 M.P.H. Pacing funsville at its best!
Two-Tracking in the Heat of Arizona
Part I (of I-IV), Section A (of A-G)
Wymola to Eloy, AZ
From the Tucson area westward on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 near dawn, an odd placement of many milepost markers was observed, right on the second-track grading.
The first sign of two-tracking activity was by the Wymola siding, loosely around M.P. 943. By the way, just south of the siding is a staging area
There was some future culvert material, good sized corrugated piping, some with presumably milepost numbers on them. M.P. 894.82 is WEST of Maricopa (where two-tracking has already been completed), so it is unknown what such a marked pipe is doing in the M.P 943 area.
Desertdog in his July 28, 2011 ":08 PM" post (last photo therein) had a wide angle view of the above pipes.
Continued in Section B
Part I, Section B (of A-G)
Just west of the old CP SP943 WYMOLA, within 1000 feet, is a newly placed CP type electrical box commonly placed at double crossovers.
West of that new CP box a maintenance-of-way switch was installed on the present single-track Main, and newly laid track goes westward (whitish ties on left).
Pieces of track had been laid out as if three-tracks were in this area's future, but the middle track was probably the new second main, and the lower track probably related to a crossover switch for the CP. Workers were observed constantly hand carrying pipes a short distance.
Continued in Section C
Part I, Section C (of A-G)
Another view looking eastward:
A ballast train was parked on the recently put down future second-track.
As this second-track headed westward a mile or two, the ties portion abruptly ended with the rails ending a few hundred feet beyond out of view on the left.
Continued in Section D
Part I, Section D (of A-G)
At the east end of the two Picacho sidings, at CP SP938 PICACHO, the NORTH siding is where the line from Phoenix ends (photo right signal).
The north siding ends further east (left) than the south siding does (far right signal).
A present track diagram: The track from Phoenix is the top diagram siding track.
Continued in Section E
Part I, Section E (of A-G)
At the WEST end of the Picacho sidings.
In the above photo, the track signals are: Left, the east side westbound south siding signal; center, the Main; the right, the north siding that goes through to Phoenix. The three head west eastbound signal is for the line from Casa Grande and the west. Barely visible on the far right is the signal for the track that comes in from Phoenix.
Below, the signal on the right (closest) governs trains from Phoenix, the signal on the left (farther away), the Main.
The present track diagram at the west end of the Picacho sidings: Top track (left part) is the line to Phoenix.
A several hundred feet long row of floodlights line the north siding just east of the CP.
Continued in Section F
Part I, Section F (of A-G)
A PREVIOUS VIEW (August 2011), looking eastbound from Main Street in Eloy at the next signal masts west (from the Picacho area in the background), at all the signals (old and new) by Sunshine Ave. Of special note is that ONLY the right mast (for the future Main 2) has a lower head stem.
A photo from this trip, a closer look now from Sunshine Ave.:
An even closer view of the north future Main 1 mast that has NO lower head or even a stem for it, nor a maintainer's platform:
The south future Main 2 mast HAS a stem for a lower head, though why a head has not been put on it is unknown. The mast HAS a lower maintainer's platform.
Theoretically, there should be a turnout back at CP SP937 PICACHO (for a single crossover between Mains 1 and 2). Then, too, that single crossover between mains may be CP separate from the crossover between the Phoenix line and Main 1, so trains routed via the west leg of the wye would have practical access to or from Main 2. Based on UP's effort to consolidate CP's in recent times, another CP as noted just above is unlikely, but rather a giant all inclusive single CP may fit the circumstances here.
At the east end:
That simple arrangement would add value to a double crossover west of the present CP SP943 WYMOLA as shown in Section B, first photo thereof.
Or, a universal or single counterpart crossover (TO the west end of the Picacho sidings) could also be put in by the EAST switch of the north Picacho siding.
It must be remembered that the diagraming and possibilities presented herein are only conjectural and unofficial, but based on what is now physically in this area, such as the future Main 2 mast's lower STEM currently without a head.
From Sunshine Blvd. westward to the Toltec area, the new track seems relatively well ballasted but remains out of service, as NO new, necessary trackwork is present near CP SP937 PICACHO. - See Section E.
Continued in Section G
Part I, Section G (of A-G)
A Side Note about 'Invisible' Trains!
While K.P. was at the Sunshine Blvd. grade crossing in Eloy, the crossing gates suddenly became active and stayed down for about 5 minutes, but no train was in sight, nor did one ever come! K.P. chalked this strange occurrence off to UP's famous invisible trains that pass from time to time. While it 'passed' silently, a special effort was made to stay off the grade crossing tracks.
When back in California and reviewing all the photos taken, the reason for the downed gates at Sunshine Blvd. in Eloy became obvious!
Two UP track workers (right track in the distance) had, with rail sawing equipment, severed the track, hence, the fail safe track circuitry caused the gates to activate. Once the circuit was restored, the gates went up and motorists in Eloy were happy again ... K.P. never really did believe in 'invisible' trains!
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Part II, entitled "Toltec to Casa Grande, AZ" is scheduled for posting the morning of Thursday, September 29, 2011.
This note preceds a photo of the installation East of CP Picacho ::
"...A several hundred feet long row of floodlights line the north siding just east of the CP Picacho...'
Is the use of a flood lite area to protect against thieves going after stopped trains, or is it to enable the work of carmen? I think this is the second such installation you have documented(?)
Just curious. Thanks!
Great work so far, K.P.! Before I forget, two questions come to mind:
- You referred to 'old CP SP943 WYMOLA'. Does this imply that Wymola siding has been taken out of service? That would permit the siding to stage the track laying equipment shown.
- One 'miss' that I didn't expect was no coverage of the area around MP 936 (just west of AZ-87 / Picacho Jct) where there is wider grading. Was there anything to see there?
BTW the grading east of CP SP938 Picacho suggests to me that an alignment shift may happen just east of AZ-87 and the south siding will be absorbed into the new MT. We'll see, of course. Looking forward to the next installment!
Great coverage, KP. I'm liking the new x-over going in at Wymola.
Keep 'em comming!
--Robert
Part II (of I-IV), Section A (of A-G)
Toltec to Casa Grande, AZ
Even with two-tracking on each side of it, the Toltec siding is still in service. An eastward view of the east switch (right) of CP SP929 TOLTEC:
Note the open wire box on the mast in the above photo.
UP workers had many wires coming out of the new Toltec Rd. grade crossing control box.
The Toltec staging area was very active, with a parked SD70M and rail cars parked. The rail cars in the spur were being unloaded with a small crane.
The staging area was full of worker vehicles, and a half mile of their autos lined the main road, Jimmie Kerr Blvd. that follows the tracks. K.P. has never seen so many worker vehicles present at this staging work site.
Part II, Section B (of A-G)
West of the west switch of the Toltec siding, the future CP had much activity at the site. The views look westward.
Towards the western end of the future CP, a bunch of workers seemed to be assembling a turnout.
Part II, Section C (of A-G)
There were plenty of items at the site west of the west switch of the Toltec siding. Note all the ballast in the photo background center. Also, the UP bus on the far left.
A similar view, but note the signal dept. work trailer (presumably) right of the photo center.
This view shows how close the future CP is to the west switch of the Toltec siding, at CP SP927 TOLTEC.
Part II, Section D (of A-G)
Heading westward now, we come into Casa Grande, where I-10 goes over the Sunset Route.
You may recall the temporary, barricaded road that went over the single-track just east of Cox Road ...
... and how the second-track laying had stopped just west of Cox Rd.
Now, things look quite differently ...
Part II, Section E (of A-G)
A view looking east from Cox Rd.: There are two-tracks now, and no sign of that temporary road to keep motorist access open while the second-track was being laid.
In the above photo, the allusion of different height of the two tracks is seen, but the road is even over the tracks. The allusion comes from the angle the roadway goes over the tracks at.
A telephoto eastward: The background NORTH (left) SIDE new track (barely visible because of the new ballast) coming towards the camera will alignment shift just east (far side) of the I-10 Freeway, and meet up the foreground tracks, so the new track is on the south side (right).
Looking west, the new and old tracks are farther apart in the background, but the new, left track slightly alignment shifts as it gets closer to the camera. The culvert bridging likely matches the necessary width under I-10 behind the camera.
Part II, Section F (of A-G)
Farther west, Peart Rd. is arrived at. Looking east was just plain Jane. But, looking west was fascinating. A new switch had already been installed (right). It looks like a slow speed, manual turnout, but it has concrete ties!
It just so happened that a local came along, and put on a show for the forum.
Part II, Section G (of A-G)
The switching move continues.
Except for the present main, all the track west of Peart Rd. will all have to be realigned (as especially seen in the third photo of Section F), hence, the slow pace of two-tracking here.
But, the Peart Rd. area had much activity on the sidelines.
The trailer appeared to be Maintenance-of-Way related. K.P. saw nothing to suggest it was related to the signal department, but who knows.
The trailer even has a ramp ... and a machine on tank-like roller belts!
The impression one gets is that these guys are very well equipped for their trade. Union Pacific seems to have made a whole science of the two-tracking effort!
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Part III, entitled "More on Casa Grande, AZ" is scheduled for posting the morning of Saturday, October 1, 2011.
The machine on rubber "tracks" shown in the photo part of KP's post labeled "Part II, Section G", appears to be a portable hydraulic power unit. This machine is obviously capable of traversing rough ground, offers several hydraulic circuits to power interchangeable power tools connected via hose, and appears to have a small bed capable of carrying heavy items. Those tools would likely be saws, grinders, power wrenches, jacks, etc. Here is a similar machine:
http://www.portaco.com/files/photo-200752191159.gif
and a link to its manufacturer:
http://www.portaco.com/view_product.asp?product=11
There are several manufacturers of similar products, above is just one example.
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