Replies
MikeF90 (6-1):
Thanks for your summation of the remaining two-tracking left to do. It seems to me to be pretty accurate.
Please note the reply to desertdog below.
mvs (6-5):
How did that Vineyard Ave. underpass construction in Ontario (CA) look from the air? Did you notice any dirt excavation on the south side yet?
I thought the cards were going to fall on Fontana today, and I could sneak over to Ontario for a look at the area you saw from the air. But, the dispatch was to Victorville. Oh, well.
desertdog (6-5):
From a historical point of view, the two-tracking effort was (“was”) from east to west, El Paso westward. There was a small effort eastward from, loosely, Beaumont (CA). That latter effort seemed to have been rekindled, so that now there are only a few gaps in Southern California to complete. Conspicuously absent has been the effort westward from Estrella to Yuma, AZ The Colfred to Mohawk area is currently being two-tracked, but, that effort seems token-like when looking at Arizona as a whole. That may or may not be for political reasons.
A glaring gap in Arizona now, or soon to be when the Mohawk effort is done, is between Estrella and Sentinel, some 45 miles! Thus, if I was to make a guess, the area WEST of the Gila Bend siding to the next siding west, Theba, may be the next two-tracking effort in Arizona. That 45 mile gap is just too conspicuous!
If one looks at the Yuma, AZ area, something also glaring now pops out. IF (“if”) the crossing of the Colorado River with a second main is real soon, a conforming to the normal distance of crossovers between Araz (CA) and Pacific (AZ) becomes present. Also, a like distance would be present between Pacific and Blaisdell. Thus, I suggest keeping an eye on the Colorado River crossing. Reportedly, the Army Corps of Engineers has worked on (or is) the river crossing. Since word that they were involved was some while ago, what THEY came up with must be well along now, if not set in stone. I just can’t imagine them twiddling their thumbs and racking their brains because of not knowing what to do … Resistance by certain groups may be futile, because when the government wants to do something for National security reasons, it WILL do it regardless of what opposes do.
While I am in California, you, desertdog, being in Arizona, are more likely to hear something about the Yuma area than I would. If you ever do, please let us all know …
Take care all,
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
Two Wondrous Days on the Sunset Route
Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, 2015
Part IX (of I-IX, Overall I-XXVIII)
The Pacific Ave. Overpass
Yuma, AZ
The two trains stopped … Notice the walkway to the left of the trains, a walkway with a drainage pipe under it.
The new crew relief building:
The building in relation to the tracks:
The East End of the Yuma Two-Tracks
At CP SP738 EAST YARD (M.P. 737.5) the two-tracks become single-track eastward (rightward).
Above, the Sunset Route is the higher track on the right. Everything else is industrial tracks
The sun was going down fast. K.P. traveled to east of the Blaisdell area, but the remaining sunlight was getting too dark for photography. So, he returned to Yuma and overnighted there.
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Continued in Parts X to XVIII to be presented by 8:00 A.M. PDT, Thursday, May 11, 2015, but could be posted up to 12 hours early.
Part VIII (of I-IX, Overall I-XXVIII)
Fully in Arizona now east of the Colorado River (technically south of it), the Pacific Ave. overpass was journeyed up onto, about a three block walk! The objective was to check out the new crew change spot, and see if it was operational yet.
(Why didn’t K.P. bring a bicycle?)
An eastbound soon arrived and went under the overpass.
Above, note the 50 M.P.H. crossover switch (left of the engine) with a moveable point frog.
Looking eastbound
Just above, note the silver mast signal way in the background. We will go over there in a bit.
The eastbound (left) stops, and the westbound (right) stops too. It was crew relief time!
Above, in the past by CP SP736 PACIFIC (M.P. 735.8) westbounds generally tended to use the left track (Main 1), and eastbounds the right track (Main 2). But, the trains are in reverse to that at this particular time.
Continued in Part IX
Part VII (of I-IX, Overall I-XXVIII)
New Signals between Araz (CA) and Yuma (AZ)
One could tell the cutover was soon as the lamps were lit but heads turned aside.
Just above, the dark target signal mast (for Main 2) is shaded. Visually behind it is a barely seen mast (for Main 1) that is in the sun. Remember, those new east side westbound color light signals have NO east side of the Colorado River counterparts, as instead of two CP’s everything has been consolidated into one.
The east side westbound new and old signals in relation to the east old and new CP boxes:
Sort of reminiscent in some SMALL way of Ansel Adams’ famous ‘Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico’ photograph of 1941 is a moonrise shot by the new and old CP SP733 YUMA.
Continued in Part VIII
Part VI (of I-IX, Overall I-XXVIII)
The old CP SP732 COLORADO’s box (center) and the new WEST box of CP SP733 YUMA (right), with the old east side westbound target mast signal on the left.
K.P. then drove south over the Colorado River (on a silver colored single lane traffic signal controlled highway truss bridge) to a nice parking area on the south side.
The CP boxes are there, the old CP SP733 YUMA (left) and the new CP SP733 YUMA (right).
The new east side westbound signals are seen on the left. A branch off track with crossbucks (with the new little blue sign) is visible as well as the I-10 Freeway bridges.
Continued in Part VII
Part V (of I-IX, Overall I-XXVIII)
The roadway from the Araz area eastward finally curves closer to the tracks. It is bumpy, and needs to be repaved. Three of K.P.’s dental fillings came out while traveling the road! Well, not that bad, but you get the picture.
Again, the Main 1 signals (left, north) where turned aside, but the right signals (Main 2) were facing trains.
Now, we arrive at the Colorado River crossing area, and the old CP SP732 COLORADO, which west end had a cantilever signal structure (right). The new signals of the west side are ONLY for west side eastbound trains.
There is a CP box on each side of the Colorado River now for the SAME numbered CP.
Previously – well, until cutover time which was then eminent – the west side CP SP732 COLORADO had both east and west signals, and CP SP733 YUMA had the same on the east side.
Continued in Part VI
Part IV (of I-IX, Overall I-XXVIII)
East of Araz Jct., but still in the mountainous terrain area, is an old signal bridge. Note Main 1’s (left) signal heads are turned aside, but Main 2 (right) are still facing trains. On K.P.’s visit Saturday, trains passing through the area were using Main 2 only, in effect making this two-track line single-track.
To the east a ways, by Yuma Ave., new mast signals are present. Again, Main 1’s signals had their heads facing trains, whereas Main 2’s signal had their heads turned aside still.
Continued in Part V
Part III (of I-IX, Overall I-XXVIII)
The Araz Area of California
Near Yuma, AZ
Finally we arrive near Yuma, AZ, in the vicinity of what UP calls Araz. The second main was found to been laid
An eastbound on the original Main comes and goes:
With the last photo above, note the left signal is facing trains and is green, but the right signal heads are turned aside.
This was a Saturday, and the new signals were being cut over. Forum contributor Clyde Acolita posted that a couple of days later, June 1, the new signals were officially in service.
The above photos were shot between Araz and Araz Jct., the latter named location is being done away with.
Continued in Part IV
Part II (of I-IX, Overall I-XXVIII)
Something New at Mortmar
By the Salton Sea in California
In close proximity to the west switch of the CTC Mortmar siding …
… was a stack of rails.
K.P.’s initial reaction was the stack was from rail replacement in the Mortmar siding. BUT, on the way back to California from Arizona, such a stack was also seen where there is NO siding! More findings details later …
By the High Bridge East of Ferrum
The Salton Sea Area of California
This concerns not so much two-tracking, but Highway 111 along the Sunset Route. For months stop lights were used to control a single lane over half an old bridge while a new bridge was being constructed. That project is over, and a nice high speed bridge is now present for motorists. For those interested in pacing a train through here, no long will pacers be thwarted by a stoplight against them.
Continued in Part III
This California-Arizona-California series will generally be in the order photographed, with the presentation hitting the basic high points of the trip. Afterwards, the area from Blaisdell (M.P. 746.6) to BETWEEN Blaisdell and Kinter (the between by M.P. 749) will be elaborated on at length, but that effort has not been penned yet and will be worked on as time permits.
Part I (of I-IX, Overall I-XXVIII)
The Valley Blvd. Grade Crossing Conversion
Colton, CA
Now that the Colton Flyover (loosely in the M.P. 538-539 area) has been in operation for close to two years, odds and ends are still popping up to complete the agreements. Rod-iron fencing has been installed at the BNSF Valley Blvd. grade crossing.
In the last photo above, note the eastbound (leftward) Sunset Route train on the Colton Flyover (behind the I-10 Freeway bridges) passing over the BNSF Transcon (bottom).
The Sunset Ave. Underpass
Banning, CA
The underpass just off I-10 Freeway was NOT finished as conjectured, but still had much construction to go.
The sand train is seen above traveling left to right, and going slow on the shoofly for unknown reasons.
Continued in Part II
POSTING SCHEDULE
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 by 8:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): Parts I-IX
Colton, CA: Valley Blvd. Grade Crossing Conversion
Banning, CA: The Sunset Ave. Underpass
Salton Sea Area, CA: Something New at Mortmar
Salton Sea Area, CA: By the High Bridge Area East of Ferrum
Between Araz, CA and Yuma, AZ: New signals
Yuma, AZ: From the Pacific Ave. Overpass
Yuma, AZ: The East End of the Yuma Two-Tracks
Thursday, June 11, 2015 by 8:00 A.M. PDT: Parts X-XVIII
The Mohawk, AZ Area
Between Mohawk and Blaisdell, AZ
Saturday, June 13, 2015 by 8:00 A.M. PDT: Parts XIX-XXVIII
The Colorado River Crossing
Near Felicity, CA: CP SP724 ARAZ
Near Glamis, CA: By the Mesquite Landfill Site
Near Glamis, CA: CP SP697 ILLUSIONVILLE
Iris, CA: Checking Out the Odd Drainage
Bertram, CA: Short Track Sections
Salton Sea Area, CA: By Cleveland Street
Posts could (“could”) be posted up to 12 hours early, but should be up by at least 8:00 A.M. PDT on the scheduled dates.
In addition, a series on the Blaisdell (M.P. 746.6) to between Blaisdell and Kinter (M.P. 749.4) is planned, but has not been begun work on yet nor scheduled. Technically, the second location, the between, involves the M.P. 749 sign area.
gonx Thank you for the clarification and the links to the new yard to be built at Hearne.
Thank you for the clarification and the links to the new yard to be built at Hearne.
See also, at the Union Pacific website, in the Investors section, the company's recently released 2014 Fact Book, pages 37-39. That offers an abbreviated, though fascinating, look into the company's plans for the future.
gonxWhat is UP spending money on and or doing in South Texas?
@gonx, Welcome to the Trains mag forum! Search for "Hearne" on your favorite search site:
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/union_pacific/article/UP-to-build-classification-yard-in-eastcentral-Texas--42077
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/capital_investment/2014/1002_tx-railyard.shtml
http://blog.chron.com/thehighwayman/2014/10/union-pacific-announces-new-rail-yard-north-of-bryan/
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! ***
desertdogI'd be interested in what criteria has and is being used to determine which gaps are to be filled and when. Sometimes, it appears to be totally random. I'll speculate that it has to do relative costs such as bridges, fill, cuts, grades and the like. Also, traffic flow has to be a consideration. I'm sure there's even more to it than that.
I wouldn't say 'random', but it got me thinking about the construction timeline since the beginning of this topic. The 2008 banking meltdown threw a lot of detailed, careful planning out everyone's window. At that time UP was two-tracking in California and just starting near Estrella in AZ. We know that they stopped the Yuma sub work at Thermal but continued east on the Gila sub until complete in 2013. For 'unknown' reasons the isolated nine mile stretch from Cactus to Araz was built in 2010-2011. The other Yuma sub work restarted in late 2011 at Salton and is complete except for two <20 mile sections.
With uncertainties in the economy the 'skip over' plan seems sensible. The 14-18 mile single track sections listed above probably will remain until the longer ones are reduced to the same length. This may take a while since UP seems to be putting big bucks into south Texas right now.
MikeF90 Now with the new second main cut in near Araz, I will post some figures of single track remaining for those interested. The 'Sunset Corridor' between Colton MP 539 and El Paso MP 1298 is about 759 miles. Single track segments remaining are: - CP Thermal MP 620 to CP Salton MP 637 = 17 miles- CP Mesquite MP 697 to CP Cactus MP 715 = 18 miles - CP Yuma MP 732.1 to CP Yuma MP 732.4 = 1/3 mile (bridge)- CP East Yard MP 738 to CP Fortuna MP 743 = 5 miles - CP Blaisdell MP 747 to CP Dome MP 753 = 6 miles - CP Wellton MP 771 to CP Colfred MP 785 = 14 miles- CP Colfred MP 785 to CP Mohawk MP 794 = 9 miles (2MT in progress)- CP Mohawk MP 794 to CP Stanwix MP 819 = 25 miles- CP Sentinel MP 831 to CP Estrella MP 876 = 45 miles If my math is correct, 139 miles of single track remain with 82% 2MT complete. Let the speculation begin! Weather update - Mohawk, AZ has been hitting 100+ degrees F recently. Stay cool and keep some extra water handy ...
Now with the new second main cut in near Araz, I will post some figures of single track remaining for those interested.
The 'Sunset Corridor' between Colton MP 539 and El Paso MP 1298 is about 759 miles. Single track segments remaining are:
- CP Thermal MP 620 to CP Salton MP 637 = 17 miles- CP Mesquite MP 697 to CP Cactus MP 715 = 18 miles - CP Yuma MP 732.1 to CP Yuma MP 732.4 = 1/3 mile (bridge)- CP East Yard MP 738 to CP Fortuna MP 743 = 5 miles - CP Blaisdell MP 747 to CP Dome MP 753 = 6 miles - CP Wellton MP 771 to CP Colfred MP 785 = 14 miles- CP Colfred MP 785 to CP Mohawk MP 794 = 9 miles (2MT in progress)- CP Mohawk MP 794 to CP Stanwix MP 819 = 25 miles- CP Sentinel MP 831 to CP Estrella MP 876 = 45 miles
If my math is correct, 139 miles of single track remain with 82% 2MT complete.
Let the speculation begin!
Weather update - Mohawk, AZ has been hitting 100+ degrees F recently. Stay cool and keep some extra water handy ...
Thanks for the great information.
I'd be interested in what criteria has and is being used to determine which gaps are to be filled and when. Sometimes, it appears to be totally random. I'll speculate that it has to do relative costs such as bridges, fill, cuts, grades and the like. Also, traffic flow has to be a consideration. I'm sure there's even more to it than that.
Anyway, slowly, surely . . .
John Timm
FYI - it looks like work is continuing on the Vineyard Avenue underpass (visible when taking off from Ontario)
For the ATCS Monitor users here, I have uploaded new layout files for the UP Yuma, UP Mojave, UP Los Angeles, and BNSF Cajon Subdivisions. As well as a new zip file for the UP-BNSF Tehachapi Area.
Those of you hoping to watch action on the UP Los Angeles Sub, there are multiple .ini files included. Load the one called UP Los Angeles Sub 6-4-2015 ATCS Genisys server.ini if you wish to monitor via the internet. Additionally, due to some unfortunate circumstances, our server in East LA is down. I don't know if or when it will return to service. As a result, new control point C014 Workman Mill rarely comes in. Clyde
Some Situation Updates In…
… and Near Riverside, CA
Part “E” (of A-E)
While we are in the Truss Bridges Area
As the forum knows, from negotiations with Caltrans, SANBAG, and the railroads, the old Riverside Industrial Lead Bridge over the I-215 Freeway did NOT have to be replaced because that track would be eliminated.
Above, the freight (“freight “) track curved slight LEFT to the distance. But, did you know historically there was another track, a trolley (“trolley”) line (Pacific Electric) went southwest and followed La Cadena Dr., which road now straddles the 91 Freeway into Riverside? That track curved to the RIGHT in the Grand Terrace area! The track actually lowered, and went under the Santa Fe, which is now the BNSF (trusses on right).
(The old Santa Fe CTC machine in Colton Tower, in the 1960’s), diagram displayed the track between Highgrove and Colton, and it did NOT show a diamond where the I-215 Freeway is at today. The Pacific Electric track went UNDER the Santa Fe.)
K.P. seems to think both tracks years and years ago went northward towards Colton, at least to the Santa Ana River.
Above, note that the bridge opening in the distance is for two-tracks!
Back in the early part of the 20th Century, who would have ever imaged Union Pacific would buy Southern Pacific, and route a number of Sunset Route trains over the alternate Sunset Route, and go OVER (on trusses) that very trolley line that has now long been forgotten and overlaid with the I-215 Freeway …
This will conclude the series.
Part “D” (of A-E)
The Truss Bridges Again …
… and the I-215 Freeway
The Grand Terrace Area, CA
The I-215 Freeway was being revamped, necessitating the old BNSF bridge be replaced with longer spans over the freeway. Yet the revamped freeway was only stripped with the same number of freeway lanes! But, on the above, the freeway was found to have been restriped, so not only are there three lanes, but now a carpool lane.
Continued in Part E
Part “C” (of A-E)
The Riverside Ave. Underpass (LA&SL)
Riverside, CA
More views …
Continued in Part D
Part “B” (of A-E)
From the north side, looking southward, now that the side walls have been put in, the dirt is being carted out of the underpass area.
Continued in Part C
Part “A” (of A-E)
By BNSF CP WEST RIVERSIDE
The photos in this series were taken Wednesday, May 27, 2015.
Some pieces of track and a turnout of unknown age persists in being present just west of the BNSF Transcon, south of Cridge Street. What is new is a concrete base, presumably or a future signal installation, or a stand for a crossing gate..
The new, replacement UP CP box CP C056 SCRRA JCT onsite for maybe a year now has an unknown future (if the West Riverside tracks are modified).
The Second LA&SL New Bridge over the 91 Freeway
The west support seems to be having work being performed on it again.
Continued in Part B
Three Days of Wonder!
On the afternoon and evening of Friday, May 29, 2015, an unbelievable opportunity was taken advantage of, riding a BNSF passenger train from San Bernardino to Summit in Cajon Pass, and back to San Bernardino.
The next two days, days two and three, Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31, K.P. traveled to Yuma, AZ roundtrip, taking 400 photos, of the two-tracking in the Araz and Mohawk areas, plus a lot of loose ends and discoveries here and there in California as well as Arizona.
Clyde Acolita posted Sunday, May 31, that on Monday, June 1 the new track and signals between the Araz to Yuma section would be cutover. K.P. actually photographed that section two and one day before the cutting over!
The Mohawk area had a few two-tracking surprises, including how far east the two-tracking is going to go! It is not what we thought …
Even the Glamis, CA area was checked out!
A whole lot of Sunset Route ground was covered. Everything on K.P.’s checklist was successfully checked off. But, because of the trip, the odds and ends and a grade separation posting in Riverside (CA) was delayed a bit. When finished, that is next up. The new Arizona Sunset Route series will undoubtedly need some time to digest and put together a presentation, which may take a week or two. BUT, a different approach is being contemplated to speed things up, i.e., hitting the high points quickly, and elaborating more later on.
So, that is what has been happening and what is now in the works.
Changes to the Yuma Subdivision effective June 1, 2015:
Second main track in service between Araz and Araz Jct
Control points retired: Araz Jct, Winterhaven, Colorado. Control point Yuma is being modified to include the switch and EB signals from Colorado. Yuma will now be SP732. The arrangement is similar to how they combined Mt. Vernon and the Ice Deck across the riverbed.
Way, Way Off Topic … Or Is It?
Part II (of I-II)
Reporting marks:
Another view:
An eastbound, outbound Metrolink shows up and passes the gondola switches.
Metrolink’s with the power on the east end (like above) are 91 Line trains. Inland Empire-Orange County trains have the power on the west end. Soon, many 91 Line commuter trains will continue to Perris on the yet future Perris Valley Line, a new extension of Metrolink service.
Really off Topic … The Granddaddy of them All
In Santa Fe days, Van Buren Blvd. was a grade crossing. Over the years scores of people tragically died at the site. There was always train vs. auto collisions happening. Such collisions inspired the underpass below that stopped all that carnage.
So, those gondolas are parked by a historic spot of much, much blood.
K.P. knows of no such type of overly bloody grade crossing on the Sunset Route. Maybe there was in years past, but not now or in the last couple of decades. The numerous railroads’ efforts to eliminated grade crossings undoubtedly contributed to that.
---------
A few other areas in Riverside were gone by also, and a few photos of those areas were taken. A report will be worked up in a few days.
Part I (of I-II)
From BNSF’s CP called WEST RIVERSIDE near downtown Riverside, CA, where the junction switch is located for the LA&SL (alternate Sunset Route), about 7 miles westbound (physically southwest) the Transcon goes over the Van Buren Blvd. underpass and in that immediate area are two spur tracks. On Wednesday, May 27, 2015 K.P. was involved in a semi-unexpected dispatch to deep within Riverside County, and he found himself crisscrossing much ground therein. He was stunned that spurs on the BNSF by Van Buren Blvd. had gondolas parked on them, which gondolas were filled with large pieces of turnouts in transit.
Van Buren Blvd. is where the Arlington siding was located before the BNSF line here was two-tracked around 1993.
Where might those turnouts be installed at? In theory (“theory”), all the switches at BNSF’s nearby CP CASA BLANCA (M.P. 14.0) could be replaced. But, might they be used at BNSF’s WEST RIVERSIDE?
Previously shown
After all, there are a number of piles of ballast now at the WEST RIVERSIDE. (See above photo on the left edge)
Other views near Van Buren Blvd.:
Delayed Replies this Date:
CShaveRR (4-5):
It is hoped you had a nice vacation (or whatever you were doing) on the trip to California on the ‘Chief.’ Did you go back to the Midwest via the Sunset Route? If you did, undoubtedly you went by any two-tracking areas in the darkness, so didn’t see much reportable two-tracking-wise.
Norm48327 (4-6):
We, as railroaders and railfans, have a comprehension of grade crossings and why identifying where they are at may be important to a railroad, whereas the general public has absolutely no idea that a railroad would need to identify a location. Now, my ‘Trekky’ wife most certainly knows more about Trekkidom than I do. But, I don’t think Trekkidom has life and death situations that the real world of railroading encounters. And, we can pride ourselves in that we know HOW to communicate with railroads about those life and death situations!
About Six-Shooters
In posting the post above this one, the replies to CShaveRR and Norm48327 went wild, and had to be physically removed from the composition to post the other reply responses.
Afterwards, a new post thread was started composition on at the TRAINS website. Using the replies only to CShaveRR and Norm 48327, the composition went flawlessly and without incident. So, more composition was added, working upward from the bottom. It totally went wild with forum contributor desertdog.
The replies were initially copied to WORD, and replies composed in WORD. Once composed, they were transferred to a supposedly neutral Text Document. However, in replying to mvs, the link carried through to the Text Document, which is not supposed to happen. But, super strange things happen while using the TRAINS Magazine website.
Except for desertdog, who has publically stated he had a Mac, it is unknown what type of computers the others in this post have. For the record, K.P. has a Dell, which has been a nightmare.
I suppose K.P. will waste some more time (when he has some spare time) trying to track down with certainly what the culprit(s) may be. Once it is figured out, who is for a wild six-shooter party? (Hehehe.)
Bushed,
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