desertdog A little extra history on the Broadway Road area in Mesa.... Up until a few years ago, the Mesa house track extended about three blocks further to the east, at least as far as S. Hibbert St. At one time, it doubled around to the north and then headed back to the west, connecting to the so-called Creamery Branch that came out of Tempe, forming a loop. The Creamery Branch still exists as a short, disconnected piece of track along E. 8th Street in Tempe. It is clearly visible on Google Maps east of Rural Road. John Timm
A little extra history on the Broadway Road area in Mesa....
Up until a few years ago, the Mesa house track extended about three blocks further to the east, at least as far as S. Hibbert St.
At one time, it doubled around to the north and then headed back to the west, connecting to the so-called Creamery Branch that came out of Tempe, forming a loop. The Creamery Branch still exists as a short, disconnected piece of track along E. 8th Street in Tempe. It is clearly visible on Google Maps east of Rural Road.
John Timm
Indeed, there also used to be another track that extended southwestward from the house track east of Center, that connected with the mainline and formed a wye.
As for the Creamery Branch, I can remember seeing stick rail that dated from the 1890s in use on it, around the 1992 timeframe. One of these rails broke under the weight of a GP38-2 that was powering that night's Magma turn local, derailing 3 of the 4 axles on the side of the hill as they were attempting to swich out Bay State (the Tempe flour mill, which was still in use then).
Update as of Monday, July 9, 2012
Part I (of I-XI)
The Milliken Ave. Flyover
Ontario, CA
This update will deal with three areas of Sunset Route activity in California: (1) the Milliken Ave. Flyover in Ontario, (2) the Colton Flyover in Colton, and the Hunts Lane overpass construction on the border between Colton and San Bernardino, near CP SP542 LOMA LINDA.
As reported a few days ago, only a maintenance-of-way switch connects the east side of the Milliken Ave. Flyover to the ground level mainline. On the west end, possibly a newly installed switch connects the flyover to the Guasti siding at CP AL525 GUASTI.
Soon after arriving at the Milliken Ave. grade crossing on the above heading's date, it was found that eastbound trains (plural) were in the Guasti siding.
Soon a westbound was spotted in the distance. As it came closer, it did NOT take a flyover route, but stayed on the present old single-track mainline.
Soon thereafter, the first Guasti siding train came eastward.
(Just a side note: While the tracks in front of the above light engine movement don't have much of a future, something caused UP to trade out a short section of rail on the above photo's lower left, the darker rail in front of the engines.)
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.
Part II (of I-XI)
The second train soon came out of the siding too, another short one!
Because it was on the other train's block, it got a yellow signal at the first intermediate to the east.
Afterward, the west end of the Guasti siding was passed by K.P., and NO track realignment shifts were present, nor did it look like anything like that was imminent.
Thus, K.P. got the distinct impression that any cutovers related to the Milliken Ave. Flyover will be weeks away.
(A side note too: When a second train is lined into a UP siding, unlike target signals that often use red of lunar, the latest color lights most often use red over flashing red.)
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-XI)
On the south side of the flyover, the west decorative concrete-works have temporary tarp material on them.
The unfinished center support had braces, and monkey-like workers were climbing all over them..
The east decorative concrete-work seems semi-finished.
Because of limited time, and the fact the flyover did not have trains traversing on it, K.P. left the area.
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-XI)
The Colton Flyover
Colton, CA
At the Colton Flyover area, on the south side, by East K Street, a big surprise was found! Besides the crude yellow paintjob on the flyover support concrete work, there was now signal burial bases! The Colton Signal Dept. is on the WEST side of the La Cadena Dr. underpass, but these bases are strangely on the EAST side.
Also, of all the Colton photos K.P. took, the above was the most revealing! Note the left yellow walling lines up with the left, currently low east-west SOUTH walling, but the NORTH east-west walling (barely visible) does NOT line up with the yellow painted structure's north (right) end!
A closer view of the south walling and the La Cadena Drive's east flyover support:
The west wye of the Riverside Industrial Lead in relation to the yellow concrete-work and new burial items:
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-XI)
A head-on view of the burial items:
Sitting back from the roadway, the now familiar containers accompany the burial items.
A half a block to the east, concrete bases of a long gone steam era's water tower silently watch the flyover construction spectacle.
In the above photo, barely visible, but all along the mainline trackage in the background is the orange screen construction fencing.
Continued in Part VI
Part VI (of I-XI)
In line with the I-10 9th Street freeway overpass, pieces of the current effort are methodically and slowly swung into position.
Continued in Part VII
Part VII (of I-XI)
The area of the actual Colton Signal Dept. was checked out also, and nothing significant was observed ... except this used color light signal was now on site. At first K.P. thought it was an entrance signal, but further examination indicated in was probably once a two-head mast for a siding somewhere, but the top head had been taken and used elsewhere. The mast also has a top platform.
The Rancho Ave. overpass was went over, but nothing obvious had changed to both the west and east.
K.P. had not been by Pepper Ave. for a while, so it was checked out also, with an emphasis on an eastward view. None of the new grading could be seen.
On the upper left of the above photo, CP SP538 RANCHO's west side eastbound signals are barely visible. They cannot be seen while up on the overpass because of the east side only sidewalk.
Continued in Part VIII
Part VIII (of I-XI)
A few final views of the Colton Flyover, this time by I-10's on and off eastbound ramps on the north side of the tracks, looking south at the residential area K.P. was at earlier.
In the second, just above photo, concrete seems to have been poured as flooring between the side walls.
Previously, the below 'floorless' modules photo was shown.
So, the Colton Flyover is starting to evolve into parts that are becoming more recognizable.
Continued in Part IX
Part IX (of I-XI)
The Hunts Lane Overpass
Colton / San Bernardino, CA
The Hunts Lane overpass construction is in full force, and seems to be moving rapidly. Looking north:
Southward views:
Three houses with backs toward the roadway had to be demolished in the view just above
A northwest pile of dirt being dug up:
Continued in Part X
Part X (of I-XI)
How businesses trackside will fair with the overpass construction is unclear.
Note the nice sidewalk in the above photo's lower right. From an old married geezer to the young, single males among us ... Periodically, cute, older teenage gals would walk by ... always with their mothers. That was a mystery. And why the mothers were always brandishing AK47's was a mystery too! Seriously, just an area observation ... I just report things as I see it ...
The new overpass will go over a four or five track width. View looks west.
K.P. believes the "Ice Desk Siding" above will be extended eastward after the overpass is finished. A new CP could replace CP SP542 LOMA LINDA (shown) and CP SP543 BRYN MAWR farther east.
It likely will have 40 M.P.H. crossovers, with 30 M.P.H. siding switches, as at CP SP938 EAST PICACHO in Arizona. That siding signal (left) was the one with three heads.
Continued in Part XI
Part XI (of I-XI)
At present, the nearby stoplights for vehicle traffic is interconnected to the crossing gates (note the blue letters).
As seen in the above photo, power lines are affected by the overpass construction.
An access road for this UP customer will be affected by the overpass too.
So, this has been what is currently going on at Hunts Lane, as well as the Milliken Ave. and Colton Flyover construction sites.
Took a drive towards Picacho earlier today, and double track now appears to be complete place all the way between MP950 and MP960, with triple track at the current sidings for Red Rock and Naviska. The new main does not appear to be in service yet east of Red Rock, as a ballast train was running westbound as we passed, and there is still a manual switch target at the east end of the new track at Naviska. Based only on how polished the rail surface looks, it does appear the track is in service west of Red Rock. That's what my son saw last week.
From Naviska to Rillito, new intermediate signal masts are also in place but turned sideways, and there's also a new signal box in place at Rillito (Tangerine Road).
At Cortaro Road, there's now a track panel sitting next to the grade crossing plates. Marana Public Works told me that UP will be doing a grade crossing replacement on the weekend of July 27-29, starting at 2000 Friday night. Not sure if it will be a partial closure, or if they're planning to close it entirely. The panel track looks like it crosses the entire width of the road. Either way, it's yet another positive sign that the project is moving east...
eoleson (7-13):
Yesterday, I was in the Temecula, CA area and miraculously ran into an old UP contact from Arizona, and he advised that currently (at least from a few days ago) there has been NO new second-tracking in your Arizona area put in service of late.
Above photo: A previously shown eastward view from Missile Base Rd., M.P. 956.26, looking towards the Naviska siding that will remain under two-tracking.
Thanks for your local area's on site observations and report postings
Take care,
K.P.
The Diversion
Pomona, CA
A colleague of K.P. got a phone call from someone in the know relative to the Pomona Diversion. Concerning the legal controversy between the railroad and a pipeline outfit that is holding up putting the Diversion in service and pulling up the old, original Sunset Route trackage, reportedly "progress" is being made. K.P. has heard that before, but, who knows. They also advised that they may know something more definitive in a month or two.
The below reshown Diversion photos were taken a few years ago.
Hopefully, things will be resolved soon, and the controversy will not continue a year or two further, or even more.
For the forum's information, the first two photos above cannot be duplicated. The walkway and access to the bridge ledge are no more!
K.P.,
That pipeline company is Kinder Morgan. For what it's worth, Kinder Morgan has a huge investment in Watco, the shortline conglomerate. Ironic, no?
desertdog For what it's worth, Kinder Morgan has a huge investment in Watco, the shortline conglomerate.
More info on the Kinder Morgan investment in Watco (article from 12/15/10)
http://www.thestreet.com/story/10948393/1/kinder-morgan-announces-equity-investment-with-watco-companies.html
And not surprisingly, Watco operates Kinder Morgan rail transload terminals: (from March 2011:)
http://oilspot2.dtnenergy.com/e_article002037949.cfm?x=b11,0,w
(article from Feb 2012)
http://www.railresource.com/content/?p=1828
The Hustle and Bustle Never Stops
Before Dawn at the Milliken Ave. Flyover
Recently, if necessity caused K.P. to be out and about at the ungodly hour of 3:00 A.M., he was going to take full advantage of the situation, and got the camera out at the Milliken Ave. Flyover (M.P. 525.4)!
Three crack-of-dawn photos:
In the last photo above, the truck traffic thereat never stops! And, bunches and bunches of it. At least three trucks are in view. In the near future, they undoubted will benefit the most from the Milliken Ave. Flyover by not being delayed at the grade crossing anymore. To a trucker, time is money!
It is still hard to believe for old timers that years ago Milliken Ave. was only a two-lane road among grape vines, Guasti Rd. didn't exist, and the track was owned by Southern Pacific!
At this point, it is uncertain when K.P. can get back to the current construction and two-tracking sites.
desertdog and Rader Sidetrack (7-17):
About Kinder Morgan and Watco ... That is quite an investment connection!
Best,
Vanishing Act ... and Magic!
On Thursday, July 12, 2012 the following Colton Flyover area photo shot from "K" Street in Colton, CA dated Monday, July 9, 2012 was posted, showing some of the about 20 concrete signal burial bases.
On the morning of Wednesday, July 18, 2012, the "K" Street site was returned to, and everything was gone! All the bases, ties, etc. had vanished!
It is unknown where they went. However, two concrete burial bases were spotted at the east end of the Milliken Ave. Flyover in Ontario, CA, along with a newly erected mast on the west side of the flyover, by CP AL525 GUASTI.
Some hocus pocus magic may have taken place with the building of the Colton Flyover itself, because what has looked like a two-track width concrete erections has suddenly taken on a three-track look! Comparing photos taken a week apart may make you a believer in the hocus pocus stuff!
For the Colton Flyover too, the future long WEST crossover track between Mains 1 and 2 in the curve west of Rancho Ave. has partially been laid.
It will take one to three days to put a photo report together on all this.
Some work was going on at the East end of Guasti siding again, back on Tuesday (7/17). Getting ready to cut-over to the flyover maybe?? ;)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/62584678@N02/7603860546/
--Robert
Update as of Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Part A (of A-J)
The Colton Flyover Construction
A southward view from I-10 and 9th Street: The concrete-work is getting higher. An unusual appearance was that the width looked wider than before, as if it went from two-tracks to a three-track width.
A southeastward view:
A southwestward view: The walling is getting to the point the residential area on the south side of the tracks is almost hidden now.
Continued in Part B
Part B (of A-J)
A flatbed, eighteen wheeler showed up at I-10 and 9th Street with concrete walling pieces.
We now head east to the Mt. Vernon Ave. two-lane overpass, and park at the road that goes underneath it. The flyover initial walling is seen progressing towards Mt. Vernon Ave. An end view has a three-track width appearance (for two-tracks and a maintenance utility road).
In the above view, note all the orang vested workers here and there. Hosed water even seems to be being sprayed. The walling takes on a rising look to it, but is really step-lower as it gets closer to the camera, which is at a lower elevation.
A westward telephoto: A long, multi-jointed arm hoses concrete to the flyover support on the WEST side of the La Cadena Drive underpass.
Continued in Part C
Part C (of A-J)
Two previously shown South Colton photos of ties and signal burial stands that strangely showed up on scene over a week ago:
On Wednesday, July 18, 2012, that area was all cleared and totally empty.
More will be discussed later on where the burial stands and ties may have gone.
Continued in Part D
Part D (of A-J)
By La Cedena Drive, the right flyovers piers have had the large protective boarding taken down, but the left one remains, with concrete pouring taking place thereat.
A close-up: Note the north (background) walling is even with the north pier structuring (just left of photo center).
In a previously shown view from over a week ago, note the same north (background) walling (barely visible) is NOT at the edge as in the above photo.
It is not known what took place in less than two weeks, but the flyover had a noticeably wider look to it.
Continued in Part E
Part E (of A-J)
On the west side of town now ...
From 4th Street, looking eastward towards the BNSF transition track in the northwest quadrant of Colton Crossing: There are so many rebar towers now it is almost dizzying.
An eastward overview from Rancho Ave.: Note the rebar tower on the far right!
A heavy eastward telephoto:
Continued in Part F
Part F (of A-J)
From Rancho Ave., a study update of what is to the west: The future long crossover (photo center) between Mains 1 and 2 has track laid now, but is un-ballasted. The future Main 2 is the incomplete, un-ballasted track that ends.
Continued in Part G
Part G (of A-J)
A telephoto of the new, present CP SP537 EAST WYE BYPASS: The future crossover is very unusual in that it has a junction switch (for the Palm Cutoff) within it.
In comparing the top photo in the section above this one (note the lower, unconnected crossover switch) with the photo just above, the top right signal has a lower head with only two bulbs. That works presently at CP SP537 EAST WYE BYPASS because the next signal (at CP SP538 RANCHO) has a 30 M.P.H. crossover that necessitates a yellow over yellow in the above view. However, when CP SP538 RANCHO is gone, and this is one, big interlocking, likely the lower head in question will have THREE bulbs. If it eventually will, that would necessitate the short, single-head intermediate mast signal at Riverside Ave. to be traded out so that it would have a lower head, for a yellow over yellow aspect.
Continued in Part H
Part H (of A-J)
Over in the west, at the Milliken Ave. Flyover construction site, at the EAST end by the present single-main's intermediate signal, TWO burial stands have been brought to the site. So, apparently, the far east end of the flyover will have intermediate signals erected at its foot.
The center burial stand above seemed unusually high.
A short distance up the east slope of the flyover is that entrance signal. It had a piece of track equipment by it.
Continued in Part I
Part I (of A-J)
On the flyover's west side, the future Main 2 had a new two-stemmed mast erected across from the present Main's westbound east side CP signal.
Continued in Part J
Part J (of A-J)
Besides a dual roadway and track piece of equipment on the flyover's new track ...
... there were other pieces of equipment working as well on or near the flyover's west end.
Earlier today forumist cabcar linked his excellent Tuesday, July 17, 2012 Guasti area photo for all of us to see. The day after shooting his photo, i.e., Wednesday, K.P. was there himself and took this series' photos. Obviously, laying track and a cutover is no simple task, but complicated. Reportedly, UP has 120 days to do it. It is unknown exactly when the cutover will actually happen, but four months from April 1 is August 1, from May 1 it is September 1. If March was when the calendar was activated, then now is the time to watch.
In light of the new signal mast and burial items now onsite in the area of the Milliken Ave. Flyover, K.P. will be watching for new signals all along this stretch of track, hopefully soon. It is unknown how far of a distance around Milliken Ave. Flyover is involved, but there was about 20 burial stands at Colton last week that are not there now. Perhaps they are for two-tracking the Fontana-Pomona section. Time will tell.
This will end this Colton / Milliken Ave. Flyovers Sunset Route update series.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.