K. P. HarrierSouth Perris – Saturday, July 7, 2018 There does not appear to be any effort to increase the low ridership on the Perris Valley Line. On the Saturday mentioned, the line was dead, as NO Metrolinks run on Saturday or Sunday on the PVL. A freight train, however, was seen switching on the line.
There does not appear to be any effort to increase the low ridership on the Perris Valley Line.
On the Saturday mentioned, the line was dead, as NO Metrolinks run on Saturday or Sunday on the PVL. A freight train, however, was seen switching on the line.
K.P.:
Good to hear from you, as always. Sad to hear that ridership isn't increasing that much. I don't know what to think -- are the commuters in that area all going down the 15 to San Diego? Are they going up the 15 to San Berdoo?
South Perris – Saturday, July 7, 2018
Two F125’s Facing Each Other!
On a dispatch deep into Riverside County, K.P. stopped at the Metrolink South Perris end of the line, at the servicing facility, and found TWO F125’s there, and as he had never seen before, one train set was in reverse, with the power (Engine No. 910) on the inbound end.
Usually ALL the power parks at the end of line, but this visit a cab car was at the end of the line. Typically, all power leads up the grade in the Box Springs area, but No. 910 PUSHED the train up the grade this time.
On another line, No. 910 has been photographed running a train previously in the reverse mode for some reason.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Second Section
The “D” Street grade crossing that is south of the Downtown Perris stop and near that curve, seems to have a visual problem for motorists.
It would seem an early-on inbound trip out of the South Perris stop COULD have that trip very disrupted with a collision at “D” Street. It would seem a cantilever south side flashers would be a safety enhancement here.
The “No Line” of the San Jac!
Part “E” (of A-E)
About a block or two west, or inbound, is a branching off spur that is undermined.
The spur goes to what looks like an electric utility.
At South Perris, the new, ‘good’ track is present. Even so the outbound signal thereat only clears with flashing red over red, or red over flashing red.
Above, note the bottom lamp is off in its red over flashing red mode. While K.P. did not see it when the DS lined the signal, it apparently was red over flashing red for at least 45 minutes before being knocked down by the commuter train
So, there we have it, a disjointed, dilapidated line that trains cannot currently pass over. It would seem that a Metrolink extension to Hemet would be a good idea. It is unknown if Metrolink thinks so too. But, word is that ‘transit” will not fare well under President Trump. Time will tell on all this.
NOTE: This photo series and the mileposts therein are in conflict with previous statements of the distance between Perris and Hemet, which were bases on information from Google Maps. Mileposts don’t lie, so apparently the distance from SOUTH Perris to Hemet is much less than thought.
This will end the series. However, a brief Second Section follows.
Part “D” (of A-E)
At Menefee Road, in the M.P. 24 area, an outbound view:
Inbound:
The southeast grade crossing flashers are mast-hanging and facing the tracks and not the roadway.
Continued in Part E
Part “C” (of A-E)
At Briggs Road, unknown milepost, looking outbound:
Above, one has to wonder how the left rail got bent towards the right one.
Continued in Part D
Part “B” (of A-E)
At Winchester Road, M.P. 28.95, cantilever roadway flashers are present.
Outbound:
Inbound, and an industrial siding (left) not timetabled for meets.
Continued in Part C
Part “A” (of A-E)
The AT&SF train called the “San Jac” got its name from a run between San Bernardino and San Jacinto (CA). This status report is of the current track situation beyond the South Perris Metrolink stop and to near Hemet.
We start at a street called “Cawstone” at M.P. 33.25, looking outbound towards Hemet.
Looking inbound: Note the disjointed rail and greenery (?) growth on the rails and ties.
We now go towards a ‘dead’ siding-like area.
Continued in Part B
The ‘Secret’ Perris Valley Line Continues
Headway No. 3 (of 1-3)
The new F125 power still hasn’t been put in service anywhere on the Metrolink system. But, as the below link’s photo shows, unit 905 was used for testing activation of crossing gates on the Pasadena Sub presently used for a local a day except weekends.
http://railpictures.net/photo/619582/
In that light, maybe something will start getting exciting on the Perris Valley Line soon …
For the first time ever K.P. ventured onto an unseen territory to him between Hemet and Perris. The ex-Santa Fe line is in deplorable shape.
That above spur photo was shot not too far from the South Perris stop. While only a spur, the mainline often looks pretty bad, with rails sometimes severed!
From South Perris to Hemet via rail is probably (“probably”) 20 miles. In K.P.’s estimation the line if rebuilt could support 79 M.P.H trains, and if Automatic Train Stop (ATS) equipped, 90 M.P.H. seems feasible. It is mostly straightaways and just a couple of big, swooping curves, and in a very rural setting.
It almost looked like the line is abandoned, or will soon be. Whether or not the PVL will be extended to Hemet in the future is not known, but that deplorable line was photographed too at key locations on the Friday visit. It is hoped to post photos next week. It is a strange sight compared to most of Southern California’s well-manicured mainlines, and even some fairly decent branch lines!
Stay tuned.
Headway No. 2 (of 1-3)
At that, an arrival was seen to be soon. So, Nuevo Road was gone to, and why a separate track was built alongside the old freight track was seen too. (A freight was noted to be occupying the original line.) The outbound train soon came.
After discharging its passengers at the South Perris stop, the train then moved over to and laid over by the crew building (right).
Later, when the train left for Riverside, K.P. stationed the camera a few blocks from the downtown Perris stop, by the curve south of the stop.
Back at the South Perris stop, a photo of the ‘designer’ semi-greenery just had to be photographed …
Continued in Headway No. 3
Headway No. 1 ( of 1-3)
During a presently rare dispatch to Hemet, K.P. was able to have much free time between Hemet and the relatively nearby Perris area, and the South Perris stop was visited. The stop is still rather deserted, but had much more vehicles present than last time.
The shade covered area was focused on (note the monitor screen on the upper right).
The monitor said two trains were in the relatively near future, one arriving and the other departing, though of the same train set.
Continued in Headway No. 2
M636CWhy are there two BNSF GP60Ms in fresh BNSF colours in the shed? It's a while since I've been to California (or the USA) but the GP60Ms I saw were in older BNSF or red and silver...
Progress Rail has been rebuilding them as GP60-3s, though the first few were done at MPI.
M636CWhere is this Keller Yard? Is it a Metrolink facility?
Not sure about the AT&SF days, but Metrolink (re)built this small yard a few years ago. It is used for storing train consists at mid-day close to Union Station, reducing the need for shuttle moves to their yard about a mile north.
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! ***
K.P., check out the LAPD Air Support Heliport to the immediate northwest of Keller Yard with 10 helicopters on the roof.
K.P.
The location where the Metrolink Station is looks kinda remote, if I were in charge, I'd just reopen the original ATSF depot vs build a new station 5 miles south of it.
Does the Perris Valley Line have any potential for ridership growth?
M636C (2-13):
Personally, I’ve never heard of Keller Yard. But, it appears to be the old Santa Fe coach yard in downtown Los Angeles (CA, USA).
Keller Yard Aerial (Google Maps)
The name ‘Keller’ apparently is in reference to the nearby Keller Street (pointed out on the aerial by a red, upside down teardrop).
Take care,
K. P. Harrier The F-125’s Photos of F-125’s 909 and 910 in delivery state are now at a train photo site, three linked below. http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4637518 http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4637519 http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4637520 Maybe we will soon see some advertising about the PVL …
The F-125’s
Photos of F-125’s 909 and 910 in delivery state are now at a train photo site, three linked below.
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4637518
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4637519
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4637520
Maybe we will soon see some advertising about the PVL …
Where is this Keller Yard? Is it a Metrolink facility?
Why are there two BNSF GP60Ms in fresh BNSF colours in the shed? It's a while since I've been to California (or the USA) but the GP60Ms I saw were in older BNSF or red and silver...
Peter
Finally, Some Replies
Electroliner 1935 (12-26):
The vehicle was a standard passenger car with standard tires. Even if it had four-wheel drive type tires the ground was so saturated with water the vehicle would have probably slid SIDEWAYS regardless. As it was I didn’t move the vehicle further as it probably would have ended up in the trackside water!
mvs (12-31):
It is unknown what time the Hunter Park stop was visited, but the nice security guard thereat at the time said there was only one outbound train remaining.
It could be such a stop as you suggested, but I can’t believe designers didn't know that.
I am somewhat familiar with UCR but where would the stop itself for it be located?
This forumist doubts that extending the weekend trains to Perris at this time would help, but he firmly believes Metrolink is just waiting for the new EMD F-125 diesels to arrive, and then the PVL will be heavily advertised. The diesels are probably being built right now, but the modification parts that the manufacturer is waited for, whatever they are, are holding up those deliveries. Probably five to seven more of the F-125’s will show up within just one week sometime in the future. After that, they will probably be advertised heavily and the PVL will see new passengers to the line come out of the woodwork, as the expression goes!
K. P. HarrierA Wonder! And, Possibly a Bad Sign Part VI (of I-VI) Several minutes later the Metrolink Hunter Park stop was arrived at, and an almost empty parking lot was stopped at and photographed, on a Thursday workday! (...snip...) A parking lot guard from afar making their rounds was very suspicious and came my way to check on me. As that guard got closer they recognized me from before, and we had a great chat for several minutes just like we had before. That guard was all smiles seeing I wasn’t a villain with evil intent! Millions of dollars was spent for a very, very empty parking lot! Again, it might fill up with heavy advertising, possible when the new F125 locomotives arrival.
Part VI (of I-VI)
Several minutes later the Metrolink Hunter Park stop was arrived at, and an almost empty parking lot was stopped at and photographed, on a Thursday workday!
(...snip...)
A parking lot guard from afar making their rounds was very suspicious and came my way to check on me. As that guard got closer they recognized me from before, and we had a great chat for several minutes just like we had before. That guard was all smiles seeing I wasn’t a villain with evil intent!
Millions of dollars was spent for a very, very empty parking lot! Again, it might fill up with heavy advertising, possible when the new F125 locomotives arrival.
Thank you for sharing these neat pictures from the Perris Valley Line. Here are my thoughts:
Happy New Year!
usmc1401 (12-27):
Thanks for advising the U2 trolley No. 1008 was trucked up from San Diego. I’ve credited you for that info in the “San Diego Trolley with Photos” thread in the Transit forum.
Best,
The San Diego U2 car was trucked up from Diego. The NJ cars have been at OERM for a couple of years. The other NJ cars may be at OERM not sure. They were striped and will be used by CDF for training.
K. P. Harrier Unlike when the car was on the south side of the street, off the north side the car lost half its grip on the dirt, and the car started SLIDING downward towards the water, to the right!
Not a four wheel or all wheel drive vehicle I presume. What type tires does it have?
Second Section (Continued)
Since Metrolink is not in the freight business, and BNSF has freight rights on the line (including delivering passenger equipment), when delivered that San Diego Trolley car it likely came south on the BNSF track (left, wood tied track) along the I-215 Freeway.
Just an interesting thought …
Likely the No. 1008 came on flatcars, as the PVL does not have catenary, nor are its couplers compatible with freight cars.
Close by to No. 1008 was four New Jersey Transit commuter cars.
If they are new too to the OERM, they may have been delivered with the U2. There had been such east coast New Jersey cars at Metrolink’s Colton facility, but in reviewing the few visible car numbers in past photos, none matched the ones at OERM.
This will conclude the “Second Section” posting.
Staffers at the Orange Empire Railway Museum (OERM) on December 22, 2016, when asked when their new San Diego Trolley U2 No. 1008 arrived, said just a couple of months ago.
So, the implication is that the new interchange track from the Perris Valley Line to the museum was actually used ‘a couple of months ago.’
Views from December 18, 2016
Continued …
A Wonder! And, Possibly a Bad Sign
Later, miles north, traversing through the I-215 and 60 Freeways interchange, traffic was very slow going through that super poorly designed NEW bridging and beyond. So a known shortcut was taken. Several minutes later the Metrolink Hunter Park stop was arrived at, and an almost empty parking lot was stopped at and photographed, on a Thursday workday!
This will end the series. However, a Second Section follows.
Part V (of I-VI)
Now, about something bad! Back out on Case Road, the South Perris stop was passed, and it was desirable to photograph one of two nearby bridges with water by it.
Those two photos were shot after something bad had happened. This:
Unlike when the car was on the south side of the street, off the north side the car lost half its grip on the dirt, and the car started SLIDING downward towards the water, to the right!
After that incident, the car wasn’t going to be driver further and risk going into the water, and help was summoned. About 45 minutes later the towing service arrived, and with the truck’s flashing yellow lights flashing blocked half of Case Road and extricated the car. It was dark now, and cold!
Leaving the scene, much mud continued to be flung off the tires for SEVERAL miles!
If you compare the south side SOLID ground in Part I’s second photo’s lower right, the water on the north side of Case Road must have saturated and weakened the north side dirt. Will the embankment of the track be weakened too, possibly with a departing or arriving commuter train landing in the water because of the track collapsing?
Scary thought! It had rained for only a day or two. What if it rains for two weeks? Or, rained for maybe a month like it did in 1969?
Continued in Part VI
K. P. HarrierIn effect, that water on the seats makes the stop basically without seats for a while.
There's that darned dihydrogen monoxide, again. And evil surface tension.
If I was going to railfan there, I think I'd make sure I brought along a towel...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Part IV (of I-VI)
And, then the last car passed.
Thereafter, a brief review of the station stop uncovered a problem with the seating after it had rained.
In effect, that water on the seats makes the stop basically without seats for a while.
Continued in Part V
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