Update as of Thursday, April 2, 2015
The Box Springs Area
Riverside, CA
Part “C” (of A-C)
K.P. just couldn’t figure out this temporary traffic sign just south of the Mt. Vernon Ave. grade crossing! (Hehehe.)
A center roadway divider was being put in.
The above grade crossing was closed on this Thursday date and it was WITHOUT the old crossing gates! Presumably, no trains were going to come by till Monday, and the crossing gates would be all hooked up and ready for trains.
This will end the series.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 “B” (of A-C)
Looking inbound, what appeared to be an Ames red water truck went northward (rightward) over the grade crossing, and then backed over the track to align parallel it.
Above, look at those big, wide tires! Also, the truck seems to be a Kenworth brand truck, with KW on the nose grill. One gentleman over three decades ago told K.P. Kenworth engines have a unique property in that they will rotate backwards if they can’t rotate forward. He was a trucker, and it was presumed he knew what he was talking about. Anyway, with a quality truck and big tires, Ames seems to be using quality equipment in constructing the Perris Valley Line!
An overview, inbound view:
Continued in Part C
Part “A” (of A-C)
The Gernet Road grade crossing, near the top of the Box Springs grade, was to be eliminated, but apparently the ‘will of the people’ dictated otherwise, and new crossing gates and flashers are being erected. A new intermediate signal has also been erected there.
Continued in Part B
almost for got to share this one as well we had a heck of a lot of fun on this day as well
Perris OERM 02-08-15 Railroad Bronies Meetup
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.502290133243721.1073741852.100003882158123&type=1&l=f86e6ffefa
it's funny that you say that KP i was just thinking about going up there on a hike the other day and i've been suggesting to my friends from church for sometime now that we should plan an outing up there one of these days a hike to the top ending in a round of songs and the reading of scriptures from our bibles a real awesome day of fellowshipping together surounded by the beautiful splenders of nature in the presence of god ^_^
also i've gotten to be really out of shape lately so i could use the exercise if i still go sometime in the next week or 2 i'll remember to bring my camera to snap some shots for the us both and maybe we can go up there on a hike together one of these days
also if you liked those pictures you should really check out these one's too i took them at last years open house day at the OERM in perris my friend Michael went with me and we had a total all access VIP Style blast of it got tons of amazing photos here's the link to the complete album on my facebook
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.339562592849810.1073741838.100003882158123&type=1&l=ee70598977
these 3 pics are just a few exampels of what's in this album there are 322 more images to enjoy so please visit the link above you'll be glad you did
smileponys (3-28): Is Anyone Adventurous?
Now that I have a little (“little”) spare time … Your top of Box Springs Mountains photo of those antennas brought back memories of when I was a kid 50-55 years ago.
smileponys
Back then my dad, who was a radio station nut (like we are of trains), took me up there on a winding dirt road, and we got to see those transmitters up pretty close. One isolated antenna location even had a live broadcast speaker blaring out the broadcast, with no one around manning it!
One of the cool memories I have of that time was looking down the mountain and seeing the Santa Fe San Jac Line’s Blaine Street and Mt. Vernon Ave. grade crossings. (Back then, there even was a grade crossing between them.) It was a mesmerizing view for sure, and the memories last till today. But, when I was out on a dispatch just the other day, I saw those transmitters up on the mountains and recalled my childhood experience. Then, you surprise-posted the above photo of some of those antennas! I thought it sure would be cool to get photos of the Perris Valley Line route from way up by those antennas! So, that is now on my big, long list of photos to take … unless someone beats me to it! (Hint, hint! Hehehe. Anybody?)
As much as I wouldn’t mind going up there, a few years ago I unsuccessfully tried to take an old shortcut through that way, and the roads were closed, and washouts were present, etc., etc., etc. Disappointing to say the least! Like I said, it has been 50-55 years since I’ve been up there, so a study of maps and aerials will have to be undertaken before I attempt such a journey.
Anyway, thanks for photo-rekindling some childhood memories from many, many years ago.
Take care,
K.P.
Thank you KP
i'll definitely be shortening the size of my post in the futuer less photo's per post is a good idea espcially if someone viewing this page has a slower computer or internet connection i started to do that on this last post but i hesitated i'm still new to this site and such a novice i took a lot of shots without fully understanding what everything i photographed was even but with your help it all worked out thanks for explaining about the cantilever and signals mast too your the best ^_^
your insight and advice was really valued and i'm really glad that my photo's were so well recived glad i could help
smileponys (3-27):
Nice group of photos!
That cantilever flashers unit you photographed caught my attention.
smileponys pieces of signals how they are to be use and where anlong this area on the line i am not sure about yet but maybe KP has some ideas to help me fill in the blanks
pieces of signals how they are to be use and where anlong this area on the line i am not sure about yet but maybe KP has some ideas to help me fill in the blanks
Yes, I have a few ideas how they could be used. Since there are few grade crossings on the Perris Valley Line per se, the one that jumped out at me in my mind is the River Crest Drive grade crossing, just east of a weird “L” type “T” intersection on Box Springs Blvd., near where the 60 Freeway junctions with I-215 in the Riverside-Perris area.
LINK:
https://www.google.com/maps/@33.9371271,-117.2934305,100m/data=!3m1!1e3
I was at that grade crossing way back on December 21, 2012:
Or, maybe the Blaine Street grade crossing would be a good candidate for a cantilever flasher unit.
I’ll bet my boots that that lying down signals mast …
… will be erected sometime in the future by the Central Ave. / Watkins Drive meeting with the 60 / I-215 Freeway. I’ve been watching that grade crossing like a hawk, so when I saw the just above laying down signal photo it really registered with me!
Changing the subject slightly … About posting photos … A number of years ago when the “Cajon Pass Triple-Tracking Updates” thread was looked at often by many, I posted a SINGLE post that had maybe fifteen photos in it. Man, did I ever get flack for that! So many complained because it took so long for the page to load and all the photos to be seeable that I decided I had to post posts in the future much differently. I came up with posting just two to four photos at a time only, but posted more posts (Parts A, B, C, etc.) so all the photos could be presented. And everybody seemed to be happy with that. Your photos seem to load quicker than when I posted that bunch in the Cajon thread maybe six years ago and got all that flack for it. The trainsmag.com site mechanics undoubtedly were improved. Nevertheless, you might try spreading the photos out among many posts to avoid page overload and bogging the thread down.
I was part of a super weird experience in Moreno Valley several weeks ago, so much so that a colleague suggested to the City that they revamp a certain intersection striping. The City actually went out for a look. They emailed him just a few days ago that they HAD indeed revamp the intersection striping according to his very suggestion! I can hardly wait to see it for myself. There is talk of one of my infamous “deep into Riverside County” dispatches sometime (“sometime”) next week, so when I eventually get out that way it is planned to go and see what the City did striping-wise, and check out the Perris Valley Line as much as I can too. I wonder if that laying down signal will have been erected by then, maybe in the Box Springs Mountains area …
Anyway, it is super to have you on board, someone who can post photos, and photos are worth a thousand words they say!
Best,
Went online and found this plan view of the moreno-valley-march-field station you included in this post.
http://perrisvalleyline.info/station-locations/moreno-valley-march-field-station
This site: http://www.perrisvalleyline.info/ also links to a map, a schedule, (Construction began in October 2013 and is expected to be complete in late 2015)
and plan views of the other stations. Also, found this (The estimated PVL cost is $248.3 million.)
K. P keep up the good work. As the micky D comercial say's "I'm loving it"
Whoops, While I thanked K.P. for this, The pictures were posted by smileponys. Thanks also go to you, sir.
My pictures of the Moreno Valley Metrolink Station Site as of March 24th 2015
Hello Everyone i took these the other day and figured i'd upload them for all to enjoy i don't live very far from the Future Moreno Valley Station site and as i'm always carrying my camera so i couldn't just pass up an opportunity photograph it
the following 3 shots are some views taken from the alessandro 215 over pass with the long range focus of my sony handy cam it has a 2000x Digital Zoom 75X optical zoom
looks like the structure of the stations platform and staricase are begining to slowly take shape i was very surprised to learn that the staircase will be facing eastwards towards the freeway and March ARB instead of towards Meridian Parkway i can hardly wait to see how the finished product will turn out (Link is to Concept Image) http://perrisvalleyline.info/uploads/media_items/pvl-moval.png
i'm not certain but i beleive this was security guard patrolling the site
Ames Construction is making awesome progress and i heard form unconfirmed sources that the compeation of construction is slated for Sometime in July
was walking towards the main site entrance on Meridian Parkway when i saw this must be Water access for the site i presume?
a flatbed truck driving into the site with some equipment
well that's all of my pics for now
Note:
These were my Second set of Photo's the first set was taken on 03/20/15 but they got deleted by accident
KPs truly inspires me his photos are simply amazing and some day i hope i can masure up to his level of greatness
smileponys run a Fully restored and operartional 1930's Electric Street Car as shuttle service between the OERM Grounds and old depot house's platform
run a Fully restored
and operartional 1930's Electric Street Car as shuttle service
between the OERM Grounds and old depot house's platform
OERM has run trains to the Perris Depot in the past, though the wire never reached 4th street. Makes sense to use an old streetcar or interurban for the run as much less maintenance is needed for the electric cars.
Walt Abbenseth would have been thrilled to be able to ride Metrolink to Perris and then PE 717 from Perris to the museum.
- Erik
Update as of Wednesday, March 18, 2015
The Downtown Perris and South Perris Areas
Perris, CA
Part C (of A-C)
Not much was seen by the South Perris stop, EXCEPT where the stop will actually be at. The early stage of the concrete platform was in place, but had many more stages to follow.
Apparently, the South Perris stop will be a single-track affair, with signaled staging tracks just to its southeast.
This will complete the series.
Looking north, the track between the 4th Street grade crossing and the new switch is still absent rail, but has ties laid.
Above, there was a little excitement as an eastbound (rightward) fire engine in Code-3 mode (lights and sirens) had to negotiate the 4th Street grade crossing. The grade crossing normally has four open lanes but this date was still down to only two-lanes because of the Perris Valley Line’s redoing of the area. The downtown area was a traffic nightmare for drivers.
Looking north with a telephoto, workers just south of the Perris stop (upper left) were having a meeting.
There was what appeared to be wood tied panel track stacked east of the new switch, possibly for the OERM track.
With a northward slant, the newly installed switch is seen.
The slightly angled alignment goes straight through the 6th Street grade crossing at that slightly angled alignment, where the embedded rails are still in the grade crossing on a true north-south alignment.
Looking south, one can see the newly laid track in this distance stopping. The new alignment (when track is laid) will probably come towards the camera on the photo bottom center.
K.P. would imagine that above grade crossing will be next to be redone.
I recently spoke with some of the people in charge over at
the OERM and they've told me something very interesting
looks like they have a major surprise on the way for all of
us once construction work on the perris metrolink station
is complete they are planning to bulid & run a Fully restored
located at the Metrolink Station on C Street & 4th Street
I would guess that the line to the left is the OERM track connection and the line to the right is Mterolink to South Perris.
In an uncommon Wednesday dispatch deep into Riverside County, K.P. was able to check on the status of new track laying in downtown Perris. In a few days a short posting series will tried to be worked up, but the most glaring things was the new, manual, spring frogged switch was all assembled and more or less in place.
More details in a few days …
Second Section
In the Highgrove-Riverside area, just east of the new Iowa Ave. overpass, a signal has been erected for eastbound BNSF-UP and Metrolink commuter trains.
Thus, there will be some type of wye arrangement in the Highgrove area, and it shouldn’t be long now before we can see what it will be.
The Blaine Street to Spruce Street area in the material of Parts II-IV just above is less than two miles in distance, and that area is currently having the track renewed, so it is not too long from now we should get some idea of how the track and signals in the Highgrove area will be.
Update as of Friday, March 13, 2015
The Alessandro to Highgrove Area
Riverside-Highgrove, CA
Part IV (of I-IV)
Between Blaine and Spruce Streets
Many stacks of ties were piled here and there …
… and equipment too.
The above photo’s slant is correct. Fred Perris who is said to have surveyed and laid out this ex-California Southern route had an almost 7 mile stretch of 3% line in Cajon Pass, on what is known today as BNSF’s Main 3 between Summit and Cajon. While K.P. is unfamiliar with the actual gradients on the ex-CS now Perris Valley line on the Box Springs grade, it wouldn't surprise him if it was around 3% also. Such should give Metrolink’s coming future 4700 H.P. F-125 diesels a good workout!
That downward grade here (and valley below) is impressive and stunning!
This will conclude the series, however a Second Section follows.
Part III (of I-IV)
Between Blaine and Spruce Streets, the track was being completely removed, new ballast spread, CWR laid, and holes dug.
Continued in Part IV
Part II (of I-IV)
The Box Springs Grade
Towards the top of the Box Springs grade, by the grade crossing in the vicinity where Central Ave. turns into Watkins Street, as noted previously, the grade crossing seems to be being rebuilt. A never before shown photo from last week of that area:
On this visit, nothing seemed to be obvious as to advancement.
Just down the ways a bit … photos were taken from Mansfield Street, of the newly laid track, ballast (far left), and slanted embankment, looking south.
Looking north:
Continued in Part III
Part I (of I-IV)
The Alessandro Siding Twilight Zone
In the last year K.P. has seen new signals at the SOUTH end of the Alessandro siding, besides those at the north end. However in recent trips on the freeway, the south end’s signals seem to have vanished. The north end’s signals remain. The below December 19, 2014 photo on the north end was previously shown. Instead of one signal as in the photo, two are present today.
Below is a link to the SOUTH end’s trackwork, a siding and several spurs.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/E+Alessandro+Blvd,+Riverside,+CA+92508/@33.9253055,-117.2891713,199m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x80dca59acad27f6f:0x149d83880fa68a0d
In the aerial, there are possible clearance problems for mast signals, or maybe line of sight issues were present. Since there are no signals there now (the new ones were removed), maybe cantilever structures have been ordered.
On the other hand, K.P. is always seeing freight cars in the Alessandro siding. Hardly a place to have commuter train meets.
Maybe (“maybe”) they will leave the Alessandro siding with signals on the north end, and make a new siding maybe a mile to the north. That would allow meets (even with freight trains), and allow the present Alessandro siding to be free for freight use, since it is chronically used that way now.
Continued in Part II
usmc1401 (3-14):
Closing 4th Street in downtown Perris is a nightmare for anyone concerned. Thanks for the info that the revamping of the grade crossing there is finished.
You might be interested to know that in the Friday, March 13, 2015 outing posted about after your post, two special things brought me to the Alessandro / Moreno Valley area. Both were because of personally troublesome Twilight Zone type things. The first one is so bizarre I won’t go into, but the second involves the SOUTH end of the Alessandro siding, and signals that WERE previously erected there but have already been taken down and removed! That will probably be one of the first matters brought up on the upcoming south to north post series.
On the Loose Friday, March 13, 2015
Last weekend a quarter to a half mile section of track southeast of Blaine Street in Riverside was being redone. This weekend the section NORTHWEST of Blaine Street to Spruce Street was having the same treatment performed.
Along the paralleling Watkins Drive what a view of the valley below could be had! And, the PVL goes down, down, down!
Overall, from the short Alessandro siding beyond the top of the Box Springs grade to the connection with the BNSF in Highgrove the area was quickly reviewed. A report on the findings will be forthcoming in two or three days.
Stopped in Perris on 3/11/2015 and saw that both sets of rail and panels are across fourth st.
I was told that part of the OERM "track pocket" was built four years ago and the balance finished two years ago. One of these days I should be able to get to the museum by grabbing the Coaster in Encinitas, changing to Metrolink in Oceanside, then changing trains in Riverside and finally hitching a ride on PE 717...
The Blaine Street (Riverside) and …
… Downtown Perris Areas
Part “J” (of A-J)
The exclusive transit bus road: Note the heavy equipment on the background right.
The Perris sign and the present chain link fence in the background:
A visit to the South Perris stop was made, but those concrete and I-beam bridges reported on previously (see posting on Thursday, February 26, 2015, Part J) are still just in the supports stage, and have NOT had the spans laid across them yet.
This will conclude the series.
Part “I” (of A-J)
The PVL track and OERM pocket are fenced off.
Concrete ties are through the Perris stop …
… but strangely have a section of wooden ties.
Continued in Part J
Part “H” (of A-J)
Up by the Perris stop now, looking south: The track has been laid through the station stop and on through 4th Street.
The Perris stop pocket for the OERM track.
Continued in Part I
Part “G” (of A-J)
Looking north from 6th Street, the location where that manual switch is to be inserted has had ballast laid over the blacktop.
Just above, the new track by the Perris stop (background, upper left) coming towards the camera is seen.
The track is now through 4th Street (grade crossing panels just below the center of the photo), and goes all the way back in the distance to the curve by I-215.Freeway.
The construction plan seems to like water pond strips, as below. The Orange Empire Railway Museum (OERM) track should go just right of the water strip.
The area looks like a construction zone.
Continued in Part H
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