Moving Mountains
Part “A” (of A-K)
One area on the future Perris Valley Line (PVL) route is mountainous, in the Box Springs area, as previously shown.
The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and known project details mention a lot of earth moving north of that above pictured area. However, K.P. knows of no specific details about such, but likely that earthmoving will be done to make a higher speed route through what is now freight train negotiated at a relatively slow speed.
An aerial of that area shows …
LINK: Aerial Overview
… just how curvy that ex-California Southern 1882-1883 track-laid north-south route is, a route that went from San Diego to Colton. No major relocations that K.P. knows of have ever taken place in the Box Spring area before now. Of course, part of the inspiration for any route relocations died in the early 1890’s when the through route was severed and abandoned because of massive flooding and severe washouts between Perris and Oceanside.
This post series is intended to show several relocations that have taken place on other routes in modern times, within the last forty years, to show by example what results with relocations
Continued in Part B
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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-K)
Circa 1976 major line relocations took place on the Santa Fe in Cajon Pass, some of them on the actual California Southern route that came up from Perris and through the Box Springs area discussed in the previous Part A.
That relocation is seen in the distance on the upper left of the below never before shown to the TRAINS Forum photo:
Down by Cajon, in 1913 a second track was laid over Cajon Pass, and went over the bridge cement-work on the far right of the below view:
The 1913 line was relocated to its present location in the 1970’s, because of what K.P. believes partially caused a train wreck over the now abandoned culvert-work above.
In 2008 the second-track on that “north” side route was laid, making three-tracks over Cajon Pass.
It should be noted that line relocations and adding additional tracks on Cajon Pass was done with railroad funds, and not public money. The Perris Valley Line is being rebuilt to commuter train standards and stations built, all with a quarter of a billion dollars of public money!
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (of A-K)
In the Marsh Station Rd. area near Cienega Creek east of Tucson, AZ, Union Pacific’s former Main 2 (now of a radically different designation) was rerouted. Here, some then preliminary views:
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (of A-K)
Months later, a signal mast was put up on the reroute, and track laid and partially ballasted. A train on the old Main 2 is visible in the background.
The newly laid track was then fully ballasted on the new route.
Today, the reroute is in operation.
And the old line has railcars in storage on it, and 18-wheelers break down on the I-10 Freeway.
Continued in Part E
Part “E” (of A-K)
Many moons ago in the Anschutz era of Southern Pacific, Metrolink (the outfit that now owns the trackage of the future Perris Valley Line) purchased what is now the Antelope Valley Line between Los Angeles and Palmdale.
In the above photo, the south end of the Quarts-Crest siding wasn’t always that way, but the siding was extended to the way it is now. Under Southern Pacific, this Main and siding situation was a section of “Double-track” (not two-tracks) and involved spring switches.
Metrolink revamped the already excellent route, relocating some trackage.
The old right-of-way is barely discernible about midway up in the below photo.
An old culvert is still visible.
Continued in Part F
Part “F” (of A-K)
On the right, the old, trackless right-of-way comes to the left center of the photo
Above, autos and the Sierra Highway are seen in the background. Also, the line climbs left to right.
The old right-of-way cut shadows are on the hillside, just left and slightly below center.
Barely visible on the lower left, the Antelope Valley Line is seen. The freeway in the background is Highway 14, along with the Metrolink track route, goes through a scenic, very mountainous area.
Continued in Part G
Part “G” (of A-K)
At the Aliso Canyon Rd. grade crossing, at M.P. 57.99 …
… two views toward Los Angeles. Because of the wideness of the right-of-way, it is unknown if any of this track was relocated or not.
Just above, note the concrete ties through the grade crossing (lower left) vs. wood ties.
Towards Palmdale:
The Metrolink grade crossing track markings:
We now head back towards Palmdale, and look at that Quartz area relocation again, from the other side of the tracks, and higher up.
Continued in Part H
Part “H” (of A-K)
Back at the old right-of-way again:
Above, on the upper left, note the long, high landfill needed for the reroute.
A wider view:
Continued in Part I
Part “I” (of A-K)
The old right-of-way then swings back to the present route:
Continued in Part J
Part “J” (of A-K)
A number of views of the Vincent Grade - Acton Station stop.
While this stop has been in operation for a number of years now, the site has matured to many trees, and a certain quaint attractiveness about it.
While the station stops on the Perris Valley Line have Environment Impact Report parking lot drawings about them, it is unknown exactly what type of buildings will be present for its station stops, nor how much grading for them will be necessary. Hopefully, they will be as imaginative and attractive as with the above photos.
Continued in Part K
Part “K” (of A-K)
The Perris Valley line is supposed to have a massive amount of dirt moved in the Box Springs area for the relocation. (The below photos were previously shown.)
So, earthmovers have been in a number of locations in California and Arizona over the years. We can expect the Perris Valley Line to be next!
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This will conclude the “Moving Mountains” series.
K.P.,
Thank you for these neat set of photos from the Antelope line. The Vincent Grade/Acton station is one of the more unique stations in the Metrolink system, to be sure!
K. P. HarrierMoving Mountains Part “J” (of A-K) A number of views of the Vincent Grade - Acton Station stop. While this stop has been in operation for a number of years now, the site has matured to many trees, and a certain quaint attractiveness about it. While the station stops on the Perris Valley Line have Environment Impact Report parking lot drawings about them, it is unknown exactly what type of buildings will be present for its station stops, nor how much grading for them will be necessary. Hopefully, they will be as imaginative and attractive as with the above photos. Continued in Part K
In case y'all hadn't noticed, the judge seems to have knocked down the NIMBYs:
PE.com: Perris judge gives green light to Metrolink line
We'll see how the appeals and construction stop-orders play out.
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! ***
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
Everybody seems confused about the court decision!
LINK: Try Your Hand at Figuring It Out / PE Newspaper
One more link, also from the Press-Enterprise, to supplement what K.P. posted:
http://blog.pe.com/menifee/2013/04/01/metrolink-line-in-perrismetrolink-friends-of-riversides-hills-ray-johnson-len-nunney-john-standiford-rctc-riverside-county-transportation-commission/
I wonder if the people who live near the railyards in Commerce, or under the flightpath of LAX, have much sympathy for the Friends of Riverside's Hills. I doubt it.
K. P. HarrierExtra! Extra! Read All About It! Everybody seems confused about the court decision! LINK: Try Your Hand at Figuring It Out / PE Newspaper
Things a Changing
The Press-Enterprise’s website keeps putting out different versions of the court decision news, a kind of update on the update.
Sometime today the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is reported to be having a closed door session to figure out what they are going to do.
LINK: The Latest Version of the Same Press-Enterprise Posting
The PE is a show in itself!
K.P. and others,
There has been an update with regards to the court proceedings of the Perris Valley Line: Riverside County transportation officials will be in court on Wednesday.
http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/perris/perris-headlines-index/20130419-perris-court-date-set-in-proposed-metrolink-extension.ece
Thanks, mvs, About the Court Date News
Forum contributor mvs recently alerted us to the news that Wednesday, April 24, 2013 supposedly the parties in the lawsuit will be back in court. Little is publicly in print about the matter. Two-thirds of the original judge’s ruling favored Riverside County Transportation Commission’s (RCTC’s) side, with only a third for the Friends group. While K.P. is not an attorney, in his opinion what is taking place is a delay tactic by the Friends group that may or may not bring about success for unclear motives. There may (“may”) be a resolution tomorrow, but if the parties are entrenched things could linger on in appeals.
More about the Line from a Passing By
Part I (of I-V)
On Monday, April 15, 2013, a few select areas of the line were focused on and photographed for the forum. Below is a selection of the results.
On March 11, 2013, the in-storage well cars were photographed along I-215, the SOUTH cars of which are seen by the advertising sign on the far left of the below reshown photo.
On the April 15 visit, the south end had been moved southward a bit to around the curve, towards downtown Perris.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-V)
Out of Perris northward a few miles, the southern of two track relocations is present, necessitated by the I-215 Freeway reconstruction a few years ago, at least that option was chosen by the designers.
Looking southbound:
Originally, the line did not curve (above photos’ bottoms) but went straight.
The north side:
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-V)
Another north side view.
It is unknown how fast a Metrolink could go on these curves, but 79 M.P.H. seems questionable.
Union Pacific on a super elevated curve at Riverside Ave. in Riverside on the LA&SL allows its trains to go 50 M.P.H. Looking westbound:
Looking eastbound:
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-V)
More northward views:
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-V)
North of the curving, a straightway, with well cars occupying a siding.
The first photo in this post … Note the Van Buren Blvd. bridge being widened and new on and off ramps being constructed.
When the Van Buren Blvd. overpass is finished, hopefully accessibility will allow for photography of the PVL.
For those with an aviation interest … by the Van Buren Blvd. freeway on and off ramps is an aircraft museum.
Too bad there won’t be a Metrolink station stop here at Van Buren Blvd. … at least for a while … The place could be visited for a family outing, with an ulterior motive (the PVL) for the railbuff …
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Yesterday, Monday, April 22, 2013 K.P. had opportunity to pass the PVL several times, and in the afternoon it was all free time. But, in that afternoon, a focus was on the ex-crossing with UP south of the Highgrove area, and something new was seen in that area! Clue: Remember ET and phoning home?
Undoubtedly, the news about the litigation hearing will be posted first …
Judge Gives RCTC Five Days to Address Issues
According to the Press-Enterprise, the judge in the case has given the Riverside County Transportation Commission five days to address contested issues.
LINK: Press-Enterprise News Story
A Few Happenings Tidbits
Part “A” (of A-C)
One of the issues arising out of the “Friends” lawsuit was a trail used by students, hikers, etc. The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) initially seemed surprised by the judge’s decision about it, and felt trail users were trespassers, which sounds logical, at least to K.P.
It is unknown exactly where the trail is, but the following Monday, April 24, 2013 photos are of a trail and seem to fit the news descriptions, and may (“may”) be that trail.
Part “B” (of A-C)
On January 5, 2013 the following December 29, 2012 photo was posted in the “Sunset Route Two-Tracking Updates” thread. The cross track is the Perris Valley Line (Perris is to the right) used by the BNSF, known among both railroaders and railfans as the San Jac. The forefront bottom curved track is new, allowing for the abandonment of the background track, a portion of UP’s Riverside Industrial Lead.
The area was visited the same date as in Part A, and that grade crossing above was still as in the photo. Likely, the crossing gates are still active in case of a runaway from the north, even though the track is blocked just north of the I-215 Freeway (view looks south).
A northward view of the Perris Valley Line (ex-BNSF) right-of-way from Marlborough Ave., the street with other crossing gates in the first photo in this post:
The following December 29, 2012 photo has never been posted before, and shows a northward, wider view.
In both of the last two photos above, nothing is on the near background right, just a fence.
Part “C” (of A-C)
But, there is something there now! A microwave tower with two dishes on it, a small one and a large one!
And, the tower is on railroad property, likely for railroad use.
The Marlborough Rd. grade crossing in relation to the new tower:
At this point in time, it is unknown if the microwave setup is for a sole, one place communication with the rest of the Metrolink system, or many others will be springig up on the Perris Valley Line.
New Microwave Tower Area Follow Up
Part I (of I-IV)
On Friday, April 26, 2013 a brief visit to the North Riverside and Highgrove areas were made again, and the following things were observed.
From Columbia Ave., looking south, the new microwave tower is visible again:
From Columbia Ave. another southward view, a telephoto of Marlborough Ave. near where the Riveride Industrial Lead used to cross.
A wider view showing the crossing gates at Columbia Ave:
Part II (of I-IV)
A wide northward view:
The Columbia Ave. grade crossing has new 136 pounds per yard rail, whereas the branch here currently has 115 pounds per yard rail.
A northward telephoto: What -- a signal? With a semaphore type arm too?
Yes, at Palmyrita Ave. a few blocks to the north, a signal!
Part III (of I-IV)
The south facing north signal is lit yellow.
It does not change, as it is a “D’ signal for “Distant,” and has NO insulated track joints to shunt the signal when a train passes it.
It warns trains of an interlocking signal ahead (in the distance), at CP CP61 HIGHGROVE on BNSF’s Transcon.
That “D” signal wasn’t there 30 years ago, but only since the old San Jac line’s entrance to the BNSF Transcon was at a CP.
The industrial siding trackage on the left of the above photo was for the old Lilly Cup plant.
AERIAL LINK: A Triangle Track Layout Area
Part IV (of I-IV)
A side view of the “D” signal.
Above, note the back part of the signal is small, and does not have room for all the movable color lenses typical of common target signals that change aspects.
A final view looking south, at that microwave tower again and the Columbia Ave. grade crossing, as seen from Palmyrita Ave.
Times are destined to change on the old San Jac … the future Perris Valley Line.
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