Signals Have Arrived on the Western …
… Part of the Old ‘Redlands Loop’!
Signals are being erected in San Bernardino (CA) for the mile or two of the extension eastward to “E” Street. Here is a new cantilever structure at “G” Street.
Radical Change … and Seeing the P. R. Light
Ever since the BNSF power has been leased by Metrolink, K.P. has felt Metrolink should reverse their power orientation. For years Metrolink put their power on the outbound end. With the addition of BNSF power, that power by default was put on the inbound end. Someone at Metrolink saw the P.R. light, and reversed orientations. Now, the first thing inbound riders see is a Metrolink engine. Why advertise BNSF power?
Now, with outbound trains lead by BNSF power (normally, except the Orange County / I.E. Line), riders detrain without seeing the leased BNSF power.
There are several developments in San Bernardino to report, including more signals, but those developments will have to wait their turn in the present ‘stack’ of threads awaiting update postings …
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Update as of Saturday, July 2, 2016
New Signals Are Being Erected
Part “A” (A-G)
Views from South “G” Street
Looking west, a new covered headed signal has been erected, on the northernmost track of two, presumably on the new Main 1.
At photo time, a counterpart had not been erected for presumably Main 2.
The location will be the site of a universal crossovers arrangement with an additional track branch off.
Continued in Part B
Part “B” (A-G)
A cantilever signal has been erected on the east side, at South “G” Street, in a distorted wide angle view.
From that universal crossover, a third track branches off. K.P. understands altogether four-tracks will reach South “E” Street is the distance.
Continued in Part C
Part “C” (A-G)
A wide angle westward view from the east side of South “G” Street:
A nice view with a shade atmosphere, but the trees seemed to block northbound auto’s clear view of some of the flashers.
From an Alleyway South of 3rd Street
The tracks here are very incomplete, but progress is being made.
Continued in Part D
Part “D” (A-G)
From the East Side of the Old Depot
Looking east-northeast: The three tracks on the left are BNSF’s Transcon, the two on the right Metrolink’s, presumably Mains 1 and 2.
A close-up of that above right sign, “6.28,” likely a General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) reference about operating safely in this currently unsignaled territory where a stop has to be able to be made in half the visual distance of some obstruction, such as a railcar, track workers, etc.
A westward view and another cantilever signals structure.
A bunch of concrete ties are now east of the old depot.
Continued in Part E
Part “E” (A-G)
By the Current Metrolink Stop …
… West of the Depot
At the present Metrolink stop, that new cantilever structure is seen towards the east.
Continued in Part F
Part “F” (A-G)
A San Bernardino Line Metrolink from Los Angeles arrives, with the BNSF unit leading and heading east and not a Metrolink unit as has been done for years previously.
Apparently, Metrolink has reversed operations. Previously, the BNSF power led trains to Los Angeles, but now seem to be leading FROM there TO San Bernardino.
The west end of that just arrived train.
Trains arriving from Orange County are the opposite by reason of their operating in reverse (Orange County-San Bernardino), like with a big multi-county wye.
Continued in Part G
Part “G” (A-F)
All BNSF units on Metrolink trains so far have been in the 5600’s. That one was a 5700
It soon took off back to Orange Country.
And that is where we will end the series. But that is the present situation in San Bernardino. K.P. hopes to get back there relatively soon as things seem to be happening quickly in San Bernardino right now.
This will end the series.
Update as of Monday, July 25, 2016
Rialto Ave. at “I” Street
San Bernardino, CA
The Rialto Ave. revamped grade crossing was revisited and some views were shot.
Looking outbound:
Just above, note “I” Street col-de-sacs on the far right.
Looking inbound:
That “I” Street col-de-sac in the distance:
Previously, that “I” Street (above) came at the camera, with four crossing gates protecting the intersection from traversing trains.
The 3rd Street Ex-Grade Crossing
The 3rd Street grade crossing was a through street for decades, but not anymore.
About 50 years ago 3rd Street ceased being a straight through street, but in the far distance, just beyond the I-215 Freeway, 3rd Street curved left and met a counterpart in 4th Street, and likewise “H” Street met “G” Street. K.P. remembers walking the crowded 3rd Streets 60 years ago with his parents, and buy a small, plastic toy train in a small plastic rapper for probably a half a dollar. Funny how some memories linger on a very long time …
Anyway, the road by the old “Redlands Loop” is now severed, as in the last above photo.
This will end the single post.
Photo posted on RP showing the station work ..
More New Things!
On Friday, September 9, 2016, after an assignment K.P. visited Colton (Sunset Route) and then checked out the San Bernardino area. Much more has taken place since the last visit and report, including the erection of a mast signal (left, one of two) a block or two east of the depot, by BNSF’s west eastbound cantilever signal (right).
The Metrolink platform is starting to take shape. And, OLD newer signals (plural) on the “Short Way” have covered lower heads added. And, that truss bridge on the “Short Way” was photographed too! A posting series on all this is planned in a few days.
Update as of Friday, September 9, 2016
A Truss Bridge … and …
… from Mill Street to 3rd Street
Part I (of I-V)
About a block parallel to Mt. Vernon Ave. is the “Short Way.” It goes over a flood control channel on an old truss bridge.
Compared to truss bridges of recent times (like the three BNSF bridges over the I-215 Freeway in the Grand Terrance area), this bridge looks frail.
Presently, the usual practice is commuter trains tying up for the night shuttle to the Colton maintenance facility, and in the process traverse through this bridge, with the reverse taking place in the morning hours.
When K.P. was a kid he rode through that truss bridge on UP Domeliners a number of times. Back in those days, before the practice was outlawed, trainmen occasionally could be seen riding atop boxcars (and ladder-like grab rails instead of going half way up a boxcar went all the way up). A hundred or so feet on each side of truss bridges in those days was a frame trains would go through, with TICKLERS HANDING. Whenever a trainman was ‘tickled’ he knew he better lie down or lower real quick, because if he didn’t the truss bridge would knock him off and ruin his day! How times have changed!
Continued in Part II
From Mill Street to 3rd Street
Part II (of I-V)
On the other hand, width-wise, the truss bridge looks well built.
The above northish views were shot from Walnut Street. Looking the other way, towards the Mill Street overpass, the Metrolink signals are being modified with the addition of lower heads …
… as a new CP with switches is being installed to the north, by Rialto Ave.
In the last above photo, it may (“may”) be an illusion, but those covered lower heads sure look as though they maybe have four lamps each!
Reference the above middle photo, when K.P. was a kid, he was by where the camera was, and talked to two kids that had just come off walking through that bridge. They said it was the scariest thing that they had ever done! Why? There was NOTHING underneath! The ties just requested on the under-girders, hence one could fall through the ties! For good reason signs say DANGER and No Trespassing!
Continued in Part III
Part III (of I-V)
By the depot area, the ground has been dug down for the future Metrolink tracks and the platforms cement-work is being prepared..
By the new incomplete overhead, the sidewalk is in place (right).
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-V)
More and more track is being laid. This view is by 3rd Street where the old Redlands Loop line cut in (background).
Fencing is in by 3rd Street.
That new fencing on 3rd Street is right by the new CP signals. The CP reportedly will be called KENDALL for the very nearby Kendall Street.
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-V)
Rail and switch parts are where this once used to be a grade crossing:
A piece of equipment:
That new fencing goes across what used to be a grade crossing. The I-215 Freeway is in the background.
And, of course, a water truck makes its rounds.
A final look, the new signal and the BNSF cantilever structure.
Happenings Report
Part “A” (of A-C)
A visit to San Bernardino (CA) was made on the afternoon of Sunday, October 30, 2016, and the following was observed:
The future overhead walkway looked as though drywall is to be applied soon and had much scaffolding.
The concrete platform walkways were in place. In had rained beforehand, and water was on those platforms.
Yellow platform sections were stacked up on the platform.
Part “B” (of A-C)
A local was parked on the new track, on a new crossover, and with the new not in service yet heads covered signal visible on the right.
Just to the left of that above new signal is a background counterpart CP signal is that visible.
Looking back towards the depot that parked train and west eastbound signal:
The east side of that just above CP, with the two east side westbound signals, and the BNSF cantilever signal bridge in background right:
Part “C” (of A-C)
To the west on the “Short Way” by Rialto Ave., a switch is positioned, and another switch has already been installed. Northward views:
The in-service inbound signal has had a covered, lower head attached. View looks south.
Progress seems snail paced, but nevertheless is moving forward.
Very interesting photos. We'll see at completion, but this Metrolink sponsored pedestrian overpass design kind of mirrors the depot and doesn't look to bad. For contrast, visit the Pomona or Buena Park stations for a truly barf-bag inducing experience.
Google Maps now shows that the storage tracks west of Mt. Vernon Ave have been removed. Does it look like they are double tracking the Short Way and for how far?
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MikeF90 (11-10):
Your description of the Pomona overhead walkway as “a truly barf-bag inducing experience” certainly has merit. My recollection of it is that it was an overhead dungeon. Personally, I wouldn’t want my wife to walk through it …
About the San Bernardino “Short Way,” I think two-tracking sometime in the future may be desirable, but it seems some somewhat insurmountable problems are present, especially at Rialto Ave. As seen in the “Happenings Report” posting (above), Part C, the last photo, the right-of-way is quite narrow. Putting two-tracks there AND a signal(s) is questionable in my estimation. But, only a single-track probably will suffice for now, and unscheduled, nonrevenue moves can wait scheduled ones.
As posted previously elsewhere, a photo of the UP Golden State Route with two BNSF tracks going overhead at Vaughn, New Mexico was shown.
The BNSF south bridge (above, nearest to the camera) was added recently. BNSF got a tremendous amount of trains over the single-track gap before it was two-tracked. So, Metrolink could do likewise on the “Short Way.” However, more likely it would seem somebody is going to eventually promote a grade separation at the Rialto Ave. grade crossing. Now THAT construction would be an interesting logics nightmare, as not only is the railroad right-of-way narrow, but hundreds of Intermodal containers from BNSF unloading ramps pass on Rialto Ave. daily, and it would be very difficult to send them another way for 18 to 24 months while a grade separation was built.
There are a lot of possibilities, but as you say, we’ll have to ‘wait and see.’
Take care,
K.P.
Update as of Sunday, December 18, 2016
The San Bernardino Depot and Rialto Ave. Areas
Part I (of I-III)
The control point (CP) at the east end of the San Bernardino Depot and a bit east thereof has had sufficient track laid AND signals erected to plot out a diagram.
.
CP KENDALL
? E > To Cleaning Facility? ----------------------------- / < D / B >------------------------------------- / \ / \-------------------------------- < C A > \ \
Above, the signal letters shows the order in which they were erected, with the E signal not present so far.
The top track likely will go to a ‘cleaning the cars out’ facility overnight, a facility like was present before the construction began.
The D positioned signal on the CP’s west end, north side:
The C signal, towards the west end, south side:
Between the east parking lot and the tracks, a huge pile of ballast is present.
Part II (of I-III)
By the track side of the depot, a couple of track machines were parked.
Above, in the background, those signals can be seen and their staggered relationship to each other.
Between BNSF Main 3 and assumedly Metrolink Track 1 is a passenger covering.
While K.P. was on site, early on, and with a terrible grab shot with the camera, a BNSF westbound came zipping by on Main 3, RIGHT ALONGSIDE that north platform.
It is wondered if, for the most part, Metrolink trains will use the south platform. Otherwise, It doesn’t seem practical for passengers (and some kids) to be by freights zipping by just a few feet away … That is one aspect of this new platform to watch.
By the west side of the depot, that overhead bridge construction is progressing.
Part III (of I-III)
The CP on the “Short Way” with the CP on both sides of Rialto Ave. has had the north side signals erected.
There is a stack of ballast nearby for the new switch’s installation.
On the west side north of those signals is where a pile of rails are positioned.
Just a tidbit from when K.P. beforehand was just east of the Depot … A security guard came walking by. I stopped him and asked when this entire project was going to be finished. He said March! If true (it probably is), that is not that far away. Can trains on these new tracks be far behind?
Update as of Sunday, January 15, 2017
The Status of the Eastward …
… Extension to “E” Street
This thread is obviously unofficial, and is bases on observations. Observations at “E” Street on the above date in the late afternoon just before dark showed dramatic progress for the new Metrolink end of the line stop. Also, another observation (to be highlighted in a bit) seems to suggest something very new in contrast to the typical Metrolink stop! But first, the physical plant progress.
From “E” Street looking west, background platforms and center fence.
Looking east:
On the top photo tracks were seen on the far left. Those two additional tracks dead-end at “E” Street, at photo time with track equipment on them.
An eastward telephoto: Note the new east side inbound mast signal on the left.
A telephoto looking west, or inbound:
Looking southwest, passenger coverings and other details are coming together now.
Seemingly out of place now is an auto parts store across “E” Street.
Maybe it will be good for the auto store, as commuter will know where they could bring their cars for service!
Back looking what is on the left, north of the tracks, is an odd bus stalls arrangement. Arriving buses southwardly enter the facility off of the east-west Rialto Ave. just to the north and then turn east and straddles the tracks and park in bus stalls.
A few minutes later, the bus leaves the stalls, the road to the east on the east end of the facility “U” turns and the bus stops again at other bus stalls!
This WHOLE facility seems to be absent parking spaces for the public! THUS, the facility may (“may”) only be a transfer point, from bus to bus, and bus to train. Commuters with vehicles would park elsewhere, perhaps by the present train stop by the old ‘Union Station’ and parking garage by Mt. Vernon Ave.
It was observed that things seem to be coming together now, so ‘in service’ operations can’t be that for away!
K. P. HarrierThis WHOLE facility seems to be absent parking spaces for the public! THUS, the facility may (“may”) only be a transfer point, from bus to bus, and bus to train. Commuters with vehicles would park elsewhere, perhaps by the present train stop by the old ‘Union Station’ and parking garage by Mt. Vernon Ave.
K.P., thank you for sharing the pictures! I believe I read somewhere, that the station stop is supposed to be the new transit center for San Berdoo.
Update as of Monday, February 6, 2017
The overhead pedestrian bridge on the northwest side of the depot is coming along quickly, but still the glass windows (presumably) haven been put in yet.
It was a rainy day, and the sidewalks had water on them.
One track under the overhead signal bridge has one signal of the cantilever signal bridge operative, and was lit on this visit.
Is that a bird on top of that top right lit signal? That view was highly enlarged, but it could not be determined if it was a bird or the tarp that once covered the head as the left heads have.
On the east side of the depot, new crossovers are being put in, strangely so, as if a train from the three BNSF Main tracks could go under that overhead bridge on the west side of the depot. There currently was too much multiple fencing for decent photos. But, it can be said it looked like two crossovers, and both have only the north switches in place. One gets the impression that the westernmost crossover’s south switch (not present yet) will be on a curve.
At Rialto Ave. the switch still is uninstalled (lower center cleared land).
Do to the nature of the dispatch, K.P. was without his good camera, but had only his old stand-in camera available.
This will conclude this posting.
K. P. HarrierUpdate as of Monday, February 6, 2017 San Bernardino, CA On the east side of the depot, new crossovers are being put in, strangely so, as if a train from the three BNSF Main tracks could go under that overhead bridge on the west side of the depot. There currently was too much multiple fencing for decent photos. But, it can be said it looked like two crossovers, and both have only the north switches in place. One gets the impression that the westernmost crossover’s south switch (not present yet) will be on a curve.
Good morning K.P., thank you for this latest set of photos.
Once work is done at the San Bernardino Depot, I am curious to see what it will look like. I wonder whether those new crossovers are to accomodate the Southwest Chief?
It would behoove Amtrak (and Metrolink) to allow the Southwest Chief plenty of room for its passengers to board/detrain -- we don't want another Maricopa situation!
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