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Cajon Pass Wildfire Halts Rail Traffic

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  • Member since
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Posted by azrail on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 11:15 AM

I have heard that the famed Summit Inn has burned down.

The question is, how is BNSF rerouting its trains in and out of LA with the pass closed?

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 10:11 AM

ChuckCobleigh (8-16):

With the CHP’s “BRIDGE JEO I15” I interpret that to be transliterated as ‘the railroad bridge just east of I-15.’

There are actually THREE railroad bridges east of I-15.  The old SP Palmdale Cutoff one and two BNSF ones.  Two file photos from July 12, 2010 were uncovered, and thus are shown below.  The one for Mains 1 and 2 (forefront bridge, old North Track) …

… and for Main 3 (the old South Track).

Which one (assumedly of those) wasn’t said on that CHP site, but both BNSF bridges have metal under framing and wooden cross tie-like material above that metal-work.  The wood is probably what was referred to in the CHP website reporting.  The SP one is probably all metal with some concrete.

All the roads and freeway are still closed, and may be so for a while, so it may be some time before an onsite visit can be made.  The Mrs. will be taking photos somewhere in Cajon Pass today in her official capacity with a fire dept.  Lucky dog (or is it a cat?) …

Best,

K.P.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 1:49 AM

From the CHP log on the fire tonight (Tuesday):

8:06 PM 201 [588] PER 201A - BRIDGE JEO I15 AT THE SPLIT IS BURNT DOWN - RR BRIDGE

 

I am guessing that by "the split" they are talking about where the NB and SB lanes part company for a while north of the 138 interchange.  KP can maybe enlighten us on which bridge that might be.

 

EDIT: Looks like the Golden Arches KP mentioned got taken out, as of the 11:18 pm. update.

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Posted by K. P. Harrier on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 11:51 PM

The fire area is basically my turf, but all roads into the area are presently closed off, including the I-15 Freeway.

Below is an excellent link with photos (Press-Enterprise, pe.com), the first two involves railroading in the pass.  The first one is believed to be at CP WALKER.

http://www.pe.com/articles/brush-810732-tuesday-freeway.html

Reports are sketchy at best, but it is questionable if the McDonalds fast food restaurant near Highway 138 and I-15 survived.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Sunny (mostly) San Diego
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Cajon Pass Wildfire Halts Rail Traffic
Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 7:29 PM

Started late this morning west of I-15 and has taken off to the east.  As of around one PM PDT, UPRR reported to the CHP that UP and BNSF train traffic through the pass had been halted.

Some links:

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Firefighters-Battle-Brush-Fire-Near-I-15-in-Devore-390340002.html

http://ktla.com/2016/08/16/evacuations-issued-in-fast-moving-wild-fire-burning-in-devore/

http://abc7.com/news/brush-fire-quickly-spreads-in-devore-near-cajon-pass/1471966/

BTW, spellczeck works in the subject box, just not in the body portion of the message editor.

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