Fred M. Cain (9-12):
Hi, Fred!
It’s been a few years since we have post contacted each other.
In reference to your inquiry, I think it is safe to say Union Pacific, and the other railroads, are very preoccupied with meeting the Positive Train Control (PTC) installation deadline, which looms in less than a year and a third!
UP seems (“seems”) to be doing quite well in this, and most likely will complete the PTC installations before the deadline. Even so, thorny problems have arisen, like at Tehachapi Loop in California. UP actually had to suspend the newly activated PTC for the loop until the problem was resolved, though for the rest of the Pass PTC worked fine.
The mothballed western portion of the Phoenix Line, if compared to other UP mothballed lines, probably won’t see through trains again for twenty years, if ever. And, my gut is Amtrak would not want the extra whopping expense of taking the long way around, through Phoenix. So, the cards are stacked against the Phoenix Line being a through route again.
It should be noted also that Intermodal has been reported as stagnate for years. So, the glorious, wondrous future increase of traffic may only be a pipedream. In that light, the Phoenix Line being used again for heavy, slow trains to keep the hotshot short route via Maricopa fluid just won’t happen.
There ARE, however, unconfirmed reports that signal upgrades (i.e., targets to color lights) are now taking place on the Sunset Route in Arizona in conjunction with PTC activations. The old signals on the Phoenix Line west of Phoenix were upgraded in the last few years, though that particular territory likely is exempt from PTC.
Take care,
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.
It remains mothballed. Discontinuance of Service in its present form started 12-23-2002 (AB33-178x)
It sits. Nothing new has been filed with STB since and nothing new can happen until STB approves.
I was wondering if anyone has any information or news on the fate of the former SP's West Phoenix Line (Phoenix-Welton Jct). Over the years there has been speculation that the UP would eventually revive the line. That speculation is not completely unwarranted since the UP has never moved to dismantle the line.
I tried "Googling" for information on this and the last things I could find on the subject were at least 5 years old. Can anybody give us an update?
Regards,
Fred M. Cain,
Topeka, IN
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