At the BNSF's Summit, Calif., double crossovers, 8 to 10 cantilever signal bridges have been delivered and are currently all sitting bunched together trackside in preparation for the 16 mile Cajon Pass triple-tracking project coming soon.
If the recent, nearby Verdemont to Keenbrook triple-tracking is any indication, the new signal bridges may be transported, assembled, and erected soon at their designated future locations. You may never again be able to see and photograph in Cajon Pass as many signal bridges all together in one place. Visit the place NOW if cantilever signal bridges and Cajon Pass turn you on!
If you stay on the public highway, ever present railroad security personnel shouldn't bother you. Also, a mile of night floodlights trackside at Summit is a novelty for visitors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Do you think by end Oct they will be erected?
K. P. Harrier wrote: At the BNSF's Summit, Calif., double crossovers, 8 to 10 cantilever signal bridges have been delivered and are currently all sitting bunched together trackside in preparation for the 16 mile Cajon Pass triple-tracking project coming soon.If the recent, nearby Verdemont to Keenbrook triple-tracking is any indication, the new signal bridges may be transported, assembled, and erected soon at their designated future locations. You may never again be able to see and photograph in Cajon Pass as many signal bridges all together in one place. Visit the place NOW if cantilever signal bridges and Cajon Pass turn you on!If you stay on the public highway, ever present railroad security personnel shouldn't bother you. Also, a mile of night floodlights trackside at Summit is a novelty for visitors.
Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
THE SIGNAL BRIDGES YOU ARE REFERING TO HAVE BEEN THER FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS AT SUMMIT COLLECTING DUST. THURSDAY A RAIL TRAIN WENT DOWN THE HILL,IT CAME INTO ORO GRANDE ABOUT 6:30 AM AND WAS PUT IN THE SIDING. IT WAS PICKED UP AROUND NOON AND WENT DOWN CAJON. IT HAD TWO DASH-9s FOR POWER. THE RAIL CARS HAD REPORTING MARKS SPSX ALL PAINTED BLACK.
blhanel wrote:Paging Chad Thomas- get your camera up there pronto and document this for the rest of us!
Yeah, for the people on the other side of the country.
Hi Brian,
I was just up there last weekend and I didn't see any changes, but I didn't go to Summit either. The way I understand it they are going to lay 3rd rail up to around Blue Cut next (07'-08') and then there to summit by 2010, but don't hold me to that.
Actually there was a bit of change, there was a fire around Hill 582. I waould say 20-30 acres worth. It looked like it started down by where the Bee boxes are below #2 track and burned up the back of Hill 582. There is burn all around the hill but the manacured and landscaped area at the top was OK .
Also we have had a dry year and the plants up on 582 need all the water they can get. So if you go up to 582 please take some water for the plants.
Thanks, Chad! I'd heard--and worried--about the fire there; glad the "park" was spared.
I wish there were a way to ship the rainwater that's just going down the gutters here right now.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
coborn35 wrote:"Turn you on"?
Just a bit of fine-tuning, in my case. I'm always on!
chad thomas wrote: blhanel wrote:Paging Chad Thomas- get your camera up there pronto and document this for the rest of us!Hi Brian,I was just up there last weekend and I didn't see any changes, but I didn't go to Summit either. The way I understand it they are going to lay 3rd rail up to around Blue Cut next (07'-08') and then there to summit by 2010, but don't hold me to that.
The Contractor is pulling his last permit from the Forest Service and is scheduled to grade the entire 16 miles this year. The middle section (Cajon and Lytle Creeks) will be off-limits till September due to nesting wildlife.
Here is an interesting consist with three successively-numbered locos in the lead over Cajon Creek (UP does utilize BNSF track now and then) ...
I forget how small these images end up - maybe you can make out the numbers on this shot ...
...Beautiful shots Warren....No problem reading those numbers. Still hanging around to enjoy the photos you mentioned of posting of up coming construction.
UP sure does have a nice brightly painted consist of engines....Often, on display.
Quentin
Terrific shot. For sure the Cajon pass is a super place to train fan & take pics from
Warren Smith wrote: I forget how small these images end up - maybe you can make out the numbers on this shot ...
Hi Warren, You can get a bigger version of the photos if you click on them. Do you know what the game plan is for daylighting the Alray tunnels?
Chad:
The first order of business is to grade and build a 4000' shoofly around the existing tunnels. Then a 1/2:1 cut slope will take out the tunnels and the two mainlines will go in side by side, 15' apart.
Concurrently will be bridge and culvert widening throughout the job, building retaining walls where the UP track is close and building sub-ballast grade for crossovers.
The hardware that the original poster referred to, as well as grade crossing decks will be installed by BNSF crews when the access roads are ready.
The fun activity will be when the ballast cars show up, drop their loads, and the rail segments are placed. A highly choreographed sequence ...
Thanks Warren, Please continue to keep us posted.
I'm actually not familiar with the designation Hill 582. If you know a MP, I can tell you in more detail.
The new main line #3 will parallel existing main line #1, which is the max. 2.2% uphill track. From Keenbrook through Blue Cut up to Sullivan's Curve, where main line #2 continues, there will be three parallel tracks. The new main line #3 will be 15' offset from the existing alignment, with some modification through the I-15 and Hwy. 138 overcrossings. Bridges will be offset 25'. Some additional access roads will be graded, so the existing cut/fill slopes may move over 30' or so.
Retaining walls are called for where slope integrity would encroach on the UP right of way, or drainage concerns dictate a smaller footprint.
The most dramatic change, of course, is at the Alray tunnels. The existing "buffer" slopes between BNSF and UP will disappear. And connector track will be installed between the two lines at Keenbrook and at Summit.
Hope this helps ...
Here's another shot of a double-stack on both sides of I-15. You can see a tractor-trailer on the interstate ...
This is a UP consist on BNSF's existing main line #2, which is at a 3% grade at this point. Obviously, the downhill traffic route. The uphill helpers disengage at Summit and head down this way to start over again in San Bernardino ...
Brian, I seem to remember Chad saying it would be to the right of Hill 582 as you're looking upgrade. The hill itself isn't in danger (though I can't vouch for the access roads). I'm sure Chad will correct me if I got the wrong side.
Warren, Milepost 58.2, on the BNSF track closest to the Palmdale Cutoff (I was lousy with directions around there!). At the signal (number plate 582), look toward the other track. Your view of the other track should be blocked by a hill, on top of which you'll see plants, stones, and a bench.
Brian, Carl, I believe the new #3 will be on the north side of the #1 track (I'm sure Warren knows). So if you are looking up the hill it will be left of the BNSF track on the left, the other side of the track from 582. So 582 should be unaltered.
Warren, Hill 582 is named for the signal at MP 58.2 on the #1 track. You can't miss it as it's the only hill with trees & greenery. I was up there last weekend and when I get a chance I'll post some pix.
...........or looking downhill (west) it will be on the right of the middle track (pictured).
Here is 582's namesake signal.
So I did have the wrong track. Thanks, Chad! No problems with access either, then.
Carl, I don't see any changes happening on the hill side of the tracks.
Warren, I was just thinking about what you said. If I understand it the order from uphill down will be:
UP
#3
#1
#2
Is that right? and will it stay that way or will the tracks be redesignated?
Yes, the mainlines will be renumbered. So from uphill - UP, BNSF #1, 2 & 3 ...
I am thinking Hill 582 lies between the existing #1 and 2 which, at that point, are widely separated. The landscaping up there looks gazebo-like from a distance.
Yep, the new mainline from Summit to just beyond the I-15 OC will be "uphill" of the existing. There will be a crossover so that the new rails will cross Cajon Creek and Sullivan's Curve "downhill", then another crossover where the existing lines come together alongside Cajon Blvd. (Old Route 66). From that point through Blue Cut down to Keenbrook, the new grading will be on the "uphill" side, with retaining walls to protect Swarthout Canyon Road and some of the more extreme slopes.
As a practical matter, once the rails are in place, they become three main lines ...
I can't post the construction drawings, as they are BNSF property, but I hope the narratives (with progress photos) will help the railfans ...
HERES A PICTURE OF SIGNAL BRIDGES AT SUMMIT
Sarah:
Your photo looks like it was taken before we placed slope stakes for the new grading. The crossover visible at the bottom of the picture is the beginning of an existing connector to the UP rails. That will be moved a bit and protected with a retaining wall ...
So, from this point beyond the Alray tunnels, the new rails will be offset 15' (center to center) toward the UP track - not much disruption (till you get to the tunnels).
Oops! Sorry, John
It has been overcast lately, so the contrast is pretty poor (I still can't make out our stakes).
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