The San Diego Trolley with Photos - Part II
Amtrak Pacific Surfliners use the stop too.
The downtown train station shows off its railroad history
A trolley train comes in from the other end of the double-wye
The high rise atmosphere of the city area is clearly seen in this station stop view
Continued in Part III
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
The San Diego Trolley with Photos - Part III
A meet on the sharp wye curves
Colorful equipment is also a select part of the trolleys
A much used dual-control switch is right by the public sidewalk for all to see, moving points and all.
All day long many trains arrive and depart in a beautiful zigzag setting.
San Diego is a cool place, literally and in a figure of speech sense. The Pacific Ocean is just a block away, and contributes to the area's coolness.
Picture one in part three . . . you caught me working! Trolley Operator now for nearly 11 years. Allan
Hi Allan, I looked at the image you mentioned trying to figure out if it was BarryS.... You know Barry, right?
Mike Phillips
mphill66
mp
Thanks!
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
Nice pix of the SD trains,Who builds these trolleys?
Time of day methinks it was me and not BarryS. I relieved him @ 10:01am at Imperial when these pics were taken. Seeing "Gus" on train ahead of me also puts it after Imperial relief. A lot of folks take photos - first time I've seen myself.
All are German made.
U-2 Siemens-Deuwag (1000 series, split windshields, door leafs fold inward, operator sits left)
SD-100 Siemens (2000 series, one piece windshield, angular body, door open outward)
S-70 Siemens (3000 series, giant curved aero windshield, doors slide open, wheelchair ramps, centered operator)
Feel free to correct me on the builders.
Current US light-rail boom, yes I believe so. We took our lead from Calgary. I believe the Winter Olympics and subsequent "Stampeed" prompted them to go with Light Rail.
Any Canadian Light Rail types out there want to weigh in and educate us?
The current electric locomotives are actual working with more than 20 years of service. Are they replacing any of those Red Trolley to different model instead of the German maker?
Thanks! Don't see many photos.
I would think new low-floor LRVs would be in use; but maybe this will come in another 20 years if the German cars wear out.
Great pictures! I believe Siemens (the GE of Germany) makes most of the streetcars in use there also. Smooth and reliable.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
We have eleven low-floor (S70) 90 foot cars working exclusively on our Green Line. Green Line runs from Old Town (Blue Line Terminus) to Santee Town Center via Mission Valley shopping, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego State University, Alvarado Hospital, and overlaps with Orange Line to Santee. Only a few days ago, several hundred-million dollars was approved to purchase more low-floor shorty cars (about 80 feet long) and the grand plan is to raise the level of the platforms to where the low-floor cars can have self-loading wheelchair riders. Only the Green Line and overlapped Orange Line have the raised platforms at this time.
The old U2 cars are wearing out / worn out. Many parts are not available and have to be made to order here in the states. I operate the U-boats four days a week and regularly experience repeated door malfunctions, minor electrical faults, parts falling off of undercarriage, coupler shocks worn out making clunking noises under the cab when negotiating the not-so-smooth trackage, and other defects. Yet we operate 22hrs per day on the Blue Line with nine 3-car trains every 15 mins and place an additional eight 3-car trains during the a.m. and p.m. rush hours for 7 1/2 min service. The first three trains out of the International Border 5:00am, 5:15am and 5:30 am are special 4-car trains from the Border to Imperial Transfer. They depart with standing-room-only!
A Hugely Popular System
Part I (of I-V), Section A (of A-C)
12th & Imperial
To watch the San Diego Trolley is an experience in itself. This series photo-documents a recent visit to a part of the system, and will be chronicled on a south to north basis.
12th and Imperial is a key station location, where management offices are located. View is from the south. Note the yellow "05" sign on the lower right.
The above switch is barely visible in the below view (by the "05" yellow sign on the right).
A descriptive sign in front of the building (north side).
Immediately south of the station stop the two lines junction out, one south (right, Blue Line) to the Mexican border, the other (left, Orange Line) heads east. The shop for maintenance is in the photo top background.
Continued in Section B
Part I, Section B (of A-C)
A key super, super active junction switch is clearly marked "DANGER."
A southward view of the above switch (shot from a pedestrian pathway that crosses the tracks). The counterpart second-track is on the top right.
A beautiful setting for admin and the station.
Some trains go north through the above highlighted 12th & Imperial station, then go just south of the downtown old Santa Fe Depot, and loop back around counterclockwise to the southwest side of the 12th and Imperial station as the end of the line, which briefly is single-track. Then, the trolleys reverse and head back clockwise. Some trolleys are not in standard system red.
Continued in Section C
Part I, Section C (of A-C)
That brief single-track section (photo right bottom to the left top) crosses the two-track "Blue Line" (that goes to the Mexican Border).
... and junctions into (bottom far right) the "Orange Line" (that heads east). Just beyond the cross street (marked by the center orange marker) is a single crossover.
A single-track connecting curved track (in background) with much less usage.
A view of the connecting track (right) that junctions into the looping around track mention previously above. A crossover leads into the yard trackage.
Continued in Part II, also on the 12th and Imperial stop. It also looks from the street at the maintenance shop. Part II is scheduled to be posted Friday, December 25, 2009.
A system map is linked below for those wishing to better visualize the San Diego Trolley system.
http://www.sdmts.com/trolley/Trolley.asp
It's been more than ten years since I rode the San Diego Trolley. May I ask: Between which two stations do the cars reach their highest speed, and what is that speed?
----
When I rode to Santee, I was glad to see that the route had reached that neighborhood before development, somewhat as the Interborough Rapid Transit reached into The Bronx and helped build it (though too densely, due to loose zoning). It is more difficult to bring rail lines into a place after it has built up.
The trolley cars that are not red have been covered in giant heavy plastic decals as a means of generating income. They are still the standard San Diego Trolley red underneath. If you were to get up close you could see the raised white logo and lettering underneath. On the U2 cars rust is bubbling up under the decal.
As for speed between stations . . . depends on the line segment and the car being operated. A recent change for the Blue Line South (Imperial to San Ysidro) has a track max of 50 mph regardless of LRV model. The best place to "stretch your legs" is between H street and Palomar street stations. It was easy to bump into the Overspeed (set variously at 51 to 53) several times in this area.
Orange line is a toss up between Lemon Grove Depot to Massachusetts or Interlocking E10 near 69 street curve to 62nd/Encanto or 62nd/Encanto to Euclid Ave. Westbound only. All are down grade and gravity works (it's the law!). SD-100 will overspeed at 53 to 56. Flying at the grade crossings with four cars (160 tons) full of standees, blaring the horn (two longs, a short, and a long) and holding the last note untill well through the crossing . . . yeah, it's fun.
More recent change on the Green Line has any consist with an S70 is limited to 50 mph. A lack of delay between overspeed and emergency brake application caused way too many flats on the tires and that takes a car out for several service days.
Current rules are U2 and S70 max 50 mph. SD-100 max 55.
I have pegged the speedo in a U2, an indicated 57.
The SD-100 and S70 should be good for 65 if not limited for use on our system.
May be more info than you needed.
Part II (of I-V), Section A (of A-C)
More on 12th & Imperial
Another trolley that is not the standard red.
An Orange Line trolley arrives in a beautiful, well manicured setting. Note the conspicuous headlight on top.
Just south of the station is the shop.
At the shop / yard area, there is catenary (wires) everywhere!
Continued in Part II, Section B
Part II, Section B (of A-C)
A public walkway is right by the shop. Note the catenary on the top right.
The shop is very close to the office building / 12th & Imperial stop
An interesting electric sign
A manual trolley yard switch.
Part II, Section C (of A-C)
The north side of the station. People are often everywhere!
A train heads north outbound from the station stop. Note the curved pole on the top right. When a white "T" flashes, trolleys can proceed north out of the station. The inbound track is on the far left, with a tree between tracks.
Note the absence of crosswalks by the station. Many MTS transit buses frequent the the stop.
Part III is about both the "City College" and "American Plaza" Stations, and is scheduled to be posted Sunday, December 27, 2009.
Having ridden the San Diego Trolley on more than ten occasions, whilst visiting San Diego, I can understand why it is hugely popular. But it is not popular enough for the riders to cover the total operating expenses through the fare box, although they pay for a higher percentage of them than any American transit system that I have reviewed. In FY08 fares covered 55 per cent of the Trolley's operating expenses. That is comparatively high but well short of the total operating expenses.
San Diego Trolley Incorporated, which operates the system, paid $5.6 million for security compared to $6.3 million for traction power in FY08. Or to state it differently, the cost of keeping the riders safe was equal to 88.9 per cent of the cost to power the trains. I guess this is the price of operating a transit system in America's not so safe cities.
Amazingly, the equipment lease was only $86,000 in FY08. It is projected to increase to $157,000 in FY09, but these low numbers must mean that the equipment has largely been depreciated.
Sam1Having ridden the San Diego Trolley on more than ten occasions, whilst visiting San Diego, I can understand why it is hugely popular. But it is not popular enough for the riders to cover the total operating expenses through the fare box, although they pay for a higher percentage of them than any American transit system that I have reviewed. In FY08 fares covered 55 per cent of the Trolley's operating expenses. That is comparatively high but well short of the total operating expenses.
I wonder what the operating expenses would be for the lanes of freeway not needed because of the trolley? And why does a municipal public transit system have to pay for a separate police force, any more than any business has to have a separate police force? Sounds like the revenue covers all the operating expenses besides the security.
awwrailroad (12- 24):
Thanks for the detailed input about speeds and unit operating specifications.
You previously mentioned your experience with San Diego Trolley as about 11 years, but it obviously is much more extensive than mine (an observer). In the very early 1980's, on our honeymoon my new bridge was willing to ride the San Diego Trolley! (And, we are still married, too!) In those early days, the line to San Ysidro and the Mexican border was a combination of double- and single-track! And, with such a primitive line, the trolleys oftentimes had to wait at meets. I bet you are glad you don't have to do that now! You may or may not remember the days when directly across from the Santa Fe Depot was the end of the line!
What a difference a few decades have made!
Sam1 (12-25):
You make some thought-provoking financial points. I am not up on transit finances like I use to, but virtually all systems operate at a lose. I guess the logic goes that the taxpayer benefits outweigh the costs ...
Take care all.
K.P.
Are they planning to up-grade the trolley or get new ones?
WHat is the cost of adverstising the decals on the red cars?
DART is expanding its system with the Orange and Green lines. At the same time a new expressway is being built along the Trinity River, and plans are under way to rebuild the down town Mixmaster.
Public transit systems in large cities, especially rail systems, attract crime. Heaps of it! That is why every significant transit system in America has its own police force. Having a dedicated transit police force is supposedly more effective than relying on the community police force.
My former employer - I am retired - had a substantial police presence. We called them security personnel or rent-a-cops when feeling derisive. They were licensed to carry firearms. And on one occasion they used them. I worked for a large electric utility. We had a major security presence at all of our power plants, mine sites, system control centers and major office facilities. It was a major expense; it is an unfortunate sign of the times in America.
Part III (of I-V), Section A (of A-D)
City College Station
Years ago, from when the San Diego Trolley was first built, there was a sharp, 90 degree turn at C Street and Park Blvd.
In the above photo, the line went from the the lower left to the middle right.
Now, things have changed dramatically, and the San Diego Trolley cuts diagonally across the city block and avoids the above intersection completely.
From a block WEST of the above photo's intersection, looking southeast.
The diagonal aspect of the station is more clearly evident in this southeast view from the southeast side of the station stop, a block SOUTH of the first photo's intersection. In the below view, after a train leaves, the masses pour across the tracks. Note the mirror on the top left. Also, the catenary is clearly visible on the photo's top area. The trolley in this view is heading to the 12th & Imperial stop shown in Parts I and II
Note the square, sharp tooth-like effect of the upper left building architecture as the trolley line diagonally cuts through the city block. Note, too, the huge masses waiting on the center left.
Part III, Section B (of A-D)
Again, from the southeast side, looking northwest. Two trolleys meet. Note the pointed building architecture on the photo top right.
The north eighth of a circle, looking west
Looking west down C Street: A train (right) has just left of the City College Station and a train approaches (background center).
A view a few seconds later. Note there is now THREE trolley trains in the view. The one-way street on the right use to be a two-way street until the Trolley came along in the early 1980's and forced roadway planners to improvise.
Continued in Section C, and will cover the American Plaza Station.
Part III, Section C (of A-D)
America Plaza Station
A trolley approaches the America Plaza station from the east. Note the building bridging (top of photo) OVER the street.
A train wants to head east (away from the camera which is within the America Plaza stop), and awaits a green light on the traffic signals. The overhead bridge noted in the photo caption above is in the distance.
As the tracks approach the America Plaza stop (from the east) they alignment shift slightly and enter the station. When the San Diego Trolley line was first built circa 1980, there was NO alignment shift, but the tracks continued straight west a block and ended across the street from the Santa Fe Railway Depot.
The America Plaza station stop is unusual in that part of the interior curves.
Continued in Section D
Part III, Section D (of A-D)
There is an opening in the building interior (photo lower left), and the old Santa Fe Depot is visible across the street.
The main interior of the America Plaza station. It too diagonals through the city block.
A train inside the diagonal portion of the stop.
As the trolleys head eastward, the interior station's curve is readily evident. (Note the curved yellow limit line on the sidewalk.)
This post section was photographed from the northeast side. The southwest side of this station stop was briefly covered initially on Page 1 of this topic.
The briefer Part IV is scheduled to be posted Tuesday, December 29, 2009.
Part IV (of I-V), Section A (of A-B)
The Santa Fe Depot Stop
When San Diego Trolleys leave westward from the America Plaza stop, they immediate kind of semi-loop turn and head north, and pass the old Santa Fe Depot where ANOTHER station stop is made.
Looking west from that Santa Fe Depot stop is the Pacific Ocean. Visible is an ocean liner docked in the background. The tail end of a Coaster commuter train is on the far right.
There is much gating at the stop.
Much of the San Diego Depot stop was originally covered on page 1 of this topic.
Country Center / Little Italy Stop
A southbound (photo right to left) Coaster arrives in San Diego, and passes the Beech Street grade crossing. The San Diego trolley uses the two closet tracks. BNSF, Amtrak, and Coasters use the far west two-tracks.
Beech Street is only a couple of blocks north of the Santa Fe Depot. Note the "X" crossovers at CP ASH (lower left).
Part IV, Section B (of A-B)
This solidly lit signal means stop. When it flashes, trains can proceed.
While the Trolley is in the station stop boarding and alighting passengers, the Beech Street gates are down, irritating the VERY FEW motors that are wanting to get to the other side of the tracks.
Looking north from the east side: The tracks curve into the stop.
A wide-angle looking north also, from the west side.
Part V (the last in this series, and is in four sections) is scheduled to be posted Thursday, December 31, 2009, and will deal with where the Blue Line meets the Green Line ... And at nighttime too!
Part V, Section A (of A-D)
The Old Town Transit Center
For those unfamiliar with the area, "Old Town" is a northern section of San Diego.
Looking north: A Blue Line train (left) and a Green Line train (right) wait at the station stop. Both lines end at this stop, and trains reverse directions here and return to the other end of their respective lines. Sometimes there are loaded baseball and football specials that continue through the station.
A Blue Line train prepares to head south to the Border. Note the transit bus in the background left.
At this station, to the right of each track is a signal protecting an "X" crossovers arrangement.
In the above photo, note the two security officers on the lower right. Unlike the 'scared of their own shadow' first class freight railroad counterparts, the security officers were unfazed by someone walking around taking photos with a camera! A security shack is on the photo left.
A southbound (right) zooms (and I mean "zooms") off while a just arrived northbound waits to crossover (left).
Continued in Part V, Section B
Part V, Section B (of A-D)
A heavily used switch now goes into reverse.
The waiting trolley then quickly crosses over on the "X" crossovers arrangement.
Part V, Section C (of A-D)
The signal goes green, and shortly thereafter off goes another scheduled train ... Its a marvel of precision!
Across the way, a through northbound Coaster arrives
Signs are clearly present for locals and tourists alike.
Part V, Section D (of A-D)
A newer "old style" depot-like building landmarks the north end of the site.
Unlike number plated signals with "P" or "G" plates that the freight railroads have, which normally can be passed in red mode, these plated trolley signals have regularly changed power switches associated with them, and cannot be passed without authorization.
The Blue Line has the most trolley runs, which are quickly in and out of the Old Town Transit Center stop, and return to the Border. In this view, a Green Line trolley arrives, and disembarks its passengers. It then sits in the station for awhile before returning to Santee.
Passengers and other pedestrians can walk underneath the busy four tracks at this station stop.
This post will end the "A Hugely Popular System" series.
If you are traveling and happen to be in the San Diego area, a stop to ride the San Diego Trolley is highly recommended. It likely will be a long cherished experience.
Taylor Street and One Stop North
Part A (of A-G)
At the end of 2009, the "Old Town" station stop was featured in this thread, a place where the Blue and Green lines meet. The Taylor Street grade crossing within feet of the "Old Town" station will begin this photo extension.
The Taylor Street grade crossing is a four-track phenomenon.
As a Green Line train begins its north-eastward run, a bicyclist is caught between crossing gates.
An arriving Blue Line run from the south crosses over at the south side X-crossovers arrangement, only to return the other way after alighting and boarding passengers.
(Remember that crossover arrangement south of the station stop ...)
Continued in Part B
Part B (of A-G)
An interesting "motor vehicle" crosses the grade crossing as crowds board the trolley that will return to the Mexican Border (away from the camera).
The Old Town stop is always a crowded, popular place. Security guards are on hand. Please make a mental note of this southward view and how the track in the background curves slightly in the foreground. A sense of single-track history will be mentioned in Part C.
Yours truly was shadow caught photographing this arriving (rightward) Green Line train from Santee.
Continued in Part C
Part C (of A-G)
Just north of Taylor Street and the Old Town stop is ANOTHER X-crossover arrangement. So, on both sides of the station are X-crossovers!
Parallel to and just west of that second X-crossover is a another rail line, one used by Amtrak, local commuter trains, and the BNSF Railway. That two-track line junctions into single-track west of Taylor Street.
A closer look at the junction switch. The CP sign on the left is for CP FRIAR, named after a famous San Diego crossroad about a block beyond the CP. Friars Road goes under a railroad overpass.
The single-track alignment in the background of the photo above CURVES (away from the camera) and goes straight over a several-hundred foot long bridge (NOT seen). Years ago, in long gone Santa Fe Railway days, the line (after traversing that bridge and coming TOWARD the camera) did NOT curve but went straight and aligned with the left track (on the other side of Taylor Street) of the two far-RIGHT tracks.
THAT was the general background track alignment in the middle photo in Part B. In Santa Fe Railway days, double-track began on the EAST side of Taylor Street, and NOT on the west side as two-tracks do now. Back then, Amtrak and Santa Fe trains from Los Angeles generally took the turnout route and traveled left handed on double-track to downtown San Diego.
Parts D through G will be covered Monday afternoon, February 22, 2010.
Part D (A-G)
North, and then east, of the Old Town stop the Green Line goes over a two-track, curved bridge.
That bridge is shown in the following three photos of a trolley set (on the RIGHT track) going TO Old Town.
Continued in Part E
Part E (A-G)
After a little while, the train in Part D returns, now on the LEFT track, and heads to Santee.
Just right of the overpass in the background, the photos in Part D were shot from. In this view, a trolley has just left the Morena / Linda Vista station stop, and was about the same vicinity of the first photo in Part D.
Patronage was light here at photo time.
Continued in Part F
Part F (A-G)
The Trolley heads the other way now (east), and turns into a sharp 20 M.P.H. curve that grade crosses Friars Road.
The curve is within a T-intersection.
The above Trolley gets closer. The signal on the right is typically yellow ... Some trollies have operators sit in the middle, but on the 2000 series they sit on the left side just like bus drivers do. Does someone here at the forum know which series has operator seating where?
A few minutes before a trolley comes along the other way, and the signal above turns green.
Continued in Part G
Part G (A-G)
A view from a distance ... The gates here go down and up about eight times an hour! Between 120 and 140 times a day!
Kind of an interesting place to live for railfan types ...
This will conclude the "Taylor Street and One Stop North" A-G series.
Driver (Operator) position:
S70, 3000 series is in the center with the access door in the center.
SD-100, 2000 series is to the left with the access door in the center.
U-2, 1000 series is to the left with the access door to the right.
Can you take shoot a video next to the cab window?
Well, he could... But due to the cell phone issues these days, it would probably be better if Alan had me or someone else shoot the video from behind the operating cab. Maybe one day when I take the train home to Tijuana I could film something.
Viva Mexico!
Part I (of I-VI)
From Downtown San Diego, the San Diego Trolley's Blue Line heads southeastward to the U.S. border town of San Ysidro. (Pronounced San Ee-see'dro, with the Ee like y in the word yard.)
"Viva" is both an Italian and Spanish language interjection meaning an exclamation of acclaim or approval. The overwhelming majority of the population of the community of San Ysidro is of Spanish descent, and thus have a favorable outlook about the country of Mexico, hence, the title of this series, "Viva Mexico."
The final route-curves before the end of the trolley line in San Ysidro. Camera view is northwestward.
Just south of the above curves is a signaled "X" crossovers.
A trolley leaves San Ysidro northbound. On the photo top right is a highrise, actually within Tijuana, Mexico, showing how close-by that country is!
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-VI)
The tracks end on a curve in a beautiful setting that includes Palm trees.
Ticket dispensing machines. A map is displayed for those unfamiliar with the system.
Part III (of I-VI)
Bumper posts are at the end of the line ...
... and are in an attractive rod-iron fence setting.
Continued in Part IV
Part IV (of I-VI)
The station and trolleys are easily photographed.
The trolleys are handicapped accessible. An operator closes the ramp after boarding a wheelchair confined patron.
The unscrupulous have an incentive to act rightly ...
Continued in Part V
Part V (of I-VI)
Switch motors in San Ysidro are between the rails, unlike conventional switches where motors are outside the rails and off to one side.
This is the southern end of the "X" crossovers shown in Part I. The signals here angle toward the trolley operator. The signal went green, and within two or three seconds, the trolley shot off to Old Town, and with a shunted circuit the signal went back to red.
A trolley departs (away from the camera). Note how the signal on the right severely angles to the left. As with the above photo, trolleys stop so close to signals that the signal heads are severely turned to face the operator.
Part VI (of I-VI)
Public sidewalks in this section (left) and often very crowded, unlike the photo below; and right by the tracks, making for easy photography ... or simply trolley watching up close.
One can't help but notice the predominance of Spanish Americans at this end of the Blue Line, on the American side of the Border. I found it a refreshing cultural contrast. Also, if you happen to visit San Ysidro by car, you'll know that the Mexico border is immanent and close by, because the freeway signs have exit street names (in Mexico) that are obviously Spanish! You can't miss them!
This will end the "Viva Mexico!" series.
The San Diego Trolley
Playing Golf ... Fore!
Part A (of A-C)
Around golfing, often the long drawn out expression "f-o-r-e-!" is heard. That fore often means heads up, the ball is about to come one's way.
Near (just west of) the Fashion Valley Mall is the Riverwalk Golf Club. At the club railfans that are golfers have two things to anticipate. Hearing "fore!" and seeing the many San Diego Trollies cutting through the golfing location.
While bushes and trees block much of seeing the right-of-way, railbuffs can get a glimpse of the Trolleys.
Part B (of A-C)
The "driving range" is right by the tracks.
A trolley approaches the Fashion Valley Transit Center, and passes the driving range's high protective fence while starting a steep climb.
Part C (of A-C)
As shown in the last photo in Part B, the trolley line steeply gains elevation for the station stop, which station shares land with the local transit bus operation.
Overhead walkways to the trolley line:
The whole trolley line in this particular area bridges over tightly quartered, very valuable real estate.
For railfan-golfers visiting or vacationing in the San Diego area, TWO fun activities are side by side, and easily accessible. And, for spouses that are neither a railfan or a golfer, surely shopping at the Fashion Valley Mall right next door would make them happy!
It is hoped sometime in the indefinite future the trolley's cutting through the golf course can be looked at in more depth.
But first, between a few days and a couple of weeks, a series is expected to be put together and shared with the forum on where the San Diego Trolley is only single-track! And, some interior trolley views are planned too!
Santee to Gillespie Field to Arnele Ave.
Part I (of I-XII)
The Land of Single-Track Funsville
We begin at the beginning of the Green Line (or end, depending on one's perspective), at a shopping center in the heart of the City of Santee.
A trolley approaches the two-track stop over a bidirectional single-track route.
Most trolleys here take the turnout route.
Throngs alight, and are replaced by new boarders.
And afterward, the operator goes to the other end, and the trolley heads back to the other end of the line at Old Town, a section of San Diego.
Part II (of I-XII)
Let us take a brief detour, and look at the interiors of the equipment, first the 3000 series S-70 (Avanto) trolley by Siemens, the newest on the roster, numbered 3001-3011. (See the second through fourth photos of Part I above.) Many more are reportedly on order, but are supposedly to be of a shorter version in order to be more compatible with current San Diego Trolley operating stops.
S-70's have split level flooring.
The operator's cabin and its center seat:
Looking back, the center swivel is observable between the ‘two' section of the ‘one' trolley.
In the above photo, note the yellow vertical grab rails in the photo's center.
Part III (of I-XII)
An overview of the split flooring (photo bottom) on the S-70's:
Now, the 2000 series SD-100 also by Siemens, numbers 2001-2052. These are boxier, and have much less of an exotic streamlined appearance than the S-70, and look more traditional. Even so, they are radically different in appearance from the 1000 series. The SD-100 floor is level throughout, but higher than the S-70.
The operator's cabin can only be viewed from a narrow vertical door window.
The operator's console is more traditional and hardly space-age NASA-like as with the S-70's.
The San Diego Trolley also rosters the 1000-series U2 model by Siemens-Duwag, the original trolley units on the San Diego system, and are numbered 1001-1071. They are dated 1978-1990. No such units were on the Green or Orange Lines during the time the photos for this post series were taken. Rosters show the U2's start at 1001, but this forumist distinctly remembers seeing a number 1000 years ago.
The EXTERIORS of the 1000-series may be viewed in earlier posts of this thread.
Now, back to the line in Santee ...
Part IV (of I-XII)
Unlike the heavy duty bumper posts at the end of the Blue Line down in San Ysidro by the International border with Mexico, the end of the line in Santee has what appear to be very frail stoppers that are anchored to the tracks.
A new development for this photo forumist was the proliferation of new bilingual signs throughout the San Diego Trolley system that leaves no doubt as to their meaning.
For the record, an all-day, $5 pass was possessed by this poster. For all the trolleys this posted rode back and forth between Santee and Arnele Ave., the price was a fantastic bargain! The passes have anti-forgery markings that are seen at certain angles of light.
A mirror for trolley operators is used in the shopping center grade crossing. The center's many retail shops are visible in the background.
Part V (of I-XII)
There is a small Greek Theater type place in the shopping center by the Santee Town Center stop. The trolley tracks that end are on the photo upper left.
A single-track route exits the station stop.
The mall has strangely positioned grade crossing warning lights and signs on the FAR side of the track. Traditionally, railroads have warning devices, such flasher units and gates, BEFORE the track, not AFTER it as here in Santee.
Continued in Part VI
Part VI (of I-XII)
"T" lights advise trolley operators. A constantly lit "T" light is for operators to stop, whereas a flashing "T" is to proceed.
At certain angles, the S-70 and its windows, on the left of the photo above, are so shiny that it almost blends in with its surroundings.
A trolley leaves the shopping center and heads back to Old Town, curving through a major vehicle intersection.
At the time the last photo just above was taken, the town's electrical power was out, and the road traffic through the intersection was very slow going ... with an occasion trolley thrown in for even more drama!
Continued in Part VII
Part VII (of I-XII)
The following is a view from the other side of the same intersection that was shown above. Northward trolleys wait at the often heavily congested intersection for the auto stoplights to cycle though so that all the traffic is stopped with red traffic lights, then the trolley receives a favorable signal to proceed. Note the two-lamp trolley signal on the photo top right of the below first photo. A vertical up and down lit line allows a trolley to proceed northward across the intersection, whereas trolleys coming upon a horizontal light bar must stop and wait.
Southward trolleys now are routed through a narrow middle strip on the wide north-south roadway.
In the last photo above, at the intersection, are those white wait and precede trolley lights.
Continued in Part VIII
Part VIII (of I-XII)
The single-track line then curves into the ‘final approach' to the Gillespie Field (small airport) stop.
The single-track line becomes two-tracks at a dual-control switch within a signaled interlocking.
And, we are at the Gillespie Field stop.
Continued in Part IX
Part IX (of I-XII)
Back to the Normal Two-Tracks
As a reminder, the pictured ride above was a Green Line train from Santee southward. At Gillespie Field, we are joined by the Orange Line that comes from downtown San Diego via a southeastern route that terminates here. The Green Line continues south for a bit before turning westward to the end of the line at Old Town where it meets on through tracks the terminating Blue Line up from the border town of San Ysidro and downtown San Diego.
Patrons have a nice parking lot to park their cars in. There is some type of channel between the tracks and parking lot, with walkways that bridges the two.
Orange Line trolleys come north and stop at Gillespie Field normally on the EASTERLY track to alight and board patrons. The above Orange Line trolley was preparing to offload a wheelchair passenger.
Small planes often take off from the stop's namesake airport. In the view below, a barely visible plane (center) is about to sight intersect the catenary.
The Orange Line trolleys then waits to return to downtown San Diego. They soon receive a green light on the four-bulb ‘against the normal traffic flow' dwarf signal.
Continued in Part X
Part X (of I-XII)
As Orange Line trains depart southward and pass the 'wrong way' dwarf signal, it changes to YELLOW and stays that way ...
It is unknown what the fourth lamp is for in the above photo, but fourth lamps of the freight railroads are typically lunar, a whitish variant.
The now southward Orange Line trolley SOON crosses over to the normal right-running flow of traffic. That single-crossover is shown below in a photo shot from a Green Line run.
Continued in Part XI
Part XI (of I-XII)
Both Green Line and Orange Line trolleys make fast running southward.
Continued in Part XII
Part XII (of I-XII)
On the final approach to the Arnele Ave. stop, a SD-100 / S-70 pair make the final turn, and the trolleys steeply descend to the station stop.
The station tracks closely parallel a main street (far right). The track that branches off on the right is a freight only track that goes across the street to serve a freight customer
A pair of S-70's at the Arnele stop await the clock's saying it is the time to head further south.
It is hoped this 12-part series gives out-of-towners a broader picture of the San Diego Trolley ... and the awareness that such a great two-track system even has a stretch of rather rare but highly used "single-track."
Nice pix, KP. Occasionally, between Gillespie Field and Arnele Street, one can find a parked switch engine left from the previous "after midnight" switching of the industries in that area. Toro sprinklers, for instance, has a plant north of Fletcher parkway that seems to have two or three plastic pellet hoppers spotted there most of the time.
schlimm Great pictures! I believe Siemens (the GE of Germany) makes most of the streetcars in use there also. Smooth and reliable.
I absolutely agree with what the Prof B. says!
Really interesting and Nice photos, K.P. Thanks for sharing with us!
It is very unusual to have a conversation between a Poster/ Photographer here and the men who actually operate the equipment pictured.
A Memo to ChuckCobleigh (7-31) and samfp1943 (8-17):
In a much delayed response ... Thanks for the encouragement.
The San Diego area was visited Monday, November 1, 2010 after checking out the resumption of Union Pacific two-tracking near Arizona for the "Sunset Route Two-Tracking Updates" thread. A stop was made at the San Diego Trolley's Grossmont Transit Center that serves both the Green and Orange Lines. Some resultant photos are hoped to be posted by the end of the week.
Best wishes,
Grossmont Transit Center
November 1, 2010
Part I (of I-III)
This stop is on the joint Green and Orange Lines. Not far west of here the lines split. The Orange line heads south on a roundabout southern route to downtown San Diego, whereas the Green Line takes a northern route towards downtown, but one has to transfer to the Blue line at Old Town to go all the way downtown.
The Grossmont stop extends under both sides of the Grossmont Center Drive Bridge.
A two-car trolley approaches from the west.
Trolley 2013 arrives from the north/east, and is still moving and will stop in just seconds.
Part II (of I-III)
A trolley waits a few seconds for the departure time, but the signal is green, though it is very difficult to see at this photo angle.
Another trolley soon stops ... and quickly starts again, passing the green signal which goes red.
Trolleys then soon pass the next very nearby signal, which is barely visible just right of the below trolley.
Part III (of I-III)
After the trolley goes further and out of view, the background signal soon goes yellow.
There is some type of structures being constructed on each side of the tracks, just east of the overpass.
An outbound trolley arrives.
This poster's visit to the stop was very brief. Probably too brief to see what this poster always seems to see ... at least one wheelchair-bound passenger boarding or alighting. The blue symbol on the above photo's lower left is where an inbound trolley operator lines his trolley's front door up at for a wheelchair.
For those interested ... A nice security officer questioned this poster as to why I was taking pictures. The security officer seemed to be pacified with the explanation that I was a TRAINS Magazine subscriber and was enjoying my trains/photographing hobby. Osama bin Laden sure changed life for railfans less than a decade ago. Even so, it is still enjoyable to watch trolley operations ... It is almost like watching poetry in motion as one trolley after another keeps coming by all day long!
Edmonton was the first city in North America, with a population of under a million, to have an LRT system, opening to the public in April 1978. Originally it ran from Belvedere to Central Stations, with an extension from Belvedere to Clareview a couple of years later. Currently it runs Clareview, Belvedere, Coliseum, Stadium, Churchill, Central, Bay, Corona, Grandin, University, Health Sciences, McKernan/Belgravia, South Campus, Southgate to Century Park.
A line from Churchill to NAIT is under construction now.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
from the cold outpost of Edmonton, Alberta
microbus (11-21):
Ah, Edmonton! I asked my boy, "Who is in Edmonton?" Right away he said, "The Edmonton Oilers." You can tell he is a big hockey fan!
It sounds like San Diego and Edmonton got their light rail systems going about the same time. I don't know how ridership is in Edmonton, but the San Diego Trolley is very popular, as shown in the following reshown downtown photo of droves waiting for the next frequent trolley.
I have a sister-in-law in the San Diego area, explaining my occasional visits to the San Diego Trolley. And, those visits entail an over 100-mile drive from near Cajon Pass.
Cajon Pass seldom gets snow, but your area likely gets snow often. The next time it snows in your area, the Edmonton trolleys will probably get crowded as people forsake their autos. But, in Southern California, hardly any of us knows how to drive in snow ... but we have such views as the below reshown shot from the San Diego Depot trolley and commuter train stop looking towards the Pacific Ocean.
Quite a contrast, microbus, about cities with a common interest for us!
Take care,
microbus (11-22):
You are welcome!
I had to chuckle at the "frozen switches and false occupancies" that Edmonton experienced this past week of extreme cold. That is quite a contrast to the rather mild weather the San Diego Trolley experiences.
Apparently Edmonton in Alberta Canada hasn't learned what profit minded freight railroads here in the United States learned a long time ago ...
The above is a view of the Union Pacific (UP) triple-track line in Nebraska that sometimes sees 150 freight trains a day. On the far right just below the signal is ducting, where hot air is blown unto the switch points, so that in blizzards and super cold weather switches can quickly (and reliably) be reversed (or normalized).
All along UP's Central Corridor "Overland Route" such heaters are present, as in Laramie, Wyoming at the western foot of Sherman Hill. The double-crossovers shown below is a super important spot, where eastbound trains (going away from the camera) on the foreground right track cross over to the background left track, and westbound trains (coming towards the camera) on the background right track cross over to the foreground left track.
Line side heaters (visible by the turnouts) are invaluable in keeping that important interlocking free flowing. It sounds like Edmonton could use such heaters.
As far as false occupancies are concerned, it is wondered if Edmonton would solve its problems by merely increasing voltage on shuntable track. The Santa Fe Railway years ago did that at one location in a rain storm and all the false occupancies went away.
Obviously, San Diego has no need for switch heaters, and undoubtedly solved any false shunting situations (like in heavy rains) years ago.
Anyway, it is hoped you, microbus, can thaw out quickly ...
Have fun (and hopefully stay warm too),
I don't know what sort of switch heaters Edmonton transit uses, but certainly they are very common here in eastern Canada - and can be completely overwhelmed by the kind of heavy snow followed by deep cold that Edmonton has just had, especially just after a warm and/or wet spell. I note that your photos are of the Overland route - which doesn't run through wet country, I believe. Wetter and colder conditions can require even higher capacity heaters - CN experimented once with a retired jet engine bolted to a flat car to speed switch melting in yards after ice storms.
JE
jkeaton (11-23):
Wow! CN tried a retired jet engine bolted to a flatcar to try to clear snow from yard switches!
I remember years and years ago a big transport jet, as the four jet engines were put in full throttle to go down the runway to take off, well, one of the engines broke loose and shot down the runway a few thousand feet!
I can't help but wonder if CN's use of a retired jet engine to clear snow managed to stay in one spot!
Sometimes Californians (me included) don't appreciate just how wonderful the weather is that the San Diego Trolley operates in!
Edmonton does use switch heaters, the kind that belches out hot air aimed directly at the points. Clareview switches get used a lot as that's the most northerly station, and they've been working fine. Century Park is the most southerly station, and also the newest. I'm not sure if they did anything different with the switch heaters there as I haven't seen the station yet. But the south LRT extension, which opened last April, seems to have more than its fair share of problems.
Good idea about increasing voltage on the shuntable track, KP... I don't know if they've thought of that or not.
La Mesa Blvd. Stop: Where an 'Out of Towner' Might Need a Compass!
Back in January (2011), this poster visited the La Mesa Blvd stop. It is a beautiful stop, but is a very difficult location to photograph. Even though it is just a stop, it has a feel and atmosphere about it that is difficult to put one's finger on ... or even put in words. It is a place that a VISITOR might need a compass to determine which way is which.
The streets and roadways in the vicinity of the La Mesa Blvd stop seem to go all different directions, and twist and curve up and down. K.P. on two separate occasions actually thought the rail line was on a generally east-west alignment. But in reality, it is on a north-south orientation.
As seen in the above photo, a main drag with oftentimes much auto traffic on it parallels the tracks (right). Unseen on the photo left is a lesser road that also parallels the tracks, which roadway right-of-way was utilized for the station stop to be built.
A quickly disoriented visitor also 'feels' that arriving OUTBOUND trains are inbound ...
... even though station signs (below photo's upper right) clearly indicate those trolleys are outbound to Gillespie Field ...
... and that departing INBOUND trolleys are felt to be outbound.
Obviously, trolley operators and regular passengers don't have that weird experience. Nevertheless, it is hoped that sometime in the future more time can be spent at the 'weird sensation' location, so additional photos can be taken and shared with the forum, photos that hopefully will be able to convey the quaintness and the feelings that a visitor gets at the La Mesa Blvd. stop.
------
3330333
Part A (of A-E)
Trolley Car Happenings
On February 13, 2010 this photo was taken by Old Town, by where the Green Line ends and Blue Line begins. Note the window behind the last door of the first section.
On Wednesday, July 11, 2012 a similar trolley was photographed by Baltimore Drive in La Mesa. It did NOT have that first section's last window.
So, apparently, since K.P.'s last visit, more trolleys have been delivered, an undated version.
Part B (of A-E)
Photography
From aerials, K.P. had plotted out some areas to visit and photograph ... But found everything much more different than anticipated. One was the junction between the Green and Orange Lines in the La Mesa area, by the two-head signal on the lower left.
Aerial of Junction
There was another area too on K.P.'s list, the great curved tunnel, but that proved quite illusive.
A future photo session will have to be planned, and trolley rides taken to document those areas more effectively.
Part C (of A-E)
Passenger Stop Alterations
The La Mesa Blvd. Trolley Station
The La Mesa Blvd. Trolley station outbound boarding area was closed ...
... and boarding and alighting patrons had to walk across the other main all along the length of the trolley stop.
The closure was because of construction.
A worker advised that the platform was being raised. Presumably that, as well as with other stops, will allow the new cars to be used on the line.
Continued in Part D
Part D (of A-E)
More Colorful Cars
So many trolley cars now sport advertising vinyl on them, making for some colorful train sets at times ... and odd color combinations.
The second photo in Part C had a totally red set that had showed up. But, so many trolley sets, though, have the vinyl now.
Part E (of A-E)
Fun Crosswalks and Connecting Buses
By the La Mesa Blvd. Trolley Station
An interesting, fun thing to watch was a crosswalk near the station stop. When people would cross, the roadway had yellow lights that would flash!
Those flashing lights add a little spice to the transit seen. One side of the street is the trolley stop, the other a semi-long transit bus stop..
This will conclude this series until K.P. can return and ride the trolleys once again and document some of the more interesting sites on the lines.
The Orange Line
The “32nd & Commercial” Stop
Part I (of I-IX)
Since the last post series herein from over a year ago the San Diego Trolley as an outfit received additions to its trolley fleet roster, 65 spiffy cars numbered 4001-4065 from Siemens up at Sacramento, CA. Those trolleys were model designated SD70 US and have a sleek, stunning appearance.
The focus this series will be the 32nd & Commercial Station, a curved place where the east-west tracks meets a short section of more or less north-south tracks.
From the key 12th & Imperial Transfer Station …
… the Orange Line heads east on street running all the way over to the 32nd & Commercial stop. The below view looks westward just west of that station stop.
Part II (of I-IX)
The curved nature of the stop is seen from across the intersection of 32nd and Commercial Streets (southwest quadrant thereof).
SD70 US cars at the station:
Part III (of I-IX)
A contrast in trolley vehicles:
SD70 US 4000’s:
SD100 2000’s:
Part IV (of I-IX)
A 4000 connected to a 2000:
An outbound 4000 series leaves the station stop, and heads north.
Just north of the trolley stop the line bridges over Imperial Ave. in an upside down “U” route.
That upside down “U” is seen below:
AERIAL LINK: Station Stop and Upside Down "U" Route
There are steps down to Imperial Ave.
Part V (of I-IX)
Trolley 4045 heads an arriving trolley about to go over Imperial Ave.
While simple and frugal, the stop’s metal benches and coverings are attractive.
“Big Brother” type cameras give the area an atmosphere of security.
Part VI (of I-IX)
A small satellite fare collector (a main ticket dispenser is visible on the upper left):
At the station stop, many disembark the long trolley set.
A view towards downtown:
Note the traffic light on the right …
Part VII (of I-IX)
The 32nd and Commercial Streets traffic light also has a train light too.
The street running of the Orange Line under catenary:
It is unknown if the track needs some alignment attention or if “The Trolley” is trying to attract Six Flags thrill rider types …
Part VIII (of I-IX)
A coming and going among roadway traffic:
Part IX (of I-IX)
A 2000 SD100 series set comes along street running.
This line was an old single-track freight train branch line years ago, and adding a second track to accommodate high volumes of riders often necessitated shifting alignments in the adding of another bridge.
All is quiet on walkways and seating between the tracks … until boarders come and wait, and the next trolley arrives.
This will conclude this series. Additional, related material will be posted soon, including goblins, spookyville, and trolleys passing the very unimpressed …
K.P.,
Another great photo essay on your part.
Back in the 1950's, I recall seeing a derelict PCC car sitting in a junkyard alongside U.S. 101 north of San Diego. Later I learned that the trolley system there had been abandoned in 1949, and the car at the time of abandonment was only about a dozen years old.
It has always amazed me that San Diego was so quick to restore what they had lost. Who would have thought?
John Timm
desertdog (9-22)
From the inception of the San Diego Trolley in the late 1970’s / earlier 1980’s, the City of San Diego seemed to be more progressive and forward thinking than most other cities.
From the standpoint of interested observers and railfans, the San Diego Trolley is very open about its fleet of trolleys, and spectacularly so! Their website lists all the trolleys on the roster, specifications, even diagrams, in a fleet chronology fashion! A PDF file is even downloadable. If that isn’t a dream come true for fascinated observers, I don’t know what is!
LINK: http://www.sdmts.com/MTS/FS_SDTI_000.pdf.pdf
The San Diego Trolley system was not long ago revamped route-wise, and routes now seem more logical and orientated towards serving the citizenry of San Diego better. For that reason it has been decided to return to San Diego (hopefully soon) and photo document some of those operational changes, as well as highlight for the forum a few fascinating areas of the system.
Take care, John,
Through the Land of Spookyville
Part “A” (of A-G)
Heading out from San Diego, the Orange Line of the San Diego Trolley stops briefly at the “32nd & Commercial” trolley stop, and then goes through an upside down reverse “U” on its eastward trek. Towards the eastern side of the upside down “U” the Orange Line goes underneath the State Route 15 (SR-15) Freeway that becomes Interstate 15 (I-15) a few miles to the north.
Just east of SR-15 is the Francis Street grade crossing in a residential area.
From the east Trolley No. 4021 approaches the grade crossing in a pathway traversing much greenery.
Part “B” (of A-G)
No. 4017 approaches from the west …
… and heads east to spooky places.
Part “C” (of A-G)
On September 4, 2013 K.P. was totally frustrated in getting to Spookyville, because it had closed for the day. This was the closest to the desired spooky place that could be had, at the 43rd Street grade crossing at K Street.
Looking west from 43rd Street:
An eastward oriented shot … with a (“a”) Spookyville in the background.
Spookyville is a play on words … for a cemetery. Come to find out, the San Diego Trolley passes TWO cemeteries in a row, one on the south side (pictured above), and one just to the above one’s west. In the latter, the Trolley actually going THROUGH it!
Part “D” (of A-G)
The return to the area was made on Friday, September 13, 2013 … of all days.
This is the Spookyville grade crossing! View looks south.
A westbound to downtown San Diego comes zipping along.
On the last photo above, the north part of the cemetery is visible.
For an “unlucky” day the visit went surprisingly well.
Part “E” (of A-G)
The south side looking north:
K.P. got brave … and walked among the dead!
Part “F” (of A-G)
San Diego Trolley operators must (“must”) be terrified to pass the cemetery area, for the circuitry for the crossing gates seems to be setup for passing by at 200 M.P.H.!
The gates activate, come down again, and just ding and ding and ding and ding. Finally, a trolley races by …
… and the gates go up, and all is quiet again for five to ten minutes.
Part “G” (of A-G)
A few final views:
A last one … of the catenary:
Circa 1982 K.P. rode through here on one of the original trolleys, a 1000 series unit. He did not see the cemetery. From headstones, obviously it was present back then. Matter of fact, K.P. saw a marker this past visit of someone who passed away before his mother was even born! The cemetery was only perceived recently on the trolley line from aerials. The conclusion is that the San Diego Trolley does an excellent job of camouflaging the place of rest with line side trees so riders probably don’t even notice it …
The Mount Hope Cemetery is City owned, and managed by its Parks and Recreation Department. Hours open are very limited, currently only 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, and closed Saturday and Sunday.
The cemetery crossing gated grade crossing has to be one of the spookiest in the entire West …
This will conclude the series.
Don't those trolleys speed through the curve around that cemetery? I remember between there and Lemon Grove, they run quite fast.
mvs (10-5):
My, my, how time flies! Sorry for the belated reply.
I don’t know what the speed limit is by the cemetery, but they were going at a pretty good clip when I was there. The trolleys go, I believe, a maximum of 50 M.P.H. It wouldn’t surprise me if they did every bit of that by the cemetery!
Best,
Do they really refer this LRT as a "trolley" ? Thats a word that hasn't been in use for 50 years, any indication of the word trolley conjures up the "Toonerville Trolley"
awwrailroad Current US light-rail boom, yes I believe so. We took our lead from Calgary. I believe the Winter Olympics and subsequent "Stampeed" prompted them to go with Light Rail. Any Canadian Light Rail types out there want to weigh in and educate us?
Started the LRT in 1978, first trains 1981, all German equipment (1948 technology) these were monsters of cars, Calgary took a huge chance on an LRT system in a city that was way under a million people and many warned them it would not work, today the city is completely out of control in it's growth it's that BOOM sound you hear, but they have an LRT. and the word is STAMPEDE.
BTW Calgary had electric rubber tired trolley buses before the LRT.
tatans (11-22):
Oh, yes, San Diego really does call it “The Trolley” big time! And everybody in the town knows it too!
The San Diego Trolley is an outstanding corporate success story, and well known nationally as such among professionals in the know.
To be sure, state Sen Jim Mills didn't like having "trolley" in the name as the cars used pantographs instead of trolley poles. In a bit of history repeating itself, the San Diego Electric railway was experimenting with pantographs in the 1920's, notably on the La Jolla line (still remember seeing the asphalt over the tracks on Fay Avenue in the late 1960's between Muirlands Jr High and La Jolla High).
- Erik
erikem (11-23):
It sounds like Sen. Jim Mills belongs to the Technocrat Party!
Seriously, I like “Trolley” in the name and think it is a super marketing idea.
It has been over three years since this thread was posted in. Recent developments inspired this post series.
A New Line Extension plus a U2 …
… Gets a New Home
Part 1 (of 1 to 4)
Construction started in October 2016 on the San Diego Trolley’s Blue Line extension northward at ground level, then through a tunnel under BNSF, Amtrak, and Coaster used tracks to an elevated tracks loop. The project has been dubbed the Mid-Coast Trolley. Service on the new extension is anticipated in 2021.
And official link is below.
http://www.sandag.org/index.asp?projectid=250&fuseaction=projects.detail
A retired San Diego Trolley U2 got a new home, and is No. 1008, now stationed at the Orange Empire Railway Museum (OERM) in Perris, CA. only a few hours north of San Diego.
Some photos:
Continued in Part 2
Part 2 (of 1 to 4)
More photos:
Continued in Part 3
Part 3 (of 1 to 4)
Near the entrance gate to the OERM:
At photo time, No. 1008 was barely seen in the just above last photo’s center.
The OERM is open most days, and scattered equipment often operates on weekends, and a few times a year big events are held with much equipment running.
Continued in Part 4
Part 4 (of 1 to 4)
OERM staffers said No. 1008 arrived at the museum only a few months ago. This ex-AT&SF line was rebuilt in the last few years, and now sees commuter trains on it, the line called the Perris Valley Line, and goes through to Los Angeles. The servicing tracks in South Perris:
The new interchange track from the Perris Valley Line to the museum is rarely used, but was used for bringing No. 1008 to the museum.
All the above views were from December 18, 2016.
This will end the series.
Forum contributor usmc1401 in the “Perris Valley Line Updates (w/ Photos)” thread in the General Discussion advises the U2 No. 1008 was “trucked up from Diego.”
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