The Southern Section of the Gold Line …
… Plus a Tidbit about the Northern End
Part “D” (of A-E)
Going southish now, the line after a station, turn southeastward again to travel on 3rd Street.
Continued in Part E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
Part “C” (of A-E)
The Gold Line finally resurfaces 1.8 miles later.
Goes a few blocks and curves through an intersection. The below train is an inbound coming towards the camera.
That just above train gets to the tunnel and goes into a strange ‘underworld’ for nearly 2 miles.
Continued in Part D
Part “B” (of A-E)
Eventually, the line travels southeastwardly along 1st Street:
An inbound (northbound) passes:
And, then the line goes underground through a tunnel-like passageway.
Continued in Part C
Part “A” (of A-E)
The Gold Line leaves southwardly Los Angeles Union Station, goes over the 101 Freeway, curves and straddles a few blocks said freeway, and finally gets to ground level.
Continued in Part B
Another Visit to the Gold Line!
On Saturday, October 3, 2015 K.P. sought to cover some loose ends, mainly on the ‘south’ section of the Gold Line. He got photos of that 1.8 mile long tunnel, but they were very difficult to obtain, but at least the forum will get to see it, from a distance, thanks to a telephoto lens. And, he got a few photos here and there on the south part of the line to give the forum a feel for it.
The north end (“end”) of the line was attempted to be visited, but unsuccessfully so. It is almost as if the far north end belongs to a secret cult that offers human sacrifices to their gods. But, K.P. found one spot where an underpass (?) being finished was able to be halfway photographed. The Gold Line over that underpass appeared to be less than five hundred feet from the main road, so that short section will probably be finished last.
Some photos of the day’s findings will be selected and posted within a week.
Electroliner 1935 (10-1):
Yes, the Gold Line Foothill Extension is pretty much on the old route of Amtrak’s Desert Wind.
There are NO ‘tunnels’ whatsoever on the old AT&SF “Second District,” a line from downtown Los Angeles to San Bernardino. What you saw, likely, was a below ground transitioning to the center of the 210 Freeway, and that was spooky dark traversing.
The 90 M.P.H. running of the Desert Wind that you recalled being on is a false memory, a tricking of the mind that is common in exciting events. 90 M.P.H. running would have required the territory to be equipped with Automatic Train Stop (ATS), which the Second District did not have. The maximum timetable speed the line could be traversed at was 65 M.P.H. at a number of locations What you likely experienced was the Desert Wind traveling at track speed, which I believe was 60 M.P.H. down the center of the 210 Freeway, WHILE autos were doing 30-40 M.P.H., which auto speed might have been quite good considering the L.A. freeways often crawl at 10 M.P.H.!
In 1973 I rode Amtrak No. 3 through Pasadena on the ORIGINAL route, before the 210 Freeway was finished, and it was absolutely spectacular!
We must have been going 10 M.P.H., coming at the camera (above), slowly snaking over the cross streets of Pasadena. I miss dearly the experience, and wish I had a time machine to repeat it. You, though, Electroliner 1935, probably wish you could just ride the Desert Wind fast down the center of the freeway again. Man, there are a lot of things that are now gone!
Best,
K.P.
Electroliner 1935Praytell, what would the sign direction be to West Los Angeles? I know its West of Azusa and East of LA. Looks like a Jack Benny routine possibility.
Sounds more like a famous Abbott & Costello routine to me. K.P.'s photos are a sad example of bureaucrats spending Other Peoples Money on confusing and, soon to be, obsolete signage. They really should have left out the geographic direction part.
When the downtown 'Regional Connector' is complete in about five years the light rail lines will be reconfigured - the line running from downtown to East L.A. (Atlantic Bl). will connect to the 'Expo' line in a more sensible east-west configuration.
Likewise, the line from Azusa will run to Long Beach, making it one of the longest LR lines in the country. Between Little Tokyo and Pico you can transfer at one of five stations.
See this LA county light rail station map for the real geographic relationships. The color or letter names of the future lines has not yet been finalized.
The current Gold Line does indeed have two tunnels - one is north of the Memorial Park station and connects to the (former ATSF) mid-freeway ROW. The other, longer, tunnel is new and was built under 1st Street in Boyle Heights.
The only 'firm' plans for Gold Line extension are from Azusa to Claremont, design might have even been started. Further east to Montclair and Ontario airport require the cooperation of SANBAG - good luck with that. Extensions east / southeast from East L.A. are still in the talking / arm waving stage.
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
K. P.
Am I correct in assuming that this BNSF line is the one the Amtrak Desert Wind used before it was discontinued? My memory was of leaving LA and going North a d then to Pasadena, through a tunnel, and then rolling down the middle of a freeway and passing the cars as we did 90 and v the cars did 70+.
We ARE Sober Here, Right? -- A Strange Compass!
Part XI (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)
Evolutionary and De-Evolutionary Gold Line Route
The Gold Line WITHOUT Ontario International Airport:
. Pasadena Azusa Montclair
Trk 2 -------------------------- / / ----------------------- / / Trk 1 / / / / / / Los \ \ Angeles \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ----- \ Ontario -------- International Airport Atlantic Blvd
.
K.P. ran into a knowledgeable official involved with the Gold Line, who happened to be in Azusa the same time as K.P. was, and they said the Foothill Extension was basically finished, and was officially turned over to some ownership authority September 23, 2015. Scattered things had to be finished still here and there, but for the most part the line’s construction is finished.
So, spectators (including us) should see light rail cars being tested, crew trained, etc., until opening day sometime in 2016.
From Azusa, if one rode the Foothill Extension southward into Los Angeles, and kept going, they would finally arrive at the Atlantic Blvd. and Pomona Ave. stop. But, a mile or two BEFORE that end stop, they would go through a two-track tunnel of unknown length! We don’t normally envision tunnels when we think of the Gold Line, especially the Foothill Extension. But, there is one near the south end. When K.P. has more time, he plans on pursuing getting photos of the tunnel.
This will conclude the series.
Part X (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)
The long range “Gold Line” plan, on the northern section, was to reach Ontario International Airport. So, light rail cars would leave East Los Angeles semi-westward, go north to Pasadena, then east to Montclair, go farther east before going south to Ontario International Airport, all the while considered going northbound.
Trk 2 -------------------------- / \ / -------------------- \ / / Trk 1 \ \ / / \ \ / / \ \ / / Los \ \ \ \ Angeles / / \ \ / / \ \ / / \ \ / / \ ----- \ Ontario -------- International Airport Atlantic Blvd
Track designations appear to be the opposite of freight railroads, where Main 1 is the track to the right while going south. The Gold Line seems to use Track 1 as the track to the right while traveling north.
From what has been read, apparently Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County agencies could not agree on something, and the effort to go east, which is called north, physically south to OIA has been scrapped. So, are we all still sober after that?
Continued in Part XI
Part IX (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)
For the Hungry
Across the street from the Atlantic Blvd. stop, at the south end of the line, is an eating place, conveniently located for riders and Gold Line visitors.
Up in Azusa, a seconf story Target store is available for snacks and munchies. There is kind of a balcony with a moderate view from high up of the Foothill Extension, for those that want a rather different view in their photo efforts.
Continued in Part X
Part VIII (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)
Back Towards the Northern End of the Line
The BNSF track, looking west:
K.P. finds it hard to believe signaling is present on the BNSF track, that sees a local a day, if even that.
Those short Gold Line signals:
Above two photos, a block in the distance is San Gabriel Ave. (“AVE.”), not to be confused with San Gabriel Blvd. (BLVD.) in San Gabriel, the latter on the freight carrier Union Pacific’s original El Paso, TX-Los Angeles, CA Sunset Route.
Continued in Part IX
Part VII (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)
An odd place for something:
A monument:
The BNSF track, looking east:
Continued in Part VIII
Part VI (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)
A few odds and ends in Azusa ... Looking east:
The BNSF and Gold Line tracks have separate crossing gates.
Obvious to us, but I guess others need a reminder.
Continued in Part VII
Electroliner 1935 (9-29 / First):
Electroliner 1935 If one is at Azusa, how does one go North to Azusa.
If one is at Azusa, how does one go North to Azusa.
Kind of funny, isn’t it?
Actually, there are TWO stops in Azusa! The downtown one where the above photos were taken at, and another one a mile or two to the east, the current end of the line!
I’ve wanted to get out that way (the second Azusa stop), and hope to do so soon. In the past that stop was inaccessible, but maybe (“maybe”) one can get to it now ...
More info in few days (hopefully),
Praytell, what would the sign direction be to West Los Angeles? I know its West of Azusa and East of LA. Looks like a Jack Benny routine possibility.
Part V (of I-V, Overall I-XI)
Both at the Atlantic stop and Azusa stop, bicycle storage facilities were present. These were in Azusa.
In Azusa, what appeared to be a parking garage (background) was under construction nearby to the Foothill Extension tracks.
In AZUSA, there were southbound signs to the other end of the line, East Los Angeles.
----------
Continued in Part VI-XI, scheduled for posting Thursday, October 1, 2015 by 6:00 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Part IV (of I-V, Overall I-XI)
Southern End of the Line
At the Atlantic Blvd. stop, looking inbound:
That above photo’s sign was zeroed in on.
So, even with the southern kind of (“kind of”) east-west orientation of the line, the northbound and southbound terminology is used on signage.
Opposite that above sign is an unbelievable situation, and signs. The street that the Gold Line uses to get to the Atlantic Blvd. end of the line is POMONA BLVD!
Can you imagine when the Gold Line is extended east, or I guess north, but east sounds more logical, the line will eventually stop at Montclair, just past the county line and inside the county of San Bernardino. But, before leaving Los Angeles County, the City of Pomona will be stopped at! So, at one end of the line is Pomona Blvd., and towards the other end is the City of Pomona! How will sober people deal with that?
Continued in Part V
If one is at Azusa, how does one go North to Azusa. You can't go North from the North Pole. Is this preliminary for future change to Claremont as the route is considered to be North Bound leaving LA and Southbound toward LA?
Does metro have an ombusman that you can contact?
Also is Montclair considered Cucamonga. Used to love the Jack Benny train caller announcing the train leaving for Anahiem, Azusa & Cucamonga.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrTWjS9bT68
Love your posts.
Part III (of I-V, Overall I-XI)
There were, at that Atlantic Blvd. southern end of the line, light rail sets laying over.
So, apparently. load levels fluctuate during the day, and light rail sets not needed layover till rush hours.
In theory, the far eastern Azusa stop on the Foothill Extension should have a similar arrangement when the line opens in 2016.
Continued in Part IV
Part II (of I-V, Overall I-XI)
Another EAST Side on the Gold Line
In downtown Los Angeles, that seemingly east-west Gold Line is actually on a basically north-south axis. South of the downtown stop, the line takes on again an east-west quality, ending at Atlantic Blvd. southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
That East Los Angeles end of the line has bumper posts.
Just above, the stopping structure has a “BP2” sign on it, which K.P. interprets as Bumper Post for Track 2.
So, it can be construed that two-tracks on a partial circle looks something like a “C.” The outer track is Track 2 while the inner track is Track 1.
Studying Track Identifications
At Azusa Ave. in Azusa, on the Foothill Extension, from south to north, are those track I.D. signs.
So, going back to our partial circle illustration, Track 1 is the inner partial circle and Track 2 is the outer partial circle. Simple enough! But, there is a monkey wrench! Two, actually! When first arriving at the Atlantic Blvd stop, K.P. walked up a long, mildly elevating ramp. See first photo, Part II.
In doing so at the Atlantic Blvd. stop, Azusa-like Track I.D. signs on the ties were seen, but they were not conveniently located to photograph. A walk to the other end of the station platform was made. Unfortunately, no such other signs were seen, and time was becoming critical, so K.P. left the scene WITHOUT photos of those signs. But they said “TK3” and “TK4” respectively! Tracks 3 and 4? What happened to Tracks 1 and 2? Thus, this matter will have to be pursued more another time … unless someone else at the forum has an explanation and volunteers it to us.
Continued in Part III
Part I (of I-V, Overall I-XI)
Introduction
“Hey Conductor of the EASTBOUND Super Chief …
… Why are we heading north? I’m going east to Chicago, not Northern California!”
The ex-Super Chief ROUTE through Azusa years ago was part of the Second District, and it was an east-west route through town, just as the Los Angeles-Chicago route of the Super Chief was an east-west route. But, as seen in the two photos above, the ex-Santa Fe route in Azusa is now a north-south route, here on an east-west axis!
This is what that ex-Santa Fe line looks like now, with the transit functionality of the Gold Line Foothill Extension. View looks east (northbound).
Continued in Part II
The Homework is done (Most of It, Anyway)
On Friday, September 25, 2015, a visit to both East Los Angeles and Azusa was made, and the discerned direction premise of the Gold Line was confirmed. For Los Angeles area local thread readers the direction premise may (“may”) be old hat, but it likely will not be for others, especially non-Southern Californians around the country.
The above is the stop in East Los Angeles, the end of the line, one of two such places. With the Foothill Extension effort, one of the two ends of the line will be moved eastward, to the east side of Azusa.
In several days a post series will be presented to the forum for its evaluation of a very unusual situation, the posting series tentatively titled, “We ARE Sober Here -- A Strange Compass!”
Electroliner 1935 (9-23):
No, it does not pertain specifically to the Azusa to Pomona future segment, at least per se, though it is affected too, but when the line ultimately gets to Ontario International Airport people will do a double take and scratch their heads …
The next time I’m out in Azusa I’ll focus specifically on this somewhat illogical. But, what is really wanted to be photographed is the other end of the Gold Line, towards East Los Angeles.
The Gold Line seems to be the opposite of freight railroads, as with Union Pacific’s line over Tehachapi Pass.
But, give me time to document the issue from one end of the Gold Line to the other end. Just a few photos at each end will suffice. It is only then can an authoritative presentation with documented facts be worked up for the forum.
Take care,
Would this be about Foothill Gold Line Azusa to Montclair Project ?
The web site states "Completion of the Azusa to Montclair segment of the Foothill Gold Line will cost approximately $1 billion. No funding has been secured for this segment of the extension. Once funding is secured, final design and construction will take approximately five years to complete."
Update as of Saturday, September 19, 2015
The Downtown Azusa Area
Looking east, the downtown Azusa stop with a light rail set parked in it:
During the brief time there, things looked mostly finished, at least heavy construction-wise.
Looking inbound:
While on site, certain identities (of track and platforms) and directions of travel (“directions of travel”) signs were casually photographed, but later, in reviewing the day’s photos, the full implication of those signs hit home. Thus, an effort will be made sometime in the future to return to the area (and BEYOND the Foothill Extension’s area), to better photograph the full implication of those identities and directions of travel, directions that are different from the compass. Hopefully, a return can be made to the area in two or three weeks.
Second Section
The California Street ex-Santa Fe grade crossing only two and a half years ago back on January 3, 2013 looked like this:
Quite a change from today!
A Passing by the Foothill Extension …
… at California Street
Monrovia, CA
Part “B” (of A-B)
The facility has a wall all around it, as seen in the background, with the foreground the California Street cross gates.
Looking west:
Looking east:
In the future K.P. hopes to spend more time in this area, as there are many signals and crossovers in the area, not the common just two-track line with catenary.
This will end the series. However, a Second Section follows.
Part “A” (of A-B)
On Friday, July 3, 2015 a brief stop was made at the California Street grade crossing, just west of the Foothill Extension maintenance facility (left).
A piece of track equipment was parked just south of the facility’s west end.
Great updates! Waiting for service to start.
Update as of May 2, 2015
The Mountain Ave-Buena Vista Rd. Area
Monrovia-Duarte, CA
Part VI (of I-VI)
Again, a bunch of crossing warning devices … Note the yellow ‘thing’ near the photo center.
A crossover to a crossover for entrance to the yard! The track with the bumper post is for a track so that the two mainlines don’t have to be fowled.
Looking inbound, with a line rail item on the alignment in the distance:
There we have it, a situation review at two grade crossings on the Foothill Extension.
This will end the series.
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