L.A. Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Updates

[MikeF90]

In future related news, Metro has recommended study of two alternatives for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project. See the project web page:

http://www.metro.net/projects/eastside_phase2/

Now, back to the ongoing construction .....

[vsmith]

Well Mike, I will be sure to post here the first time I see test trains running on the new track east of the Madre Station.

I'm still betting on trains on track before Turkey Day :-)

[MikeF90]

vsmith

To Stick a fork in it and call it done? Major construction that is. Still alot of testing to do before it opens, but my prediction they would be testing trains before Thanksgiving still looks promising.

Well, not likely - the headline is misleading. They just finished the track component. A lot of work such as installing most of the Overhead Catenary System, power conversion substations, and other ROW and platform related work remains to be done. Also, construction work just seems to slow down around this time of year (less daylight?).

Perhaps being able to complete the track will make OCS construction proceed faster - more wait and see ....

[vsmith]

Sorry about the scrunched post but the idiotic Kalmbach new forum format WONT LET ME EDIT the above post, or even use the normal reply or ANYTHING ELSE USEFUL, I can only post using the Quick Reply. KALMBACH FIX THIS STUPID NEW FORUMS PROBLEMS YOU ARE DRIVING USERS AWAY!

(edit: FINALLY after numerous tries its worked and I was able to edit the above post, but shessh!)

[vsmith]

http://patch.com/california/pasadena-ca/foothill-gold-line-finished-pasadena-azusa?utm_source=newsletter-daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=around%20town&utm_campaign=newsletter#.VEUSnyLF_

To Stick a fork in it and call it done? Major construction that is. Still alot of testing to do before it opens, but my prediction they would be testing trains before Thanksgiving still looks promising.

[K. P. Harrier]

Status Report:  Arcadia-Monrovia

Part “E” (of A-E)

At Mountain Ave. in Duarte, just to the east of Monrovia, new stoplights are being put up.



At Buena Vista Street, the flashers are still turned aside.



This will conclude the series.

[K. P. Harrier]

Status Report:  Arcadia-Monrovia

Part “D” (of A-E)

Looking outbound (eastbound), the future crossing gate has a signal light attached.



The Monrovia stop (top left and right) construction itself is progressing.







The middle and bottom of three photos just above the old ex-Santa Fe Railway Monrovia Depot is visible on the right.

Continued in Part E

[K. P. Harrier]

Status Report:  Arcadia-Monrovia

Part “C” (of A-E)

In Monrovia at Myrtle Ave.:





Looking outbound (eastbound):





Continued in Part D

[K. P. Harrier]

Status Report:  Arcadia-Monrovia

Part “B” (of A-E)

A hi-rail pickup truck approaches (backinng up), with white ditch lights and yellow strobe light.



Looking outbound, the up and over ramping for the now side-by-side bridges over Huntington Drive is seen, though still trackless and needing much work.



That hi-rail pickup truck got off the tracks by the camera location, First Ave. and Santa Clara St.



The two riders in the truck were a male and female.   It is unusual to see a female in construction.  She was also pregnant, and well along too!  Seeing that her baby is having much exposure to a measure of railroading, K.P. wonders if that coming baby will be a railfan, like maybe in the blood!

Continued in Part C

[K. P. Harrier]

The presentation of this series was severely delayed because of the Trains Magazine forums’ program conversion and subsequent problems that resulted from that conversion.

Status Report:  Arcadia-Monrovia

Part “A” (of A-E)

On Tuesday, September 23, 2014 an opportunity to visit the Foothill Extension was had, and the future stops in Arcadia and Monrovia were checked out.  The below and following are the findings.

Looking inbound (westward) at the future Arcadia stop.



An inbound (westbound) telephoto:



Just above, the right track looks pretty much in share, but the left track has much leveling and alignment to do.

That outbound very warped track:



Continued in Part B

[MikeF90]

@vsmith, not sure that I've seen anything definitive on an extension from ELA to Whittier. Please post a link when available. By then we won't know what to call which line due to the downtown Regional Connector changes.

Now back to the current Gold Line status ....

According to the latest construction update newsletter, the freight track (east of Irwindale) has been completely relocated to its final alignment as of June 2014. 

Also, the 'final track clip' ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, October 18 in downtown Azusa. This event celebrates the end of track laying for this phase. Onward to installing the overhead catenary and everything else ....

[vsmith]

MikeF90

Note to @vsmith, long range planning to extend the Gold Line to Ontario Airport has been thwarted by the Windbags at SANBAG - see one of many articles:

http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20140428/gold-line-to-ontario-airport-off-track-bill-withdrawn-by-author

Not too surprising since, to SANBAG, LA county reverse ridership doesn't exist and everyone west loves the long drive to LAX?  Sheesh.  After the downtown 'regional connector' AND the Crenshaw line LAX station AND the LAX people mover are built, all-rail travel will be a breeze.

Seams to SanBAG should be renamed SANDBAG because that sure seams what there best at doing.  Oh well, guess thats good news for Whittier, because thats where the next phase will be once Montclair is reached.

[MikeF90]

K. P. Harrier

K.P. found NO access to the LAST station stop.  Whoever heard of a station stop with no access?

The project web site has always shown plans for parking on the ROW north side, so it is puzzling that progress isn't obvious yet.  Citrus Ave is open under the tracks, right? If not, a big BOO HISS to the local authorities.

After a four month break more Gold Line construction photos including the new yard have just appeared on the LACMetro Flickr account: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolibraryarchive/sets/72157627612864007/

As usual due to crippled Flickr photo set design, last page is most recent.

Note to @vsmith, long range planning to extend the Gold Line to Ontario Airport has been thwarted by the Windbags at SANBAG - see one of many articles:

http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20140428/gold-line-to-ontario-airport-off-track-bill-withdrawn-by-author

Not too surprising since, to SANBAG, LA county reverse ridership doesn't exist and everyone west loves the long drive to LAX?  Sheesh.  After the downtown 'regional connector' AND the Crenshaw line LAX station AND the LAX people mover are built, all-rail travel will be a breeze.

[vsmith]

Thanks for the pics, the catenary wires are up on the 210 fwy section, makes sense to start there from the existing overhead wires. There's already talk of planning the 3rd extension of this line (after the next Claremont/Montclair extension) out to Ontario Airport, and on to Whittier on the southern end from East LA.

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part XI (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)

Around the curve the Foothill Extension ends.

That grade crossing from the north:

K.P. found NO access to the LAST station stop.  Whoever heard to a station stop with no access?  Will the stop be for interplanetary space traveling aliens?  K.P. could find no other explanation!

As he was leaving the area, he did spot a large sign announcing the future stop!

So, apparently the stop is for humans (!) and will be hard to see, and not obvious like most stops are.

This will end the series.

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part X (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)

We now go over to the next grade crossing to the east, quite a ways, to Barranca Ave.  The Foothill Extension will end before this grade crossing.

Looking east:  Old Santa Fe Super Chief route had jointed rail.

Looking west:

Continued in Part XI

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part IX (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)

Looking through the fencing shown above, a switch motor is seen, and what may be a crate for switch parts.

The Foothill Extension tracks are highly ballasted.  The BNSF track is in the background.

Now, we come to a rather strange area:  An underpass with stairs being put in.

Its strangeness will become apparent in a moment.

Continued in Part X

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part VIII (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)

Several blocks to the east, as elsewhere, the right-of-way is completely fenced.

Continued in Part IX

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part VII (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)

Looking eastbound (outbound) from Azusa Ave.

Looking south:  Temporary fencing is present:

That ‘low’ signal again … With ONE light!  Likely, flashing white for go, solid white for stop.

Continued in Part VIII

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part VI (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)

At Azusa Ave. and the Target store, construction is well along.

The BNSF track, looking westbound:

The Foothill Extension tracks, looking west:

Low signals (forefront and background), looking west.

Continued in Part VII

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part V (of I-V, Overall I-XI)

A last eastward Virginia Ave. shot:  A signal (right) is now in place.

On Foothill Blvd., now down to one lane per direction again, looking east, the new bridge spans are being painted tan.

---------

Continued in Parts VI-XI about downtown Azusa east to the end of the line, scheduled for posting Tuesday, September 9, 2014 by 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, but could be posted up to 12 hours early.

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part IV (of I-V, Overall I-XI)

Since the last time K.P. was at Virginia Ave., because of grading the right-of-way has had dramatic alterations, and no longer is a rising, embanked single-track area but a wide multi-track one.  Looking eastbound (outbound):

Continued in Part V

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part III (of I-V, Overall I-XI)

The above view (Part II, last photo) as progressively seen closer to Virginia Ave.:

The BNSF track (far left, other side of fencing).

Continued in Part IV

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part II (of I-V, Overall I-XI)

The Virginia Ave. grade crossing electrical box is on a walled elevated area.

Looking westbound (inbound), the new BNSF track is fenced off from the Foothill Extension tracks.

A westbound (inbound) commuter tracks telephoto:

Continued in Part III

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of September 1, 2014

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Part I (of I-V, Overall I-XI)

This presentation will generally be from west to east.

The Virginia Ave. grade crossing on the west side of Azusa is presently a strange site to see.  ALL flashers are new and turned aside, i.e., aren’t hooked up yet.

Above, for all the flashers to be out of service, apparently even BNSF local trains are not using this trackage.

Looking north, the east side sidewalk is closed.

The open west sidewalk side, looking north:

Continued in Part II

[K. P. Harrier]

The Foothill Extension in Azusa

Is the East Side of Town …

… a Future Place for Space Travel?

On Monday, September 1, 2014 the Azusa, CA area of the Foothill Extension was focused on for photos.  A strange stairway was under construction on the east side of town, in a very residential area, near to the future last stop eastward.

It apparently is a future limited way to gain access to the last Foothill Extension stop.  But, that developing stop presently does not seem to have any other access!  No access?  Is the last stop a secret interplanetary launching and landing rendezvous site for space aliens?  K.P. was starting to think so … but found a semi-secluded spot with a sign announcing a future stop (exclusive to humans, by the way).

Major construction advances have taken place since the last Azusa posting a number of months ago.

A report on the Azusa area is presently being work on, but is sufficiently progressed to post this schedule:

Parts I-V:  West of, east of, and at Virginia Ave., Sunday, September 7, 2014 by 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time.

Parts VI-XI:  Downtown Azusa east to the end of the line, Tuesday, September 9, 2014 by 9:00 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time.

Postings may be up to 12 hours early.

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Two Areas of the Foothill Extension

Part “E” (of A-E)

Myrtle Ave. in Monrovia

Eastward, outbound views from Myrtle Ave.:

As seen above, while no catenary has been strung yet, the support poles for it are in place now, at least here.

This will conclude the short series.

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Two Areas of the Foothill Extension

Part “D” (of A-E)

Myrtle Ave. in Monrovia

The two new tracks are in, looking inbound.  The old Santa Fe Monrovia depot is on the upper background right.

A station stop (south, outbound side) is forming around the curve from Myrtle Ave.

A heavy telephone of the line going semi-northwestward to Pasadena:  The north side inbound platform is seen on the right.

Continued in Part E

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Two Areas of the Foothill Extension

Part “C” (of A-E)

Arcadia and an Extra Plate Girder Bridge

East of Second Ave. from Huntington Drive looking southish:

West of Second Ave. from Huntington Drive, a northward view.  A flatbed 18-wheeler has brought concrete ties up the west ramp-grade.

Vehicle traffic is always heavy at the bridging site.

Continued in Part D

[K. P. Harrier]

Update as of Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Two Areas of the Foothill Extension

Part “B” (of A-E)

Arcadia and an Extra Plate Girder Bridge

Some views from underneath (while the blue sky can still be seen through the bridge):

Continued in Part C