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),
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
We ARE Sober Here, Right? -- A Strange Compass!
Part VI (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)
Back Towards the Northern End of the Line
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
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 VIII (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)
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 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 X (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)
Evolutionary and De-Evolutionary Gold Line Route
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.
. Pasadena Azusa Montclair
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 XI (of VI-XI, Overall I-XI)
The Gold Line WITHOUT Ontario International Airport:
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.
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+.
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! ***
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,
The Southern Section of the Gold Line …
… Plus a Tidbit about the Northern End
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
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 “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 “D” (of A-E)
Going southish now, the line after a station, turn southeastward again to travel on 3rd Street.
Continued in Part E
Part “E” (of A-E)
Finally the line gets to the Atlantic Blvd. and Pomona Ave. end of the line stop.
K.P. return to this Atlantic Blvd. and Pomona Ave. stop in East Los Angeles to specifically photograph those little signs on the tracks that show the tracks were identified as Tracks 3 and 4, but the signs were gone! Had K.P. been in the Twilight Zone?
The above consist had three two-unit light rail cars laying over, so it could not be seen if the track had a little sign underneath a car, but judging from the counterpart track, it probably did not.
The Northern End of the Line Area (for the Tidbit)
In Azusa, the last station stop appeared to be in, but nobody could get to it, as if it is a secret cult stop.
There is a bridge that now goes over an underpass (at least K.P. thinks so). Thus, the 90 degree curved transition from Citrus Ave. and Foothill Blvd. (bottom of above photo) may soon have an access route to the Gold Line's end of the line station.
This will end the series.
According to a recent announcement on the GL extension web site, Metro will start service on March 5, 2016. Meanwhile, Metro presumably has started acceptance testing, operator training and local driver conditioning but has not bothered to update their own web site since last year ....
Howling at the Moon!
Because of K.P.’s part werewolf blood, he almost started howling at the moon when he came across this lit signal scene!
Kidding aside, just east of the Irwindale Ave. overpass, the BNSF signal (on the paralleling track along the Foothill Extension) was lit red because an eastbound BNSF local had just gone by. K.P. was just a minute or two too late, otherwise he could have gotten photos of that slow moving, short eastbound freight with a warbonnet painted GP60M leading a blue and yellow standard non-wide cab unit.
When first going on the bridging over the tracks at the Irwindale Ave. overpass, K.P. was surprised that the Irwindale Gold Line Foothill Extension stop was all lit up! It is unknown how long or how many incomplete stations on the Extension have been lit up at night, but he went back over the bridge, over to the station itself, to get photos. A short selection of nearly dark, twilight lighting photos will be posted in a few days.
Update as of Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Lights On at the Irwindale Stop
Irwindale, CA
Part I (of I-II)
Among the last photos taken for the day was this evening shot depicting the Irwindale Ave. Bridge that K.P. went over, a northward view the same way he was driving when he saw all the stop’s lights on.
When he finally got turned round and parked near the bridge, the above flashers activated, before even the camera could be gotten! So, the BNSF train went by before a photo could be taken.
This was the scene when K.P. finally got over to the tracks. Note there are two sets of flashers (and yet uninstalled gate arms), one for the BNSF track and another set for the Foothill Extension tracks. Note also the red automatic block signal on the right.
Lights all lit up.
An assumedly green block signal and flashers all BNSF headlight lit up would have made a cool photo.
Continued in Part II
Part II (of I-II)
The separate, higher level Foothill Extension platforms all lit up.
Looking west:
When going south (leftward) over the overpass (to return) the BNSF track AND a siding looked like they had all new track and ties. BNSF must have made out like a bandit on a basically new line for a local a day to run on.
Ticket machines:
After the ‘lit up platform’ experience, it was time to call it a day.
K. P. HarrierThere is a bridge that now goes over an underpass (at least K.P. thinks so). Thus, the 90 degree curved transition from Citrus Ave. and Foothill Blvd. (bottom of above photo) may soon have an access route to the Gold Line's end of the line station.
The local cities and Rosedale developer requested that Metro delay opening of this station, which Metro has rejected: http://thesource.metro.net/2016/01/14/metro-responds-to-azusa-rosedale-all-new-gold-line-stations-to-open-march-5/
Apparently the exact 'alignment' of Citrus Ave could not be agreed upon in time for completed construction by the GL opening date. I'm not sure what the latest status is, but you can get there by using a circuitous street routing or a new shuttle bus from the APU and CC campuses.
MikeF90 The local cities and Rosedale developer requested that Metro delay opening of this station, which Metro has rejected: http://thesource.metro.net/2016/01/14/metro-responds-to-azusa-rosedale-all-new-gold-line-stations-to-open-march-5/ Apparently the exact 'alignment' of Citrus Ave could not be agreed upon in time for completed construction by the GL opening date. I'm not sure what the latest status is, but you can get there by using a circuitous street routing or a new shuttle bus from the APU and CC campuses.
Metro is adamant about opening on March 5. If Azusa isn't ready, tough luck --they had 10 years to prepare for this. They rejected their reuqest for delay:
http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20160114/metro-to-azusa-all-gold-line-stations-will-open-march-5-rejects-request-for-delay
Metro has just posted a YouTube video of a cab ride through the six new stations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSkdFixZROU
Arrggh. Video insert is not working for me today ....
Who says there is no operating HSR in California?
Today is the Gold Line Extension opening day and the festivities are on!
http://moregold.metro.net/
The main construction 'punch list' item remaining is for the local developer to build the Citrus Ave section adjacent to the APU/Citrus College station.
For your navigational pleasure, here is my 'geographically correct' Google map of the LAC Metro rail stations:
http://goo.gl/XQGpY9
The phase '2B' twelve mile long extension to Montclair is in the design phase and AFAIK no construction funding has been allocated yet. Beyond that, the regional transit agency 'SANBAG' would have to take the lead on extensions elsewhere.
One distant hope is the new Ontario Airport authority that has just wrested control from LAWA; the city seems eager to reverse the recent declining passenger trend and many of those people could originate in the San Gabriel Valley along the Gold Line. It is only seven miles from the Montclair station to the airport, not a lot of light rail to build.
I just rode the Gold Line extension this morning on a rainy L.A. day. The last time I was on this route was in the early 90s on Amtrak. Great ride and you do get the "interurban" feel around Irwindale.
081552 I just rode the Gold Line extension this morning on a rainy L.A. day. The last time I was on this route was in the early 90s on Amtrak. Great ride and you do get the "interurban" feel around Irwindale.
Guess you missed the fun and the shut down less than a full day ?
http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20160306/fiery-crash-on-210-freeway-severs-just-opened-gold-line-between-pasadena-arcadia
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-gold-line-extension-closed-big-rig-crash-20160306-story.html
Went on opening day. Very cool line; the Gold Line is now the longest at 31.2 miles, and the Metro Rail system is now 99 miles in total length. Here's a video that was taken of the line on opening day of the entire 11.5 mile extension:
Over one month into the extension opening, ridership has reached an unexpectedly high level:
http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20160411/what-we-learned-about-new-gold-line-train-riders-might-surprise-you
The majority of the rush hour ridership is to Pasadena destinations rather than downtown LA; weekend usage is also quite high. This bodes well for the planned extension to Montclair.
Due primarily to contractual issues new rail car delivery is behind and the Expo line extension opening in five weeks will exacerbate the car shortage.
Here is a full cab ride video from Asuza CC to downtown LA:
Have fun with your trains
Nearly Two and a Half Months after the …
… Foothill Extension Opening, K.P. Arrives
Basically the whole day, like 12 hours, was consumed photographing trains and public transit, from San Gabriel to Banning (CA). Early in the day, the Foothill Extension Citrus Ave. grade separation was photographed from the south side, looking north. The underpass is still not open.
Nor is the future south side roadway even a roadway yet …
K.P. was able to obtain some (“some”) photos by the end of the line stop area, but there is a very, very RED sign at the stop that abruptly changed his efforts, and he moved on. He will return sometime in the future with a different photographic tactic. You probably would too. Anyway, it is hoped that a report can be put together soon on what could be seen and photographed.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.