I have the luck of driving through this area usually once every two weeks or so and have noticed some construction. It looks like the UP is daylighting a tunnel and double tracking from Hesperia( RR may call it Oak Hill ) to the siding near the 138 highway cutoff. I see a bridge going in and there are about 20 high volume dump trucks moving throughout the day.
Anybody have some specifics on these activities?
UP/BNSF are indeed installing a second line along the number two track, also included are the removal of the tunnels at Alray and widening of the massive cuts at summit in addition to extensive bridge erections.
Dave
Great information and photos on the Cajon triple tracking project can be found in the Trains General Discussion forum. Here’s a link:
Link
The third-track project through Cajon Pass is being done by BNSF Ry. UP has trackage rights on that line between Daggett and Riverside, but it’s the BNSF’s railroad (formerly ATSF). The UP also owns its own line through Cajon Pass, the former SP Palmdale-Colton Cutoff. This line was opened in 1967 to connect the SP’s San Joaquin Valley line from Tehachapi Pass and Mojave directly to the West Colton Yard (instead of going into downtown LA through Glendale and out again).
So long,
Andy