Matt:
Yep - both tunnels will be daylighted. Grading operations on tunnel #2 are nearly at the point where the methodology will be modified.
Once the dirt is brought down to finish grade, a 4000’ shoofly will be placed around the tunnels. Trains will not be rerouted until the third mainline is brought down from Summit and up from Keenbrook. Then the tubes will be removed and the new track laid.
Warren
…Really great photos Warren. Interesting work around the tunnels.
A clarification, and a few questions:
First, the “SoCalRailfan” link that “daniel3197” provided below isn’t for Cajon Pass area - instead, it is for the UP’s (former SP) line from Colton north to Bakersfield.
Additionally, the link to the - yes, EXCELLENT and INFORMATIVE - map set for the Cajon Pass area is:
http://www.socalrailfan.com/subdivisions/bnsf_cajon_sub.html#overview
Next, the questions:
Is the UP contributing anything to the triple-tracking project ?
If so, how much - in either $ or % ?
Then, in return is UP getting any additional specific rights on either the new 3rd track, and/ or either of the existing 2 tracks ? What rights would those be ?
But if UP is NOT contributing to this project, will UP get any benefit from it ? Could BNSF exclude UP from the benefits, such as by limiting UP’s usage to the previous 2 tracks only whenever they’re available, and reserving the 3rd track for BNSF’s sole and exclusive use ?
I’m sure there are other similar questions, and others who are more familiar with the intricacies of operations in this area -“wrong-side” mains, the flyovers and crossover junctions, etc., could think of many more and variations, etc.
In the end, if UP isn’t contributing, and still isn’t precluded from the operating benefits in some way, then where’s any incentive for UP to contribute ? Better to lay back and let BNSF do all the work ? There must be a mechanism or arrangement of some kind in place under the master trackage rights agreement in place here to keep that from happening - anybody know what it is, and how that works ?
Just wondering. Thanks for any insights thatn anyone can provide.
Warren:
Whoops. That is what I get for getting so mesmerized by Toussaint’s photo that I didn’t read the whole post!.
I enjoyed the pictures you posted later too.
Its great we have this forum to share photos. I haven’t been to the pass since last month, and am surprised at the swiftness of the progress.
K. P.
Some update shots at the tunnels. The levels are coming down methodically. The stabilized slope needs a platform which the work is done - from the top down.
Here I am on top of tunnel #2:
This is the alignment of the future mainline at bridge 61.5X:
And the pier columns are coming up at bridge 64.1X:
Warren Smith
…What a great group of new photos Warren. Beautiful clear and discriptive photos showing very clearly what is being done and the progress of it.
That first pic. with the layers of mountain ranges in the background is something else.
Unbelievable amount of ground being moved to daylight the tunnels. No wonder they dug the bore in place of removing the cover when that line was put through there originally.
Such beautiful blue sky and sunshine sure indicates the good weather at this time of the year for such construction.
Appreciate the photo update.
Incredible thread. Thank you for posting all this. Very, very informative.
Had some rain through the Pass on Friday - snow on the peaks - but mud down below [:(]
Here are some shots of the “tunnel with a skylight” …
The tunnel walls come up to locomotive height, and the double-stacks just clear the portals …
We are monitoring tunnel 1 with eight prisms mounted near the arch on each side. You can see the front two as orange discs. Rob Greve is making today’s measurements …
BNSF’s SoCal Employee’s Christmas train heads through the tunnels …
The bridge deck at 61.5X is in place …
And pier caps are formed at bridge 64.1X …
…Awesome, awesome photos…!! Greatly appreciated Warren.
Warren
Great photos! It is fun to see the work progressing.
Question. The first picture of the employee special shows the cut above the tunnel covered in a bluish material. Is it concrete? Other material?
Jay
Jay:
The material on the face of the cut slope above the tunnels is shotcrete over woven wire mesh, supported by soil nails driven into the embankment. The differing colors are from successive applications from top to bottom - cure time …
Here’s a close up …
Warren
I wont recognize the place today.
Very good photos!
The cut slope at tunnel 2 is down to track level, so more sidewall is gone. Here’s a UP crew member at the door taking photos …
Snow on the hilltops, framed by the portals …
Here’s UP and a BNSF stack train heading up the hill together …
Work continues on tunnel 1 …
The new track is down from Summit to the tunnels …
Here is some retaining wall South of Hwy. 138. The maintenance road is below the wall for this stretch …
Sullivan’s Curve and the trackbed North is wider now …
The bridge at MP 64.1X is shaping up …
Here is a view down at bridge 65.1 from an excavator operator’s perspective …
This is a retaining wall near the end of the project …
A culvert widening at MP 68.2 …
And the signal bridge at Keenbrook …
…One couldn’t ask for nicer group of photos of the construction project…Great composition on photos and such clarity.
So I give my thanks to Warren for taking the time to record them and post as well.
Several weeks ago a TWO track cantilever signal bridge (for tracks 1 and 2) was installed at the west end of “Cajon.” A ONE track cantilever signal bridge was on the ground near the east end, and presumably for the west end to control the yet to be put down track 3. This past week, the new overhead TWO track signal bridge at the west end was taken down, and a THREE track signal bridge replacement erected!
Here’s a shot with both tunnels visible …
Here’s an eastbound heading out of tunnel 1 with Summit in the distance …
The slope at tunnel 2 is down to track level - soon will be shoofly time …
The bridge at MP 65.15 is ready for concrete at the abutments …
Warren
Warren…
I’ve been following and enjoying this thread from the start, and appreciate all the great photos you have taken the time to post. What a great opportunity for a rail fan, to be able to work on a project like that!
I Just wanted to comment on the “Orphan” Tunnel portal in picture 3…kind of sums up the whole project, in an amusing sort of way!
Thanks again for the great posts…
…Warren, I too really appreciate to see the construction photos and allowing us, located at different areas to “see” how this project is really coming along.
Such beautiful track visible in most of your shots makes one realize this is railroading at the highest level. I suppose literally too.
So hear my thanks Warren, for taking the time to share the sites for us whom are interested, with your great photos.
These projects are fascinating to follow. It really shows what man can do if he puts his mind to it. Great stuff!! Thanks to Warren for taking the time and effort to visualize and clarify the work and progress on the project. Big [tup].
Warren,
Thanks for posting the photos!