Here are some shots from a high enough perspective to show both tunnels. Traffic is now on the shoofly …
Warren
…What an immense amount of earth and rock they have moved and are moving to make all this relocation and addition happen…!
Thanks for photos again Warren.
Wow! Great photos, I live and work near this area and this is so much more than I can see from the road. Thanks for sharing, Warren. I don’t know why I didn’t notice this thread earlier.[tup]
Sleeper
Garyla et al:
Reference further triple-tracking east of Summit, I know of no rumors, but examine the following photos …
Between Summit and Lugo: Photo looks westbound toward Summit, and at triple-track. Paved road on left is Summit Valley Road. Cleared right-of-way on right seems wide enough for eight tracks! At top right, the severe-looking grade is the old Summit track alignment, changed in 1972. Since 1972, the old right-of-way had a remaining track on it called Martinez Spur. It is unknown if it still is in place or not.
Note two types of signals (tri-lights and targets) midway (where three-tracks become two) between Summit and Lugo . That the old targets remain tells this forum contributor that three tracks will eventually be extended east (to the right) to at least Lugo, but extension all the way to Hesperia or Victorville is likely.
From same location as the first photo, third photo looks eastbound at the now two-track line. Note wide, clear
Not in Cajon Pass per se, but on the western approach to the pass, at Ono, is a new University Parkway roadway bridge that was one of California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans’) most wanted items.
Looking east (westbound, to the right) at old cantilevered signals. The tri-light signals that pointed the other way on this signal bridge were removed.
Looking west (eastbound, to the left), a new cantilevered bridge was erected and signal are now unobstructed for trains heading up to Cajon Pass. From left to right, are signals for Tracks 1 and 2. Track 3 signals are probably a half a mile beyond what the camera sees.
…Enjoyed the photos…Thanks.
Railroad west of Cajon
Tracks coming toward camera are coming into Blue Cut
Following shots taken at Blue Cut
Swarthout Canyon Road, looking railroad east
Same grade crossing. Note new pavement and just put down dividing roadway center. The yet to be laid third track will be laid where the crossing gate is presently at
Looking railroad west at retaining wall under construction
Same wall as viewed from Cajon Blvd.
Retaining wall construction up close, looking railroad east
Those “concrete items” look more like prefabricated sections for a grade crossing surface–narrower ones outside the rails, wider ones between the rails.
Nice pix, by the way–can’t wait to see it in real life next year!
Sorry I haven’t mentioned it before but have really been enjoying the photo’s of the changes taking place at Cajon Pass. I can’t wait for it to be completed so I can try my new Canon Digital. The camera is complete with tri pod and 300mm zoom lens so should be able to get some fairly decent photos.
So anxious I can hardly contain myself for tax season to be over (taxman) that I am already planning a trip to Tehachapi Loop just to try it out and get my feet wet with the new camera. I only hope to become as skilled as you and your really excellent photos and the story that has accompanied the construction.
Thx Al
…Enjoyed the construction photos, again…Thanks.
Current happenings as of April 24, 2008:
PHOTO 1: Blue Cut. Construction activity continues at mid-left. New Track 1 bridge is at lower right. Looking railroad west
PHOTO 2: The final cantilevered signal upright section has been installed. Mile Post (M.P.) 65. Looking railroad east
PHOTO 3: Swarthout Road grade crossing gate will probably be relocated to between where dark low wall rises briefly and the background roadway on right. Looking railroad west
PHOTO 4: A closer view
PHOTO 5: Looking railroad east by Swarthout Road grade crossing
PHOTO 6: CP (Control Point) Cajon. Looking railroad west at new Track 3 bridge
…Again…Thanks for sharing. Appreciate it very much.
Update as of May 8, 2008
The support walls and base are in place for relocating Swarthout Canyon Road crossing gate
Looking railroad east at new/old CP Cajon. New bridge is on left. In this view, as yet un-laid third track will be on right.
Grading equipment is still present, and will spend the night at Cajon where the 2.2% (left) and 3.0% (right) lines split
Remember this April photo? At this staging area, note the cantilever signal bridge single-track module in the rear right
The module has now been moved (upper left). Why?
The Answer: The module is now on a trailer, and …
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Thanks for the excellent photo-documentary of the progress!
…Thanks again, for update.
Thank you, K. P. Harrier, for the set of photos showing where the third track may continue. Nice work.
With construction possibly going on and on, this thread may get enough new material to run for several years. Fun for us railfans to watch!
FIVE photos taken just railroad east of CP Cajon
Watering the tracks
Measuring and adjusting for correct track position
Occasionally there are contorted equipment positions during adjustments
In this view, note that the rails are NOT connected, but severed where the concrete ties meet the wooden ties. Such allows track unrestricted movement during repositioning. The farthest track is a short siding that connects to the main just out of view on the right. Because tie replacement at turnouts is a time consuming and complicated affair, the wood ties will be replaced later at a more convenient time. (Click on photo for larger view)
That cantilever signal bridge section on a trailer is still at Cajon (background)
ONE revealing telephoto taken East of Summit:
Welded rail cars in Martinez Spur is a telltale sign that track
…Thanks for the update.
As of May 18, 2008:
At CP Walker, the eastbound LEFT signal units had been turned away for months …
But now … Those “turned away” signals are facing forward and are alive, even though they govern no laid track yet. Somewhere in the vicinity of the camera, it is believed the visible present in use track will be alignment shifted to be associated with the left set of signals
Adjacent State Route 138 and the Mormon Rocks. The new additional track’s bridge has been finished for several months now, and still is waiting for track laying. The bridge behind it probably dates to 1913, ninety-five years ago, when the Cajon-Summit segment was double-tracked
State Route 138 highway overpass supports. Is the solid extra concrete work to help prevent key support structure damage and/or bridge collapse in the event of a train derailment?
The Blue Cut walls are now complete. Note the roadway’s new metal railings
[IMG]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff19/kpharrier/cajon/XD-DSC02231.jpg[/
Thanks again, K.P.! More nice work.
As for new CWR awaiting installation, I saw a load parked up in Victorville last week, near the bulk oil dealer. Maybe that’s for this project also.