These guys (peacocks) look a lot better than they sound; the first time I heard one, I had to be told that it was a bird; I cannot describe the sound, except that it was bad.
They’re putting rails down inside the maintenance yard, looks like track is going to be going down eastward from the yard towards the brewery. Its definetly moving along.
Deggesty (12-30):
I am sure glad the peacocks were quiet when I saw them!
vsmith (1-2):
You may be interested to know that K.P. spent hours photographing the Foothill Extension construction from Arcadia to Azusa on Friday, January 3, 2014 and took over 350 photos. Workers and equipment were everywhere!
A multipart post series on this should be ready for posting in a few weeks.
Take care all,
K.P.
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
On Friday, January 3, 2014 for hours K.P. extensively photographed the Foothill Extension construction between Arcadia and Azusa, CA
Key photos will be shared with the forum on the following schedule, by (“by”) 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time:
Tuesday, January 21, 2014: Part A – Arcadia-Monrovia
Thursday, January 23, 2014: Part B – Duarte-Azusa
Saturday, January 25, 2014: Part C – Foothill Blvd. Area of Azusa
Monday, January 27, 2014: Part D – More Azusa
Part “A” (of A-D), Section 1 (of 1-7)
Arcadia-Monrovia
We west to east start at Santa Anita Ave. in Arcadia. Nothing popped out as different from the August 25, 2013 visit, and the future overpass supports cement-work appears the same.
Looking south, the east (left) and center (right) supports:
Looking west, the center support (left) and the west support (center and right).
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “A”, Section 2 (of 1-7)
Arcadia-Monrovia
Half a block away, to the east, looking westbound (inbound):
Looking eastbound (outbound):
The background seems to have dirt forming as the early stages of a ramp for the overpass a block behind the camera at Santa Anita Ave.
Continued in Section 3
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “A”, Section 3 (of 1-7)
Arcadia-Monrovia
It should be noted in the last two views above (in Section 2), a block away to the southeast the old Santa Fe line diagonally crossed the intersecting of Santa Clara St. and 1st Ave., as in the below never before shown to the forum April 27, 2013 southeastward view:
That intersection / grade crossing is now totally closed off for about a half a block away in all directions. Likely, the electrical arrangement inherent in this type of commuter operations …
… has required such an installation road intersection closure.
According to reference material available to K.P., the speed limit for both freight and passenger trains through here in Santa Fe days was 40 M.P.H. Even that, what a windy experience that must have been for stopped downtown pedestrians!
Continued in Section 4
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “A”, Section 4 (of 1-7)
Arcadia-Monrovia
We now go over to the Monrovia area, at Myrtle Ave., and the old Santa Fe Monrovia depot, where supply containers are present.
Two westbound (inbound) views:
Continued in Section 5
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “A”, Section 5 (of 1-7)
Arcadia-Monrovia
An eastward (outbound) view:
As seen above, the bases for the catenary poles between the future tracks are in.
An interesting PR sign:
Continued in Section 6
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “A”, Section 6 (of 1-7)
Arcadia-Monrovia
At Mountain Ave. looking directly west:
The grade crossing still hasn’t been improved, but the catenary pole bases are in place.
Looking east, an electrical base is being installed.
Over that above truck, the catenary bases go far back.
Continued in Section 7
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “A”, Section 7 (of 1-7)
Arcadia-Monrovia
Looking westbound again, it almost looks like a crude path has had cement poured into it.
Remnants of the old Santa Fe Mountain Ave. grade crossing:
Continued in Part B, Duarte-Azusa scheduled for posting Thursday, January 23, 2014 by 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time.
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “B”, Section 1 (of 1-5)
Duarte-Azusa
At Buena Vista Street, the old grade crossing gates and flashers are gone.
But, short sections of Gold Line Foothill Extension grade crossing tracks are in.
Westward views:
Continued in Section 2
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “B”, Section 2 (of 1-5)
Duarte-Azusa
Eastward views from Buena Visit Ave.:
In the middle photo above … Duarte Rd. (right) parallel-follows the future Gold Line Foothill Extension for a ways.
Continued in Section 3
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “B”, Section 3 (of 1-5)
Duarte-Azusa
At the Highland Ave. grade crossing, the west sidewalk is closed.
The station center platform is looking like a platform now. View looks west:
But, there is much left to do:
Continued in Section 4
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “B”, Section 4 (of 1-5)
Duarte-Azusa
An eastward outbound view from Highland Ave.:
Ribbon rail is now present.
Above, the 605 Freeway overpass is seen.
Continued in Section 5
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “B”, Section 5 (of 1-5)
Duarte-Azusa
That big storage area of concrete ties with a rinky-dink fencing protecting it on April 27, 2013 …
… now seems to have better quality fencing put up. It almost has a concrete ties fencing look.
Continued in Part C, Foothill Blvd. Area of Azusa scheduled for posting Saturday, January 25, 2014 by 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time.
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “C”, Section 1 (of 1-8)
Foothill Blvd. Area of Azusa
On April 27, 2013 when K.P. was last by the Virginia Ave. grade crossing in the City of Azusa, nearly 9 months ago, the grade crossing, including sidewalks, was closed.
The grade crossing was found this trip to be open, but much work surrounded it, including when looking westbound that the old Santa Fe mainline had been relocated.
Continued in Section 2
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “C”, Section 2 (of 1-8)
Foothill Blvd. Area of Azusa
Looking eastbound …
… both the south side …
… and the north side is all tore up.
Continued in Section 3
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “C”, Section 3 (of 1-8)
Foothill Blvd. Area of Azusa
A telephoto looking eastbound from Virginia Ave.: The old Santa Fe mainline had jointed rail even in the early 1990’s. The bridge is over Foothill Blvd., the famous Route 66.
That jointed rail is definitely on borrowed time with Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) lying on the right-of-way now.
This is that Foothill Blvd., looking east, and the old Santa Fe bridge over it.
K.P. can remember being in the back seat of his parents’ car as a kid 50 to 55 years ago, and going under the bridge several times over the years. Back then, the bridge was silver and wondrous, but never a train was seen over it The Super Chief / El Capitan used to go over the bridge westbound (#17) in early mor
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “C”, Section 4 (of 1-8)
Foothill Blvd. Area of Azusa
That ex-Santa Fe owned bridge is having another bridge built to its north.
This is why a “lull” in traffic was waited for!
The four lane road is down to two lanes, one in each direction, during the new railroad bridging construction.
Continued in Section 5
The Foothill Extension
Photo News Update Report
Part “C”, Section 5 (of 1-8)
Foothill Blvd. Area of Azusa
OK, K.P. was going to try going under the bridge.
On the other side, and K.P. now as pedestrian, a Foothill Transit bus that was in the log jam crawls by.
Another bridge is being built on the south side.
Wow, just above, there was another lull in traffic!
Continued in Section 6