Thanks for the pics, the catenary wires are up on the 210 fwy section, makes sense to start there from the existing overhead wires. There’s already talk of planning the 3rd extension of this line (after the next Claremont/Montclair extension) out to Ontario Airport, and on to Whittier on the southern end from East LA.
The project web site has always shown plans for parking on the ROW north side, so it is puzzling that progress isn’t obvious yet. Citrus Ave is open under the tracks, right? If not, a big BOO HISS to the local authorities.
After a four month break more Gold Line construction photos including the new yard have just appeared on the LACMetro Flickr account:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolibraryarchive/sets/72157627612864007/
As usual due to crippled Flickr photo set design, last page is most recent.
Note to @vsmith, long range planning to extend the Gold Line to Ontario Airport has been thwarted by the Windbags at SANBAG - see one of many articles:
Not too surprising since, to SANBAG, LA county reverse ridership doesn’t exist and everyone west loves the long drive to LAX? Sheesh. After the downtown ‘regional connector’ AND the Crenshaw line LAX station AND the LAX people mover are built, all-rail travel will be a breeze. [banghead]
Seams to SanBAG should be renamed SANDBAG because that sure seams what there best at doing. Oh well, guess thats good news for Whittier, because thats where the next phase will be once Montclair is reached.
@vsmith, not sure that I’ve seen anything definitive on an extension from ELA to Whittier. Please post a link when available. By then we won’t know what to call which line due to the downtown Regional Connector changes.
Now back to the current Gold Line status …
According to the latest construction update newsletter, the freight track (east of Irwindale) has been completely relocated to its final alignment as of June 2014.
Also, the ‘final track clip’ ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, October 18 in downtown Azusa. This event celebrates the end of track laying for this phase. Onward to installing the overhead catenary and everything else … [tup]
The presentation of this series was severely delayed because of the Trains Magazine forums’ program conversion and subsequent problems that resulted from that conversion.
Status Report: Arcadia-Monrovia
Part “A” (of A-E)
On Tuesday, September 23, 2014 an opportunity to visit the Foothill Extension was had, and the future stops in Arcadia and Monrovia were checked out. The below and following are the findings.
Looking inbound (westward) at the future Arcadia stop.
An inbound (westbound) telephoto:
Just above, the right track looks pretty much in share, but the left track has much leveling and alignment to do.
That outbound very warped track:
Continued in Part B
Status Report: Arcadia-Monrovia
Part “B” (of A-E)
A hi-rail pickup truck approaches (backinng up), with white ditch lights and yellow strobe light.
Looking outbound, the up and over ramping for the now side-by-side bridges over Huntington Drive is seen, though still trackless and needing much work.
That hi-rail pickup truck got off the tracks by the camera location, First Ave. and Santa Clara St.
The two riders in the truck were a male and female. It is unusual to see a female in construction. She was also pregnant, and well along too! Seeing that her baby is having much exposure to a measure of railroading, K.P. wonders if that coming baby will be a railfan, like maybe in the blood!
Continued in Part C
Status Report: Arcadia-Monrovia
Part “C” (of A-E)
In Monrovia at Myrtle Ave.:
Looking outbound (eastbound):
Continued in Part D
Status Report: Arcadia-Monrovia
Part “D” (of A-E)
Looking outbound (eastbound), the future crossing gate has a signal light attached.
The Monrovia stop (top left and right) construction itself is progressing.
The middle and bottom of three photos just above the old ex-Santa Fe Railway Monrovia Depot is visible on the right.
Continued in Part E
Status Report: Arcadia-Monrovia
Part “E” (of A-E)
At Mountain Ave. in Duarte, just to the east of Monrovia, new stoplights are being put up.
At Buena Vista Street, the flashers are still turned aside.
This will conclude the series.
To Stick a fork in it and call it done? Major construction that is. Still alot of testing to do before it opens, but my prediction they would be testing trains before Thanksgiving still looks promising.
Sorry about the scrunched post but the idiotic Kalmbach new forum format WONT LET ME EDIT the above post, or even use the normal reply or ANYTHING ELSE USEFUL, I can only post using the Quick Reply. KALMBACH FIX THIS STUPID NEW FORUMS PROBLEMS YOU ARE DRIVING USERS AWAY!
(edit: FINALLY after numerous tries its worked and I was able to edit the above post, but shessh![:|])
Well, not likely - the headline is misleading. They just finished the track component. A lot of work such as installing most of the Overhead Catenary System, power conversion substations, and other ROW and platform related work remains to be done. Also, construction work just seems to slow down around this time of year (less daylight?).
Perhaps being able to complete the track will make OCS construction proceed faster - more wait and see …
Well Mike, I will be sure to post here the first time I see test trains running on the new track east of the Madre Station.
I’m still betting on trains on track before Turkey Day 
In future related news, Metro has recommended study of two alternatives for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project. See the project web page:
http://www.metro.net/projects/eastside_phase2/
Now, back to the ongoing construction …
I think it should go southward first, down to Whittier, then its an easy jump to Brea. Lots of unused ROWs in Fullerton too. Personally I believe eventually both branches will be built. but the low lying fruit is down in Fullerton
You would have lost that bet, but just. [:(] Beginning tomorrow, test trains will be pulled and run on the extension to test clearances and the OCS:
http://www.foothillextension.org/images/uploads/275_12-8-14_thru_12-16-14.pdf
They will have flaggers since some of the grade crossing protection isn’t fully tested, at least west of Irwindale. Hate to have some dim bulb motorist smash into a LR vehicle.
BTW some new Alan Weeks photos were posted on the LACMTA Flickr Gold Line album last month:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/metrolibraryarchive/sets/72157627612864007/
Yeah, I’ll say uncle, I was overly optimistic but it was getting very close to running test trains. Glad to hear they’re starting it.
New Youtube video of the inspection trip from Pasadena to Asuza:
great video!
That same former Southern Pacitic Business Car was sitting there back when I had an IT Project in Pasedena, CA in the late 1990’s but in less sun faded condition. Can’t believe it was still there post-2000.