To be more exact, along the Sunset Route between Gila Bend and Maricopa. I have heard rumors, found surveying markers and other tell tale signs that something is up, but dont know when its supposed to happen. I know they are doing work around Tucson.
Just wondering if anyone had info that was more exact then the shade tree rumors we have.
On our annual trek from Alabama to Southern California, we follow the Sunset Route for many,many miles. The construction has been very evident and on-going. I understand that UP is contemplating tripple-tracking in several areas of the route in New Mexico and Arizona. Needless to say, train volume on the Sunset Route is considerable. The number of trains in sidings, awaiting meets is evidence of the need for increased capacity on this route.
You can see on Google Earth that UP has done some recent curvature reduction work between Maricopa and Gila Bend, and judging by what I saw driving between Maricopa and Gila Bend on a Sunday last June, UP could certainly justify doubling up there and all the way to Yuma, because we didn’t seem to be out of sight of a train very often that day.
John: UP is doing something very similar to what BNSF is doing with their transcon. They are focused now on double tracking three 25-60 mile segments and building a new major holding yard near you. Just sat through a UP powerpoint presentation on what they are tackling in Omaha about three weeks ago. They are after completion of, at minimum, double track from Colton, CA to west Texas’ SP/T&P connection.
they are double tracking from west colton to el paso