TRAINMASTER BY WERNER MEER  US-RAILROAD-SHOP KILCHBERG
HOCHWEIDSTRASSE 3  CH-8802 KILCHBERG (ZÜRICH) SWITZERLAND  (founded 1977)
PHONE *41-44-715-3666, FAX *41-44-715-3660, E-MAIL trainmaster@bluewin.ch

Cajon Pass 3rd Main Track Construction by BNSF in 2007 and 2008
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I am very pleased to show some exclusive photos by Don E. Toles (the famous Hilltender of Hill 582) and Gary G. Gray.
Pictures are prepared for the internet by Gary.
A big thank you to Don and Gary to share these excellent pictures.
Note: The copyright belongs to Don E. Toles (DET) and Gary G. Gray (GGG). Do not use any photos without written permission.
Additional contributors with photos: Marc Fournier (MF), Robin Scanes (RS), Keith Schreiber (KS), Paul Westover (PW).
Thank you for sharing your
photos with us. We are glad to have you guys on board on our site.  

8 different and detailed Maps of Cajon Pass with captions (Mile Posts and Location) by Gary G. Gray - click here
New 8/11: Maps "How to find" Hill 582, Sullivan's Curve, Noisy Point by Gary G. Gray - click here
Accurate Map of Cajon Pass with 3rd Main Track by Michael Amrine - click here

BNSF is building a 3rd Main Track thru Cajon Pass. It will be built along the # 1 (north) track (2,2 % grade). The only 2 tunnels in Cajon will be daylighted. I am very proud to show these pictures taken by Don E. Toles and Gary G. Gray (and other contributors).

For bigger size pictures please click on the 3 digit numbers below each photo!

Photos 400 - 504 on this page starting February 06, 2008 and ending March 28, 2008

2/06/08 CP Walker - 400 2/06/08 CP Walker - 401 2/06/08 Curved bridge at MP 64.1X - 402
This will be the temporary end of the Shoo-Fly with the 3rd MT and connection to Main # 1 (see page 4).
Photo 400
looks East from CP Walker. There will be double crossovers between the existing Main # 1 and the new 3rd Main. The 3MT is to the left of the orange cone and the East switch of existing Main 1 to the right of the cone. The pre assembled East and West switches for the new 3MT lie on the far left of the picture.
Photo 401 was taken from the existing Main # 1 West switch which will be tied into the Shoo-Fly. (GGG)
2/06/08 Finished bridge MP 64.1X - 403 2/06/08 BNSF EB entering T-1 EP - 404 2/06/08 Same train further up - 405
2/06/08 Rear end helpers - 406 2/01/08 Erosion above T-1 WP - 407 2/01/08 Erosion T-1 WP - 408
With an estimated 13+ inches of rain in Cajon, keeping the powdery dirt/rocks in place has become even more of a problem. Here are a few of what's going on.
 Photos 407 - 408 show T-2 WP and the new patterns of erosion. Obviously, this area will be removed shortly ---- The Cathedral of the Cajon ???
 Photos 409 - 410 picture the erosion near the new bridge at MP 57.2X. We have been told, that since the pilings were driven 60 ft into the dirt, there's really no problem with the bridge structure. (GGG)
2/06/08 Erosion new bridge MP 57.2X - 409 2/06/08 Erosion MP 57.2X - 410 2/06/08 Hill MP 63.7X - 411
2/06/08 Hill removal at MP 63.7X  412 2/06/08 BNSF WB at MP 63.7X - 413 2/06/08 Same train - same location - 414
As you can see on Page 4, Pictures 387 - 389, taken on 1/21/08, the hill at MP 63.7X has been "shaved" and the ROW is almost ready. Here are two (411 - 412) of the hill preparation as of 2/06/08 and wo (413 - 414) of BNSF 4874 passing the same location --- with FURX 7224 in the consist.
2/06/08 BNSF WB Sullivan's Curve - 415 2/06/08 Same train - new ROW visible - 416 2/06/08 Helpers of same train - 417
2/06/08 UP WB Sullivan's Curve - 418 2/06/08 Downhill on BNSF Track # 1 - 419 2/08/08 UP EB at Blue Cut - 420
2/05/08 Blue Cut Bridge - 421 2/05/08 Finished Blue Cut Bridge - 422 2/12/08 Signal Bridge at Hill 582 - 423
2/12/08 Ballast Train working Hill 582 - 424 2/11/08 BNSF Ballast Train T-1 WP - 425 2/11/08 Detail of dumping ballast  - 426
Photo 423 shows the supports for the new signal bridge just RR West of Hill 582. This bridge will restrict our view a bit, but will probably provide new photo opportunities ? ? Photo 424 has the ballast train working WB past Hill 582. Photos 425 - 426 has BNSF 549 WB dropping the second layer of ballast at T-1 WP.
2/11/08 BNSF Ballast Train T-2 WP - 427 2/11/08 Ballast Train on shoo-fly around T-1 - 428 2/11/08 UP NB above ballast train and T-2  - 429
2/11/08 JAC-BAR EB w/GP60M T-1 EP  - 430 2/13/08 "Nasty Knoll" MP 64.3 grading  - 431 2/15/08 Pile Driver - Swarthout Cyn Road  - 432
2/13/08 The "full" borrow pit obviously containing the excess dirt removed from all areas, W Steins Hill  - 433 2/23/08 Stockpiled rock/dirt ready for the rock crusher at Cajon for use as sub-grade material - 434 2/15/08 Hammer Drill - Shot Crete Wall at Swarthout Canyon Road MP 64.9 - 435
2/11/08 Interlocking blocks - Retaining wall built at Baldy Mesa Bridge - 436 2/12/08 New shot crete wall # 4, 1 mile east of Sullivan's Curve - 437 2/13/08 Remainings of Hill North of Sullivan's Curve with BNSF EB train - 438
2/21/08 New signal Bridge to be lifted - 439 2/21/08 Lift of new signals - 440 2/21/08 Getting closer - 441
The new signal bridge at MP 58.3X was completed this week. Don Toles (DET) and Marc Fournier (MF) photographed the event.  
Photos 439 - 442 image the lift and placement of the crossbar of the new signal just RR West of Hill 582 (MF). Photo 443 shows the completed and operational signal bridge (DET). Photo 444 shows the first EB under the new signal bridge and 445 the first WB train (MF). Photos 446 - 447: The new 3rd main is shoved into its final position -- after removal of the old 58.2 signal (MF). Special thanks to Marc for his contribution to our site.
2/21/08 Mounting of new signals - 442 2/25/08 Completed signal bridge - 443 2/25/08 The first EB under the new signal - 444
2/25/08 The first WB train - 445 2/25/08 Track alignment Hill 582 - 446 2/25/08 Track positioning the "easy" way - 447
2/25/08 UP WB pass the old signal - 448 2/25/08 The old signal mast of Hill 582 - 449 2/29/08 BNSF Ballast Euqipment near Hill 582 - 450
2/29/08 UP EB pass new signal bridge - 451 3/05/08 Ballast on curved bridge MP 64.1X - 452 3/05/08 UP EB at shotcrete wall Swarthout Rd - 453
3/05/08 UP EB on MT 1 at Pinelodge MP  62.5X - 454 3/07/08 Removal of old DED box at Hill 582 - 455 3/11/08 BNSF with Ballast Train at CP Walker - 456
3/11/08 Dumping of ballast at CP Walker - 457 3/11/08 As seen from a further distance - 458 3/11/08 Close up of ballast cars - 459
Photos 456 - 459: To me, this is a new type of ballast train. It is the Georgetown RR Belt Ballast Train and has a conveyor belt under the hoppers. Mark Fournier sends four of the GRR train dumping at CP Walker. (GGG) Thank you, Mark. We are glad to have you on board on our site. (WM)
3/13/08 Concrete blocks being pured at Cajon Junction (Station) - 460 3/11/08 Concrete blocks placed between soldier piles at Swarthout Canyon Road - 461 2/29/08 The CAT articulated dumps were loaded on trailers for return to Phoenix - 462
3/13/08 Rock crusher sub roadbed material - 463 2/27/08 Track surfacing machine at Hill 582 - 464 3/07/08 Ballast equipment at Hill 582 - 465
3/13/08 BNSF Ballast Train T-2 WP - 466 3/13/08 "Nasty Knoll" MP 64.3 (see also 431) - 467 3/20/08 T-1 EP Shoo-Fly - 468
3/20/08 First UP train going around the tunnels - 469 3/20/08 UP EB Double Stack K-Line - 470 3/20/08 Using the first portion of 3MT to summit - 471
Last Tuesday morning (3/20/08) the Shoo-fly, bypassing the tunnels, became operational. It is no longer considered anything more than a piece of BNSF Main # 1. Track curvature is exaggerated by the telephoto lens. These pictures were taken 03-20-08.
Photo 468: T-1 EP with Shoo-Fly. The track has been removed from both tunnels. Next will be dirt removal from T-1, completion of the ShotCrete wall South of T-1, removal of the tunnels, and track replacement of what will become Main # 2.
Photos 469 - 472: MY first train on the new portion of the # 1 Main track. UP 3833 is EB with a solid K-Line double stack train. (GGG)
3/20/08 Tele lens makes this dramatic view - 472 3/19/08 Tie removal T-1 WP - 473 3/19/08 An easy job, thanks to machine's help - 474
Photos 473 - 475: Our friend Keith Schreiber (KS), was able to get three of the tie removal at Tunnel 1 West Portal.
Thank you, Keith for sharing your photos with us. We are glad to have you on board on our site. (WM)
3/19/08 UP WB on Shoo-Fly T-1 WP - 475 3/20/08 BNSF EB over switch at CP Walker - 476 3/20/08 Here, the new 3MT starts up to Summit - 477
3/20/08 BNSF EB will pass under I-15 - 478 3/20/08 T-2 EP old Main # 1 was cut - 479 3/20/08 3MT became Main # 1  - 480
Photos 476 - 477: BNSF 4054 is EB under the East Bound Control Signal of Control Point Walker, and moving onto the new portion (old Shoo-Fly) of Main # 1. This is actually the upper portion of the 3MT up to Summit. Photo 478: BNSF 4054 heads East under the WBCS of Control Point Walker. Photo 479: Tunnel # 2 EP with the track removed. Obviously, the remaining portions of the # 1 track have been moved to allow trucks to get up to T-1. Photo 480: Looking East, this picture shows the true curvature of the new portion of Main # 1/shoo-fly at T-1 EP.
3/20/08 BNSF WB pass the abandoned T-2 EP - 481 3/20/08 Same train on the former Shoo-Fly - 482 3/20/08 BNSF helpers, # 7736 like new - 483
3/20/08 End of train snaking under I-15 - 484 3/20/08 BNSF WB on the new track T-2 EP - 485 3/20/08 Same train goes under I-15 - 486
Photos 485 - 487: Paul Westover sends these of the Ames Hammer drill starting on the destruction of T-1 WP. Thank you, Paul for sharing your photos with us. We are glad to have you on board on our site. (WM)
3/24/08 Detail of demolished tunnel portal - 487 3/24/08 T-1 WP starting of destruction - 488 3/24/08 Soon, T-1 will be history - 489
Photos 487 - 489: Paul Westover sends these of the Ames Hammer drill starting on the destruction of T-1 WP. Thank you, Paul for sharing your photos with us. We are glad to have you on board on our site. (WM)
3/26/08 T-1 WP - 490 3/26/08 T-1 WP - 491 3/26/08 T-1 WP - 492
Photos 490 - 497: From Keith Schreiber, seven of the removal of dirt around and above T-1 WP and one of the concrete removal form T-2. The process at T-1 is to remove the dirt 10 - 12 ft at a time, behind the tunnel, so that DRILL TECH can complete the ShotCrete wall. (Thanks Keith)
3/26/08 T-1 WP - 493 3/26/08 T-1 WP - 494 3/26/08 T-1 WP - 495
3/26/08 BNSF WB pass T-1 WP - 496 3/26/08 Debris removal T-2 WP - 497 3/24/08 T-1 WP demolition of tunnel portal - 498
3/25/08 Part of T-1 WP with year 1913 - 499 3/28/08 The heavy piece has to be moved - 500 3/28/08 Men at work on Hill 582 - 501
3/28/08 Manpower is really required - 502 3/28/08 The proud crew - 503 3/28/08 A piece of history - 504
Photos 498 - 504: For a couple of months, several of us have been lobbying for a piece of the tunnels for Hill 582. Last week, a large chuck of concrete "appeared" at the entrance to the Hill. However, it was felt the estimated one ton ??? of concrete was in the wrong place. So, without heavy equipment, how do you move this chunk ?
 Photo 498 shows the hammer drill working on T-1 WP. The "1913" was wanted -- if at all possible. Photo 499 shows the piece, at Hill 582,  with part of the "9" and both the "1" and "3" visible. Photo 500 How to move a ton of 1913 concrete -- Jerry's tank. Photos 501- 502 show the troops moving the piece the last four feet. Photo 503 THE MOVING CREW. Photo 504 The leveled piece in its final position.

Continued on Page 6 - please click here

updated: September 27, 2008

Copyright by Don E. Toles & Gary G. Gray with permission, Werner Meer

Simple Maps about Cajon Pass:  click here

The History of Hill 582 by Don E. Toles - click here

Here are photos of the 2 tunnels before construction started: http://www.snapmania.com/users/trainmaster/cajonpasstunnels/

Excellent Aerial photos of Cajon before construction started by Dave Crammer: http://www.cajonpass.net/dca/index.html 
Dave Crammer published a 20 page report "Air Cajon" (Cajon Pass from the Air) in TRP (The Railroad Press) Magazine Issue # 71 (Oct/Nov/Dec, 2006).

More Aerial photos incl. 3MT (taken in 2008) by Dave Crammer: http://www.cajonpass.net/highabove.html 

Here is a very detailed report (390 pages) about the 3rd Main Track Construction with maps (PDF): http://www.cajonpass.net/FEIS-EIR-MAR07.pdf

Please check also my own Photo Gallery about California: click here

Lots of photos about Cajon Pass by Santiago Homsi jr, http://www.cajonpass.net 

Southern California Rail Fan by Dave Toussaint: http://www.SoCalRailFan.com
New Cajon Pass Book by Dave Toussaint:  http://www.socalrailfan.com/book.html

In Memory of Chard L. Walker (1922 - 2007) - click here


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