| With MAJOR demolition/construction winding down on the NEW Third Main Track in Cajon, our focus is on Tunnel ONE. Only the "MINOR" task of 16 miles of tie and track laying is left. We are told that the TLM (Tie/track laying machine) will arrive in late June/early July and, of course, we'll follow the progress of tie laying-rail placement-surfacing --- 'till the END. (GGG) | ||
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| 5/02/08 T-1 North wall demolition - 598 | 5/02/08 3 diff. machines at work - 599 | 5/02/08 Removal of the concrete pieces - 600 |
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| 5/02/08 ShotCrete wall is almost finished - 601 | 5/02/08 Breaking the wall into pieces - 602 | 5/02/08 A noisy job - 603 |
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Photo
598: JAWS, the "PECKERHEAD", and the CLAW breakup the North
wall of T-1. "Peckerhead" is a construction guy term for the
HAMMER DRILL.
Photo
599: shows the work of the trio mentioned above and DrillTech doing
their thing on "the shotcrete wall".
Photo
600: shows the thickness of the 1913 concrete walls ---- no match
for the AMES construction experts and their equipment.
Photo
601: DrillTech doing their ShotCrete spraying thing on "the
wall". Someone told one of us that these are the tallest shotcrete
walls in the WORLD ???
Photos
602 - 604: The Hammer Drill/Peckerhead doing its thing on HUGE
concrete blocks.
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| 5/02/08 Ready made size for the trucks - 604 | 5/09/08 Former Tunnel 1 ShoteCrete Wall - 605 | 5/09/08 Drainage pipe mounting - 606 |
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Photo 605: Last Friday, 5/09/08, Ames
was completing dirt removal from the T-1 area. It appears that Drill
Tech can complete the ShotCrete wall with one more application. Photos
606 - 607: Ames was also
installing a large drainage pipe to protect the East end of the
ShotCrete wall in the old T-1 area.
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| 5/09/08 Deatil of drainage pipe - 607 | 5/07/08 Refill of old borrow pit - 608 | 5/05/08 CP Walker at MP 60.2X - 609 |
| Photo 608: Marc sends a photograph of the refilling of the old borrow pit near BNSF MP 62.5. Dirt from the pit was used to build Interstate 15 years ago, leaving a very large hole. Ames refilled the pit with the excess dirt from the Tunnels and, in the photograph, is grooming the area to the original contours. | ||
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| 5/05/08 Switch installing - 610 | 5/05/08 Switches are moved with 5 machines - 611 | 5/05/08 Switches are in place - 612 |
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Photos 609 - 614: On 5/05/08, BNSF completed installation of the
last two very long and very heavy high speed switches at CP Walker. CP
Walker is just RR West of Interstate 15 at BNSF MP 60.2X. (Don
Toles and Marc Fournier photographs).
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| 5/05/08 Working hard under the signal bridge - 613 | 5/05/08 Heavy activities to finish installation - 614 | 5/09/08 UP NB above the tunnels - 615 |
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| 5/09/08 Same train heading North - 616 | 5/09/08 BNSF EB pass fromer T-1 - 617 | 5/09/08 Looking East at MP 58.9X - 618 |
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| 5/09/08 Here comes the next BNSF EB - 619 | 5/09/08 Same consist w/2 Ferromex units - 620 | 5/09/08 BNSF Helpers EB at MP 58.9X - 621 |
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| 5/14/08 Plaque Chard Walker - 622 | 5/14/08 Don with memorials - 623 | 5/14/08 Jerry & Don - 624 |
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Photos 622 - 625: Don Toles led the effort to place a plaque
on Hill 582 honoring our friend Chard Walker and, also, to
remember the BNSF Cajon Tunnels. The stone and plaque were placed today
(5/14/08), next to our piece of Tunnel 1 West Portal (the
"1913") --- with the help of Jerry Shinar and Marc Fournier.
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| 5/14/08 Today's crew - 625 | 5/14/08 BNSF Rail Train pass Hill 582 - 626 | 5/14/08 End of Rail Train with RUM - 627 |
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| 5/14/08 Rail Train heading West - 628 | 5/14/08 Rail Train at Swarthout Canyon Road - 629 | 5/14/08 Herzog Rail Unloading Machine - 630 |
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Photo 626: Yesterday (5/14/08), we noticed that the BNSF Rail
Train was parked on the OUT OF SERVICE # 2 track just west of Cajon
Summit. The train backed, switched to the # 1 and proceeded Westward
pulled by BNSF 6360 + 3 more units. Photos
627 - 628: As the train passed Hill 582, we saw this really interesting
Herzog machine being towed by the train. BTW, all of the ribbon rail
cars and the Herzog machine appeared to be NEW. Photo 629: We had
to KNOW and so we followed the train to Swarthout Cyn Road. Photo 630:
The Herzog machine is called a RUM (Rail Unloading Machine) --- # 4. The
RUM is obviously rail/highway capable and provides a much safer working
environment for the crews. Previously, crew members had to manually attach
each rail to a hook/cable and each rail had to be winched (one side at a
time) from the storage racks. Photo 631: As pictured, the RUM crane
pulls the rail to the first outrigger which then pulls the rails from
storage and feeds the rails into the two guide devices. Photo 632:
The process was repeated on the other side and the train proceeded WB
at about 10 mph dropping rail on both sides simultaneously. (GGG)
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| 5/14/08 RUM # 4 in action - 631 | 5/14/08 Track unloading - 632 | 5/14/08 Overview of T-1 progress - 633 |
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| 5/14/08 DrillTech placing last rebar for SCW - 634 | 5/14/08 Almost finished drain pipe - 635 | 5/14/08 Tunnel rubble used as liner for creek bed 636 |
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| 5/14/08 New panel track for Main # 2 at T-2 - 637 | 5/15/08 T-1 Loading of concrete blocks - 638 | 5/15/08 T-1 Removal of concrete blocks - 639 |
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Photos 638 - 639: Ames is collecting the huge concrete blocks
that, for years, protected T-1 EP from mud flows. The blocks will be
reused elsewhere. (Photos by Keith Schreiber).
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| 5/21/08 Work completed at T-1 area - 640 | 5/21/08 Last work on ShoteCrete Wall T-1 - 641 | 5/21/08 Finished drain pipe at former T-1 EP - 642 |
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By the time you read this, all heavy construction will be finished at
the tunnels and, for the most part, on all of the 3MT Project. Tie &
Rail laying should begin early next month (June). Yesterday (5/21/08),
Ames was leveling, removing the last of the dirt and dropping
subballast while DrillTech finished the ShotCrete wall above T-1. We are
told that these two ShotCrete walls are the tallest in the Americas ----
T-1 is 158 feet (47,5 m) and T-2 is 173 ft (52 m). The walls have
two layers of rebar mesh and the ShotCrete is eight inches (20 cm)
thick. The sleepers/deadmen were laterally inserted into the hill 100
feet (30 m) deep at the top and 30 feet (9 m) at the bottom. Photo
640: In the first picture, the round seemingly unfinished
areas are test holes ---- to test retention power of the sleepers/deadmen.
Retention testing is required upon one sleeper in each horizontal row of
sleepers. A machine applies 42,000 lbs of extraction force for several
minutes. (GGG)
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| 5/21/08 Amtrak # 3 w/BNSF Helper - 643 | 5/21/08 AMT pass former Tunnel 1at MP 59X - 644 | 5/21/08 Ballast Tamper East of T-1 - 645 |
| Photos 643 - 644: A very late Amtrak # 3 WB is shown lead by BNSF 7582. The third unit was dead-in-consist. Photo 645: Also, new ballast has been added to the Out Of Service # 2 track (old # 1 track). The machine (just RR EAST of T-1) is "regulating/dressing" the ballast in preparation for the return to service. | ||
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| 5/21/08 1885 Joliet rail found inside T-1 - 646 | 5/21/08 Rail built in July 1885 ! ! - 647 | 11/01/05 Tunnel 1 East Portal - 648 |
| Photos 646 - 647: A while back, we sent some pictures of 1887 rail found in the floor of T-1 (see photos 593 - 594 on page 6). Last Wed, we were shown a piece of 1885 rail found in the same tunnel. After the "1885", please note the seven vertical bars. Those bars denote the month (July) of manufacture. | ||
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| 5/24/08 Former Tunnel 1 EP, now - 649 | 11/01/05 Tunnel 1 West Portal - 650 | 5/24/08 Former Tunnel 1 WP, now - 651 |
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| 11/01/05 Tunnel 2 East Portal - 652 | 5/24/08 Former Tunnel 2 EP, now - 653 | 11/01/05 Tunnel 2 West Portal - 654 |
| Photos 648 - 655: To give an idea about the big changes of the tunnel area, we show pictures before and after. Back in 2005, Don Toles and I decided to document the Cajon Tunnels before construction began. So, last week we asked Marc Fournier to go down and take the same pictures, from near the same locations. (GGG) As always, you may click on the number for a bigger size photo. In addition, I made a special page with all 8 photos: Tunnel Changes. (WM) | ||
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| 5/24/08 Former Tunnel 2 WP, now - 655 | 5/27/08 Tie laying - 656 | 5/30/08 T-1 new main # 2 track inplace - 657 |
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As you may remember, the OLD # 1 track through the tunnels was removed
before the tunnels were destroyed. We had wondered how BNSF would
replace that track without the TLM (Tie Laying Machine) present - since
concrete ties weigh 700+ lbs each.
.Photo 656: Marc Founier photographed this ingenious device which
carries 11 concrete ties. The red marks on the ground are the centerline
for Track # 2.
Photos 657 & 658: are pictures of the Tunnel areas
with the newly laid welded/bolted track in place. Next, Main # 2
will be ballasted, surfaced and placed in service. The big Shoo-Fly
curve in the # 1 track will be removed and realigned to parallel the #
2. The
above actions will complete BNSF Mains # 1 & # 2 between Cajon Summit
and CP Walker. Photo
659: As a bonus, ATSF 135 brings the JACBAR EB in the T-2 area. (GGG)
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| 5/30/08 T-2 new main # 2 track inplace - 658 | 5/30/08 BNSF EB w/ATSF GP60M T-2 - 659 | 6/06/08 A big thank you to our friends - 660 |
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Photo
660: In 2005, Don and I thought we'd document the BNSF Cajon Sub
tunnels "as they were". That small project grew into over 1000
pictures showing the progress of the Third Main track construction. While
we wanted to photograph everything involved, we were always very aware of
"not getting in the way" and all of the many safety concerns. THANKS GUYS - Gary Gray & Don Toles |
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| 1939 ATSF EB T-1 by Walter H. Thrall jr. - 661 | 6/01/08 Same location today by Marc Fournier 662 | 6/06/08 BNSF EB Swarthout Canyon Road - 663 |
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Photos 661 - 662: What a change
between 1939 and 2008 ! ! - I asked Marc Fournier to try and get to the
place where Mr. Thrall took the 1939 picture of Tunnel 1 East Portal. Marc
has done a great job to see the dramatic changes. These 2 photos are
also on our special page: Tunnel Changes.
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| 6/06/08 BNSF WB Swarthout Canyon Road - 664 | 6/06/08 UP SB on UP/SP tracks - 665 | 5/30/08 As seen from Hill 582 BNSF WB empty 666 |
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Photo 664: BNSF 7602 is WB approaching Swarthout Canyon Road. To
the left, DrillTech is preparing to ShotCrete the hill face above the
BNSF tracks. The importance of this hill is shown in the second picture photo
665.It supports the UP/SP Colton/Palmdale Cutoff.
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| 9/30/07 New ROW w/old signal post/signs - 667 | 6/09/08 The signs are now on Hill 582 - 668 | 6/10/08 TLM in action - 669 |
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Photos 667 - 668: Thanks to our good
friend, the original "582A" and "G" signs from the
old Main # 1 EB signal at Hill 582 "appeared" on Hill 582. Don
and Marc erected the signs this week -- welded and in
concrete.
So,
I wasn't sure what the "A" and the "G"
meant. According to Chard Walker's CAJON - RAIL PASSAGE TO THE PACIFIC:
"58" indicates
the Mileage counting from Barstow. The
"2" in 582 indicates EB. The
"A" in 582A was used only between Cajon and Summit, on
the ascending track, where tracks are not adjacent. The
"G" is a "GRADE SIGNAL" indicating that since
an ascending train could be stopped merely by cutting off the power, the
train could pass a red signal at restricted speed. (GGG)
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| 6/11/08 TLM near Mormon Rocks - 670 | 6/11/08 Close up of TLM - 671 | 6/10/08 3 trains on all in service tracks - 672 |
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BNSF has started laying ties and track WB starting at CP Walker (MP
60.2X). The Tie/Track laying machine, as of 6/11/08, was working West
near the Mormon Rocks. Photo 669: Marc sends one of the TLM
dropping ties and pulling in the rails near MP 61. Photos 670 - 671:
GGG sends two of the TLM just RR East of Mormon Rocks heading
toward the Pine Lodge Bridge/Hwy 138.
Photo 672: Marc Fournier sends this beauty of all in-service
tracks being used in Cajon as seen from above the MP 57.2 bridge: On
the UP/SP, the helpers are SB to Colton with a mixed train. On BNSF #
1, the helpers are WB to San Bernardino with a double stack train. The
barely visible BNSF # 2 is out-of-service. On BNSF # 3, the TOFC train
is EB to Barstow.
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| 5/30/08 BNSF EB pass former T-1 - 673 | 5/30/08 It snakes over the former shoe-fly - 674 | 5/30/08 Same train is going uphill - 675 |
| Photos 673 - 678: Even these pictures do not show the actual progress of the 3MT construction, it still gives us a nice impression about the daily activities. | ||
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| 5/30/08 UP EB at the same location - 676 | 5/30/08 UP WB/SB Silverwood Connector - 677 | 5/30/08 Rear end helpers pass retaining wall - 678 |
| Photo 677: From right to left: BNSF Main # 3, Main # 2, Main # 1, Silverwood Connector w/UP train. Photo 678: From front to rear: BNSF Main # 2, Main # 1, Silverwood Connector w/UP helpers, UP Main (Colton/Palmdale cutoff). | ||
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| 6/10/08 Here is the finished pit - 679 | 6/11/08 UP EB on main # 1 at Pine Lodge - 680 | 6/11/08 Same train pass TLM on main # 2 - 681 |
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Photo 679: Just to remember, the old
borrow pit near Stein's Hill, was used to gain dirt for the construction
of Interstate 15. Ames refilled the pit with dirt from the tunnels and
graded the area to near original contours. The area is "walled
off" with rubble and K-Rails to keep the off-road folks away. See
also photo 433 on
page 5.
Photo 680: UP 4947 approaches the
TLM at Mormon Rocks. An interesting view because of long lens illusion. Photo
681: UP 4947 on # 1 while the TLM lays the new track (Main # 2 in
this area). Both photos were taken from Stein's Hill.
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| 6/13/08 UP Special NB on UP tracks Hill 582 - 682 | 6/13/08 UP Special SB from Hill 582 - 683 | 6/13/08 Hill 582 Monuments & BNSF EB Main 3 684 |
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| 6/13/08 UP NB on UP line at former T-2 area - 685 | 6/18/08 TLM approaching Sullivans Curve - 686 | 6/18/08 UP SB passing the TLM - 687 |
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| 6/18/08 TLM works WB - 688 | 6/18/08 How flexible the steel rails are! - 689 | 6/18/08 Tie carrying shuttle buggy - 690 |
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Photos 686 - 692: Don sends a great series of the TLM (Tie Laying
Machine) in Sullivan's Curve.
FYI, the concrete ties weigh 800 pounds each and are set on 2 foot
centers. The entire 16 mile project will require approximately 42,000
concrete ties. We were also told that the project will require 3/4 US
ton of ballast per 12 inches of rail or
63,000+ tons. I hope my calculations are close!
Photos 688 - 689 image how the TLM spreads the rails, drops
the tie(s) in place and then lays the rail onto the tie. Photos 690 -
691 show the tie carrying shuttle buggy and the ties being fed onto
the conveyor belt. Photo 692 is the tie car. According to the
type of car used, each tie car will carry 160 or 168 ties -- enough for
80 - 84 feet. (GGG)
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| 6/18/08 Ties being fed onto the conveyor belt - 691 | 6/18/08 Tie car loaded w/concrete ties - 692 | 6/18/08 UP SB Sullivan's Curve on UP tracks - 693 |
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| 6/18/08 UP meet at Sullivan's (TLM right side) - 694 | 6/20/08 Amtrak # 3 WB 5 h late Hill 582 - 695 | 6/24/08 Amtrak Las Vegas test train EB Hill 582 696 |
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| 6/20/08 BNSF Track Geometry Trains EB - 697 | 6/20/08 Finished curved bridge MP 64.1X - 698 | 7/12/08 BNSF WB with new bridge & track end 699 |
