| Well, I (Werner Meer) had finally a chance to visit my friends (photographers of this site) and check the progress of the 3rd Main Track Construction in Cajon Pass from July 5 to July 11, 2008. It was a very exiting and impressive time. I made more than 1500 photos and you will see some on this page. | ||
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| 6/30/08 Old Signal at MP 64.7 SWC - 700 | 6/30/08 Retaining Wall construction - 701 | 7/02/08 Retaining Wall at SWC - 702 |
| SWC = Swarthout Canyon Road | ||
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| 7/02/08 New signal cantilever MP 64.9 SWC - 703 | 7/02/08 The derailed tie car - 704 | 7/02/08 Because of heavy weight, how to do? - 705 |
| Photos 704 - 707: A loaded tie car derailed. So, how do you re rail a car holding 168 pcs.of 800 pound ties?? Re-railing with wheel loaders as seen from UP track at MP 475 by Don Toles. This location is between Blue Cut and SWC. (DET) | ||
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| 7/02/08 All active tracks are in service - 706 | 7/02/08 Wheel loaders are lifting the car on rails - 707 | 7/06/08 TLM below SWC - 708 |
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| 7/06/08 BNSF EB pass TLM w/wheel loader - 709 | 7/06/08 The rails are in a clamp - 710 | 7/06/08 Detail of clamp - 711 |
| Photos 708 - 717: As it is Sunday (7/06/08), we (Marc and Werner) had a chance to make some close ups of the TLM while it is parked below SWC. | ||
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| 7/06/08 Here, the ties are unloaded - 712 | 7/06/08 Rails are moved over the ties - 713 | 7/06/08 The operator's seat underneath - 714 |
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| 7/06/08 Rails are pushed in place - 715 | 7/06/08 Tie lift above loaded tie car - 716 | 7/06/08 Cars are pulled over new track - 717 |
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| 7/06/08 HWY 138 goes over Main # 1 & 2 - 718 | 7/06/08 New Main w/o ballast - 719 | 7/06/08 Looking West - 720 |
| Photos 718 - 720: Highway 138 overpass. In the background are the Mormon Rocks at Stein's Hill (looking East). Soon, the ballast will be added (WM) | ||
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| 7/06/08 CP Walker looking East - 721 | 7/06/08 CP Walker looking West - 722 | 7/06/08 New switch on Main # 1 - 723 |
| Photos 721 - 726: CP Walker with new signals and new switches to cross from Main # 1 to Main # 2 and vice-versa. (WM) | ||
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| 7/06/08 Switch machine - 724 | 7/06/08 Details from the other side - 725 | 7/06/08 Details of switch mechanism - 726 |
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| 7/07/08 Concrete comes from Cemex Vic'ville - 727 | 7/07/08 Almost finished wall - 728 | 7/07/08 Concrete sprayed over net - 729 |
| Photos 727 - 732: The retaining wall at SWC will be finished at the end of the day. Interesting to see how the concrete is applied and afterwards the not yet dry concrete will be carved to give an almost natural rock look ! ! (GGG & WM) | ||
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| 7/07/08 Close up of concrete spraying - 730 | 7/07/08 Carving of structure to the wall surface - 731 | 7/07/08 Finished retaing wall - 732 |
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| 7/07/08 Gary leaving and Don the movie maker 733 | 7/08/08 New electrical box at SWC X-ing - 734 | 7/08/08 Dave Miller of BNSF in the middle - 735 |
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733: Gary Gray is walking away as he made these pics (727 - 728) and Don Toles
is capturing the retaining wall finishing touches on film. Photos 734 - 747: The next day (7/08/08), after the TLM put the tracks, the temporary SWC RR-Crossing will be installed. This is, of course, not an easy job because of the heavy traffic disturbing the workers. Well, I am aware, too many pictures of a small thing but still lots of interesting activities that cannot be seen anymore. Once, the ballast train comes, this crossover has to be opened again. (WM) |
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| 7/08/08 Discussion of work to be done - 736 | 7/08/08 Interruption because of BNSF WB - 737 | 7/08/08 First elements are placed - 738 |
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| 7/08/08 Tie train is getting empties - 739 | 7/08/08 Next BNSF WB is passing - 740 | 7/08/08 More elemnts are palced - 741 |
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| 7/08/08 Next elements are coming - 742 | 7/08/08 One more is arriving - 743 | 7/08/08 Two machines are working on it - 744 |
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| 7/08/08 Track is too low and pulled up - 745 | 7/08/08 Ballast is filled in between - 746 | 7/08/08 New SWC X-ing and gates - 747 |
| Photos 747 and 752 show the new dividers (yellow) before the crossing on the SWC road. This is to prevent drivers going around the gates when closed! | ||
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| 7/09/08 SWC X-ing ready for traffic - 748 | 7/09/08 SWC X-ing looking West - 749 | 7/09/08 SWC X-ing looking East - 750 |
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| 7/09/08 BNSF WB pass X-ing - 751 | 7/09/08 BNSF EB approaching X-ing - 752 | 7/09/08 First engine has faded paint - 753 |
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| 7/09/08 BNSF WB pass the TLM - 753-1 | 7/09/08 TLM working EB - 753-2 | 7/09/08 Detail of TLM - 753-3 |
| Photos 753-1 to 753-3: I got these photos taken by DET (on 7/09/08) only on 8/14/08, but they belong exactly here as it shows the last segment of track laying with the TLM between SWC and the Bridge at MP 63.1 (as seen below). This location is having a nick name "Nasty Knoll". | ||
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| 7/10/08 New bridge at MP 63.1 - 754 | 7/10/08 Same bridge looking West - 755 | 7/10/08 Rails are ready for placing on ties - 756 |
| Photos 754 - 759: Track laying with the TLM has been finished just before the new bridge at MP 63.1. The new main track coming from Keenbrook is on the hillside (or inside) up to this point. From here toward Cajon Station, the new main track will be on the outside (valley side). We have been told by David Miller of BNSF that the last segment to be built will be done without the TLM because of mounting 3 switches on a short distance and it does not make sense to install the TLM. Once, the last tracks are layed, the existing track will be cut and moved for adjusting the last two segments. The whole 3MT project should be finished by October 2008, David Miller said. (WM) | ||
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| 7/10/08 BNSF EB approaching MP 63.1 - 757 | 7/10/08 New bridge looking East - 758 | 7/10/08 TLM just before bridge MP 63.1 - 759 |
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| 7/10/08 Jackson 6700 (Tamper) - 760 | 7/10/08 Kershow 46 (Ballast Regulator) - 761 | 7/10/08 Track Stabilizer - 762 |
| Photos 760 - 767: While sitting on the bench of Hill 582, I experienced a parade of track machinery which was coming down on Main # 3 from Summit to Cajon Station. Photo 768: Afterwards, the whole equipment was parked at Cajon Station along Route 66. Thanks to Paul Westover, who identified the different models. (WM) | ||
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| 7/10/08 Tamper (tamps 2 ties at once) - 763 | 7/10/08 Double Head Tamper - 764 | 7/10/08 Track Stabilizer (w/double broom) - 765 |
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| 7/10/08 Kershow 46 (Ballast Regulator) - 766 | 7/10/08 Kershow double broom - 767 | 7/10/08 Track equipment parked at Cajon - 768 |
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| 7/11/08 Welcome meet for Werner Meer - 769 | 7/11/08 Werner and David Miller, BNSF - 770 | 7/11/08 D. Miller w/Don & Gary - 771 |
| 7/11/08
was the day of meet and greet on Hill 582. Photo 769: Werner Meer
was welcome by the photographers and Hill 582 members (from left: Gary
Gray, Carol & Bob Westover, Keith Schreiber, Don Toles, Marc Fournier,
WM, Lane Frank). Photo 770: Werner had a chance to meet David
Miller of BNSF, who is leading the 3rd main track construction over Cajon
Pass. Photo 771: David Miller is discussing the remaining
construction of the 3rd MT Project as it will be finished by this October
2008 (from left: Keith Schreiber, Don Toles, Gary Gray, David Miller, Marc
Fournier, Lane Frank). I would like to express my biggest thanks to my special friends of Hill 582 because I had my most exiting 7 days in and around Cajon Pass - Werner Meer |
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| 7/11/08 European invasion on Hill 582 - 772 | 7/11/08 Swiss guys (J.L. Perrenoud & WM) - 773 | 7/11/08 Robbie the Rattler on Hill 582 - 774 |
| Photo 772: Unexpected visitors from Europe. Especially the men standing behind the chairs are from Luxembourg, Patrick Bopp & Alain Kapp are well known to Werner Meer as both participated at our Conventions in Switzerland as exhibitors. (from left: sitting Marc Fournier, Jürgen Dietrichkeit (Germany), Don Toles, standing behind Patrick Bopp, Alain Kapp (Luxembourg), Jean-Luc Perrenoud (Switzerland), Bob & Carol Westover, John Cockle (USA). Photo 773: Jean-Luc Perrenoud is a Swiss and came with the same group. So, we had a chance to talk some Swiss-German together and nobody could understand. Photo 774: Robbie the Rattler (a real rattlesnake) was the most dangerous visitor on that particular Friday on Hill 582. Robbie enjoyed the sun and we left him in peace. (WM) | ||
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| 7/22/08 First Meet at Hill 582 - 775 | 8/08/08 BNSF WB on Main # 1 at Hill 582 - 776 | 8/08/08 Same train pass Hill 582 - 777 |
| Photo 775: A major milestone was reached last week. Mains # 1 & # 2 were IN SERVICE between Summit and CP Walker. Marc sends the attached Meet of a BNSF EB and a BNSF WB train at Hill 582. Photos 776 - 777: Gary took these from Hill 582 on Main # 1 which was actually the new built 3rd Main. Main # 2 was the original Main # 1 before. We understand that BNSF expects that Mains # 1 and # 2 (presently in use from Summit to Walker) will be opened to traffic from Summit to Cajon by the end of September. From Cajon to Keenbrook the new third main "should" be in service by the end of October. (GGG) | ||
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| 8/18/08 Old signals and electrical boxes - 778 | 8/18/08 Removal of signal boxes - 779 | 8/18/08 New signal equipment - 780 |
| Photos 778 - 784: Also, work continues at Cajon Jct to complete the trackage and to install the necessary switches. The Eastbound Control Signals (EBCS) and Westbound Control Signals (WBCS) for tracks # 1 and # 2 were cut in on Monday, August 18, 2008 at CP Cajon. The old signal masts and cabinets were removed the same day. A track gang was installing the crossover and switches from track # 2 to track # 3. (DET/GGG) | ||
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| 8/18/08 New WBCS at East Cajon Jct. - 781 | 8/22/08 New switch main # 2 to main # 3 - 782 | 8/22/08 Switch installing at Cajon Jct. - 783 |
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| 8/22/08 Detail of new switch motor - 784 | 8/25/08 Cajon Jct looking RR West - 785 | 8/25/08 Work for 3MT with track sections - 786 |
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| 8/29/08 Cajon Jct looking RR East - 787 | 9/11/08 Looking RR West from Cajon Jct - 788 | 9/11/08 New grey colored ballast is used - 789 |
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Photo 787: This photo looks RR East
showing from right to left: New
main # 3, Existing Main # 3 which will be cut and realigned as Main # 2
---- to follow the existing # 1 up to Sullivans Curve, Main # 1.
We have discussed exactly how to
describe the remaining 3MT construction and even we are somewhat
confused as to how to explain it. We "assume" that everyone
knows that the new track may be Main 1, 2, or 3 according to the area
traversed. GENERALLY, between Summit
and Walker, the new track is Main # 1. Between Walker
and Cajon Jct, the new track becomes Main # 2 and from
Cajon Jct on west, the new track is Main # 3.
The last portion of the 3MT to be
completed is at Cajon Junction (Station) - MP 62.8 where Mains #
1 & # 2 turn to climb (2.2%) toward Sullivan's curve while Main #
3 continues on to cross under I-15 and climb Cajon at 3%. Because of
the number of switches that had to be installed at Cajon Jct, and the
realignment of the OLD South track to
become Main # 2, the large TLM type equipment could not be used. Hope
this makes some sense! DET/GGG
Photos 788 - 790: Looking RR west
from Cajon Jct, the new # 3 is under the new grey colored ballast and
is being "dressed". It is interesting to see that BNSF is
using now a "grey" ballast instead of the "desert
rose" ballast, used so far for the 3MT. The middle track, which
was the old "south" track will be cut and realigned to
become the # 2 track, cross the new curved bridge and follow # 1 up to
Sullivans (Photos 791 - 792).
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| 9/11/08 Grey ballast is being "dressed" - 790 | 9/11/08 Tamper working toward the bridge - 791 | 9/11/08 Main # 3 south track in the foreground - 792 |
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| 9/15/08 Cajon Jct. - see text below - 793 | 9/15/08 Cajon Jct. - old and new Main # 3 - 794 | 9/15/08 Track movements - see text below - 795 |
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Today (9/15/08), BNSF had a ten hour "work
window" on Main's # 2 & # 3 at Cajon Station. The window was
necessary to realign the old portion of Main # 3 East of the Jct -
to the new Main # 3 West of the Jct.
Photo 793: The OLD MAIN # 3 West and
the OLD MAIN # 3 East were once the "south track" to the 3%
grade up Cajon. That track was cut and OLD MAIN # 3 East was moved to
align with the NEW Main # 3. Photo
794: shows the OLD MAIN # 3 E
being pulled to align with the NEW MAIN # 3 W. Photo
795 - 795A: shows a rather long portion of the overlapping rails being
removed. The removal was to accommodate a "transition rail section"
between 141 and 132 pound rails. Photo
796: shows the loose rail ready to be installed to complete Main #
2. The helpers shown in this picture were for BNSF 4919 East. Please
note that the train can be seen at the far right and far left of
the image. I chased this train and caught it near my home. The helpers
were RR West of Bear Valley Rd and the head end was stopped at Frost ---
-about 2.4 miles. Photos 797 -
798: show BNSF 4919 EB through
Cajon and climbing toward Sullivan's Curve.
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| 9/15/08 Bolting of transition rail - 795A | 9/15/08 Loose rail to be mounted for Main # 2 - 796 | 9/15/08 BNSF EB through Cajon Jct. - 797 |
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| 9/15/08 BNSF EB toward Sullivan's Curve - 798 | 9/15/08 BNSF EB pass Main # 3 alignment - 799 | 9/15/08 "temporary end of track" of Main # 2 - 800 |
