| 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 |
Photo
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 |
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 |
