Western Railroad Discussion > New Control Point

December of last year, the new crossovers and switch at milepost 685 appeared along with the prerequisite grading TO link. A return visit Saturday revealed some progress, but not the changes expected. The signal crews that had spent their time positioning the new signal bridge for lifting had all departed by the time this 2x0 ascended the grade, horn and bell both sounding around 2:16PM. It was speculated by those in attendance that this could become East Ash Hill.
Be of good cheer,
—Mac
www.lowellamrine.com

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Nice video! Two questions though...

1- Are they planning to add a third main on the far side of the right of way where the trucks are parked?

2- Was this train a 'repo' train moving empty containers back to the port? Just wondering judging from the size of the train and the power assigned....

Thanks!

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

Nice coverage. Two units ALMOST always mean a repo train. Destined either San Bernardino or Los Angeles, JB Hunt never goes to the ports. Some of these trains pass through Palmer Lake.
JB

Alway enjoy your witty prose, and in this case interesting back story, whenever you photo and video document the TransCon trains.

This is where the third track, now in place from West Siberia but not yet in service, will become four tracks the rest of the way up the hill.
—Mac

mojaveflyer Wrote:
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> 1- Are they planning to add a third main on the
> far side of the right of way where the trucks are
> parked?
 

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Four tracks on Ash Hill, who would have ever thought.
JB

Very interesting post Mac!

Larry

A needed capital improvement for sure but I'm bummed the Ash Hill wye bit the dust . . .

eljay Wrote:
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> A needed capital improvement for sure but I'm
> bummed the Ash Hill wye bit the dust . . .

I know the legs of the wye were disconnected for this work.  Do we know this is a permanent thing or could they be reconnected once the new trackwork is done?

SCAX3401 Wrote:
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> eljay Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > A needed capital improvement for sure but I'm
> > bummed the Ash Hill wye bit the dust . . .
>
> I know the legs of the wye were disconnected for
> this work.  Do we know this is a permanent thing
> or could they be reconnected once the new
> trackwork is done?

Is the wye still needed?

Predicated on Murphy's Law, less than a day after it is removed.
—Mac

PHall Wrote:
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> Is the wye still needed?

Any pictures of the new concrete tie turnouts and crossovers going in there? First time I've ever seen BNSF install concrete tie switches on their own accord. 

Yes, see this post from last year.
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,6076890,6076890#6076890
—Mac

NWrailfan Wrote:
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> Any pictures of the new concrete tie turnouts and
> crossovers going in there? First time I've ever
> seen BNSF install concrete tie switches on their
> own accord. 

MacBeau Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Predicated on Murphy's Law, less than a day after
> it is removed.
> —Mac
>
> PHall Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Is the wye still needed?

I ask the question because the reason the wye was there in the first place was to turn the steam locomotive helpers. Diesels don't usually need to be turned, they just change ends.
So, is this wye still needed?

Over the last three decades, a lot of MOW equipment has been seen both stored and turned on it, suggesting it might still be of use.
—Mac

PHall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I ask the question because the reason the wye was
> there in the first place was to turn the steam
> locomotive helpers. Diesels don't usually need to
> be turned, they just change ends.
> So, is this wye still needed?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/26 12:16 by MacBeau.

MacBeau Wrote:
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> Over the last three decades, a lot of MOW
> equipment has been seen both stored and turned on
> it, suggesting it might still be of use.
> —Mac
>

I guess we'll have our answer when they finish the project and the wye is either reconnected or not reconnected.