I would like to see Amtrak/Caltrans/UP and BNSF put new Wyes at the Bottom end of the Mojave Jct and top end of Burbank Jct. Example. One train leaving the Van Nuys Gemco Yard (Van Nuys,CA the old GMC Plant).Going to the east can go to the Burbank Jct and turn Left and then go to the Mojave. Then turn Right at the Mojave Jct. BNSF can use this as a better option then the Cajon Pass. One you would lose the Helpper districts on the Cajon Pass and the Trains can from for the mojave Jct to Barstow and make better timing at using speed. Amtrak can have both the Southwest Chief and the Los Angeles-Las Vegas trains go this way too. Could them go this way. Amtrak would be flying thru here. I think you could get them to do abut 100 mph or more Bewteen Barstow and Mojave. I think UP and BNSF would also benefit by getting their trains on of the LA Area faster too. Anyone Agree??
Posted by MPALMER (Member # 125) on :
I like the idea, though I don't think they would go for it. Sure the trains would go faster on the Barstow-Mojave-Lancaster segment, but much of the UP(SP) through Soledad Canyon is single track with a low speed limit. (Have you ridden Metrolink on that segment?) I would see a greater risk of delay on the UP (SP) line vs. the existing double track BNSF line.
Posted by daniel3197 (Member # 27) on :
GREAT IDEA!! I think the RRs are very short-sighted not to have installed these tracks long ago. The most needed connection at first would be to construct a Mojave WYE. This new track would run WEST from the former Santa Fe Barstow Line to the former Southern Pacific Lancaster Line SOUTH.
This would provide a much needed back-up for Cajon Pass for BOTH the BNSF and the UP. This new trackage would be useful in the event of a blockage anywhere between Barstow and Cajon Summit. The BNSF and UP could run detour any hot freight trains as well as Amtrak around a Cajon derailment this way. Amtrak's Southwest Chief did in fact run BOTH #3 and #4 this way a few months ago because of a derailment at Cajon Summit. Amtrak did have to back around the WYE at the back end of the Mojave yard then. This proves how important this new connector could be.
I wonder why the RRs have not installed this connector yet? There should at least be a manual yard lead to make this connection. This would seem to fit perfectly as a relief-valve for emergencies. Does anyone have any inside info on this??