Is there an obstacle (bridge, overpasss, small RoW) between La Veta (173.2) and Lincoln (174.7) that prevents this short segment from easily being double tracked? It seems to be a bottleneck at times. I don't reside in So Cal, otherwise I would ride the trains to see for myself. Thanks in advance.
------------------ Randy C. McAllen, TX
Posted by MPALMER (Member # 125) on :
I believe this segment is in a narrow right-of-way. The route travels through a medium density suburban area. There is a freeway underpass and bridge over a small creek, and the line also runs parallel to a residential street.
Posted by Santa Fe All the Way (Member # 526) on :
I could be wrong but if you are talking about the Orange Olive part of the line, there are two major obstacles. First going south, the line crosses the 91 freeway on a single track overpass. This still has faded Santa Fe heralds if you look closely. Right after this the line crosses the Santa Ana River on a series of bridges. One section used to be wooden, but Metrolink smartly rebuilt this section into modern concrete. As for double tracking this line, these two obstacles would prove costly. In addition to this, the line connects to the BNSF mainline at Atwood. Double traking would make this a confusing junction at an already crowded location. Also this line really forms a large "Y" from Atwood to Fullerton and connecting in Orange. The line out of Fullerton is Double tracked because in addition to Metrolink, Amtrak uses this line. The Atwood part only carries Metrolink and the occasional local San Diego frieght.
Posted by fubu05 (Member # 465) on :
I ride the Surfliners quite often, and have noticed surveyors looking to where they can connect the section of track that runs from XFT-Fullerton Junction to La Veta (Orange Station area), and the one that runs from Avery to Lincoln. Metrolink is presently doing an EIR about this segment. I am expecting a bid for construction soon. You should check http://www.metrolinktrains.com and click on the contracting page and you will see more info there.