Cajon Pass Fire

[Santa Fe Guy]

Must have been very scary for folks who live in the area Otto.
We have fires like that during some summers here in Victoria.
Thank goodness for the crews & all of the volunteers.
Rod.

[jpwisc]

That bridge is going to be a pain in UP's side for a while. The crossover at Summit for contingencies is in the wrong direction in this case.

That style bridge can be replaced in less than a week. Standardization of components means they probably have some concrete pans laying on flatcars ready to go for just this situation. As soon as the road in is open, a pile driving hammer will be on site to run new pile as fast as the old bridge can be cleared out.

[Cajonpassfan]

It will be interesting to see whether UP will replace the two spans with like structures. After all, the original bridge was built over a four lane divided highway that's no longer there. A single 40' or 50' span would probably be adequate today, but of course that would involve an extended fill and a new abutment. Also, the condition of the center steel pier will play into it. We'll see soon enough.
Otto K.

[Ike the BN Freak]

They were laying track on the bridge last Friday when I went through the pass. By Sunday when we returned, it looked like it was complete and ready for train traffic again.

Atleast if that bridge is the one I think it is. Right off the side of I-15