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A Scenic California Rail Line Sits on an Eroding Cliff. Where Should the Tracks Go? (www.nytimes.com)

submitted 12 hours ago by [email protected] to c/california

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 hours ago

I used to ride that train route from a few stops south of there to visit my Dad in L.A. 10-15 years ago. Absolutely gorgeous and relaxing train ride. I always wondered when they would have to move the tracks.

Side note, I took the train instead of driving because So Cal and more specifically greater L.A. traffic was/is so horrible. On a decent day, I could make the drive in 2.5 to 3 hours battling traffic. Instead, I often chose the 4-hour train ride for the beauty and relaxation. There were a couple times when there were accidents, like someone trying to beat a train ahead of us across the tracks. Which delayed the train a few hours, but it was still better than driving.

[–] RubberElectrons 6 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago) (1 children)

This is a truly sensational train ride between LA and San Diego. For anyone wondering why they would build so close to the edge, I discovered that the tracks were originally quite far from the bluff...100yrs ago.

Time waits for no one.

[–] j4k3 6 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

It is not going to last long term. From Dana Point when that line starts paralleling the coast it is unsustainable in several areas. In DP water has already crossed the park and near the rails with no major elevation diff during a couple of king tides in recent years. The line is getting shut down or slowed through San Clemente right here by my house often because the tracks are right on the edge of rocks with the waves crashing into them a few feet below and not a half the track gage width off to the side. They keep adding rocks and fill to the worst spots, but the water is deep fast and not conducive to the efforts.

People usually do not realize this is one of the few spots in the world with deep water upwelling because of wind patterns and deep water close to shore. It is not possible to use simple methods of reinforcement to prevent erosion.

[–] RubberElectrons 2 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

Indeed, I remember on a few rides right by Clemente where salt spray was getting blasted onto the window I was sitting at as the train sped along, waves crashing alongside. Literally, riding the edge of America.

Amazing as it was, as an engineer I also immediately understood how close to the edge of service life this was.