A ballast train works on laying the last section of ballast on the new Truxton Flyover on Oct. 25, 2020. After 10 months of construction, the Truxton Flyover is designed to create an easier traffic flow from "right-hand running" to "left-hand running".
From Barstow, CA to Truxton, AZ, eastbound trains use main track two (south track) because the grades of Ash Hill, Ibis, and Kingman Canyon. From Truxton to Belen, NM, eastbound trains run on main track one (north track) because of grade separation going over the Continental Divide in New Mexico. As a result of that, the fueling locations in Belen, NM are designed for "left-hand running".
Prior to the flyover, trains would have to cross over from one track, to another, via dispatcher controlled switches. This resulted in trains waiting for one of another to clear the switches. With a flyover, it'll create a continuous traffic flow of trains going from main one to main two.
