California - Inland Empire

The new Redlands Metrolink Arrow service at the University station that’s on the edge of the University of Redlands. The new service started on 10/24/2022, just 5 days before this photo was taken. \n\nThe University station is on the east end of the line and probably would not be busy on weekends (this was a Saturday). About 8 passengers got off when the train pulled in, and the ones that I spoke to were all riding it just to check out the service. I use Metrolink to go into LA some times and, since this station is the closest to the freeway and to Palm Springs, I expect to be using it fairly often in the future. For more details about the service and trains, click on the Arrow tag for all photos.

The county transportation authority’s description of the Metrolink Arrow focuses on their designation as DMUs (‘Diesel Multiple Units’) which are smaller, more efficient, and cheaper to operate than Metrolink’s standard locomotives. The design was chosen to fit with the increasing need for both expanded local service between Redland and San Bernardino, and for connecting Redlands with the larger Metrolink trains that run from San Bernardino to LA. The trains were built in Salt Lake City, UT by Stadler , a Swiss company with an 80 year history of building railroad equipment. For more details about the service and trains, click on the Arrow tag for all photos.

One of the new Tier 4 locomotives introduced into Metrolink service just a couple of weeks previous. The locomotives are a progressive move by Metrolink to shift to locomotives that are far more efficient and cleaner burning than their current fleet. See the link below. Unfortunately, this one was having some ‘newbie’ jitters – the train was canceled due to some problems related to the locomotive. I didn’t hear enough to know whether the problem was with the locomotive, or with Metrolink getting accustomed to the new locomotive. www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/63014/metrolink-tier-4-clean-locomotives

Site of Cajon Station in Cajon Pass. Cajon Station was established in 1885, remained active until 1961, and was removed in 1962. Both the UP and BNSF run through Cajon Pass. While this portion is relatively flat, the pass is a steep climb out of the LA Basin into the high desert. See: www.sbsun.com/general-news/20141013/once-thriving-railroad-depots-vanished-from-cajon-pass Taken on the first day of a week's trip exploring in the Sierras.

Another view of the Assembly Hall of the school shown in nearby pictures. What this photo at least partially illustrates is the setting of the school. As the house behind the Assembly Hall suggests, this striking architecture is (like school buildings in general) in a residential area of a small town. One of the surprising things, for me, about much of the very innovative architecture of the New Deal, is that it was used in small towns across the west. Often, I expect, in towns where the architecture might have been considered to be too radical for the town.

(This is a retake of a previously posted picture, taken at a time when there was less shadow on the building) "Books invite all They constrain none", on the library of the former Banning High School. The building is a striking example of architectural detail in the former Banning High School, now Nicolet Middle School. To me the texts, the font used in the text, and the complex detail around the doors suggest the PWA Moderne style of the New Deal, a variation on streamline moderne. A source in Banning has told me that the buildings are WPA. Additional documentation forthcoming.

"Society is as ancient as the world", on the assembly hall of the former Banning High School. The building is a striking example of architectural detail in the former Banning High School, now Nicolet Middle School. I could not find any information about the design of these buildings. To me they suggest the PWA Moderne of the New Deal, a variation on streamline moderne. A plaque on the grounds, though, suggests that they were built in 1914, which would be before the New Deal or art deco.

Assembly Hall - music, drama. The building is a striking example of architectural detail in the former Banning High School, now Nicolet Middle School. To me they suggest the PWA Moderne style of the New Deal, a variation on streamline moderne. A source in Banning has told me that the buildings are WPA. Additional documentation forthcoming.

Administration building of the former Banning High School. The style of curve in the windows is a common element in PWA Moderne architecture. The building is a striking example of architectural detail in the former Banning High School, now Nicolet Middle School. To me they suggest the PWA Moderne style of the New Deal, a variation on streamline moderne. A source in Banning has told me that the buildings are WPA. Additional documentation forthcoming.

"The world is my book", on the library of the former Banning High School. The building is a striking example of architectural detail in the former Banning High School, now Nicolet Middle School. To me they suggest the PWA Moderne style of the New Deal, a variation on streamline moderne. A source in Banning has told me that the buildings are WPA. Additional documentation forthcoming.

Administration building of the former Banning High School. The building is a striking example of architectural detail in the former Banning High School, now Nicolet Middle School. To me they suggest the PWA Moderne style of the New Deal, a variation on streamline moderne. A source in Banning has told me that the buildings are WPA. Additional documentation forthcoming.

Grave of "unknown male 1935"

Cross for an infant that lived just over 3 months in 1927.

Below the slope, a much more maintained section of cemetery.

Looking across this section of the cemetery, the slope above had very many of the simple markers at graves without tombstones.

Tombstone in a barely maintained part of a larger cemetery in Banning. Though the section had very little indication of maintenance, there were small placards placed at each grave. This grave was for an infant that died in 1930.

Interesting collection of animal statues at a residence in Banning (specific location intentionally left out).

Interesting collection of animal statues at a residence in Banning (specific location intentionally left out).