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The double tracking of the north end of the Light Rail system actually began before the MTA shut down the north end after January 2nd, 2005. Things like preparing the grade for the second track, widening the bridge on Padonia Road, and even laying down some track was well underway in 2004.
Most of the pictures I took were out behind my house at chain marker 525. I could kick myself now that I didn't go out more often and get more pictures from all over.
Acknowledgements:
Bing Maps
Open Railway Map
Wikipedia
Google AI
Websites and other additional information sources of interest for the area:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Light_RailLink
Earlier
SB train coming into the Timonium Station, before work on the other track was started. The switch leading into the tail track, where the trains would prepare for the trip back south, was the only place on the system with a spring switch.
1/2/2005
Pictures taken on the last day of service, at the Timonium Station.
Pictures taken at and under Padonia Road.
Picture taken behind my house at chain marker 525.
These pictures were taken in Riderwood at the twin tunnels, the one on the far right is a little north of there on the bend, also, the one shot with a red signal (2nd from right) - the signal was removed during the double tracking.
2/12/2005
By the middle of February, track construction was in full swing, with the second track in place, and new ribbon rail for the original track getting ready to be installed. Pictures are from behind my house.
4/18/2005
Construction of the double crossover under the Beltway by Charles Street, taken from the Beltway overpass.
5/17/2005
Behind my house, they are getting ready to align the new rails along the original light rail alignment.
6/6/2005
Alignment is well under way.
6/16/2005
Caught in Timonium, just north of the Lowe's crossing, is an excavator with a auger for drilling holes for the catenary poles.
Meanwhile, down at the Timonium Road crossing, it is closed while they add the 2nd track, AGAIN!
7/1/2005
Another "caught behind my house" series. The "C" version also measures catenary parameters.
7/15/2005
Catenary work progressing along quite well.
7/25/2005
More catenary work.
7/26/2005
Prior to the double tracking, the MTA used a temporary fiber optic line "ty-wrapped" to the catenary poles. Below we can see the ductwork being prepared for cable installation.
8/21/2005
Up at Industry Lane in Cockeysville, the MTA uncovered more of the Baltimore & Susquehanna marble ties put in the ground in the 1833 timeframe.
More info can be found on my page for sleepers. The historical marker was put up at the Timonium Station to honor the stones.
9/23/2005
Trackwork in progress at the "Lowe's" pocket-track.
10?/2005
Work continues at Timonium at a feverous rate to get the track ready for the reopening of revenue service to Timonium.
10/09/2005
Final trackwork being done next to Lowe's.
10/30/2005
A high-rail Gradall puts the finishing touches on a new grade separation fence just inside the Beltway and adjacent to the double crossover. New chain-marker signs have been installed.
11/06/2005
Finally, trains running again! For a few weeks, the MTA ran test trains up to Timonium.
11/10/2005
Above Timonium, and just north of the pocket track at Lowes, catenary work is still going on.
12/08/2005
Revenue service returns, we're at the temporary end of the line at Timonium.
1/26/2006
These guys were taken in Timonium.
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