The Northbound Chase of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Blue Unit Circus Train 8/27/2012
by Chris Guenzler
Bill Compton picked me up at 5:30 AM and we drove south down Interstate 5 towards Solana Beach where we would do some railroad photography while waiting for the Circus Train to arrive.
Pacific Surfliner 763 was our first train of the day at Solana Beach.
Next came Coaster 636 on its way to San Diego.
Coaster 631 next departed for Oceanside.
Coaster 638 boundfor San Diego.
Coaster 638 met Pacific Surfliner 563.
Pacific Surfliner 563 heading to Los Angeles.
Coaster 640 on its way to San Diego. From here we moved to the bridge at the south end of Solana Beach.
Coaster 635 heading to Oceanside.
Pacific Surfliner 562 making its way to San Diego. We then drove north to the south end of Cardiff-by-the-Sea to our next location.
Pacific Surfliner 567 came by our location, running ten minutes late in its trip to Los Angeles.
Pacific Surfliner 564 snuck up on us but we caught the going-away picture.
Coaster 644 for San Diego.
Pacific Surfliner 769 for Goleta headed north, after which I took a short walk.
Coaster 639 for Oceanside came by my location.
Pacific Surfliner 566 bound for San Diego. We relocated to the State Beach south of Del Mar and I paid for parking then we walked up to the bank of the old US highway 101 bridge and would wait here.
Pacific Surfliner 573 heading to Los Angeles south of Del Mar.
Coaster 646 on its way San Diego.
Pacific Surfliner 768 proceeding to San Diego.
Pacific Surfliner 777 for San Luis Obispo. Now, since we had been in contact with Carl Morrison aboard the Circus Train, we knew the next double red signal would be our train and once it came into view, Bill and I were ready for our first Circus Train pictures of the day.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Blue Unit Train Consist
Cars not in order
BNSF 7763
BNSF 7760
BNSF 7715
BNSF 7720
4 RBBX 63009 Stock 1 UP 5762 Postal/Storage
3 RBBX 60006 Stock 2 UP 6312 Baggage/Messenger
2 RBBX 60010 Stock 3 UP 6318 Baggage/Messenger
1 RBBX 60017 Stock 4 UP 6304 Baggage/Messenger
5 RBBX 60001 Shop Circus Train Crew UP 5749
6 RBBX 40016 Coach 178 UP 5433
7 RBBX 41301 Coach 168 PRR 8242 Anderson Inn
8 RBBX 42103 Coach 169 GN 1230
9 RBBX 41305 Coach PRR 8263 Jeanette Inn
8 RBBX 42103 Coach 169 GN 1230
10 RBBX 41405 Coach 170 SAL 55 Cedartown
11 RBBX 40011 Coach 180 UP Alpine Pass
12 RBBX 42015 Coach 179 UP 5432
13 RBBX 42016 Coach 178 UP 55433
14 RBBX 43003 Coach 177 UP 5507
15 RBBX 42010 Coach 183 1/2 N&W Pulaski County
16 RBBX 41309 Coach 175 N&W Duke University
17 RBBX 41308 Coach 174 PRR 8268 Lima View
18 RBBX 43009 Coach 173 UP 5418
19 RBBX 40006 Coach 172 UP 5459
20 RBBX 43007 Coach 171 UP 5540
21 RBBX 63010 Pie Car 181 UP 5770 {Postal/Storage}
22 RBBX 63007 Generator 182 UP 5761{Postal/Storage}
Block Totals Loads: 61 Gross Tons: 4664 Length: 5,427 ft.
It finally came by our photo location.
There you have our first pictures of the northbound chase of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Blue Unit Circus Train south of Del Mar. Now let the chase begin with the next stop at Califia Beach.