I called Carl Morrison and he decided to join me on a trip to San Diego. Our goal was to catch to Red Unit Circus train at several spots as it went from San Diego to Oakland. This train had Union Pacific 4436, 4569 and 4415 for power with 59 cars: four stocks, 34 coaches, 2 COFC and 19 flats for a total of 252 axles less power).
Carl picked me up before 6:00 AM and we made our way with little traffic to Del Mar and went to 7th Street and parked then walked out onto the Del Mar Bluffs and picked our photo spots. While we waited for the Circus Train, I would photograh every train movement.
The views from my photo location, which was new for me.
The surf.
Pacific Surfliner 565 for Los Angeles came by us first.
Coaster 638 on its way to San Diego. From here I walked to a bench and a different vantage point.
I sat down on Wally's Bench and we continued our wait.
Coaster 640 was heading to San Diego.
Coaster 635 heading north to Oceanside.
Pacific Surfliner 562 was bound for San Diego.
Pacific Surfliner 567 on its way to Los Angeles. I called AC Adam but with a weak Verizon signal, it took me five tries to reach him and learned that he was watching it on a San Diego webcam.
University of California at San Diego cross-country members were out on a run this morning.
The surfers were also out.
Carl was reading his Los Angeles Times while I kept a watchful eye out down the rails.
The University of California at San Diego Girls cross-country team were out on an early morning run.
Pacific Surfliner 564 was on its way to San Diego. I called AC Adam and learned the train had left San Diego.
Pacific Surfliner 769 heading to Goleta.
Coaster 644 for San Diego.
Coaster 639 for Oceanside was next by our location.
A track inspector passed us on his way south.
The clouds began to lift.
Pacific Surfliner 566 proceeding to San Diego. I thought that the Circus Train made it to Sorrento Valley and waited for Pacific Surfliner 566 there then a few minutes later, we heard a rumbling and soon saw the headlight so both readied ourselves.
Here came the Red Circus Train. We then drove to Califia Beach at San Clemente State Beach and as we arrived, Pacific Surfliner 573 went through which meant it ran around the Circus Train somewhere in San Diego County. I led the way to my favorite San Clemente photo location.
A view on a beautiful midday.
Metrolink 851 for Oceanside. We then had the signal go off, then to red and then to green. That meant the Circus Train would be next and Pacific Surfliner 572 would be held at CP Serra.
The Red Unit Circus Train at Califia Beach. From here we went to the Horseshoe Bend in Santa Ana Canyon and hiked up the trail where track space was at a bare minimum today.
The Red Unit Circus Train made its way through the Horseshoe Bend, after which Carl returned me home and I wrote this story.
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