posted
OK, the Circus is supposed to be in Anaheim form July 25 to Aug 3. It is going to San Diego after that which means the train will be handed over to the BNSF at the interchange at State College like last year (Jeff, help me with the name of this Jct.) The circus will be in Long Beach prior to Anaheim. I don't remember if that was the case last year. Does anyone know the routing of this train? If it comes down the Tustin Branch, I don't want to miss it like I did last year.
SteveD Member # 43
posted
Yup, scheduled for San Diego Aug.6-10. I'd sure guess handoff at CP College. ..from a distant observer who hopes you can indeed tape it.
SteveD Member # 43
posted
Outfit cars(i.e. living quarters) cars reported on another board already moved to Anaheim(workers bussing to L.B.?) so apparently only animal and equipment cars being suffled between venues in L.A/Basin.
dash-al Member # 2020
posted
The past three years have seen the RBBX train arrive in Anaheim from Studebaker, thru Buena Park and into Anaheim, then running on the street at Santa Ana Street and Olive Street on its way towards South Anaheim. Parts of the train on stashed on both sides of the diamonds. The people cars are now on the two storage tracks at South Anaheim, (aka Katella Stubs ??). The animal cars are usually stored on the Tustin Branch spur leading to Ganahl Lumber (near the Cerritos Avenue crossing, adjacent to the Metrolink line). The equipment flats are then scattered all over the place, just about where ever they can find a spot to park them. My guess is that there will be minimal switching on the Tustin Branch.
My own preference is to catch them loading and leaving South Anaheim. Mainly because it fits my work schedule and due to the better light in the late afternoon.
Based on the past three years, the train arrives for the street running from Long Beach/Los Angeles between 10:00am and 12 noon. As far as departure goes, that is difficult to guess. Once they left bright and early, maybe 7:30am returning on the UP tracks. Then the last two years were early evening, after the Metrolink blitz, I wanna say 8:00pm or a little earlier.
That's what I've seen... we'll see what this year brings...
------------------
anaheim-al
photography is my elixir
jst3751 Member # 1454
posted
I think the departure time is bassed on if they are ready to leave and clear both the Metrolink morning rush and the Coaster schedules.
atsf3751 Member # 1538
posted
I heard from a VERY good source today (Marlboro Local conductor) that the Circus Train should arrive in Anaheim around 11:00 AM if all goes well. Too bad, I probably won't be able to see it
jst3751 Member # 1454
posted
Ah, so close yet so far. I will be in City of Industry preparing the final touches on a new e-mail server for a client going into production that night and won't be able to get away either.
------------------ John T. Network Engineer/Consultant
bsme25 Member # 1505
posted
Circus train arrived South Anaheim at about 0955 with grungy UP 4908 and 9843. See Santa Ana thread for more.
posted
I originally thought the Marlboro Local was going to switch the Circus train but it sounds like light power, symboled E-L-A-N-A-N, is going to be heading down the branch sometime this afternoon. As of 1420, it was still out somewhere on the mainline. It will be coordinating moves with the Marlboro so there should be a lot of radio traffic just prior to it's arrival.
bsme25 Member # 1505
posted
The power for the circus train went through just before 1500. Last year, the circus train was switched by 2 roadswitchers. Today's power was 3 six axle units which leads me to believe the circus train is not going down the Metrolink but staying on the UP for now. That wouldn't make sense but neither does the power that UP sent.
SteveD Member # 43
posted
"Today's power was 3 six axle units which leads me to believe the circus train is not going down the Metrolink but staying on the UP for now". No way to get to San Diego on U.P. Train reported past Orange at 7:30P, S.A. 7:35, so he musta been rollin'. Anybody down there gonna offer a blow-by-blow description of the assembly and handoff procedure from yesterday?
5:00pm Marlboro switchers are at South Anaheim with RBBX flats between South Anaheim and the diamonds at CP College. Road power from the Union Pacific is also here; UP 9429, UP 9662 and SP 8683 (patched SP tunnelmotor). http://www.yayax.com/gateway/rbbx/sp4816-sp8683-anhrbbx-0634-c.jpg
5:15pm The Marlboro crew begins to switch the flats building the train from the back, forward. The switchers pull the equipment flats towards Anaheim station (away from CP college). http://www.yayax.com/gateway/rbbx/rbbx80709-anh-0655-c75.jpg
Eventually, the flats are in order and Marlboro pulls all of them clear of the switches to allow the road power to clear to allow the Marlboro to add the people cars to the train. Just as the road power gets to the crossing, something jams with the brakes. The three units are not able to move, the brakes won't release. http://www.yayax.com/gateway/rbbx/up8683-anhrbbx-0668-c75.jpg
[This message has been edited by dash-al (edited 08-06-2003).]
SteveD Member # 43
posted
Tnx, Al I like it when you tell me(illustrated) stories about O.C. railroads..looking fwd to Bri's vid version someday. Interesting how thwe whole thing was done w/o BNSF involvement this year.
[This message has been edited by SteveD (edited 08-07-2003).]
dash-al Member # 2020
posted I failed to mention it, but the crew on the road power was from the BNSF. There was a bit of frustration combined with company pride involved with the brakes that wouldn't release...
The BNSF crew mistakenly had one switch on one of the units up instead of down, or vice-versa, preventing the units from moving. The UP guys shrugged their shoulders as comments about "our guys got them here without a problem..." were made. Maybe one of the UP crew messed with them and "accidentally" flipped the switch ??
Who knows ?? Regardless, they got out and on the main with perfect timing for a beautiful sunset at San Clemente for the RBBX !!
I recall seeing one BNSF guy on the ground throwing switches ahead of the slow rolling train, making sure everything was lined up for a smooth transistion to the main. Then there was four or five guys in the road power.
------------------
anaheim-al
photography is my elixir
SteveD Member # 43
posted
I'm suspecting U.P, made its trackage rights deal with the commuter agencies to get from Anaheim to San Diego, anyone have a clue if they will regain their own trackage at Anaheim again en route between San Diego and Reno or get back on somewhere else(e.g. Barstow, L.A. or Colton)next week? T.O. reports it went back thru O.C in a.m. darkness8/11(ex-S.P. loco leading), passing Riverside at dawn, so not using O.C. branches for that return.
[This message has been edited by SteveD (edited 08-11-2003).]
atsf3751 Member # 1538
posted
Could it have been a BNSF crew using UP power (sort of like haulage rights)? Last year didn't they route the Circus Train up the Coast Line when it went to the Bay Area? If they do that then it'll probably stay on BNSF up to LA and then use the tracks along the LA river to the Coast Line. Or it might just as well use BNSF's Olive Sub bypass and head out over Cajon and Tehachapi.
posted 