I knew that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Train was going to run over both Tehachapi Loop and Cajon Pass on Monday July 9, 2012 and had always wanted to chase and photograph this train. I called Carl Morrison who thought that was a fantastic idea so we agreed to meet at my house at 10:20 AM because I had to take my mother to the eye doctor for an 8:50 AM appointment. I drove her there and waited outside then at 9:50, went inside and she still had not yet been seen. She turned me loose knowing I had to meet Carl, we left my house at 10:15 AM and my mother received a ride home from Pilar Franzen, my sister-in-law's mother, and I want to thank both of them for allowing us to get going.
I knew of an accident on Interstate 5 so we took California Highway 57 and Interstate 210 to get to Interstate 5. As we started up the Grapevine, it was 101 degrees outside but as we neared Fraser Park, it was only 86 degrees, and down in the San Joaquin Valley, it was only 94 degrees when we stopped at the Subway at Laval Road. I called Winston Walker to see if there was an update on the train's location and was told 1:40 PM into Bakersfield from a post on Trainorders.com. We drove north to 7th Standard Road and crossing the Union Pacific, saw a headlight coming.
A Union Pacific light engine move. We relocated north to Lerdo Highway and set up then my phone rang with Winston informing me the train was in Bakersfield with a high green at Kern Jct. Talk about wrong information. We drove back to Bakersfield, hitting every red light coming into town but Carl and I kept our cool knowing that we would catch the train somewhere. He was not at Bakersfield nor Edison and there was no sign of him at Sandcut or Bena.
After the double track ended at Bena, we came around the corner and sitting there was the rear of the Circus Train. Talk about two very happy railfans. We drove straight to Tunnel 2 and set up as I showed Carl all the different photo options this spot gives the photographer. We waited and soon we saw the train exiting Tunnel 1 and coming our way. A special thank you to Winston Walker for that update that made us come here.
The Blue Unit Circus Train at Tunnel 2.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Blue Unit Train Consist
Carl and I were both very happy with what we had just photographed. From here we drove to the hill above the Tehachapi Loop, hiked the trail and set up. There we met several other nice railfan and Carl really liked this location as it was his first time taking pictures here. We spotted the train coming through Woodford then we knew the fun would start again right below our vantage point.
The Blue Unit Circus Train rounded the Tehachapi Loop and headed for Marcel. We drove straight to Mojave where we filled the van with petrol then drove to the California Highway 14 bridge over the mainlines south of town. I went up on the bridge and Carl took his pictures below.
The Blue Unit Circus Train left Mojave with BNSF 5271 West waiting for him to clear the junction. We returned to the van and drove along Sierra Highway finding a spot for our next pictures.
