2011 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Train - Red Train - Oakland, CA

[daniel3197]

WOW !!! I FINALLY got to see this thing pass
the Atherton Caltrain platform at about 9:19 PM going north at milepost 27.8 ( from San Francisco).
That BNSF 4724 sure had a BEAUTIFUL Santa Fe type horn (ATSF 1980s era type).
I think that would be an S3L type of horn if my memory is correct.
---- Daniel

[Espee / N4VAL]

BNSF638 was very close. The train departed Bakersfield at 4 am. I knew I couldn't get a shot while it was still dark so I drove up the San Joaquin Valley as I normally do photographing all trains. I made it up to the BNSF yard just south of Stockton and got one shot of the Circus Train just as the lead loco passed under Mariposa Rd / county hwy J7. That will most likely be my last time seeing that train for this year.

[chris_wlkr]

So did the BNSF power stay on the train out of Stockton?

[MargaretSPfan]

The BNSF 4724 and the 2 UP locomotives were, indeed,
pulling the train when we saw it in Atherton (MP 27.8 on
the SF Peninsula line). That Santa Fe horn made a glorious
sound!

According to what we heard last night on railroadradio.net,
the locomotives will stay with the train while the circus is
in San Francisco. It was great seeing a BNSF locomotive on
the SF Peninsula! (Now, if that had been a Warbonnet.....!!)

[Espee / N4VAL]

(08-30-2011 11:35 AM)MargaretSPfan Wrote:  The BNSF 4724 and the 2 UP locomotives were, indeed,
pulling the train when we saw it in Atherton (MP 27.8 on
the SF Peninsula line). That Santa Fe horn made a glorious
sound!

According to what we heard last night on railroadradio.net,
the locomotives will stay with the train while the circus is
in San Francisco. It was great seeing a BNSF locomotive on
the SF Peninsula! (Now, if that had been a Warbonnet.....!!)

That would be interesting if it did stay with the train. In the 3 times I've seen this train traveling Southern and Central California I did not see the same locomotives pulling it. In Bakersfield the engines disconnected from the train and departed for power elsewhere after situating the railcars.

[daniel3197]

I Saw it pass Atherton at 1:16AM Caltrain platform heading south to Santa Clara then north to Oakland for the next show.
The UP locos were back-to-back to facilitate easy reversal at Santa Clara (San Jose).
UP 4041 followed by UP 4683.
The flats were up front and the 2 animal baggage cars were at the rear

The Atherton Police commander was very happy that we alerted him to its passing.
I am very happy I could share it with him too.

----- Daniel

[chris_wlkr]

Thanks for the update.

They have a 2 pm scheduled arrival in Oakland for what it is worth. Info shows they went to San Jose and should depart from there around 10:30.... again, for whatever that is worth as they have not been keeping the schedules I have seen for most of their jumps.

Chris

[UP3985fan]

Looks like its already been through Richmond and Emeryville few hrs ago.

[UP3985fan]

Probably pulling out of Roseville area about 0930 tomorrow morning.

[BNSF638]

ok so sorry for the late posts and now here is The Circus Train in Bakersfield California as promissed
http://atsf7.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4iddsp
http://atsf7.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4ia18g
http://atsf7.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4iabpy
http://atsf7.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4idcro
http://atsf7.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4idd5u
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