3/7 - 3/10/2008 Cardiff by the Tracks - Volume 2

March brought us back to one of the finest campgrounds on the west coast, it was WCRF's return to San Elijo State beach in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

With Mike and myself having to work on the Friday that the rest of the group actually arrived at the camp site we decided to start our trip early. We met up with Jared early in the morning on Friday scouting locations before Mike and I had to go into work for the evening. After finally managing to meet up with Jared we were able to catch a northbound Surfliner.



After that we headed up to Cardiff to a location that was just north of the actual campground itself where we waited for a southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. Prior to the trains arrival a guy showed up to bless the rails with his music.




Next up was a trip to Torrey Pines State Beach for another southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train before Mike and I proceeded to work.

Day Two

Day two started with a trip to BNSF's yard to see if there was any action going on... Unfortunately it was dead! Grabbed some shots of the yard RCL's and cruised over and got some shots of SDIY's former CORP units.





After that was a trip to Santa Fe depot where we decided to start chasing Coaster Train # north. After getting a couple shots prior to the trains departure, we made our way over to CP Morena





After catching the northbound Coaster at Morena, Mike and I jumped on the 5 and hauled up the coast to Torrey Pines State beach to try to get ahead of the train. A phone call to Chris and the gang confirmed that they were further north hunting Jared's southbound Amtrak train but they thought they had missed it. It turns out that Mike and I were in the perfect location to catch it because just as I hang up with him Jared's train arrived.




After waiting at Sorrento Valley, our northbound Coaster was on his way.



After taking a break Mike and I join up with the group back at TPSB and we all head underneath the 101 to wait for a few trains. Brett and Chris wait for trains as Jeff claims another ballast hill as his own.




The first of which had a familiar consist... It was the same Coaster train that we had been chasing northbound, this time comin south.





The next train was a southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Train.




Waiting in Sorrento was a northbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Train.




Our next stop took us just along the Del Mar Fairgrounds at CP Crosby where we thought we were just going to be catching a northbound Coaster... Boy were we in for a surprise. In the distance we all heard a horn that was immediately recognized as a northbound freight. Moments later we were greeted by BNSF 762.




Right on the heels of the autorack train was the northbound Coaster train that we had been waiting for.




The daylight was nearly gone and we all headed back to camp to catch one of the coolest sunsets I've seen in a long time.




What's this we hear over the scanners as we all sit around the fire? BNSF 7717, you'll be waiting at CP Cardiff for a Northbound Surfliner. Myself, Jeff, Brett, Mike and Jared all look at each other and are like SCORE! That's right across the street! I grab my tripod, and run across the street in my trademark flip flops, socks and some sweatpants (no shorts, it was cold!).

Sprinter's Opening Day

After all the hub bub, the day was finally here for North County Transit District's Sprinter service to begin.









All images and content © 2008 Marshall K Starks, unless otherwise noted.