Why do I question Deb’s wisdom? Monday illustrates a good example of why I say that. Ringling Brothers Red Unit Circus train was scheduled to depart Newark in the afternoon for its 534 mile trip to Youngstown, Ohio. The location I selected to photograh the circus train would be the Valley Road grade crossing (MP 40 on the LEHL) in Hillsborough. At 3:15, my wait would start under overcast skies and an intermittent drizzle, definitely not the best conditions. These weather conditions were definitely better when compared to the Red Unit’s trip from Philadelphia into Newark back on February 21st. Snow was my constant companion on that day!
My wait would be interrupted by NS 6140's approaching headlight on NS H74. This local freight would be working the Aeropres facility here at MP 40. While shifting some tank cars, the dispatcher questioned as to how long they would be since the circus train was about an hour away. This was around 3:55. Their response was they would be done shortly and then be heading west. At 4:45, H74 finished up their switching and proceeded to head west with eleven cars in a push-pull mode. Ahhh… it wouldn’t be long now before the circus train was here I thought.
Around 5:08, a westbound approaching headlight could be seen through the ground fog. Perhaps this finally would be what I was waiting for, the circus train. There was no chatter on my scanner to indicate this train’s symbol so I surmised it had to be the circus train. My hopes were shot down when I saw this was NS 9190 as the leader for this mixed freight. NS 33K’s sixty-four cars added up to a 4,100 foot-long train.
As the daylight started to fade and the drizzle picking up in intensity, I decided to call it a day at around 5:35. Calling my wife, I let her know that I was on my way home. She inquired if I saw the circus train and my reply was no. I then went on to say the rain was getting more intense, the existing light was fading, there was no chatter on the scanner and yadda, yadda, yadda,… She said give it fifteen more minutes. I responded by saying it wasn’t worth the wait since there was no indication it was anywhere near my location and conditions were not getting any better. With that she said “I’ll see you when you get home.”
After dinner, I decided to see why the circus train was delayed via the internet postings. I was surprised that if I had taken my wife’s advice to “…give it fifteen more minutes.” , I would have seen the circus train! It was passing through Port Reading Jct at 5:47. That location was a little over two miles east from where I was. Once again the “15 minute rule” was in effect on this day. This rule states that fifteen minutes after you leave a spot, the train you have been waiting for will appear! I suppose that next time I should also take my wife’s advice and stay.