Trains at the Beach

[DeLuz John]

Last night (Monday, Aug. 14) I visited friends at a campsite at Cardiff State Beach, right on the Pacific Ocean about 15 miles north of San Diego.  The BNSF line runs parallel to Old Highway 101 (the folks in LA call it PCH) and very close to the campground.  Over about 1½ hours, I was amazed at houw much rail traffic there was.  Two Coaster trains in each direction, most running in push mode at more than 60 mph.  One short freight in each direction, and three engines running light going south, moving at a pretty good clip.  Amazing how much high-speed traffic they can get on a single-track main.  Not a bad way to spend the evening, either.  Kicking back in front of a nice campfire with a frosty margarita, surf sounds on one side and trains passing on the other.  Cool.