joe circus
Well-Known Member
I can't find much info online about the Pawnee Bill wagon, but here it is, in front of the hobby shop on my layout.
And at CWM in 2015.
And at CWM in 2015.
Winterquarters/Car Shops for circus and showtrains
- Thread starter enjineerbill
- Start date
joe circus
Well-Known Member
The Sparks Sea Serpent Tableau, originated in 1913. After several stops along the way it came to CWM in 1964. Mine is painted ( sorta ) as the 1965 parade version.
In 2009 it was restored to the original red.
In 2009 it was restored to the original red.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
The Circus World Elephant Tab is the AG Barnes one from 1921, built in California about 1921. ( CTM model here )
My shot from Circus World. below.
Not to be confused with the Hagenbeck Wallace Elephant Tab, from 1906, built in Denver. Or the Sells-Floto Elephant Tab from 1905ish, built in Cincinnati. Those two are easy to confuse with each other since the Sells-Floto Tab, was in the Hagenbeck Wallace Parades in 1933 and 1934.
The Sells-Floto lives at Ringling in Sarasota. The HW may have been lost at Peru, IN.
I have another elephant tab, I don't know which one it is atm, we'll see when I get to that one.
My shot from Circus World. below.
Not to be confused with the Hagenbeck Wallace Elephant Tab, from 1906, built in Denver. Or the Sells-Floto Elephant Tab from 1905ish, built in Cincinnati. Those two are easy to confuse with each other since the Sells-Floto Tab, was in the Hagenbeck Wallace Parades in 1933 and 1934.
The Sells-Floto lives at Ringling in Sarasota. The HW may have been lost at Peru, IN.
I have another elephant tab, I don't know which one it is atm, we'll see when I get to that one.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
This one is the Lion and Gladiator Bandwagon, from the winter of 1910-1911. Fortunate to have been spared from the great wagon burnings of 1941, at Peru, it made the flatcar trek ( '44 ) to Sarasota, for a repaint and some parade use. It was loaned to the Circus World Museum in 1984 and recalled to the Feld Entertainment Complex in Sarasota in 2013.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
Well, seems like I got sidetracked. ( see what I did there ) You would've thought I had even more time to post the rest of these wagons, but that's not how it played out.
I think I got stuck because I have little to no info on the next several wagons in my series of pix.
Time for the show to go on.
I think I got stuck because I have little to no info on the next several wagons in my series of pix.
Time for the show to go on.
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joe circus
Well-Known Member
The Circus World Museum Great Wallenda's Wagon.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
Circus World Museum Baggage Wagon
ETA: This is baggage wagon #203, it "may" have been on the Hagenback Wallace prior to arriving at CWM.
ETA: This is baggage wagon #203, it "may" have been on the Hagenback Wallace prior to arriving at CWM.
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joe circus
Well-Known Member
I'll let you guys look these over and see if you can help me out with some info.
After that I think I have 26 more wagons to post.
After that I think I have 26 more wagons to post.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
The next image I have is of the Golden Bros. / Lee Bros. / Ken Maynard Air Calliope. While it's build date and maker are unknown it appears in pictures of the Golden Bros Circus in 1924. George Christy bought the show at the end of the season and this air calliope went to his 2nd unit, Lee Bros, for use in 1924 and '25. He parked it in his storage field where it lived until Ken Maynard bought it in 1936 for the Diamond K Wild West Show.
It spent some time at an amusement park before Disney acquired it in 1955, where it did Mickey Mouse Club duty and appeared in movies.
In 1965 Disney donated it to Circus World.
circuswagons.org has pix of the wagon in white and red and green.
on the layout
And at Circus World in 2015.
It spent some time at an amusement park before Disney acquired it in 1955, where it did Mickey Mouse Club duty and appeared in movies.
In 1965 Disney donated it to Circus World.
circuswagons.org has pix of the wagon in white and red and green.
on the layout
And at Circus World in 2015.
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joe circus
Well-Known Member
The Sells Floto Circus Three Arch Cage # 19 appears to make it's first appearance in 1924, and again in '27,'29, and '30. It was most likely built in the Peru, Indiana winter quarters of the American Circus Corporation.
It seems to have worn red and #21 from '32 forward.
It stayed in Red until 1937, when the white was first seen. In 1938 it rode with the Hagenback-Wallace, when the show folded it went to the Al G Barnes winter lot, back out in 1939 as the Great American Circus, another quick fold and back to the Al G Barnes winter lot.
After Louis Goebel bought the wagons for his movie prop business, much of it was then leased t out in 1945 for the Arthur bros. Circus.
After a long stint at Jungleland and / or World Jungle Compound in Thousand Oaks, California, #21 went to Universal in 1961.
Universal donated it the the Circus World Museum in 1963 and there it was restored to it's former glory, and featured #19 again.
atm, I don't know if this is The Sparkling Star model or the CTM.
I do know this is at Circus World.
It seems to have worn red and #21 from '32 forward.
It stayed in Red until 1937, when the white was first seen. In 1938 it rode with the Hagenback-Wallace, when the show folded it went to the Al G Barnes winter lot, back out in 1939 as the Great American Circus, another quick fold and back to the Al G Barnes winter lot.
After Louis Goebel bought the wagons for his movie prop business, much of it was then leased t out in 1945 for the Arthur bros. Circus.
After a long stint at Jungleland and / or World Jungle Compound in Thousand Oaks, California, #21 went to Universal in 1961.
Universal donated it the the Circus World Museum in 1963 and there it was restored to it's former glory, and featured #19 again.
atm, I don't know if this is The Sparkling Star model or the CTM.
I do know this is at Circus World.
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joe circus
Well-Known Member
Rico, I've read this entire thread,well, I don't know how many times...lol
joe circus
Well-Known Member
The Cole Brothers America Tableau is next up. It looks quite different than the original, which was built by the Sebastian Wagon Co. of New York in 1902.
It was on the road with Barnum & Bailey in 1903 and 1904. Then in the Bridgeport winter quarters 1905/1906, and sold to Ringling in 1907. Even with the new owner, it still toured with Barnum 1907-1918.
A major remodel changed the upper portion and it was paraded on the combined RBBB in 1919 & 1920.
It was back to winter quarters until it was purchased by George Christy in the winter of '25/'26. The Christy Bros. Circus used this wagon from 1927 to 1930, then off to their Houston winter quarters until 1934. The all new Cole brothers became the new owner.
Following the fire of 1940 in Rochester, where their newly built calliope had been lost to the flames, the America tableau was converted to a calliope and hit the road in 1940.
The Cole Brothers took new winter quarters in Louisville where the America rested until riding the rails again in 1946 through 1949.
It toured one more year, 1950, after some modifications in Miami, the new winter quarters. At the end of that tour it was left in Peru, IN. It lived there until 1952 when it was sold to boiler specialists Cleaver-Brooks, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
They donated it to Circus World in December of 1958. Three restorations ( https://www.circuswagons.org/calliopes-and-musical-instruments/america/ has pix of all three ) were done in the shops of the Circus World Museum and in 1998 the brightly colored look of the 1939 Cole show was returned to the America. The number was then changed back to # 76.
On the layout,
And in the shop at Circus World.
It was on the road with Barnum & Bailey in 1903 and 1904. Then in the Bridgeport winter quarters 1905/1906, and sold to Ringling in 1907. Even with the new owner, it still toured with Barnum 1907-1918.
A major remodel changed the upper portion and it was paraded on the combined RBBB in 1919 & 1920.
It was back to winter quarters until it was purchased by George Christy in the winter of '25/'26. The Christy Bros. Circus used this wagon from 1927 to 1930, then off to their Houston winter quarters until 1934. The all new Cole brothers became the new owner.
Following the fire of 1940 in Rochester, where their newly built calliope had been lost to the flames, the America tableau was converted to a calliope and hit the road in 1940.
The Cole Brothers took new winter quarters in Louisville where the America rested until riding the rails again in 1946 through 1949.
It toured one more year, 1950, after some modifications in Miami, the new winter quarters. At the end of that tour it was left in Peru, IN. It lived there until 1952 when it was sold to boiler specialists Cleaver-Brooks, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
They donated it to Circus World in December of 1958. Three restorations ( https://www.circuswagons.org/calliopes-and-musical-instruments/america/ has pix of all three ) were done in the shops of the Circus World Museum and in 1998 the brightly colored look of the 1939 Cole show was returned to the America. The number was then changed back to # 76.
On the layout,
And in the shop at Circus World.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
For today's installment we'll go with the F J Taylor Circus Yellow Tableau Wagon. Maybe better known as the Dragon & Mirror Wagon.
FJ Taylor, Jr put out a show, which lasted a month, in 1925, which featured this wagon as #1. It was probably a baggage wagon on his father's ( he had a railroad show in 1886 and then a wagon show from 1890 through 1904 ) circus before being dressing up.
In 1961, Mrs EJ Larson, Frank Taylor Jr's daughter, donated it to the Circus World Museum, where it now wears #52.
FJ Taylor, Jr put out a show, which lasted a month, in 1925, which featured this wagon as #1. It was probably a baggage wagon on his father's ( he had a railroad show in 1886 and then a wagon show from 1890 through 1904 ) circus before being dressing up.
In 1961, Mrs EJ Larson, Frank Taylor Jr's daughter, donated it to the Circus World Museum, where it now wears #52.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
I'll drop this image of the Schlitz Bandwagon here and circle back when I finish my research.
As I'm sure you know, Schlitz was a major supporter of Circus World, The Great Circus Train, and the Parade, in the late 1960's and early 1970's. They bought the train cars and many of the wagons and in turn donated them to the Circus World Museum.
In the winter of '72/'73, a project began to honor Schlitz Brewing for their support. The building of a new wagon! And, it first appeared in the 1973 Old Milwaukee Days Circus Parade with a 40 horse hitch. It was used in various parades until 1993.
As I'm sure you know, Schlitz was a major supporter of Circus World, The Great Circus Train, and the Parade, in the late 1960's and early 1970's. They bought the train cars and many of the wagons and in turn donated them to the Circus World Museum.
In the winter of '72/'73, a project began to honor Schlitz Brewing for their support. The building of a new wagon! And, it first appeared in the 1973 Old Milwaukee Days Circus Parade with a 40 horse hitch. It was used in various parades until 1993.
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joe circus
Well-Known Member
Today's topic is the Ringling Brothers Giraffe / Elephant Wagon.
It is unclear who originally built the wagon, but the wagon and it's resident giraffe arrived at the Ringling Winter Quarters in Dec of 1892, after the purchase of both from the John Robinson Circus, near Cincinnati.
It must have been a sight as the wagon was transported on a flat car, with Mamie, the giraffe, inside, with a large structure built around Maime and her cage wagon home, made of wood and canvas and using a wood stove to keep the zero degree temp at bay.
As if that's not unique enough, she was over 13 ears old and tended for that entire time by Giraffe John, who, it is said, slept in a small space in the front end of the wagon.
In 1897 the wagon was modified and became home to The Royal White Elephant of Siam. It still featured the keeper's "quarters" in the front of the wagon. After a fire while traveling on the show train in 1898, it sat vacant for 1899 & 1900.
After Ringling found another giraffe it seems possible/likely ( they were cousins after all ) that the wagon was restored by the Moeller wagon company of Baraboo during the winter of 1900-1901. While I can't locate any more info, it appears that it may have been in use into the 1910's.
The wagon located at The Circus World Museum is a reconstruction, built in 1985. My model appears to be this version and matches a picture in a book published in 1994. The version I saw at Circus World in 2015 features different paint and matches 2012 and 2015 images online.
In front of the hobby shop.
At Circus World.
It is unclear who originally built the wagon, but the wagon and it's resident giraffe arrived at the Ringling Winter Quarters in Dec of 1892, after the purchase of both from the John Robinson Circus, near Cincinnati.
It must have been a sight as the wagon was transported on a flat car, with Mamie, the giraffe, inside, with a large structure built around Maime and her cage wagon home, made of wood and canvas and using a wood stove to keep the zero degree temp at bay.
As if that's not unique enough, she was over 13 ears old and tended for that entire time by Giraffe John, who, it is said, slept in a small space in the front end of the wagon.
In 1897 the wagon was modified and became home to The Royal White Elephant of Siam. It still featured the keeper's "quarters" in the front of the wagon. After a fire while traveling on the show train in 1898, it sat vacant for 1899 & 1900.
After Ringling found another giraffe it seems possible/likely ( they were cousins after all ) that the wagon was restored by the Moeller wagon company of Baraboo during the winter of 1900-1901. While I can't locate any more info, it appears that it may have been in use into the 1910's.
The wagon located at The Circus World Museum is a reconstruction, built in 1985. My model appears to be this version and matches a picture in a book published in 1994. The version I saw at Circus World in 2015 features different paint and matches 2012 and 2015 images online.
In front of the hobby shop.
At Circus World.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
Today, let's take a look at the Great Britain Bandwagon.
During the 1902-1903 winter season Ringling Bros kept the Bode Wagon Co., of Cincinnati, busy with construction of wagons for the upcoming season's parades.
The Great Britain wagon cost the Ringlings $1500! Paraded until 1920, last last year for the street parades, it then landed in storage.
After being sold and having multiple show owners, it ended up with the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Real Wild West. The 101 went out of business in '31 and the equipment was auctioned, with Bill Hames being the winning bidder.
In 1962 the Hames Family donated the wagon to the Circus world Museum.
The model I have wears the paint that matches nearly every picture I've ever seen of the Great Britain Bandwagon,
Except the one I took at Circus World in 2015.
During the 1902-1903 winter season Ringling Bros kept the Bode Wagon Co., of Cincinnati, busy with construction of wagons for the upcoming season's parades.
The Great Britain wagon cost the Ringlings $1500! Paraded until 1920, last last year for the street parades, it then landed in storage.
After being sold and having multiple show owners, it ended up with the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Real Wild West. The 101 went out of business in '31 and the equipment was auctioned, with Bill Hames being the winning bidder.
In 1962 the Hames Family donated the wagon to the Circus world Museum.
The model I have wears the paint that matches nearly every picture I've ever seen of the Great Britain Bandwagon,
Except the one I took at Circus World in 2015.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
It's Sunday and we present the Orchestmelochor Wagon #98. And no, I can't pronounce that.
In 1880, Barnum & Bailey billed this wagon as "The Golden Voice of Vienna", or simply "Orchestmelochor" It was a magnificent parade wagon and looks quite different here than on the 1890's poster.
The musical instruments you see were added at some point to represent the music that the organ would produce.
Alas, as the street parade became less important in drawing the public to the big top, the band organ left the wagon and she was renovated into a baggage wagon, though likely still paraded.
The four carved figures, not seen on my version of the wagon, were placed in storage.
It looks like the wagon was last used on the 101 Ranch Wild West show in 1931.
Walt Disney Studios saved the wagon from a dismal fate, restored it, and donated it to The Circus World Museum in 1962.
I've seen several pictures of the Orchestmelochor resting at Circus World, but didn't see any pix in the folder from my visit.
In 1880, Barnum & Bailey billed this wagon as "The Golden Voice of Vienna", or simply "Orchestmelochor" It was a magnificent parade wagon and looks quite different here than on the 1890's poster.
The musical instruments you see were added at some point to represent the music that the organ would produce.
Alas, as the street parade became less important in drawing the public to the big top, the band organ left the wagon and she was renovated into a baggage wagon, though likely still paraded.
The four carved figures, not seen on my version of the wagon, were placed in storage.
It looks like the wagon was last used on the 101 Ranch Wild West show in 1931.
Walt Disney Studios saved the wagon from a dismal fate, restored it, and donated it to The Circus World Museum in 1962.
I've seen several pictures of the Orchestmelochor resting at Circus World, but didn't see any pix in the folder from my visit.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
Today brings us to the Twin Lions "Telescoping" Tableau. Nicknamed as telescoping because the third level where the lions sit can be raised and lowered via worm gears and a hand crank. The top of the wagon would reach over 17 feet!
This wagon and others traveled to the Circus World Museum from Tiffield, England, where the Sir Robert Fossett Circus winter quartered. Bailey Fossett and his sister Mary donated their family collection of circus wagons to Circus World.
The Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. took care of the cost of transport and restoration of all of the donated wagons.
Even though the model I have looks quite different from the Circus World one, since I have found no other evidence of a telescoping lion tab similar in appearance, I'm going with the model was meant to represent the Twin Lions.
Please feel free to direct me to the correct info if I am wrong.
This wagon and others traveled to the Circus World Museum from Tiffield, England, where the Sir Robert Fossett Circus winter quartered. Bailey Fossett and his sister Mary donated their family collection of circus wagons to Circus World.
The Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. took care of the cost of transport and restoration of all of the donated wagons.
Even though the model I have looks quite different from the Circus World one, since I have found no other evidence of a telescoping lion tab similar in appearance, I'm going with the model was meant to represent the Twin Lions.
Please feel free to direct me to the correct info if I am wrong.
joe circus
Well-Known Member
The Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Real Wild West was based in Ponca City, OK. #32 is a typical baggage wagon, since this one was open topped it may have carried the tent canvas bales.
You may recall from a previous post above that Bill Hames bought the remaining wagons at auction after the show closed in 1931.
In 1962 the Hames Family donated the wagon to the Circus World Museum.
This model is pretty faithful to the picture I have access to, other than the lettering is raised instead of just paint.
You may recall from a previous post above that Bill Hames bought the remaining wagons at auction after the show closed in 1931.
In 1962 the Hames Family donated the wagon to the Circus World Museum.
This model is pretty faithful to the picture I have access to, other than the lettering is raised instead of just paint.
