Winterquarters/Car Shops for circus and showtrains

[Midnught Special]

very good work!! wish I had the space for a small set up like this!

 

[enjineerbill]

Watch out they spit!

Yeah, but look how well trained they are in comparison to the horses. They at least can wave their tails in unison.

I was standing there taking the photos and said "all together, Now wag 'em if you got 'em!". And whaddya' know? Those long months of training paid off!

 

[tootnkumin]

I was standing there taking the photos and said "all together, Now wag 'em if you got 'em!". And whaddya' know? Those long months of training paid off!

Haha! Good reply

 

[enjineerbill]

Haha! Good reply

If ya' can't have fun....why bother?? Thanks Toot, have a good day!

 

[enjineerbill]

Progress on 2 more equipment wagons.

These started life as the Athearn 'pup' trailers....

 

[Midnught Special]

very nice, where did you get that model RR ruler?

 

[waltr]

That rule is available from many model train suppliers.
Micro Mark is one on-line source I know of.
http://www.micromark.com/12-inch-st...ailroaders-ruler-for-ho-o-n-s-scale,6476.html

 

[enjineerbill]

very nice, where did you get that model RR ruler?

Thanks, Like Waltr said, or your local hobby store should have them.

 

[enjineerbill]

Although this post isn't circus, it is a 'show train' of sorts. While it is in limbo, these are quick shots of the Golden Spike Centennial Limited. It's in limbo as the decals that were produced weren't opaque enough and are being redone.
I really like the way they came out so far. This is a 14 car train, with the exception of 3 baggage, 1 former RPO, a vista dome, and ss observation, it is mostly coaches.

In the last photo, I left a portion of decal on the dome to show how the originals would have looked. Those wouldn't fly......

 

[ChevelleSSguy]

very nice, where did you get that model RR ruler?

That rule is available from many model train suppliers.
Micro Mark is one on-line source I know of.
http://www.micromark.com/12-inch-st...ailroaders-ruler-for-ho-o-n-s-scale,6476.html

Thanks, Like Waltr said, or your local hobby store should have them.

Walthers has it on sale right now for 8 bucks.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/285-1251

 

[enjineerbill]

Busy, busy..

With the middle of winter upon us, the circus winterquarters is busier than normal. New Ringling cars are now in the yellow and red scheme and wagons are being finished....stay warm.

 

[tootnkumin]

They must have made a spectacular sight rolling into town to begin the new seasons shows.

 

[enjineerbill]

They must have made a spectacular sight rolling into town to begin the new seasons shows.

Quite a bit different when they return in the fall, pretty road weary at that point. These vehicles saw hard use in all kinds of weather, snow included! I'm doing a small turn of the century 5 car show. I'm gonna make it look poor....

 

[eric2448]

Nice work as usual Johnny. I like the silver under frame and trucks on the coaches, gives them some pop.

 

[NYSW F45]

It is pretty cool when the RBBB train comes to NJ. They do a long reverse move into a stub end station at Met Life stadium and unload there. They used to unload the animals a few miles away and do the elephant walk from there to the arena. Always done after midnight, but still drew hundreds of people just to watch the elephants walking down a busy road.


Who makes those RBBB wagons on the flat car?

 

[enjineerbill]

Nice work as usual Johnny. I like the silver under frame and trucks on the coaches, gives them some pop.

Thanks Eric, Yeh it does make em 'pop'. Pictures don't do the overlook justice.

 

[enjineerbill]

It is pretty cool when the RBBB train comes to NJ. They do a long reverse move into a stub end station at Met Life stadium and unload there. They used to unload the animals a few miles away and do the elephant walk from there to the arena. Always done after midnight, but still drew hundreds of people just to watch the elephants walking down a busy road.


Who makes those RBBB wagons on the flat car?

Hi Steve,

Watching the Ringlings 2 (red and blue) trains is impressive. Quite an operation. Years ago, while I was still in radio, I rode an elephant in the animal walk. It was quite a distance from the train to the coliseum and a day I'll never forget.

Those Ringling wagons on the flat were built by me. I used the Athearn smaller trailers for starting points. There will be lots more to come.

Here is a very early shot of the build. Lots of things changed before going to paint, mainly lowering the wagons as were the prototypes.

 

[enjineerbill]

World's longest passenger train.

BTW, the Union Pacific Challenger was the first steam in many years to pull an actual circus train, not counting the 1980's antique Baraboo, train.

Here is one of many videos of the event.

http://youtu.be/2aoxtGcR17A

 

[tootnkumin]

This Vid came up on the side bar, really shows how massive this train was, Wow!
[YOUTUBE]gGJFlmQa37Q[/YOUTUBE]

 

[enjineerbill]

This Vid came up on the side bar, really shows how massive this train was, Wow!

Sure is, Ringling red and blue units are almost always the same size too. Think about that maintenance cost....

Each unit has varied a little over time, but they usually consist of 30-40 coaches and about 20 flats...all owned by the show. They are moving to a new winter quarters, Florida. If you want here is a story on it. I think google maps has an aerial photo. But it IS 'some' job creation....

http://www.bradenton.com/2012/12/16/4318107/bring-ringling-bros-circus-to.html