1/14/17. It has been announced by circus train owner Feld Entertainment that the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will close in May 2017 after over a century of operation. While it is not clear at this point what will happen with the many cars that the circus has operated at the least we are fortunate enough to have many images that have been gathered on the internet for all of us to use and enjoy. In N-scale we have the good fortune of having some cars that can help to represent the circus train, at least from the mid-70s to the 90s. In addition to items such as the autorack and flat cars produced by Micro-Trains, TJ Models and Raintree, just to name a few, which include a variety of circus equipment a number of passenger cars made by Kato USA also loan themselves to modeling the more recent version of the train. The PRR Broadway Limited Budd 21 Roomette sleeper is one of the cars that RBBX has made great use of, which has acquired these well built cars from commuter agencies in the northeast as they were retired only being outnumbered on the roster by a large number of former UP cars leg-rest coaches, baggage and storage mail cars. While more recent versions have been heavily modified as far as their appearance is concerned a reasonable representation can at least be made using these cars as a starting point. Earlier versions of the circus train were far more distinctive, what with the many different cars that had been acquired from so many different sources. While not so easily modeled the earlier versions can none the less be modeled but require a great deal more effort since ready-to-run cars are not available for most but things like etched metal or styrene milled sides help to make even these earlier consists possible as well. Now if only we can convince MT to produce some decent WWII hospital ward cars to compliment their troop car models... we would be even closer to modeling earlier consists. Prototype photos of the circus train's passenger cars can be found here. Consist information and much more about not only Ringling Bros. but Strates Shows and other carnival trains can be found on the Circus Train List at Yahoo! Groups. I have never seen a circus train consist in N-scale but such is possible to do and I hope that folks will share photos of what they have done. Like many passenger train consists it is a good bit easier these days to model the circus train, and nearly as easy to model the various carnival trains that use to travel the rails as well. We owe a debt of gratitude to manufacturers who are willing to invest in passenger train equipment and to Feld Entertainment for giving us so many years of memorable performances. Fairwell RBBX... may you be remembered forever!!!
In a way, it was inevitable. In a way, I can't believe that it's ending. The pure logistics of running that type of show and having to stay near rails has to be incredible.
Hopefully a documentary crew is, or has, created a historical overview of the business and now it's final shows. If not, what a missed opportunity. Also, wouldn't it be wonderful if a film crew could professionally record a complete show from beginning to end with expert editing and aerial footage of the performances? And then have that movie as something we could show our kids and grandkids or enjoy ourselves?
The mystic and excitement that the circus bought to town has diminished with all the other distractions people have today. It's the end of a way of life. There's the occasional circus train shot in some of my morning sun books, and even some nice car kits I saw at a UK NMRA meet. Hmm.. a real modelling challenge!
I read the announcement and I believe based upon some of the comments in the announcement a reason for discontinuing is the law suits that are filed every time the circus would come into various towns. Many towns enacted local laws the restricted the ability of the circus to put on its show. The constant legal actions have just worn down the circus to the point where it was no longer profitable to continue the shows. This shows that legal costs can and do affect how business does business. Remember in the US, each side pays their own legal fees no matter how wrong the suing side is in starting the law suit. When you are tied up in court, you are spending money that could be used to upgrade the show, fund additional shows and pay the employees. Sad day, another business goes into the history books due to our legal system.
Either CNN or Fox online news reported that the continuous lawsuits by animal activist groups, mostly PETA, finally broke the company's financial back. That and declining revenues due to the elimination of most animals, especially elephants from the shows in 2014 in response to animal activist lawsuits. I was very fortunate to watch the Red Train unload in Biloxi, MS 30-35 years ago. Family Lines (now CSX) allowed the train to use the two mile long Beauvoir passing siding for much of the unloading, even backing onto the main allowing the elephants to unload onto a four-lane grade crossing. The elephants then walked to the Coast Coliseum for the shows. Unfortunately I lost all my photos to computer failure, and I lost the CD backups.
Sad to hear this. I feel fortunate to have my complete MT Red Train !!! I happen to have worked with someone that married a Columbian lady that retired from Ringling. For you Chicago people, she also appeared on Bozo's Circus many times !!! Her son performed with Ringling for a while, and he is now with Circus Oliel (probably spelled that wrong !!!) These people actually lived on the Red and Blue trains. There were 2 trains, they covered different regions of the US. From the stories I've heard and pictures I've seen, it wasn't always the animals and "tree-huggers" that caused problems. The great Gunther Gebel Williams once said, "The animals are tame, the people aren't...and I can be one of the worst !!!" My friend's wife compared it to touring with The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and The Who all at the same time. Hey, they were the best, and they enjoyed their success. Nothing wrong with that, ya' know ??? It's gonna' take a million vehicles with tires to move them around now. Is that REALLY a better way ???
The news tonight said attendance went down after the elephants were gone. Now that the circus is closing PETA is going after the zoos. What will be next Dan
The N Scale Kits Warren and Mt Vernon circus flatcars are still available www.nscalekits.com - with a number of different show and circus decals. Straightforward to put together, there are a number of N Scale Circus's rolling around! I am very disappointed to hear this news, as we were really hoping to see the Circus Train on our visit to the US later this year. I think that it is now only the Strates Show runs on rails - including one Warren Car at the end of the consist used as a lading car for the rest of the cars, all 89' flats. Peter Peter Harris N Scale Kits www.nscalekits.com
