Maybe referring to this 2011 movie ? Sounds like much of it takes place around circus trains. New to me, I'm going to check it out if it's on Netflix.
The movie is pretty good. The trains are more of a setting/locale than a part of the story. It's mostly a relationship/romance movie.
My wife read the book and we saw the movie. She said the book was much better than the movie. I thought Rosie the elephant was the outstanding talent in the movie.
This was a play on words. You cannot supply enough water for elephants on a circus train. Just like the manufacturers cannot supply enough quality items for the consumer. I do not want sound on my engines and refuse to pay for it. I would buy many of the current offerings if they were available without sound. Unfortunately some higher being has decided that sound is the new norm.