Western Railroad Discussion > RBBB Blue Circus Train on the Provo Sub!

I started off the day with plans to chase the circus train from Spanish Fork to Helper but as the day went on and on the circus departure time out of Roper kept getting pushed back. It finally rolled out of Roper right before 3pm which messed up my plans to chase it to Helper. So instead of chasing it to Helper I caught it in Provo and then again at Thistle before calling off my chase so I could head home to get ready for work. As I waited in Provo for the train to show up a UTA Frontrunner train set headed north to Ogden. I had hoped that things would work out for a meet but that was not in the cards today.

Photo 1: UTAX 7 heads north towards Ogden.
Photo 2: The circus train heads east through a location formally known as Provo Junction.
Photo 3: the train wraps around the hill at Thistle.

Spencer Peterson
Payson, UT

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So that means that it won't be into Denver until Wednesday morning. The California Zephyr takes 15 hours from Salt Lake City to Denver. That would 6 a.m. I imagine the circus train would take longer than that.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/16 17:40 by Grande473.

Re: Arrival time of circus train - Does this train have an overall speed restriction, or can it run at Amtrak speed? Crew change locations at Helper and Grand Junction? None at Bond anymore. Anybody know if opposing traffic is heavy? If they are in no particular hurry in order to do Aspen tree viewing, Amtrak in the morning will be a significant opposition if on time. Would sure appreciate any location updates anyone can come up with, lead motor is UP 5496. === === = === JLH

AFAIK the Circus Train RBBX train runs at Freight train speed only.
This is the way the SP  "the Friendly" handled it in  the 1980s.
The SP 1980s systemwide train symbol for this train was "BANDB" .
This info is from former SP Raiilroad manager John Plytnick .
John PLytnick was also the very long time president of the Western Railway Museum in Rio Vista Junction, CA
(aka BAERA -- Bay Area Electric Railway Association.)
I imagine todays railroads would continue this practice of freight train speed for the Circus Train.
----- Daniel

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highgreengraphics Wrote:
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> Re: Arrival time of circus train - Does this train
> have an overall speed restriction, or can it run
> at Amtrak speed? Crew change locations at Helper
> and Grand Junction? None at Bond anymore. Anybody
> know if opposing traffic is heavy? If they are in
> no particular hurry in order to do Aspen tree
> viewing, Amtrak in the morning will be a
> significant opposition if on time. Would sure
> appreciate any location updates anyone can come up
> with, lead motor is UP 5496. === === = === JLH

Unless they stop for a long time somewhere, it should be in Denver by sunrise. Helper, GJ, Bond crew changes and probably just a couple trains to meet between Helper and Denver.

T

highgreengraphics Wrote:
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> Re: Arrival time of circus train - Does this train
> have an overall speed restriction, or can it run
> at Amtrak speed? === === = === JLH

Both Ringling' trains are restricted to 60mph maximum, track conditions permitting.

prob thru the moffat right now

It was not all fun and games for Ringling Brothers today. The train had a fire alarm at Crescent and a trainline problem at Blue Mountain. No pictures from me as I had other commitments.

Nice shots, Spencer!

Kevin Morgan
Arvada, CO
ColoradoRailfan.com