Nostalgia & History > June 10, 2002: RBB&B Blue Unit heads to Oklahoma City!

On June 10th Ringling Brother's Blue Unit would start its 1,629 mile journey from Wilkes-Barre (PA) to Oklahoma City (OK). The railroads involved with this train's move was L&S, CP, NS and BNSF. In the first image CP 9023 and CP 5573 are seen bringing the 5,044 foot long train into Harrisburg where it would be handed off to NS. Before going around Horseshoe Curve, NS would have a crew change and the animals would be watered in Altoona. Image two shows NS 8397 (ex-CR 6191) and NS 3223 (ex-SOU 3223) rounding Horseshoe Curve much to the delight of both the spectators in the viewing area and members of the Blue Unit who were snapping photos of those spectators. I think back to that day and wish that I had taken more photos of this scene but back then it was time just to take in and enjoy this moment. The Blue Unit's train would finally reached its destination on June 13th.

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I would have liked to see one of those trains; sad they are no-more.

On YouTube, type in "Circus Horseshoe Curve" and click on the video FROM ABOARD THE RED UNIT'S TRAIN a few years ago close to the top of the listings:  when the video ENDS, you are seeing the first HALF of the train!

BLUE UNIT
LOADOUT ASSIGNMENTS FOR FLAT CARS
BUTLER STREET - NORTH
09 JUNE 2002 WILKES-BARRE, PA RBBX  80710:  MEAT TRUCK (FORD DIESEL) FELD ENTERTAINMENT, INC., PALMETTO, FLORIDA ON DOORS – W26* – W 49 ( EXPANDABLE OFFICE) – CAT FORK LIFT RC 80 – RAMP TO STREET CROSSING__________________________________________________________________________________________

RBBX  80708:  BLACK HARLAN – W 60 – W 50 – W 61___________________   

RBBX  84715:  DAKOTA DODGE PICKUP (BLACK) – W 37 – W 45 –
HOME MADE WAGON BED WITH WELDING MACHINE AND BENCH VICE (NO NUMBER) – INGERSOL RAND 185 COMPRESSOR
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RBBX  85704:  BLUE BIRD BUS – W 25* – W 33”________________________
 
RBBX  80711:  BLACK HARLAN – W 34 – W 35 – W 20___________________ 
 
RBBX  84719:  FORD F450 EXTENDED CAB (BLACK) – W 43 – W 44 – W 48 
 
RBBX  80703:  W 23 – W 31 – W 24____________________________________ 
 
RBBX  80706:  FORD TRACTOR 6610 (BLUE BODY WHITE TRIM) – W 54 –
W 52 – W 53________________________________________________________ 
 
RBBX  80702:  BLACK HARLAN – W 30 – W 38 – W 19 – W 22_____________ 
 
*  DUAL REAR AXLES – RUBBER MATTING FOR ARENA FLOOR
”  DUAL REAR AXLES – SOUND SYSTEMS AND LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
 
NOTE:  FIRST LISTED ITEMS FACE NORTH ON FLAT CARS.
 

BLUE UNIT
LOADOUT ASSIGNMENTS FOR FLAT CARS
BUTLER STREET - SOUTH
09 JUNE 2002
WILKES-BARRE, PA
 
RBBX 84704:  WATER TRUCK (FORD F800) – WHITE WAGON NO # LISTED AS PIE CAR JR – W 63 – BLACK HARLAN – RAMP TO CROSSING  ___________________________________________________________________
 
RBBX 80712:  W 17 – W 28 – W 29 – W 62  ___________________________________________________________________
 
RBBX 84717:  BLACK HARLAN – W 27 – W 32 – W 36 – W 39  ___________________________________________________________________
 
RBBX 85703:  DODGE 3500 RAM (WHITE PICKUP) – W 15 – W 18 – W 51  ___________________________________________________________________
 
RBBX 80704:  W 55 – W 56 – W 57 – W 58  ___________________________________________________________________
 
RBBX 84718:  BLACK HARLAN – W 46 – W 47 – W 12  ___________________________________________________________________
 
RBBX 80707:  BLACK HARLAN – W 21 – W 11 – W 13 – W 14  ___________________________________________________________________
 
RBBX 84708 BL:  UPPER LEVEL – WHITE STATION WAGON – GREY STATION WAGON – GREEN STATION WAGON.
LOWER LEVEL – 8 BLACK CAGES WITH DUAL COMPARTMENTS AND WOODEN FLOORS – CLOWN CAR (FLORIDA PLATE IV4 – 31Z)
 
NOTE:  FIRST LISTED ITEMS FACE SOUTH ON FLAT CARS, SAME WITH BI-LEVEL
 
49 WAGONS ARRIVED AND DEPARTED FROM WILKES-BARRE. PA.