Western Railroad Discussion > When the circus came to town...

Only a few years ago late June/early July in Southern California usually meant a handful of appearances by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey trains. On a number of occasions over the years I was lucky enough to put glass on the train as it made its way to and from performances in SoCal (and once on Donner Pass as it was leaving California). In 2016 I recorded my last images of the train before it passed into history. Attached are four of my favorite memories of the circus train.

1) A beautiful July afternoon finds the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey 'blue unit' train framed by the classic Southern Pacific signal bridge at MP 377, above Mojave, as it moves westbound between shows in Tucson, Arizona and Fresno, California. (07.05.2010)

2) When I took this photo 10 years ago I knew the day would come that this classic signal bridge would no longer be around to frame trains where the desert meets the mountains on Tehachapi's eastern slope. However at the time I never would've imagined the circus train would closely follow these old signals into history.(07.05.2010)

3) With a trio of Union Pacific motors up front the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey 'blue unit' train drifts through the many curves approaching the end of double mains at Cable on Tehachapi Pass. On this toasty July afternoon the circus train was being escorted between shows in Phoenix, Arizona and Fresno, California. (07.02.2014)

One more...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/04/20 13:18 by Midnight_Goat.

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4) And then it was gone...this is my last photo of the RBBB train wrapped around Clear Creek Ravine between Bealville and Cliff. On this occasion the train was being ferried by BNSF between New Orleans, Louisiana and Fresno, CA. (06.30.2016)

Thanks for looking,
Ryan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/04/20 13:15 by Midnight_Goat.

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Exellent bunch! Last two, awesome!
JB

It must have cost a fortune to run those trains... They will be missed!

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA

Great pics!!

Those were the days...

Great shots!

Here are a couple Colorado views of this legendary circus operation.

1- 28 Septmeber 2016 Amtrak unt #4 on westbound California Zephyr met UP 5496 East on the Salt Lake City, Utah, to Denver, CO, RBBB Circus train.

2- 30 September 2016 the RBBB Circus -Blue Train- was parked at the former Denver & Rio Grande Western 4th Avenue Yard south of Burnham Shops, Denver, CO.  Light streak in distance from Denver RTD light rail commuter train.


Thanks Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for operating this train as long as you did.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/04/20 16:06 by cozephyr.

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When did the circus convert their cars from steam-heating to HEP?

Great photos!
And about (40?) Passenger Cars?

Jim Baker
Riverside, CA

Midnight_Goat Wrote:
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> Thanks for looking,
> Ryan

Thanks for the wonderful look back, especially for things we used to count on being there (MP 377 signal bridge and the Circus Train).

I really love the circus train and saw it a number of times travelling through Central Illinois. I was also able to get pictures a couple of times when it was in Chicago parked on the IHB. I purchased the MicroTrains version of the train and have added cars over the years. The circus in the United Center in Chicago was a thrill to see. It is a wonderful part of our history that I miss. I was also able to see the train in Orlando.

The Denver nighttime shot is wonderful. The lighting and clarity is supurb and one of the best shots of the train I have ever seen.

Bruce Stikkers
St. Joseph, IL

Great stuff, number 4 is amazing! We saw the train parked a few times in Salt Lake, but I never got a picture of the train coming or going. We watched the elephant parade once and that was fun, but never did make it in to the circus itself. You always think things will never change, and then you end up missing out!

Nathan

Posted from iPhone

Great photos !! I really missed trying to locate the circus train when it was coming to your city. It was amazing that the worlds longest privately own passenger train was had to find when moving from city to city. Sometimes it was like looking for a needle in a haystack but that was park of the fun of trying to catch it. :)

Fantastic shots of the Circus Train!
I agree with kd0086 you never know when that thing would turn up. I've spent a whole day at Tehacahpi, only to give up and then see it in the dark on the way home!
But for me the best part of the train was how the performers and staff would enjoy watching US just as much as we did watching them. I'm so glad I got the following close-ups.
Sad that it's gone.


 

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RailRat Wrote:
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> Great photos!
> And about (40?) Passenger Cars?

Yes.  Blue show had 40 psgr cars in its last years; Red show had 39.  All in all, those passenger cars alone within each of the two trains - not including the 21 flats which were coupled in behind them on runs between cities - are the length of a standard Auto Train consist.  Each of them stretched out to just over a MILE without the host RR's power added up front.  (See the schematic of Red show's consist in the feature article in the Feburary 2011 TRAINS Magazine.)

Midnight_Goat Wrote:
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> 4) And then it was gone...this is my last photo of
> the RBBB train wrapped around Clear Creek Ravine
> between Bealville and Cliff. On this occasion the
> train was being ferried by BNSF between New
> Orleans, Louisiana and Fresno, CA. (06.30.2016)
>
> Thanks for looking,
> Ryan

Ryan, THANK YOU for the look back.  The shut down of RBBB Circus came as a total horrific shock to all of us who were on the show, and we do indeed miss watching all of YOU as much as you like watching us on the train-runs.  Here's the HERITAGE of the first coach in your photo series, above:
RBBX 41309                                       file:///C:/Users/all/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg
Original Reporting Marks:  N&W Duke University
Built in 1949 by the Budd Company, as a 10-Roomette, 6-Bedroom Sleeper
Lot # 9660-033; Pullman Plan 9523
Ordered 1/47; Delivered 11/49-1/50
BUDD Book – Reference Section 2229
(Streamliner Cars, Vol. II, The Budd Company, by W. David Randall)
 Ringling Bros. ownership data:  Acquired 1991 from NOPORANO.
RBBB I.D. Tag # H0049. 
1949-1964: N&W Duke University      Norfolk & Western RR
1964     SOLD to Pennsylvania RR; returned to BUDD; rebuilt 8/64 in LOT #9621-380 as a 72-seat Coach w/ a 6-seat lounge/snack bar.  Re-numbered PRR 1497.
1959-1967:  PRR 1497   Pennsylvania RR
1967-1976:PC 3239  Penn Central RR         
1976-1992--?:  NJTR 5403    New Jersey Transit commuter service            
1992     SOLD to Jon Clark, or Les Kasten; SOLD to RBBB Circus.
1992     W.Q. 5403       PALMETTO Shops  RECYCLE
1993     RBX 46   RED UNIT Circus
1994     RBX 53   RED UNIT Circus
1995-1996:  RBBX 41309 (43) RED UNIT
1997-2000:  RBBX 41309 (12)   RED UNIT
2001-2002:  RBBX 41309 (38)  RED UNIT
2003:     RBBX 41309  PALMETTO Shops  RECYCLE
2004-2017:  RBBX 41309  (175) BLUE UNIT                  
2018     RBBX 41309                 ___                               __________
 RECYCLING PROJECT # PJ3800
Car Body Type:  (SS) Stainless Steel
Brake Valve Type:  ABDXL
Last Recycle Date:  11/14/2003
1996 Airbrake Test Date:  12/4/1996
Previous Recycle Data:  12/30/1992 
NOTES:Equipment characteristics of RBBX 41309: AAR car type M530 (M-O-W, Scale, Passenger, Caboose, and End-of-train information systems), plate type B, tare weight 138,500 pounds, total gross weight allowed 220,000 pounds, load limit 81,500 pounds, external dimensions (length 85' 6", width 10' 6", height 14' 6"). [courtesy of [i]BNSF Equipment Characteristics[/i], November 1999]

Railcar fleet details for RBBX 41309: Maintenance of Way, Scale, Passenger, Caboose and End-of-Train, Mechanical Designation: PS; Outside Length: 85 ft 6 in; AAR Car Type Code: M530; Outside Extreme Width: 10 ft 6 in; Outside Extreme Height: 14 ft 6 in; Height of Extreme Width: 7 ft 1 in; Plate Clearance: B; Draft Gear: 5; Tare Weight: 138,500 lbs. [courtesy of [i]CSXT Railcar Fleet Details[/i], December 1999]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/07/20 09:51 by rbx551985.

BTW, coach RBBX 41309 was sold to Crossroads Railcar of Stearns, KY when we shut down.  (The TO.COM edit function isn't working at this public library, apparently due to some restrictive filter.)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/07/20 10:00 by rbx551985.

Here's the heritage of the third coach seen above (NOTE there are some UNKNOWN dates during the car's Ner Jersey Transit years):RBBX 41302                                  Original Reporting Marks:  PRR 8245 Bedford Inn
Built in 1949 by BUDD – Lot #9667-024 / Pullman Plan #9513
Ordered 1/46; Delivered 1/49 – as a 21-roomette Sleeper
BUDD Book – Reference Section 2220 (Streamliner Cars, Vol. II, The Budd Company, by W. David Randall.)
 Ringling Bros.’ ownership data:  Acquired in 1991 from Mr. Brad Black, as BWRL 5415.
Late 1980s RBBB I. D. Tag H0107. 
1949-1955: PRR 8245 Bedford Inn   Pennsylvania RR
1956-1957:  LEASED to UP; repainted Armour Yellow for use as a Slumbercoach on U.P. ‘Cities’ Trains      
PRR 8245 Bedford Inn   Union Pacific RR
1963    Rebuilt 10/63 as a 64-seat Coach with a 12-seat smoking lounge
1963-1967: PRR 1523  Pennsylvania RR
1967-1976: PC 1523  Penn Central RR
1976    -   SOLD to New Jersey Transit
1976-19??:   NJTR 5415  New Jersey Transit (commuter svc.)
19??       SOLD to Mr. Brad Black; renumbered BWRL 5415.
1991       SOLD to RBBB Circus; sent to Winter Quarters as W.Q. 5415  RECYCLE
1992-1993:  RBX 87  BLUE UNIT Circus    Mongolians
1994       RBX 184   BLUE UNIT Circus    Mongolians
1995-2005:  RBBX 41302  (184)  BLUE UNIT
2006:   RBBX 41302    PALMETTO Shops  RECYCLE
2007-2012: RBBX 41302   (42)  RED UNIT
2013-2017: RBBX 41302   (41)   RED UNIT
2018---- RBBX 41302        SOLD to Brian Miser, Peru, Indiana
 Car Body Type:  (SS) Stainless Steel
Brake Valve Type:  ABDXL
Previous Recycle Data:  12/30/1991
LAST Recycle Date:  11/23/2006 
NOTES: 2007 – 5 Rooms. 1991 – Recycled into Mongolian Car #1, placed in service 12/91; Repair Code 24.
 Equipment characteristics of RBBX 41302: AAR car type M530 (M-O-W, Scale, Passenger, Caboose, and End-of-train information systems), plate type B, tare weight 138,500 pounds, total gross weight allowed 220,000 pounds, load limit 81,500 pounds, external dimensions (length 85' 6", width 10' 6", height 14' 4"). [courtesy of [i]BNSF Equipment Characteristics[/i], October 1999]

Railcar fleet details for RBBX 41302: Maintenance of Way, Scale, Passenger, Caboose and End-of-Train, Mechanical Designation: PS; Outside Length: 85 ft 6 in; AAR Car Type Code: M530; Outside Extreme Width: 10 ft 6 in; Outside Extreme Height: 14 ft 4 in; Height of Extreme Width: 7 ft 0 in; Plate Clearance: B; Draft Gear: 5; Tare Weight: 138,500 lbs. [courtesy of [i]CSXT Railcar Fleet Details[/i], November 1999]

And the last coach shown in the images above, RBBX 43008, has been in the news lately - North Carolina D.O.T. official have learned ONLY THIS YEAR that the state owned 9 cars from the "shut down" train ..... and are wondering why they weren't informed of the cars' purchase.  They are stored "hidden" in the woods near Nashville, North Carolina on a shortline and are being attacked by graffiti vandals and more.  There is an on-going effort now to choose what to do with them......... so the story goes on.  I guess we could apply an old Circus phrase, "As The Tent Turns" ....

RBBX 43008
Original Reporting Marks:  UP 5542
Built in 1964 by ACF (St. Louis Car Company) – Lot #1830
Ordered 8/63; Delivered 10/64 – as a 44 seat Coach
[SLC] ACF Book – Reference Section 3172
(Streamliner Cars Vol. III, ACF – Other Builders, by W. David Randall)
 Ringling Bros.’ ownership data:  Purchased 7/11/95 from AMTRAK. 
1964-1971: UP 5542  Union Pacific RR
1971-1979: AMTK 4582   AMTRAK
1979     HEP rebuilt
1979-1995: AMTK 4617   AMTRAK
1995     SOLD to RBBB Circus 7/11/95
1995-1997: W.Q. 4617   PALMETTO Shops  Stored
1998     RBBX 43008  PALMETTO Shops   RECYCLE
1999-2000: RBBX 43008  (20)  RED UNIT
2001-2002: RBBX 43008  (47)  RED UNIT
2003-2012: RBBX 43008  (50)  RED UNIT
2013-2017: RBBX 43008  (49)  RED UNIT
2018-----     RNCX 400022    Now owned by N.C. DOT – as of 2-22-19 stored at Momeyer, NC for planned future commuter train use out of Raleigh
 Car Body Type:  (AL) Aluminum Body; carbon steel underframe
Brake Valve Type:  ABDXL
LAST Recycle Date:  12/1/1998 Equipment characteristics of RBBX 43008: AAR car type M530 (M-O-W, Scale, Passenger, Caboose, and End-of-train information systems), plate type B, tare weight 135,400 pounds, total gross weight allowed 220,000 pounds, load limit 84,600 pounds, external dimensions (length 85' 6", width 10' 6", height 14' 3"). [Courtesy of [i]BNSF Equipment Characteristics[/i], December 1999]

Railcar fleet details for RBBX 43008: Maintenance of Way, Scale, Passenger, Caboose and End-of-Train, Mechanical Designation: PS; Outside Length: 85 ft 6 in; AAR Car Type Code: M530; Outside Extreme Width: 10 ft 6 in; Outside Extreme Height: 14 ft 3 in; Height of Extreme Width: 7 ft 0 in; Plate Clearance: B; Draft Gear: 5; Tare Weight: 135,400 lbs. [courtesy of [i]CSXT Railcar Fleet Details[/i], December 1999]

In a salute to what once was, thanks to the inginuity of American know-how (---this could only happen here---), here's another look back from atop the Red Unit's shop car - with the note that our final Ringmaster, Jonathan Lee Iverson, once said this was a REAL United Nations that actually worked:

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