enjineerbill
Avid People Watcher
Once in a while, I see a post inquiring about Circus Trains. This thread is for anyone who has an interest in any type of show trains. Please feel free to post pics, questions, comments or information regarding these types of trains.
I myself, have an interest in any type of "special" trains, specifically circus. So I will post pics I have relating to that subject. And try to share a little info along the way. I plan to post pics of the entire progress of all types of equipment, but not in any particular order. And due to time restraints, unless asked, won't be doing a "how to" as in previous threads of mine. I hope you use this thread if you share a casual or intense(me) interest in this type of equipment. The railroads hated the show trains, but they were a way of life for americans for many years.
After procrastinating (and building the 25 car American Freedom Train), I have finally started to work on my Ringling Train. As I like varying types of the equipment they used, This will not be a proto-train perse', yet more of a blend of equipment that could have been a possibilty.
I'm starting with the 25 ex-U.S. hospital cars that the show aquired after WWII. These cars were delivered to Ringling in 1947 and in the first season of use, were painted red. Thereafter, they were aluminum with various types of lettering until their last use in 1970-1971. The cars had many different configurations, animal(stock), passenger(performers and personel), generator(2), and agood number became gutted and were used as "tunnel" cars(ends removed and hollow) in which wagons were loaded inside them. And there was, of course, the advertising car. A few of the cars survive today in private ownership. The last advertising car used by Ringling is here in Baraboo at the Circus World Museum and they also have a performers' car in their collection as well.
These prototype pictures are from the "Fallen Flags" website, with credit to the original poster.
Here are some of the cars taken in the mid-60's;
My cars are being built from the Walthers' kits last offered in 1983. Prior to that they were a regular item for years in their catalog.
The kits are wood, metal and cardstock. Lot of work goes into each and these pics are the result of about 4 eight hour days of work. None of the roof detail is done or handrail hardware either, still to come.
The first two cars, are a passenger(closest) and an animal car;
The animal car has a few variations for the critters. Most notable are the vents in the windows for protecting the cargo and underneath, behind the leading trucks, are the racks for the ramps used to load/unload the stock;
Well that's all for today, When you see the thread pop-up it's cause I'm up to something, I hope you enjoy. BTW, for those who may be members, I am Circus Model Builder #3022 and we always welcome new members!!
May all your days,
Be Circus Days!!
Johnny
I myself, have an interest in any type of "special" trains, specifically circus. So I will post pics I have relating to that subject. And try to share a little info along the way. I plan to post pics of the entire progress of all types of equipment, but not in any particular order. And due to time restraints, unless asked, won't be doing a "how to" as in previous threads of mine. I hope you use this thread if you share a casual or intense(me) interest in this type of equipment. The railroads hated the show trains, but they were a way of life for americans for many years.
After procrastinating (and building the 25 car American Freedom Train), I have finally started to work on my Ringling Train. As I like varying types of the equipment they used, This will not be a proto-train perse', yet more of a blend of equipment that could have been a possibilty.
I'm starting with the 25 ex-U.S. hospital cars that the show aquired after WWII. These cars were delivered to Ringling in 1947 and in the first season of use, were painted red. Thereafter, they were aluminum with various types of lettering until their last use in 1970-1971. The cars had many different configurations, animal(stock), passenger(performers and personel), generator(2), and agood number became gutted and were used as "tunnel" cars(ends removed and hollow) in which wagons were loaded inside them. And there was, of course, the advertising car. A few of the cars survive today in private ownership. The last advertising car used by Ringling is here in Baraboo at the Circus World Museum and they also have a performers' car in their collection as well.
These prototype pictures are from the "Fallen Flags" website, with credit to the original poster.
Here are some of the cars taken in the mid-60's;
My cars are being built from the Walthers' kits last offered in 1983. Prior to that they were a regular item for years in their catalog.
The kits are wood, metal and cardstock. Lot of work goes into each and these pics are the result of about 4 eight hour days of work. None of the roof detail is done or handrail hardware either, still to come.
The first two cars, are a passenger(closest) and an animal car;
The animal car has a few variations for the critters. Most notable are the vents in the windows for protecting the cargo and underneath, behind the leading trucks, are the racks for the ramps used to load/unload the stock;
Well that's all for today, When you see the thread pop-up it's cause I'm up to something, I hope you enjoy. BTW, for those who may be members, I am Circus Model Builder #3022 and we always welcome new members!!
May all your days,
Be Circus Days!!
Johnny
