Credits for all pictures in the post go to original photographer. These photos gathered from public sites.
With that said, let's look at some equipment from the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Combined shows, post war.
Here is an ex-Army hospital car tagged to the rear of a passenger train. These cars traveled approx. 2 weeks in front of the shows and were the homes and offices for the advance crew. They were loaded with posters and other 'paper' that the show used for publicity. Some shows (Ringling had up to three at one time), had more than one. This is car no.1.
Here, it is being spotted on a siding. The lettering for this car changed quite often.
I think I forgot to mention 'tunnel' cars. These were cars that were hollowed out to carry wagons and motorized equipment. The cars were gutted and loaded like flatcars. At this point in the history of Ringling Bros., the show no longer played under canvas(tents), rather in indoor arenas.
Although special wagons were designed for use with these cars, they were often a logistical nightmare. As is easier to see in this view, the cars had to be almost perfectly level to each other for loading and unloading. This required addition jacking of car ends depending on the terrain at hand.
ill pm it to you.
