Let's see your circus trains

I don't have a circus train to show.....but have thought about building one....or something like one.

I am a big movie fan...and often build models of things seen in favorite movies. There is a train in Disney's 'Something Wicked this way comes' that could be replicated without too much work. It's powered by a small 2-6-0 IIRC with a few HW passenger cars and box cars with a caboose. A MTH RK loco with some old Williams 60 HW car kits would work well I think.

Like I need another project!!!

Heres mine:

Mine is still packed up but I have about eight silver flat cars with hand painted loads and  pull it with MTH's Trainmaster Demo. It looks right with the colors of the trainmaster. Don

The Circus has come to town. I still need to build a circus tent.

Thank you guys for sharing the photos and videos.

 

All the circus trains were really super and all very different

All I have acccessable at the moment is this handsome RK Circus RS3 on the shelf. Our club has a terrific circus train headed by a K-Line RS3 that includes many neat and unusual cars collected over the years by  Harold a member.

If I can locate some old photos from one of our set-ups I'll post them here...

I knew an older gentleman who made circus wagons, trains and a lot of other items.  He knew he was going to pass and wanted to give his creations to someone who would care for them as he did.  There are some things that are not complete.  I need to soon get his gift out and enjoy them again.  Maybe even put some unfinished items together.  

 

I think they are somewhat unique.  The problem is that they take up a good bit of area.  When I begin working on my layout again, I have saved an area for a Circus with rides.  All train cars, wagons, and most of the unusual creations are O scale.

 

You will be the first to see what lies in the wooden box he made to accommodate them.

 

PennsyK4 did you make your flatcars?  

 

Surefire, what passenger and other cars did you use.   They don't look at all familiar.

Bill Berresford

Surefire,

Loved your circus train!  Reminds me of the days when the Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus used to come to Daly City, CA, where I work.  It would come by rail and stop in the Southern Pacific Bayshore Yard, which was at foot of Geneva Ave., with all its colorful cars.  Then they would close down Geneva Ave. and march all of the circus animals up the street, in a parage, to the Cow Palace where the circus performed.  Thanks for sharing.  Matt

All videos brought back memories I thought I had lost.  Your layouts are wonderful.  I definitely need to see mine again.  There are good reasons my layout is piled high with other "stuff".  It's time I stop making excuses and get to work if only to discover what I can do.

 

I look forward to more videos!

Bill Berresford

Great thread!  Nice trains everyone.  Love those circus trains.

There was a gentleman here in Delaware that made custom O gauge circus cars and wagons. I think his name was Dave Reichard. Does anyone know if he is still around making these items?

Here is an older video of my Circus train. I have added a lot more cars but haven't yet made a video of my entire new consist.

 

Also a ton of scenery has been added to the layout since this was shot.

Greg,

 

What , hopper car is that in the ABA consist, looks like a LIfesaver, seems to be the

flavor- or topic, other than Beer of the day, ( it is rainbow colored ) -- 3rd car?

thanks

 

Terry,

It is a Canadian National Hopper. Pretty sure it was made by Atlas.

 

 

Scott Smith

 

McCoy standard modular circus 12 x 24 ft with Erector Ferris Wheel and Merry Go Round

I am a big fan of dumbo seeing cassyjr pulling this heavy train.Up the mountain and pulling in at the next town.Can,t really tell what wheel aragment he is thou.Another thing that stands out at me about dumbo.They use real sounds from a storm.Yes I have heared that crack of thunder many times here in n.c.Would scair the day lights out of me.But I don,t have the room for cars that long.You would have to have o72 at least.Maybe I can get some shorter cars and have some thing like a carvel.Going by rail this time around.

 

It's not Atlas - they've never made this car. Most likely Lionel. Here's a picture of it. They did two of these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bfwXPGXr_Y

 

Steve

The Canadian National hopper is from Lionel #19345.

I love the supper Circus, I have one on a modal that my #1 son built when he was young. I have a companion modal of a circus train unloading next to it. I will be using it the week after next during our VBS "wonderful world of trains" workshop. Maybe some pics then.

AGHR Member Phil Talarico (PTalar) brought his circus train down to the club for the Fall Open House. This is a pretty eclectic mix of rolling stock he's collected over the years.

 

Wow very nice. I am a circus fan and love the McCoy cars. They made some neat stuff. Before my first divorce I had quite a few McCoy cars in my collection. This looks good. Thanks for sharing.

Redman

Thanks for bumping this thread up again, yes that is a great circus diorama.

Wish I could see it close up.

 

Circus trains are still popular especially with the youngsters.

 Thank you all for sharing the great circus videos and pictures

 

Greg, enjoyed your circus train video with the double headed steam for head end power.

looked like a pennsy G5.

Thanks Matt.

It is a PRR E-6 Atlantic and a LIRR G5