Circus train Pics

[lionkingcmsl]

Here are a couple of pics that I took of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus' "Blue Train".

The first was actually a set up shot, as we weren't really coupled to the train (about a foot away). We did this so we could get some "publicity" shots. Monday, when the train came in, was raining and dark, and next Monday, the 3rd, we will be so busy that we won't have time.



This shows Tony, the owner of the RR (on right), myself, and the two locos we used to move the train. In the background is the north end of the train, which stretches for 36 cars, or ~ .6 mile behind the locos.

Tony and I were the crew for the move, though we did have some assistance, as we were the only ones who "signed on". He was engineer and I was conductor.
Actually, of course, I didn't take this shot, a friend did, using my camera. ;=3



This shot is from the other end looking toward the locomotives. You can get an idea of how large this train actually is, and there are still 22 cars that are not there, as they are in another town. 8=0

From where I stood to take this shot to where the curve starts is ~.5 mile. 8=0

Comments

[kamau-d-lyon.livejournal.com]

Cools pics LK. Hope you get to do this again. Did you get to see any of the animals?

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

As for us doing it again, it looks like they may make us their headquarters, except for the animals, when they go to Atlantic city. Everyone loves the area; quiet, not too many people bothering them, etc.; so they want to come back.
So it looks like they will definitely will be back, though it is up to those in Palmetto, FL to make the final decision.

As for the animals, no. They are in another town, part of that 22 car consist, that is only about 5 miles or so from the venue. They walk the elephants to the building, and a 30 or so mile walk would not be feasible.

However, I did mange to get some complimentary tickets to the circus and mooncat and I will be going tomorrow to see the final show at 7p. I had gotten a ticket for Chad, but he doesn't want to go. :=/

[dewhitton.livejournal.com]

That is very, very cool!


Are these the accommodation and baggge ars, then?

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

Well, the passenger cars are more like apartments. Depending on your position, you can have a 9x9 room all the way up to aa full car.

The "baggage car" in the last photo is not really a baggage car, as the people on the train (~300) have all their stuff in their rooms/car, but the train's "train maintenance shop". There they have everything they need to keep the train itself running in tiptop shape. In fact under one of the cars are two "wheel/axel" sets bolted and chained to the underside, just in case.

In the first pic, the two cars directly behind the locos are the merchandise cars where everything that is sold to the public is stored. They use two 40' containers bolted and welded to the car per car. These containers have been heavily modified so there is easy access to any part of them. The car behind the the "merchandise cars" is one of three "generators cars. There are two on our section and one down with the other section. Each car has 2 generators in it, and any one can power the entire train. Those cars are extremely quiet, even when standing next to them.

All in all and impressive set up.

Re: O.o

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

Well, if you make it down to CMFM '04 you'll get an intimate view of the workings of a loco and other cars and an idea of what an engineer sees when he is operating.

BTW, those locos are now classed as light locos at only 125 tons or so. The newest heavy duty locos are weighing in at 212.5 tons, but they are not the heaviest. The would go to the big steam locomotives, like the "Big boy" which weighed in at ~600 tons, loco and tender, in working order. The tender weighed in at a a measly 100 tons, and the loco was ~500 tons.

[raja-laba-laba.livejournal.com]

That's a lot of train ;)

*HUG*

[rrwolf.livejournal.com]

Nice looking F unit.^_^ What paint scheme is the GP looking loco behind it?

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

That is a Geep. Specifically it is the PRR's GP9 #7000. It has been repainted in the classic Brunswick green scheme with "Pennsylvania" spelled out along the side.

It is interesting to note that the 7000 has never been renumbered through out it's life in PRR, PC, Conrail, and New Jersey Tranist's ownerships. The 7000 is the first GP9 that the PRR ever owned.

Here is a shot of it at Christmas time last year:

[avenginglioness.livejournal.com]

w00t! free circus tickets!

now that is some train! 30 miles of train?

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

"now that is some train! 30 miles of train?"

Not quite. ;=3

The train is about 200' shy of a mile when fully coupled together. It's just to make the lourny easier on the animals, paricturally the elephants, the train was split with the passenger section coming to the CMSL, and the stock cars and flats with the trucks going to another railroad closer to Atlantic City.

[avenginglioness.livejournal.com]

oh! lol still, that's a pretty long train. I guess the animals are used to traveling like that. I'd think they'd get nervous, but if you're doing it all the time maybe you get used to it.