Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus produced several Christmas ornaments around 1982. I'm not saying this is all of the different ones but this is most of the ones that were produced by a couple manufacturers.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Train Show in Virginia
We had the great opportunity to go visit good friends Robert and Jean Spivey and Jim and JoAnne Foster a couple years ago for their annual CFA Christmas luncheon. We then went out the backdoor of the restaurant and over to see this magnificient layout. I'll try to find some photos of it for tomorrow.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Model Railroads
Miniature train museum planned in Greenville
Friday, Nov. 25, 2011
The Associated Press
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Organizers say a miniature train museum will open in Greenville late next year.
The Greenville News reported developers of the Transportation Museum of the World will feature the Miniature World of Trains in a vacant store.
The museum will recreate famous railroad scenes and is expected to include models of oil refining, power plants, steel and automobile manufacturing, coal mining, an amusement park and a sports stadium.
The museum is modeled after one in Hamburg, Germany, that attracted more than four million visitors since opening in 2001.
The project is expected to cost about $25 million, to be paid by corporate sponsors, private donations and grants. It could eventually employ up to 150 people.
The museum will have conference and event rooms, a model building viewing area and restaurants.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
I Hope you had a good weekend!
Well this doesn't have anything to do with the circus, but it's been a wild weekend with the grandchildren first raking leaves and jumping in the piles all afternoon yesterday with the boys then to having our seven week old grandaughter come spend last night and this morning with us at Church before they had to head home. Whew, I need a nap!Friday, November 18, 2011
More CWM Train NEWS
I received an email last week while I was posting all of this from Bruce Nelson in Chicago. Bruce has been documenting the train also and we have shared information back and forth as well as photos. He has been successful in finding a publisher and the creating in book form and editting has already begun.
All in due time, Bruce is thinking the book will be ready for release in 2012. Finally a full documentation of the CWM train in print.
All in due time, Bruce is thinking the book will be ready for release in 2012. Finally a full documentation of the CWM train in print.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
More CWM Flatcars
A question was asked below if this is all of the CWM flats or were there more? There are more. None of these have ever been used at the CWM. They bought 6 Thrall flats from Royal American Shows that originally came off of the RBBB show. Two were re-furbished and put into service. The remaining four still stand on a track beside the Car shops.
More CWM Flatcars
While I don't have any records on these flatcars, they were donated to the CWM several years ago. To be able to transport the circus wagons, they would need to have decking placed on them as they are an all steel floor. I don't believe I saw any type of tie down rings on these anywhere either. Not having any records on these, I am not sure how many are even there.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The CWM Flatcars
I worked on this compilation for a long time. There are obviously lots of records that couldn't be shared on this blog.
I first started my research in the obvious location, the Circus World Museum. I got a copy of all the records in the CWM files that I could. Included in those files were some historical information regarding the flatcars background. Knowing that Fred Dahlinger worked there for many years and that he is a consummate historian, I asked Fred if he provided the backgrounds.
He replied "During Bob Parkinson's tenure he created some basic lists for insurance purposes and also compiled limited information sheets [blue mimeograph]. He also maintained most, but not all, of the acquisition information for the cars.
I took the available information, augmented it with a lot of additional research, had some limited assistance from Jim Caldwell, and others, and evolved the detailed provenances that have served as the basis of your work. These were incorporated into a year 2000 collections report enumeration to the CWM board, along with a narrative about the railroad car collection. This work has subsequently been altered and issued by others."
I took the old World of Mirth information and added it to this history. I then created everything about the cars after the were acquired by the CWM. I also added several tidbits such as the Cetlin and Wilson acquisition from RBBB on several flatcars.
Obviously, several photos are still needed to give a full coverage of every flatcar over the years. Hopefully it has been of some enjoyment to all of you out there.
Bob
I first started my research in the obvious location, the Circus World Museum. I got a copy of all the records in the CWM files that I could. Included in those files were some historical information regarding the flatcars background. Knowing that Fred Dahlinger worked there for many years and that he is a consummate historian, I asked Fred if he provided the backgrounds.
He replied "During Bob Parkinson's tenure he created some basic lists for insurance purposes and also compiled limited information sheets [blue mimeograph]. He also maintained most, but not all, of the acquisition information for the cars.
I took the available information, augmented it with a lot of additional research, had some limited assistance from Jim Caldwell, and others, and evolved the detailed provenances that have served as the basis of your work. These were incorporated into a year 2000 collections report enumeration to the CWM board, along with a narrative about the railroad car collection. This work has subsequently been altered and issued by others."
I took the old World of Mirth information and added it to this history. I then created everything about the cars after the were acquired by the CWM. I also added several tidbits such as the Cetlin and Wilson acquisition from RBBB on several flatcars.
Obviously, several photos are still needed to give a full coverage of every flatcar over the years. Hopefully it has been of some enjoyment to all of you out there.
Bob
Flatcar # 10
Jim Peterson says this photo was from 1986. While I didn't bother writing a history of these two flatcars, they do date back to the Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West show and came to the CWM via the Bill Hames Family.
Flatcar # 10
Jim Peterson, being the visionary that he has been, took this undated photo that shows another paint scheme and lettering used on the # 10 car.
Flatcar # 10
Here is an undated photo of ye olde blogmeister himself, Mr. Jim Peterson. But that's not important right now. Notice the paint scheme and lettering of the # 10 flatcar behind him. Jim, could you move out of the way a little bit so these fine folks can see the flatcar better?
Flatcar # 20
My dad took this photo in 1963 shortly after these flats had been installed on the grounds. You can just barely make out the title of Bill Hames Shows. The Hames family had donated several circus wagons and these two Mt. Vernon flats to the Circus World Museum.Flatcar # 20
This is a Jim Peterson photo from 1986. Note the paint scheme and lettering on the flat to the right.Flatcar # 20
This is a Jim Peterson photo but it isn't dated. What is importnat here is the different paint scheme and lettering on the car in this photo.
Flatcar # 20
I took this picture in December of 2006 with no snow on the ground. Imagine that. Baraboo already received three inches of snow this week.Friday, November 11, 2011
CWM Train
This sale of the World of Mirth equipment became the nucleus of the Schlitz Circus Parade train.
Flatcar # 3
The History of Flatcar # 3
This flatcar is a 70 ft. Warren design flat. The car design uses the under belly truss design of the very early Warren Tank Car Co. manufacturing. It was placed on loan to the Circus World Museum from the Royal American Shows on April 27, 1971.
The actual origin of the car is only speculation. Built by the Warren Tank Car Co. sometime between 1920 and 1927, this flatcar was one of many that Royal American Shows bought from the defunct Cetlin and Wilson Shows in 1968 when the show went broke in Savannah, Ga. Royal American’s loan to the Circus World Museum stated these cars had a Ringling background.
On Jan. 15, 1952, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows, Inc. daily ledgers now housed at the Circus World Museum Research Library detail the sale of three flatcars numbered 125, 132, & 137 to Cetlin & Wilson Shows. The Billboard reported in the February 2, 1952 issue that Cetlin & Wilson had bought five RBBB flats and they had already been shipped to Petersburg, Va. winter quarters for Cetlin and Wilson. It is also known that Ringling did indeed have 70’ Warrens as a couple exist at the Circus World Museum now.
Upon it’s acquisition for the Circus Train, the car was unused until the train was resurrected again in 1985. The flatcar was refurbished and repainted Silver with Blue letters and used an Orange Shading. It was titled Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and lettered the same on both sides of the car.
In 1997, the car was repainted and re-lettered again. This time the car was a Chrome Aluminum car with Bright Red letters and a Emerald green Shading that was titled Robbins Bros. 3 Ring Circus with Hoot Gibson The Screen’s Most Popular Star on both sides of the car.
This car was used every year from 1985 until 2002. It did not travel in 2003.
As of Sept. 2007, it was still on a siding at the Train Sheds.
This flatcar is a 70 ft. Warren design flat. The car design uses the under belly truss design of the very early Warren Tank Car Co. manufacturing. It was placed on loan to the Circus World Museum from the Royal American Shows on April 27, 1971.
The actual origin of the car is only speculation. Built by the Warren Tank Car Co. sometime between 1920 and 1927, this flatcar was one of many that Royal American Shows bought from the defunct Cetlin and Wilson Shows in 1968 when the show went broke in Savannah, Ga. Royal American’s loan to the Circus World Museum stated these cars had a Ringling background.
On Jan. 15, 1952, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows, Inc. daily ledgers now housed at the Circus World Museum Research Library detail the sale of three flatcars numbered 125, 132, & 137 to Cetlin & Wilson Shows. The Billboard reported in the February 2, 1952 issue that Cetlin & Wilson had bought five RBBB flats and they had already been shipped to Petersburg, Va. winter quarters for Cetlin and Wilson. It is also known that Ringling did indeed have 70’ Warrens as a couple exist at the Circus World Museum now.
Upon it’s acquisition for the Circus Train, the car was unused until the train was resurrected again in 1985. The flatcar was refurbished and repainted Silver with Blue letters and used an Orange Shading. It was titled Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and lettered the same on both sides of the car.
In 1997, the car was repainted and re-lettered again. This time the car was a Chrome Aluminum car with Bright Red letters and a Emerald green Shading that was titled Robbins Bros. 3 Ring Circus with Hoot Gibson The Screen’s Most Popular Star on both sides of the car.
This car was used every year from 1985 until 2002. It did not travel in 2003.
As of Sept. 2007, it was still on a siding at the Train Sheds.
Flatcar # 3
I took this in 2006 as it was parked beside the CWM train shed. You can barely make out the truss type supports underneath.
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Flatcar # 8
The History of Flatcar # 8.
This flatcar is 70’ long and was originally built by the Mt. Vernon Car Manufacturing Company sometime between 1921 and 1924. It was built with a straight sided design unlike the normal Mt. Vernon drop down design. This was an attempt to re-create the success that that the Warren Tank Car Co. was having with their almost straight sided designed cars.
Although the original owner is unknown, the Mighty Sheesley Shows had it by 1930 and numbered it # 44. It remained there until 1944 when Pete Kortez and Mel Vaught bought the entire show and re-titled it as the North American Exposition. They lasted one season. Cetlin and Wilson decided to buy their own train at last and picked up the entire North American Exposition for a start. Once this flatcar was on Cetlin and Wilson it retained # 44 until they went out of business in 1968.
This flatcar was obtained on loan through Royal American Shows on April 27, 1971. They had bought it from the defunct Cetlin and Wilson shows when they closed in Savannah, Ga. in 1968. Royal American Shows never used it.
In 1985, it was decided to use this flatcar on the parade train. It was painted White with Red Letters and yellow Shading being titled Hagenbeck Wallace Circus. It was given the #8 on the parade train and used for the 1985, 1986, and 1987 routes.
It was never used again. On Sept. 11, 2003, the Sedlmyer family donated this flatcar to the CWM to keep it permanently in the Museum’s collection. It is considered to be the oldest show business flatcar still in existence. As of Sept. 2007, it was still on a spur track outside the Train Sheds.
This flatcar is 70’ long and was originally built by the Mt. Vernon Car Manufacturing Company sometime between 1921 and 1924. It was built with a straight sided design unlike the normal Mt. Vernon drop down design. This was an attempt to re-create the success that that the Warren Tank Car Co. was having with their almost straight sided designed cars.
Although the original owner is unknown, the Mighty Sheesley Shows had it by 1930 and numbered it # 44. It remained there until 1944 when Pete Kortez and Mel Vaught bought the entire show and re-titled it as the North American Exposition. They lasted one season. Cetlin and Wilson decided to buy their own train at last and picked up the entire North American Exposition for a start. Once this flatcar was on Cetlin and Wilson it retained # 44 until they went out of business in 1968.
This flatcar was obtained on loan through Royal American Shows on April 27, 1971. They had bought it from the defunct Cetlin and Wilson shows when they closed in Savannah, Ga. in 1968. Royal American Shows never used it.
In 1985, it was decided to use this flatcar on the parade train. It was painted White with Red Letters and yellow Shading being titled Hagenbeck Wallace Circus. It was given the #8 on the parade train and used for the 1985, 1986, and 1987 routes.
It was never used again. On Sept. 11, 2003, the Sedlmyer family donated this flatcar to the CWM to keep it permanently in the Museum’s collection. It is considered to be the oldest show business flatcar still in existence. As of Sept. 2007, it was still on a spur track outside the Train Sheds.
Flatcar # 8
Fellow bloggermeister, Jim Peterson, was nice enough to provide the only photo I ever found of # 8 in use on the CWM train.
Flatcar # 50
The History of Flatcar # 50
This flatcar is 70’ long and was built by the Mt. Vernon Car Manufacturing Co. sometime between 1921 and 1927. The original owners are unknown. Speculation could be that they were from the Sparks Circus that bought Mt. Vernons in 1921 and 1923 and that they were bought from Ringling in 1936 or 1937 after Ringling had bought the American Circus Corporation that included the Sparks Circus. The Cole Bros. Circus had Mt. Vernons also. Their train was a compilation of former show equipment including the 1925 Robbins Bros. Circus, the 1924 to 1926 Christy Bros. Circus and / or the 1925 to 1927 Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West show.
It is also uncertain as to just when the World of Mirth Shows acquired this car and from whom. While it was on the World of Mirth Shows it was # 61.
This car was purchased by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co from the World of Mirth Shows for the Circus World Museum on Sept. 21, 1964. It was used as a run car.
Once in the possession of the Circus World Museum, the car was refurbished and repainted a dark Orange body with Silver letters and a Green Outline titled Al G. Barnes Circus on both sides. This car was used from 1965 through 1973 then when the parade train was resurrected again from 1985 through 1990. It was retired due to its physical condition.
As of Sept. 2007, it was resting on a spur track beside the Train sheds located west of the Circus World Museum.
This flatcar is 70’ long and was built by the Mt. Vernon Car Manufacturing Co. sometime between 1921 and 1927. The original owners are unknown. Speculation could be that they were from the Sparks Circus that bought Mt. Vernons in 1921 and 1923 and that they were bought from Ringling in 1936 or 1937 after Ringling had bought the American Circus Corporation that included the Sparks Circus. The Cole Bros. Circus had Mt. Vernons also. Their train was a compilation of former show equipment including the 1925 Robbins Bros. Circus, the 1924 to 1926 Christy Bros. Circus and / or the 1925 to 1927 Miller Bros. 101 Ranch Wild West show.
It is also uncertain as to just when the World of Mirth Shows acquired this car and from whom. While it was on the World of Mirth Shows it was # 61.
This car was purchased by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co from the World of Mirth Shows for the Circus World Museum on Sept. 21, 1964. It was used as a run car.
Once in the possession of the Circus World Museum, the car was refurbished and repainted a dark Orange body with Silver letters and a Green Outline titled Al G. Barnes Circus on both sides. This car was used from 1965 through 1973 then when the parade train was resurrected again from 1985 through 1990. It was retired due to its physical condition.
As of Sept. 2007, it was resting on a spur track beside the Train sheds located west of the Circus World Museum.
Monday, November 07, 2011
Flatcar # 51
The History of Flatcar # 51
This flatcar is a 70 ft. flatcar similar to a Mt. Vernon design. It was purchased from World of Mirth Shows on September 21, 1964 by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. While on the World of Mirth Shows it was numbered # 81.
The actual origin of the car is only speculation. It is believed to have been built in the 1921 to 1927 time frame. The actual manufacturer is unknown. Fred Dahlinger has indicated that this was made of a different steel supplier and different dimensions than those of the Mt. Vernon variety thereby indicating a different manufacturer than the Mt. Vernon Car Manufacturing Company.
The original owners are unknown also. The car was on the World of Mirth Shows for many years but it is not clear as to when World of Mirth acquired it.
Upon its arrival at the Circus World Museum, the car was refurbished and re-painted a Dark Orange car with Black lettering titled Christy Bros. Big 5 Ring Wild Animal Show on both sides of the car. This was a run car used during the loading and unloading. This paint scheme was used from 1965 until 1996.
In 1997, the car was re-painted Orange with White Letters and a Red Outline titled Hagenbeck Wallace Circus on both sides. The car was still used as a run car for loading and unloading through the final parade in 2003.
As of September 2007, the car was resting on a siding beside the Train sheds located just west of the Circus World Museum.
This flatcar is a 70 ft. flatcar similar to a Mt. Vernon design. It was purchased from World of Mirth Shows on September 21, 1964 by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. While on the World of Mirth Shows it was numbered # 81.
The actual origin of the car is only speculation. It is believed to have been built in the 1921 to 1927 time frame. The actual manufacturer is unknown. Fred Dahlinger has indicated that this was made of a different steel supplier and different dimensions than those of the Mt. Vernon variety thereby indicating a different manufacturer than the Mt. Vernon Car Manufacturing Company.
The original owners are unknown also. The car was on the World of Mirth Shows for many years but it is not clear as to when World of Mirth acquired it.
Upon its arrival at the Circus World Museum, the car was refurbished and re-painted a Dark Orange car with Black lettering titled Christy Bros. Big 5 Ring Wild Animal Show on both sides of the car. This was a run car used during the loading and unloading. This paint scheme was used from 1965 until 1996.
In 1997, the car was re-painted Orange with White Letters and a Red Outline titled Hagenbeck Wallace Circus on both sides. The car was still used as a run car for loading and unloading through the final parade in 2003.
As of September 2007, the car was resting on a siding beside the Train sheds located just west of the Circus World Museum.
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Flatcar # 52
The History of Flatcar # 52
This flatcar is a 72 ft. Warren design flat. It was purchased from World of Mirth Shows on September 21, 1964 by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. While on the World of Mirth Shows it was numbered # 19.
The actual origin of the car is only speculation. Built by the Warren Tank Car Co. sometime between 1928 and 1937, it has been documented that the Bernardi Greater Shows later changed the name to World of Mirth. Bernardi Greater Shows bought new 72’ Warrens in 1926/1927. World of Mirth then ordered five new 72’ Warrens in 1936. The Jess Adkins and Zack Terrell owned Cole Bros. Circus ordered six new Warrens in 1937. They also bought three from the Sam Gumpertz era of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Other shows that were known to have sold the train cars that eventually ended up on Cole Bros. Circus included S.W. Brundage Shows, Dodson Shows, and 101 Ranch which had their cars come from the defunct King Bros., Gentry Bros. and 1929 Cole Bros. World Toured Circus.
Upon it’s acquisition for the Circus Train, the car was refurbished and repainted Red with White letters and a Light Blue Outline and dark Blue Shadow. It was titled Gollmar Bros. Enormous New Shows and lettered the same on both sides.
The car was then repainted again in 1997. It was an Orange car with White letters and a Dark Blue shadow titled Royal American Shows. This paint scheme remained through the last Milwaukee parade in 2003.
It is stored outside the Train sheds of the Circus World Museum on a side track as of Dec. 2006.
This flatcar is a 72 ft. Warren design flat. It was purchased from World of Mirth Shows on September 21, 1964 by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. While on the World of Mirth Shows it was numbered # 19.
The actual origin of the car is only speculation. Built by the Warren Tank Car Co. sometime between 1928 and 1937, it has been documented that the Bernardi Greater Shows later changed the name to World of Mirth. Bernardi Greater Shows bought new 72’ Warrens in 1926/1927. World of Mirth then ordered five new 72’ Warrens in 1936. The Jess Adkins and Zack Terrell owned Cole Bros. Circus ordered six new Warrens in 1937. They also bought three from the Sam Gumpertz era of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Other shows that were known to have sold the train cars that eventually ended up on Cole Bros. Circus included S.W. Brundage Shows, Dodson Shows, and 101 Ranch which had their cars come from the defunct King Bros., Gentry Bros. and 1929 Cole Bros. World Toured Circus.
Upon it’s acquisition for the Circus Train, the car was refurbished and repainted Red with White letters and a Light Blue Outline and dark Blue Shadow. It was titled Gollmar Bros. Enormous New Shows and lettered the same on both sides.
The car was then repainted again in 1997. It was an Orange car with White letters and a Dark Blue shadow titled Royal American Shows. This paint scheme remained through the last Milwaukee parade in 2003.
It is stored outside the Train sheds of the Circus World Museum on a side track as of Dec. 2006.
Flatcar # 52
Here is the CWM Flatcar # 52 when it was still on the World of Mirth Shows. This is from the Dan McGinnis collection.
Flatcar # 52
This is a Joe Back photo from 1992. This photo shows the truss type supports of the car frame.
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