Circus decals and models wanted .

[sirenwerks]

Here are some circus scratch built by me on my Chrome Picasa site https://picasaweb.google.com/up1950s

The problem is I can scratch it but I don't want to scratch 5 or more . If it was just box .... maybe , bit it is the chassis as well .

Nice!  The Euro boxcar turned wagon is a cool idea.  Since I want to freelance a circus, a Euro circus in the states, that idea might be one for me to consider duplicating.

The one thing I need to nail down is what would be a prototypical consist for a circus.  Since flat cars will depend on what those cars are carrying, I need to figure out how many/types of wagons and tractors, etc. and passenger cars I will need for my consist.  I know it depends on size of show, which you can then guesstimate size of troop and carney crews, but I don't know where to begin for that math.

[up1950s]

A big circus will have 3 consists to a single event IIRC . Sometimes an advance litho car , then the tent , seats , and riggers need to show up , then the concessions , animals and humans . Lots of info in the mag " Spangles and Sawdust " which back copies are available on eBay .

Some info here http://www.trainweb.org/circus/train_equipment.htm

and here http://docsmidwaycookhouse.com/railroad-history-circus-trains-carnival-trains/


For those into an exact train consist , the money shot is here http://www.circushistory.org/Bandwagon/bw-1959Nov.htm

[sirenwerks]

Actually, I'm looking at something more akin to the '56 Clyde Beatty train - a single block of 15 cars - not the RBBB Blue or Red trains.  Perhaps it's modeler's license gone astray, but I want to create a fictional canvas tent show and a train to haul it; something that would look prototypical in the 1960s but a working show, not a museum piece like the Baraboo trains.

[randgust]

I got a copy of "The Circus moves by Rail" a couple years ago - very used, very beat-up, and worth every penny.

If you're thinking of modeling a circus train, this is 'probably' the best place to start on understanding the equipment, operations, and its a very complete book.

[sirenwerks]

Have it.  Along with Trains of the Circus, 1872-1956; Show Trains of the 20th Century; Circus Trains, Trucks & Models; Circus & Carnival Trucks: 1923-2000; and Circus & Carnival Tractors: 1930-2001.  All have great info and photos but I still don't have the complete knowledge I need to create "the" train.

[prbharris]

Actually, I'm looking at something more akin to the '56 Clyde Beatty train

We have the decals for both the red and blue Clyde Beatty flatcars available at www.nscalkekits.com and the pdf posted earlier.

Peter

Peter Harris
N scale Kits
www.nscalekits.com