Circus Trains

[grandpopswalt]

Hi Guys,

Does anyone have any experience with circus trains? I know that B'mann and LGB have various circus cars and, I believe, locos available. I guess my question is, how much effort is required to make a viable circus scene. Is there much available ready-made or would you have to scrartchbuild everything.

My grandson is only 18 months old so I have a litlle time before I have to get busy, if indeed I decide that it's a project that can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.

Grandpopswalt

[Rene Schweitzer]

Grandpopswalt,

I've seen a number of garden railroads with a circus within them, and most of it looked like ready-made.

Classic Toy Trains did a circus-themed issue (Oct. 2003), and had a supply list. Circus Craft Creations, San Diego CA 619-582-1733 has an extensive line of HO, O, and large scale circus stuff. It's available through Walthers. Some of Pridelines stuff looks large scale-i***o me, www.pridelines.com QSIndustries has calliope sound boards, www.qsindustries.com

One last thought--sometimes places like Walmart have circus stuff around the holidays. I remember seeing a merry-go-round last year that could be modified--and if you get it after the holidays at half price, a good deal!

Hope this helps!

[bman36]

Grandpopswalt,
To further what Rene just mentioned, I have seen various items at large discount toy outlets. Dollar stores have plenty of animals for 50 cents that would easily fit the bill. These can be played with without worry also. I would venture off the beaten path and see what you can find in the "non-railroad" world. You'll be amazed at what is out there! Great project BTW. Later eh...Brian.

[grandpopswalt]

Rene and Brian,

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. Those are great ideas, I'll start shopping around for those little critters now.

Grandpopswalt

[Anonymous]

Grandpopswalt

Other than trains, there is not much on the market in our scale you can buy. A year or so after starting our railroad, we purchased a tent and some animals. I had made a working turntable (Center ring) for animals to go around the inside of the tent and a Feris wheel. Then for whatever reason, we bought a Knex roller coaster (8' long X 3" high, X 3' high and a Pola merry-go-round, plus a ski ride that was supposed to go around the Christmas tree..

Decided we could not leave this stuff out in weather so we built a 22' X 4' X 4' enclosure to hold the stuff. Since then, I have built a working Daredevil motorcycle cage, a motorized whale jumping out of water(Imaginary water) in a tank, a working chair ride, etc.

You can also find some stuff made by Department 56 that will work if your not too fussy about scale.

George

[grandpopswalt]

George,

Thanks for the response. That sounds like a formidable circus you've made. Any way to get some photos of it onto the forum? If not, is it possible to e-mail them to me?

Grandpopswalt

[Anonymous]

grandpopswalt

All my photos are in one big jumble, Will sort them out and e-mail them to you.

George

[Anonymous]

Hi grandpopswalt
Perhaps the first job should be to talk very nicely to domestic management and get her to make the big top on the sewing machine.
saw a circus on a garden railway video of the LGB Club of Australia with a circus and that is how they got the big top the owners wife made it, unfortunatly it did not say how or what fabrics where used.
I would say other than actualy aquiring the trains the big top is pretty important.
[2c]
regards John

[grandpopswalt]

John,

Thanks for the feedback. You're right, I'll probably have to start a campaign to get Grandmagerry involved in this project (shouldn't be too hard though, she'll do anything for the little guy).

Walt

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Stumbled on your thread while looking for info on Circus Trains. My HO "layout" is a track around the family room in the basement just below the ceiling. I built an Advertising Car a few years ago to give my passenger consist some color and that's how the disease got started.

If I was going to build something that "little fingers" were going to be around I'd stick with the LGB etc. Some paint and decals and you're set. Nice & rugged.

I've built a couple of the Circus Craft kits. They're nice when you're done but when you open the box you get a drawing & some sticks. I had to cut some 50 individual boards to deck each flatcar. I enjoy them but would not want to hand them to a little kid to play with.

I noticed Walther doesn't list them any more as a manufacturer. Anybody know if they are still in business?

Harry in IN

[Matt/Wisc]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpopswalt
... how much effort is required to make a viable circus scene. Is there much available ready-made ...

grandpopswalt,

Go to the website listed below; press the Circus Tab.

http://collectobil.com/catalogue/catalogue.html

This is not a complete catalog of the circus items that were produced; there were many more. You will need to search eBay for them.

Matt/Wisc

[Anonymous]

Since you're grandson isn't too big yet, why not get started with Playmobil stuff? They have some nice circus stuff, and ofcourse it is size compatible. Then later, if the interest is still there, gradually replace with better models. That way you have, IMHO, a good child-proof start.

[smcgill]

Check this out!
http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=33582 [;)]

[Train 284]

There are probably products ready-made. I dont really know, I'm gussing.

[ttrigg]

grandpopswalt

Go to Lowes, Christmas decorations! They have six horse carosel that is about 1/18(?) scale. (little bit large) and some other winter "theme park" type stuff. If you are not that concerned with "correct scale" it might be a possibility.

[vsmith]

Hi Walt

Theres a whole lot of stuff avalable from Bachmann over the years under the Emmet Kelly Circus line, not hard to find on Ebay, and B'mann has just reintroduced a new circus train under the Bachmann Brothers name, which I would suggest as its likely using a recent generation "Annie" drivetrain and not the older Big hauler found in the Emmet Kelly version. They are also issueing 3 new circus cars.

LGB had a circus train under the Wilson Brothers name, but these are often colletables nowadays and fetch high prices.

Aristo did a circus train a few years back using the 0-4-0 switcher and a couple passenger cars and I remember seeing a circus version of the FA-1 also.

[wd8jik]

For a real treat have a look at the work of the late Ed Martin.
He spent twenty years making his circus, and made everything you see except the wheels on the wagons.

It's a shame he is no longer around, as he made many animated displays also.

http://users.stratuswave.net/~wd8jik/ed/ed1.htm

Enjoy

[piercedan]

If I remember correctly, LGB Toytrain line has a circus train.

[ttrigg]

LGB G Gauge #72310 Circus Train Starter Set.

OUT OF PRODUCTION! (according to LGBOA) They have declared it to be a Museum Piece. May be available form some dealers.

[grandpopswalt]

Thanks again for all the ideas. I'm slowly gathering bits and pieces. As someone pointed out, he's still a little young to really "play" with these models so I'll just keep collecting and one day he and I should have a pretty complete circus to play with.

Walt

[John Busby]

Hi grandpopswalt
There is a German brand of very nice toy animals bit pricey
but they are good quality products.
Next time I am in the local toy shop will note the brand name
As I will be geting some native animals like Emu, Kangaroo and some ostriches for the farm[:D]
Hope they do Texas long horns as I believe the LGB ones are now out of production
Have seen elephants, giraffes, ankole cattle, lions, tigers, platypus( they are to big) as are the frogs.
also hyenas, variouse deer, bison, buffalo, several breeds of horse including clydesdales and other farm animals all by this same german manufacturer.
regards John

[ttrigg]

grandpopswalt

Was out looking at possible goodies to get for myself and ran across this item.
It is a Bachman set.

http://www.internethobbies.com/internethobbies/baclarscalri.html

[Anonymous]

A few years back Aristo-Craft produce a Circus Train - 0-4-0 total line of Sierra Passenger Cars - boxcar & cattle car trailer car & caboose: I gave my mother this set .

mikadousrp

[Anonymous]

I to would love a nice big bright Circus train, not stationary circus though. Their was a terrific one on ebay recently it went for about $1000 for about 12 pieces but it was an American one and i mainly run Europe, so I didn't bid.

The chap who was the president of our club Les Sheather has a terrific circus, it has been featured in our club movie.


Rgds ian