{"product_id":"americas-greatest-circus-train-9780911581645","title":"America's Greatest Circus Train","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmericas Greatest Circus Train  a 208-page hardbound  is authored by Bruce Nelson  a career transportation professional and historian. This all-color 10 x10 book brings back the days when the colorful Circus Train ran from the Circus World Museum in Baraboo  Wisconsin  through both Wisconsin and Illinois  delighting thousands of spectators. The new book features 335 mostly color photographs and illustrations  and has been in development for more than 10 years.  In text and photographs the book captures the color and excitement of the Circus Train  how it originated  its passengers  contents  loading and unloading of wagons  rail routes and planning  and finally how it faded away. Railfans  circus enthusiasts  former spectators at the Circus Parades and children of all ages will appreciate the detailed documentation this volume presents  says Don Heimburger  publisher.  The steam- and diesel-operated Circus Train was the source of the historic circus wagons used in the Milwaukee and Chicago circus parades that drew millions of spectators between 1965 and 2003. Over the years  the train consisted of up to 29 vintage cars carrying hundreds of guests and almost 90 historic horse-drawn wagons. Pulled at times by restored steam locomotives and at others by the most modern of diesels  the train operated over six different railroads using eight primary routes covering hundreds of miles per year. People in towns and cities all along the trains route anticipated the annual event. The Circus Parade was once the highlight of the summer season in Milwaukee  capturing the imagination of adults and children throughout the surrounding states and the world.  Like the days of yesteryear  when a number of carnivals and circuses moved across the country by rail  the Museums Circus Train presented an image of the past  thrilling crowds wherever it went. The Circus Paradeand later the trainbegan when a major sponsor  the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company of Milwaukee  agreed to underwrite them.  The Circus Train first appeared with its vintage cars in 1965  and ran until 2003  with several lapses. During the years  the train was routed over several railroads in Illinois and Wisconsin  including the Milwaukee Road  the Chicago \u0026amp; North Western  the Wisconsin Central  the Canadian Pacific  the Canadian National and the Wisconsin \u0026amp; Southern. The trips required an inordinate amount of planning by the Museum and the railroads  says author Nelson  including running time  stops and viewing locations  meeting schedules  obtaining water for the steam-operated runs  and care of the wagons and animals.  The new book contains a Foreword by Fred Dahlinger Jr.  one-time director of the Robert L. Parkinson Library and the Research Center at the Circus World Museum  and a well-known circus historian. Dahlinger is now curator of circus history at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Florida.  The Circus World Museum  operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society  began in 1959 to collect  preserve and present circus history. Today the museum owns the foremost collection of large circus and carnival pieces in the United States  including wagons  railcars and memorabilia. It also owns the former Ringling Bros. Circus railroad car shops in Baraboo.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45650350145589,"sku":"ByrdShop_0911581642","price":249.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780911581645.jpg?v=1781794827","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/americas-greatest-circus-train-9780911581645","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}