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GRAN CIRCO RBBB en CUBA |
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For seven years from 1949 to 1956, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey played a post-season date in Havana, Cuba (mid-December to mid-January). To get the needed equipment from Sarasota, FL to Cuba, Ringling loaded their wagons on their usual railroad flat cars and took the flats and stock cars by rail over the Seaboard Airline Railroad to West Palm Beach, FL for the Florida-Havana railroad car ferry. Here are two of the consists. This
list is a work-in-progress -- and probably always will be.
Any additions or corrections, please email. |
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FLORIDA HAVANA RAILROAD CAR FERRY NOTES |
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The Florida Havana Railroad Car Ferry took the Ringling train cars on their annual journey from Florida to Cuba from 1949 to 1956. The ferry left from Palm Beach and arrived in Havana later the same day. Regular customers of the ferry included the Hershey company.
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CAR # |
1955 |
1955 RINGLING TRAIN TO CUBA - RAILCAR NOTES |
116 |
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Flat Car 116 was used to transport:
Wagon 142 - a 20' wagon that carried wardrobe trunks.
Wagon 143 - a 20' wagon that carried wardrobe trunks.
Canvas Truck 253 - a 31' vehicle.
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118 |
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Flat Car 118 was used to transport:
Wagon 125 - a 22' wagon that carried wardrobe trunks.
A Show/Parade Float - a 14' decorated trailer.
D4 B4 'Cat' - a 12' towing vehicle.
Wagon 57 - a 23' wagon that carried props. |
115 |
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Flat Car 115 was used to transport:
Seal Act Truck - a 23' vehicle.
Wagon 77 - a 12' seal act cage.
Wagon 114 - a 17' wagon that carried Lighting Dept equipment.
Wagon 93 - a 17' lion act cage. |
103 |
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Horse Stock Car 103 |
226 |
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Elephant Stock Car 226 |
CAR # |
1956 |
1956 RINGLING TRAIN TO CUBA - RAILCAR NOTES |
119 |
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Flat Car 119 was used to transport:
Canvas Truck 253 - a 31' vehicle.
Side Show Wagon 119 - a 21' wagon.
Wagon 114 - a 17' wagon that carried Lighting Dept equipment. |
118 |
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Flat Car 118 was used to transport:
Front Door Wagon 115 - a 19' wagon.
Side Show Wagon 70 - a 12' wagon.
Side Show Wagon 120 - a 21' wagon.
Concessions Wagon 119 - a 19' wagon. |
116 |
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Flat Car 116 was used to transport:
Hippo Wagon 85 - a 21' wagon.
A Show/Parade Float - a 14' decorated trailer.
Bears 78 - a 12' wagon.
Lions 79 - a 12' wagon.
Leopards 81 - a 12' wagon. |
117 |
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Flat Car 117 was used to transport:
Gorilla 97 - a 28' wagon.
Tiger Act 92 - a 23' wagon.
Giraffe 86 - a 19' wagon. |
120 |
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Flat Car 120 was used to transport:
Wagon 125 - a 22' wagon that carried wardrobe trunks.
Rhino 82 - a 21' wagon.
B10 D4 Cat - a 12' vehicle.
Chimp Act 74 - a 12' wagon. |
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A rented (from SAL?) Railroad Flat Car that was used to transport:
Baby Elephant
Bally Truck
Station Wagon |
224 |
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Elephant Stock Car 224 |
352 |
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Horse Stock Car 352 |
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RBBB railcars made the trip to Cuba via Florida-Havana railcar ferry. Performers arrived by Pan-American Clipper.
Show Dates and Notes:
December 8, 1949 to January 8, 1950 in Havana, Cuba at the Sports Palace.
December 8, 1950 to January 7, 1951 in Havana, Cuba at the Sports Palace.
December 16, 1951 to January 4, 1952 in Havana, Cuba at the Sports Palace.
December 19, 1952 to January 11, 1953 in Havana, Cuba at the Palacio.
December 18, 1953 to January 10, 1954 in Havana, Cuba at the Palacio.
December 17, 1954 to January 9, 1955 in Havana, Cuba at the Palacio.
December 17, 1955 to January 9, 1956 in Havana, Cuba at the Palacio.
Opening night 1954 was bought out by the Havana Lions Club.
Ernest Hemingway caught one of the shows in 1955.
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Acknowledgments |
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Research
resources include: Circus Fans Association of America, Joseph T. Bradbury, The White Tops Magazine Vol 52, #2, Edward A. Lester. Many thanks to all who
have contributed to keeping track of the histories of the
equipment of the RBBB circus trains!
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