Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Train Car 24 was originally a US Army Hospital Car built during WWII by ACF. To Ringling in 1947. From 1947 to 1957 the car was configured as a sleeper for circus performers. From 1958 to 1960, the circus moved mostly by highway truck and most of the train, including this car, was sidelined. A decision was soon made to bring the train back and this car was promptly reconfigured by gutting it and opening the ends for transporting the circus' new custom-made wagons. In 1960 the car debuted as a 'tunnel car', redesigned with the help of ACF. As before, the car was painted solid silver, but now with big Ringling text on graphics below the window line rather than the previous thin red stripe and lettering above the window line. If you know which 1947-1957 sleeping car this car was made from, please email. Image: Tunnel Car 25 seen at Denver, Colorado on Sept 19, 1968. This is likely the new lightweight replacement for the original Tunnel Car 25. This was the year before the Blue Unit train came into existence. If you have any more information, please email. |
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