Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Train Sleeping Car 365 NEW ORLEANS was originally built by ACF in1944 as a WWII US Army Hospital Car in the 89300 series. It had no name in 1947, but soon gained one, becoming 56 NEW ORLEANS. This car had it rough - at least on-screen. The real car and its number are visible in the 1952 Oscar-winning feature film The Greatest Show on Earth. The real car shares a scene with Jimmy Stewart. Later, a full-size mangled model of the car serves as a set piece for the actors after the climactic train wreck. Renumbered to 365 NEW ORLEANS in 1953. Image: May 1960 still awaiting a refurbishment it may never have gotten (State Archives of Florida/Marks) |
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