Looking ahead to the Circus - Auburn Hills Nov 10th

[sd70accsxt700]

It is also being lead by two SD75I's in Red and Silver. Train will come off the connection, at 22nd St. from the BN and they (BNSF) will take it down most likley to 71st. St. on 3 main like 99% of the coal trains do. In fact I got on my Q148 last night at the same time a GR crew got on there coal train across from us. So Blue Island Sub, Barr Sub, NS Chicago line, GR Sub. Depending on arival time could be a nice photo at BI Jct.

[~Z~]

Got an update: P90114 running from Chicago(Cicero) to Grand Rapids via CSX on 9/14. Scheduled departure around midnight, into Grand Rapids they are guessing 9am.

[~Z~]

JT sent me a pretty sweet shot of the Circus train parked at Hugart Yard in GR. Two BNSF red and silver locos in great view from the Burton St overpass near US-131.

[StrayWolf716]

Indeed, nice positioning at Hughart.

[PM1946]

Any word yet when the circus train will depart Grand Rapids for Toledo? Their last performance is 2PM Sunday. I'd imagine they'll return to CSX for the trip eastward. I've heard the track that Grand Elk inherited between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo is not in the best of shape. A lot of rocking and rolling wouldn't be real good for the animals.

[trnwatcher]

Any word yet when the circus train will depart Grand Rapids for Toledo? Their last performance is 2PM Sunday. I'd imagine they'll return to CSX for the trip eastward. I've heard the track that Grand Elk inherited between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo is not in the best of shape. A lot of rocking and rolling wouldn't be real good for the animals.

Last year it seems that by the time RBBB got the train loaded it was early AM before they started out of Hughart. You might want to search the CSX locations threads as I bet someone posted when they where leaving GR last year.

[StrayWolf716]

Any word yet when the circus train will depart Grand Rapids for Toledo? Their last performance is 2PM Sunday. I'd imagine they'll return to CSX for the trip eastward. I've heard the track that Grand Elk inherited between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo is not in the best of shape. A lot of rocking and rolling wouldn't be real good for the animals.

One of the circus workers that I spoke with at the yard said that, like last year, the trip up on CSX was one of the roughest, most uncomfortable rides ever, leading to a sleepless night and agitated animals. Surely Grand Elk trackage can't be THAT bad lol. New ties, new ballast, just might be the answer. Nonetheless, agitated tigers and elephants doesn't sound like a good situation to me...

[~Z~]

Last year it seems that by the time RBBB got the train loaded it was early AM before they started out of Hughart. You might want to search the CSX locations threads as I bet someone posted when they where leaving GR last year.

Last year, CSX grabbed the train from Hugart in GR around 3am with the crew called at midnight, and was eastbound through town around 4:45am
Here's last years threads: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=15098&p=111820&hil ... us#p111820
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=15034&p=111826&hil ... us#p111826

[PM1946]

Thanks for the info and for your help. We had hoped to photograph the train east of town. Looks like we're going to need lots of light bulbs and looooong extension cords.

[A No.1]

Got this from my cousin.

151.625 is the Circus Train Operations radio frequency.
_______________________________________________

Sept. 20 RED UNIT TRAIN-RUN from Grand Rapids MI to Toledo OH.

2010 Red Unit Circus Train:
---59 cars (38 conventional passenger-type cars; 21 TTX-[type] piggyback flats)
---4,290 Tons (when fully loaded)
---5,235 Feet (WITHOUT host RR's power attached; 1 mile = 5,280 feet)

RED UNIT -- 139th Edition -- (Now on the second half of its 2-year tour)
SEE: <http://www.ringling.com/TopLanding.aspx?id=15322>
This RBBB train was shown on the History Channel TV series "Extreme Trains."
____________________________________________________

INTERACTIVE TOUR MAP (shows all 3 RBBB tours: RED / BLUE / GOLD):
<http://www.ringling.com/TourSchedule.aspx>
Click on "Tour Schedule" on the top left of the 'home' page. Clicking on various red pins shows where Red Unit will be visiting.*

Current RBBB rail-tour Edition Numbers for the Red (and Blue) Unit(s) are measured from the show's first year, 1871. Train-run ["jump"] dates presume each train departs the morning [or day] after the closing performance date. *Scheduled routing and departure time can change without notice.
_______________________________________________________

2010 RED UNIT PLAY DATES: Following is the "confirmed" second half, so far, of the 2-year tour of the 139th Edition ("Zing Zang Zoom"); watch for many more towns to be added her as the year progresses, and more towns are confirmed for Red Unit's 2010 tour.

ALREADY PLAYED:
*Miami FL: Jan. 8 - 18
*Nashville TN: Jan. 22 - 24
*Charlotte NC: Jan 27 - 31
*Columbia SC: Feb 4 - 7
*Atlanta GA: Feb 12 - 21
*Raleigh NC: Feb 24 - 28
*Youngstown OH: Mar 4 - 7
*Cincinnati OH: Mar 10 - 14
*Washington DC: Mar. 17 - 21
*Fairfax VA: Mar 24 - Apr 4
*Baltimore MD: Apr 7 - 18
*Charleston WV: Apr 21 - 25
*Dayton OH: Apr. 29 - May 2
*Albany NY: May 6 - 9
*Columbus OH: May 13 - 16
(MID-YEAR BREAK; TRAIN STORED IN VALLEY CENTER, KS.)
*Wichita KS: June 3 - 6
*Tulsa OK: June 10 - 13
*San Antonio TX: June 16 - 20
*New Orleans LA: June 24 - 27
*Corpus Christi TX: June 30 - July 4
*Houston TX: July 7 - 25
*Dallas TX: Jul 28 - Aug 8
*Fort Worth TX: Aug 11 - 15
*Austin TX: Aug. 18 - 22
*Lexington KY: Aug. 27 - 29
*Moline IL: Sep. 2 - 5
*Kansas City MO: Sep. 8 - 12

PLAYING NOW:
*Grand Rapids MI: Sept. 16 - 19

PLAYING NEXT:
*Toledo OH: Sep. 22 - 26
*Manchester NH: Sep. 30 - Oct. 3
*Worcester MA: Oct. 7 - 11
*Boston MA: Oct. 13 - 17
*Auburn Hills, Mich: Nov. 10 - 14

Nov. 15-18 HOME-RUN to Tampa, Fla. for short week or 2 break, then the all-new 141st Edition begins rehearsals....
________________________________________________

ANIMAL OPEN HOUSE (90 minutes before each show - included, along with the hour-long PRE-SHOW, with each ticket purchase); SEE:

<http://www.ringling.com/FlashSubContent ... derID=1078>
Participating Cities (so far confirmed):

Denver CO (BLUE): Thu. Sep. 30 - Sun. Aug. 10
Worcester MA (RED): Thu. Oct. 7 - Mon. Oct. 11
Wilkes Barre PA (BLUE): Thu. Oct. 28 - Sun. Oct. 31



__._,_.___

[GTW6401]

Just a reminder that the Circus will be at the Palace of Auburn Hills from November 10-14.

[csxt4617]

Anyone know the route? I assume NS Chicago line thru northern Indiana?

[MDH]

The Circus train is heading to their next show at Auburn Hills and per a report from the field was by Berea on NS heading for Toledo mid-morning. I'll be using my lunch to go look for it and will hopefully be able to update this later.

Michael

[CharlieX90]

The Circus train is heading to their next show at Auburn Hills and per a report from the field was by Berea on NS heading for Toledo mid-morning. I'll be using my lunch to go look for it and will hopefully be able to update this later.

Michael

Please keep me informed MDH..Are we looking at a run up the Detroit line?

[MDH]

As of 10 min. ago (@12:30) the circus train was at the pad by the Amtrak Depot getting a new crew for the run up the Detroit line. They should be departing shortly if not already - running as NS 047.

Regards,
Michael

[csxt4617]

Oops, for some reason, I thought it was coming from Chicago...I guess the Blue one was in Chicago, not the Red one, so the trip to Auburn Hills wouldn't come thru Northern Indiana (guess I shoulda read the thread) Doing some research, Blue train is in Rosemont IL, then to Chicago, then to Indianapolis

[KenB]

Circus train past Delray in Detroit, Mi @ 1443. Ran up to Vinewood. Crew change. Than north on GTW. Pat Nevada Ave on Holly sub with NS power around 1600.

[GTW6401]

Circus Train at Royal Oak. Units were NS 7582 and 9283.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendavey/5159956278/

[OaklandCountyCustoms]

Circus train now being unloaded on Giddings Rd in Orion. lots of flat cars with the pods going by truck. Checked pontiac yard,NS power now with GTW 4812 MU'd light/parked. Did not get a visual of any of the passenger cars. The yard only looked like empty flats, very dark. couldnt get a good look without trespassing. anyone know where those are?

[GTW6401]

CN brought the power for the Southbound Circus Train this morning on 513. The units are CSXT 8591 and 7587.