In the past when the circus came to town, it was a big event. You didn't have much to do back then. So people used to go to the circus for entertainment - even watching the circus people unload the train was considered something worth watching. Now that we have our own cars, cable TV, satellite TV, computers, and of course the internet...you no longer have to wait for a circus to come to town for entertainment because you already have all of the entertainment you could possibly want right at your own finger tips or drive somewhere for something to do. It looks like technology gradually pushed the circus out of business. Your photo sadly shows the reality that was sooner or later bound to happen.
|
Sad, sad, sad..! **sniff! Russell, what an interesting photo and an emotional description. Tying the two together is a remarkable skill in evoking the emotion of the "Final Curtain" falling on "The Greatest Show On Earth!" The scattered and discarded personal belongings of many who only knew The Circus as their only home. I hope some of these items were saved, or salvaged as I'm sure some of these items would be valuable to a museum or someone. I would hope that for many who have lost their only source of employment and their only home for many years, can find a bright and new future that is just as or more successful. Good luck to all those who dedicated their lives to travel by rail and entertain those of us who actually appreciated what they did. It is - was - a tough life, but they made it seem so "normal" and "fun" to possibly live too. How many a person has said over the years: "I think I'll just run away and join the Circus!"? That was a "rallying cry" for many in the years of "The Great Depression", and even after WW II. Hollywood made it a "normal" statement or storyline in many movies about the Circus, one character or two had the background of working for the Circus after they had "run away" from home, or trying to put a "horrible" or not so happy a life in the past.
As a railfan I always wanted to witness this train passing by in person, and yet even though I live on a route that would take it through my home city, I always missed it. Now - I will never have the chance to see this wonderful train rolling along the tracks. Taking with it a "mysterious" and somewhat "exciting" life of entertainment and awe inspiring enjoyment and many happy memories.
And Jeff Snell - although it is more than true that the digital / electronic age has contributed to the decline in attendance at the Circus shows - the hammer fell when PETA (Pissy Excitable Trouble-making A-holes) finally "won" their constant harassment of the Circus about their Elephants. Due to the mounting legal fees accrued over the years by the repeated "frivolous" lawsuits that always ended in FAVOR of the Circus NOT mistreating their animals - Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey finally had to retire the Elephants due to the constant harassment by PETA, and thus forced attendance to plummet drastically or dramatically over the past year. The Circus was fine and still available to "stay a-float" until they retired the Elephants in 2015. If they had kept the Elephants another few years, perhaps RBB&B would have been able to make it to a 150 year anniversary. Alas - they fell (like the Great Wallenda's) sadly 4 years short.
|
Excellently composed, Russell.
|
| Posted by on May 24, 2017 | |
There are no words, thanks for your kind post.
|
Well done!
|
| Posted by trip66 on May 26, 2017 | |
I'm sorry, but I'm glad the elephants don't have to shoved into such a small space anymore. But, aside from that, it is a classic train that will sadly no longer be seen on the rails. I always loved seeing it parked near where I live in Morrisville yard.
|
Everyone, I know a way to bring it back. EVERY CIRCUS TRAIN FAN OF THIS GREAT SHOW MARCH TO PETA AND PROTES TO STOP THEIR BS WITH THEMM SAVE THIS THING THE SHOW MAYBE OVER BUT WE RAILFANS CAN GIVE PETA Hell
|
|