[CBQ] Re: Brookfield Zoo & Giraffe car

["poodles53218" <lanceb@walthers.com>]

"If you visit the Ringling Bro's Circus Museum in Baraboo (owned & operated by
the State of Wisconsin), "

AFAIK, there was never any formal connection with Ringling; however the Circus 
World Museum is located on the original Ringling winterquarters grounds, used 
until after WWI. 

"there is at least one old animal car (don't recall if its for horses or 
elephants)"

One of each. Horse cars are basically 72' long stock cars with the usual 
open/braced sides; circus cars also have small hitching rings on the sides. 
These were also used for performing horses and some of the less dangerous 
animals displayed in the menagerie, known as "lead stock" as they could be lead 
around. 

Elephants are susceptible to respiratory ailments, so they traveled in what is 
basically an outside braced 72' boxcar with small side vents. 

"Circus flats are very unique in construction as they were among the first to 
use 'piggyback' as trucks."

Actually, railroads "stole" their approach to loading trailers from the circus, 
who began using end ramps ("runs") clear back in 1872. Early piggyback 
operations required backing trailers down ramps and onto flats, which reminded 
some of the old hands of the railroad circuses, hence the nickname 
"circus-style loading" in piggyback circles. 

But the real reason for the larger size was freight rates. The railroads 
charged by the total number of cars handled, so it cost more to move 24 
standard 36' flats than 12 custom-built 72' flats. Another major difference 
were the side-mounted handbrakes to expedite loading. 

Lance Burton






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