Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus train, the Red Unit, spent the morning in North Little Rock, Arkansas and had it's 1,000 mile inspection in UP's yard. It arrived in town at 3:30 a.m. last night and didn't leave until 11 a.m. Here are some photos I got of the train in the Union Pacific yards (riding with UP photographer John C. Jones) and in Jacksonville, Arkansas, about 10 miles north. There's also a link to a Youtube movie I got of the whole train passing under the Main Street bridge in Jacksonville. It was a beautiful clear blue sky and cooler day, which matched the train's lead locomotive, blue CSXT/Conrail 7331 to a tee. Thanks to John C. Jones for the heads up regarding where the train was parked.

Also photographed today: UP SD40-2's 1553 and 1556 passing the circus train and UP 6655. and UP 6047 in Jacksonville, AR leading a loaded coal train northbound.


Circus train as seen from the Main Street bridge over UP's yards in North Little Rock, AR. It's 7:56 a.m.  It was parked here since it arrived at 3:30 a.m. The 1,000 mile inspection was done later in the morning. There was rush hour traffic right behind me, but the sidewalk over the railyards is pretty wide.


CSXT/Conrail 7331 led this train.








Newly overhauled SD40-2's UP 1553 and 1556 passing the Jenks Shop facility in North Little Rock at 8:12 a.m.


UP 1553 and 1556 with the RBBB circus train at Jenks.




Taken from inside the yard area. I was riding with UP photographer John C. Jones.


CSXT/CR 7331 and UP 4693 pulling one section of the train east and will back up to connect with the rest of the train later. It's now 8:55 a.m.


CSXT/Conrail 7331 under the Interstate 30 bridge.


The bridge with the siding is Locust Street. We're standing under the I-30 bridge.


"Greatest Show on Earth" trademarks, two different designs.


Train backing, about to join the rest of the train. I understand the car about to be connected holds lion cages.


I'm now at Jacksonville. UP 6655 is passing under the Jacksonville Main Street overpass at 10:05 a.m. with a loaded coal train northbound.


DPU UP 6047, 10:07 a.m. There was a UP MOW track crew waiting for track and time here, but they were told to wait for the circus train, which didn't arrive for almost 2 hours.


At 11:56 a.m. the circus train arrived with CSXT/Conrail 7331 in the lead. The blue matches the sky.






Lion cages, empty.








11:57 a.m. Since the train was 59 cars long and it took 1-2 minutes to pass, I guess that means it was going at least 50 mph.

Here's a Youtube link of a movie of this train here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvyIIdNjhJI

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