Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Ringling Circus Museum - Private Rail Car

Inside the museum is The Wisconsin,  the private Rail car of John and Mable Ringling built in 1905. John Ringling was a railroad man and he and Mable traveled in style all over the country.





Why is the railroad angry? Because people are always crossing it!






Why can't the engineer be electrocuted? Because he's not a conductor!

 The inside to the train was like stepping into a home. Bathroom with full size clawfoot tub. The rooms were amazing, but due to extreme low light, these fuzzy shots are all I could get.
Car is 79 feet long 14 ft. high, 10 feet wide, named Wisconsin after the state the circus lived in. It has Living room, bathroom, office and bedroom on this car Below is the bar in the office.


What musical is about a train conductor?
"my fare lady"

jokes courtesy of Spikies Railroad Jokes

18 comments:

DawnTreader said...

Now that's something...! A rail car like that and a set of servants to carry the luggage... that must be the right way of travelling...

Judy said...

I would love to have traveled in this car! So much more civilized than flying!

Dawning Inspiration said...

What a neat train car!!!

Ruth Hiebert said...

That car looks very elaborate.Definitly riding in style,

George said...

I think I could happily travel around the country in that railroad car. It's very beautiful.

Sunny said...

What a great way to travel. Amazing workmanship and detail too.
☼ Sunny

LC said...

Luxury with the rhythm of the rails singing John and Mable to sleep!

Chatty Crone said...

Funny - because they keep 'crossing it' - lol
sandie

Unknown said...

Sandra,
I think the low light shots look great.
Definatly trveling in Lavish style, and Luxury.
In my swashbuckling days of the U S Navy I would ride the train back to Norfolk Va.I sure did not travel in that Luxury and style, as a matter of fact if I had not been visiting my future bride I would never have road a train, ever. Ha Ha

Ginny Hartzler said...

Gosh, this car is fascinating! For one thing, it does not look like regular metal or chrome, it looks like silver. It is beautiful, I bet you were jumping for joy. I love those set-in lights under the roof of the little portico thingy. Isn't that what they call where that railing is that you stand outside on the train, a portico thingy?? Maybe a standing platform....the office, I wish I had an office that nice! But the T.V. in the cabinet looks modern, did they add a few things that weren't there origionally? All these circus posts....they are all very different, like different posts, so I never tire of them. Hey, did they have any rubber CHICKENS?? BWAK!

Unknown said...

a fascinating piece.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Sandra, OH --that fancy railroad car does look like a home. My Dad worked for the railroad --and rode on the train to and from VA to CA when my brother got married. I was 8 yrs old and remember some of that trip.

The President of the railroad where Dad worked had his own railroad car --when he traveled. His was fancy --but not as fancy as the Ringling one.

Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

Remington said...

Thank you -- smiling! That is so cool! They did know how to live in style, didn't they?

Christine said...

What a way to travel! That beats a motor home in my book.

Ann said...

Wow, now wouldn't it be cool to travel like that. That is just awesome. I see you even kept on track with the jokes, good job :)

S. Etole said...

Traveling with amenities ... beautiful.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

I feel like bringing Buddy to see this. It's something he would really enjoy. Is this close to Tampa or Clearwater?

SquirrelQueen said...

Wow, the quality of the woodwork is amazing. They really knew how to travel in style.

Catching up, my internet connection was on and off last night!!