Big top tent and circus layout

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Hi, Does anyone know who makes the big toptent and circus characters that go in it? I saw it in one of my classic toy train magazines, but can’t find it now. I did a search and it may be in october 2003 page 52 not sure if that is it or not since I don’t have the magazine. Any help would be appreciated.

2

In association with their circus train Lionel/K-line has some circus people and accessories available at dealers and more to come in the catalogue. As to the tent you could try Walthers, I think they have HO but I don’t know about O.

3

American Flyer had and original form 1953 I think and a repro put out in 1981 that had cardboard cut out of a circus tent, wagons accesories show ring and other stuff. I got one off ebay a month or so ago. Maybe this will show up.

'Jim

4

look at walthers , i think thats where i seen a big top tent in O scale, it was around 2 feet wide and 4 feet long, and was $$$$$$$$$$$$.

5

Ozzy,

we tried walthers, they do have a big top tent but it is only $129 or 139, and they don’t show a picture of the O gauge. Thanks for replying.

Bill

6

Hi Roger,

We found one at walthers but they show no pictures and it was only I think $129, so I don’t think that is it. If it had a picture it would help. This was a big top tent and all the accessories that go inside it. If anyone has this or has a picture of it could you post it for me please. Thanks.

Bill

7

the one i seen looked just like the ho one, same brand, i seen it in an old wathers o-scale book, the last book they had before they stopped making an o scale book, my lhs has a copy and still orders from it, some things are no longer made but a lot of it still is.

8

here, i found a smaller one. it wont let me post a link here but there is a pic, its the same brand, looks just like the bigger one, but its only 16" x 30"

www.discounttrainsonline.com has a pic, item # 294-9902 their price is 67.00.

the company that make it is gem city amusements. there are 3 sizes, but only a pic for one of them.

9

You may want to consider the Mr.Christmas brand “ready made” circus tent with a fully animated circus going on inside. It’s a big hit on my layout with visitors. Some train stores/shows sell them, also www.emusicalgifts.com under “World’s Fair” items. About $100., and worth every penny. Joe

10

Ozzy, that isn’t the one it is similar except that it is all open so you can see the different amusements. It should cost alot more money than that as well.

Thanks, Bill

11

Hi Joe,

I looked under world fair, and only 7 items came up. like the ferris wheel, carousel etc. I couldn’t seem to find the ready made circus tent though. What should I look under? Thanks,

Bill

12

Hi1 I just completed one from scratch. After I figured out the template it was pertty easy. I would send photos, but I’ve had no luck uploading to this site. Can anyone help.

Thanks,

Ed from Baltimore

13

here are some interesting “Big Top” sites

http://www.geocities.com/gshobbies/

http://www.circusmodelbuilders.com/

I’ll try to find the CTT issue you mentioned

14

Hi Ray,

Thanks for the sites neither of them are the big top tent I remember seeing, but the second site has a good idea if I wanted to build it on my own. Thanks for the sites. I’ll keep looking.

Bill

15

Ed,

I hope you can find a way to upload your pictures cause I would like to see them. I am always looking for ideas. Thanks,

Bill

16

You are right! They always carried the full line. I searched “world’s fair circus” on Googel, and a number of them came up, so you can at least see what it looks like. Sorry for the bum lead. Joe

17

Hi!

Finally, I figuered out how to get the photos up. I must of had a brain freeze. The ten is 27x18x13. I modelled it after a tent I saw for an Xmas train display at a local shopping center.

If any questions, I’d be glad to answere them. I haven’t finished this yet as I have to add a grandstand which I ordered from a shop in Kentucky and I need lots of other details. As of yet I haven’t ballast the track in this new section. I have around 250 square feet of running trains. My next project, if I get the cuts will to built a mountain in a section to be added.

hope this helps,

Ed

18

Ed, nice job

the large tent really makes the scene

thanks for the pics

19

Ed

Nice job! I’ve been thinking of doing the same on my layout but haven’t as of yet gotten around to it. Who is doing your grandstand? I’ve been looking for one for my baseball field. Thanks, and again, GREAT JOB!

Basement Artie

20

Grandstand is from Moutain Precision Products…www.mpp-models.com

I saw them at the scale model show in Baltimore a couple of weeks ago. He only had HO there but I orderd 2 grandstands. Look on their website They have a full description. Footprint is roughly 10x5.

Hope this helps.

Ed from Baltimore