Where can I find the time to see the Ringling Bros train in 2012?
I know they visit Washington DC at the Verizon Center.
They also visit the George Mason University Patriot Center which is more interesting for me since it involves blocking crossings in the Clifton, VA area.
How do I find out when to see them and hopefully the elephant walk, too?
Thanks in advance.
Go to Ringling Bros. website. I believe that they list the movements of their trains on it. Also try calling them. Afterall, the circus is a people / public relations business.
Here is the official Ringling Brothers 2012 schedule for the Gold, Blue, and Red Tours.
http://www.ringling.com/TourSchedule.aspx?action=findshow&zip=Enter%20zip%20code
If any of the cities or towns are near your area, your local newspaper and/or TV probably will have feature stories as show time approaches. Also, you could call the newspaper or TV station a week or so before the show because they probably have been given information by Ringling Brothers regarding train arrival and show setup schedules.
Just remember that the Gold Unit moves by truck, not rail.
To kind of get you in the mood for your project:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIz7zg8_4QQ
These were from Sept. 2010 in Colorado as UP’s 3985 took RBB&B Blue Unit to Denver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCNpHmk3VIQ&feature=related
More on You Tube as well.
The train usually sits in Anacostia yard the whole time they are in the DC area. I don’t remember the train ever leaving when they are at George Mason. I pass it every day when it is here on my way to and from work.
Wow, that was something to see, the longest passenger train I’ve ever seen. I checked the schedule but it’s not coming to my home this year. I’ll be watching for another year, now that I know where it stops, the same place #844 and #3985 were on display. People talked about the elephant walk down the street, that would be neat to see.
Frisco used to bring in the Royal American Shows, which was a smaller circus and I would see those cars with my Dad, but we never saw any of the animals on parade.
Over the last couple of years the traffic report on the radio announced that Clifton Road through Clifton was blocked by the circus train unloading/loading for the George Mason shows. Maybe there was a special reason that time.
The Elephant Walk is today.
Here is the news item:
http://wtop.com/?nid=1015&sid=2784078
Here is the route.