CIRCUS TIME, TRAIN TIME: K-Line by Lionel 6-22238 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Majestic Musical Work Caboose (2008)

This Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Work caboose is a nice departure from the wagon hauling flat cars in that it's carrying the most popular type of musical wagon the circuses had in their inventory: the calliope. There have been other types musical wagons but the calliope is the fan favorite. I bought this loose without any wagon so I provided my own calliope. However, in the photos posted earlier of it hitched up to the train, you'll notice I placed a baggage wagon on it because the calliope was already in place on the layout. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

CIRCUS TIME: K-Line K6900-01 Calliope Wagon - Yellow Sides with Red Scrollwork

Another of my early purchases was this K-Line K6900-01 Calliope Wagon. As I would learn later, these models were put out in a variety of colors by a variety of manufacturers dating back to the 1950s, with K-Line being the most recent at the time. This wagon appears to have been loosely based on the "Two Jesters" calliope which I believe is now displayed at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida.  These calliope's operated from the steam produced by an upright boiler in the back of the wagon and produced quite a loud sound. If you've ever been near one while it was belting out a tune you know the feeling - and feeling it was as the surrounding air reverberated with the sound of quintessential circus tunes!   Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Above three images culled from Internet

CIRCUS TIME: Quickie Snapshot - K-Line Calliope