[seayakbill]

Not boxcars used to transport circus stuff but boxcars with different experimental paint schemes. About 15 years ago Andy Petersen started the series and it took few years to complete the project. Atlas manufactured the boxcars for Andy.

Since it took a few years to complete I don't know how many folks acquired the full set. GN explanation of the project and photos of the " circus boxcars " travelling on the S&Y RR.

Bill

In 1956, the Great Northern painted up ten 40' boxcars in experimental paint schemes and sent them around the GN system for employee input. Some of the paint schemes were incredibly loud and garish (for the day), thus earning them the moniker, "Circus Cars".

 

[Lehigh74]

Thanks for posting Bill.

Back in the day, one of my favorite cars was the Lionel 9401, a GN boxcar in bright aqua.

 

[Jeff T]

Never knew that!!! Thanks Bill!

 

[Spence]

And of coarse you had to get all of them. Actually I think there a nice assortment of colors. :thumbsup:

 

[Krieglok]

Great paint schemes and nice collection. That is quite a collection too.

Tom

 

[Old_Hobo]

More info here:

http://www.gngoat.org/circus_boxcars.htm

Athearn did these in H.O. a few years ago as well.....

 

[seayakbill]

And of coarse you had to get all of them. Actually I think there a nice assortment of colors. :thumbsup:

LOL Spence, just like popcorn, once ya start you can't stop.

Bill

 

[Lee Willis]

Wow! Now that is cool. I never knew about those cars.

Thanks!!!

 

[cole226]

Good looking cars. And a really great story. :thumbsup:

Nobody is asking the question, WHY the white spots on the bottom of the cars? :dunno::dunno:

 

[seayakbill]

Good looking cars. And a really great story. :thumbsup:

Nobody is asking the question, WHY the white spots on the bottom of the cars? :dunno::dunno:

I had heard that the reason for the white dots was for identification purposes so that the boxcars were not used for revenue service and staged at some industry. The purpose of the boxcars were to travel the GN region so employees could vote on their choice of paint schemes.

Bill

 

[Chugman]

Bill, thanks for the great trivia this morning. I have always had a fondness for the mountain goat line and this just rekindles it. Hard not to like the Great Northern.

Art

 

[seayakbill]

Bill, thanks for the great trivia this morning. I have always had a fondness for the mountain goat line and this just rekindles it. Hard not to like the Great Northern.

Art

Yep, the GN Goat is one of my favorite logos. That is why I like boxcar #3, big time logo with the Billy the Goat.

Bill

 

[Old_Hobo]

Love the large logo on that car....but hate the road name lettering!

 

[callmeIshmael2]

Not boxcars used to transport circus stuff but boxcars with different experimental paint schemes. About 15 years ago Andy Petersen started the series and it took few years to complete the project. Atlas manufactured the boxcars for Andy.

Since it took a few years to complete I don't know how many folks acquired the full set. GN explanation of the project and photos of the " circus boxcars " travelling on the S&Y RR.

Bill

In 1956, the Great Northern painted up ten 40' boxcars in experimental paint schemes and sent them around the GN system for employee input. Some of the paint schemes were incredibly loud and garish (for the day), thus earning them the moniker, "Circus Cars".

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Awesome, Bill. Always love to see GN stuff, but this is too special not to comment on!