Circus Train Adventure 2: Life On The Road (Part 1 of 4)

While on tour with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, my father Lane Venardos joined me on the road for long visits. His fascination with Trains and Circus life inspired him to capture a lot of our experiences on video... and his 40+ years as a network television producer turned what was essentially a home movie into a totally unique and amazing documentary.
The seven mini-movies we made became a sensation among show cast and crew, and are a lasting and wonderful testament not only to my incredible adventures as Ringmaster for The Greatest Show On Earth, but to the exceptional skills and extraordinary heart of my father, Lane Venardos.

[@LynneAnn51]

Love this, sad it’s all gone now. The inside look at the train travel is appreciated.

[@andybarrete6749]

I hung out there too from 1987 to 1988.what a ride.

[@utubewatcher360]

Thank You Kevin for allowing us to enjoy this adventure. I am in aw of your lifestyle and wonderful family unit. LOVE NESTER by the way

[@timdingus2129]

Thank you for uploading these small glimpses into the world of RBBB Circus trains. Your father did a wonderful job on these videos

[@roygould408]

Lived 6 yrs on red unit train what a great adventure

[@buminbeer2]

Blue unit, 2 years 1990-1991. I loved it.

[@steveflak1808]

barney how are you is brian still with us

[@Robert-lg2bl]

Awesome video!!

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

The people recognize, as I do, that the Ringling Bros. train is iconic. We grew up with it, eagerly anticipated its arrival, and wept as it went to its next destination. I personally could watch this video and the subsequent ones over and over, so enjoyable is the experience.

[@Jimbo48750]

Great! I was involved with a small railroad in Ohio and we brought the circus train down from the CSX yards to the area where the unloaded for their performances in the Cleveland area. Your trip makes me wish I could do that.

[@CSX_2057]

Circus train is one of my favorites of all time.

[@Cwilliam1999]

I'm sorry to hear that the circus is going away. Especially the train I would love to live on a train like that.

[@FancyTailAquatics]

Far cry from my 1990/91 tour. Rabbit ears at best, no Gps, Route Cards to know where you were going. The old-timers would say here is exactly what is in the next mile of where we are parking the train. If you need beer/smokes, taxi or walk that way 2/10's of a mile.

[@bendover9411]

I love how they used the theme song from Silver Streak, my favorite movie!

[@PoetryETrain]

Thank you very very much, these have been added to our playlists here and on facebook...

[@Bpflughaupt]

I just kept sighing and loving every minute of this!

[@smitty195]

Fantastic video-thank you for posting!

[@brucetharpe762]

It’s one of the former narrators for Railwayproductions, the late Lane Venardos!

[@barjblk55]

Wow wonderful train, i hope you are still traveling in this train and sharing the experience when you go to Mexico City, it's nice to see this train in my country and in sunday 25th the train will arrive once again in Mexico. :)

[@chaosdemonwolf1]

It goes to Mexico?

[@barjblk55]

Yes chaosdemonwolf1 but was the red train, maybe in this year was the last visit of these train because recently approved a new law circus without animals so it will be very difficult to come back again the RBBX to Mexico city

[@chaosdemonwolf1]

barjblk55 Well that sucks. But best of luck just the same

[@persephone2706]

@@barjblk55 I mean I understand the law but I have mixed feelings... I wish they would have been able to keep animals if they vigorously proved they weren't abusing them.

[@garryoxendine2699]

hey scott whats up bro yea I remember riding that train that was the coolest things other than playing with the elephants miss those ladies

[@Salmagundiii]

Great series of documentaries! Where are issues 1 and 7?

[@mikeggg5671]

That theme is from Silver Streak!!!

[@akrackenberger]

Hey Kevin, I stumbled upon these videos a month or two ago. I have seen the rbbb train roll through my town a few times in my lifetime. Though I wouldn’t want to do it long term, a week on the train (or 2) sounds like it would’ve been interesting. Such a shame all the things happened to make feld close that circus forever. I even was trying to find videos of winter quarters. Your dad had the idea being in tv for so long and executed it great. I work in tv also (behind the scenes).

[@jaredklock8754]

That Conrail loco at 5:!0 though.

[@bradythomas234]

I saw this show in New Orleans for my 6th bday. Either My older cousin or younger sister threw up I can't remember which

[@kenodonoghue4522]

Great videos! Do circus trains still exist?

[@wow1983]

lol I saw that train recently

[@dumbdumblittlegirl]

I would love to do this. I could live on a train no problem. It puts me right to sleep

[@ericpogorzelski904]

since they have sattel light television the can watch movies news and sports right on the train tracks

[@chasegoleman8794]

Venardos Circus Wahoo

[@circusm139]

Its pretty cool how the cast has their own little suite room like a hotel on the train. When you get to your destination every night did you stay in that room or did you stay in a hotel?

[@kingdeer2766]

Nice bn locomotive in Kansas City

[@jokerman213]

I know exactly the spot you guys were stopped at in Olathe KS.

[@Dan-uv5lw]

Theme song from Silver Streak

[@frankzeto2210]

ALL GONE NOW .

[@leeturbo2008]

Is this the blue or red there was 2 ringing and bb

[@seanmoua5514]

I like circus train hat I need a hat

[@devotedcetacean6568]

This was filmed 1 year before i was born just a month later

[@LimitlessLivingOver60]

The train is in Cambridge, MA right now. Took this picture of it. flic.kr/p/ySURDo

[@christophercoleman1895]

I love the circus

[@Deadbuck73]

Nice Pics.... wish I had known about the train years ago... my kids would’ve loved it!

[@Ryan-zc1tz]

"Wilks Barry" lol it's pronounced Wilks Barre as in "Bare"

[@danielgomez4080]

I know that there is a new show, called Built to... Can you help me with this, Kevin Vernardos?

[@crazy7997]

haha yep that's what the police are good at. No parking allowed here but it's okay for them to park all their patrol cars there and cause even more of a problem.

[@dirtwaterfox5074]

Actually the circus train was pulled by steam engine and if you want watch the greatest show on earth

[@noahcappabianco1032]

You said Wilkes bare wrong

what does Pentrex think about you posting their video? watch?v=gVryoAFC-1s

[@markjohnson4924]

This video was made by Lane Venardos.

[@magicjewel96]

Were really mean to the animals?

[@Cwilliam1999]

I don't think so people just like to protest and overreact as well.

[@stephaniecorrell9721]

Animal cruelty in the circus world

[@matthewhughes3717]

animals do not belong in circus