Worlds Longest Circus Train pulled By Steam arrives

PT Barnums 200th Birthday Celebration is held at 47th and York St crossing as the Greatest Show on Earth, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus is pulled into Denver By the Worlds Largest Operating Steam Locomotive Union Pacific 3985 with ringleader in the cab. Born in 1810 Barnum did not start his circus promotions untill he was 60, he was one of the very first circus owners to move his circus by train and probably the very first to buy his own train.. His friend, W.C. Coup, helped him get railroad cars to make his tour traveling easier. Given the lack of paved highways in America, this turned out to be a shrewd business move that vastly enlarged Barnum's geographical reach. This special with The Worlds Largest operating Steam locomotive UP 3985 in 2010 was to celebrate his 200th Birthday with the 139th year of his circus

[@ronhoffstein8142]

It's almost with a tear in my eye when I acknowledge that RBB&B Circus won't have a need for a locomotive to pull their magnificent train. Great things from the past that were almost made for each other - 4014 and RBB&B Circus train were derailed by narrow minded people. Let's hope 4014 continues pulling history.

[@jaylonrawlins68]

its a challenger almost as strong as a big boy but not as close to being strong as a big boy

[@SkipW]

@trainguy3 True, but for the historical significance I encluded the "whole enchilada" as this will probably never happen again under Steam Power that is so I gave PT Barnum his full due after all, it was his 200th Birthday celebration and the Circus train came to town pulled by the Union Pacific 3985

[@davebelk5415]

Good job Ringmaster Iverson! Wish you could deliver the same speech here in Charlotte NC.Too bad the U.P.Challenger 3985 could never traverse NS rails here in the east.Be great if the circus could hire me as the next performer as my railroad character Casey Jones III.Great-Grandson of the namesake train engineer.Be great to travel with the circus.Always have been a circus train fan for the past 35 years.Great to watch the circus load & unload.Would recommend it to my friends & family.

[@NS-ex6cm]

I love when people from the technological age come to see a 80 years old wonder built with no computers, just drawings and math calculations.

[@Icdean86]

They need to do this on the east coast with C&O 614.

[@geomodelrailroader]

150 years years ago all circuses were pulled by trains Ringling was the first. founder PT Barnum was the man who also gave us Intermodel Freight. William Coop was hired by Barnum to come up with a way to load circus vehicles onto the train and unload them quickly. what PT and Coop did is they placed a ramp at the end of each car and used animals and later tractors to unload the train. today this is called Circus Loading and the Intermodel industry thrives off of it.

[@isaiahwilliams2642]

It is truly sad that we won't see 4014 pulling the Ringling Bros. ever.

[@reneastle8447]

We'll bring it back.

[@transportationproductions1794]

So I've heard about the revival in 2023!

[@bradleycotton3237]

@@transportationproductions1794 But no animals. 😔

[@transportationproductions1794]

@@bradleycotton3237 I know! Because animals are part of a family and we should take really good care for them.

[@zebrastudios]

@transportationproductions1794, @bradleycotton3237 be glad they aren't bringing animals back, they abused them in horrific ways, JUST to get them to perform "tricks"

[@rdelamora1968]

each machine is pretty in its style (diesel and steam)

[@tommy4trains]

yep! cannot wait!

[@Traingeek24]

Dude bells can be very important trust me on this

[@SkipW]

@M1911A1 -I sure wish i hade made it down to the end to catch it when it slipped, but I just arrived to this RR crossing "circus"

[@infaredxkingz8786]

Man, she was laughing all the way long

[@harrykuheim6107]

Fuck the Liberals...bring back the Circus , Elephants, Lions, Tigers, Tents, etc .....Whoopie Golberg could be a Fat Lady and have a real Job.

[@southernpennsyrailfan8579]

Can’t wait for it to run again

[@yeoldeseawitch]

cant wait for it to take several years and then ultimately fail...

[@voidjavelin23]

​@@yeoldeseawitch jeez what are you on about dude??

[@NickValdezRRPhotography]

Im the kid who walks by in the background carrying a tripod at 10:55 in the video

[@2002orginia]

Casey jr all grown up

[@transportationproductions1794]

I think the Union Pacific Challenger and the UP Steam Crew were the real stars of the Greatest Show on Earth!

[@shalsruralroute3062]

Sadly, 3985 was officially retired this year, after being out of operation for ten years.

[@dillonohlemiller401]

Not anymore

[@TheSudrianTerrier653]

@@dillonohlemiller401ye, it’s being restored by RRHMA , and 5511 , the last TTT-6 is also being restored

[@mildewitold1947]

Coś pięknego w tych parowozach ja to przeżyłem 40 lat temu też na takich potężnych maszynach jeździłem po Polsce!!!

[@geomodelrailroader]

@SkipW LOL Skip PT Barnum was the King of the Circus if you want to see how they unload and load this train watch Extreme Trains Circus Train. It was good for #3985 to pull the Ringling Express into Denver. he spent 4 years in the shop and said "I think I will make a world record I want to pull the Ringling Express again" and this is what #3985 did #3985 pulled the train again the last time he did. it was in the 40s when every circus was pulled by Challengers.

[@alishamcdonald7316]

2:12 15:12

[@terencewilliammckenna6121]

Wow

[@TheLookyus]

Casey, Jr.'s comin' down the track Comin' down the track With a smokey stack Hear him puffin' comin' 'round the hill Casey's here to thrill Every Jack and Jill Refrain: Every time his funny little whistle sounds (Toot toot!) Everybody hurries to the circus grounds Time for lemonade and cracker jack Casey, Jr.'s back Casey, Jr.'s back

[@transportationproductions1794]

I think next time in 10 years, Big Boy 4014 will pull the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey circus train when its restoration is complete!

[@MrBnsftrain]

that won't happen! The circus won't be around anymore after May 2017! And all the last shows will be east of Chicago!

[@bradleycotton3237]

MrBnsftrain 😢

[@charlesettathomas4849]

Transportation Productions Good morning ☀️ love you giy

[@cesarjimenezanimator]

@@MrBnsftrain UNLESS... we find a way to bring it back for a new generation... with some changes, of course...

[@bradleycotton3237]

@@cesarjimenezanimator No animals. 😢

[@DavidKehley]

soon 3985 will no longer be the largest steam engine in operation

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

It will

[@mow4ncry]

I think the last Ringling Brothers train next month (where ever it is) should be pulled by steam, since that's how they were when the circus started.

[@robertlucido3686]

That's true especially since we won't be able to see it being pulled by Big Boy 4014 when he comes back to steam this year

[@Lucky-yc3vp]

To think that if this circus had held on for just 2 years longer they would have had the opprtunity to ended with a bang from the railfaning perspective by having 4014 pull the last train to denver.

[@Filomeno28]

Mi sueño en la vida. Miembro de un circo. Itinerante. De aquí para allá toda la vida, sin estar en ninguna parte nunca..."" 🤡🚂🐩🐘🐅🐆🐎🐒🎪♥️

[@SkipW]

@bigsteam5344 They were great trackside, so I might have to go see the The Greatest Show on Earth, pulled by The Largest Show on the Rails

[@zacharylucisbecker2352]

Sadly 3985 may never see the light of day

[@BigNate5404]

Don’t worry UP is hard at work rebuilding 3985 it will be back by 2022 or 2023

[@BBVCorvettec62005]

She has more power than two of those diesels and some...she's also over 70 years old haha. True engineering of the modern era of steam! If I become a billionaire I'm bringing back a BIG BOY to the rails:)

[@infaredxkingz8786]

Another big boy?

[@trainguy3]

15:12 ahh saved by the release valve!

[@rdelamora1968]

awesome....the Challenger steam locomotive......like

[@austinhrkid1]

Ole Steve Lee at the controls I'm sure Ed dickens was the fire man at this time fueling that behemoth.

[@hdvurle]

Operator work is pure shit. Educate itself.

[@reitoe]

Fantastic video. Thank you.Two thumbs up!!!

[@elisahuberman3408]

There were flies buzzing in front of the camera

[@firehawk0]

who knows? in 6 more years, the circus train could be pulled by the Big Boy 4014 =) hope it happens

[@308RoadReady]

Joey TIchy that would be major overkill! lol Just 1 of them could move it alone, but all 3 they should make a single consist of every rail car in Cheyenne to make it a challenge for all 3! lol

[@Kyle-cv2hj]

HotRod Buick Or haul every UP passenger coach, and the circus train. Also, it'd be better if 3985, 4014, 844, and 4449 pulled it.

[@manga12]

HotRod Buick well I dont know if that will ever happen they have revinue freight they have to keep on schedual too remember, but yea make it a 1.5 mile long train and let the big boy go have at it, pull it full of coal and heavy equiptment give it a real challenge pulling the fast fright. I am sure it could with given enough time, its no small feat even for three ge 4400s.

[@Kyle-cv2hj]

The GE toasters would flare up with that XDz

[@manga12]

Kyle Genthon heh problably or they would not have an easy go of it pull with a real struggle.

[@geomodelrailroader]

indeed soon BIG BOY will be back on the rails

[@RyanChugg]

Man, she can still pull!

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

I love trains....but I hate those annoying bells!...I'm glad they are not required on Australian trains.

[@FlyRunwayHeading]

844 where u at!?

[@mbtech2003]

2:12 she slips on the rails. Think its the first time I've ever heard it slip before. Guess it shows how heavy the load was...

[@tommy4trains]

if they restore UP big boy 4014 it should pull the RBBX train to cheyenne it would set another record for the largest circus train

[@transportationproductions1794]

UP 3985 is a celebrity.

[@robertlucido3686]

It'll be a bigger sight when Big Boy 4014 returns to steam

[@SandmansWeatherLab]

He is called the Ring Master not leader

[@caelanreeves9760]

3985, she's beautiful but she is not the largest the iconic "big boy's" we're the biggest. There restoring 4014 as we speak!

[@michaelwood9922]

THE ONLY THING IS THAT IS A CHALLENGER NOT A BIG BOY

[@caelanreeves9760]

3985 is the challenger lol big boy is the biggest

[@michaelwood9922]

THAT IS CORRECT

[@josephfoster3819]

U.P. railfan but none of the big boys are currently operating

[@icefire001]

He actually said "The Largest OPERATING steam locomotive today" Soon to be supplanted by Big Boy

[@yourpageitsasheed]

It is true that this circus will come by train to Mexico in May 2012 great video the CHALLENGER its WONDERFUL!!!

[@geomodelrailroader]

they were setting up the ramps at York Street to unload the train because York Street is the north entrance to Denver North Yard and UP does not allow civilians in here so all loading and unloading happens at York Street WYE to prevent a safety hazard

[@RyanChugg]

IAIS said, all MAN!!! we need one of those!! But this is without Two steamers! Oh yeah , UP should celibrate

[@JerryNSretired]

Having spent many years on a railroad, I've always been amused at the fascination people hold for slipping locomotives. To us in the industry, it isn't funny and represents wasted motion and potential track damage, and it is to be avoided if possible. I've even spread sand before track machinery that couldn't gain traction to move about the shops. It's just not "funny" and would seem to be somewhat immature of those who find it so amusing! :)

[@lorasmith3498]

the diesel is for braking

[@IIIJFRIII]

i want to see this circus now, and i was always not a fan of them lol. but now i may someday.

[@MegaChallanger]

143 double stacks without diesle helpers. why is there a diesle on this train

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

Probably for dynamic braking. This was a pretty long train

[@azkalazkiya9870]

5:15

[@Hot293wildcat]

"Don't put that on KZbin!" Too late!

[@Lightwolf333]

I had a feeling that you were going to catch this.

[@PoetryETrain]

Thank you Skip, added to a playlist...

[@vernwallen4246]

Reminds me of my x-gal pal,loved too pull a train!!

[@SF3751]

He made it onto KZbin lol

[@rogerstill71]

No circus can enthrall me the way 3985 does...

[@lorasmith3498]

they are thinking about restoring 4014 (big boy)

[@geomodelrailroader]

during the time the ringmaster was giving his speech the train master is unloading the animals the switcher at 2:47 will take the animal cars to North Yard when the animals are off and then will pull the flatcars to the crossing so the circus pods can be unloaded as for the coaches they will head to Union Station for cleaning.

[@TNtrainboy15]

Perfect timing for the safety valve.

[@melbournerailwaysproductio3677]

5:17 now it’s UP4014

[@IIIJFRIII]

lol the ring leader in the cab! epicness!

[@tibbers3755]

Wait, there are two operational 4884s?!

[@firehawk0]

UP 3985 is a 4-6-6-4

[@modemdog3649]

@Michael B. Drawbaugh Lol ok bud

[@voidjavelin23]

​@@modemdog3649 buddy thats what the Challenger wheel arrangement is, look closely to the wheel arrangement you will know whos the idiot here

[@amtrakhiawathafan3609]

We miss you 3985 please enjoy your retirement.

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

3985 will return to service

[@facundoemmanuelbrandan5973]

Is big boy

[@geomodelrailroader]

LOL

[@johnthatcher946]

Steve Lee and 3985's last hurrah's. Who knew?

[@robertlucido3686]

At least now we have Big Boy 4014

[@lorasmith3498]

its ed dickens

[@geomodelrailroader]

LOL

[@45x45bw]

wish Union Pacific would restore a Big Boy : \

[@robertlucido3686]

They did #4014

[@talkartoons]

I can't believe they drag that ugly ass diesel around with them. Also union pacific is not the only railroad in the world that runs stream trains for historical purposes.

[@DavidKehley]

talkartoons the diesel is need for its dynamic braking system as well as extra power in case 3985 struggles

[@Tanvan180]

@bigsteam5344 IMO, 3985 is "The Greatest Show on Earth."

[@dakotashowalter5949]

bull crap it is one of the big boy steam locomotive class

[@CardinalFanSince]

Not sure what you mean. If you're arguing that the Big Boy is the largest steam engine in the world, then you'd be correct. In this video, at the time and all the way up to this point, the Challenger is the world's largest "operating" steam engine.

[@robertlucido3686]

3985 will be the second largest operating steam locomotive after Big Boy 4014 returns to steam this year