Watco helped make history last week by helping to move on a two-mile train “The Greatest Show on Earth” one last time.
The final trip of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which is set for a final performance in New York on May 21, drew circus and train enthusiasts along the route on Watco’s Kanawha River Railroad (KNWA) in West Virginia.
The circus is closing after 50 years following a decline in ticket sales that owners attribute to eliminating elephants from the show and high operating costs.
The two groups of enthusiasts assembled to witness the unloading of the special cargo in our yard, the former Dickinson Yard in Belle, West Virginia, where the circus prepared to head out to its next-to-the-last show in Charleston, West Virginia.
Last year, when the KNWA still was under Norfolk Southern ownership, the railroad was one of the last stops for the trains that carried the Asian elephants before the act was phased out and the animals were relocated to the company’s Center for Elephant Conservation in central Florida. This year, the location was again named as one of the last stops for the circus, which was established 146 years ago.
John Barry Jr., manager of rail operations for field operations, was in charge of ensuring the train reached its destination safely and on time. He credited KNWA General Manager Derrick Jackson and his crew as being easy to work with.
The self-sustaining train only needed the use of a fire hydrant to provide a water supply for the circus employees traveling on the cars. Of the 54 cars, 35 of them transported people and 19 were dedicated to equipment.
There were 321 people that called the “city without a zip code” home and many of those living on the train have stayed in the same quarters for more than 15 years. Those traveling on the train include six chefs, two teachers, two daycare providers, and numerous performers and workers.
“What they go through to put the circus together is phenomenal,” Barry said. “I’m glad I got to be a part of it.”
Barry noted that this train appeared to have one of the largest followings as it rolled through the hills of West Virginia. Photographers and others were pulled over along the roads adjacent to the tracks to document its journey.
In addition to the trains, 12 semi-trucks transported animals and equipment to its destinations.
“We were proud and glad to be a part of it and I appreciated the professionalism of all involved,” Jackson said.
“Several of our Team members got to attend the circus and were amazed at the talent of the performers. The show was packed every night and even the Sunday night show, which I was told is usually the slowest night, was sold out. It’s sad to see a 146-year tradition go away. I was glad my kids got to witness one of the greatest traveling shows that ever was.”
Next, the circus train heads to New York, where on May 21, it will perform for the last time at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York. The event will be livestreamed for viewing around the world starting at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time. Visit www.ringling.com