On September 2, 2003, BNSF Railway locomotives back the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus train into the former Burlington Northern yard, where it will be staged for unloading.
PEORIA – After six years, a Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus train is coming to Peoria!
Details are sketchy about the date and time of arrival of the train, but circus’ Blue Train is to be here for a show at the Peoria Civic Center May 29-31. The previous show is at Hershey, Pennsylvania May 20-25. The train will most likely depart the previous show on the 26th and arrive Peoria two days later. Hershey, Pennsylvania is served by Norfolk Southern.
Trains have typically arrived or departed Peoria on the Burlington Northern/BNSF Railway Galesburg – Peoria line, however, the traditional staging area for the circus train, the old Burlington Northern yard located between Edmund and Persimmon Streets, may still be out of service due to poor track conditions. Further complicating matters, an October 2005 feed train derailment at Darst St. destroyed the BNSF-Tazewell & Peoria RR (TZPR) connection switches, and only the TZPR connection was restored. So the rest of BNSF’s Peoria trackage is isolated and reached only via TZPR at Chicago St.
TZPR’s West Yard (located between BNSF yard and the ADM plant under the Cedar Street Bridge) could be used to stage the circus train, but only if it doesn’t get in the way of regular freight operations.
If and when I find out more details, I’ll pass them along.
- David P. Jordan
11 responses so far ↓
1
Mike Hannegan
// May 24, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Are new information on the Circus train? The wife is all over me about the “elephant walk” and taking our son to see it.
2
David P. Jordan
// May 24, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Hi Mike,
The circus train will be stored in the TP&W’s East Peoria Yard during the shows, so I expect the elephants and other animals to be trucked across the river and unloaded at the Civic Center. So unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there will be an elephant walk. If I find out differently, I’ll try to post an update.
3
amber
// May 27, 2009 at 6:30 am
Any new news on circus train?
4
David P. Jordan
// May 27, 2009 at 6:59 am
The train is now expected to be in East Peoria by late afternoon or early evening today. Train will run on the TP&W, which parallels Rt. 24.
5
David P. Jordan
// May 27, 2009 at 7:52 am
UPDATE: The circus train crossed into Illinois shortly before 8:00 this morning.
6
amber
// May 27, 2009 at 8:12 am
Where would be a good place to see it when they unload? Do you have an estimated time of arrival?
7
Lee Reading
// May 27, 2009 at 11:59 am
Just saw the train pass through Eureka. 1:30 Wed.
8
David P. Jordan
// May 27, 2009 at 3:10 pm
The circus train is going to be stored at the TP&W’s East Peoria Yard until Monday. Security seems to have increased.
9
Rebecca
// May 28, 2009 at 7:50 am
I heard they were walking the elephants across the bridge around 9:30 last night. Not good elephant parade viewing
10
becky
// May 30, 2009 at 5:24 am
Will they walk the elephants back when they leave? My kids would love to see this? Is there any way at all to find out? I understand the reason for all the security but I know in some larger cities they make a parade out of it….I think it would be a fun thing to go and watch, even if it was at night.
11
David P. Jordan
// May 30, 2009 at 8:46 am
The last show is at 5:00pm, and these last about 2 hrs, 15 min. As soon as each performer has concluded their performance they can be expected to return to their train. The elephants and horses will be walked across the Bob Michel Bridge to where the four animal cars will be parked behind ShopKo sometime on Sunday evening, most likely after dark.
Leave a Comment