Number 8 - the Generator Truck

The purpose of the generator truck is to supply power to the show. This isa fine example of Dad's interest in the logistics of the circus. The generator is a far cry from the showier parade wagons, yet is critical to the daily operations of a truck show like this one.

The generator truck is assigned to tow the Gilly Wagon. The truck features a rear fold-out platform and roof, which design carried over to the real life Circus Kirk generator semi truck. The generator is a simple metal shell which I suspect is uncompleted, however notice the excellent detail on the roof exhaust penetration.


The truck needs a general cleaning, the platform is detached, and the right rear cornerpost is damaged. The cab is only detail painted on the right side. I also hope to install a more complete looking generator engine.

The last vehicle in the inventory is number 9, the spool truck. Coming soon, coming sure!

Number 7 - the Cage Wagon Trailer

As previously mentioned, the cage wagon is towed behind the Calliope truck as a mobile ad for the show, kind of a mini-parade.

The wagon has a wall across the center dividing it into forward and rear cages. Each cage is accessed by a small working door in the front and rear exterior walls of the wagon. There is a slot below the cage bars for sliding food into the cages to the waiting animals. For the exhibitor's convenience, the roof lifts off.

The animals consist of two full-maned lions and a sleek black panther. They are made of a material called "composition", sort of a sawdust and glue casting material that was popular before the modern age of plastics. I recall that Dad also had a chest full of toy soldiers, which included both metal figures and composition ones.

The astute reader will have noticed that the wheels on both this trailer and the Gilly trailer are mis-matched. The rear wheels on both of these trailers are from an older series of Tonka truck, while the front wheels on the cage wagon are from a Buddy "L" truck, a Tonka competitor. This is a fine reflection of what really happens on the full-size shows, as parts are mixed and matched to suit the needs of the equipment being built.


The cage wagon is coming apart at the corners, has some broken and missing parts on the roof piece, has a couple of the cage bars that need to be soldered back on, needs cleaning, and is only detail painted on the back and right sides. In addition, the composition animals are aged and cracked.

Truck number 8, up next, carries the power plant, watch for it.

Number 6 - the Utility Trailer/Gilly Wagon

Okay, to be honest, I don't remember what this unit is for. It's a trailer which gets hauled behind the generator truck. It is open on the top and at the rear. There are holes in the sides as if there used to be two rods forming a sort of rack.

It may have held the canvas and poles for the marquee, possibly other tents as well. Hence, I am calling it the "gilly wagon", which translates from Circusese as "utility wagon".

A trailer like this could also be used to haul ringcurb, large props and rigging.

One of the side ribs has come off this wagon, the aforementioned racks/rods are missing, and one side is not lettered. It will need a bit of touch-up paint.

Next on the list is the cage wagon (and the only life forms currently on the show).

Number 5 - the Seat Truck

The Seat Truck, or perhaps the Seat Wagon, would drive inside the big top after the tent was set up. The truck would park along the side of the tent across from the back door, and right up against the side poles.

Stringers would then be attached to the lip along the right side of the trailer. These stringers would angle down to the ground.

Next, the steel retaining poles on the right side of the trailer would be removed and the seating platforms unloaded and placed on the stringers with the top several rows of seats mounted on the trailer.

Typically, a show would have several of these trucks parked around the tent. I don't know if Dad's vision had more seat trucks in it, or just freestanding bleachers, or if one seat wagon was enough for proof of concept, since he seems to have been designing a full scale circus, although, at that time he had no inkling that he would end up doing just that.

This unit really needs some TLC. It is terribly dirty, the stringers have all gone missing, and many of the glue joints holding the seating benches in place have given up. The platform for the aisle between the lower seating platforms is missing, and there are only two of the retaining poles left, and they are rusty.

This is gonna be fun!

Coming up, the Utility Trailer/Gilly Wagon. Hope you can drop by.

Number 4 - the Ticket Office Truck

The front office, aka the ticket wagon would be backed up to the midway. During the morning, the local sponsors would be escorted inside to settle up the advance sales. Other day-to-day fiscal business of the show would be enacted, such as reimbursements, draws, and deposits. Once a week, the whole show might line up for payday.

At midway call (1:00 and 7:00 for shows at 2 and 8) the windows at the rear of the truck would be unlatched, the window panels would be pulled up with the chains from inside the office, and day of show tickets would go on sale. The prices were $1.00 for adults, and $0.50 for children.

This unit features a possum belly under the trailer, and an equipment box behind the cab. This truck also features one of the nicer paint jobs.

The office might not take up the whole trailer. It is possible that the office manager had living quarters in the front end of the trailer, or that there would be some space for front end/midway equipment there.

Besides the usual need for cleaning and paint touch-up, the aforementioned equipment box is bent, the side door to the trailer is off it's hinges, and the rear wall with the ticket windows is kind of pushed in.

The other thing missing would be the rest of the midway. Dad never got around to a Side Show, Pit Show, Concessions, or the other stuff that makes up a midway.

Next post will be # 5, the Seat Wagon Truck.