
History was made today when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus train and Union Pacific Railroad's "Challenger," No. 3985, joined together, literally, between Speer, Wyo., and Denver, Colo., to celebrate US railroad heritage. Challenger pulled the mile-long circus train, packed full of international performers, exotic animals, and all the equipment needed to present the all-new Ringling Bros. Circus, Barnum's FUNundrum!SM, which makes a two-week stop in Denver. Union Pacific's No. 3985 continues on a six-state tour from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Gorham, Ill. "We are proud that No. 3985 pulled the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus train into Denver. A record was set when Challenger pulled a 65-car train that is more than 6000 tons and nearly 6100 feet long, the most for a steam locomotive in the 21st century," said Dick Hartman, Union Pacific's director of public affairs for Colorado and Wyoming. The combined trains arrived shortly after 10:00 am and were met by over 500 excited fans at the intersection of York Street and East 47th Avenue. A welcome celebration followed that featured Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson and performers from Ringling Bros., officials from Union Pacific, and Denver city auditor, Dennis Gallagher, who presented a proclamation from the Mayor of Denver. "Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey is excited to be part of this railroad heritage celebration; we've been riding the rails for the last 140 years, so we are a part of railroad history <b>...</b>
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