veniceareahistoricalsociety.org

Special Edition

Restored Circus Train Car Installed at Historic Venice Train Depot

January 28, 2021

Circus Car Arrives at Depot!

Thursday, January 28^th, was a cool breezy sunny day.  It was also the day the circus car made its long-awaited journey from Uniglide Trailer Company on Seaboard Avenue to the Depot campus.  The moving team from Johnson Housemovers in Parrish had placed dollies under the car the day before, so on Thursday, they had only last-minute details to attend to.  The truck pulling the car departed Uniglide at 9:10 am.  (The move had not been announced in advance for safety reasons.)

Pulling out of Uniglide Trailer Company (Photo: Jennifer Holland)

The journey down Seaboard Avenue was slow and cautious, led by a Community Resource officer in a Venice police vehicle.  More officers awaited the caravan at the corner of Seaboard and West Venice Avenue where they stopped traffic heading west, as well as buses and other vehicles exiting the Depot.

Heading north on Seaboard Ave. (Photo: George Miller)

Turning into the east-bound lane of W. Venice Ave. (Photo: George Miller)

The greatest challenge was guiding the car into the east-bound lane of W. Venice Avenue so that it could travel under the bridge at a higher-clearance point, and then into the parking lot of Marina Park.  At two spots along the way, movers quickly and expertly plucked out traffic signs—and even a corner fence—to allow the car to proceed.  All were replaced immediately as if nothing had happened!

Temporarily removing sign, allowing car to proceed (Photo: Sarah Miller)

Heading west in east-bound lane of W. Venice Ave. (Photo: Dick Smith)

Under Venice Ave. Bridge (Photo: Dick Smith)

The car was pulled to the north end of the marina parking lot where it was left temporarily while the movers returned to Uniglide for the two 9-ton wheel assemblies called wheel trucks.  Moving the wheel trucks and the car into their final resting place took the rest of Thursday, as well as all of Friday morning. 

View from Venice Ave. Bridge (Photo: Jennifer Holland)

Wheel trucks being moved into place on tracks (Photo: George Miller)

Car being pulled over ditch and across Legacy Trail (Photo: Mary Huba)

Installation of last wheel truck (Photo: George Miller)

Numerous volunteers from VAHS, along with several volunteers from Friends of the Legacy Trail, were positioned along the Trail on Thursday to re-route bikers.  Thank you to all who pitched in that day, as well as to those who put up stakes and caution tape the night before. 

Thank you also to the photographers who contributed to this article.

This event was a wonderful way for VAHS to kick-off 2021, the Society’s 30th Anniversary year.  Currently, the walkway from the deck behind the caboose to the visitors’ door is under construction.  Exhibits will be installed in the coming months in preparation for an opening in late fall or early winter. 

To watch a 19-minute video of the circus car move, click here.

Donations for interior displays can be made by clicking on the “Donate Now” button below or by mailing a check made out to VAHS, to:

Venice Area Historical Society

PO Box 995

Venice, FL  34284-0995

For more information, contact:

George Miller, Depot Manager

Venice Area Historical Society

941-412-0151

PO Box 995

Venice, FL  34284-0995

information@veniceareahistoricalsociety.org

www.veniceareahistoricalsociety.org                                                                      

Thank you to all donors, members, and friends of VAHS for your unfailing encouragement during this project.  Your support has been central to this effort to preserve Venice’s circus history and circus legacy!

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