hello everyone. i am in need of a little help. i had some surgery done recently and to pass my time while not working i decided to go through all my trains the last few days. i got a spare bedroom full of all kinds ranging from n to g scales. anyway, i purchased the ringmaster set im guessing now right after it came out in 93. over the years i had purchased most of what i could find relating to the ekj line, most of which has never even been opened. i will list what i have and if there is anything missing, could someone give me the item # and a possbile place to purchase if known. thanks in advance. ok here goes.
90020 ringmaster set
includes 91271 loco
98171 elephant car (yellow car with red trim)
98372 cage car #2 with bear and gorilla
97171 ad car
92320 ekj figure
90019 roustabout set
includes porter loco (dont know product # if any)
caboose (dont know product #)
98374 giraffe and hippo flat
92320 ekj figure
98371 cage car #1 with lion and tiger ( i have 2)
98371 cage car #2 with bear and gorilla (in own box) 92381 lion figure
98172 horse car 92382 tiger
98374 giraffe and hippo (in own box) 92383 bear
98171 elephant car (red car with yellow trim) 92384 gorilla
92705 tableau car # 1 92385 elephant
92706 tableau car # 2 92386 horse
98373 calliope wagon 92387 giraffe
97271 performers car # 1 92388 hippo
92703 cage wagon with bear
92704 cage wagon with gorilla
i purchased the bachmann brothers line 98384 zebra car, tent car, pole car, and tanker
as of today, 1-19-12, here is what i found i know I DO NOT HAVE
97371 performers car # 2
92701 cage wagon with lion
92702 cage wagon with tiger (bidding on one on ebay now)
would like to know about zebra figure alone if available
if i am missing something, please help me out. thanks for any help. hope everyone has a great day!
I am I am not at home right now but when I get back home I'll try to get an answer 4 you .
I will not be home until the middle of next week
thanks bill. i look forward to seeing what you come up with. thanks again. al
When you complete your train, the loco will be unable to pull it. I make two repower kits for the circus loco, the standard 4-6-0 and a 2-8-0 version. Both look completely stock.
E mail me and I can send you pics of each.
Barry - BBT
hanks barry. but i'm probably not gonna line up the train. the roustabout set is stil new. it has never been out of the box, still factory sealed, as are about 3 or 4 or so of the other cars. i'm probably gonna leave them like that. but it is real good to know about the engine upgrade. thanks very much.
I have copied here extracts which are part of the book I wrote on Bachmann Large scale products which has never been published. It is however copyrighted and while I put it here for you the readers enjoyment I DO HAVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED and ask that you not copy it, publish it elsewhere or send it to anyone else without permission. Copyright 1993 to 2112 All rights reserved. Thanks
Here is what I have on the Bachmann Circus Equipment in Large Scale. Although I have done massive research, I do make mistakes from time to time. So readers please point out any errors and let me know. My email address is public. Just click on it on my profile. It is also important to know that some items made by Bachmann which were in sets never got a Bachmann number because they were never sold separately in their own box. I have at times assigned numbers of my own to keep my databases straight and I will try to point it out when I remember to do so.
Bachmann obtained the rights to use the Emmett Kelly Circus line in late 1992 and gave it up in 2004. All circus equipment produced after that was the Bachmann Brothers Circus line. In stock items were still sold after that until they ran out
There were two cases where Circus cars had Emmett Kelly car numbers and Bachmann Brothers Circus lettering. These were unintentional errors in manufacturing. See notes below.
There were six circus train sets, but only five were actually produced. Set 90019 was in the catalog in 1993, had a 2-4-2 loco lion & tiger flat car and Bobber caboose #36, but was never produced. I have never been able to find out why.
90105 EKJX The Big Top RC 27 mhz 1993 OOP Circus 7 Ver1 Flat #144 Lion & Tiger White Combine All Star Circus This set has the Battery powered radio controlled 4-6-0 #7 which never got a Bachmann number.
90020 EKJX The Ringmaster 1993 2006 OOP 49 Ver2to5 Stock EKJX#153 Elephant Flat #162 Bear & Gorilla Combine "All Star Circus" This set was in the catalog from 1993 to 2006 and 4-6-0 #49 had all four versions of chassis. In 2003 The Elephant stock car colors were reversed and the Combine was made in a yellow orange color. The Bachmann numbers were not changed and the new cars kept their old Bachmann numbers.
90021 EKJX The Big Top 1994 1998 OOP 49 Ver3-4 Flat #144 Lion & Tiger White Combine All Star Circus. In the catalog in 1994, 1995, and 1997 & 1998
90019 EKJX The Roustabout 0-4-0 Loco 1997 2000 OOP 1 N/A Flat #232 Giraffe & Hippo Bobber Caboose EJKX#36. Catalog set from 1997 to 2000 The loco and caboose from this set were never available separately and never got a Bachmann number.
90049 BBCX Bachmann Bros Big Top 2005 2008 OOP 46 Ver 5 Zebra Stock Car BBCX 253 Bach Bros Caboose #40 Yellow. This set was in the catalog from 2005 to 2008 and is the only set made with the Bachmann Bros name.
Here is the list of all items including those in sets Bachmann Numbers with an * are made up by me and the item never had an individual Bachmann Number because it was in a set only. Ignore the P and C where found as they are only database references.
91271 EKJX 49 1993 ~ Loco 4-6-0, Emmett Kelly Circus P C $140.00 Set 90020 and separately
91000* BBCX 46 2005 ~Loco 4-6-0, Emmett Kelly Circus Only available in set 90049 No Bachmann number
91000* EKJX 7 1993 ~Loco 4-6-0, Emmett Kelly Circus Only available in set 90105 No Bachmann number
92388 1997 ZAccessory Cage, w/ Hippopotamus C $11.50
92701 1994 ZAccessory Cage, w / lion C $22.00
92702 1994 ZAccessory Cage, w / tiger C $22.00
92703 1994 ZAccessory Cage, w / bear C $22.00
92704 1994 ZAccessory Cage, w / gorilla C $22.00
92705 EKJX 225 1994 Flat Car Tableau wagon #1 P C yellow flat $65.00 blue wagons
92706 EKJX 234 1994 Flat Car tableau wagon #2 P C Blue flat $65.00 yellow/red wagons
92707 EKJX N/A Flat Car tent poles see 98380 N C EKJX never made Announced Never Made
92708 EKJX N/A Flat Car tent canvas see 98379 N C EKJX never made Announced Never Made
97171 EKJX None 1993 P Combine Emmett Kelly Red body P C Battery Lights $65.00
97000* EKJX None 2003 P Combine Emmett Kelly Yellow/Orange Body later run P C Battery Lights $65.00 Only in set 90020 never sold as a separate item No Bachmann Number
97271 EKJX 4 1994 P-Coach Emmett Kelly Performer's Car #1 P C Battery Lights $70.00
97371 EKJX 1 1994 P-Obs Emmett Kelly Jr. Performer's Car #2 P C Battery Lights $80.00
97381 BBCX None 2004 P-Obs Bachmann Brothers Performer's Observation P C Battery Lights $88.00 Bachmann Brothers
98171 EKJX 153 1993 Stock Car E. Kelly, w / elephant P C Yellow sides $45.00 Set 90020
98000* EKJX 153 2003 Stock Car E. Kelly, w / elephant P C Red Sides $45.00 Later Run never sold as a separate item No Bachmann Number
98172 EKJX 306 1995 Stock Car E. Kelly, w / horse P C White Sides $45.00
98371 EKJX 144 1993 Flat Car w / cages, lion & tiger White Flat Red wagons P C White Flat $74.00 In sets 90021 & 90105 NEW 1993
98372 EKJX 162 1993 Flat Car w / cages, bear & gorilla P C Red Flat $74.00 Set 90020 White Wagons NEW 1993
98373 EKJX 247 1996 Flat Car w / calliope wagon P C White Flat $74.00 Red & Gold Wagon
98374 EKJX 232 1997 Flat Car w / cages, giraffe & hippo P C Yellow flat $79.50 Set 90019 Wagons 1 red 1 white
98379 BBCX 434 2005 Flat Car Tent Car Bachmann Brothers Circus P C $88.00 Bachmann Brothers Circus
98380 BBCX 425 2005 Flat Car Pole Car Bachmann Brothers Circus P C $88.00 Bachmann Brothers Circus
98381 EKJX 162 2005 Flat Car w / cages, bear & gorilla P C Red $88.00 Bachmann Brothers Circus Car number is EKJX 162, but lettered Bachmann Brothers Circus
98382 EKJX 232 2005 Flat Car w / cages, giraffe & hippo P C Yellow $88.00 Bachmann Brothers Circus Car number is EKJX 232, but lettered Bachmann Brothers Circus
98383 BBCX 344 2005 Tank Car Water Tank Car Bachmann Brothers Circus P C $88.00 Bachmann Brothers Circus
98384 BBCX 253 2006 Stock Car Zebra Car with Zebra C metal wheels $70.00 Bachmann Brothers Circus
98385 BBCX 40 2006 Caboose4 4 whl, Yellow & Red with Blue Trim C metal wheels $50.00 Set 90049 and separately
91000* EKJX 1 1997 ~ Loco 0-4-0, Emmett Kelly Jr. P C $90.00 Only sold in Set 90019No Bachmann Number
98000* EKJX 36 1997 Caboose4 4 whl, Emmett Kelly Jr. All Star Circus P C $40.00 Only in Set 90019 No Bachmann Number
I did not track the figures, so I can't answer about the zebra figure maybe Wade Colyer will know. I could not find a separate listing for it
Hope this helps
Hi Al:
Here's what I've found for circus animals:
92381 Lion 1996 $7.00
92382 Tiger 1996 $7.00
92383 Bear 1996 $7.00
92384 Gorilla 1996 $7.00
92385 Elephant 1996 $11.50
92386 Horse 1996 $7.00
92387 Giraffe 1997 $11.50
92388 Hippopotamus 1997 $11.50
I could not find a listing for the Zebra anywhere. The next unused number is 92389 and if I found one separate, that's what I use in my inventory.
Wade
Hello, everyone! I just joined the Bachmann Discussion Boards and so glad I found this conversation. I can't believe it's over 4 years old. Nevertheless, it's been very helpful. Since around mid-2015 until now I've been collecting every piece I can find on the EKJ sets. Though there may not yet be a major collecting value, they're beautiful and fun. :-) However, I believe I'm only down to needing 2 pieces to complete everything. Loco Bill and Wade, your inventory lists have helped a lot. THANK YOU! What I need help with distinguishing is from Loco Bill's information regarding this:
97271 EKJX 4 1994 P-Coach Emmett Kelly Performer's Car #1 P C Battery Lights $70.00
97371 EKJX 1 1994 P-Obs Emmett Kelly Jr. Performer's Car #2 P C Battery Lights $80.00
After reading and re-reading everything, these are the only 2 pieces I don't see a distinction as to when/where they appeared as well as any possible identifying differences (i.e., color, design, etc.) From my research on eBay and elsewhere, I now know that I have the 2nd one listed, the 97371 Obs Car #2. It seems to be readily available everywhere I look. So, my question is just what is 97271? It references "Coach" instead of "Observation"; the price was lower; and I noticed that the "Jr." in Emmett Kelly's name is missing in the description, but maybe that's just a typo?
Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. If it is definitely a different kind of car worth searching for, then I lack that one as well as the later model of the elephant car when they went from yellow with red trim to the newer red with yellow trim. If anyone also happens to know how/where I may be able to obtain either or both, I would be much obliged. :-)
Thank you in advance!
ChooChooRon
Ron,
I got your other message, but will answer here so everyone can see it.
Both cars were never in a set, but were sold separately beginning in 1994 and remained in the catalog until 1998.
They were both painted and lettered exactly the same except for the Road numbers and both had the Emmett Kelly Jr. in gold letters on a blue letterboard . 97271 was strictly a coach and typically of Bachmann pricing cost less ($70 MSRP) than the observation car. The observation car 97371 has the wrap around handrails and the round lighted tailsign resulting the the higher MSRP of $80.
If you are a serious EKJ collector, you will want to keep looking for a 97271 as it is a great piece fairly rare and a perfect mate for your observation car. I have heard that some EKJ collectors bought several coaches, carefully changing the car number so they could have a long passenger train form their imaginary circus performers!!
Hope that clarifies things.
Loco Bill
Thank you so much, Loco Bill! I truly appreciate it! :-)
I guess I still have a few questions for you and anyone else that may see this...unless you feel it might be better if I post somewhere else or create a new one for others to offer input.
1) I guess I'm still new enough at this I'm not sure the difference between what a coach and observations cars are and how the 2 differed in the EKJ series besides the 97271 missing the lit "drum head" photo of EKJ.
2) What is a "Road #"?
3) Any suggestions as to a good source(s) to keep searching for a 97271?
4) Also, any suggestions as to a good source(s) to keep searching for the later elephant car that went to mainly red with yellow trim?
Again, a huge THANK YOU!
ChooChooRon :-)
Ron,
1. Visually the difference between the EKJ coach and observation can be seen by looking at the ends of the car. Compare this picture of a coach with the EKJ Observation you already have.
click on this or paste this in your browser for a picture of a coach: http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=6368
A coach would be found in the middle of a train while an observation car would be found at the end of a train displaying the lit drumhead. It also has the railing completely enclosing the end with the drumhead so passengers could walk out on the platform and "observe" the passing countryside. A train might have many coaches but only one observation car at the rear.
2. A road number is the number painted to the side of a car to allow the railroad to identify it to those who needed to know. A passenger might be told to board Coach number 4 as an example.
3& 4. The best place is EBay and the best way is to set up a saved search and have Ebay email you when a matching item is found. The red elephant car is more rare than the yellow one. You will need to be patient since the coach is also harder to find as well.
Good Luck!!!
Loco Bill
Hi, Loco Bill!
Guess what?! I found a coach car on ebay! Simply put, it's now on its way! :-) I found it being sold by the same seller that I found the later release of the newly colored orange/yellow advertising car. All I need now is the "red" elephant car and my collection is complete! I'm so thrilled! Now if only I owned a house & garage to REALLY set stuff up like all of you experts and connoisseurs, I'd be set. My plan at the moment is to set up track around the perimeter of my living room for Christmas along with my complete collection of New Bright animated train pieces and even my Walthers brand of HO scale Christmas Zephyr set that's new in the box, still wrapped in its cellophane. :-) Needless to say I probably won't even have room to walk or maybe even my furniture, but I'm sure hoping it will look SO fun. I live in Eugene, OR and I'm headed to my first ever model railroad swap meet, the 28th. Annual Willamette Cascade Model Railroad! Are you familiar with it? It's described as "One of the largest model railroad swap meets between San Francisco and the Canadian border. 22,000 square feet, including 250 vendor tables from nine different states." I'm already in trouble because today was payday. LOL! I don't even know how a train swap meet works because I have several residual EKJ pieces I want to sell as well as some Lionel, LGB, and Bachmann track pieces and one or two of the New Bright animated train collection. I guess I'll find out! Who knows! Maybe we'll run into each other! :-) I hope we stay in touch!!!......Ron
Glad it all worked out!!