Strates Shows, America's only railroad carnival, travels the United States during a seven-month season, transporting personnel and equipment with 61 rail cars and 34 trucks. Traveling with the show are some 400 employees and families who operate the many rides, games and concessions.
Strates Shows has a history dating back to 1923 when James E. Strates, a Greek immigrant, began his first show. Mr. Strates came to America in 1909 and, like many immigrants, worked at a number of odd jobs. In 1919, he joined a carnival athletic show as a wrestler taking on all challengers. In 1923, James E. Strates acquired Southern Tier Shows and in 1932 changed its name to James E. Strates Shows. Mr. Strates continued to build and manage the carnival until his death in 1959. At that time his son, E. James Strates, assumed responsibility for the carnival and still operates it today.
Strates Shows are known to have ridden the rails of the Pennsy during the era being modeled.
Rolling Stock Paint Schemes
Late 1930s: |
Pullman Green with Gold Leaf Lettering |
1950s: | ![]() |
Early 1960s: | ![]() |
Mid-1960s-1970s: | ![]() |
Early 1970s: | ![]() |
Late 1980s: | ![]() |
1996: | ![]() |
1997: | ![]() |
2000: | ![]() |
2002: |
The 1996 paint scheme was re-adopted. |
Wagon Paint Schemes
Through 1961: Red with White, then Silver lettering |
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Through 1970s: Duke Ash multi color and designs |
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Through late 1970s: Red with yellow oval and red number and generators, cream with multi colored lettering. |
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1980s into the 1990s: Basic white with stripes |
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Mid 1990s: Various pastel colors |
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Rolling Stock Roster
Unit # | Type | AAR Class | Notes |
JESX 1 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 2 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 3 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 4 | Passenger Car | PA | nee ACL 1116; SAL 4115; RAS |
JESX 4 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 5 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 6 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 7 | Passenger Car | PA | #7 (1st) HAMBURG, NEW YORK, 2DR-1C-1DB sleeper buffet lounge BE observation, P-S, 1949, ex-#8975 JAMES FRANCIS JONES, exx-PRR #842 |
JESX 7 | Passenger Car | PA | #7 (2nd), ex-LIRR P72 120 seat non-MU coach #2926, P-S, 1955 |
JESX 8 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 9 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 10 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 11 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 12 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 12 | Diner | PD | |
JESX 13 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 14 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 15 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 16 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 17 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 18 | Baggage Car | PB | |
JESX 19 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 20 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 21 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 22 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 23 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 24 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 25 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 26 | Flat Car | FC | Load Limit: 159300 |
JESX 27 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 28 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 29 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 30 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 31 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 32 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 33 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 34 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 35 | Flat Car | MWF | |
JESX 36 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 37 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 38 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 39 | Flat Car | MWF | ramp car |
JESX 40 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 41 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 42 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 43 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 44 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 45 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 47 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 48 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 49 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 50 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 51 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 52 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 53 | Caboose | NE | |
JESX 54 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 55 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 56 | Flat Car | FC | Load Limit: 159300 |
JESX 58 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 59 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 61 | Flat Car | FC | |
JESX 101 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 102 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 103 | Passenger Car | PA | NE Rail - The Batten Kill Rambler |
JESX 104 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 114 | Passenger Car | PA | |
JESX 8975 | Passenger Car | PA | JAMES FRANCIS JONES, 2DR-1C-1DB sleeper buffet lounge BE observation, P-S, 1949, ex-PRR #8427 WILLIAM WALLACE ATTERBURY, exx-#7155 |
JESX 80718 | Flat Car |
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