The recent news that the museum in Mendota has scrapped, or is in the process of scrapping, their two ex-IC/Metra Highliner commuter cars brings up a question. That museum concentrates its preservation efforts on the three railroads that came through town, the Illinois Central, CB&Q and Milwaukee Road. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy is represented (2-8-2 and caboose) as is the Milwaukee (branch line combine). It might make sense to dispose of the commuter cars as they came nowhere near Mendota when in service, however that leaves no Illinois Central "representation", unless perhaps they might be acquiring a different piece of IC equipment. Anyone know if this might be the case?

Thanks.

Les

sounds like the got them to scrap them to raise funds, since IRM has 2 sets now and will scrap a set for parts, they already have IC representation, with the Pullman cars and these, and IRM isnt that far from Mendota, it would be interesting to here from them their plans.

Highliners have enough asbestos in them to make it difficult for most scrappers to make significant profit from them, once the remediation costs are covered. The rumor (key word: rumor) is that Metra is paying to have the retired Highliners cut up because no one would buy them otherwise (for the metal or continued use overseas, etc).

Any idea if that (mass scrapping of Highliners) is underway, and if so, where?

I thought the Highliners were rebuilt by MK at Hornell and the asbestos was removed at that time.