The Railroad Artifact Preservation Society (RAPS), home of the AT&SF 2-10-4 #5000 (“Madame Queen”), in Amarillo, TX is looking for a good home for an ex-Colorado & Southern #535 coach as they are unable to go forward with the planned restoration of the car.

The #535 was built in 1905 by the American Car & Foundry Co. and it features a Commonwealth Steel underframe that was applied in 1924. When built this closed vestibule coach featured arched stained glass windows, oval windows at each end of the car, plush seats and marquetry throughout the interior. Seats and interior hardware were removed from the car when it was converted to a work car on the C&S and prior to the RAPS acquiring the car the trucks, draft gear, brake rigging were removed from the car.

The RAPS would like to donate the C&S #535 car body to an established railroad or transportation museum. The museum taking possession of the car would be required to prove that they have an established museum with 501c3 status with the IRS and that they can properly house the car indoors until the restoration can take place. A private individual or commercial enterprise could also acquire the car by purchase.

Parties interested in the C&S #535 should contact Sam D. Teague, Executive Director or RAPS. Sam’s Contact Information:

Phone: 806-674-0472
Email: rapstrains@gmail.com

The purchaser or museum must be willing to pay all moving and related expenses from the C&S #535 site in Amarillo Texas to their location and to plan and organize the movement and personnel required, obtaining and paying for all necessary permits and fees, and liability insurance required by law.

Time is of the essence as the car must be moved or at least an agreement for relocation signed by April 1st 2019.

A brief History and additional photographs of the Colorado & Southern Railway Passenger Coach 535 can be accessed from the following link:

https://railroadartifactpreservation.wordpress.com/at-sf-coach-535/

Please note this posting is a courtesy to Sam Teague and I am posting this information as a favor to Sam in hopes that this car can be preserved rather than destroyed. As indicated above should you have any interest in this car please contact Sam Teague directly and do NOT contact me.

Bill Buhrmaster

It looks like this car would need underbody hardware and trucks. A possible source (if it still exists) is the NKP AC&F car from 1910, in Lorain OH. It was photographed in 2015:

https://trainwizard.wordpress.com/2015/10/12/lorain-west-virginia-railway-photo-run

I have been watching the OP to see if there is any interest, any possibilities? What about the group up in Como (wrong gauge but that can be remedied)? o anderson's post has me intrigued, according to the current owner's website the C&S car had an added steel underframe in later years, but if one wanted to backdate it to original the NKP car would be ideal, plus it has trucks, couplers, etc..

The coach is actually located in Wellington, Ohio. The Lorain and West Virginia Railroad name is slightly misleading.

Would be a great use for 54. Dave Kloke thought the 54 is the perfect kit to build a new wood car from. All it takes is some people with skills interest and a little cash but The C & S car and 54 would probably work as well. Same manufacturer with in a few years of each other should be really close.