Back in February 2012 I received an email from Joe Kocsis of the Western New York Railway Historical Society, asking me for information about UP heavyweight diner 3609. He wrote that the car, along with another former UP passenger car, were at the Old Red Mill restaurant in Williamsville, New York, and had been there since 1972. Apparently, the restaurant was closing and the WNYRHS wanted to move the cars to their site in Lockport, New York.

Here is my note, as part of my online roster of UP passenger cars.

UP 3609; built in 1927 as UP Diner 309; to UP Diner 3609 in 1941; retired in October 1968; sold to Old Red Mill in Williamsville, New York (there since 1972, along with another former UP arch roof car); plans to move the car in 2012 to Western New York Railway Historical Society at Lockport, New York, did not work out; Google street view of Old Red Mill site in August 2015 shows the cars partially scrapped. (New York update from Joe Kocsis, email dated February 8, 2012) (previously reported as being renumbered to UP Roadway Diner 906200 in November 1972)

My question is, does anyone know (maybe) what the number of the car being scrapped was. It sure appears to be a UP yellow and gray arch roof car.

Don Strack

I believe that both of the passenger cars were former UP diners. On the other side of the restaurant was a NYC caboose. I was only in there once, but as I recall the caboose had a rather large hole cut into the side of it to access that side of the dining area.

Found this link for what its worth:

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMCW56_Union_Pacific_coaches_at_Old_Red_Mill_Inn_Clarence_NY

Would have been some good salvage parts there-- H tightlock couplers to fit a heavyweight, and some roller bearing wheelsets.

Not always easy to deal with these wrecking outfits once demolition starts, they just want to fill the dumpsters fast.

Howard P.