Joel is partly right on disposition of Rio Car #1758 from the MaGee Museum. The car was sold to Lionel Train Museum in Sarasota, Fl. and then sold to City of Orlando. I was contracted to move the car and return it to operation condition for use on proposed Orlando trolley line. We rented shope space from the Grand Cypress trolley operation in Lake Buna Vista. After cosmetic work and complete re-build of trucks, traction motors, air compressor and re-wire of controllers, re-profile of wheels, the car was returned to "sucessful" operational condition. We tested the car with passengers over the entire 4 mile Grand Cypress trackage. The car ran smooth and the ride was terrific. The 1910 Belgium cars they ran with their single truck frames ran hard on the track, we were all amazed how smooth the 1758 glided over the track, which was not in the best of shape. Shorly after this Orlando got a new Mayor and she killed the trolley project. They rented a warehouse and we moved the car inside, were she rests today. There has never been any efforts to revive the trolley project and the car is for sale.

Steven Torrico, Pres.
Edwards Rail Car Co.

edrailco@aol.com

I saw 1758 in FL in 1991 and was told by the shop people at Grand Cypress that the car derailed several times due to the sharp curves that the Grand Cypress line had. I had asked about riding the car and they said it was not possible due to the oerating problems. Having ridden the single truck cars over the line I have to agree that the ride was not very smooth.

Thanks for the update Steve.

> Joel is partly right on disposition of Rio
> Car #1758 from the MaGee Museum. The car was
> sold to Lionel Train Museum in Sarasota, Fl.
> and then sold to City of Orlando. I was
> contracted to move the car and return it to
> operation condition for use on proposed
> Orlando trolley line. We rented shope space
> from the Grand Cypress trolley operation in
> Lake Buna Vista. After cosmetic work and
> complete re-build of trucks, traction
> motors, air compressor and re-wire of
> controllers, re-profile of wheels, the car
> was returned to "sucessful"
> operational condition. We tested the car
> with passengers over the entire 4 mile Grand
> Cypress trackage. The car ran smooth and the
> ride was terrific. The 1910 Belgium cars
> they ran with their single truck frames ran
> hard on the track, we were all amazed how
> smooth the 1758 glided over the track, which
> was not in the best of shape. Shorly after
> this Orlando got a new Mayor and she killed
> the trolley project. They rented a warehouse
> and we moved the car inside, were she rests
> today. There has never been any efforts to
> revive the trolley project and the car is
> for sale.

> Steven Torrico, Pres.
> Edwards Rail Car Co.


jdstrolley@enter.net