Stuart,

At one time, BGRM had a full RPO car, which went to Bowling Green, KY and has been nicely restored, and a baggage RPO of L&N origin. The baggage RPO is the car I speak of having the 15' RPO compartment, and a round roof, as opposed to the full RPO with the clearstory roof.

What did you all do with the NC&STL wood caboose you purchased from BGRM?

The L&N baggage car at BGRM is still there, and in fair shape. It has a clerestory roof, as this photo will show: http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1517401

While it is currently down the track and subject to vandals, it will soon go up to West Versailles and receive better care.

The IC Coach went to the Midwest Preservation Society, up in Cleveland, OH, in 2009.
http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1517400

The Southern Combine is in fair shape also. In 2010 or so some Southern seats were purchased from a scrapped car in Virginia, and are in storage awaiting the time and money for the combine to be worked on. http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1517403

For what it's worth, all of our equipment is listed on our website: http://www.bluegrassrailroad.com

I'm under the impression that all of the other museum owned equipment is there to stay, save the L&N Coach. There are some privately owned ACL/SCL/SBD cabooses hidden away, which aren't under our control.

As was mentioned in another thread, we're open to good volunteers. A person can volunteer in many fashions, not just with hands on skills and sweat. For that matter, as you all know, anyone who likes trains can find a place in just about any railroad museum, provided they have a reasonable demeanor and work ethic. I'd rather be down the track cutting down brush or replacing ties by hand, than to carry on a friendly conversation with passengers, or to paint a car. Room for everyone.

James

David,

NC 87 went to a private individual in Tn after Midsouth ended. I don't know who or where and I don't want to open old wounds....

James,

I applaud all of Bluegrass's efforts and am glad to see things turning around. The last time I was there, there was a good core group of volunteers and although things looked bleak, they had a plan and were working on turning things around. As for me volunteering, I'll start thinking about that when my boys get older. They love trains.. I still have a motorcar and Hyrail truck to restore, but it's not going to happen right now...

To get a little back on topic, KRM has issues that need to be addressed and they need to be contacted if there is any interest in the equipment they are considering disposing of...

Stuart

Conversely to what Stuart said, if you or your organization is interested in any equipment KRM might consider "surplus" now is the time to make an offer. They might not be interested in deal-making with your particular item, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Of course, I'm only a KRM member and cannot and do not speak officially for the museum.

What is the fate of their Brill M-55 motor rail car? It is 1 of 5 survivors in the world.

Frankfort & Cincinnati Railroad No. M-55-1 is actually in very good shape. It had a full body restoration done several years ago by a contractor and resides indoors in the museum's shop building/barn.

It is very complete, only missing a few small components from an aborted restoration about 15 years ago. I gave it a good look over last year when in town. Very nice work. A few "mior" issues, like the screw heads used to simulate rivets on replaced side sheets did not have their slots filled in, but nothing major that couldn't be corrected, if one wanted to.

Mechanically, it is a different story. Brill Model 55 cars were mechanical cars, where the engine drove both axles of the front truck. The car was withdrawn from service on the F&C because it broke a drive axle on the front truck. The railroad "repaired" it by pressing the broken axle ends into a pipe. It was enough to get the car to Louisville. The front truck frame is also kind of a mess. When in service, the car rolled into the turntable pit, and the other repairs to the front truck give the car a distinctive lean to one side. It also has, if I remember, some cracks in the wheels.

Even with those problems, the car was nominally operable before the restoration. It could be made to run again rather easily, but I imagine any serious operational restoration, to carry passengers, would require addressing the running gear issues.

This could be interesting:

The Kentucky Railway Museum ’s annual meeting date has been set for Friday, April 20th. The meeting will start at 7:30 pm. It will be held in the basement of Middletown Baptist Church which is located at 11711 Main Street in Middletown ( Louisville ). We will be sending out further details in the near future.

For more info: kyrail@bardstown.com