Yep...

Let me attempt again to be both reserved and diplomatic(neither characteristic was I born with!!). I can tell everyone from the information I have recieved from sources I trust that the 2100's problems both on the Nov.28th. failed attempt and this latest round lie NOT with the machine!! Mr. Baileys comments are dead on target, and Rich Melvins reading of her exhaust sounds are also dead on target.
I would second Mr. Baileys comments and fervently hope that all concerned at GPRR will immediatley involve some capable professioal assistance BEFORE something really serious occurs!!
Ross Rowland

Rich
Any new shows coming out from Machines of Iron?

Later!
Mr. Ed

Saw this today. According to their website these are the only open-window cars in their fleet. Given current market conditions, their asking price is a bit high.

Tom Cornillie

http://www.railswap.org/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=5899&query=retrieval

SALE/TRADE: 6 passenger cars for sale
Categories: Railroad Cars - Passenger
Ad Number: 5899
Date Posted: 04/20/2006
Contact: Golden Pacific Railroad
Tualatin, Oregon 97062

Web Site: http://www.gprr.com


Description
Built 1953 by CC&F, roller bearings, 109 capacity, E couplers, 480V HEP, 26C air brake, AEI tags, sliding windows, no restroom, luggage racks, PA, fluorescent lighting, one car for $27,500 five cars for $30,000 ea.

Reading 2100s are a well designed locomotive. There are generally accepted ways to convert modern steam locomotives (road engines) from coal to oil. Mechanical and design departments did that decades ago. And then there are other ways to convert steam locomotive from coal to oil.

Can you say "cash flow problem" ?

It's simply called disposing of equipment that is no longer needed and to free up storage track space.

Dan

Did anyone note the "news" on the Golden Pacific website re: retubing the boiler and injector work? Maybe Dan can comment?

Wesley

There are a lot of provocative stories out there about "what happened". Rather than add to the tomfoolery of that, I would say that we should applaud Golden Pacific for doing what needs to be done and not berate them for what has gone before. They picked a tough territory to operate on, but probably not nearly as toasty as the flaming they get on various boards.

Alas those flames have zero heating value...........

Michael Seitz

hh an

How many months has the "operating schedule" been posted on their website now without any mention that the featured equipment is not in operation?

They picked a tough territory to operate on? The website says they provide training services, does that include a certain class called "Locomotive Application" (the one that locomotive manufacturers used to teach in their training centers) where you calculate the effects of grade and curve resistance on various types of equipment?

m.x.d.

I would agree they certainly deserve an "A" for effort. You can find lots of what they've attempted to do and failed at loaded with what to many would have been obvious land-mines,however they're trying and let's see if we can help them!
I am curious why they'd dispose of the single level o/w cars that are appropriate to go with the 2100 and keep the double deck commuter wagons that seem totally out of place?? I'd be interested in what reasons went into that decision.
Let's hope the heavy work now under way turns her out in first rate shape!!
Ross Rowland

I can't comment on everything, but the 2100 is more or less getting an general overhaul. Anything that needs to be modified, adjusted or changed is being done, before any public operations begin. After this she'll be ready to go.

Everything is going quite well and the work will be completed shortly.

Dan
GPRR

The CPR Montreal Commuter cars are ideal cars for an excursion operation, as they are in good condition, have modern appliances and a high capacity. The nee-CNW Chicago commuter coaches are less than suitable due to their small, sealed windows, and generally fair to poor interior condition (unless they have been substantially rebuilt.) However the CPR cars would definately fetch a higher sale price because of their greater usefulness.

Tom Cornillie

(It would be great if CPR would re-purchase these cars for use in their steam program)

Although I don't know for certain which of a couple brokers GPRR got these particular C&NW bilevels from, if they got them from the party I think they got them from, they were probably not only the best of the ex-C&NW cars that were on the market, but that broker was refurbishing the cars considerably--new paint, new seats, etc.

However, I pretty well agree that selling off the STCUM/MUCTC cars that fit the "steam-era" image in favor of C&NW bilevels, unless someone is truly trying to set up a "rail-cruise" with luxury refurbishments, is little short of stupid. (For the record, I did a quick check in the history books, and it appears the C&NW bilevels never saw a steam locomotive in regular commuter or long-haul passenger service, coming just a year or two too late.....)

I believe that the Golden Pacific did pick up Dan Behr/CRC LLC/Midwest Transportation Development coaches. However, there was a tremendous variance in how the cars were refurbished. Some were just throughly cleaned inside and out, some only had new exterior paint, and a handful were extensively redone as you described.

I am also not sure that I would call them the best of the best. The St. Louis Car Company bi-levels were included in this group which were the oldest ones in the C&NW fleet.

Tom Cornillie