Recently, I was in Jackson, Louisiana, and I passed by a neat-looking round-end observation car with Kansas City Southern markings. It looked to be in need of a good paint job. Anyone know who owns this car or the story behind it?

Car was originally NYC 51(Budd 1948), sold to KCS in 1960, renumbered 47, rebuilt and renumbered in 1965 to KCS 41.

KCS sold it about 1971 to William Dodd, former Lt Governor of Louisiana, delivered by rail to McManus, LA on the IC, then trucked down LA Hwy 10 to Mr Dodd's farm, a few miles west of Clinton, LA. He bought it as a playhouse for his grandchildren. Placed in the pasture next to his house among the cows, pine trees, cow patties, and ant piles.

As a top LA official, Mr Dodd was entertained many times in Baton Rouge aboard the KCS business cars. KCS VP R.J. Blair was quite the pitchman for retired KCS passenger equipment that the railroad wanted to get rid of.

Advance 25 years or so, Mr Dodd has passed on, his grandchildren are grown, and the family wants to get rid of their lawn ornament. It was advertised in TRAINS for $45,000, brokered by the local NRHS chapter here in New Orleans(?). It eventually sold, i don't know for how much, it was bought locally, and moved back down LA 10, this time ten miles west to Jackson, LA, to become part of SOUTHERN BELLE ANTIQUES, on the main east-west drag in town. It has become quite the landmark in town. Interior has been completely redone and it is rented out for private parties. Owner has even installed some really nice etched windows to give it that Victorian look.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=979874
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=979885

Apparently, 41 had a fender bender at some point in its KCS career. KCS replaced one section of the rounded corrugated stainless on one side in the back with a piece of smooth stainless. In pictures taken during the 60's, you could always pick 41 out of a lineup.