From the NP Yahoo Group:Date: Sun, 04 Dec 2005 17:27:03 -0000 From: "dg_burns" <dburnsmail@comcast.net>Subject: Requesting Assistance - Preserving 1910 NP Dining CarI am looking for any interested vounteers to assist me in my efforts to preserve a 1910 Northern Pacific Dining Car. The goal is to have dining car #1663 transported from Easton to Tacoma where it will undergo much needed restoration. It's a big project...but, well worth the effort. Of the 15 dining cars purchased by the Northern Pacific in 1910, car#1663 is the last surviving. My long term goal is to see Tacoma get a museum of railroad history. I have met with City council members, the Mayor, Tacoma Historic Preservation Office, Tacoma Historical Society, Port of Tacoma, TTX, Tacoma Landmarks Commission, BNSF & many others that are all in support of having a piece of local railroad history back in Tacoma. The project is currently being sponsored by the Tacoma Historical Society, a Non Profit, 301 (c) tax exempt organization.This particular dining car served on the North Coast Limited run from 1910 until October 1949 when it was retired from service at the South Tacoma shops. There is much to do and I am hoping to find someone who can spare some time to help make this project a success. My lowest bid to transport the car by truck is $25,000. I'm confident that there is a cheaper route. I can be reached by telephone at 253-468-8180 or email me at NPDiningcar@comcast.net. Thank you for your time and consideration.Respectfully Yours,David G. BurnsTacoma Railcar Preservation Society

This effort has been underway for at least 2 years. They have a website where you can see some photos of the car:http://home.comcast.net/~npdiningcar/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.htmlI am always interested in other dining car restoration projects.Tim StuyELDCPShttp://www.eldcps.org

But it still is a private owner with a project sponsored by a non-profit. A real slippery slope if money raised by the non profit benefits a private owner. Saying you want to setup a railroad museum doesn't mean the car is owned by a 501 (C) 3.

While I looked at the linked website, I think we could know more about this car. It appears to have been used off-trucks as a diner for a time? Sounds like a good news brief, with some photos showing its long history.