In regard to the interesting discussion on this forum regarding how to go about dealing with so many cars and locomotives in so many places that have questionable futures or don't per say "fit" into the scheme of a museum or NRHS chapter, I thought the discussion should continue. I thought it was worthy to continue the discussion, as by example the thread on the Southern heavyweight coach, is the perfect example, of a car, that will be scrapped because of years of neglect. Now although I have not seen the car in question, and it is likely when it was delivered to the park it was no prize, this examples lends itself to dozens and dozens and dozens of examples, where things become somewhat beyond repair, and the only method in dealing with it is to remove it.

I believe long term preservation of any item that would interest any reader on this forum, ultimately requires indoor preservation or at least under roof preservation, to either stop the ravages of the weather, and stop the possibility of a random actual of vandalism, taking its toll. I continue to read from various sources damage caused by vandalism, ranging from a car in Texas that recently had its copper 480 volt cables cut off, to a cars in New Jersey that arrived on the property in usable condition, and have been torn up by graffiti and expensive interior damage.

The objects that we share a desire to preserve, typically share one common theme. They are steel objects, that have spent the better of 60-90 years outdoors, and most provide the service they were manufactured for, and now fortunately exist, even though their intended service is long over.

Stating the obvious, indoor or covered storage is essential. It is nearly impossible to fight the freeze/thaw cycle, the sun and heat, expansion, contraction, vandals, and storms.

In theory, I guess a museum can look at an object such as a "refrigerated boxcar", and say, should it look "new" freshly outshopped, or should it indeed be left outdoors to "weather" and look the part of what a car typically looked like years ago. However, most passenger cars, ultimately can not withstanding prolonged exposure, therefore outdoor exposure ultimately is the death of most cars.

I ask readers of this forum, if indoor storage is unable to be provided, and maintenance budgets are not in place to repair car "Scenic View" ( example ), isn't it better to send it to somewhere that can preserve it, or at least cover it so it has an opportunity to someday comeback. Or, is it only a matter of time, that most of these cars will follow the same fate as the Southern coach, that lost the battle, not only against the elements, but loss the battle with a preservation community that does not have a system to identify equipment that requires immediate attention.


Dean Levin

I agree wholeheartedly with you. But the funds are just not available. In early November we heard about an N5C, three hoppers (one still in Erie Lackawanna colors), and the last cast steel flatcar known to exist were sold to the scrappers and were going to be cut up. We contacted them and they did offer to sell us all that we wanted. But we could not find the money to buy or transport them to our facility in Pemberton, NJ. They did allow us to come up and harvest all of the parts we wanted from the N5C for our car. For that we are greatful. There is so much stuff out there and as a non profit charitable organization, we have a great number of grants we can apply for but they take time to process. So when a deal comes up that requires instant cash, we have to pass as many others must do a well.

Later!
Mr. Ed