Just noticed by accident that a group in New Orleans is selling on Craigslist eight passenger cars, a wheel lathe, and an IC steam crane. Just Google Craigslist Louisiana, then ask for New Orleans, then search either train cars or lathe.

I recieved the following e-mail. I have deleted the phone number so the Internet doesn't pick it up. I can provide the phone via private message:

The Louisiana Railway Heritage Trust is liquidating some of its equipment. The following are items we need to get rid of:

1. Ex-military baggage car;
2. Discovery train baggage car;
3. Three stainless steel passenger coaches;
4. One ICG steam crane;
5. One large wheel lathe;
6. Jim Crow combine;
7. Two ICG heavy weight passenger cars.

If you or anyone you know might be interested in purchasing these items please contact me at (504) 343-XXXX. We want to move these items quickly and are willing to sell them at very reasonble prices.

Executive Director, Louisiana Heritage Trust
Richard Jacobs

Is this group tied in with the folks who operate the #745?

My understanding is that this is the group that OWNS the #745, and leases it to LASTA, who operates it.

The prices being asked are very reasonable as noted. I take it that this is a loss of storage situation?

David Farlow

Anybody have anymore info on these cars? Or better still pictures?

Why would something like this be posted on Craigslist, of all places? Why not start here at RyPN, or RailSwap, for example? Or do more railway preservationists look at Craigslist?

Most of the above questions are rhetorical. But not all.

Howard P.

Most of us would expect them for nothing and then a lot of free time to arrange for shipping and a new home to be arranged. We aren't notorious as an industry for our ability to immediately come up with resources to act expeditiously.......

Even so, I'd have given us a fair chance to fail before going CraigsList.

dave

"We aren't notorious as an industry for our ability to immediately come up with resources to act expeditiously......."

Dave, that is certainly true, but what the group of traction museums did recently in Cleveland runs counter to that. Nick at IRM sure knows how to act fast when he needs to (seems to me, at least).

I'd be very curious to find out who the Craigslist purchasers are--- "civilians" who always wanted a baggage car in the backyard??? Restauranteurs?

Howard P.

a few photographs that were taken a few months ago.. of a few of the LASTA cars located in Jefferson Parish just outside of New Orleans. I believe these 3 cars are some of those identified on the listing...

hope these photographs prove interesting


Dean Levin

Very cool arched doorways on that RPO-bagg. The carbody looks pretty good on that one. Hope someone gets that car and does right by it.

The steel-sheathed combine is simply sad, very sad. And all too familiar.

Howard P.

I suppose this could happen anywhere, but the SAM Shortline purchased the 10-6 sleeper SR 2005 FLINT RIVER from this group and before the car could be moved parts were robbed/stolen from it, including the brake valves and SR vestibule lights. I suspect the ACL VIRGINIA BEACH is one of the three stainless cars referenced. It could have been a nice car, and the SAM thought about buying it along with FLINT RIVER, but it was withdrawn and by the time the Southern car deal was finished it was made available again...too late to work out a deal. But even then, when I first looked at the cars in 2002, the VIRGINIA BEACH was in poor shape, inside and out, as were most of the cars stored in the yard where 745 was being restored to service. A lot of potential, if you have deep pockets...well, it was a thought, anyway...

Also, unless they have 2 steam cranes, and I only remember seeing one, I believe the ICG crane may be of Western Railway of Alabama heritage. I'll have to check my notes to see if that's correct. It would be a great piece to have at SERM or TVRM but a real bear and mucho $$$$ to have to move. I think the wheel lathe was sitting on the boom tender (flatcar) of the crane. Wish I could find those notes and photos...

Why post it on craigslist? Perhaps they don't know any better, LOL. Howard, you may remember a certain Northeast transportation agency taking out an ad in the local newspaper for three GP series loco's. And it took someone with common sense to remedy the situation. But folks, you never know this site or others may not have exposure to every group out there. And that may be why there on craiglist. I hope the crane finds a good home, I have a special apppreciation for derricks especially what few steam ones are left.

Craig's List is a an OK place to place an ad; for the locals. And if they would publish one of the many search engines that allow you to search listings from all of the states, they could put that overpried, over rated auction site out of business. Until then, it's usefullness is limited. Definately the last place I'd run railroad ads.

Later!
Mr. Ed