Ex-CN business car Cacauna was recently scrapped in Saginaw, MI, as posted by Norm Orfall on Trainorders: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3474645

The Trainorders thread mentions that this was the sister car to CN #1041 Metis, which is extant. Does anyone have more info on the history of these 2 CN business cars? CN number of the Cacauna, manufacturer/date/Lot? Retirement/sale dates and further ownership?

Thanks in advance!

This is from Lepkey and West's great CN passenger car book.

Built by Canadian Car & Foundry in September 1928, lot 734, as CN 1040 Cacouna 7 compartment/Bf/Lg/Obs. Given I A/C in 1937. Became CN 40 in January 1973, then CN 15101 in June 75 sold to US Rail Corp in 1980.

I hope that helps.

Steve

I know the person actually preforming the scrapping. Anything that can be salvaged for re-use, like paneling and fixtures, has been.

Thanks, Steve and Matt, for the info!

The scrapped car was purchased about 25 years ago by its current owner. He then proceeded to do...nothing. In a few years, the car developed water leaks, and water flowed through the car like a waterfall. And, I think the car was broken into. The car was stored with the Bluewater NRHS fleet in Saginaw until they tired of car owners that neglected their cars. It moved across town about 13 years ago.

A sad story of neglect of a nice car.

Here is a little insight of the cars while in service for CNR

as built both cars were equipped with 2 standard vestibules, 11 seat lounge with writing desk, a small buffet and 7 traditional sleeping compartments and were classed COMPARTMENT-OBSERVATION-LIBRARY-BUFFET cars. In 1937 both cars received Ice Activated AC, installed by Canadian Car & Foundry, lot # 1118.

In 1939 they were classed SPECIAL COMPARTMENT cars, and were assigned for charter or special services. One regular assignment was transporting the Molson (Canadian beer brewing) family from Montreal to their family summer home near Matane QC.

In 1953 (May) both cars were modernized, with sealed window sashes and enclosed arch roof . One vestibule (Cpt end) was enclosed and the general toilet was removed, making space for a porter's room. The buffet was enlarged, making the lounge area smaller with only 8 seats. The sleeping rooms remained the same

In 1971 (Nov) the remaining vestibule at the lounge end was converted to an open observation platform, 2 compartments were removed making way for an 8 seat dining room. The buffet, porter's room and the 5 remaining compartments were unchanged.

1973 (Jan) both cars were re-classed BUSINESS with # 1040 "CACOUNA" & # 1041 "METIS" renumbered # 40 & 41 (unnamed), respectively, then in 1975 (June) both cars re-classed WORK SERVICE-OFFICIAL, and renumbered # 15101 and # 15104 , again respectively.

SOURCE;

My own personal files, photo & diagrams
Canadian National Railways 1867 - 1992 (both volumes) - Lepkey & West

Thanks, Richard, for the info on Cacouna and Metis!

And welcome to RYPN!