And this is only $10K--but I believe this has been discussed here before............

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 102169248/

Just the thing to go with GTW #8305.

Throw a lit fusee at it, it's done

That's almost verbatim what sever here said about the PRR N6b caboose remains that are still under rebuilding/restoration today in New Jersey.

Now where are the blokes that rush to call anyone like this a "Debbie Downer" and a "nattering nabob of negativity" NOW?

Quote:

I believe this has been discussed here before............

I've not had any luck finding a thread using the search feature. But the car looks familiar - maybe ex-NWP?

Wesley

According to this article, this is it prior to being relocated from Kahlotus, SP&S X-463: http://www.bigbendrailroadhistory.com/2 ... -lake.html

Thanks PMC for the link to my website.

This car is in such poor shape. It was rough when it was moved to Soap Lake 20 years ago.

Dan

Even if the only 'alternative' is controlled disassembly of the car, and the making of patterns and measured drawings, that would be preferable to just burning the car to recover the metal components.

I expect there would be profiles and dimensions of the millwork that would be useful, for example.

That thing is a cream puff compared to D&RG Pay Car 'F' at Cumbres & Toltec. This photo from the C&TS Special Projects Fb page shows the car after Zell took most of the sway back out of it. At least the Soap Lake car isn't completely warped. All of the historic coaches were "basket cases" until a couple of master carpenters were unleashed on them.

Agree! Bad shape is in the eyes of the beholder. I see a rustyy park engine and people just get emotional that it is junk and not worth restoring. Same for wood coaches. Like steam engines you must figure all the siding, roof, platforms and half the outside hardware is going to be missing. The days of pulling a car off the rip track in almost ready to go condition is a fantasy. Look at what Mid Continent car shop guys go through in a restoration of a wooden coach. So much just comes with the territory. An unrestored locomotive is probably going to need 2ft of lower firebox replaced, rear tube sheet, maybe partial or the whole crown sheet. Restoration is a big project be it a car body, locomotive , or bridge/building. Never say never unless you have investigated thoroughly. Opinions are free. Regards, John.

Yes it can be saved... but at what cost...

Acquisition $10,000
moving car $20,000+
space to store/restore/preserve $????
restoration $500,000+

Since resources for railroad preservation are a finite resource, what project will go unfunded so this car can be saved?

Budgets to restore this car can vary by the speed of the work, the manner of execution, and the overall outcome/goal. A person with a heritage mindset could restore it in his eastern WA/northern ID backyard, buying materials as needed to do a phase and restore it over years. After all, this is how RYPN posting pioneer David Woodbury did it with a B&M car.

That said, I hope the owner is willing to consider 1 dollar sale prices to the right person, as it sounded like vacating the car from the property is a priority. Sure it would be nice if he could make money, and it seemed they want to see it saved, so maybe the reality of the situation will settle in and the right deal can be struck.

On the other hand, there are some stick in the mud folks (A nice relatively complete B&M car in northern Mass comes to mind) will never settle for less than $100,000 for their "priceless" rotting degrading treasure.

Fingers crossed.
O. Anderson

P.S. This SP&S coach appears to be of the same style as the overpriced car in Burlington, WA, which has trucks and some of the underbody, but a lot of active rot due to Puget Sound humidity, between the metal parts. It would also be the same as the several owned by NWRM in Snoqualmish

To clarify a point. I was not suggesting someone save this wooden coach. But the point I wanted to make is "I would burn it, the next guy would save it". Two supposedly differing opinions and both have merit. The reason I think like I do is is saw similar wooden coaches sit for years on freight car trucks sitting there just looking like a huge eye sore. One car comes to mind is the Lake Shore car which was meticulously restored by MC. End of my point. Same goes for steam locomotives that were so far gone but restored while easier restorations were ignored. IF someone has the time and money it can be done! Should of, would of or could of does not matter. You strip the siding off, take the rotted platforms off clean out the stripped interior and they all look the same. Some, more work than others. Not saying this car needs to be restored or even should be. A "choice" might be the more correct decision. If someone has a similar coach stripping for parts might be the best option of all. If seller won't budge on price, walk away. Just 2 cents worth that may not be worth 2 cents. Just sharing an opinion. Regards, John.

Do you recall where the mentioned “nothing less than 100k” car is? Curious as to where.

I recall seeing the B&M coach in Tyngsborough over 20 years ago. I recall driving east of the river on a road and turning northward on a side road. it was on the north side of a barn/shed structure, but kind of out in the open, on the westerly side of the road (assuming things were a sort of grid pattern- which they are not). Good luck, maybe it is still around and the situation had improved for another's preservation project. Paint was failing then but present, the car was not heavily rotted. Roof appeared to be basically functioning at the time, but was probably leaking.