I'm not sure if anyone is aware of these gems, but thought of sharing the Facebook post. Maybe a group might be interested in them for steam support cars?

https://m.facebook.com/groups/379577942 ... composer=0

Before you assume they are abandoned, you might want to check with the Warther Museum to see if they own them.

Just a point, the wood "boxcar" has attributes that make it look to actually be a wood reefer.

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These cars have been there for many, many years. I first became aware of them in the 1980's or before. They are owned by the nearby Warther Museum.

There was a time when they were in pretty good shape, but there has been no maintenance at all, and the reefer, in particular, is in very bad shape because of its wooden construction. I have no identification of the tank car, but the reefer is a Western Fruit Express car that used to display GN markings.

In many respects, the Warther Museum is a fine institution dedicated to displaying the fine wood and ivory carvings done by Ernest "Mooney" Warther. It is well worth the visit. However, the museum has never shown any interest in properly caring for these particular items, and they are a good example of what happens when artifacts fall into the hands of people who just don't understand what they have. Many years ago, I wrote to the museum to ask about the original numbers and provenance, and they responded that they didn't know. I inferred that they didn't care either.

One of the posters above says he was recently told that the cars are not for sale. The tank car is savable, but the reefer is very questionable at this point. It probably depends on how much time and money you have to throw at the project.

It is frustrating to know that the owners still refuse to sell to somebody who might be willing and able to preserve one or both cars. The attitude seems to be "It's mine, and I'd rather see it rot than let it go to somebody else." I think that's a sin.

The Age of Steam Roundhouse is in Sugarcreek, about 13 miles away. They could undoubtedly provide a good home for the tank car. The reefer is so badly deteriorated that it might be too big a job even for AOS. After all, they are acquiring a number of ITM items that will require significant stabilization and restoration. It's true that they have deep pockets, but even deep pockets have their limitations.

Tom Davidson

and this has plagued the old car hobby for years. "That old car that has been sitting in the corn field for 40 years means too much to me to sell it...I'm gonna fix it up someday"