And at the very bottom of the page is this gem:
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| is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46008 |
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| Author: | 152696 [ Thu Nov 04, 2021 5:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
been doing some research on private rail cars, and I saw something about a former AMTK hi level car named sunflower. however, as i tried to find more info on it and the owner that is so-called "Americas Rails". and i found no main site, hardly any pictures, or any further info. so, is this all a just another load of BS, or is Sunflower a really well hidden private car |
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| Author: | NS6770fan [ Thu Nov 04, 2021 5:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
Figuring every photo on a website with the car is photoshopped and poorly done at that, I’d say yes. https://americantrainvacations.com/cars-trains/ Edit: The “Dome Car” photos provided are also HO scale models.. |
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| Author: | mldeets [ Thu Nov 04, 2021 6:00 pm ] | ||
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? | ||
And at the very bottom of the page is this gem:
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| Author: | Meghan [ Thu Nov 04, 2021 8:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
(I'm having flashbacks to the New England Railroad several years back) http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11547&p=52990&hilit=New+England+Railroad#p52990 This looks more like a website for a tour bundler which has gotten ahead of itself. Without commentating on the merits of the business plan I wouldn't yell "SCAM!" too loudly yet. |
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| Author: | Howard P. [ Thu Nov 04, 2021 10:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
What the two esteemed attorneys wrote in 2004 seems to be quite apropos for this latest flight of fantasy. This one has lots of purported "experience", but again, no names. Gotta go, popcorn is almost ready. Howard P. |
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| Author: | EJ Berry [ Thu Nov 04, 2021 11:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
My neighbors who worked for Budd must be proud. "Sunflower" looks like a Santa Fe High Level coach, proportions may be slightly distorted to look longer. The Dome Car "Hibiscus" looks like a CPR Skyline car. The Sleeper "Violet" looks like a rebuilt CPR Manor Car. Couplers on Hibiscus and Violet are Kadee or clones. Phil Mulligan |
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| Author: | KevinKuzma [ Fri Nov 05, 2021 12:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
Under employment opportunities, there’s this: “In the meantime, please contact Barry Jones if you have an interest in working on or with the trains, or in vacation or Train’Share (timeshare) sales – 817 696-1507 – info@americastrain.com.” With apologies to Rod Serling, “It’s a timeshare!” |
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| Author: | Scranton Yard [ Fri Nov 05, 2021 12:42 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
Cut and pasted from the Better Business Bureau website: Business Details Location of This Business 2554 Via Azalee Apt 311, Benbrook, TX 76109 BBB File Opened: 12/4/2019 Years in Business: 9 Business Started: 1/30/2012 Business Incorporated: 1/30/2012 Type of Entity: Corporation Alternate Business Name America's Trains America's Trains, Inc. Business Management Mr. Barry L Jones, Owner Contact Information Principal Mr. Barry L Jones, Owner Customer Contact Mr. Barry L Jones, Owner First base, Bugs Bunny. Second base, Bugs Bunny. Shortstop, Bugs Bunny... According to the search tools, the phone number listed, 817-696-1507, is a wireless Metro PCS number. Bing maps shows a typical apartment/condo complex. Good news is he apparently has a nice little pool convenient to his unit. |
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| Author: | Zach Lybrand [ Fri Nov 05, 2021 4:08 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
The address listed is only a twenty minute drive from my house. I'm half tempted to just swing by and ask. |
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| Author: | SD70dude [ Fri Nov 05, 2021 7:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
Looks to be in a gated community (Dixon at Stonegate), neither Google Street View nor Bing Streetside made it past the entrance. In addition to the pool it is right next to a golf course and the now humpless UP Davidson Yard. I can't find him on Facebook but Mr. Jones does have a Linkedin account, which makes for an interesting read. I had never heard of the 'Snoozer' bus cruise before, which was once mentioned in Time Magazine. https://www.linkedin.com/in/p-barry-jones-098165151 http://content.time.com/time/subscriber ... 35,00.html American Train Vacations was also the subject of a trainorders thread about a year ago, the participants over there seem to have reached a similar conclusion as to its viability. https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/ ... ?4,5123864 Looks like he started promoting this venture back in 2017. https://resorttrades.com/luxury-train-v ... re-coming/ https://www.travelagentcentral.com/tour ... commission And for the lawyers and accountants, here is a SEC filing of financial statements from the last several years. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data ... ment_4.pdf |
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| Author: | Randy Gustafson [ Fri Nov 05, 2021 8:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
From the looks of things, you can already reserve something that doesn't yet exist. At least with Blue Origin and SpaceX, you have a shot a getting something for your $. Here, not so sure. Even if you're not an accountant, look at that disclosure. Last time I saw anything like that was the Florida Fun Train (FTRN Nasdaq listing 10-K back in the 90's) but at least it actually ended up running. It's not necessarily a terrible concept, just reminds me of the old Texas saying of 'all hat and no cattle'. And yeah, at least two of the three cars shown are absolutely HO models. His financial statements, however, show $473K for rail cars, which might be enough to own a hilevel. |
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| Author: | jayrod [ Fri Nov 05, 2021 9:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
It’s possible that they cater to short people, 0.9” tall or less, with or without base, painted or unpainted. Both domains were registered in 2010 so this has been percolating a while. What I find interesting is that they will drop cars along the way at vacation spots and pick them up on the way back. Not with Amtrak. Terminals only, if at all. |
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| Author: | Topfuel [ Fri Nov 05, 2021 11:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
The Hi-Level car in question does exist. It is at Gateway Rail Services in Madison IL. It is the only Amtrak Certified Hi-Level PV to be put in service so far (by the previous owner). As I recall, the previous name of the car was "Mesa Verde". Not sure he has had much done to the interior yet, but evidently he does own the car. |
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| Author: | Kelly Anderson [ Fri Nov 05, 2021 11:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
. |
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| Author: | Ed Kapuscinski [ Fri Nov 05, 2021 2:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: is the Sunflower private rail car just a scam? |
Kelly Anderson wrote: Randy Gustafson wrote: From the looks of things, you can already reserve something that doesn't yet exist. Too bad, I blew all of that cash on tickets for #1309...Somebody's gotten sassy in his retirement! lol |
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