Any groups interested in saving this car? The group that it was donated to didn't come up with enough money to move it (see previous thread about this car). The new owner of the restaurant it's part of is going to scrap it. Are Milwaukee coaches so common that this one isn't worth saving?

Boyd


bowens@rypn.org

Yes, that is a big part of the problem. For some reason homebuilt MILW cars have never really caught on with private passenger car owners or excursion operators. Most people are afraid of them because of perceived structural flaws, and because of other "odd-ball" features such as the Nystrom trucks. However, these cars posess very unique and unusual interior features, such as wood veneer, and it's a real shame they are not considered more desirable. Another problem for this car is that there are a relatively large number of them still around on live rail that can be had cheap. It can cost $8,000 to $10,000 dollars to get a car like this one back on live rail, and that's probably more than the market value of this car, especially since the interior is likely gutted. Also, consider that most of these RR car restaurant type fiascos also involve welding the wheels to the rails to prevent the car from rolling, and that means the wheels are scrap, which also adds considerable dollars to the restoration.

It's a shame to not save a car like this that seems to be in good shape rust-wise, but in summary, they're just not popular cars.

> Yes, that is a big part of the problem. For
> some reason homebuilt MILW cars have never
> really caught on with private passenger car
> owners or excursion operators.

Steve Sandburg/North Star Rail have two of these cars in their fleet. One of them (painted in the later UP style colors - sorry no #) had a noticeable frame sag and did not participate in last years excursions.

Most people
> are afraid of them because of perceived
> structural flaws, and because of other
> "odd-ball" features such as the
> Nystrom trucks.

I have heard secondary reports that these trucks provide an excellent ride.

> It can cost $8,000 to $10,000 dollars to get
> a car like this one back on live rail, and
> that's probably more than the market value
> of this car, especially since the interior
> is likely gutted.

I would like to hear from the IRM folks on how much it cost them to move the nee-ACL dining car from a restaurant in Lansing IL. They have recovered several passenger cars and countless interurbans from stationary locations. Moreover, when I last saw the car (more than a few years ago admittedly) it was only missing its seats. The bulkheads for both bathrooms and the luggage racks were still intact.

Also, consider that most
> of these RR car restaurant type fiascos also
> involve welding the wheels to the rails to
> prevent the car from rolling, and that means
> the wheels are scrap, which also adds
> considerable dollars to the restoration.

> It's a shame to not save a car like this
> that seems to be in good shape rust-wise,
> but in summary, they're just not popular
> cars.

I think that it might be of interest to the 261 group, as it would provide them with another CMStP&P car for their fleet (which now numbers 22 cars!)

Also, I still don't understand why The Western Union Junction Railroad Club decided not to accept it. The Mount Rainer is in positively horrible shape, as it is missing its original windows and it is stripped down to the frame. It would take thousands of dollars of and thousands of man-hours to make this car presentable. (I linked an interior photo of this car below - if it doesnÂ’t work, please follow the link to the Milwaukee Road Survivors Yahoo Group and see this picture under the Files section). I suggest that the Mount Rainer be scrapped since there is so little left to restore, and that the parts be used on other surviving CMStP&P passenger equipment.

Best,
Tom


Milwaukee Road Survivors Yahoo Group.

rrhistorian@hotmail.com

Both of the mentioned Milw. Road cars were leased from a private party. They have since both been returned to the owner.
While the 261 group did a fair amount of maintenance work on the cars to ensure safety, they do need structural and or truck work.
But, they both have very good air conditioning and interiors. One has an excellent generator. Although they are not wired for HEP, they could be good cars for someone who is able to undertake the truck work needed. I do not know this for certain, but I believe the owner would be interested in selling one or both of them. These cars have trucks under them that can roll now.
Mark D.

> Steve Sandburg/North Star Rail have two of
> these cars in their fleet. One of them
> (painted in the later UP style colors -
> sorry no #) had a noticeable frame sag and
> did not participate in last years
> excursions.

> Most people

> I have heard secondary reports that these
> trucks provide an excellent ride.

> I would like to hear from the IRM folks on
> how much it cost them to move the nee-ACL
> dining car from a restaurant in Lansing IL.
> They have recovered several passenger cars
> and countless interurbans from stationary
> locations. Moreover, when I last saw the car
> (more than a few years ago admittedly) it
> was only missing its seats. The bulkheads
> for both bathrooms and the luggage racks
> were still intact.

> Also, consider that most

> I think that it might be of interest to the
> 261 group, as it would provide them with
> another CMStP&P car for their fleet
> (which now numbers 22 cars!)

> Also, I still don't understand why The
> Western Union Junction Railroad Club decided
> not to accept it. The Mount Rainer is in
> positively horrible shape, as it is missing
> its original windows and it is stripped down
> to the frame. It would take thousands of
> dollars of and thousands of man-hours to
> make this car presentable. (I linked an
> interior photo of this car below - if it
> doesnÂ’t work, please follow the link to the
> Milwaukee Road Survivors Yahoo Group and see
> this picture under the Files section). I
> suggest that the Mount Rainer be scrapped
> since there is so little left to restore,
> and that the parts be used on other
> surviving CMStP&P passenger equipment.

> Best,
> Tom

The property owner gave us 5 days to come up with the money to move. Crane company gave quote of 10,000.00 low end to move not including trucking. we figured minimal of 15-20 thousand to move car repair his parking lot, money we dont have, plus you have all kinds of obstructions to move it. We are in the proceess of getting ahold of steve.

Mike Slater
President of Western Union Junction RR Club

> Steve Sandburg/North Star Rail have two of
> these cars in their fleet. One of them
> (painted in the later UP style colors -
> sorry no #) had a noticeable frame sag and
> did not participate in last years
> excursions.

> Most people

> I have heard secondary reports that these
> trucks provide an excellent ride.

> I would like to hear from the IRM folks on
> how much it cost them to move the nee-ACL
> dining car from a restaurant in Lansing IL.
> They have recovered several passenger cars
> and countless interurbans from stationary
> locations. Moreover, when I last saw the car
> (more than a few years ago admittedly) it
> was only missing its seats. The bulkheads
> for both bathrooms and the luggage racks
> were still intact.

> Also, consider that most

> I think that it might be of interest to the
> 261 group, as it would provide them with
> another CMStP&P car for their fleet
> (which now numbers 22 cars!)

> Also, I still don't understand why The
> Western Union Junction Railroad Club decided
> not to accept it. The Mount Rainer is in
> positively horrible shape, as it is missing
> its original windows and it is stripped down
> to the frame. It would take thousands of
> dollars of and thousands of man-hours to
> make this car presentable. (I linked an
> interior photo of this car below - if it
> doesnÂ’t work, please follow the link to the
> Milwaukee Road Survivors Yahoo Group and see
> this picture under the Files section). I
> suggest that the Mount Rainer be scrapped
> since there is so little left to restore,
> and that the parts be used on other
> surviving CMStP&P passenger equipment.

> Best,
> Tom


mslater@wi.rr.com

The touralux is not in nice of shape as 634, but it is more aforardable for us to move. Plus we have taken items no one else wanted and fixed them up. THe gentelman we got our milwaukee road thrall caboose from has stated to us that ours was the worst caboose he sold (ours was in a yard accident that the corner step was bashed in and coupler pocket destroyed) and today ours is the best looking one preserved, steps fixed, coupler pocket pulled out, window glazing replaced the steel plates, a fresh coat of paint, and repro Milwaukee harolds, and we even got a gentelma to free hand the numbers on the bays! yes the touralux is in sad shape, but we may be a small group, but we work our hardest to save what we can!

Mike Slater
Sturtevant Wisconsin

> The property owner gave us 5 days to come up
> with the money to move. Crane company gave
> quote of 10,000.00 low end to move not
> including trucking. we figured minimal of
> 15-20 thousand to move car repair his
> parking lot, money we dont have, plus you
> have all kinds of obstructions to move it.
> We are in the proceess of getting ahold of
> steve.

> Mike Slater
> President of Western Union Junction RR Club


mslater@wi.rr.com