If I only played the lottery....

SP 1744 (a 2-6-0) for sale

OZARK MOUNTAIN RAILCAR
superheater@rrmail.com

> If I only played the lottery....

> SP 1744 (a 2-6-0) for sale

I have to admit this seems like a relative bargain to me. You get a perfect branch-line engine, Part 230 compliant, in steam up and go condition. No survey surprises, no long delay before the engine starts making money to recover at least some fraction of what you sunk into buying her. If I were looking to start a tourist line I'd be there with bells on.

eledbetter@rypn.org

Given the insane $$$ that have been asked (and in some cases, spent) for engines far from ready-to-run, I have to agree. Now, where did I put my checkbook...

> SP 1744 (a 2-6-0) for sale

Here's a pretty interesting photo of the engine for sale (hope the photo link works!). Now what SP steam engine WOULDN'T look right at home pulling a Long Island Railroad ping-pong coach, two Metra bi-level commuter cars and an F-unit?

Frank Hicks


F-Hicks@wiu.edu

Maybe Heber Valley RR should bring it back to Utah!

davew833@yahoo.com

The problem with this wonderful ready to go loco is that its much more difficult to fool yourself about how much this all costs if you actually have to write a single check for this loco. Instead we write many, many checks over many, many years, and try not to know how much the total is in dollars or time.

Randy Hees

http://www.spcrr.org
hees@ix.netcom.com

> I have to admit this seems like a relative
> bargain to me. You get a perfect branch-line
> engine, Part 230 compliant, in steam up and
> go condition. No survey surprises, no long
> delay before the engine starts making money
> to recover at least some fraction of what
> you sunk into buying her. If I were looking
> to start a tourist line I'd be there with
> bells on.

My apologies, not attempting to be sarcastic. Just so many of us dream Class 1 on an HO budget.



superheater@rrmail.com

We don't live in a world where fair market value equals invested restoration capital. I have had to teach that lesson to several people, including some pretty successful businessmen.

Lots of variables and static enter into the steam economic equasion. Most projects are chosen not to have A steam locomotive run, but to have THIS steam locomotive run.

Generics are cheaper from China right now. Might need to adjust price to compete in that market.

dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

And let us also bear in mind that this is the "asking" price. The selling price may wind up quite a bit less. Recall a certain 0-6-0T that was recently offered for $49,000, for which there were no buyers. Also a couple of 4-8-4s that were similarly offered at auction and had no takers.

This is one chunky 2-6-0, probably equivalent in many ways to a small 2-8-0. If I was of a mind to start up a steam tourist railroad, I'd be pretty interested in 1744. It's ready to roll, ready to start earning back its cost.

K4s1361@hotmail.com

> When the engine first hit the market almost two years ago after running only ONE season, I looked into bringing the engine back to Heber. As many of you may know, the 1744 was at one time the main stay power on the old Heber Creeper, (the new Heber Valley Railroad operates what is left of the old "Creeper". In speaking with the owner a few terms were set in stone, I have no idea if these terms still stand, I do know these terms kept us from looking into the deal further.

The owner wanted 50% down, the rest over less than two years. So simple math $400,000 down plus a move that would cost over $100,000 and the rest ($400,000 over the next two years=$200,000.00 per year) That means at an average ticket price of $17.00 per person, you would have to draw at least 15,686 new riders per year to cover the cost of the engine (over three years). For the Heber that would mean an increase rider ship of over 30% per year just to support ONE new engine, now add to that the cost of the move, the cost to operate the engine and the cost to maintain it. It is a lot to ask for ONE ready to run Engine.

My point to all is this, $800,000..... a lot to ask for one engine, yes or no.....I think it is fair, the time frame to pay that much money and return investment, counting in the cost operation.......in my book, not good business practice. If you are thinking of buying it, I hope you have well over 50,000 riders per year just to cover the cost of your SINGLE new engine...

Warm regards,

John E. Rimmasch

HVRR/CMO

p.s. remember also.......it is still a 2-6-0.

jrimmasch@yahoo.com

> p.s. remember also.......it is still a
> 2-6-0.

True... for another $800K can it be kitbashed into a 2-8-2? ;-)

> True... for another $800K can it be
> kitbashed into a 2-8-2? ;-)

Aren't those availible off the shelf, low milage, via China?

> Aren't those availible off the shelf, low
> milage, via China? Don't forget the china locos are junk and don't last. NO one has been able to keep them running without constance repairs. I thinknjohn is right about the 260 not being able to pay for itself. If it doesn"t you will go broke like so many pie in the sky dreames. rob


tubeit2002@yahoo.com

...just sell your duesenburg and you have enough left over for insurance (probably for a whole year)!!

http://classyauto.com/viewlisting.php?listing_id=5
lamontdc@adelphia.net

I relayed the photo accompanying the sale offer (a bizarre juxtaposition of SP Mogul, Chicago bilevels, and a candy-apple-red LIRR car) to a principal involved with the passenger cars in the photo. Let's just say he said it brought back memories....... memories of the type the car principal has been trying VERY hard to forget. I won't go into the details here, but his reports of what happened regarding the passenger cars would make me VERY wary of getting involved financially with anyone involved with that operation.

Of course, we also have to accept the possibility that the loco is being sold or brokered by parties not directly involved with those shenanigans--like a creditor or collateral-acceptingagent of the creditors. In any case, it *is* a cute little engine, and I'd love to see it go to a good home.



LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net