Steam Locomotive and Cars Looking for New Home

Long-time railroad historian and professional hobo Monte Holm passed away last year in his hometown of Moses Lake, Washington. Monte has left behind a beautiful Baldwin-built USATC Class S-160 2-8-0 Steam Locomotive and a number of other fine railroad pieces of equipment.

Monte left his prized train set in the hands of his two grandsons who are now looking for a new home to continue his legacy. Monte operated the House of Poverty museum in Moses Lake WA. His grandsons have decided that maintaining the museum is just too much. The two boys are now looking for a home that will not only preserve Monte’s collection, but also restore and operate it.

In June of 2006, Wasatch Railroad Contractors was asked to do an evaluation on the current condition of the collection. Needless to say this equipment is in near perfect condition. The steam locomotive has very few miles as it was owned and operated by the military. Monte operated the steam locomotive on a few local excursions around Moses Lake in the 1970’s. For an operating example of this locomotive one can turn to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

Monte also owned a very nice 1915 end observation car which was first owned by the SP&S and later the BN. During cutbacks at the BN in the early 1980’s Monte came to own the car. Monte never operated the car but he maintained it with the hopes of someday taking the car on a long cruse. There are also two very fine cabooses that are being sold.

Monte’s grandsons have asked Wasatch Railroad Contractors to aid in the final disposition of all of Monte’s railroad equipment. As such, we have designed a basic set of guidelines for those interested in submitting a bid to purchase the equipment. The grandsons are interested in the preservation of the equipment. As such, each bid must contain a brief summery of what the future holds for the equipment.

What are the reporting marks and number for the tank car?

Many thanks,
Tom Cornillie

Tom,

Sorry for the delay. The reporting marks on the tank are PSPX 16336.

Hope this helps.

John E. Rimmasch

Hi,

The 2 steel, cupola, cabooses, if still available, are:

CB&Q 13511/ BN 11456, built 3/30 &

NP 10031/BN 11363, built 2/51.

Roger