http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/dinky- ... useum.html

I hoe the dinky has some protection. Sitting in a park might make it a magnet for vandals, particularly with all those windows on both sides.

Sloan

Talk about a confusing newspaper article! Somehow, the state of North Dakota is mentioned. I am not sure why. Also, Mr. Ellison at the Museum of Transportation is quoted as saying that is is important that the old IT railroad bus should stay at the museum, but the story seems to indicate that it has been sold to the town of Grafton.

Les

Les,

Maybe the article was re-edited before I read it, but it appears to be very clearn in stating:

-The "new" dinky is coming from North Dakota
-It is similar to the real "dinky" on display (and under cover) at MOT

The real question is whether the "new" dinky is just a White bus body that will receive cosmetic modifications to look like the IT one, or is it a real rail bus?

The 206 at MOT is actually the second IT rail bus built for the line. The original one was built based on an older model bus body, and was later retired. The ever-frugal IT recycled the front truck, a tinly arch bar design for the "new" rail bus.

If you are ever in the area, a drive up the Great River Road from Alton to Grafton is well worth it. It is a very beautiful drive, as you drive right along side the river, with sheer bluffs on the other side of the road. It is a spetacular drive and was more than likely a spetacular ride on the dinky.

David -

Ahhhhh! NOW I see what they were trying to say. If they had worded it that they had found in North Dakota, a "Dinky" such as had once run between Alton and Grafton, Illlinois, I wouldn't have been confused. So now the question is, what is the history of this "Dinky" from North Dakota? On what railroad did it run? And where is it coming from (private collector; museum, railroad or what)? All we seem to know right now is that it was acquired at some type of auction.

Les

I'm amazed there's been no move to restore the IT bus at the MOT. I'm told there was an effort by a group of truck people years ago to do it that was turned down by the original curator. Not surprisinly a lot of info has surfaced over the years about things that didn't get done there years ago.

Maybe we're thinking of different buses, but I believe the IT railbus at MOT was restored in 2005. Photo:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rnrobert/3975048115/

It was cosmetically restored, but not to operation.

Okay Sweetie, go back and write the story so that it makes some SENSE. And, cut out the cutsie jargon. Watch what modifies what!

I've seen grade school newspapers better written!

Let me guess, the "reporter" has a master's degree in journalism!

Maybe they don't want to dwell too much on the fact that apparently the town council just spent twenty grand on a junk bus body that has no connection to their town.

Dennis -

You are probably right. That may be why they haven't furnished a photo of their new "vintage Dinky".

Les