"In an earlier post, Mr. Rowland hinted that they might keep enough cars for a short 4 car train."

Evidently there was some thinking along those lines at some point, but in the end all of the cars and parts were sold. Also, several (I think 2) cars were sold earlier this year, prior to the auction.

Thanks. 13 sold at auction plus 2 sold earlier would equal the 15 mentioned earlier as traveling from Denver to Pottstown.

And now for the closing theme:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWn1Oj2V7Xw

I could send this direct to Ross, but I figured why not use RYPN?

Ross,

I am sorry the GBX project didn't work out. It is great that all the cars found homes. You only achieve big when you dream big. The Internet is full of small thinkers; dreamers are content to win only some of the time but we expect to win big when we do. When a dream like GBX doesn't work out but you still find a way to salvage what's left, well, that's a pretty good alternative outcome.

My first introduction to mainline steam was through High Iron and #759. The last mainline steam trip (of many) that my mom made was at your invitation behind #614. Pictures of family posing with both those locomotives (and AFT #1, too) are part of my family's history.

I hope you have another big idea or two to try. I've made sure my young son has had a few special memories on the rails... riding behind #765 with Rich Melvin at the throttle... meeting George Hart during the last weekend of Rail Tours operations... it would be great for him to get in a Ross Rowland trip, too.

I am sure some folks will see this as me being a fan boy or cast some other aspersions.

In the end, I am just a kid of the late '60's who was blown away by big steam in New Jersey... steam that ran only because someone had the audacity to dream.

Onward and upward!

Rob

If GBX still has any cars, they didn't come from ARE. Does anyone know what other cars GBX may have gotten?

Since this was publicized as a liquidation sale, it doesn't sound like they have anything else.


Mike Palmieri - Fort Worth, Texas

What about the Diesel locomotives intended for the Express?

Those three GE's ended up on the MM&A several years ago, but I don't know who actually owned them or if they were ever used.

Lighten up - everyone!

So Ross, lets get it straight from the (iron) horses mouth (so to speak)!

Here's a hint -Not to be taken too seriously, unless you know some people with deep pockets!

What is the long term plans for the 614 and the express? Maybe "Golden Spike 150?" Now, the 614 with a power blue train steaming to St Louis to meet the UP Big Boy (or 844), to take the train to Salt Lake? (Where have we heard this before?) Something like this would need the backing of someone like NS, the UP & the AAR, maybe throw in Amtrak, not too sure about CSX.

Ducking the bull poo hitting the fan:
David Notarius (wearing rain gear) deep in the heart of Cambridgeshire, UK (ex BR&W coal scoop monkey)

Ps - Ross, you still owe me lunch at the Flemington Diner, from 1977!

"It's better to try and misstep than to not try at all."

BNSF is apparently busy buying cars as of late. As reported on Trainorders, BNSF has also acquired a RF&P chair as BNSF #90: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3532741

54 seat chair, Budd, 1946, Lot #9613-008, ACL pool, 6 cars, RF&P #801-#806.

The car is reported to have Central New York Chapter markings and a NYS&W-labeled COT&S.

I've accounted for 5 of the 6 cars in my notes, so more than likely the car acquired by BNSF is RF&P #805/AMTK #5424.

RF&P #801/AMTK #5420/#6077 is now VIA HEP #8140.

RF&P #802/AMTK #5421 is now in Charles City, IA.

RF&P #803/AMTK #5422 was also acquired by VIA, not converted, stored until sold in 2002.

RF&P #804/AMTK #5423 was also acquired by VIA, not converted, stored until sold in 2002.

RF&P #806/AMTK #5425 is now VIA HEP #8145.

Sources:

1. "Streamliner Cars Volume Two: The Budd Company" by W. David Randall (RPC Publications, 1981)

2. Mike Palmieri's Amtrak rosters

3. "Amtrak by the Numbers" by David C. Warner and Elbert Simon (White River Productions, 2011)

I now have a gap between BNSF 88 and 90. Is there a car 89?


Mike Palmieri - Fort Worth, Texas

"I now have a gap between BNSF 88 and 90. Is there a car 89?"

I believe for many years the 89 has been the former Santa Fe Budd pre-war track inspection car with the big window in the back.

BNSF #89 William B. Strong has been renumbered to #32.

Built in 1940 by Budd in Lot #96902 as AT&SF 32 seat club lounge 26 seat chair news stand #1397, 1 of 2 (#1396-#1397) ordered in July 1939 and delivered in January 1940. In November 1940, both cars were reconfigured to 47 seat club lounge, and were reconfigured again in 1952 to 23 seat club lounge 20 seat diner. #1397 was retained by Santa Fe, and was rebuilt in 1975 to track inspection-theater #89 to BNSF #32.

Photo taken on July 12th, 2014 at the West Portal of the Cascade Tunnel on the ex-GN Scenic Sub. 1 of 5 BNSF cars on the rear of the eastbound #8 Empire Builder.

http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3906996