So that "extra car" is the car missing from the Pioneer Zephyr? Best use of the stripped out shell would be a static display showing the revolutionary construction of these trains... of course, it would need to go in a building.

Frank -

Thanks for the posting. In one of the comments to the story on the Mark Twain Zephyr was a comment on Rock Island #2702. Had forgotten about that car. Apparently, a missed opportunity.

Les

Interesting that this discussion resurfaces at this time. The other day I was looking through the contents of a cardboard box in the attic and found a brand new Winton 201A engine manual. I was thinking that it looked way too new for the 1930s, with leatherette front and back covers, front and back plastic end protector sheets inside the covers, and plastic ring binding. Then I remembered that it was a reprint of the 201A manual EMD produced around 1984 when the Flying Yankee was still at Edaville, and one of the first attempts to bring it back to operation was being discussed. That early attempt at restoration never progressed, and thirty-three years later it is now a historic document with its own story.

PC

MIRC@SCEDU has been very busy the last few weeks posting videos of film in their archives. Some really interesting railroad related ones. This one is a must see for any Zephyr fans. Just posted Jan 6th, 2018.

The Burlington Zephyr: First Look, April 1934
2,141 views

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Oj-J5kHSM

Filling in some more of the story, on RPN you can't assume everybody has been around for 20 yrs. and has heard the stories multiple times. Some of us are trying to get up to speed as best we can.

There is mention of the Flying Yankee. I didn't know what it was. Per wikipedia it is the almost identical twin to the more famous Pioneer Zephyr. I'm wondering if it is maybe a bit more obscure simply because it doesn't have the name Zephyr associated with it. And unlike the MTZ or even possibly the Pioneer Zephyr, it looks still complete enough to restore it to operation. In fact starting way back in 1997 Bob Morrell under took to do just that. And yet here we are 20 yrs later and still no success.

So that gives anybody looking at the MTZ a lot of info. Even starting with I assume a mostly intact train set, it's a daunting task to revive. The MTZ appears to be little more than a tubed out shell, the innards of which are probably lost for ever and some trucks, and before it's current location was sitting in 2-4 ft of water. It's a shame all the windows are gone. You could at least set it back on it's trucks and set it up as a static display even if there is nothing inside it. Without the windows it's almost like why bother.

So anybody looking at the MTZ, it seems like it would be more productive to team up with the Flying Yankee group. Especially if you would want to go for a ride some day. Then after success with it, then go back and look at the MTZ.

So does anybody have any info on the Flying Yankee Group? From their website, http://flyingyankee.org/ it says the trucks are restored and ready to be reinstalled. How close are they to getting it running again? What do they need? Any idea of a timeline or plans?

The flying yankee project is at a standstill, almost out of funds. The rear car is completely restored, the trucks and motors are restored, but no new prime mover has been chosen. The group put a lot of money into trying to restore the original Winton engine but the reality of trying to run an engine with no new old stock parts existing finally hit home. The HOBO railroad, a very gracious host that has done a bunch of work on the train, will need the space that the train takes up for other business. Discussions are going on as to where the train will go, and at this point the best to hope for is that it will be a static exibit. Hundreds of thousands of $$ are still needed to complete it. Please keep in mind that the owner of the train is the State of New Hampshire, so the train is safe.
It is in much better shape then when it left Edaville.

Alan

Everyone would like to see "The Flying Yankee" on operating rails again, but the group has been bashed enough for doing a good job. It's been a bit like complaining because the doctor saved your leg, but you haven't yet learned to tap dance. They've done far more good that anyone before them.