What was the disposition of the equipment that was Auctioned by the Minnesota Transportation Museum May 31st, 2001?

What were whereabouts that lead to the equipment auctioned below after Wisconsin Michigan ceased operations-Specifically who owned these cars and how did they come to the Minnesota Transportation Museum?

Equipment Included

4 GE U23C's Former Wisconsin and Michigan, nee LS&I. These were the first U23C's built and the last remaining of their type.

15 Coaches Former Wisconsin and Michigan, ex Algoma Central, nee Canadian Pacific. Built in 1946 by CC&F.

3 50' All Door Boxcars Former Wisconsin and Michigan, nee LS&I.

5 Ore Cars Former Wisconsin and Michigan, nee LS&I.

All of these cars came from a defunct shortline in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin and Michigan, that attempted to take over operation over a branch that was bought from Wisconsin Central. They had acquired the above equipment as well at least a couple Southern Pacific articulated Coaches. The latter, were bought by the Grand Traverse Dinner Train and have been converted to Table Cars.

The four U23C's were sold to three bidders who consolidated their bid and paid $4,000 for all four units ($1,000 per locomotive). Three were missing air brake components. Perhaps two were running units when parked. There has been some concern about the condition of the turbochargers as it was rumored the stacks were not capped while in storage. Included was LS&I 2300, the first U23C built.

For $5,000, MTM purchased the nine ex-Algoma Central coaches in a bid for the entire lot. MTM allegedly tried to sell some of the individual cars to bidders who had bid when the cars were offered one at a time earlier in the sale.

I do not know what the other equipment sold for.


dsrc512@sd.value.net

Does anybody know the intentions of the bidders on the U23C's? Is it likely that at least one of these units will be restored to running condition (whether in active service or for a museum). Likewise, does anybody know where they are located? These units are very important to the national locomotive population and for interpreting upper-midwestern railroading.

Tom

As a CPR fan, I am very curious about MTM's intentions for the passenger cars. They are probably the last and best collection of lightweight pre-Budd CPR passenger cars.

Kevin

kevingillespie@usa.net