Hey everyone-I was sorting through some of my grandmother's matchbook collection last night (been working on not COMPLETELY carrying on the family hording traits), and came across a place I haven't thought of in years: Victoria Station Restuarant. I remember going to one on Metro Parkway/ Big Beaver in the Troy, Michigan area as a kid, mostly because of the decor and the boxcars/ cabooses out front. A couple things hit me, and maybe some of you have answers:1.) What the heck happened to these? For a while, they were the hotest thing since sliced bread, like a Bennigan's or TGI Fridays now. It seemed like it literally closed overnight.2.) I remember one still being in Columbus/ Worthington, Ohio on Route 161 my first year of college (1992/93) --- not far from ORM if I remember. As I recall, it later became a Max and Ermas, and may now be gone.3.) Where did they get all the equipment? It seemed they standardized with a caboose and a 40-foot boxcar at some point. Was it from one railroad, or different ones? What happened to it all when they closed?4.) It was big enough to get Johnny Cash as its spokesman, and in turn big enough that he created the record below around it. 5.) They seemed to have pruchased former British Rail Totem signs in bulk for their decor, which now are highly sought after back in the UK. What happened to all these? Was there a single auction, or did they go piece meal?Thanks,TJ

A lot of these in the northeast (NY area) closed up before 1980. There was one in Yonkers, right off the NY State Thruway (yes, that is the correct spelling) that became, with few if any changes, an office and parking yard for a "carting business" as the NY-NJ phrase is used (see "Sopranos" for more details), about that time. The caboose and boxcars are still there; they've been painted a few times in the last 20+ years.The cabooses were mostly Southern Railway, SCL and L&N, as I recall. And all those Brit signs...must be worth a mint, judging from the auction price reports in "Heritage Railway" magazine.And, here in Westchester, we have "The Station" restaurant, in the NYC's Valhalla station (yes, the famous NYC timetable footnote of "Remains may be checked to Valhalla upon advance notice to agent" applied here). This has a B&O wood caboose, and a rather hacked-up-inside NYC 1905-vintage wood Pullman obs car, the kind with the one large offset window on the porch end. The place opened in the early 70s, perhaps influenced by Vickie's Station.

"There was one in Yonkers, right off the NY State Thruway. The caboose and boxcars are still there."Hi,Is the Yonkers, NY, caboose accessible?This Victoria Station reportedly had an ex-T&P/MoPac caboose. If it was an MP caboose and the trucks are visible, they might be embossed with "MPL" (for Missouri Pacific Lines).Is anyone close enough to this site to check out and, perhaps, photograph this caboose?Thanks, RogerPS - The Valhalla, NY, caboose is B&O C250.

Burlington,Mass. one block off route #128 its in original shape and still open. wrrw

There is still one in Toronto Ontario, now called Town & Country Buffet. Here's a list of what they have.They have 5 ex-IC or GM&O box cars, #'s 106, 111, 112, 122 & ?They also have an ex-Southern steel bay window caboose, #X3103.The location is 190 Queens Quay East.

S. Roger:Define "accessible". It's at the end of a driveway, owned by a company that probably has less than no patience with a curious railfan, especially one with a camera. Read my description of the current owners carefully. I'm not a bashful guy, but I'm content to see it from the street, no closer.But I'll take a look next time I'm in the area and let you know. I certainly doubt I'll see the trucks close enough to read any markings!!HP

Believe there used to be one Whippany, NJ-not far from the M&E Rwy tracks.I think it morphed into a um...gentlemens' club for a while-and then the property was cleared of all structures and re-developed as a consumer grade national chain steakhouse.I am sure the only value of the site to the chain was the existing liquor license. Dave

The V.S. in Gaithersburg MD is now a Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse. I think the boxcars are still there.What about the elaborate version in LA, at Universal Studios, I think?Wesley

TJ:The Victoria Station restaurant chain went bankrupt back in 1986. If I remember correctly, the company expanded using lots of debt, which brought them down once the concept started to get stale and the quality slipped. Someone is actually writing a book on the company's history, here's the link found via Google:http://www.vicsta.com/The former Victoria Station in King of Prussia, PA stood boarded up until just a few years ago, but has now been replaced by a McDonalds.Rick Bates

"Burlington, MA, one block off Rt. 128 in original shape and still open."Hi,This caboose is reported as an ex-Southern. Does anyone know the number?Thanks, Roger

Wes,The cars are gone; I went through the place just before the the site was cleared for the current restaurant. The City of Gaithersburg may have saved a set of trucks off one of the cars for the Gaithersburg Railway Museum.Alan Maples

Hi,Does anyone know the business name, street name, and NY Thruway exit number for the former Yonkers Victoria Station with the mystery caboose?Thanks, Roger

It's NYS Thruway Exit 6-E, Tuckahoe Road. According to the Yellow Pages, the premises are occupied by: A-1 Compaction, 10 Hermann Pl., Yonkers, NY 914-779-3805.

Howard,Thanks!Roger

Just don't mention where you got the info from. Good luck!