Hi friends,

It is that time again when I bug y'all about milk cars. I am trying to update my roster of existing milk cars.

If you are interested in talking dairy, you can join us at http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/milktrains/

Some recent and not so recent info has got me to wondering if anyone has information on the following...

- one of our list members has data showing the Central Vermont sold off three wooden milk cars in the early 1970s. We seem to know where two ended up (Barre and Barnet, VT) but does anyone know of the third?

- I still get a persistent rumor of a wood-bodied milk car somewhere near Williamstown, MA. I keep writing it off, but one never knows what may be out a farm somewhere.

- Apparently, the CNW rebuilt a large number of milk cars in the mid 1940's for non-dairy service, anyone in the Midwest know if any survived?

- There were two 50' wooden D&H cars known to survive into the 1980's. One is in North Creek, NY. The other was reported at Tunnel, NY but is now MIA. Anyone have definitive info on its disposition?

- I've recently been asked about milk car parts... trucks, hardware, etc that might be available for trade or sale. Also looking for signage from milk cars and railroad-stamped milk cans.

- Our list members have located two areas where milk tanks from National Flat Cars still exisit, in northern VT and central PA. Does anyone have any info on surviving National flats?

- Finally, we are still hunting for more former GPEX 40' and 50' steel cars. These went to many roads, noteably the IC, for MOW service. Some even went into wine service (not too much of a stretch as Carling and Labatt's used them for beer, too). At least 8 still survive.


Got milk?

Rob Davis

Maybe this is already on your list, but I recall seeing a Hood milk car at the Western Railway Museum (Suisun City CA). They focus on electric railway operations, but do have some mainline freight cars.

robertJohn Davis,

There is a Hood milk car at the Western Railway Museum at Rio Vista Jct, California. Do you know about that one?

The group called the Railroad Museum of New England has asked about it, but that is so long ago I don't think that the request is still viable.

If you look at the museum web site, then go to large artifacts, then go to steam era cars I think you will find a picture of it.

The Pennsylvania Trolleey Museum is restoring a freight motor that was used to carry milk into Philadelphia. Look on their news section and under it is an article More than just street cars.

Happy Hunting

Ted Miles

Rob,

Have you counted the oe at Versailles Kentucky. I believe it was one from the Illinois Central. I belongs to the Bluegrass Railroad Museum.

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

Hi Ted,

Yes, there a bunch of us who would love to see the Rio Vista car in New England!

Rob

The Hood car is still in RMNE's sights; we've had contact with the Hood Company in New England about a sponsorship, and one of our trustees continues to plan how to pull this off. Moving it is the big issue-- it certainly won't go by rail. And, we've had a few other things occupying our attention recently. But, yes, we're still quite interested in returning the car to New England.