Passenger Trains > more Private Varnish gone wrong

Milwaukee Road "Coast", complete still with most of its wood interior, now used partly as a barn. This unique solarium Pullman heavyweight spends its retirement blocked up, trucks piled up next to it. Lettered "Official" on the Solarium lounge end door, who would of thought, that a unique car such as this, would spend its life, on a farm in Montana, storing hay and supplies for horses and livestock.

So, once again, it all depends how the owner "Values" his or her possession. Certainly this car, like so many, deserve a better destiny than to rot and rust, with little or no effort to stop the elements.

In the spirit of this forum, is a heavyweight classic Pullman, complete with most of its wood interior something that should not be worthy of preservation ? Is it not something that makes you wonder how this car would look today on the back of the Empire Builder or California Zephyr or stuffed and mounted somewhere that is more worthy than a farm field in Montana ?

Dreamers ?? Those who bought Google stock when it went public ???... or anyone with a desire to see an end to this tragedy step forward ?

Its for sale !

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That looks like one of the MILW "Camp" series cars (Solarium-Parlor diner.) Some of them ran Chicago-Madison via Janesville and Chicago-Green Bay via Milwaukee. I believe one of them was Camp Grant.

Hay!, you found "Brat Camp Base"

There's a long, sad list of passenger cars out there on blocks, abandoned sidings, or just "layin' in the weeds" that could be elegant PVs, but for a lack of $$$ and will power. The car in this example could be resurrected but (!) the $$'s to do so aren't cheap. Try this for a rough cut JUST TO RESTORE THE CAR, NOTHING FANCY HERE:

Purchase from owner (and this is pure guesswork): $10,000
Moving it to a worksite (again, guesswork): $3000
Basic carbody stripping, mech inspection: $7000
Getting and rebuilding trucks (if you can a set): $50,000 - $60,000
Adding and installing HEP: $50,000
Rebuild floor, side sills, roof: $15,000 - $20,000
Wiring / plumbing: $10,000+
Adding A/C: $8,500
Adding GenSet: $20,000
Interior woodwork: $5000
Fabrics, beds, chairs: $1500 per room
Carpet: $3000
Inspections: $5000 (assuming everything passes)

So far you're well over $225,000 and haven't turned a wheel. Think of it as buying and restoring a 1910 Victorian house to code. You don't own it, IT OWNS YOU!!!

Your cost estimates are not far off - I spent $45,000 on the 40 year overhaul and adding HEP and Communication/MU cabling to TIOGA PASS, and we did most of the work in Barstow ourselves.

Norm
TIOGA PASS
(please note the car name has been capitalized!!)

In comparison to the cost of other objects, a private car is something that you just have to go into with a complete understanding that the object will require a yearly maintenance and operational budget. Such things as insurance, storage, annual maintenance, etc are yearly costs that will never go down in price. However realistic reserves must be taken into account to cover the higher price items such as wheelsets,generators, AC units,etc etc.

My theory on car ownership is relatively simple. A car owner must assume the responsibility and committment of ownership that comes with yearly expenses. No different than a home, or a yacht, fixed costs remain each year no matter if you turn a wheel. Some things such as indoor storage will ultimately reduce future costs such as painting and ultimately reduce the possibility of any vandalism. However indoor storage is not an option for most.

At 1.75 per mile on Amtrak, plus freight switching charges that are in the range of $1000.00 per switch, you just need to be well capitolized. If you are on a shoe string budget, car ownership is likely going to result in great hardship.

As a car owner, I allocate a value to be applied to the car yearly. Should it be insufficient, I am certain to fund the projects the car requires. Should money be left, it remains in accounts designated for the car.

Car ownership has priceless rewards, however it truly should not be looked at an "investment". The investment is in your own happiness, every time the switch engine couples up to take you to the station, or you blast out of the Moffat Tunnel or round the Horseshoe Curve. It is those priceless few moments, why you make the effort. Hopefully with Amtrak obtaining its funding, our opportunity to continue this tradition will continue.

So... Adios for now !

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That's the Milwaukee business car "Coast", IIRC formerly "Camp Randall", originally a 12-1 sleeper. It's last assignment was the crew car for the Milwaukee Electrification division. Rusty Landers was pretty particular and wouldn't let the crew abuse the car like so many others might have. It's in a better place than where it was previously located and it still has it's trucks with it, although not under it. Previously it sat in White Sulphur Springs along with a string of other cars, facing certain ruin from the weather and neglect. At least here it's up off the ground.

Did you talk with the owner? To get that close to the car you had to have been in his farm yard.

Yes, I talked to the owner and received permission to walk through the car and photograph it. After talking a bit, he indicated it was for sale if someone was interested.