Attached are a couple of photos I took on a recent railfan trip through Springfield. As is obvious, this car is all but buried in the weeds behind a fairly tall fence, and the only part of the road number I could make out is "51." However, the stanchions on the roof appear to have served to hold a radio antenna, and so I am guessing this is car #1651, coach-lounge-buffet Ladue. Of course, as is often the case I am probably the last person on earth to "discover" this car, but either way, here is where it now resides. GS
That is the Ladue, #1651. It is still in the same location it has been for quite a few years; in the scrap yard at West Division and Park Avenue in Springfield: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.2264153,-93.320299,184m/data=!3m1!1e3
Wow! Excellent photos! They have a haunting quality about them. I can almost hear the voices of past travelers and the clackity clack of the wheels on the rails. Thanks for sharing.
Wow! I rode in that car many times between StL and Rolla on #9. Sad to see what has become of it. Ken
It's a shame this car won't be salvaged. Of course, I couldn't get a good enough look at it to see whether there was even anything left below the windows. GS
As far as I know, it's all there, except maybe the name boards. I got a pretty good look at it about 25 years ago.
On July 4th, 2018 I had an impromptu discussion with the owner at the Ladue location. They have put the car up for sale, asking for around $18,000. The original railroad trucks sold years ago. This car was moved to its present location by replacing trucks with rubber tires which are still intact and under the car. I have included a picture I took of the Ladue during this conversation. This photo was taken looking south-east from the now cleared off junk yard.
July 21, 2018 driveby this PM indicated the Ladue has been completely removed from this location on West Division in Springfield, MO. No details at this time.
