private railcar storage

Discussion in 'General' started by Ranma, Sep 14, 2010.

  1. Ranma

    Ranma Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I have been thinking about buying either a Caboose or Passenger car to serve as guest housing. I have not gotten anywhere with a pair of sellers. They do not seem to be in a hurry to sell me anything.

    I) Problem a lot of rail cars are not roadworthy even for a freight move.
    II) Where can I store a rail car until a spot is ready?
    III) How do I move it from tracks to its resting spot?

    Suppose this could just be a pipe dream of mine but have funds set aside for doing such. Does anyone have any ideals?:D My field of expertise is in aviation, structural repair. The 2 cars in Jenks was a learning experience for me. What does it take to move a Caboose or Passenger car off of the rails?
     
  2. mvtelegrapher

    mvtelegrapher Member

    Have you looked at the Ozark Mountain Railcar website? They list a service to move railcars and cabooses. The owner of the site is John Suschek and he has been in the private railcar business for awhile and knows his stuff. What I have seen used in the past is a house mover, you might see if there is one in your area. It takes special equipment and permits to move anything via highway that maybe over length, width, height or weight. You will also need to find someone to build a piece of track for your equipment to sit on. I can see spending at least $5,000.00 to move and setup a caboose, this on top of the purchase price. A passenger car would cost more. To lease a spot for your car to sit on from a railroad can be expensive and take awhile to arrange. It depends upon what railroad you go through.

    John Chambers
     
  3. Ranma

    Ranma Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Thank you for the information, not sure if there is a spot close to Claremore. Seems to me there are not a lot of sidings on the railroads of today. Seems most of them have been taken up. Only one I can think of is in front of the old Frisco Station, then I am not sure if it is usable.
    The next problem is finding a place to do a refit. I would like an enclosed facility to be able to strip off the paint and make repairs to structure. The work itself is not too hard and have done a few corrosion repairs to Army CH-47 helicopters that involved plastic medium. The job was a dirty one but at least a rail car is easier to get at ;)
    I have the resources to do an repair it is just a question if it is practical. Suppose next is to talk to people and look at more rail cars. I would like a 10/6 sleeper, have not seen any old section cars available, at least in a remote state of repair :p
     
  4. wmrx

    wmrx MP Trainmaster

    I have experience in moving private rolling stock and know for a fact that it can be a daunting task. An inside knowledge of the railroad business can be invaluable in these situations. As John Chambers suggested, John Suschek at OMR would be a good resource. I have had business dealings with him and recommend him highly.

    I think that inside storage is going to be extremely difficult to find. Like it or not, an outdoor facility is most likely the best you will be able to do.

    Good luck in your endeavour.

    Kevin Love
     
  5. Ranma

    Ranma Member Frisco.org Supporter

    He wrote me to find a siding owned by a local company and there are 3 private railroads in Tulsa. How do I approach these companies? First step will be to replace all of the glass in the cars. Second will be to give the car a nice paint job. It is from Milwaukee Road but could always be given the next number up for Frisco. Next would be interior to make it look good.
    Problem I read over head end power and it looks like a bear. Will the old system be used or does it all get to be replaced? Oh add holding tanks, gee this is getting ugly.
    Good news is the car with some work will be roadworthy as freight. How often do they require inspections?
     
  6. wmrx

    wmrx MP Trainmaster

    My experience has shown that leaning toward the historical aspect of your project will render better results when trying to get other parties involved. My guess would be that one of the shortlines in Tulsa would be the most receptive to having your car on their property. Another consideration in this endeavour would be setting up a corporation or LLC with 501(c)3 status. This would allow a tax write-off for anyone that "donated" goods or services.

    If you wind up with a Milwaukee Road car, I would restore it to its original paint scheme. Most MILW passenger cars have characteristics that just scream MILW. I don't think it would make a good stand-in for a Frisco car. Your post did not make it clear, does the car currently have HEP or are you looking to install it? If you use HEP it will require a shore connection to 480v 3-phase which is not always available. Industrial areas will be more likely to have this type of electrical service as opposed to residential or rural areas.

    To move your car in a freight train, it will have to have a current air brake inspection. This will require a trained and certified individual or company. The originating carrier will want to make a mechanical inspection of the car before allowing it to move. Some railroads are better than others when it comes to these kinds of moves. Proffesional help would be advised.

    Kevin Love
     
  7. Ranma

    Ranma Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Oh I am sorry, the car would need to have HEP installed. Sounds expensive to me and is it only required by Amtrak? I suppose you are right about the cars ID. Not sure if anyone would want to help me repair a "foreign" car though.
    Do you have a name and number for me to contact in Tulsa? The car needs a lot of work like new windows, etc. Vandals have gotten to her after the VIA service.
     
  8. tomd6 (Tom Duggan RIP 2/11/2018)

    tomd6 (Tom Duggan RIP 2/11/2018) Passed Away February 11, 2018

    In order to move your car you will also need to obtain an electronic ID, abbreviated UMLER, for your car. It is an industry wide standard. A friend here in Northwest Arkansas moved a Budd sleeper from Lordstown, OH to the Fayetteville, AR area. He said that UP had a group that solicited private car moves.On the other hand BNSF was not interested and quoted a much higher rate than UP. The car came in to Van Buren on the UP where it went north on the A & M at a very high rate.
    You should also investigate the monthly storage fee. You might be able to store it on the SK & O in downtown Tulsa but the downside would be no electric ,or water that would slow down restoration.Security would be a concern.
    You might also want to check out the availability of identical Milwaukee cars since you almost certainly will be needing parts. If you hope to run the car on railroad tracks you will need FRA approved window glass. It is extremely expensive.
    It is big undertaking to restore a car so you should be prepared to take some time and even more money.
    Good luck
     
  9. Ranma

    Ranma Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I am going to buy the car but since she is a Milwaukee Road car and thus "foreign" will stop posting here. Tried to find a Frisco car but she sort of popped up an is what I was looking for in a railcar.
     
  10. bob_wintle

    bob_wintle Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I for one will be interested in hearing of your progress on the purchase of this railcar. Please if you do stop posting here please email me off list at bob.wintlejr@att.net. I would love to hear of your progress. Good Luck.
    Bob Wintle MMR
    Parsons Kansas.
     
  11. wmrx

    wmrx MP Trainmaster

    I know which car Ranma is considering for purchase. It is definitely a Milwaukee Road car, complete with Nystrom trucks. I'm curious what the members of this forum would think if he painted and lettered this car as though it was a Frisco car. Any comments?
     
  12. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    If it's his car, and he has to pay for it, he ought to be able to paint it whatever color he wants. It wouldn't be any sillier than a model RR car painted in a fantasy Frisco paint scheme (Like so many foisted off on modelers by the manufacturers).

    Tom
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 1, 2010
  13. wmrx

    wmrx MP Trainmaster

    That's the way I see it, but I know that there is a certain segment out there somewhere that won't feel the same way. I've seen some pretty heated discussions, elsewhere, concerning "paint jobs" on cabooses.
     
  14. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    If it looks like a "real" railway car, seems like it would be fine. So many of the private owners' cars wind up looking like they were done by a Cub Scout troop.

    Tom
     
  15. Ranma

    Ranma Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I seem to be getting nowhere with the purchase of the railcar. Maybe it is karma for letting the 2 Frisco cars get scrapped. Knowing what I know now they could of been moved out by railcar. Though the crane operator wanted a lot of money for his work. As I say it must be fate *claps hands* now even my vintage sports car is acting up:eek:, "gee Ranma, we are not sure what is causing the high speed vibration. This is from the Toyota dealer, it must be fate!
     
  16. Ranma

    Ranma Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I am beginning to agree with these people. My only connection to Frisco is living near their tracks. My Grandfather AM Kennedy Jr. worked for the PRR as a track supervisor. I grew up in Erie Lackawanna, C&O and PRR country. I use to ride the old multiple electronic units to school. With the Norstrom trunks she would look odd in Frisco colors. I have learned a lot in the past few days.
    Well what do all of you think?
     
  17. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    Painting the car in its original colors, whatever they were, would be better than some fantasy "cartoonish" scheme. If I were you though, I'd paint it however you please and not worry a whole lot about what the experts or a "certain segment" thinks...

    Tom
     
  18. Ranma

    Ranma Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Oh it is more than them, I suppose the Milwaukee Road cars need to be remembered as well. My quick research shows the Texas special used different type cars and most of these are gone. Thus using a 10-6 sleeper to represent a 14-4 sleeper is wrong. One of my reasons in getting the car is saving history. Sighs, I think the Frisco sleepers are all gone. :(
    Think she will look good as what she is suppose to be. Wonder if she could of run on the Frisco? I know sometimes railroad equipment migrated to other roads. I.E. The PRR and Santa Fe had through cars to California. I sort of doubt it though in this case.
    So my thinking is Historical is best, need to find out what she should look like.
     
  19. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    The most famous group of Frisco preservationists of them all, the 1522 care, matenence and operating crew, had some non-Frisco cars painted to look like early Frisco passenger cars and they didn't look bad at all. I'm just saying that if it's your money, you spend it however you want and don't worry what the "pundits" say.

    Tom
     
  20. Ranma

    Ranma Member Frisco.org Supporter

    It keeps getting worse and worse like a bad dream or a GM car. The cars only system is the brakes and they need work. Vandals got inside the car and stripped out most of the copper. What was left the owner removed and sold. The steam system is gone, the generator and batteries are gone. Most of the windows are broken :eek: There is also corrosion of the body and frame the kind Pullman cars are famous for having. Oh she needs to be retrunked as well. Just what is involved in that process? I will inspect the car next weekend.
     

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