Questions about Private Railroad Passenger Cars

[Anonymous]

WHEN, not if--I am thinking positively about this, I win the lottery [:D] [:D] [:D] I am going to buy several private railroad cars. I am going to travel on them myself and invite several of my forum friends. Funny, the list of forum friends just trippled. lol I might even use it as a business, you know private rr cars for charter. I need alot of help. How do you "kick the tires of a private railroad car"? What do you look for? Is there a blue book for price info on these cars? When buying a used auto they always suggest taking it to a good mechanic but with a rr car the mec would have to go to it. So where do you find a mec to check it out? Where do you take it to the "guarage" to have it fixed for the problems he finds? How do you know IF the garage is a good one or not? These questions will do for a start. I am sure as we explore the comments that will be posted here that more questions will come up. I have already thought of some more but will wait a while to post them.

Any helpful comments will be appreciated. [:)] Thank you in advance.

[AltonFan]

I believe there are a few firms out there that restore and repair private passenger cars. I would gather that they could, for suitable remuneration, supply a consultant to a potential customer wanting an estimate on what it would take to get a car road-worthy. (Since such cars would probably have to meet Amtrak specs, I wonder if Amtrak would be helpful in this regard?) If you have any buddies involved in railroad equipment restoration they might be helpful to bring along.

I think a look at Private Varnish magazine might be worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

Yes, a private car must meet Amtrak specs for Amtrak to pull it. I have been to the AAPRCO site and looked, and looked, and looked, and looked and looked some more. lol, haven't we all?

Some are pretty nice. I have been in a few, and have also checked them out on

http://ozarkmountainrailcar.com/


I also have the tape, Luxury on Rails, about private railroad cars. They say you can rent one complete with chef and attendant for about $5,000 a day.

I hope someone can provide us with some info about these cars.

[Anonymous]

Gentlemen,

In 1987, I acquired ex N&W business car #300, "Roanoke". It was built by Pullman in 1917, and owned by that road all those years. I was captivated by the interior, but soon came to learn that everything vital and expensive was "downstairs". Apart from all those wonderful miles we've traveled, I've had the chance to learn about trucks, suspension, HEP and diesel gensets, water and waste systems, A/C and heat, air brakes and relay valves, couplers and draft gear, wheels and roller bearings, replacing windows broken by kids with rocks, and lots more.

If you have a sense of adventure, the desire to learn these things and some "stupid money"...go for it!

Anytime you have the chance to travel aboard an example of the largest private overland conveyance in North America, its memorable.

Learn as much as you can before you look for a car, and bring a qualifed inspector along. AAPRCO is a great source for info.

I'd be glad to answer any questions. I wouldn't trade the experience, or the 200,000 lbs of responsibility for anything.

[Anonymous]

Osterbill [:)]

Thanks for the info. Do you still own the car? I have often wondered how many days of the year a private car is rented by those wanting to rent one. I am sure that any other info you wi***o provide would be appreciated not only by me but by many other people. I find these cars very interesting. I was disappointed in the Pentrex tape about them. I wanted to see and tour more of the cars. The AARPCO trip this year would have been a good trip for me to have been on. I grew up in the Southwest Missouri area and between it and Arkansas know some of the history associated with it. It would have been very interesting and fun.

Post all you want to here about them. I know I will read it. [:)]

Looking forward to more. Thanks. [;)]

[Anonymous]

Some other sites simmilar to Ozark Mountain are:
www.railmerchants.net
www.cabooses4sale.com
If I win the lottery I'll buy the Mark Twain Zephyr that's listed on railmerchants.net! If you do win the lottery, Jim, I'll be looking forward to that trip. If you really hit it big you ought to buy a locomotive or two and have your own private train. Of course I'm too young to buy lottery tickets, but my dad does, so if he wins, I know what I'll do with my share.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater
If you really hit it big you ought to buy a locomotive or two and have your own private train.

Alcos all the way. Mitchell you know you will be one of the first to get an invite. [:D]
And of course all the guys in the MSN Chat group. (I bet we get a bunch of new chatters now lol.) I have my eye on a few cars now. Just gotta win that lottery first. [;)]

[Granny74]

How does Amtrak determine the cost for pulling private rr cars and inspecting them?
And I would love to own one also!!
But like you Jim, I am waiting to win the lottery!! My wife still would like a caboose ---red--of course, in the backyard where she can do her painting, sewing, weaving, quilting, writing, etc., etc.!! We can all dream, can't we??
bob from AZ

[randybc2003]

The "classic" Private RR. Car is probably "THE VIRGINIA CITY", once owned by the late L. Beebe & C. Cleg. Go to the website :
www.vcrail.com