Question of the Day

[cnwfan51]

   If you had a passenger car of your own what would you do with it?  Me I have always thought it would be great to have a open platform car and get it Amtrak compliant  and then use it to tour across the country just a dream   Larry

[diningcar]

There is an organization of owners of private cars, some of which are as you describe. The American Association of Private Railcar Owners, Inc. They have Associate membership for those who do not own cars but wish to belong and the cost is $90.00 per year. contact:

[e-mail]

A friend bought a car with the open platform (business car) and made it Amtrak ready. I am guessing he has $500,000.00 to $750,000.00 invested.

[al-in-chgo]

There is an organization of owners of private cars, some of which are as you describe. The American Association of Private Railcar Owners, Inc. They have Associate membership for those who do not own cars but wish to belong and the cost is $90.00 per year. contact:

[e-mail]

A friend bought a car with the open platform (business car) and made it Amtrak ready. I am guessing he has $500,000.00 to $750,000.00 invested.

 

Assuming I had one and the funds to keep it / run it, I'd attach myself to the nearest Amtrak train and (if they let me) keep clipping it to other trains, with a layover for places I've never been.  Sooner or later I want all my friends to experience it too.

I think I'm ready.  Look at my avatar with my faux proprietary attitude towards a PATCO car!   

 

[JonathanS]

I have always wanted to have a passenger car as a home.  Especially a dome car.

[AltonFan]

Years ago, I wanted to get an 80' baggage car and build a model railroad in it.

[coalminer3]

Good Morning:  My choice is a 6 double bedroom buffet lounge.  Sleeping, eating and riding facilities all in one car.

work safe

[Texas Zepher]

If you had a passenger car of your own what would you do with it?

Spend all my money storing it and trying to keep it rolling! 

In the early 1980s I lived in St. Louis where Amtrak had all their surplus equipment sales.  I could have picked up tens of really cool cars (including the "Sunray") for $100-$600.   That allowed me access to the Rio Grande Zephyr car sale.  I could have purchased the "Silver Sky" for $6000.  Likewise in 1981 the IGC would have donated all their retired E7 locomotives to me, but once again I couldn't find any place to put them - so they got scraped.

The problem wasn't purchasing and owning the equipment but where to park and store it.  The St. Louis Transportation Museum had no room.  Denver Union Station had parking for $250 per day. At the time I didn't know it but the "Rocky Mountain Arsenal" was storring equipment for $1 a day....

Then Amtrak came up with their new standards and the 40 year inspection rule.

Me I have always thought it would be great to have a open platform car and get it Amtrak compliant  and then use it to tour across the country

That has been my dream since I was about 6 years old.   I thought I wanted a dome, but then reailzed how limited travel back east would be.  So I would prefer a heavyweight multiple-compartment, w galley, lounge and open observation deck.  

[Anonymous]

If i had a passenger car of my own i would do many things with it. First of all if it was a fist class passenger car i might live in it (just kidding). It would be a project for me. i would pimp it up, i would put flat screens in it, a gaming system, massage chairs, high class stereo system, refridgerator, and a snack stand.



Softball Maniac