I live just 3 miles from where they sit. I stopped down there Monday and talked to one guy who is involved with moving them. They were to be moved this past Monday December 15th,, but it was delayed to today, Wednesday December 17th. I was down there in the last half hour and all the engines trucks have been hauled away. I hope they are not early and fast, cause I'll miss it if they are. I'm not a morning person. I will get pictures if I'm not there too late. I'll be the skinny guy driving a white Ranger. I'm sure Mr Paradau will be relieved, and the Stillwater government can find someone else to harrass. I wonder if Trains magazine would be interested in some pictures?
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
BoydI wonder if Trains magazine would be interested in some pictures?
It would brighten up the news page after what was in there a day or two ago.
Boyd (12-17):
Sounds interesting, Boyd, but I failed to get the vision.
What exactly are “Zephyr engines”? And, why is that of interest to the forum? I’m on the west coast, and have been a fan of the original 1949 California Zephyr for years, so anything with “Zephyr” perks up my ears. But, I’m totally at a loss of what you are excited about!
Thanks,
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
K. P. Harrier Boyd (12-17): Sounds interesting, Boyd, but I failed to get the vision. What exactly are “Zephyr engines”? And, why is that of interest to the forum? I’m on the west coast, and have been a fan of the original 1949 California Zephyr for years, so anything with “Zephyr” perks up my ears. But, I’m totally at a loss of what you are excited about! Thanks, K.P.
Defunct Minnesota Zephyr dinner train whose engines the town has decreed an eyesore while sitting on private property with legal actions and arguments having occured over the past year or more.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
K. P. Harrier What exactly are “Zephyr engines”? And, why is that of interest to the forum?
It's a long story, and there have been at least two long threads on this subject in the past several years. These are two F units that were used on a dinner train. Now-absentee owner has 'disagreements' with the local government. Plenty to read about the "Minnesota Zephyr", here and elsewhere.
Please email pictures to newswire@trainsmag.com for consideration.
Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine
Kp has nothing to do with original zephers. F units that were part of a dinner train operation. Just stole the name for more recognition.
Sorry it was late at night When I started this post. so I left out of my context Stillwater Minnesota,,, Minnesota Zephyr dinner train. I'm in the Mn Zephyr parking lot as I type and both engines are still here.
I just talked to a reporter for the Pioneer Press and she had a voicemail from the movers saying there were technical difficulties. They "might" be here later today, but more likely Thursday to move the engines.
Engines still here. No crew or semis. Who knows when it will happen? Other people have been coming in and out to see if they are moving yet. I'm sure moving two big & heavy locomotives over public roadways is rather complicated.
There is an extensive article about this in the Stillwater Gazette. Www.stillwatergazette.com. Move looks to be Friday at the earliest. Details the hauling company and where they get transferred to lowboy rail flatcars.
Hopefully the pair of old BN/NP warhorses get their old numbers back (716/752) and find productive use somewhere. Remember them well out on the Colorado plains working in shortline service. (Scandal survivors and then some)
4:18pm and they are still here. I have to go to work soon. It's a never ending story.
I called the hauler and had a great & short conversation with a guy, sorry I forgot his name. Estimated to start loading this coming Sunday and ship one out Monday if they get the road permits. They are still waiting for road permits from the state of Minnesota. I dont know if they have 1 or 2 long & low trailers. I'd guess just one. This is probably just a little less complicated than moving a house.
When I was a kid in a small railroad town in Indiana, the local HOUSE mover was contracted by a local farmer to move a caboose from the railroad out to his farm. As I recall it took at least 3 days to move it from where it was loaded to the city limit - multiple broken axles and burnt up wheel bearings plus several exploded tires - the caboose structure was much heavier than the mover thought. Locomotives with prime movers still in place are much heavier yet.
Should be a good show when they actually start moving them.
I'm off work Monday. If it all works out I will get a video to put up on YouTube. The parking lot is tight there so I don't know if they will go south past P.D.Pappys or go out the parking lot opposite of the old wardens house. One thing I wonder is if the thaw we had in the last 10 days is a factor. It reached 50f about 5 days ago.
The pigs are strapping on their wings! Why are they waiting for a road permit? Should have applied months ago.
BaltACD When I was a kid in a small railroad town in Indiana, the local HOUSE mover was contracted by a local farmer to move a caboose from the railroad out to his farm. As I recall it took at least 3 days to move it from where it was loaded to the city limit - multiple broken axles and burnt up wheel bearings plus several exploded tires - the caboose structure was much heavier than the mover thought. Locomotives with prime movers still in place are much heavier yet. Should be a good show when they actually start moving them.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
petitnj [snipped - PDN] . . . Why are they waiting for a road permit? Should have applied months ago.
- Paul North.
When they moved the Zephyr passenger cars they did it during the night. They delayed that move until some construction downtown was done. Also, the Minnesota DOT is EXTREMELY strict with commercial vehicles.
They are here now loading up one. i'll ask questions and try not to get in the way.
There is a new bridge across the St.Croix river being built. HWY 95 going south through Stillwater goes through the construction zone and over new roads for it. The new river bridge section over 95 is not there yet so that is not a hinderance. As for the rest of the route that could take days to research the road load ratings, bridges, intersection sizes and who knows what else. I hope I'm lucky enough to see them on the move. I stopped by around 9pm Sunday 21st and the 2nd engine was still on blocks but with the air or hydraulic jacks in place under it. It looks like they will move both engines at the same time. I'll put up a YouTube video in the next hour under name "Boyd W".
Almost like waiting for a funeral procession to start, people are coming and going from the Zephyr parking lot, city parking lot. Others were parking along HWY 95. Both engines are loaded up looking ready to go. I don't see State Patrol vehicles here to escort the move.
WHY NO PICTURES? WHY NO LINKS??
(Emphasis not unwarranted in this situation... )
Sorry I don't know how to post pictures here. I did post a video on YouTube last night under my name Boyd W. Copy/paste is beyond what I know how to do on this phone. One guy told me it looks like the move starts at midnight tonight. Good thing I'm a night owl as I will be down here.
BoydSorry I don't know how to post pictures here. I did post a video on YouTube last night under my name Boyd W.
Found it!
Cool video, in more ways than one!
The cold shaking was well tolerated, as the subject matter was so good!
I almost feel like I was actually there. Thanks f or sharing.
I held the camera with both hands a few times to stop the shaking. Youtube has a video edit option to compensate for shaking but the result is sometimes like watching TV while your halucinating. I should buy some kind of holder or use my camera tripod with the legs in. I've had to repair vehicles a few times in rainy +35f weather and its painfull to my hands. I'd rather have +20f and low humidity. I will watch the engines depart tonight and possibly follow for a while.
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