Mark Twain Zephyr

[lrfogle]

Does anyone know the whereabouts or status of the Mark Twain Zephyr?  Last was known to be in Kansas City on a storage track but rumors are that it was seized by DEA as part of a drug sting?  Would be interested to know as a group of railroaders would like to bring it to Creston, Ia for display alongside the main line where it did run for a short time.

[Ladder1]

The Mark Twain Zephyr is, according to their web site, for sale at Rail Merchants.  Web site rail merchants.net

[n012944]

It is in storage in Minooka IL.  I am not sure if it is for sale, it is on the property of a locomotive rebuilder/lease company.  I can not recall the its name, however.

[Thomas Tancula]

It is at Relco Locomotive in Minooka. They are in the process of closing down and moving most if not all of their operations to the shop in Iowa, so who know where MTZ will end up.

When I saw the MTZ there a few years ago, it was stored, off live track, and in fair condition.

 

TNT

[cnwfan51]

                 I thought it was located  in Iowa at Rail Merchants in southern Iowa in fairburn Iowa ? Just a thought Larry

[Thomas Tancula]

Relco is closing the Minooka facility. I was there yesterday gathering up some parts, and they told me that there were flat cars at the EJ&E that were coming to the Relco facility for the loading of the MTZ. The local management thought it was sold, but they did not know to who or what the destination is.

 

Does any one have additional information?

 

TNT

[RhyRhy]

Relco is closing the Minooka facility. I was there yesterday gathering up some parts, and they told me that there were flat cars at the EJ&E that were coming to the Relco facility for the loading of the MTZ. The local management thought it was sold, but they did not know to who or what the destination is.

 

Does any one have additional information?

 

TNT

 

http://www.railmerchants.net/mt-zephyr.htm

"After retirement, the Mark Twain Zephyr was stored at the West Burlington shops until it was purchased by Mr. Frank Dashner of Glenwood, Iowa in June of 1960. His untimely death halted plans to make the trainset into a restaurant, so the train remained at West Burlington.In June of 1962, the train was acquired by Ernie Hays and placed on exhibit at the Midwest Old Thresher Association grounds in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. In 1972, after many years of neglect, the train was sold to Alex Barkett of the Building Leasing Corporation, and moved to Kansas City. In 1987 the trainset was moved to the Chicago area where it remains in a secured section of a railroad equipment company awaiting a benefactor to restore it to it's former beauty. Plans are under consideration to move the historic trainset to milepost 256 on the CB&Q Chicago to Denver mainline at Fairfield, Iowa. There it would be displayed and made more accessible to potential buyers."

 

 

[lrfogle]

Just had a conversation with Rail Merchant's representative and MTZ is still in Illinois and can be had for approx. $375,000.  He said the prime mover is gone, but could be replaced.  Hope is still alive!

[EJE818]

The Mark Twain Zephyr has been loaded on flatcars and it has been sold. It is going to be heading to Granite City, IL to put on static display in a park there along with some other rail cars. http://granitecitypress-record.stltoday.com/articles/2007/11/17/news/sj2tn20071117-1118gcj_streetscape.ii1.txt

[lrfogle]

Hope they will do a good job on restoration.  We keep hoping here in Creston to develop a tourist draw centered on our community's close tie to the railroad.

[BurlingtonJohn]

Still at Relco as of 13 January.  Wouldn't it be nice if it moved south via the former CB&Q "K" Line?

Regards & Everywhere West,
Burlington John

[BurlingtonJohn]

Hope they will do a good job on restoration.  We keep hoping here in Creston to develop a tourist draw centered on our community's close tie to the railroad.

 Last time I was in Creston, you have an awesome looking CB&Q depot (and a waycar down the street).  Anything happening with either the depot or the waycar?

Regards & Everywhere West,

Burlington John

 

[lrfogle]

The depot was purchased by the City back in 1970 and was remodeled into the City Hall.  It also houses the Senior Citizens food center where our Seniors can go and get a meal, play cards and converse with one another.  The old waiting room is home to a ho model railroad which operates weekly.  The "waycar" was donated to the city by a citizen and is only for exterior display.  There were plans to "develop" the old roundhouse/turntable site into a downtown park but that has fallen from the right-of-way because of funding problems.  In our park on the west side of town is another "waycar" and the old Elm St. crossing shanty as well as a large collection of historical structures and a museum.  Stop a little longer and explore.

[BurlingtonJohn]

RE: [eje] Re: Fwd: [IlliniRail] Mark Twain Zephyr on the move!
Here's an update from my friend who is working on the
restoration:

" Those of you who are intersted, theMTZ should be
moved by flat cars tomorrow 011808. It will move from
Railco on the J to interchang with the I.C. -C.N in a
move to Kentuckey then back to the E. ST Louis area
all by the I.C.-C.N. All starting at about 1:30 pm."


ed

Regards,

Burlington John

[emmar]

I found this picture on railpictures.net

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=219318

It was taken in the Relco Yard in Minooka Illonois on Wednesday when it was being prepped for its upcoming trip. That is the most recent photo I have been able to find of it.

emmar 

 

[EJE818]

Now why does that photo look familiar?

Here is the info I have on the move, I have heard it will be leaving Relco next Tuesday if the EJ&E will take it.

[emmar]

Now why does that photo look familiar?

Now why didn't I notice that? You can tell how much attention I pay to everyone's real names on here.