A friend of mine asked if I knew where he could buy an old caboose or even passenger car for use as a summer cottage. He has a suitable place in rural western Minnesota. Naturally, we're both looking at Google, etc., but I wonder if anyone here has knowledge of where to look for a seller.
As happens, Ozark Mountain Railcar is just starting an auction that might be of interest.
I assume you already know that in most cases the cost of transportation will be greater than the purchase price...
I have looked at the site and it's just what I was hoping for from the railfans on this forum. Thanks, Overmod; my friend and I are in your debt.
Any other suggestions, gentlemen?
and I suspect you both will be even more in debt in moving the car to where it is to be set up.
Railcars of any kind are not easy to move where there is no railroad, even discounting the weight of the trucks.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD: What? You mean FedEx won't deliver by the end of this week?? What about my "tracking" number?
Seriously, I told my buddy that the cost to move any such caboose or car would be enormous. As I am not a partner in any proposed buying or moving, I have no skin in this game. I think reality will set in for him shortly.
But, hey, what's a dream worth, anyway?
NKP guy BaltACD: What? You mean FedEx won't deliver by the end of this week?? What about my "tracking" number? Seriously, I told my buddy that the cost to move any such caboose or car would be enormous. As I am not a partner in any proposed buying or moving, I have no skin in this game. I think reality will set in for him shortly. But, hey, what's a dream worth, anyway?
Lived in a small railroad town as a kid. Someone obtained a old wood caboose and needed to get it moved to his property. He enlisted the local 'house mover'. The rig that was placed under the cab looked rickety to start with and after 100 yards it had a breakdown. They spent several hours making repairs and got 1/2 mile before the next breakdown. As I recall it took them 3 days to get the cab out of the small division headquarters town, I have no idea how much longer it took to get to their final destination.
Back in the late 80 or early 90's, when caboose where coming off line, Trains did a story of someone buying a Santa Fe caboose and moving it up into the Rockies as a cabin. Not only is there moving costs, but there is the lift which can run $ 1000 a day. Plus sight prep, you just don't drop it on the ground.
Last year Moving Wars had a wooden caboose moved for $ 15000. The new owner wanted for his grandkids. When it finally arrived, one more mile and it would have fallen apart, the new owner had a super size forklift on hand to get it off the truck.
Good luck.
In the mid 90s a friend of mine was interested in buying an Algoma Central caboose when they had some for sale in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. His idea was to have it shipped on WC to Chicago and then Conrail to Detroit. He gave up the idea when WC quoted him a price of $7 per mile from the Soo to Chicago.
Also make sure that you have all of your oversize-overweight highway permits in order. I remember a situation about 20 years ago where a businessman bought an IC caboose to serve as a snack bar for his mini-golf course. He neglected to obtain the necessary highway permits and the fines cost him plenty.
You should probably also check with the appropriate bureaucrats to be sure you will be allowed to park the car where you intend to.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Phoebe Vet You should probably also check with the appropriate bureaucrats to be sure you will be allowed to park the car where you intend to.
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