| Author | Message | ||
| H3JIm (68.107.62.94) Rating: N/A |
Maybe I should apologize for adding this post here, since its about a train car, but I got lucky and was able to take a tour of this elegant lady and I wanted to share. This is a train car with two staterooms that was built in 1921 for the president of a midwest train line. It is fully self contained and is built with Honduran mahogany. It is all original, except for some upgrades like air conditioning, ABS brakes and a diesel genset. Its on its second owner, who still uses it to travel around the country by hooking up to Amtrak. It costs him $1200 for a round trip from San Diego to LA, $500 in minimum mileage charge, plus $700 in switching fees to pull it out of his private barn, and put it back when he is done. Some stats on it are: It weighs in at 202,000 lbs ready to go Holds 400 gals fresh water, several hundred gals of black water, all grey water is still dumped on the tracks. The black tank is pumped out by a septic pumper who meets the train, or comes to the barn. It holds 250 gals diesel for the generator, a modern 7.k Onan. Its 10 ft wide, 14.5 ft tall and 82 ft long! It has 2 staterooms servants quarters kitchen dining area observation room 4 massive 8v batterys which run an all 32 volt systems, and an inverter to get higher voltages. It has a carbon pile voltage regulator, a massive affair that magnetically moves carbon contacts for more or less resistance. Evidently its extremely reliable, but too expensive to use the design any more. 240 volts too plug in while in the barn or where there are hookups. 480 volts as a pass through for the train systems if they are in the middle of the train. It also has a 26 pin wiring harness from front to back for the same reason. Two air lines front to back. One operates the air brake, normally at 90 lbs pressure, the other for auxiallary air. It also has a generator that is belt driven that is powered off the wheels. It used to have a spicer gear box connecting it, but that was outlawed due to catastrophic consequences if it failed. They don't want large metal parts falling off on the track. It the only private rail car in San Diego. There are about 150 in the whole Amtrak system. He can go all over th US and Canada, except the wash DC / New york Boston area where they have a third rail. His genset box hangs down an inch too low and might contact the third rail on corners. I got to ride on it from the station about 5 miles to the barn. They hooked it up to the front of the train and pushed it, so I got to stand on the open porch for a real thrill. Best Saturday night I've had in a long time, maybe I need more of a life. When they built the barn, they got a deal (with that kind of $ go figure) on a rollup door thats "only" about 16 ft high. Since many of the amtrak cars / engines are around 16 ft, the car must be pushed in and out of the barn by other means. My friend hooks a chain to it and his GMC and pull it in or out. So far his tranny seems to be holding. I will try to upload picture or two.    | ||
| Lin (66.245.216.207) Rating: N/A |
Not even considering cost,it seems you could drive from San Diego to LA faster than getting this thing ready to go. The scenery along the route is probably not of much interest, so you could just stay in the garage with a tape recording of "clickity-clak" for ambiance. To each his own hobby. | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (69.34.171.129) Rating: N/A |
Jim, I recently read an article about these elegant old luxury cars... Many millionaires of the 20's and earlier had luxury train cars built for them to travel the country and vacation with, it became something of a status symbol. With the depression, then World War II, and afterward the advent of the highway system and dependable automobiles, many of the old luxury cars were retired, but several have been maintained over the years and have famously done duty on whistle stop political campaigns as recently as this year's primary election season... A luxury rail car also carried the body of RFK across the country from California Much like we bus nuts, but obviously a much smaller and exclusive group, there is a group of Luxury train car enthusiasts that meet regularly. If I remmember correctly the cost of one of these luxury cars needing some restoration can be as much as $500,000 US while one like the beauty you've shown us could easily be a 1.5 to 2 million dollar car...or more. Pretty cool hobby, though even if one was given to me, at the price it costs to even MOVE it, I'd have to sell it and stay a busnut. Brian | ||
| Marc Bourget (209.142.38.81) Rating: N/A |
These types of cars had their origin in Europe. But they were closer to a conversion in that they were self powered. Bugatti made one or two,IIRC I'm not sure if they're still in use, traffic coordination with a "wild card" would be a real headache, I suppose! Onward and Upward Marc Bourget | ||
| H3 jim (68.107.62.94) Rating: N/A |
Brian, Yes, there is no way I could even hope to afford one, and I don't really want one either, but it sure was fun to ride on it and look at it. I hope the other bus nuts at least found this interesting. By comparision, it makes it seem as if the bus can go anywhere, and more quickly too. Since I spend so much time looking at and thinking about bus systems, elec, tanks, finishings, power etc, I found it fasinating to see what they do where weight is of no concern and space is less of a premium. Not to mention the antique part. Time, yes it is very different ib a train. we had planned to leave the station at 9:20, but due to train personnel, we hade ot wait for the next train and crew, at 11:20. they were a little late, and by the time we got hooked up, turned around in a Y manuever, and backed up to the barn, unhooked and were ready to go home, it was 1:30. Evidently, they have safty devices on the track switches now where after you unlock them, you still have to wait 5 or 7 minutes before they will engage. So even if someone breaks the lock they still cannot change for a train that is coming through or already over the switch. Made going through the 4 switches seem to take forever. As a fun experience it was great, but I would not want to have to get anywhere on a schedule. This was fun, but I still love my bus and am committed (or should be) JIm | ||
| Robert Wood (Bobwoodsocal) (4.46.104.173)
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That thing is way cool. Not practical, but very cool. Bob | ||
| David Anderson (168.215.176.197) Rating: N/A |
Jim, Thanks for the cool pics and specs. I was bored one nite and typed in "caboose for sale" on the Google bar. A whole array of railroad cars for sale sites came up. There was website a guy had made about his purchase of an old caboose. He contracted the railroad to tug it to his hometown about 300 miles from the purchase point and they lost the darn thing. He spent months driving around the midwest searching for his lost caboose and found it a few miles from his home town on a siding. He then had to contract some cranes to truck it to his back yard. The crane guy hooked on to the thing and the front wheels of the truck came off the ground with the truck high in the air. Finally, after 6 months from purchase and much work he got it to his yard. His last picture on his web page was holding a bottle of Pepto Bismol. He was spent after that ordeal. These old train cars are really neat in their craftsmanship. David Anderson | ||
| Ted Bueschel (206.176.223.35)
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Hi I was a General Manager of a railroad in the Midwest and had a Business Car just like the one pictured stored on my railroad ex Southern RR. The are very complete for the "Brass" on the railways. These cars are still in use on most all the US and Canadian roads. There is a association of private owners that have these cars for personal use. They tie on to Amtrak or any RR that will haul them. They must be compatible with Amtrak braking and have head end power(self Contained). | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (69.34.171.129) Rating: N/A |
There is a fellow here in Vegas that has a caboose, a mid fifties silver passenger car and a railroad crossing on his property along with who knows how many tons of railroad memorabilia Brian | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (68.79.101.181)
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"A luxury rail car also carried the body of RFK across the country from California" Two weeks before Bobby kennedy was killed, He was making "Whistle Stops" from the back of one of these cars. I shook his hand when he came through my town. I was five. Gary | ||
| FAST FRED (4.245.221.195) Rating: N/A |
MY biggest disapointment in coaching is the fact that creative or unusual designs are almost never seen, Cheapo copies of an RV from a show yes,semi yacht yes, but creaive use of the many styles avilable from the past are very rare. The private car is one very fine example of a great creation , Dr Art Yulene (SP?) did a very retro sleek and 30's Modern with loads of polished metal inside. But for my taste the great interiors are all too rare. Somebody , GO FOR IT! FAST FRED | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (69.3.74.238)
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Somebody , GO FOR IT! I'm workin' on it, Fast Fred, but it ain't easy finding inspiration! I'll be starting a new thread on this topic soon. In the meantime, any links with examples much appeciated! -Chuck | ||
| H3Jim (68.107.62.94) Rating: N/A |
As one famous architect said, "God is in the details". while the basic living room, kitchen, bath, bedroom layout is pretty standard, its how its done. There seems to be some amazingly creative folks out there I see at the bus bashes. Its inspiring to see! Maybe you are jaded Fred, or maybe I'm just simple, but I am awed everytime I see the "ordinary" work that bus nuts do on their coaches. | ||
| Marc Bourget (209.142.38.81) Rating: N/A |
H3Jim FF is a master at utilizing subtle humor or sarcasm, depending on the situation, to motivate or bring out the best in his fellow converter. I mean this quite sincerely. At the original Bussin'2000, FF made a benevolent comment that Ace still hasn't forgiven him for because Ace still hasn't figured it out! Thus the emnity continues!!! His "Somebody, GO FOR IT! is pure encouragement, honestly expressed, but sometimes seldom understood. Onward and Upward, Marc Bourget | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.143.249)
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Quality construction and materials are absolutely important and I have seen many, many examples of that. What I took Fast Fred's comment to mean focused on more creative layouts & materials than normally found. Of course for most 'motorhoming' uses standard layouts are proven and work best for most people. It's only wierdos like me who are interested in more unusual setups. I'm *most especially* interested in layouts/furniture/configurations which allow multiple purpose uses for every cubic foot of the interior, much like Fast Fred's 'cabinet-in-the-shower' great idea. | ||
| H3JIm (68.107.62.94) Rating: N/A |
Then you will love this one. Attached is a picture of one of the toilets in the staterooms of the train car. The toilet itself folds up into the cabinet. The wood on top raises up to reveal a sink. The entire toilet / sink combination takes up a minumum of floor space. Its hard to see, but on the left,you can see the toilet paper roll, its on the inside of the little door. When the door is closed, it drives the mechanism that folds the toilet up and back. It takes a little muscle to open, but not too much - my girlfriend was able to do it. My buddy that maintains the coach, says that it has leather seals and when it needs to be repaired, he has to hand fabricate any needed parts.  | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.143.249)
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OH YEAH, Jim! THAT's what I'm talkin' about. THANKS for the description and photo. THAT's inspiring! | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.150.127.22)
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Chuck- "Multiple uses for every cu ft". With this you can sit "backward" and brush your teeth and take the morning constitutional at the same time.  | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.143.249)
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And combined with something rigged up to hold the morning paper, low-tech multitasking!! | ||
| BrianMCI96A3 (69.34.169.50) Rating: N/A |
Wouldn't it be great if you could still buy a well made appliance like this that could conserve space? Of course it brings up the question of what is keeping the hole in the floor covered when the toilet is up... And then, if this fine fixture WAS still being made, how much do you figure it would cost... ...considering that a nice Microphor china toilet could cost upward of a $1000 Brian | ||
| FAST FRED (4.245.191.137) Rating: N/A |
Some of the finer yachts run out of room too. Saw a photo of a very nice comfy chair , where the cushon was also a cover and inside the chair was the licker locker. Seemed nifty but would be difficult to build , unless your into upholstering. Of course it could merly be purchased , but wheres the skill in that. To begin thinking out of the box a visit to any library will reveal stacks of boatbuilding books or boat refinement projects books that have GREAT ideas on utilizing volume to your advantage. If you think GLITZ is your thing , a copy of Show Boats mag will show you the latest in the 5 to 50 Million dollar buckets. Both US and Euro styles are covered. There are also co. that make /sell "Diner" style goodies , counter tops , seats , dinettes , lighting fixtures, if anyone is in the 50's retro mood. I'm into busses , so my coach has as much of the Stock coach as I could use, just converted. Some folks freak when they realize the luggage racks are still installed !Actually they were removed twice and modified & repositioned to have it my way. Great when a coach can have a unifying Theme! FAST FRED | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.143.249)
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luggage racks...still installed...removed twice and modified & repositioned YES, YES, Bingo! Exactly what I have planned. Will only be vaugely recognizable as partly original. Heck you can almost do chin-ups on them. And I took your advice by going to an RV show to look at Class C's and B's to get some ideas from ultra-compact designs, but alas they were so cheaply constructed that it was hard to get inspired. Did get a couple of ideas tho. Guess I'll have to find a Boat Show, but the rigs designed for the 'Bass Boat' crowd in TX will be a little lacking, I'm afraid! | ||
| Gillig-Dan (63.111.68.130) Rating: N/A |
Just what I need FF a chair with built in licker. I might need a drink after that! Sorry, couldn't resist. Gillig-Dan |