I came up with a stupidly awesome idea, why not get an about-to-be-scrapped EMD F40PH and repaint it so it looks new, and take out all of the parts, electronics, prime mover, etc., and fix any holes, cracks, etc., and place a reasonably sized generator in the rear (making a compartment for 2-3 generators with exauhst stacks, and turn it into a home or Airbnb?
The idea just popped into my head when I was searching for an F40PH cab to throw into my basement or garage.
My wife and I stayed in the GN 441 back in 2013. Really well done inside. The engine cooling and dynamic brake fans were left in, but covered in glass to make them skylights. The cab is fully intact with the control stand. The headlight switch was functional - it actually turned on the headlight, though I’m not sure how happy that made some of the campers on the receiving end of that.
Lol, I’m wondering if the horn and bell work (that would not end well), just curious since the horn and bell are visible when it was being transported and when it was completed.
I may go stay in the GN 441 for some ideas and for the scenery. I plan on getting an F40 out of a scrapyard and restoring it, and doing the same in Amtrak Phase III paint, but modern styled on the inside.
For the full experience, take Amtrak Empire Builder to Essex, Montana and you can walk to the Isaac Walton Inn, which owns the GN 441.
When I arrived, I kept hearing a gyrating motor sound in the cab. Opening up the door to the nose, I discovered it was the unit also had a working Mars light motor. I eventually found the switch to turn it off.