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Last-minute deal cancels Minnesota Zephyr car auction
If pile-of-dough, er, Paradeau, really does move the cars prior to March 1, I will be amazed. Despite his attempts to gain sympathy, he seems to be giving the problem little attention. This could be because he is enjoying the sunny weather in Florida.
What about the engines that were going to be scrapped? Will they be saved also?
Historic Preservation:
TRAINS’ Preservation Award
NRHS Heritage Grant Proram
Tom E. Dailey Foundation
Charity Search Engines
Grocery Stores Fundraisers
It seems nearly bizarre that Mr. Paradeau could have worked in this industry and not understand that the old equipment he owns, all of which has no major historical significance, is of little value to people especially at a time when so many other dinner trains have gone out of business and are trying to sell their equipment.
BTW - His old equipment has been sitting around for so long that it shows up on google maps
https://maps.google.com/?ll=45.027265,-92.780892&spn=0.001009,0.001061&t=h&z=20
In looking at the offer to sell the equipment most of it needs repairs before it can be used by operations. It was priced too high for people to purchase. Most dinner operations do not have the money to purchase equipment at the prices listed on the listings. As far as the locomotives they needed wheel work and when they were moved one was left in a street and the town is getting tried of that.
Several excursion and dinner train railroads have looked at these old covered wagon locomotives and each one has said that they are too far gone to resurrect or rebuild. The traction motor wheels are so worn beyond repair that the flanges hit rail joints and most of the electrics are on their last leg with little chance of finding seviceable parts to repair what little is left. They too are not saleable items, except for scrap and the City of Stillwater wants them moved out of the downtown area ASAP or they will call in a scrapper to cut them up.
Several excursion and dinner train railroads have looked at these old covered wagon locomotives and each one has said that they are too far gone to resurrect or rebuild. The traction motor wheels are so worn beyond repair that the flanges hit rail joints and most of the electrics are on their last leg with little chance of finding seviceable parts to repair what little is left. They too are not saleable items, except for scrap and the City of Stillwater wants them moved out of the downtown area ASAP or they will call in a scrapper to cut them up.