David -

Hmmmm, that's interesting. So, a restoration to its original configuration as a Beaver Tail observation might not be out of the question after all. Wonder how the MILW 261 group might feel about it?


Les

FO 261 1938, "Earling" has not operated as the road tool car with Milwaukee 261 since it became necessary to partner with Amtrak to operate most mainline excursions. It is kept roadworthy for possible operation in a non-Amtrak application. We presently use former Amtrak baggage-dorm 1615, named "Grand Canyon" as our road tool car. This car was originally built as an Army hospital car.

With the age of 1938 and the needed upgrades to make it compliant with Amtrak standards, it was deemed financially prudent to replace it with a car that was more easily certified. The dorm section is also used to keep lodging expenses down during overnight trips. 1938 is normally parked inside of the shop in Minneapolis Jct. and is used as a locker room/tool room and workshop.

As for whether the group would part with the car, anything is possible for a price. Steve Sandberg is always looking to upgrade the fleet or improve the financial position of the organization. My personal feelings are, with the conversion of the car to a storage mail car by the Milwaukee, there are more deserving and reasonable restorations than spending endless amounts of money to restore (actually 'create') a Beavertail parlor. As someone mentioned earlier in this post, the only remaining sleeper Skytop "Coffee Creek" would be a much more worthy recipient of the restoration funds. FO 261 is a registered non-profit and is always looking for donations for our fleet which includes Milwaukee Road Skytop "Cedar Rapids", Super Dome 53, 8-6-4 sleeper "Minnesota River" and office car "Milwaukee". As you state you are a dedicated Milwaukee Road fan, any or all of these cars are worthwhile potential benefactors. The Skytop and Super Dome will be operating in our fall color trips behind 261 on October 10 and 11. Arrangements can be made to let you see "Milwaukee" (which is not yet Amtrak certified), 1938 and/or "Minnesota River" (which is not needed in the excursion consist) several days prior to the trip while we are preparing the train and the locomotive at the shop. If you are interested, I will be in Minneapolis most of the week leading up the trips assisting to get the locomotive and train ready. I would be happy to show you the cars.

Don C.

Don, I really appreciate the offer. But, As stated earlier. My interest was in founding a organization to possibly over see the reconstruction of a replica of the last group of Milw Beaver Tail cars.

I have done some calculations and have come to the conclusion that right now it is just not a viable option to rebuild a 1938 Milw built car into it's original configuration. There is also a really pressing issue surrounding how many excursions a year could possibly use the car and whether or not the project would pay for it's self eventually.

Since Milw built a lot of their own cars I am also concerned about the cost and hassle of Amtrak certification for mainline operation and speeds over 70 Mph.

If I am ever in the area Don, I will stop by and visit the Earling and the Mile 261.

For now I am having to rethink my whole strategy and goal.

Robert