S.R.& R.L. combine #11

[George Pitchard]

Can someone provide a brief report on present status of this car? Or where I might find same? Haven't seen or heard much on this car these past 20 years or so.  Thanks.

[Ron Ginger]

The Combine is stored under the covered shed with several other cars. There has been no real work done on it, but a restoration is very high on the wish list.

ron ginger

[Stephen Hussar]

...built by Laconia, 1885.

[Vincent "Lightning" LeRow]

I absolutely love the deep mahogany color to that bathroom door.

BTW, This is the combine missing an end platform right?

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

The platform on the passenger end is missing but the car is in fairly good shape.  You'll notice that much of the original hardware is intact including some of the seats, the cast (railroad bronze) door locks and the clerestory roof vents.  That LACONIA stencil is really nice too.

At some point the car will be put in service.  Along with more of the cast seat frames, the car will need correct trucks.

[Keith Taylor]

Stewart, aren't the curves at the Rwy. Village a little tight for a car of that length?
That "Laconia Car" lettering on the door is outstanding! That has to be the only intact original left....I hope they don't restore that door. Things can only be original once.
Keith

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Hi Keith, I don't speak for BRV but I know they eased at least two curves, the one behind the shop and the one approaching the station a couple of years ago.  Heavier rail was used in the rebuild.  B&SR 11 has been running for a season on the improved track.  I believe the combine is longer than the B&SR coach so more work may be required for it to run.  As I understand, the combine restoration is a couple of years away.  Maybe someone with more info about BRV can fill in the blanks.

Stewart   

[Keith Taylor]

Hi Stewart,
I guess the car would go around the curves, but I am just curious about the amount it would overhang the curves. It is a beautiful car and I look forward to seeing it in service at Boothbay, when they finish the restoration.
Keith

[Ron Ginger]

Restoration of this car is high on the list of desired projects by the BRV Board of Directors. The simple matter of staff time and money is all that stands in the way.

We will continue to insure it is protected as best we can until we are able to do a serious restoration. We have started a project to build a new fully enclosed car house, and its dimensions were set based on the Combine being is service and on the main line. I assure you any restoration will be to the best possible level of historic preservation. We well understand the value of this car.

The Car house project will be started in the next month, the material has been ordered.

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Ron,  That's good news, thanks for the update.   Stewart

[Matthew Gustafson]

Any word on the progress of the restoration of Combine #11?

[Stewart "Start" Rhine]

Mathew,

I don't think anything has been done to the combine yet other than looking into having trucks and seat castings made. The car storage building that Ron mentioned is finished.  Rolling stock such as the B&SR car and SR&RL caboose are inside.  With the storage shed in place the combine could be moved but it is on temporary trucks on a piece of disconnected track so it wouldn't be easy.  It's not something the BRV crew would do in the operating season.  If relocation and restoration started the news would come out towards the end of the year or in 2013.  Ron or someone with BRV could add more.

Stewart   

[Dan Shelley]

 I was there a month ago, and I was hoping to see some progress with the combine. All the names and numbers have been removed. But reading the past postings about the rear platform being gone I knew it was the one. I know there is plenty of guys out there that would be more than happy to be apart of a railroad restoration project.