Author Topic: Mystery Coach  (Read 7350 times)

Ed Lecuyer

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Mystery Coach
« on: June 22, 2009, 08:23:19 PM »
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Mystery Coach has been converted from the pre-July 2008 WW&F Discussion Forum.
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John McNamara wrote:
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Allan Fisher sent me this photo and thought that it might be from Edaville. Does anyone know anything about "coach 55"?

-John


Bill Reidy replied:
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John -

I don't know anything about the coach, but it certainly looks like Edaville to me.  That looks like a cranberry bog behind and to the right of the coach.

- Bill

James Patten replied:
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"Coach 55, Where are you?"

What an ugly car.

Glenn Christensen replied:
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Allan Fisher sent me this photo and thought that it might be from Edaville. Does anyone know anything about "coach 55"?

-John

/i]

Hi John,

Yes, that's one of the Edaville-built B&SR boxcar conversions.  MNG has it now.  In fact, I think the coach depicted is scheduled to go up to Phillips in the spring.

Best Regards,
Glenn

Mike Fox replied:
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I wouldn't call it ugly. Maybe homely.
Glenn, was the number the original box car number it was built from? It would fit into the B&SR numbering sequence.
Mike

Steve Klare replied:
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It doesn't have the graceful lines almost all Maine Two Foot equipment has. I would actually call it "stubby".

I think they could do a lot with it just by replacing the windows with larger ones, and reducing all that space between them.

(Unless of course that's were the internal bracing is....)

Actually with a flat roof, a side door and a cupola it wouldn't be half bad as a caboose, but then again SR&RL sure has enough of those.

Glenn Christensen replied:
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Glenn, was the number the original box car number it was built from? It would fit into the B&SR numbering sequence.
Mike

I hadn't thought of it, but you could be right, Mike!

According to Jones' book, #55 went to Edaville and became their boxcar #1.  So your theory is certainly possible.  The #55 was a 28 footer.  It would be interesting to measure the car body.

Best Regards,
Glenn

Bruce Wilson replied:
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Within the W.W. & F. Ry. Museum archives is a nice collection of color prints showing equipment at Freedomland. There are two photos of a coach that appears to be no. 55. The coach number is not legible to high degree of certainty due to camera angle, the first "5" in the car number is clear, but the second numeral is not. I'm going to say it is no. 55 and it is shown coupled with a combination car (which might have been the Bridgton caboose) and an open flat.
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Wanted: Photographs by Linwood Moody, Phil Bonnet, Lawrence Brown and other first generation narrow gage rail enthusiasts. Also seeking collectibles, ephemera and correspondence offered by and exchanged between narrow gage enthusiasts.

John McNamara replied:
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By the way, I just noticed what looks like SR&RS rail bus #5 on the right hand edge of the picture. Along with the aforementioned bogs, this also suggests Edaville as being the picture location.

Bruce Wilson replied:
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You are right John, the photo was taken at Edaville. You can barely see the "railbus trailer" to the left of the coach. The trailer is on one of the turntable storage tracks where it sat for many years.
_________________
Wanted: Photographs by Linwood Moody, Phil Bonnet, Lawrence Brown and other first generation narrow gage rail enthusiasts. Also seeking collectibles, ephemera and correspondence offered by and exchanged between narrow gage enthusiasts.
Ed Lecuyer
Moderator, WW&F Forum