Friday, June 5, 2015

Matchbox Body Found in Wisconsin

Breaking news: Al Reinschmidt just posted this link to a news story of the remains of a CSL Matchbox up in Wisconsin, between Oshkosh and Stevens Point.  It's mildly interesting, especially the "expert's" reference to an "interurban street car."  I don't know if there's possibly any parts there we could use, but I'd be available for another body snatchers trip if so.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

It would be neat if some of the large underframe wood could be used on the Bowling alley car even if you have to saw it !

Anonymous said...

Randy,
There was an article in an early R & W about driving up to Wisconsin to visit a body and get some seat frames for the museum's Matchbox restoration project. It talks about two bodies up there in the woods.

Has anyone ever done an index to the title pages of the Rail & Wire newsletters and magazines? I think it would be a good project.

Ted miles IRM Member

Anonymous said...

I think those were the Long Lake cars (Bill Nedden showed me these many years ago) and I thought there were more than two. In any case its a neat find for sure.

Randy Stahl

Randall Hicks said...

I was thinking more of ventilators, window latches, and parts like that. Some of those doors look pretty good.

Anonymous said...

Does IRM need parts to a St. Louis streetcar at this time? Perhaps this nearly complete body would be better suited to an organization that would at least do a cosmetic restoration, or use it to restore another St. Louie car. I thought there is a wreck of a St. Louis car at St.L. MOT. Fox River may do a decent job of preserving it as well.

Randall Hicks said...

Any optimist who thinks the car body can be preserved is welcome to it, as far as I'm concerned. I don't make the decisions, of course, I was just reporting on it and offering to help collect parts, if that occurs. But the owner seems to want it gone quick, and I'll bet you a Utility ventilator that nothing happens.

Chris said...

This stuff always happens at inconvenient times.