They are set to become “Pere Marquette Parlor” first class cars on the Institute’s popular North Pole Express holiday excursions behind 2-8-4 No. 1225, the engine that starred in the Polar Express movie and books.
The two cars were among 139 cars and locomotives offered for sale in November; a second batch of cars was offered the following month.
The Institute’s Aarne Frobom tells Trains News Wire that the cars are still at Beech Grove, but will shortly make their way to Owosso in freight trains.
While not divulging the cost, he says the cars came, “at what were for us fairly high prices. We expect that our high-volume Christmas season trips will let us recoup the investment over a few years.”
One of the cars is the former Willamette Valley, No. 39975. Trains News Wire is attempting to confirm the number of the second car.
Frobom says he doesn’t know the extent of any repairs that might be necessary, but hopes to have the vintage full-length domes ready for the Institute’s diesel-hauled fall color tours in northern lower Michigan, as well as No. 1225 excursion from Mount Pleasant to Cadillac set for Oct. 5.
The group doesn’t expect to make interior changes in the short term.
“The downstairs theater seating may be replaced by washrooms, wheelchair accommodations, coach seating, or other uses,” Frobom adds. “The mix of lounge and dining seating upstairs will be used to offer catered meal service in cooperation with on-line restaurants.”
