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Anyone know where I can buy an old unused dinner car? Doesnt have to be in great shape...would be land docked. Any leads would be appreciated!
Posts: 3 | From: Ogden Dunes, IN USA | Registered: Sep 2002
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Thanks for the info John. I don't know what I want yet. I am just beginning to research it. I was planning to make a coffeshop out of it, so it would be permanently on land..with waste, plumbing, electric coming in/out. I am thinking of it mare as a shell. I figured I would have to retrofit the kitchen area. But I dont need anything other than a sink, oven and refridgerator which I was planning on just putting in new commercial models. Do you mean that the physical space will not pass code? I would be interested in hearing anything you may know about this. Thanks again. Posts: 3 | From: Ogden Dunes, IN USA | Registered: Sep 2002
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I have been trying to find a dining or lounge car myself, and need some help in locating one here in New Jersey or close by. Any information you could supply would be appreciated. Thank you
Posts: 1 | From: Woodstown, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2003
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Kriz- If you visit the Illinois Transit website, pay particular attention to Mr. Kasten's "Free Railcar Advice." I'm an architect and I second everything he has to say on the subject of turning railcars into buildings. You might also want to talk to your local building and health departments about your plans. Good luck!
Posts: 103 | From: St. Louis, MO USA | Registered: Oct 2002
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Good luck, but be forwarned: it could cost a lot of $.
Up until last year I was a volunteer at a local museum, and we acquired an old Santa Fe diner with the intent of using it as a cafe. The diner we bought had already operated as a snack bar for a few years.
We had a full inspection done, but found the cost to rehab it was way more than we could afford. The diner was built in 1950 (last used in rail service in the 1970s) but it had some asbestos, decayed floor, windows broken/seals rotted, out-of-code wiring and some structural damage including holes in the roof (from age/moisture, not an accident). We also would have been required to modify the doorways and seating for full handicapped access.
The car cost around $15K, + transport via lowboy truck to our museum, + crane rental to place the car on our lot. Unfortunately, the car was improperly lowered to the ground (some of the suspension was damaged).
The repairs needed for everything listed above would have easily cost $100-$200K...way more than we could ever recover from sales in any reasonable amount of time. We ultimately had to dispose of the car, as we could not even afford to get it in shape for public access, never mind wiring/plumbing for a restaurant.
This is meant as information only, not to discourage you! But I would suggest you consider getting a diner in reasonably good shape that will not require that much repair work. You will save yourself some headaches.
MP
Posts: 874 | From: South Bay (LA County), Calif, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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