Good Medicine Aboard My Own CABOOSE

(Page 5 of 6)

November/December 1990
By Adolf Hungry Wolf 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

RELATED CONTENT

If a car is available, check zoning laws before you buy it to see if it can be moved to your property. Such cars are usually forbidden in suburban backyards. If laws do allow it, measure your clearances at the site and along the access route very carefully. Railroad cars are big, awkward and heavy, typically 15 to 30 tons, plus another to tons if you get the two sets of wheels. Buildings, bridges, power lines and fences have all been known to get in the way. We've knocked down three gateposts and two trees, lifted several overhead wires with poles (scary stuff! and broken countless branches along the way.

You will need a heavy-duty crane and a neck with a lowboy trailer. Talk to the operators and discuss the logistics of your move with them. If they cannot look at the site and car themselves, be sure to give accurate weights, dimensions and possible difficulties. They're generally not responsible for any tight spots you get them in. Ask them about permits, liabilities, getting a pilot car, etc.

If your car will keep its wheels, have the track laid before you make any move. Experienced railroad track workers can often be hired on their day off to accomplish this far better than the average homesteader. If you're using a foundation instead, have it finished before the move. Again, the movers will leave you responsible for the results of improper planning.

CABOOSES READILY LEND THEMSELVES TO interesting business ventures. We've heard of antique, craft, and cheese shops, fruit stands, bars and even McDonald's restaurants. Some owners finance their own cabooses by buying extra cars to restore and resell (see MEN, issue 13, "Wanna Buy A Caboose?"). Lately, some classic passenger cars have sold for five- and six-figure prices.

The fellow who would make out best if cabooses ever become that valuable is Don Denlinger, who owns 40 of them. They make up his world-famous Red Caboose Motel in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania—down in tourist heavy Amish country. The Guinness Book of World Records lists him as having the world's largest private collection of cabooses; with our mere four, we won't argue.

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Next >>
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.