Re: EBT Cars

Rick,
Your message sort of implies that the seats aren't in the combine anymore. Were they stored in the depot that burned? Any idea if they might still be on the property in a box car or such?
I hope the family comes to the conclusion that the best tribute to Don's passion for trains would be to have the equipment sold or donated to the appropriate museums, museum groups or railroads where they could be restored to operating condition for all to see and enjoy. I hope someone who knows the family will make that suggestion.
Some may criticize Don for letting the equipment go to wrack and ruin, but at the time he acquired it, few were interested in rail preservation. The reason the Northwoods museum sold their collection, was the fact that after 10 years of trying, they had been unable to raise the necessary funds to operate. They saved the Ely Thomas Shay #5 and the Climax #6, along with a log loader and some log cars, all of which are now in other museums. At the time they purchased the EBT cars, they assumed they were saving them as well. No one would have dreamed that the Kovalchek Salvage company would ended up saving all the EBT equipment which was still on the property.
Let's hope there is a happy ending to this story!