Caboose

[RioGrandeRod]

Rumors are that the D&RGW caboose is going to the CRRM in Golden.

[ednadolski]

Like we needed another ******* Starbucks.

I recall driving past that, pre-COVID, and seeing perhaps 2 or 3 customers in the place, and a mostly empty parking lot.

Presumably the Alameda location won't likely become yet another weed shop, as there already is one across the street.

Ed

[Dave V]

Rumors are that the D&RGW caboose is going to the CRRM in Golden.

I guess I'll find out...  I've applied to become a CRRM volunteer and I have my orientation class on January 16.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I wonder what it would take to bring it down to the Trolley museum.

Jason

Retail? About $10k.

[C855B]

Retail? About $10k.

And therein is a big, whopping tell. $10K (plus other considerable expenses, and was the caboose free?) for eye candy when inventory was going down the tubes?

[Dave V]

And therein is a big, whopping tell. $10K (plus other considerable expenses, and was the caboose free?) for eye candy when inventory was going down the tubes?

I actually have no idea what it cost to put that caboose there or who paid for it.

It would be killer if another buyer could turn that space into a functioning hobby shop; doesn't even have to be all trains.  But it's 2020...not the era of brick-and-mortar LHSs.

[Mark5]

Retail? About $10k.

Yup. I could have gotten an N&W caboose for free. The catch was moving it. 

[C855B]

I actually have no idea what it cost to put that caboose there or who paid for it. ...

I was just told "$36K".   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I was just told "$36K".   

Makes sense for transportation & site prep.

That's $36k that would've been better spent on inventory.

[Dave V]

So...  Who’s gonna sponsor Ken Patterson now?

“What’s Bankrupt in Model Railroading.”

[Point353]

It would be killer if another buyer could turn that space into a functioning hobby shop; doesn't even have to be all trains.  But it's 2020...not the era of brick-and-mortar LHSs.

The one LHS remaining in my area does the vast majority of its business in RC cars and airplanes.
Every time I've been in there, some customer (evidently with lousy flying skills) walks in with a busted airplane looking for the parts needed to put it back in the air.
The owner provides the relevant instructions and keeps all the necessary repair parts in stock.
There's a similar situation with the RC car owners who are always seeking to upgrade and improve the performance of their models.
The owner, whose father started the business mainly as a model train shop, has told me that he could never survive by selling exclusively model train related items.

[Jbub]

I have a friend who owns a trucking company and they were recently hired to move a steam locomotive in Evanston Wy a few miles from a park across town to the UP roundhouse. 29k for the crane and truck crew plus another 3k just for a consultant to check the rigging on the locomotive. Moving big stuff is expensive.

[MK]

The one LHS remaining in my area does the vast majority of its business in RC cars and airplanes.
Every time I've been in there, some customer (evidently with lousy flying skills) walks in with a busted airplane looking for the parts needed to put it back in the air.
The owner provides the relevant instructions and keeps all the necessary repair parts in stock.
There's a similar situation with the RC car owners who are always seeking to upgrade and improve the performance of their models.
The owner, whose father started the business mainly as a model train shop, has told me that he could never survive by selling exclusively model train related items.

That's the MO for most "LHS" these days.  Like everything else, you need to diversify and stock what sells.  Parts are ALWAYS needed for R/C airplanes.    Same with cars, but less so, as they smash into curbs or each other.

[ednadolski]

I actually have no idea what it cost to put that caboose there or who paid for it.

FWIW, a few flicks of the DRGW caboose being moved into place:

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And one of Kevin:

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This one is just bizarre:  ("jumping to conclusions"...  )

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[Mark5]

This one is just bizarre:  ("jumping to conclusions"...  )

Is this the same place that initially made a re-opening splash with the website "mycaboose.com"