RailNews

Montana Western 31 was built for the Great Northern and later sold to Montana Western. It was donated to Mid-Continent in 1965. Photo by Bill Buhrmaster/Courtesy of Mid-Continent.

Mid-Continent to Restore Century-Old Gas-Electric Railcar

By Railfan & Railroad Staff

NORTH FREEDOM, Wis. — The Mid-Continent Railway Museum announced recently that it would restore a rare gas-electric railcar to operation. Montana Western 31 last ran in 1987 and the museum recently got a $10,000 matching grant to put it back into service.

The car was originally built for the Great Northern but later sold to the Montana Western, a short line that connected Valier and Conrad, Mont. Today, that line is now operated by BNSF Railway. The car was built in 1925 and is the oldest surviving piece of equipment constructed by the Electro-Motive Company. It was donated to Mid-Continent in 1965.

Museum officials say the car has been protected from the elements and is in good shape. The car will need its engine rebuilt, radiators flushed and roof repaired, but if everything goes according to plan the engine could be rebuilt by 2024. For more information and to donate, visit Mid-Continent’s website.