repsac
01-29-2007, 02:32 AM
This story is a local one, and has become something of an urban legend. I'll post the facts afterward, but the legend in itself is a blast to read.
Several years ago, in a small city known as Swainsboro, Georgia (Check a map. It's a real city between Macon and Savannah) the city was presented with a problem. The local railroad had recently been purchased for the third or fourth time, and the owner had decided to allow the city to purchase a good portion of the old railyard to help make revitalizing the downtown area easier. The plans called for widening some roads, adding a park or two, and just making everything look nice.
The problem was, that the old yard had several buildings, some track, and a ton of what is commonly called "Railroad Debris." So, what could they do? Bids went out and a local guy got the job of tearing out the old track, demolishing the buildings and getting rid of all the debris. Plus, he got to keep the metal and sell it off for scrap value, which isn't cheap; trust me.
The job was supposed to have taken several days, and probably would have if they hadn't run into a snag. A snag in the form of three near on ancient boxcars which sat far at the back of one siding. Now, finding old cars like this isn't too uncommon, but these things stuck out. For one, they had thes odd doors on the ends, and were sealed. Not just with rubber around the doors, but with heavy lead seals still on the handles. The bearings were ancient, the rust told the tale; and it didn't take long to figure out that these things had not moved in years. Possibly even decades. Now, the crews were reluctant to touch these things, not knowing what could be inside of them or if they could get in trouble for doing it. So they called the owner. The owner had no clue they were there, so he called the company he bought the railroad from.
Days passed, then a week. After about two weeks, word came back from the company which had bought the railroad that originally owned these cars. Apparently, sometime in the 1960's, the cars had gone missing and were written off. So, the new owner was welcome to do with them whatever he pleased. He in turn told the wrecking crew that they could have anything inside them. He didn't really care, and they were welcome to cut them up for scrap.
Early the next morning, the seals were cut and with a heavy wrenching of metal and rust, the doors rolled open. Peeking in with a flashlight, one man stared at what he saw and then ordered the door shut. What had he seen you wonder? Ah now, that'd be spoiling the story. Quickly he called a lawyer, told the lawyer what was up and had a second contract drawn up. This one clarifying that yes, the crew could keep the cars and anything in them. The owner, suspecting nothing, signed the papers.
So, what was in the cars? Well, each car was something called an "autobox." It's a very early version of a car carrying train car. Didn't see much use past the fifties, but some lasted into the sixties for more perishible cars. When he had pulled the door open, the guy with the flashlight had stumbled upon three brand new Ford Galaxies. Not only were these cars rare to begin with, but they had zero miles on them. The things had NEVER been driven a day. The owner turned to his men, people he'd worked with for years and struck a deal with them. If the men agreed to work for nothing, each of them could have one of the cars. That would have left him two for himself.
Now the rumor has it that one of the cars turned up at auction a few years later, with all the papers and the history to show where it came from. Supposedly, the car sold for in excess of one million dollars....
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So, what's the truth to it? Yes, a couple boxcars were found. Yes they had new cars in them, but they weren't as the legend suggests, in any condition to drive. Their tires and all the rubber had dryrotted over the years. It's not known if the crew got one or not, but it stands to reason they might have. Given the small town feel and atmosphere of the area. The rumor of one being sold though? I doubt it really happened. No matter how you look at it though; whether legend or true, you have to admit that it's one HECK of a paycheck.
Do you know any stories similar to this? Stories that are almost too good to be true, or may be urban legends from your area?
Several years ago, in a small city known as Swainsboro, Georgia (Check a map. It's a real city between Macon and Savannah) the city was presented with a problem. The local railroad had recently been purchased for the third or fourth time, and the owner had decided to allow the city to purchase a good portion of the old railyard to help make revitalizing the downtown area easier. The plans called for widening some roads, adding a park or two, and just making everything look nice.
The problem was, that the old yard had several buildings, some track, and a ton of what is commonly called "Railroad Debris." So, what could they do? Bids went out and a local guy got the job of tearing out the old track, demolishing the buildings and getting rid of all the debris. Plus, he got to keep the metal and sell it off for scrap value, which isn't cheap; trust me.
The job was supposed to have taken several days, and probably would have if they hadn't run into a snag. A snag in the form of three near on ancient boxcars which sat far at the back of one siding. Now, finding old cars like this isn't too uncommon, but these things stuck out. For one, they had thes odd doors on the ends, and were sealed. Not just with rubber around the doors, but with heavy lead seals still on the handles. The bearings were ancient, the rust told the tale; and it didn't take long to figure out that these things had not moved in years. Possibly even decades. Now, the crews were reluctant to touch these things, not knowing what could be inside of them or if they could get in trouble for doing it. So they called the owner. The owner had no clue they were there, so he called the company he bought the railroad from.
Days passed, then a week. After about two weeks, word came back from the company which had bought the railroad that originally owned these cars. Apparently, sometime in the 1960's, the cars had gone missing and were written off. So, the new owner was welcome to do with them whatever he pleased. He in turn told the wrecking crew that they could have anything inside them. He didn't really care, and they were welcome to cut them up for scrap.
Early the next morning, the seals were cut and with a heavy wrenching of metal and rust, the doors rolled open. Peeking in with a flashlight, one man stared at what he saw and then ordered the door shut. What had he seen you wonder? Ah now, that'd be spoiling the story. Quickly he called a lawyer, told the lawyer what was up and had a second contract drawn up. This one clarifying that yes, the crew could keep the cars and anything in them. The owner, suspecting nothing, signed the papers.
So, what was in the cars? Well, each car was something called an "autobox." It's a very early version of a car carrying train car. Didn't see much use past the fifties, but some lasted into the sixties for more perishible cars. When he had pulled the door open, the guy with the flashlight had stumbled upon three brand new Ford Galaxies. Not only were these cars rare to begin with, but they had zero miles on them. The things had NEVER been driven a day. The owner turned to his men, people he'd worked with for years and struck a deal with them. If the men agreed to work for nothing, each of them could have one of the cars. That would have left him two for himself.
Now the rumor has it that one of the cars turned up at auction a few years later, with all the papers and the history to show where it came from. Supposedly, the car sold for in excess of one million dollars....
---------------
So, what's the truth to it? Yes, a couple boxcars were found. Yes they had new cars in them, but they weren't as the legend suggests, in any condition to drive. Their tires and all the rubber had dryrotted over the years. It's not known if the crew got one or not, but it stands to reason they might have. Given the small town feel and atmosphere of the area. The rumor of one being sold though? I doubt it really happened. No matter how you look at it though; whether legend or true, you have to admit that it's one HECK of a paycheck.
Do you know any stories similar to this? Stories that are almost too good to be true, or may be urban legends from your area?