Buying railcars?

This is something that has been rattling around in my head for awhile, I just need some help figuring out where to start?
I would like to get in to owning railcars to lease/rent out for companys to use. I would prefer to be a silent owner and have someone else do the day to day management of the cars (i.e. seting up transport, loads/useage, maintance ect.). I understand the start up cost on a project like this would be high and profits somewhat low in this setup.
Does anybody know where to start looking to find the companies that handle such a project? Or has anyone on TrainBoard done such a thing?
Any help, suggestion, or comments would are welcome.

 

Put "private railcar" in google and you'll get some places to start. The following URL is another place to start looking.

http://www.railroaddata.com/rrlinks/Locomotives_and_Rolling_Stock/Resellers_and_Leasing/

 

Neat Topic,
I'd love to be able to ride the rails in style.
"Northern Pacific Dome sleeping car #310, Budd built in 1954 " only $100,000.
http://www.monadrailway.com/
Wish I could invest in a company like you mention.

 

Thanks so far, not to interested in the sleeping car. But that would be fun. I am more into Center-beam flats, bulkhead flats, Covered hoppers, someday coal cars.
Also I have looked at the railroaddata.com link before, but thanks for that too. Keep the info come folks I love a good brainstorming session.
Adam

 

RailBox and RailGon were (are?) two types of cars that were/are privately owned and leased to customers without worrying about specific railroad ownership. I have no idea how the economics were/are handled, but that might be worth exploring.

 

If a person had the chance and was motivated, they could observe the reporting marks on lease cars and then research those reporting marks at a later date.

 

The following was posted on the Trains Newswire yesterday (1/30/06).


"Cryo-Trans orders 429 refrigerated boxcars from Greenbrier

"OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Cryo-Trans, Inc., a car leasing company specializing in equipment for transporting frozen and perishable products, announced it placed an order in November 2005 for 429 new refrigerated boxcars to be built by The Greenbrier Companies. Delivery is expected for later this year.

"Shells for the 429 new cars will be constructed at Greenbrier's facility in Sahagun, Mexico. Insulation, refrigeration units, GPS units, doors, and painting will be done at Greenbrier's Gunderson Rail Services locations in Springfield, Ore., and Finley, Wash."


This appears to indicate that there may be a limited market for the leasing of highly specialized and high value equipment. Note the words "limited", "specialized", and "value". I recommend being very thorough in your market research and business plan.

 

I know of a place in Western New York State, that repairs and sells railroad equipment, such as cars, etc. The are called "Ebenezzer Railcar Company." They are located in West Senca, New York. I believe they have a website. If one wants to start a leasing company? I would like to see how it works out?

Matt

 

I think Adam has a great idea. What kind of investment is being made? How many railcars will be involved. This sounds like an idea. A small leasing company can turn into big profits.

Matt

 

Thanks for the encourgement all. I have had much of a chance to work on this project lately. Been to busy running'em to think about buying'em.
Adam

 

I worked for a company a while back in Louisville KY that leased MOW equipment to CSX, NS, and UP. The company was owned by a three gentlemen. The main owner had MANY contacts within the rail industry. If you know the right people, you could do well in this business. Be warned though! It's a "good ol boy" network to say the least. If you dont have the contacts I doubt Id make the investment.

Mike

 

There used to be many small businesses in the rail industry but in recent years companies such as Progress Rail have bought up most the smaller guys.