Don’t know what I have

[duckmom72]

I have a 1957 Airstream 26’ Overlander built for Southern Pacific Railroad. I believe this is a rare early Railroad Airstream. Has clean title in my name S/N 6850. This is tandem axel and has different window locations then a standard Overlander.
I am going to sell it, but was hoping to get some advice on value before I ask too much or too little. 
Wheel bearings have been checked and packed. Good wheels and tires have been installed (I do have 3 of the original split rim wheels and hub caps)
All exterior (towing) lights work. It is towable as it sits. I did check the 120V system. All interior lights, plugs and breakers work. I cannot find where the 12V enters the trailer so I don’t know about 12V lighting.
It certainly needs a makeover. All the open windows in photos work, but the others are missing parts or have broken mechanisms.
Top looks in good shape, the sides are good (a couple wrinkles) although the belly skin has taken a beating.

Any information/value would be much appreciated.
Thanks

[jeffb831]

Here is a fully restored '56 for $25K

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225678337525

[mojo]

I can't see it....pictures?

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by jeffb831

Here is a fully restored '56 for $25K

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225678337525

Did somebody get lucky on that or have prices plummeted??

[TR Anderson]

What tells you who it was built for?




TR Anderson II

[Hittenstiehl]

Duckmom,
Welcome, we can't see your pictures but tell us more about your interesting trailer.

There is a old (2012) thread here titled "1957 Overlander owners" and it includes some pictures to compare to. They also mention the Southern Railroad origin.

Another thread titled "1957 Airstream Southern Pacific Line ED-303" had a very good write up(s) from 66Overlander (the Airstream historian) that explains more about these trailers.

You'd certainly want to get more info on what you really have before you sell it. If it's a limited edition there might be more interest in your trailer. A new potential owner might want some evidence of the trailers providence.

Can you tell if yours had the bathroom or was it more of a bunkhouse.

Try posting those photos again.

[66Overlander]

Airstream did make some 26' trailers for railroad housing in 1957 and maybe 1958 before they transitioned to making longer trailers for railroads, first two 35 footers as prototypes in 1958 and then 33, 35, and 40 footers in 1960 as rounded riveted Airstreams. They then transitioned to producing 32, 36, and 40 foot trailers with a different appearance for railroads in 1961 thru 1964, which were badged as Mobile Industrial trailers.

Very little is known about the 1957-58 26' railroad trailers. We do not know how many were built. They did have different window locations and layouts that normal 26' Overlanders, though.

So few railroad 26 footers have come up for sale that it is not really possible to say if they are worth more or less than normal Overlanders. My first guess is that the window locations are less desirable than for a normal Overlander, but their unusual provenance could be a slight value adder. Overall, I would expect these factors to offset and they should be worth about the same as a normal Overlander, which is to say that in an unrestored condition the value could possibly range from maybe $5k if in serious need of a full restoration to maybe $20k if in very good condition. It is hard to be more precise without photos and an accounting of what works and what does not work.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

You are selling the starting point in a project. There aren't a lot of folks out there really willing to do this sort of thing. There are a *lot* of people who talk about doing this, but never do. There are many people who buy something at a rock bottom price, and never really do the project. Combine that with the rarity of this (and many other) Airstreams and you a whole lot of variables.

Now toss in the very real fact that the RV market is down this year *and* you are at the end of the season. Both will push the price down a bit as the whole market does its thing. What this might have sold for 4 years ago is probably not the target today.

Is it worth $1K, sure it is. Might it be worth $5K? It just might be. Are you willing to list it for 5 years hoping for a buyer? Most folks aren't. The stock answer seems to be to list for $X and put a "reasonable offers accepted" note under that.

If $X is insane, you will only get calls from scam artists and idiots. If it's maybe 1.5X a reasonable price, you might get a real customer calling. Pick a number and see what happens.

Bob

[PatLee]

Wow, I would love to see this beauty at the next International. What a gorgeous restoration!

[duckmom72]

Here's an update of some photos I've taken.

IMG_4468.pdf

IMG_4467.pdf

IMG_4493.pdf

IMG_4494.pdf

IMG_4495.pdf

IMG_4499.pdf

IMG_4507.pdf

IMG_4508.pdf

IMG_4509.pdf

IMG_4511.pdf

[Hittenstiehl]

Oops that photo format didn't take.

[duckmom72]

Originally Posted by Hittenstiehl

Duckmom,
Welcome, we can't see your pictures but tell us more about your interesting trailer.

There is a old (2012) thread here titled "1957 Overlander owners" and it includes some pictures to compare to. They also mention the Southern Railroad origin.

Another thread titled "1957 Airstream Southern Pacific Line ED-303" had a very good write up(s) from 66Overlander (the Airstream historian) that explains more about these trailers.

You'd certainly want to get more info on what you really have before you sell it. If it's a limited edition there might be more interest in your trailer. A new potential owner might want some evidence of the trailers providence.

Can you tell if yours had the bathroom or was it more of a bunkhouse.

Try posting those photos again.

I think I got a few photos uploaded. Please let me know if you can't see them. Ours definitely has a bathroom in the center with a rear bunk and used to have a front bunk. It still has the track where the privacy curtain went to section of the front bedroom.

[duckmom72]

Originally Posted by mojo

I can't see it....pictures?

I believe I have uploaded a few photos.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by duckmom72

I think I got a few photos uploaded. Please let me know if you can't see them. Ours definitely has a bathroom in the center with a rear bunk and used to have a front bunk. It still has the track where the privacy curtain went to section of the front bedroom.

Pictures uploaded fine. Thanks. As Uncle Bob suggested, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...(value is also)...The body seems in pretty good shape and I would think this one would be of value to someone who rebuilds or loves a good AS project. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Hittenstiehl]

Thanks, Gypsydad. Must be something on my end, here's what I see. (I'm on the mobile AirForum android app)

[uraljohn]

Suggest you call the Airstream Heritage Center in Jackson Center. They may put you in contact with someone that restores treasures such as this. Putting it on display after restoration at the Heritage Center would make it possible for lots of folks to see it and learn the history behind it.

[Silver Ship]

The photos of the restored 1957 bring back great memories as the appliances, cabinetry, windows, color, all resemble the trailer that my Father had purchased in 1957 after selling his 27' Steelcraft cabin cruiser that he moored at the Tacoma Yacht Club. I did miss the boat, especially the dingy which I was able to command in my early youth. The Airstream opened up a whole new world to our family with trips throughout the State, and many other destinations, visiting many of our country's attractions, parks, and monuments. It traveled numerous times to the MidWest where family resided, and from where my parents were born. We accompanied my Uncle's family on trips throughout the State as he rented, and then owned a SOB. There was the South Tacoma businessman based trailer club, with a fair sized membership, planned activities, and our Stream being the only one in the herd. A very similar experience to trips that I experience with our club. My Stream "Maxine" occupies the same parking spot next to my home that the '57 spent her time off the road, as I own the family home. Ahh, the memories. A bit off of the subject, however, I could not resist as a second generation "Streamer". Some of you may be creating a legacy of Airstream owners. Food for thought! Cheers,..J