Judge Roy Hofheinz’s custom railroad car surfaces

For years, Houston icon Judge Roy Hofheinz used a custom-outfitted railroad car and an attached locomotive to show visitors and friends around his Astrodomain. Now, nearly four decades since Hofheinz died and his conveyance was sold at an estate auction, it’s resurfaced to be featured on a Fox Business Network TV show.

On Monday the channel will air an episode of the long-running “Strange Inheritance” featuring Robert Harper, the current owner of Hofheinz’s old toy.

The rail car has sat undisturbed since 1976, and was passed down to Harper via his father, who bought it in the early ’90s for an estimated $10,000. It was warehoused in South Houston in the late ’70s, where Hofheinz left it. In fact, the warehouse had to be built around it. It’s been hidden from public view since.

Hofheinz suffered a stroke in 1970, at 58, which paralyzed the left side of his body, and he spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. In 1975, Hofheinz sold his share of the Astrodome empire. He died in 1982 at age 70.

In keeping with the extravagance that dripped from everything else that Hofheinz helped build, the rail car was topnotch. It was constructed to the most luxurious specifications per Hofheinz’s wishes. There exist a handful of photos of the rail car, showing off its various bells and whistles. It was designed by Harper Goff, an Oscarwinning film-set designer.

According to a 1980 biography about the judge, the rail car was not unlike a San Francisco trolley, except his had a full bar inside for entertaining. It was built so that it would roll along a set of tracks around the Dome complex.

A train enthusiast message board from 2003 says that the car was just one of several that Hofheinz bought over the years for various uses. It was obviously the most colorful and unique.

Harper’s lawyer, Don Tomlinson, says the rail car will soon go up for sale although a starting price has yet to be announced.

The “Strange Inheritance” show details the curious and special things that Americans have been bequeathed.

Don Tomlinson / Don Tomlinson The late Judge Roy Hofheinz’s custom-outfitted railroad car and an attached locomotive will be featured Monday on “Strange Inheritance.”