the AT&SF Track Geometry Car from 1925

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I am interested in the historical development of Track Geometry Cars and I am writting this mail from the top of Europe.

AT&SF were quite early and progressive in this particular field of technology, this in compare with most European and North American railroads. The AT&SF track geometry car measured rail alignment, gauge, rail joints, etc.

The demands from Santa Fe regarding the functionality of measuring equipment, quality of the measurement result as well as the introduction of the gyroscope is probably the reason (I would guess) why Elmer A. Sperry entered into the railroad business and still today have quite a success with their railroad maintenance equipment product range.

Santa Fe did install measurement and recording equipment in a business car with an observation platform. The gyroscope were supplied and developed by Sperry as he owned the Sperry Gyroscope Co. until 1929. The car was commisioned in the fall of 1925. The car had 6-wheel bogies.

What I am looking for is the
• the car number,
• a drawing, side view and floor plan,
• a picture of this business car with observation platform selected by Santa Fe and used for the purpose of track inspection and
• which year this Track Geometry car were taken out of service

Anyone who may have an answer?

I would be most grateful to anyone who can help me with an answer or direct me to a museum, source or any archive which may have information.

Regards
Per

[Trainnut484]

Per,

this link may provide some help. It's a picture of the car, and some information about it.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsPicture.aspx?id=1948

Take care,

Russell

[Anonymous]

Thanks Russell,
Yes I have already scanned that site - it is splendid. But the car is older than the one you are refering to.

I have splaced the same question in railnet.fan forums and there you can see a picture taken from a magazine dated 1926. Thus the poor quality in resolutions. That business car is older than the 1920-ties.

Here it is: http://forums.railfan.net/forums.cgi?board=concourse;action=display;num=1118514500

Maybe that can give some help ?

Regards
Per

[Trainnut484]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Arctic_Circle

Thanks Russell,
Yes I have already scanned that site - it is splendid. But the car is older than the one you are refering to.

I have splaced the same question in railnet.fan forums and there you can see a picture taken from a magazine dated 1926. Thus the poor quality in resolutions. That business car is older than the 1920-ties.

Here it is: http://forums.railfan.net/forums.cgi?board=concourse;action=display;num=1118514500

Maybe that can give some help ?

Regards
Per

Per,

The only other suggestion I have is to google for it www.google.com

Take care,

Russell