Crazy man Peter Jones & wooden rails

[FJ and G]

In a back issue of GRR, one of the most intriguing contributors, Peter Jones (crazy man used in an endearing sense), experimented with a log rail logging locomotive.

This afternoon, I converted a dune buggy R/C to ride on rails or split logs (it can do both), at a fairly decent slow speed. I spent $10 for the entire contraption.

Problem is, my basement is so cluttered with stuff (I suspect Peter Jones' basement is the same way) that I couldn't find the article and now I need a photo to use to try and copy and scratchbuild a halfway convincing frame for the locomotive.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I think perhaps in a couple weeks I can construct a primitive logging road and post some photos and plans.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

This is one of very few items I  have seen

http://www.climaxlocomotives.com/articles/dheastin/?D=D

 

http://www.shaylocomotives.com/shaypages/EphraimShay.htm

[Rene Schweitzer]

David,

I sent Peter an email with the link to this thread.

Rene

[Train 284]

This is one of very few items I  have seen

http://www.climaxlocomotives.com/articles/dheastin/?D=D

 

http://www.shaylocomotives.com/shaypages/EphraimShay.htm

Interesting links! Wooden rail, interesting!     

[FJ and G]

Thanks. Hope when (if) he reads this his ego won't go up too much. His is one of my favorite columns. They're almost always excellent. The rest are good. (I'm a tough grader).

That web site, btw, gave me ideas. I want to build something similar (perhaps non-prototype if need be) than a shay. Can't see myself spending so much time with those complex gear thingys

[Rene Schweitzer]

I received an email from Peter. He doesn't have an account here (yet), but asked me to post this:

I seem to recall seeing a few log locomotives when surfing the net. If I were starting from scratch now, I would try and keep to the spirit of early pole road machinary: to use as much timber as possible and the smallest amount of metal I could get away with. I would put my backwoods hat on. So my first doodle would be a wood flat car. I would then put a boiler and cylinder assembly in place - and let it design itself. You know what? I think I am describing a BAGRS project - a bit wider and with appropriate wheels. This would get me going quickly until more research got done. No matter how outlandish this first project looks, you can look anyone straight in the eye and say "Ah yes, this is an accurate scale model of the Mousetrouser Lumber Company loco"

And if you want to go really off the wall, surf the net for New Zealand pole road locos.

Occasionally the thought has flitted across my mind to build a ride on pole road lokie.. perhaps using a lawn-mower engine. But at my age, such a project would call for a particularly thick cushion.

Good luck

Peter

[FJ and G]

thanks, Rene.

I like his thoughts on the subject. When I was a kid I tried to build a rideable "log" RR using discarded wood strips at a lumber yard dump. I was going to commandeer an old thrown away rusty handcar. I never completed the project, however.