Track speeders?

[Anonymous]

When were the yellow painted steel speeders seen in operation? I'm hoping it was before 1950, the latest year I model, because I think this would be an interesting detail.
Thanks in advance,
Christopher

[Anonymous]

The 1920s-era Virginia and Truckee Railroad speeder is a recent and significant addition to the permanent collection of the Nevada State Railroad Museum. The Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum purchased it for the museum in March 2003 in Fresno, California. The previous owner bought the speeder at an auction sale in Northern California approximately twelve years ago.

Commonly known as a “speeder,” section crews, signal maintainers, and other railroad personnel used these small, motorized vehicles for inspecting the condition of the tracks and other structures. They were also used to transport work crews and supplies to a site needing repairs. In general, the speeder was used whenever a train was not available or was not the most efficient or practical to use.

Museum staff has learned that the V&T purchased a replacement engine for this speeder from the Fairmont Railway Motors, Inc. in Minnesota on April 2, 1931. The staff continues to research the history of the speeder and welcomes any information you might have concerning it.

Found this online.

Mark in Texas

Walthers has 2 types from Durango Press.

[pmsteamman]

My father owned two different types a A5 that carried 6 men and had a 4 cylinder engine and a 4 speed transmission, it was used by the N&W section gangs. The other (also a N&W) was called a M19 and used by the track inspector, it carried two people and was powered by a one cylinder two-cycle engine and belt tension drive. Both were built in the late 40s to early 50s by Fairmont Railway Motors. I owned a 59-C type that has the same drive as a M19 but was open air (no roof and just a canves windshield) and was used by the signal maintainers therefore did not have insulated axles (like the others).
The Pere Marquette bought it in 1921 and retired it in 1955. Out of 250 59-Cs built only two are left, both restored. If you put them on your layout dont forget to model the setouts and sheds along the tracks.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again... part of what gave me this idea was the Laserkit CB&Q tool shed that had tracks going out of a side door, so it was obviously for a speeder.

[Anonymous]

Were speeders painted in other colors

DOGGY

[Anonymous]

Greetings,

Ive seen them in yellow and orange.

Mark in Texas