Over the decades, almost from the beginning of "rail roading", all sorts of conveyances have been made by manufacturers and the railroads themselves. How many there were/are I simply don't know. So, lets put together a compedium if you will, of the ones we can track down. A good background on each will be appreciated along with who made it/them, where it ran, where it is now if at all, etc.
.....That sounds like a good idea...perhaps I can conjure up a doodlebug a bit later.
Quentin
How about the McKeen "Windsplitter"?
As mentioned, there were dozens/hundreds, many locally assembled by applying rail wheels to a motorcar of the day. As I recall, some pretty spiffy names from the automobile business found their way to the rails.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
I meant to reply to this post earlier, but was having trouble getting on to the facebook site for the employees and families of theTela RR Co. where these pictures are. I grew up in the '40's through 1951 in Tela, Honduras. At the time there were no road connections to other towns, so if you went anywhere, it was most likely by the daily passenger train or on one of the many locally built "motorcars" running on the rails. They ranged in size from two up to about ten or twelve bench seats behind the driver. This one is the style that's familiar to me:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?clk_loc=5#!/photo.php?fbid=2156682685551&set=o.63040146410&type=3&theater
These are apparently from the '50's, so after my time there:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?clk_loc=5#!/photo.php?fbid=1093488266355&set=o.63040146410&type=3&theater
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?clk_loc=5#!/photo.php?fbid=2157463585073&set=o.63040146410&type=3&theater
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?clk_loc=5#!/photo.php?fbid=1093491346432&set=o.63040146410&type=3&theater
The paycar is nothing like anything I remember. Today, all the track has been removed, and as far as I know, nothing remains of the motorcars, though some locomotives have been kept for display.
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"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
Modelcar .....That sounds like a good idea...perhaps I can conjure up a doodlebug a bit later.
Item: Forgot, can't download photos on here. Do have a couple of Doodlebug pics though.
Apparently, There were 7 'geese"
The following lin will be of interest.
http://drgw.free.fr/RGS/Goose/Goose_en.htm
Interurban Press of Glendale, CA had a series of books on this subject. They were written by Edmund Keilty and I have The Short Line Doodlebug, which was the third in the series. He organized them by state and has a very thorough study..
My book is like new, so I was surprised to find the 1988 date as the printing. You can probably find one on Amazon.
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