What's your rail chase vehicle?

[tatans]

I have had a fascination with railways since I was a child,and sort of kept up an interest and an eye on the trains and tracks, just last week this forum quoted "rail chase vehicles'' which I have never heard of and no one bothered to explain this strange phenomenen. After reading some of the nearly 100 posts it seems that a certain group of people get in their cars(and a lot of truck things) and chase after freight trains down rain-slicked backroads at the speed of the train and I assume try to beat the train to it's destination and ( I assume again) try to photograph it, is this true----the photography??? then jump in their vehicle and race off to the next stop and repeat the same again. Do I have this right(please explain if this is wrong) Now I'm supposing if I was to roar around the country here where I live racing after a freight train, which around here would be a very dangerous thing to do, I would for sure be arrested for dangerous driving, but I would think the worst part would be trying to explain to the arresting officer just exactly what I was doing. This is the first time myself and a few others have ever heard of this behavior. I have a strange feeling I will have very few responses to the above questions. thanks

[adrianspeeder]

QUOTE: Originally posted by miniwyo

7.3L Adiran? geez you must have to stop for diesel every 10 miles with it sucking that much fuel!

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder
Get about 18-20mpg on the highway and it only drops to 13-15 fully loaded with a ten ton trailer. Pretty darn good in my book

Can ya read? I don't have a half gallon tank either. (35gallon tank, with a 50gallon in the bed)

Adrianspeeder

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by EMT49

it depends on what the weather is like if its nice

96 corvette lt4
or
98 blazer

I hear we are having nice weather - really nice weather!

Who knows - maybe you will be going my way!

[:X]

[Anonymous]

it depends on what the weather is like if its nice

96 corvette lt4
or
98 blazer

[Anonymous]

Mitsubishi Lancer - Ralliart edition. Very fast and agile. Just tinted the windows too..... [8D]

[miniwyo]

7.3L Adiran? geez you must have to stop for diesel every 10 miles with it sucking that much fuel!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CopCarSS

QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68
Just remember, you may have 4-wheel-go while the others only have 2-wheel-go, but everybody has the same 4-wheel-stop... A fact my son discovered with his 4WD, fortunately with no ill results.

Larry,

Can you do me a favor and forward this message to the whole state Colorado, and most especially everyone who has moved here from California, Texas and Mexico! [:D]

I'll second that! I don't know how often I will putting along along Interstate 70 in the winter and 9 out of 10 cars that are in the ditch are 4 wheel drives.

As an up date to my previous post in this topic. I have now officially purchased the '59 T-Bird, so that means another road trip to Santa Fe this weekend to pick it up. And I hope to have it track-side in the not-to-distance future!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by OneSecondPle

i used to use my 1984 el camino, but that isnt workin right now, so now its back to walking....

Too bad I like mine too much to sell you one...I fall into the horsepower side of the argument:

1. 1968 Chevy El Camino w/ 415 CI small block (bored & stroked, roller engine)

2. 1980 Chevy El Camino w/ 355 roller engine w/ Weiand supercharger + 5-speed manual trans.

These came in real handy when 3985 came through last year. Being able to get well ahead of the crowd and scope out photo spots is big help. I talked to several guys who had been riding the train. The reaction was, "Hey! You're they guy who was driving that? Cool ride!"

Of course, I had to tell them I kind of thought highly of their ride (the 3985), too.

[Anonymous]

That is what i use now....

[Anonymous]

This might be the future of train chasing -- when the petrol runs out:

http://gelwood.railfan.net/misc-l/lner-s4472aaw.jpg

[adrianspeeder]

QUOTE: Originally posted by k9wrangler

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

QUOTE: Originally posted by k9wrangler

1963 Ford Galaxie w/425 horse 427

THAT IS FAWKIN AWSOME!!!!

oooooooooooo baby a 429, hot ***. It's the right color too. What tranny?

Adrianspeeder

427 not 429 which was not in use until 69 or 70.

Tranny is a well beefed C-6.

The engine has the 3-2bbl induction.[8D] Car only has 25k miles and is unrestored. 350 geared 8" rear allows easy doubling the speedlimit with no effort. IF one was so inclined[;)].

My bad on the cubes, stupid laptop I'm on. Beefy C6 huh? Got the same thing in my 84 bronco with the 351HO. hehehe

QUOTE: Originally posted by Railroading_Brit

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder


7.3L powerstroke

7.3L....

*Gulp*

Wonder if I could get one of those for my Disco - it only has a 2.5 at the moment (considering a 2.8 in a few years time - LR sold the design to a Brazilian company who are now making the old 300TDI as a 2.8 which produces more power than the latest TD5 - why LR didn't do this is a mystery to me). I have heard of a Hummer engine fitted into a Defender - apparently it's very good at scaring Porsche Cayennes...

Sure you can get a 7.3L crate motor, weighs like 1000lbs though. Really it is the International T444e, with ford programming. Get about 18-20mpg on the highway and it only drops to 13-15 fully loaded with a ten ton trailer. Pretty darn good in my book.

QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979

Adrianspeeder,

You remember anything about a Caterpillar conversion done to a bunch of Fords? I remember seeing one about 15 years ago, I think it was in an F250. I don't think it was a 3208 Cat, must have been something smaller at the time.

1984 was the first model year for a factory diesel pickup in the F250/350. 6.9L International was the winner of the contract. There of course were all kinds of test trucks before that that would have had a smaller CAT motor.

QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979
I will say that nothing sounds as nice as an N-14 Cummins exhaling through twin 6" straight stacks

Randy

I think we would get along just fine...

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

the computer cuts me off at 98mph tho [:(!] ...

Try this sometime. Simply turn the key to the start position and hold. As long as you don't pu***he clutch in (manual obviously) or have the auto in park or N, the starter will not run. But, it cuts off the computer letting you get that little extra speed if you need it. Not that I would know or anything...

Adrianspeeder

[Anonymous]

2001 chevy 2500HD, pewter, reg. cab, 4x4...everything 'cept leather. the computer cuts me off at 98mph tho [:(!] ... previously it was a 96 z28, white, t-tops, 6speed. man, i miss those days... the speedo went to 150, and it had no trouble doing that with a gear to go. i'm still waiting for a 35th anniversary edition T/A to pull up in my driveway gift wrapped with my name on it.

[Anonymous]

2000 Ford Expedition

[CopCarSS]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68

QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979

...(although in 4x4 on Madison's snow covered roads, I have near normal acceleration while everyone else just spins).
Randy

Just remember, you may have 4-wheel-go while the others only have 2-wheel-go, but everybody has the same 4-wheel-stop... A fact my son discovered with his 4WD, fortunately with no ill results.

Larry,

Can you do me a favor and forward this message to the whole state Colorado, and most especially everyone who has moved here from California, Texas and Mexico! [:D]

[rvos1979]

Adrianspeeder,

You remember anything about a Caterpillar conversion done to a bunch of Fords? I remember seeing one about 15 years ago, I think it was in an F250. I don't think it was a 3208 Cat, must have been something smaller at the time.

My preferences in the big three of truck engines are Cummins, Cat, and Detroit is a distant third. The place I used to work for had a lot of durability problems with the Series 60 Detroits, some trucks were on their second or third engines with less than 400k on the odometer.

I will say that nothing sounds as nice as an N-14 Cummins exhaling through twin 6" straight stacks

Randy

[Anonymous]

For uneven terrain a 2003 GMC Envoy. If it is a nice day for photos my 87 300zx w/ the tops off (not only for easy access photos, but also to keep me cool because of no ac, lol), Joe.

[tree68]

7.3 was replaced by a 6.0 in our latest fire truck. Supposed to be the same HP, though.

[rbomier]

Its not my vehicle, but my favorite was the Good Humor truck in the movie "The Station Agent".

[Anonymous]

i used to use my 1984 el camino, but that isnt workin right now, so now its back to walking....

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder


7.3L powerstroke

7.3L....

*Gulp*

Wonder if I could get one of those for my Disco - it only has a 2.5 at the moment (considering a 2.8 in a few years time - LR sold the design to a Brazilian company who are now making the old 300TDI as a 2.8 which produces more power than the latest TD5 - why LR didn't do this is a mystery to me). I have heard of a Hummer engine fitted into a Defender - apparently it's very good at scaring Porsche Cayennes...

[k9wrangler]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

QUOTE: Originally posted by k9wrangler

1963 Ford Galaxie w/425 horse 427

THAT IS FAWKIN AWSOME!!!!

oooooooooooo baby a 429, hot ***. It's the right color too. What tranny?

Adrianspeeder

427 not 429 which was not in use until 69 or 70.

Tranny is a well beefed C-6.

The engine has the 3-2bbl induction.[8D] Car only has 25k miles and is unrestored. 350 geared 8" rear allows easy doubling the speedlimit with no effort. IF one was so inclined[;)].

[adrianspeeder]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tree68

QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979

...(although in 4x4 on Madison's snow covered roads, I have near normal acceleration while everyone else just spins).
Randy

Just remember, you may have 4-wheel-go while the others only have 2-wheel-go, but everybody has the same 4-wheel-stop... A fact my son discovered with his 4WD, fortunately with no ill results.

Yep, can't stop any faster with 4x4...

QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

Nothin gets me goin like a high performance diesel pickup truck. Would love to have your cummins Randy, but I just can't sit myself into a D***e. hahahaha :)

Adrianspeeder

And he fires the first shot!!

Seriously, I don't really have a brand loyalty, although we seem to lean towards the Mopar realm. My mom has a Chevy Astro, My dad uses a Ford F250 on the farm, but also has a Dakota, and my sister has a Neon (that I found out I can get parts for to build into a stroker racing engine from Indy Cylinder Heads)

I'd really have to get three 4x4 diesel trucks, one from each builder, all set up the same (diesel, manual tranny, same gearing, interior, options, etc.) in order to figure out which one was the best.

Randy

hahaha, just havin fun.

Chebby:
I like the duramax diesel + the ZF6 manny tranny (not the allison slushbox)
I don't like the independant front suspension for the 4x4s

Ford:
I like the 7.3L powerstroke with a ZF6 manny tranny, big crewcab, solid front axle.
I don't like the 6.0L powerstroke, my 4R100 auto tranny, or the torqueshift tranny.

Dodge:
I like the cummins inline six, and um, the cummins inline six...
I don't like the shift pattern of your six speed, but will take it over the slushbox, and I don't really like the look of the current rigs, and I like the last gen better.

All in all I would drive all three with no complaining. In fact, this is the first time in a long while we havent had an old chevy beater truck around.

QUOTE: Originally posted by k9wrangler

1963 Ford Galaxie w/425 horse 427

THAT IS FAWKIN AWSOME!!!!

oooooooooooo baby a 429, hot ***. It's the right color too. What tranny?

Adrianspeeder

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979

...(although in 4x4 on Madison's snow covered roads, I have near normal acceleration while everyone else just spins).
Randy

Just remember, you may have 4-wheel-go while the others only have 2-wheel-go, but everybody has the same 4-wheel-stop... A fact my son discovered with his 4WD, fortunately with no ill results.

[canazar]

I have a 1999 Dodge 1/2 regcab/shortbed 4x4 that I use.

I own a small 4x4 fabrication shop so the truck is spoiled. Mostly ment to take out on the trails and do 4wheelin but found in the last year, it has seen more time in the mountians getting to the tracks. Also has a well built camper shell on it so it works great for camping overnite at the good spots.

Best Regards
John k

[jeaton]

Actually, I quite prefer the Chrysler 300M, with the sun roof. Very capable of taking the long way around on the highway in time for the next photo op. Avoids the need for cleaning that nasty mud off the tires. Legal possesion of documents telling traffic officers "Hey, I am one of you" might improve the chase time, but, alas, that is never to be. (And I sure as hell wouldn't try to fake it!)

Jay

[rvos1979]

QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN

Hey rvos1979...ya gonna weld the doors shut?

Actually, I was thinking something along the lines of full tube chassis good enough to tackle IHRA Pro Mod. I saw a nicely done 1974 Barracuda about two years ago in Mopar Muscle, and would like to do something similar, right down to power windows, A/C, and fully street legal. I'm not sure about the Lenco tranny, though.

To answer your question.... It'll probably be a doorslammer.....

Randy

[UPTRAIN]

Hey rvos1979...ya gonna weld the doors shut? Dad drives a 2000 Chevy Venture, Grandpa drives a 2000 Pontiac Montana and a 1996 GMC Sierra, Sister drives a 1997 Chevy Cavaler, I will drive a 2003 Chevy Silverauto in less then a year...MO-PAC BLUE!!! Those have all served as my chase vehicles that I use for "hot persuit agee gee gee goo (Rosco P. Coltrane)...all of them except for that last one, the '03.

[k9wrangler]

1963 Ford Galaxie w/425 horse 427



Prior to retirement I had a series of UNretired Chevy Caprices and unchallenged access to most anyplace I wished and all the gas I could pump. The ONLY thing I miss is the cars, free gas and my dog.[4:-)]

[rvos1979]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

Nothin gets me goin like a high performance diesel pickup truck. Would love to have your cummins Randy, but I just can't sit myself into a D***e. hahahaha :)

Adrianspeeder

And he fires the first shot!!

Seriously, I don't really have a brand loyalty, although we seem to lean towards the Mopar realm. My mom has a Chevy Astro, My dad uses a Ford F250 on the farm, but also has a Dakota, and my sister has a Neon (that I found out I can get parts for to build into a stroker racing engine from Indy Cylinder Heads)

I'd really have to get three 4x4 diesel trucks, one from each builder, all set up the same (diesel, manual tranny, same gearing, interior, options, etc.) in order to figure out which one was the best.

Randy

[adrianspeeder]

Nothin gets me goin like a high performance diesel pickup truck. Would love to have your cummins Randy, but I just can't sit myself into a D***e. hahahaha :)

Adrianspeeder