I’m trying to decide if a rail speeder would fit in with my layout.
How long have speeders been around or do I need to think about building a handcar?
Do speeders go back to the 30s? If they did what do they look like?
They have been around for a very long time. These old EBT speeders were powered by hit-and-miss engines…
(http://www.iceandcoal.org/ebt/fs2002/speeder.jpg)
And this one powered by an early Nash engine…
1920’s:
The gears are grinding. I wonder if I can find a Bachman motorized handcar? That might work!
From the P&LE Motor car 88 1905
The velocipede 2016 builders challange . . . lol. that was a cool video.
Doug
You need an OCS/MOW train anyway
They are so easy to look out of
What about a Hartland Mack Doug?
You can find the MDC speeders on ebay for cheap.
Greg
Doug, I have a B-mann I’d be interested in letting go…
Of course you have USA’s version!
Doug Arnold said:
The gears are grinding. I wonder if I can find a Bachman motorized handcar? That might work!
Doug, we have a Bachmann set that has run on many of this groups railroads. It was easily converted to battery by using a “stomper” battery under the trail car and rearranging gears after removing the motor from the hand car. Always, lots of fun.
I think this is going to be a great winter project!
David, wouldn’t the Mack be a little large? I’m actually thinking about making a box cab with one of those. I like the way mine runs.
What about the old Aristo-Craft Speeder, in brass:
My preference was the “Casey Jones”:
Which I modelled using a “Stomper” - and wondered why the wheels wouldn’t go under the foot rests? Well, I finally figured out, mine was 3’ gauge not std !!
Mack is way too big, even the block is big, I used one to build this railcar, you can see how big it is under the body
Its an issue with most G drive blocks, the wheels are very large and often spaced well apart. Aristo’s centercab bricks were nice being so short wheel-based but they are like hens-teeth rare these days. USAs speeder is great for bashing but Yesus! they are pricey! you can buy 2 Macks for the asking price for just one USA speeder, and they are also not as easy to find as they used to be either.
Also good luck finding a powered MDC speeder, they are also getting to be stupid expensive on Ebay these days. I just got one from a guy on Ebay selling unpowered versions (which seem to be the most common) for a reasonable price, but the powered jobs are rare now, also they ran like shit on a shingle, I know that first hand. I’m planning on using a powered pusher car and leaving my speeder chassis most decidely unpowered.
What year did Aristocraft make that Brass Speeder? I’ve never seen one.
I do like the scale of the Bachman handcar wheels and their style.
Cale, I sent you a message this a.m.
I know San Val had them on display when the shop was still open so that would be early 2000s. I don’t think many were made. I think Hans might still have one at the Ventura Gold Coast.