Large Scale Central

When you've thought you've seen it all

Prototypes
#1

Motor inspection car belonging to the Plaster City narrow gauge rr (Now US Gypsum) Twin 1953 Chrysler coupes. Diesel engine is in the center section. Two speeds forward, One reverse and air conditioned. jb

#2

Neat, so who’ll be the first to model this? looks like 10’ diameter min.

#3

Hey, a really practical rig for a NG railway with tight curves and clearances! Makes good sense. :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

#4

Astounding.

#5

John,

Do you know if this was real? I haven’t looked closely but it could easily be a Photoshop job. I’m noticing what look like dual axle rubber tires on both ends. I’m also suspicious of the break in the trim where the hood was extended. I think if it were true sheet metal work they would have continued the trim, or at least moved the orphaned piece back to connect with the piece on the hood.

Sure looks cool anyway!

JR

#6

Jon,
Absolutely the real McMoy.
I scanned the photo from an old book on the Plaster City Railroad. Printed in the early sixties.
Long before 'puters.
Book is by George Turner, also author of “Slim Rails through the Sand” Another book on California/Nevada Narrow Gauge.
jb

#7

John ,
Having seen the picture elsewhere , I believe it .
But , which is forward and which is reverse? You mention 2f1r, we gots ta know , man . Ah cain’t sleep a wundrin’ .

Mike

#8

Dunno, Mike. :slight_smile: :slight_smile: They had a bunch of center cab critters on this railroad. Up until they bought the last three MLW/Bombardier DL-535 White Pass models produced. (For some reason the WP didn’t want them) They were wide cab models. They wrecked one and still use the remaining models. Back to the center cabs. They could have made this motor car out of one of those. The author didn’t go into details. 'Course, I didn’t read the chapter, just looked at the pitchurs. Maybe I’ll see if he wrote about this Chrysler in the book somewhere. This is what I found in the book: (Quote)…Undoubtedly the most unusual piece of narrow gauge equipment ever constructed was the Plaster City’s “Blue Goose.” Made in the Company shops from two 1953 Chrysler coupes joined back-to-back, this streamlined “railcar” was fabricated to replace the less glamorous caboose. Capable of speeds up to 70 MPH, the car has steel flanged wheels with rubber tires, patterned after similar French subway vehicles. Oh yes, it is also air conditioned!..(quote)

#9
John Bouck said:
[i][/i] Capable of speeds up to 70 MPH, the car has steel flanged wheels with rubber tires, patterned after similar French subway vehicles.
Aha! That explains what look like rubber tired truck dualies under the body.

Sorry for doubting :smiley:

JR

#10

Wow, that is bizarre. Seems awfully extravagant for a short, narrow gauge mining railroad that only goes from mine to mill.

#11

Ray,

There’s nothing like going in style - both ways, naturally! :smiley: :smiley:

#12
Ray Dunakin said:
Wow, that is bizarre. Seems awfully extravagant for a short, narrow gauge mining railroad that only goes from mine to mill.
So one day the shop crew got together and said 'Lessee what we can do for a bit of fun" and persuaded the beancounters that since this was a 'rebuild' it didn't need to go on the capital account.
#13

Yep its real alright, got the same book.

#14

Oh , yes , there’s no doubt that it’s genuine . I have a Swedish book called “Bilar Par La Rails” which has pics from all over the world of odd vehicles on rail . The same vehicle is in there , from a different angle —and because John posted it , I now know a lot more about it .
This is because my Swedish language skills are limited , so I bought the book for the pictures in it . Basically I do that with all my books , being a bit dim in the reading and riting department , I looks at da picshers and boy iz I happee .

So , Folks , on to ----------------------

                                                 A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All of you 

                                                                              Mike
#15

Hotrod builders way back then.
Big Daddy Roth and Boyd Coddington can’t hold a card to these guys. :slight_smile: :slight_smile:
jb

#16
John Bouck said:
Hotrod builders way back then. Big Daddy Roth and Boyd Coddington can't hold a card to these guys. :) :) jb
John,

What I’m waiting for is Dave G building a similar contraption for his line based on two Ford “flathead whatevers” in Fairlie fashion. :wink: :slight_smile:

#17

Letseee…two old model A Ford kits…and a bit of Styrene, a gear or three, oh heck I’ll use an old B’mann gear box…an RC unit and a load of batteries…egads, I’ll have a company rail car…

#18

If you got any of that 3 rail stuff, you’ll need one of these.

cheers

#19

<Letseee…two old model A Ford kits…and a bit of Styrene, a gear or three, oh heck I’ll use an old B’mann gear box…an RC unit and a load of batteries…egads, I’ll have a company rail car…>

…and it’ll prolly be prototypical! :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

I found anudder odd-ball rail car. It’s a flat car with a gas enjin on the front. A driver seat. And a few rows of bus style bench seats. Picture later…
jb