As a kid I used live across the road from what is now the North Shore Scenic Railroad line. It formerly belonged to the DM& IR. I remember as a kid watching those "Putt Putt" cars traveling down the line to some project the men were working on. The other kids in the "neighborhood" also called them Putt Putts. The guys traveling in them would wave at us as they went by! If memory serves, I think one of those cars had a small horn device on it and they would "honk" at us too. Those were the days. We'd walk the rails looking for "treasures" and taconite pellets to use in our sling shots or to have as souvenirs. Those days are gone now. Thanks for the memories Ken!
I rode in a speeder once. I used to be a technician with CN Telecommunications, which was part of CN Rail. Back in the mid 70's, I worked in Northern Ontario and frequently traveled by train, between Capreol and Armstrong, Ontario. I'd usually take a passenger or freight train (when I was working in the middle of nowhere, I'd get on the dispatcher's phone to arrange a stop), but on one occasion, there wasn't going to be a train for a while, but there was a track crew with their speeder and they gave me a ride back to Capreol. It was just like the CN speeder you had at the end of the video. One thing I remember was it had a door latch, similar to one on a screen door, with a bar running the width of the door. I was told the reason for that was in case of emergency exit. I also remember the high rail vehicles, usually a pickup truck or what's now called a SUV. However, there was also an Austin Mini, modified to run on the rails and to turn it, there was a post in the middle of the car that could be lowered and the car spun around on it.
The Motors (Fairmont Railway Motors as known around Fairmont) also invented the Hy-Rail System for body on frame cars and trucks. The last cars used were AMC Matadors 4 door sedans. I believe HTT (Harsco Track Technologies, as the new firm was called when Harsco purchased FRM along with Jackson, Tamper and some other railway maintenace equipment manufactures) is still producing Hy-Rail products for a number of trucks. From 1/2 ton pickups to 15 ton heavy duty cranes.
Fairmont speeders are way to much fun, we have a couple at the railroad I help with which we enjoy them, especially the putt-putt one And at the same time I am trying to restore one that sat outside for 10 to 20 years
Any video on speeders should include a reference to Buster Keaton's last movie "The Railrodder", 1965 th-cam.com/video/xYmcN12M97o/w-d-xo.html and the documentary on the making of the movie "Buster Keaton Rides Again" th-cam.com/video/5HOWv7Ce69E/w-d-xo.html - special treat at 11:14 It's a shame I lived 56 years without knowing about this film.
Ten dollars down, and five dollars a month. Sounds like some of the cars I've owned. But, seriously, a while back I saw a flatcar loaded with Fairmont Speeders in the consist of a freight train going through St. Paul. This was about the time the speeders were being phased out. I have no idea what the story of those speeders was.
Wow it went from 4hp to 20hp, I bet they got faster as a T has a top speed of around 50Mph. BTW thanks for the education, now I need to find one. Supposedly the "T" version is rare because it's a pain to take on and off the rail due to its weight.
I remember when all the ones from CN ended up at the local scrap dealer. Such a waste. They had fiberglass bodies. I also remember ones with 2 cycle engines that could run in reverse to back up.
I remember when the hi Rail truck swear to transport friut and vegetables because the people Needs to Buy a Lot of friuts and vegetables But are all very cheap it was in a tianguis
You forgot to mention the Fairbanks Morse Sheffield rail cars, I have a late 1920's 40B that came off the old DT&I line. Here's one out west, th-cam.com/video/zIlTMgmWOlU/w-d-xo.html
The putt-putt is the golfcart of the rails.
Didn’t think of it that way
As a kid I used live across the road from what is now the North Shore Scenic Railroad line. It formerly belonged to the DM& IR. I remember as a kid watching those "Putt Putt" cars traveling down the line to some project the men were working on. The other kids in the "neighborhood" also called them Putt Putts. The guys traveling in them would wave at us as they went by! If memory serves, I think one of those cars had a small horn device on it and they would "honk" at us too. Those were the days. We'd walk the rails looking for "treasures" and taconite pellets to use in our sling shots or to have as souvenirs. Those days are gone now. Thanks for the memories Ken!
I rode in a speeder once. I used to be a technician with CN Telecommunications, which was part of CN Rail. Back in the mid 70's, I worked in Northern Ontario and frequently traveled by train, between Capreol and Armstrong, Ontario. I'd usually take a passenger or freight train (when I was working in the middle of nowhere, I'd get on the dispatcher's phone to arrange a stop), but on one occasion, there wasn't going to be a train for a while, but there was a track crew with their speeder and they gave me a ride back to Capreol. It was just like the CN speeder you had at the end of the video. One thing I remember was it had a door latch, similar to one on a screen door, with a bar running the width of the door. I was told the reason for that was in case of emergency exit. I also remember the high rail vehicles, usually a pickup truck or what's now called a SUV. However, there was also an Austin Mini, modified to run on the rails and to turn it, there was a post in the middle of the car that could be lowered and the car spun around on it.
15 years on PGE/BCR in MoW. Sections and Gangs. Drove a ton of Speeders. Lots of fun, and occasional wrecks.
I’m a student of railroads!! This is an excellent video!!
Back around 2003 I used to occasionally see a Speed Car club running the rails in New Freedom Pa. area
The Motors (Fairmont Railway Motors as known around Fairmont) also invented the Hy-Rail System for body on frame cars and trucks. The last cars used were AMC Matadors 4 door sedans. I believe HTT (Harsco Track Technologies, as the new firm was called when Harsco purchased FRM along with Jackson, Tamper and some other railway maintenace equipment manufactures) is still producing Hy-Rail products for a number of trucks. From 1/2 ton pickups to 15 ton heavy duty cranes.
I’m from the Philadelphia area and I want to come visit this museum
These are so cool! I love watching these even though I have never heard of this museum before. I will have to check it out one day!
Fairmont speeders are way to much fun, we have a couple at the railroad I help with which we enjoy them, especially the putt-putt one
And at the same time I am trying to restore one that sat outside for 10 to 20 years
Any video on speeders should include a reference to Buster Keaton's last movie "The Railrodder", 1965
th-cam.com/video/xYmcN12M97o/w-d-xo.html
and the documentary on the making of the movie "Buster Keaton Rides Again"
th-cam.com/video/5HOWv7Ce69E/w-d-xo.html - special treat at 11:14
It's a shame I lived 56 years without knowing about this film.
Ten dollars down, and five dollars a month. Sounds like some of the cars I've owned. But, seriously, a while back I saw a flatcar loaded with Fairmont Speeders in the consist of a freight train going through St. Paul. This was about the time the speeders were being phased out. I have no idea what the story of those speeders was.
Another great video. My kudos to all who made this video. Thank you very much. Be safe and healthy please.
A bi cycle was fitted with a third wheel on an outrigger. Formed a triangle.
Question for y’all. When you guys eventually reopen, will the daily video tours stop?
Do a video on the little yellow streetcar that you have.
Wow it went from 4hp to 20hp, I bet they got faster as a T has a top speed of around 50Mph. BTW thanks for the education, now I need to find one. Supposedly the "T" version is rare because it's a pain to take on and off the rail due to its weight.
Their is a guy down the road from me that has 3 of those in front of his house on a short track
Reminds me of a time I saw a hi-rail converted Chevy Blazer for sale on my local Craigslist. I really wish I knew the story behind it
I remember when all the ones from CN ended up at the local scrap dealer. Such a waste. They had fiberglass bodies. I also remember ones with 2 cycle engines that could run in reverse to back up.
My dad would call them Gas Cars. 🤠
I also heard them called that when I worked for CN.
I remember when the hi Rail truck swear to transport friut and vegetables because the people Needs to Buy a Lot of friuts and vegetables But are all very cheap it was in a tianguis
You forgot to mention the Fairbanks Morse Sheffield rail cars, I have a late 1920's 40B that came off the old DT&I line. Here's one out west, th-cam.com/video/zIlTMgmWOlU/w-d-xo.html
Gov Said June1, & he may extended, pending on the cases & unfortunate deaths.
You mean a model A engine
Thats a model A engine not a T engine
Masks, washing your hands, but NOT wearing your seatbelt in your Hi-Rail truck...!
Best advice for general population and especially to protect the immunocompromised: get vaccinated to the max. $0 out of pocket.
I was enjoying the video until the end when you acted like we're 5 year old children telling us to wash our hands!! 😡
the thing about these track cars is no suspension system on them and they could and did derail many times.