Back in the early 80's I worked for a rail construction company called Smith Miller construction and we rebuilt rail road tracks. I worked on a roughly 40 mile run of rail here in western Oklahoma. I had an opportunity to ride with a state rail inspector and I repaired small issues he found while inspecting the rail we had worked on.. It was a gas powered rail cart and it was SO cool! I have always wanted to go rail riding.! I know of an about 4 mile stretch of rail that has been abandoned for about 30 years or so (the rail crossings on the highway were paved over around that long ago) so I KNOW it hasn't been used in decades, you have inspired me to try something like this myself! Thank you!
"Box of explored ideas", this is true R and D, mistakes are the (albeit annoying) stepping stones Many a TH-cam video put there with the same project in mind...creativity is a gift we inherited from God ...it is an enjoyable experience to watch yours, keep building!
We used to have abandoned tracks where I lived along time ago. I always thought of doing or attempting to do what you're doing but never did it. I thought of doing it with a ten speed with outriggers and a guide of some sort.
When fixing nuts and bolts, always apply the bolts in from the top washers and nuts to the bottom. Then if the nut losens and you lose the nut the bolt usually stays in place.
"Park cops couldn't think of anything illegal about this" Technically not trespassing because it's not owned by anybody, And you're not doing any harm in anyway, I think this is every person that loves trains is their dream
Unfortunately Black & Decker electric mowers are built the same way. Grass builds up in the cavity around the electric motor and you need a Torx driver to remove the top for cleaning.
Nice video, but in order to get the self centering to work properly, the wheels need to be on a solid axle. The taper on the wheels has to be the small end out, this way the taper causes the wheel on the outside of the curve to increase in diameter and the inside wheel to get smaller ( just like rolling a cone ) The flanges on railroad wheels are not there to keep the wheel on the rail ( although they will contact the rail occasionally )
The back wheels need to be connected to a single axle so they cannot turn independently. The front wheels also need to be done the same way. All the wheels need a taper with the small side to the outside. If you get a chance, look at a real train axle and you’ll see what I mean.
Either connect the opposite wheels on a single axle OR, each wheel can have its own motor and electronically controlled like an all-wheel-drive system which is overkill here but possible.
That Yardworks mower must be hella old. They're still using a metal frame and Anderson connectors on the battery terminals, looks like a professional cobble-job with whatever parts they had laying around.
In some countries they use something similar but bigger on active tracks. Theyre powered by a small gas motor. They easily stop and can be disassembled by the passengers in about 15-20 seconds to avoid oncoming trains.
if you build your own track, line the iron/steel tracks with copper, and put linear alternating magnets on the car alongside with wheels/skates, it will float while moving but land/stick down when not moving
if you look for them, you can find the actual iron railroad wheels from speeder cars about10 inch in diameter for about 30 dollars a piece. We used them on simple iron bars for axles with hardware store pillow block bearings bolted onto a simple wooden frame held together with thumbscrew bolts. It could be assembled and disassembled in 5 minutes and thrown in the trunk of a car. We just sat on the back and kicked with our feet and went about 15mph. Almost any motor or engine of 1 kilowat or bigger should work.
I have a few hi-rail wheels I found on Craigslist, I just need to find an axle that fits them. I also have some railriders.net wheels that should be showing up in a video soon!
Really should have kept the belt drive. I would have ditched the sprocket on the motor and replaced with a shaft pulley. I would incorporate a engine drive belt tensioner into your build. You can increase your belt a lot by using a much larger pulley on the drive wheel.
I guess the more fun and more scary doesn't come until you can get your hands on one of those electric motorcycle powertrain parts. Got to push well into the KW territory with a 96v lithium battery brick.
Very nice channel. I wanted to try stuff like that for years. Sadly I don't have any opportunity to do so. A youtuber called Kreosan built a draisine to ride on a long railroad. He used 36v wheels from those "hoverboards" that were common some years ago. Maybe that is something you could try too.
This is a fun video. I think it's worth mentioning that the spec for the flange is only like 1.5" betond the wheel running surface. More than that and you're gonna contact all kinds of stuff. You see it in the video. I can tell you at speed that's gonna do some damage and probably derail you.
I'm starting to look at making an enclosed rail cart with a bunk bed and small stove setup for long travel (100 miles+ out west). What tips would you give someone?
Not only is this a great concept and a fun building process to watch, you put some great shots in there like the ones at 6:04 and 9:15, too! Excellent stuff.
What about an old 2 stroke enduro or something? Simple engine plus you’d bet a chain drive and tensioner along with it. You could even add a disc brake off of it (if necessary).
Try using a rubber wheels horizontally on the inside to track it. Put one by each wheel. Also I’d suggest runners that electrical motor on a reducer and run a shaft to drive both wheels.
I've got a video about that! It's a combination of hoarding, dumpster diving, garage sales, surplus stores, etc. th-cam.com/video/GSNbTmkaKA4/w-d-xo.html
The side plates to keep the wheels on the tracks, do they tun into interference at where track comes to road crossings since there seems to be very little clearance at most. It also seems that the side plates create a lot of drag. Wondering why spring loaded wheels on their own frame set at 30 degrees to the rail. They would only need to touch the top 3/8- 1/2" of the rail.
There are designs that use side wheels and stuff, but my idea was to make this more like a real train. I figured that would go through switches better. The road crossings are an issue because they're either paved over or full of gravel.
I really love the use bigger wheels as flanges for the smaller wheels idea. I thought you were going to be able o drive it to the tracks like that but then there is the question about steering. I guess if you put a drop down/removeable steering wheel of a children's bike then you should be able to use it on pavement and tracks!
Just started watching this, but I would not be using wood for the wheel flange. Would wear down too fast when it rubs. Only use heave grade metal for that. Probably best to only use wheels designed for this purpose.
It's too slow for me, but it still looks like a fun ride! 👍🙌👍🙌 Question...do you think a gas powered golf cart would work after modifying the wheels for R/R wheels??
For future projects, used hoverboard motors are great for general propulsion; cheap, compact, torquey and you can use an off the shelf e-bike controller
This channel is a real hidden gem
Absolutely
fr
"This thing may not be fast, but at least it's ugly."
I am stealing this quote!
Having a rail cart like this was my childhood dream.
Same 🙂
Time for it to be fulfilled
You should do more of this kind of stuff, we all miss it
I'm working on another rail vehicle right now!
@@saveitforparts>>> *COOL.*
Back in the early 80's I worked for a rail construction company called Smith Miller construction and we rebuilt rail road tracks. I worked on a roughly 40 mile run of rail here in western Oklahoma. I had an opportunity to ride with a state rail inspector and I repaired small issues he found while inspecting the rail we had worked on.. It was a gas powered rail cart and it was SO cool! I have always wanted to go rail riding.! I know of an about 4 mile stretch of rail that has been abandoned for about 30 years or so (the rail crossings on the highway were paved over around that long ago) so I KNOW it hasn't been used in decades, you have inspired me to try something like this myself! Thank you!
Check out narcoa
I ordered a Rail Bike kit back in 1976. An attachment for your bicycle to run the rails. A motor is much smarter!!!!
"Box of explored ideas", this is true R and D, mistakes are the (albeit annoying) stepping stones
Many a TH-cam video put there with the same project in mind...creativity is a gift we inherited from God ...it is an enjoyable experience to watch yours, keep building!
You’ve got gobs of gumption my friend! I mean you really stick with a task and get it done, come hell or high water. Bravo!
Use #40 chain and #40 sprocket. Bicycle chain won't hold up.
It looked like a motorcycle chain with a bicycle sprocket.
We used to have abandoned tracks where I lived along time ago. I always thought of doing or attempting to do what you're doing but never did it. I thought of doing it with a ten speed with outriggers and a guide of some sort.
this channel is so amazing. literally a hidden gem, wow.
10:47 "This thing may not be fast but at least its ugly" - that level of 80s vibes hit me completely unprepared 🙂
You are so under appreciated. You always do interesting and cool stuff.
This is brilliant. It is completely practical, and attainable by anyone who can build.
Should mount some weed wackers on the front so it'll clear your path as you go 😄
If you cut grass with the rail cart would that make it mow MOW equipment?
My kids are telling me to stop, I'll see myself out.
@@joshuabessire9169 I love it! What if it were also powered by a lawnmower engine...
@@saveitforparts Mow power, mow better?
Coolest thing I've seen in a long time
Electric or gas wead whacker anchored on edge of frame to trim overgrowth.
When fixing nuts and bolts, always apply the bolts in from the top washers and nuts to the bottom. Then if the nut losens and you lose the nut the bolt usually stays in place.
Love the "New! Try me!" sticker haha
You can always power it by wind, stick a propellor like on air boats on it, might be a bit noisy of course. but it will be quick, love your video.
Love this kind of hobby expedition engineering! Keep it up
American ingenuity at its finest. What makes the free-world move forward. Thank you for being an inventor.
"this thing ist not fast but at least its ugly" sentence of the year
Just found your channel.. very interesting.. thx for bringing us along for the ride.. take care and keep safe..
I really enjoy the style of editing of this video. Its like theres fluff, but its not really fluff.
Dude you could build it into a mini
camper and go on tour.
Showing all fails is legitimate learning...this is how to get education while having fun!
"Park cops couldn't think of anything illegal about this" Technically not trespassing because it's not owned by anybody, And you're not doing any harm in anyway, I think this is every person that loves trains is their dream
Way better than the other version
Really good
Congratulation on your "New" creation. You did very well. Thank you for sharing.
"May not be fast, but at least its ugly !" 😂 im totally stealing that line !
Unfortunately Black & Decker electric mowers are built the same way. Grass builds up in the cavity around the electric motor and you need a Torx driver to remove the top for cleaning.
You had me at "abandoned tracks" Yay!! Noooooo, poor ladybugs :( 🐞🎲
You sir, are a genius Wil-e-Coyote level....and that's high praise! Your "sticktoitiveness" is inspiring! You earned my sub!
I give you a lot of credit for not giving up. But you need a gas engine for more power. Nice video.
Nice video, but in order to get the self centering to work properly, the wheels need to be on a solid axle. The taper on the wheels has to be the small end out, this way the taper causes the wheel on the outside of the curve to increase in diameter and the inside wheel to get smaller ( just like rolling a cone ) The flanges on railroad wheels are not there to keep the wheel on the rail ( although they will contact the rail occasionally )
Mine cart wheels welded on a metal bar. Centred with circlips and a chain sprocket welded on.
The back wheels need to be connected to a single axle so they cannot turn independently. The front wheels also need to be done the same way. All the wheels need a taper with the small side to the outside. If you get a chance, look at a real train axle and you’ll see what I mean.
Either connect the opposite wheels on a single axle OR, each wheel can have its own motor and electronically controlled like an all-wheel-drive system which is overkill here but possible.
@@Pgr-pt5epYou don't want both sides to be mechanically independent. Both wheels being forced to rotate at the same speed is what steers trains.
@@pootispiker2866 I know that, and that what I said. The only alternative is electronic control.
That Yardworks mower must be hella old. They're still using a metal frame and Anderson connectors on the battery terminals, looks like a professional cobble-job with whatever parts they had laying around.
Thank you for bringing us this very interesting and informative video presentation which is very much appreciated by the people.
You could go vertical a bit before the platform to give some clearance. Nice vid, very entertaining.
In some countries they use something similar but bigger on active tracks. Theyre powered by a small gas motor. They easily stop and can be disassembled by the passengers in about 15-20 seconds to avoid oncoming trains.
if you build your own track, line the iron/steel tracks with copper, and put linear alternating magnets on the car alongside with wheels/skates, it will float while moving but land/stick down when not moving
I guess you could just use linear permanent ac magnet skates on normal train tracks, to levitate
Axman is the best - I thought I recognized those wheels from somewhere!
Well, you cannot say this guy is lacking in tenacity.
if you havnt by now. invest in a MIG welder .. welding is fairly simple and will make it much easier to make random parts fit
I have an old tombstone welder someone gave me, I haven't had time to learn to use it yet.
You should see my boxes of 'failed ideas'. I can relate as one intrepid tinker to another.
"This thing may not be fast but at least it's ugly!" LOL
My Toyota 4 runner, 276000 and runs like a champ
@stevenboyd593 Who asked?
At least that has a DC motor so you can add a directions switch and go in either direction with it. 😃
"Box Of Shame" LOL Enjoy your active and creative mind: not only that but you can use tools.
this channel is quality and so are you
Hello! Rail carts look fun and I might make a full body of a locomotive diesel of a SP have a good day!
Another Cool Build
These really look fascinating. In Australia, I don't think we have any abandoned railways here.
We dont have any here either, we just have people willing to flaunt the rules and use property to which they have no legal rights of access.
if you look for them, you can find the actual iron railroad wheels from speeder cars about10 inch in diameter for about 30 dollars a piece. We used them on simple iron bars for axles with hardware store pillow block bearings bolted onto a simple wooden frame held together with thumbscrew bolts. It could be assembled and disassembled in 5 minutes and thrown in the trunk of a car. We just sat on the back and kicked with our feet and went about 15mph. Almost any motor or engine of 1 kilowat or bigger should work.
I have a few hi-rail wheels I found on Craigslist, I just need to find an axle that fits them. I also have some railriders.net wheels that should be showing up in a video soon!
Really should have kept the belt drive. I would have ditched the sprocket on the motor and replaced with a shaft pulley. I would incorporate a engine drive belt tensioner into your build. You can increase your belt a lot by using a much larger pulley on the drive wheel.
I guess the more fun and more scary doesn't come until you can get your hands on one of those electric motorcycle powertrain parts. Got to push well into the KW territory with a 96v lithium battery brick.
Exellent work
You'll never get that 11 minutes and 30 seconds of your life back. But well you got a lesson in determination?
Maybe put some "chain saw teeth weed wacker wheels" on da inside, & outside to cut da grass & weeds as you go! Still an awesome "rail cart"!! 🤔😯👍
Very nice channel. I wanted to try stuff like that for years. Sadly I don't have any opportunity to do so.
A youtuber called Kreosan built a draisine to ride on a long railroad. He used 36v wheels from those "hoverboards" that were common some years ago. Maybe that is something you could try too.
I think I've seen one or two of his videos. I'll have to watch for those hoverboards at garage sales!
This is a fun video. I think it's worth mentioning that the spec for the flange is only like 1.5" betond the wheel running surface. More than that and you're gonna contact all kinds of stuff. You see it in the video. I can tell you at speed that's gonna do some damage and probably derail you.
Yep, mine runs into the rail connecting plates a lot. I have another rail vehicle I'm still working on with better wheels.
I give you a thumbs up for efforts...
I'm starting to look at making an enclosed rail cart with a bunk bed and small stove setup for long travel (100 miles+ out west). What tips would you give someone?
It's actually very cool.
what a fun video! You did a great job, with a ton of laughs along the way!
Cool idea😊 have you tried to run the go-cart in an s-curve or any curve to see if the wheels work fine in this situation? Greatings Dom
It works OK on curves, although the wheels aren't quite railroad spec and do have a lot of friction. I'm working on something better :-)
Great video 👍
Not only is this a great concept and a fun building process to watch, you put some great shots in there like the ones at 6:04 and 9:15, too! Excellent stuff.
That was a okay rail cart
Sweet Rig .
good start
What about an old 2 stroke enduro or something? Simple engine plus you’d bet a chain drive and tensioner along with it. You could even add a disc brake off of it (if necessary).
I'll have to keep an eye out for something like that!
Try using a rubber wheels horizontally on the inside to track it. Put one by each wheel. Also I’d suggest runners that electrical motor on a reducer and run a shaft to drive both wheels.
Good job !! 🍺 😎 👍
I love AxMan. My dad and I used to go there all the time
What if you added a razor-sharp cutter in front of the 2 front wheels so it would cut the brush before your cart got to it?
Already been tried th-cam.com/video/vh_R8AkkU50/w-d-xo.html
"It´s not fast but it´s ugly" is probably reaction for first test rides of british Pacers and Czechoslovakian M 152.0
7:22 clear indicator that you've worked around small engines before 🤣. Pretty sure that's also the OSHA standard hand signal for break-time.
Where does this man get his parts
I've got a video about that! It's a combination of hoarding, dumpster diving, garage sales, surplus stores, etc. th-cam.com/video/GSNbTmkaKA4/w-d-xo.html
Very cool! Liking it! Nice work!
Great job mate. It looks like its working well, although I think your wheel flanges are riding up onto the fishplates
They are, I need to make the main wheel diameter bigger (can't easily cut these flanges down).
Ooh, this looks fun to make, too bad I don't know where any abandoned railroads are
There are some websites and Facebook groups that have a lot of them!
You should put a treadmill motor on that thing
The side plates to keep the wheels on the tracks, do they tun into interference at where track comes to road crossings since there seems to be very little clearance at most. It also seems that the side plates create a lot of drag. Wondering why spring loaded wheels on their own frame set at 30 degrees to the rail. They would only need to touch the top 3/8- 1/2" of the rail.
There are designs that use side wheels and stuff, but my idea was to make this more like a real train. I figured that would go through switches better. The road crossings are an issue because they're either paved over or full of gravel.
good work
Used brake rotors from trucks make great starts for rail wheels
This is awesome
For wheels you could use Disc Brake Rotors
Maybe if it is haveing trouble make electric asisted so or as a second motor
On the other side of your rail cart, put a Automotive starter motor with its own battery so if you want some speed you can get it.
i i think the line from burnsville to Lakeville is intact except for road crossing were removed
I really love the use bigger wheels as flanges for the smaller wheels idea. I thought you were going to be able o drive it to the tracks like that but then there is the question about steering. I guess if you put a drop down/removeable steering wheel of a children's bike then you should be able to use it on pavement and tracks!
Maybe I could make something more like a real Go-Kart with lockable wheels? Might be a future project.
Yes, the bigger wheels as a flange is the key to driving around your neighborhood, now introduce a steering system. Great video
Electric absurdity, thumbs up
Just started watching this, but I would not be using wood for the wheel flange. Would wear down too fast when it rubs. Only use heave grade metal for that. Probably best to only use wheels designed for this purpose.
me when the house music starts in the build montages: 🕺🕺🕺
Very cool. I like your style. 😊👍👍
It's too slow for me, but it still looks like a fun ride! 👍🙌👍🙌 Question...do you think a gas powered golf cart would work after modifying the wheels for R/R wheels??
A golf cart might be fun, just a little harder to move by hand if you need to re-rail or pull it around a damaged area of track.
My dude, you rock!!!
I knew this guy was Alaskan. Its the Xtratuff life.. Sitka sneaker...
For future projects, used hoverboard motors are great for general propulsion; cheap, compact, torquey and you can use an off the shelf e-bike controller
The wheels are the biggest problem. I wanna hear clickity clack instead of thumpity thump. Was thinking brake rotors trimmed down on a lathe
That’s the same idea I had