Ah, KISS at its best. I’ve looked at a lot of builds on here and most are overkill. Yours is simple........and it works. Great work, John. Been following your outrageous projects since the late 90’s. Never disappointed.
You may want to change wheels. Train wheels' radius is lower, the further from the middle of the train (They have a shape of a plastic cup, but way shorter). It helps the train to stay on the rails. Also it solves the problem of one wheel needing to do more rotations when the rails turn.
Yeah, I was fully aware of that when I built these wheels. However, the cost and complexity of building a tapered wheel was not worth it to me for this application. As I'm sure you know the speeds and weight that my wheels see is far less than what you would see on a real train. My cart bounces back and forth a little on the rails, but it's not a big deal and it's never jumped the tracks or even come close to it.
@@JohnCappa I was considering using pneumatic wheels for support, with a set of skateboard wheels on each corner, mounted horizontally, to keep the kart on the track rollercoaster style.
@@timgiles9413 I don’t have access to a lathe with a deep enough bed. If I did I would have just made my own wheels. This was the low cost alternative. It ain’t perfect, but works just fine. It really doesn’t wander all that much on the rails at the speed I’m traveling.
hey, my friend and i are looking to build one. could you give any pointers or ideas on how we connect the motor to the wheels / axels and if it’s better to use a chain or a splined hub that has the 4 bolts to connect a tire to push the wheels on the cart
@JohnCappa could you show us a part list and suppliers where you got stuff at. I'm really interested in doing this. I've seen other builds for 4k and you said you built this one for $500. I'd rather build yours for $500!
@@andykapfenstein7032 : I purchased almost everything from eBay and Amazon. It’s just basic 3/4-inch pillow block bearings, a 3/4-inch diameter keyed shaft for the drive axle, 3/4-inch diameter shaft for the front axle, some 3/4-inch spacers and keyed 3/4-inch drive hubs. It’s made up of very common basic industrial components you can get almost anywhere. To mimic my kart you’ll need the ability to weld, drill holes and grind.
I bumped up the chain size larger than needed for just that reason. For me, weight is a concern so I couldn’t run larger diameter wheels for more ground clearance. The bigger wheels were too heavy.
Hey John great simple design! Im in process of building my rail cart out of a tri- fold aluminum loading ramp. Im using pallet jack wheels and car disk brakes for wheels. Can you give a more detailed description if your wheel assembly and axel connection? Also wheel base? Thanks!
I think I'm gonna have to make a video of the wheels, a lot of people are asking me about them. Mine kart is standard railroad gauge. There are other railroad gauges so you need to match the width to the rail you plain to run.
Hello, I am also doing something similar, I liked the simple design, how did it go with those wheels with brake discs? Because I want to make them with an iron wheel and the disc on one side, greetings from Argentina.
John I left some comments on your other video with you and your brother riding but then I stumbled across this one showing how you built your cart is there any way you can elaborate on the kind of wheels you use how you built and bolted your flanges I already have a one inch axle made with a keyway but just cannot figure out the wheels thanks for any help you can give me.
tell me more about this , hobby? I mean , what happens if a train comes from to you , or is it legal to drive this ? More details about this? it seems pretty interesting
Where does one get information about joining a club? In California and where are you permitted to use these at? Any information would be gladly appreciated thank you.
I tried adding a mountain bike disc brake to the second cart I built for a friend, but it hit a rock and bent. I just use my shoe on the wheel or on the rail. You can usually see far enough ahead that slowing down in time is a non issue. However, I've been looking at go cart calipers that will fit over wheel discs.
You could, but 22 mph is pretty scary on an unmaintained rail. I’ve hit a few big rocks. Most of the time I’m just off idle at around 10 mph, unless I know for sure the rail is clear.
They can be what ever you want. I made mine small enough to fit in the bed of my Tacoma pickup. The wheel width will depend on the rail line you want to travel. Standard gauge rails are are 4-foot 8.5-inches measured on the inside. However, older abandoned rails are often pushed further apart in some corners.
I would recommend salvaging an old scooter. Lightweight, enough power AND you have a Variomatic for the higher speeds you want to achieve. It’s a lot louder tho.
Ah, KISS at its best. I’ve looked at a lot of builds on here and most are overkill. Yours is simple........and it works. Great work, John. Been following your outrageous projects since the late 90’s. Never disappointed.
Thanks for following me through the years!
Loved the last vid u need to do another adventure with it
Bump for this comment
I’ll work on it. Have to wait for my brother to come back into town.
Woah a rail kart is so cool.
Need another rail car adventure!!!
I have another local rail I can hit.
Please expound on the wheels - I plan to build one like yours but wondered about the wheels
Thanks for the info 👍 awesome simple kart
You may want to change wheels.
Train wheels' radius is lower, the further from the middle of the train (They have a shape of a plastic cup, but way shorter). It helps the train to stay on the rails. Also it solves the problem of one wheel needing to do more rotations when the rails turn.
Yeah, I was fully aware of that when I built these wheels. However, the cost and complexity of building a tapered wheel was not worth it to me for this application. As I'm sure you know the speeds and weight that my wheels see is far less than what you would see on a real train. My cart bounces back and forth a little on the rails, but it's not a big deal and it's never jumped the tracks or even come close to it.
@@JohnCappa I was considering using pneumatic wheels for support, with a set of skateboard wheels on each corner, mounted horizontally, to keep the kart on the track rollercoaster style.
May I suggest taking your wheels and turning them on a lathe with a 3 degree taper. Any wood lathe would do. @@JohnCappa
@@timgiles9413 I don’t have access to a lathe with a deep enough bed. If I did I would have just made my own wheels. This was the low cost alternative. It ain’t perfect, but works just fine. It really doesn’t wander all that much on the rails at the speed I’m traveling.
@@matts1166 I’ve seen a guy with pneumatic wheels on his kart get a flat tire. It wasn’t a great scenario. I didn’t want to worry about that.
Something is missing. Aaaah, safety belts on the frame to help stabilize your seating arrangements.
This will be helpful when I go to make one
Nice railcart build
Cool! Nice job!
hey, my friend and i are looking to build one. could you give any pointers or ideas on how we connect the motor to the wheels / axels and if it’s better to use a chain or a splined hub that has the 4 bolts to connect a tire to push the wheels on the cart
A chain, sprocket and keyed axle is the most reliable drive method. Use a #40 chain and sprockets. Super durable.
@JohnCappa could you show us a part list and suppliers where you got stuff at. I'm really interested in doing this. I've seen other builds for 4k and you said you built this one for $500. I'd rather build yours for $500!
@@andykapfenstein7032 : I purchased almost everything from eBay and Amazon. It’s just basic 3/4-inch pillow block bearings, a 3/4-inch diameter keyed shaft for the drive axle, 3/4-inch diameter shaft for the front axle, some 3/4-inch spacers and keyed 3/4-inch drive hubs. It’s made up of very common basic industrial components you can get almost anywhere. To mimic my kart you’ll need the ability to weld, drill holes and grind.
You really should make a heavy duty chain guard. It looks great. I made mine 4' x 8' to carry 4 adults 😊
I bumped up the chain size larger than needed for just that reason. For me, weight is a concern so I couldn’t run larger diameter wheels for more ground clearance. The bigger wheels were too heavy.
to bad you dont have some seat springs for smoother ride? or an air horn? great video hugs wheelchair larry
Hey John great simple design! Im in process of building my rail cart out of a tri- fold aluminum loading ramp. Im using pallet jack wheels and car disk brakes for wheels. Can you give a more detailed description if your wheel assembly and axel connection? Also wheel base? Thanks!
I think I'm gonna have to make a video of the wheels, a lot of people are asking me about them. Mine kart is standard railroad gauge. There are other railroad gauges so you need to match the width to the rail you plain to run.
Hello, I am also doing something similar, I liked the simple design, how did it go with those wheels with brake discs? Because I want to make them with an iron wheel and the disc on one side, greetings from Argentina.
John I left some comments on your other video with you and your brother riding but then I stumbled across this one showing how you built your cart is there any way you can elaborate on the kind of wheels you use how you built and bolted your flanges I already have a one inch axle made with a keyway but just cannot figure out the wheels thanks for any help you can give me.
Sounds like I need to make a video about the wheels. I'm getting a lot of questions about them.
Yes please make a wheel video
I don't understand the clutch system. Could you please explain?
It’s a very basic mini bike clutch for #40 motorcycle chain that attaches to the 3/4-inch keyed shaft on the engine. It’s very compact.
Looking for wheels were do you fined them
You can either build them or buy the really nice ones from railriders.net.
tell me more about this , hobby?
I mean , what happens if a train comes from to you , or is it legal to drive this ?
More details about this? it seems pretty interesting
It's an abandoned railroad. There are lots of abandoned rails around the US. I wouldn't recommend karting on a live rail.
Can you add an attachment on the back to told extra supplies?
A trailer would be a really easy addition.
Where does one get information about joining a club? In California and where are you permitted to use these at? Any information would be gladly appreciated thank you.
I don’t know of any clubs, but there are a few Facebook pages.
Where did you buy your wheels
I made mine using shipping cart wheels, but you can buy really nice wheels from railriders.net.
Hello, would you be able to take people on a ride if we pay as a tour? I would be interested when I'm near your area.
How about brake system sir
I tried adding a mountain bike disc brake to the second cart I built for a friend, but it hit a rock and bent. I just use my shoe on the wheel or on the rail. You can usually see far enough ahead that slowing down in time is a non issue. However, I've been looking at go cart calipers that will fit over wheel discs.
@@JohnCappa thanks sir
Larger wheels. Higher up off the rails?
Yeah, if I were to do it again I'd use at least 8-inch wheels instead of the 5-inch wheels I have.
How fast does it go? Looks like fun
My top speed is 22 mph, but I could gear this engine for about twice that if needed. It would be hair raising though.
@@JohnCappa 2 speed would be sweet
You could, but 22 mph is pretty scary on an unmaintained rail. I’ve hit a few big rocks. Most of the time I’m just off idle at around 10 mph, unless I know for sure the rail is clear.
What are pillow blocks
Do you want to sell it or build me one? Let me know what you want for that one or one like it!!
I'm not really in the business of building rail karts. Maybe try railriders.net/
What are the dimensions on that cart?
They can be what ever you want. I made mine small enough to fit in the bed of my Tacoma pickup. The wheel width will depend on the rail line you want to travel. Standard gauge rails are are 4-foot 8.5-inches measured on the inside. However, older abandoned rails are often pushed further apart in some corners.
Does this stay on tracks on turns?
Yes, the wheels have disks that hug the rails.
Whats your guage on the flanges? 56”?
On the wheels? 3/16 inch. If I were to do it again I might try HDPE plastic.
Ohh, the width, a little less than the standard 56.5 inches. Older abandoned rail widths are inconsistent.
th-cam.com/video/fs3lbzlxNBc/w-d-xo.html
I would like a gas tank big enough to travel 100 miles
I want to make one that will go at least 65mph
I would recommend salvaging an old scooter. Lightweight, enough power AND you have a Variomatic for the higher speeds you want to achieve. It’s a lot louder tho.
What’s the top speed?
22 mph for now
@@JohnCappa Needs a turbo or you need to start eating fewer burritos to get that power to weight ratio better!
Yeah, I’m fat! I’d need brakes too if I do that!
Id like to talk to you
About?
🚽💩
How cool
yo would love to collab with you hit me up
How long is the shaft?
track width most places is 1435 so its probably a little shorter than that
👀