Cool story and little history there. I can't imagine a Model T motor being able to pull all that weight (with the extra body, wheels, and people), but it might have been lighter if it was built with tin. A shame they don't have a working version to try out.

probably, but a Model T engine has a lot of displacement on four cylinders, thus enough torque for this in my opinion. also, the rest would be transmission ratio. :)

The T engine, while not high HP wise was 2.9 liters and the stroke gave it 80 or so lbs of torque at 900RPM.

Considering steam traction engines ranged from 15 to 40HP and they could pull just about anything you wished, abet slowly, I've little doubt this modified T could do a respectable 20mph.

The ride quality would be an issue I see here though (unequalized), plus wheel hunting as the front wheels rode their flanges would also impact passengers. Looks like this recreated example actually has some outriggers that ride the inside of the railhead to reduce that issue. The high cube would also make it a handful with wind and overall centre of gravity. The radiator from all appearances appears to be stock as well, and would be woefully inadequate for this duty.

I wager that on anything but really level track this railcar is 'um, . . an exciting ride, which would explain why it wasn't successful and adopted in greater numbers.

Rockin'!! \m/

Wow, that's pretty neat. I wouldn't have minded riding one of those.

That's one of the most unusual rail vehicles I've ever seen.

here is another one, this time from germany. :)
(sorry, german only)
http://www.bahnbilder.de/name/galer.....bz%FCge~VT+01+(Schweineschn%E4uzchen).html

I had to spend several minutes trying to locate the page manually, but I eventually found it. FA broke the hyperlink at ).html, and I didn't notice when I clicked on it.

I failed to notice that myself; now I see it. wtf?

anyway, a description of that little railcar is to be read below in a reply to Mayfurr's. :)

the only thing I could find that is even remotely similar here in Queensland is this http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2419595/ which is on static display at the Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich QLD

That one with the forward bogie is even weirder than this one!

worked well though

wanna see weird?
http://www.bahnbilder.de/name/galer.....bz%FCge~VT+01+(Schweineschn%E4uzchen).html
this is what we did in that context in the early 30's. Adolf didn't like it, since it was fired by two genuine Ford engines (one at each end), but tolerated it since it was all built in germany.

one of the reasons why Ford of Germany used to have so many Taunus models after the war was that they had to re-brand their vehicles during the NS reign. after the war it simply stuck, Ford had had the habit of naming vehicles after german cities and vicinities before. they also didn't officially use the plum logo until '76 except on parts engravings.

aw. stupid FA broke the stupid link with a stupid bracket before .html. sorry for the inconvenience.

A classic, but unfortunately impractical

This is a nice design, for a classic!

hehe it reminds me of the Rio Grande Southern's Galloping Gooses Which all excepy Goose #1 were save but a replica of Goose #1 has been created & is on display at the Ridgeway Museum

Finally!... A proto for Florida's new bullet train.

sweet...Im so gonna build one in brass

Cool! If you do build one, I'd love to see a photo of it.

its a replica...but...SO WANT!