name/info on teeter railroad cars - old west

Classic Trains General Discussion
1

Hi,

I would like to build a miniature of a manual railroad car that was used in the old west for rails maintenance I think. It had a shaft similar to a playground seesaw and was operated by two men.

Can anyone share its name and eventually construction details ?

Thanks/Brgds

João

2

The correct name is “handcar” and several have been preserved at several railroad musuems. I believe Steamtown has one in Scranton, PA/

3

The hand car, or in this case a “pump” car, is a common museum item. We don’t know where you are, Joao, so can’t give you much more advice than check your local railroad and historical museums. And I do believe there are kits or models avaiable, so check your local hobby shop, index for Model Railroader, etc., too.

4

Thanks both for your replies.
By the way I am in Portugal.
Take care
João

5

Portugal…that’ll make it difficult to find one in your local museum for sure…

6

Then you best bet is to use the internet to contact the different USA and Canadian model train suppliers and ask for catalogues.

7

http://www.bnsfchillisub.com/handcar_plans.htm

Try this. also do a search for “railroad hand car”

got a bunch of stuff there.

Rgds IGN