Yesterday, on another thread discussing bizarre locomotive experiments, one of the strangest looking cars ever to ride the rails was left off. The prow nosed McKeen car which looks like a Jules Verne version of a 19th century chain driven RDC right out of the Wild, Wild West. Saw this article this morning-thought I would post it for those familar with this beast. Being rebuilt.
http://www.tahoebonanza.com/article/20060621/Nevada/106210006
It could be said that the E. H. Harriman / McKeen railcar paved the way for the development of the EME/EMC/EMD diesel-electric phenomenom of our present day. EME’s (Electr-Motive Engineering Co.) first vehicals were an engineering improvement on McKeen’s original concepts. By 1922 engines had improved to the point the concept was sustainable. [8D]
My interest in the McKeen cars came from my reading an excellent book about one of the most ill fated railroads ever to leave the drawing board-The Woodstock and Sycamore. It was intended as a trolley line but they could’nt afford the wire. It’s route was literally in the shape of a ladder and it boasted one of the most spindly toothpick bridges ever erected outside of a garden railroad. Passengers would debark on one side, walk across The Milwaukee Road tracks and board on the other side. Their motive power was the McKeen car which was proudly displayed at Chicago’s Union Station as a high speed wonder. It’s chain drive, to put it mildly, left alot to be desired.There’s no denying it was the protoype for all that followed-I believe this one is the only ever to be restored.
It is amazing that any at all remain since they have not been built in at least 90 years. Most were retired as worn out over 60 years ago. I am intrigued by the one in Anchorage they claim has had the Windbreaker nose and round rear end chopped off. It may be one of the rare (even when built) models that was built without the wedge nose and rounded tail. No matter the condition it would be worth saving.
A photo would be nice.
A little off topic, but is there any sign of the Woodstock and Sycamore right of way left? Thanks
Bert
Weird is right, but interesting. If you want an HO model (brass), you’ll occasionally find them used. As for the prototype, it was generally unsuccessful. It was underpowered and the powerplant was undependable.
I have a book,“Interurbans w/out wires” that shows several photos of Mckeen motor cars,one of which was on a Tx.short line that ran from Mineral Wells Tx. to Weatherford or Ft Worth…Mineral Wells and Northwest I believe was the name…Was in business until Ft Walters ( Mineral Wells)closed sometime after the Vietnam conflict…When they closed the depot and an exMOP baywindow caboose was left as a museum and the road bed was turned into a trail around Mineral Wells. I have seen brass models of the car at train shows but the models are o/priced for their quality of workmanship…Danny
http://www.nsrm-friends.org/nsrm44-1.html This may help!